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Ten bucks says that Vitamin D is worthless, and only shows up as important because it correlates with sunlight, which turns out to be hugely important to health
by zug_zug 3y ago
Ten bucks says that Vitamin D is worthless, and only shows up as important because it correlates with sunlight, which turns out to be hugely important to health.
For example - our skin is constantly covered in bacteria and molds, surely sunlight impacts these.
- kadoban 3y agoIt shows up as important because it means you're well enough to go outside and be active. In other words, it's mostly correlation. The question is: is _all_ of it correlation or is there actually something else there too?
- CuriousCosmic 3y agoThere's definitely something else there because it's been shown to improve things for people at extreme latitudes during their respective winters. But supplements are probably not necessary for most people in regions where you can get at least some access to sunlight every few days. So while there is a decent bit of established evidence from more extreme environments that Vitamin D is important, there's only now really been enough research covering whether a supplement is necessary for people who can source it through "normal" pathways.
- CuriousCosmic 3y agoEhhhh Vitamin D is pretty important even if it isn't the cureall that some people believed. There's a reason why people stationed in Antarctica during the winter regularly take mega doses of vitamin D as directed by medical staff.
- icedchai 3y agoThis seems like a strange example. Unless you're walking outside in the nude, only a small area of skin will get any direct exposure to sunlight.