The Truth About Vitamin D


Published: June 24th, 2015.

Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, is not strictly a vitamin. It is actually a hormone that affects thousands of our genes, including genes linked to conditions such as cancer and heart disease. Over the last few years sales of vitamin D supplements have skyrocketed, and are now second only to multi-vitamins. But are these supplements really beneficial or do they pose a health risk? And what exactly should we do to avoid vitamin d deficiency during the long cold winters? This lecture tackles these questions, offers you a better alternative to supplements, and shows you how to properly boost your immune system via the vitamin D pathway.

 

Narrowband UVB Phototherapy

UVB-Narrowband lights are the best way to restore and maintain your vitamin D levels during long, cold winters, and represent an effective treatment for several skin conditions such as psoriasis, vitiligo and eczema.

We enjoy and appreciate having the benefits of phototherapy in the comfort of our home, especially during the long Canadian winters.

 

A few follow-up notes:

  • When using phototherapy for vitamin D, it is sensible to exclude areas of the body that have received significant amounts of UV in the person’s life, or areas that were previously sun burned. For example, the device I use comes with an optional face shield.
  • Bruce Elliot from Solarc Systems, a leading North American manufacturer of medical grade phototherapy equipment, emailed the following: “I concur with your comments on UVB-Narrowband and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). We get consistent excellent patient feedback. Someday I will get Health Canada to add it to the indications for use.”
  • Bruce says it best: “The dermatology community’s message of ‘zero sun’ is I think an effort to provide one very simple message for the masses; a conceit of sorts that ignores the intelligence of the rest of us. I think it should be replaced with NEVER GET BURNED!”
  • UVB provides photoprotection. People with fair skin are amazed that they no longer burn in the sun as they once did when vacationing down south.

 

I only recommend medical grade phototherapy devices that have been approved by Health Canada for the treatment of psoriasis, vitiligo, eczema and vitamin D deficiency. To discuss your specific needs and to receive guidance in choosing the ideal phototherapy device for your home, please email us directly. We will be happy to answer all of your questions.

 

Marc Jaoude
Health Educator
Nutrition & Exercise Specialist

88 Responses

  1. Thankyou so much for this awareness about vitamin D. I was mostly deficient. In Australia we have been terrifed of the sun. Thanks to the sunscream industry. I feel better after sunbathing. Thanks. Honestly I haven’t found anything like your video or article on Google about right way of taking sunlight.

  2. A UVB lamp has helped my boyfriend’s eczema. He has been on steroids for YEARS and what he really needed was vitamin D.

    1. I am very happy for your boyfriend. I have witnessed people suffering terribly from eczema find hope and recovery with the help of UVB phototherapy along with lifestyle changes, mainly dietary. I know how difficult skin conditions can be for many people, both physically and mentally. This is why I included a section on this topic in the video. Wishing you both all the best.

  3. A doctor told me that the sun causes cancer and we can only get vitamin d through supplements.
    She even said 20 minutes of sunlight can cause cancer.
    Talk about brain washing fear porn right?

      1. @Markito Nutrition So do they really believe what they were taught in medical school?
        or do they know what they tell patients is total bullsh**?

        1. I believe that the large majority of doctors want to help their patients to the best of their ability, and recommend what they believe is correct. Whether or not they take the time to review research outside of what they were taught in medical school plays a big role in what they recommend. As an example, I know of several cardiologists that have said that most of what they do to help their patients today is based on knowledge they acquired on their own, and not in medical school. Today they treat heart disease with nutrition, not drugs.

    1. Mani Maran according to research it is sometimes possible to produce some vitamin D from sitting in certain shade environments.

  4. We try to pick out the best supplements only to find out that the original product has been bought out and quietly changed with artificial vitamins, low quality minerals like selenium they use in electronics… (I’m not a robot). That’s why studies like these and the information you provide is so important. When I tell people that we look for natural vitamins, that depend on natural minerals which depend on enzymes to break down in our bodies, I get a deer in the headlight look many times but these articles really help… Have you released information on selenium, sweeteners? Thanks, Pete

    1. Thank you Pete, you make some great points. No, I have not had the time to release anything specifically on selenium or sweeteners. However, I do talk about the abundance of natural selenium present in foods such as barley. Thank you.

    1. The UVB narrowband full body device our clients use at our health facility to help with skin conditions such as psoriasis, as well as for vitamin D, is the one shown here: https://markitonutrition.com/product/solarc-phototherapy-devices/
      These are available in multiple options- sizes, add-ons etc. The larger the lamps the less exposure time you need for vitamin D, as you would be exposing a larger surface area of your skin. I’m not a fan of the smaller models for vitamin D.

  5. This is a 30 minute selling his Light commercial with 2 Lies he says you cant get enough sun light in Canada in winter time and glass stops VU light BOTH LIES … green houses should be torn down then ?? And I sit at my patio window when the Sun is shining and it doesn’t take long and by back is hot after for hours and I feel way better !! Its a infomercial 30 minutes long

    1. I am sorry that you feel that way. I stand by the facts presented in this video 100%. Just to correct your statements: unfortunately modern windows block UVB rays, therefore you won’t be boosting your vitamin levels sitting behind a window. This is not an opinion, but a fact. The fact that you feel better is due to other benefits of light, not related to vitamin D- which is just one of the reasons why my video recommends actual sun exposure versus pills. Greenhouses are actually designed to block UV rays. You are free to express your opinions, I just wanted to correct your facts for the benefit of viewers, including yourself.

        1. Please get your facts straight, UVA causes tanning and skin damage and is not blocked by windows. This is why I don’t recommend sitting behind a window as you can damage your skin from the sun- as explained from that video you linked. The study that they were referring to was concerning UVA. UVB, which produces vitamin D, is what is blocked by glass. The best way to get accurate information is to learn how to read scientific studies directly. It’s worth your time and effort because knowing the right information allows us to make better decisions concerning our health. Thank you.

    2. There are ywo kinds of stupid. 1)Harmful to self. 2) Harmful to self AND others. “Deeptruthhinter Rising”, which is an ironic name for this dope, is #2.

  6. I grew up in a small island in the Mediterranean too, most
    all around the sea area countries are vitamin D deficient
    I am dark tanned and still my vitamin D when tested was
    at 11 instead of 50 …. You have to take vitamin D3 supliments
    with K2…..sorry t l have to take my vitamin D….l watched your
    video and now your trying to sell dam lamps!…..your a snake
    oil salesman…..are you a Dr?…..

    1. Dinos Metaxas, as explained in the video, people often take the advice to avoid the sun and wear sunscreen too far, and they end up vitamin D deficient regardless of where they live. Natural sun exposure is the top source of vitamin D, and it’s free.

      For people in colder climates, such as Canada, a UVB light device is approved by the government for several skin conditions as well as vitamin d deficiency. We’ve witnessed clients reverse very debilitating skin issues with UVB lamps. Unfortunately, it’s a lot easier and profitable for businesses to sell vitamin D supplements, and for doctors to prescribe steroids, than it is to educate the public about the preponderance of the scientific evidence. It’s time to put the truth over profit. All the best

      1. Markito……l believe cancer robs your vitamin D……that’s why you
        have to take vitamin D supplements…..mine was 11 and l am in
        the sun practically all day…l have to get it above 50……

        1. Hi again Dinos,
          cancer and vitamin D is a different topic all together. There is currently no conclusive evidence that raising vitamin D levels to normal (via supplementation) improves the outcome for cancer patients. It’s an interesting topic, and one that would require a more in depth response not suitable for youtube. There are always exceptions, and when it comes to medications and supplements sometimes what should be prescribed as an exception becomes the rule, and that’s when we get into trouble. For the majority of people, the best route is to receive adequate sun exposure- that should be the rule. Exceptions can be discussed on a case by case basis.

          The goal is for people to begin asking the right questions and making more informed decisions. For example, new evidence shows that the test for vitamin D is not accurate for darker skinned people, leading to false diagnoses of deficiency. Lastly, for all people fighting cancer, I highly recommend a strong focus on nutrition, and specifically the transition to a proper plant-based diet. Wishing you all the best.

  7. I live in England, so where can I get a UVB photo therapy machine? How much are they? My daughter has Virtiligo, will the machine help her?

    Kind regards,

    Wendy Fry

    1. Hello Wendy,

      Yes, it can help with vitiligo – please review this study:

      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/19293504/

      You can check the link in the notes under the video, with the heading “Narrowband UVB Phototherapy Device”, to see where to get the light therapy device we use at our studio. It will take you straight to the manufacturer’s website where you can review all the details. The company has a 230 volt version of the model E-Series (which is a fantastic machine), and it can be brought into most countries as a personal import.

      All the best to you and your daughter.

    2. Hi Wendy,

      I am the vitiligo expert at Solarc Systems Inc. if you can afford a SolRx™ 1780UVB-NB-230V it would be the ideal solution for just 1,595.00 plus shipping to UK, it is designed for 220 to 240 volts so it will work in your country.

      If they are limited on budget then an E720M-UVBNB-230V would be the most affordable full body phototherapy solution for just 1,195.00 US dollars plus shipping to UK.

      For vitiligo I always recommend full body treatment even if the lesion is small, vitiligo is known to respond better to full body stimulation and on top of that it would help maintain healthier level of Vitamin D.

      Please feel free to contact me directly at info@solarcsystems.com for further information and shipping quote

      I hope the best for your dauther.

      Kind regards,

  8. Markito Nutrition so how did my great grandparents get enough vitamin d living here in canada? sorry but in the winter it would’ve come from animal fats. you make some good points but your vegan recommendation discredits you.

    1. I don’t know what time period you are referring to when you mention your great grandparents, however, there is a reason why the Canadian government opted to fortify/enrich certain foods with vitamin D supplements about 100 years ago. This video explains how the best source of vitamin D is from sunshine. I was not aware that recommending sunshine is, as you put it, a vegan recommendation. When it comes to vitamin D, sunshine is a much better solution than whale blubber or fortified foods. And, as mentioned in the video, phototherapy is a viable option recommended for Canadians due to the harsh winter climate.

      1. i agree about sunshine, but from october to april/may it’s not helpful–i never use sunscreen, i use coconut oil and iodine on my skin and never burn. we are meant to migrate somewhere warmer?… so for millenia the inuit walked to florida in the winter? whale blubber. yeah, cuz that’s the only option.

        my great-great-great-great grandparents were living in canada in the early 1800s in southern ontario with limited access to whale blubber–what did they do? they ate the fat and offal of animals that spent their days outdoors just like my ancestors. vitamin d3 is fat soluble meaning it would be stored in the fat. reasonable sources of vitamin d = fish, particularly livers; animal offal; cheese; and grass-fed butter and cheese would also be loaded with vitamin k2 so the calcium would be directed to the bones, teeth, and nails instead of soft-tissue. can you guess what our ancestors ate much more of than we do?

        but my actual vegan point refers to the end of your video your comment on consumption of animal protein and point #4. Eat a proper plant-based diet. you put all this effort into telling us not to take vit d supplements, cuz they’re not good for us in the LONG-TERM and instead we should buy a light source, maybe even the one from you. so where do you get your vitamin b12? fortified foods or a bottle? you are also aware that the best source of omega 3 fat is animal based, particularly fish. for humans the conversion of ALA (from nuts & seeds) to EPA & DHA is poor. vitamin A (retinol) doesn’t exist in plants–beta carotene (in plants) can be converted to retinol but the it’s tough if you have digestive issues–which is totally uncommon these days, right. bottom line is that with some nutrients the best sources LONG-TERM are animal based (e.g. you can live with vitamin b12 consumption for a while, but long-term it will kill you). actually, if you want the full benefits of vitamin without the harm, vitamin A & K2 are absolutely crucial and they are abundant in the fat of animals. but you have edited the story to suit your interests

        and is the phototherapy thingy tax deductible without a doctor’s prescription? you can’t even get your vitamin d levels tested in ontario unless you have rickets or some other obvious vitamin d illness

        1. Your comment is filled with many common misconceptions regarding B12, Vitamin A, the Innuit population, fish consumption and omega 3 fats. All of these misconceptions are discussed in my other videos and on my website. My videos entitled How to Remove Dioxins From Your Body and What About Fish are a good start, as well as reading several recent studies, published in peer reviewed medical journals, that discuss the “Arctic Dilemma”, referring to the fact that the traditional Inuit marine diet is associated with many health issues, and the problems are getting increasingly worse. Your recommendation to consume fish liver is particularly worrisome – my videos discuss why in detail.

          Yes, phototherapy devices do quality for a medical expense tax credit (METC) in Canada without a prescription. In addition to boosting vitamin D levels, I’ve witnessed clients at my practice resolve very difficult, life altering, chronic skin conditions with the help of phototherapy – a much better alternative than cortisone shots and drugs. That is how and why we got started reviewing the research on light therapy. Thank you.

          1. i agree that marine food is now highly problematic. that wasn’t my point. i’m not suggesting one eat fish liver, i’m simply suggesting that people would have acquired vitamin d from animals in the past, just like vitamin b12–alluding to a potential hypocrisy. but feel free to bullet point me on my misconceptions about b12. and you’d have to send me the links to the food studies before i’m willing to agree–nutrition science is a dubious one. if you’re talking about toxins in food that’s very different.

            watched your video on dioxin. ok, but you’re also making that the argument that chlorella and wheat grass are at least a partial solution. what i have never understood about veganism for health is why there is the necessity to eliminate ALL animal products. some are very nutrient dense and beneficial and you don’t have to eat large quantities–apparently you could just take some chlorella with it. veggies are great but hardly pristine either, even if the dioxins “just wash off”.

            it’s the alarmism that bothers me most. i have dealt with depression and sleeplessness, and yes, going out in the sun is best–but wait, isn’t that exposing us to more dioxins????? most of us don’t have $1000+ to buy a phototherapy device, and claiming it as a medical expense doesn’t change that–we don’t have a clinic and clients to pay for the cost. we all do what we can and while sometimes it may be less than perfect, you telling people that they are wrong to do what they are doing when they it is clearly making their lives better is kinda assholy on your part.

            1. I believe that we are talking in circles. I never mention a “vegan” diet specifically, and telling people to not be afraid of the sun, and to replace meat with lentils is, in fact, cost effective in many ways. Nutritional science is not so confusing or even misleading once we learn to become better consumers of information – which is always a top topic when interacting with new clients. It’s important for people to feel confident about their choices, and this is only achieved once they begin learning how to ask the right questions, understanding how to separate pseudo science (advertising) from real science conducted with ethics.

              If you want to have the answer to your B12 question, you can read point #6 on this article from my website- here is the link: https://markitonutrition.com/the-paleo-diet-is-based-on-fantasy-not-science/

              I’m glad you watched my video on dioxins as well, and from that you learned that it is actually quite simple to reduce our exposure as it comes mainly from the foods we choose to eat- and this is a fact.

              What you call alarmism is actually just knowledge which helps people understand the consequences of their actions, followed by the appreciation that simple shifts in our lifestyle lead us away from the disease-care system and down the path to achieving our greatest potential. However, due to food addictions, it is sometimes hard emotionally for some people to accept information even when presented with great evidence, which is why such conversations can bring out anger and even insults. That’s a shame- but for those who seek to learn – the potential to have a life filled with opportunity and good health only grows greater. That’s what we’ve experienced with our clients for close to 20 years, and the first step is always education.

              All the best

              1. you didn’t say vegan but that’s what people seem to mean when they say “plant-based”. my apologies if i was mistaken. the reality is you and i are not so far apart on issues. your bit on b12 is interesting, though i doubt it’s the whole story. i do agree the obsession with cleanliness and devastation of soil and naturally occurring bacteria are a huge part of the issue. kinda nice to hear someone else recognize that actually. i do also think bugs (not the microscopic ones) are also part of the answer. too bad you don’t sell books about growing your own food in healthy soil–then people could be in the sun and cultivating their own b12. i would only add that vitamin b12 is not the only nutrient of relevance when consuming animal products. and the manure of animals would also be important, no? to me they are a part of the solution. i do strongly disagree with you about nutrition science. it’s not that it’s confusing or misleading (though it can be both), it’s that a lot of it is just bad science. i don’t think there is actually strong evidence that eating animals/product is unhealthy–not when you take out the bad science. food questionnaires and epidemiological studies are not the best science. they MAY show trends–correlation but not causation and that’s assuming they are well-designed, which many are not–ethics notwithstanding. this being an excellent example of crap science. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0157990 they ONLY asked about meat consumption. “Our results suggest that meat consumption, especially processed meat, was associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes in our young Mediterranean cohort.” so plant-based folks trumpet that meat causes type 2 diabetes (formerly known as sugar diabetes). what else did they eat and drink? who knows! “would you like fries and a coke with your hot dog? how about some ice cream?” if i’m willing to eat lots of hot dogs, what else am i willing to eat? but yeah, meat causes diabetes. education and knowledge are great, but you do understand that most people don’t actually understand science well enough to assess it reasonably? they just regurgitate what they have been told by their gurus. not everything YOU say will be correct… as newer research emerges it happens to the best of ideas and intentions. and just as importantly, most people cannot afford you and your solutions. so dismissing them and wagging your finger at them saying that vitamin d supplements may be helping you in the short-term but what about the long-term effect IS kinda assholy. cuz some people are just trying to find a way to get out of bed everyday and not feel like crap and consuming veggies and distilled water just isn’t enough. meat i can digest, lentils not-so-much–which sucks, cuz i love lentils. is my gut bacteria screwed up? sure, but eating things i can’t digest won’t help that.

                1. Leaving your repeated insults aside (!), it is of greater benefit to ask questions and seek to learn. For example, you can learn- for free- on my website how sprouting lentils renders them easier to digest, and you can also learn how to improve your gut in order to be able to digest very important foods that currently do not agree with you.

                  It is important to be able to consume legumes without malaise because, in the long run, these are the foods that provide support for a healthy gut and thus a stronger immune system. The digestive issues you describe are, as you suggested, a symptom of a deeper issue that should be addressed. You also mentioned your battle with depression- and it is interesting to note that while the top selling drug in the world is Ability, an antidepressant, the second or third most prescribed medication is Nexium for gastrointestinal disorders. People rarely have isolated health issues. Having worked with individuals suffering from multiple conditions, I can tell you that shifting to a healthier diet has proven over the years to be a more powerful remedy than any drug prescribed.

                  Of course there are challenges in the beginning of such a transition. And, as you suggest, people need a great amount of support and guidance to rise above the level of confusion and misinformation that exists not just due to corruption, but also coming from well intentioned individuals who simply do not know any better.

                  Wishing you all the best.

  9. not true! I take organic D3 drops and vitamin K2. My extreme bone pain is gone. really gone. I got tested and my level is at a sweet spot
    by taking 2,000 IUs a day.

    1. Vitamin D supplements will raise vitamin D levels. However, we have to be careful that the choices we make to correct a deficiency in the short term do not harm us in the long term. My video looks at the bigger picture, and reminds people that adequate sun exposure along with a healthy diet is much more powerful, and a lot safer, than consuming isolated nutrient pills. Thanks.

  10. may be a dumb question, but can a good UVB light/therapy every week, like mentioned in the video, begin to reverse Celiac Disease by chance? Celiac is a very complicated & difficult Auto-Immune Condition to have

    1. Frank Behnke Your question is not dumb at all. There are associations between psoriasis, a condition helped greatly with phototherapy, and celiac disease. Autoimmune diseases share some common mechanisms, and when we have one we are more likely to be diagnosed with another. This is also why we see improvements in many aspects of a person’s health once proper lifestyle changes are implemented.

      I have not seen any evidence that UVB light therapy can reverse celiac disease. However, my clients suffering from both thyroid disease as well as IBS and IBD (Crohn’s, colitis) report feeling much better once beginning phototherapy. I should note that the biggest factor to their success is a change in diet. I’ve seen incredible and consistent improvements in gut health with every single client who has transitioned to a proper plant-based diet. I should also stress the importance of truly being diagnosed with CD as opposed to assuming we have a problem with gluten when, in fact, it could be other factors at play. My video entitled “Exposing The Whole Grain Myth” touches on this issue. It can be found on my website here: https://markitonutrition.com/videos/whole-grain-video/- as can several articles on digestive issues. All the best.

  11. Fantastic video, thank you very much! I live in Canada…where can I purchase one of those phototherapy devices?

    1. Maple Hill Thanks for watching. If you visit my website at https://markitonutrition.com you will find more information on the light therapy device I recommend and that my clients have used for years. If you have any questions you will be able to contact me directly through the site. The good news is that Canadians do not require a prescription to purchase it, and it qualifies as an allowable Medical Expense Tax Credit (METC) that can be claimed on your income taxes. You will find more info on the website, and don’t hesitate to email any questions. Thank you.

  12. Let the Truth be known. medical industry. politicians. 24/7 365 industrial capitalism production line madness political correctness madness. civilization is an exploitation machine

  13. Markito Nutrition
    was given the news after a blood test that my vitamin D level was really low too. However, I do not want to be popping pills the rest of my life. I would rather take Cod liver oil, eat fish and drink fresh orange juice. Any other suggestions are welcomed???
    Ty for your input in advance Markito Nutriton.

    1. Hello Trina, I would recommend that you watch my video entitled “What About Fish” to understand why I do not recommend fish consumption. If you’re not getting enough exposure to sunlight- the best way to boost your vitamin D level – then you could look into narrowband UVB light devices. For more information and recommendations visit https://markitonutrition.com/videos/the-truth-about-vitamin-d/ and read the notes below the video. Thank you.

  14. Hi Mark, please advice me, I have horrendous back pain as well as joint pain (on my right arm – so it hurt my trapeze) I hVE mri SCAN, IT SHOWED THAT MY JOIN ON THE BONE IS chlass each and its irritated my muscle and nerve, the only thing they can do is to have key hole surgery to slightly shape it so that the bone does not over laps the other …as it showed on the scan how swollen it was, on the hand hand the spine (back-lumber) showed degenerative (wear and tear) I stop eating lots of bad food, from gluten to fried food, and also eats lots of nuts (pumpkin, chia, brazil, almond) but it still pain, what do you have in your shop can guarantee me to reverse this pain?, THANKS MARKITO

    1. Hello Brigitta, the best way to deal with back pain is through proper movements and exercises that are appropriate for your particular case. I do offer online training and consultations through my website at MarkitoNutrition.com. All the best.

  15. I take VD2 5000 BTU over the counter due to not being able to afford to go to the doctor..my vitamin D is low. I was on VD 2 50,000BTU. so from tge looks of the video you posted..im not sure what to take?

    1. Hello Dashonda, as my video proposes, the simple answer to get adequate sun exposure and to eat a proper plant-based diet. Just 20 minutes in the sun can give most people 20,000 IUs of vitamin D. If you live somewhere with long, cold winters, you could consider obtaining a UVB light as discussed in this video. If you have any further questions you can contact me through my website at MarkitoNutrition.com.

    1. Many things sold in stores, including health stores, are not healthy. It’s up to the consumer to become better educated in order to make better choices.

  16. This video was truly educational, especially on the effects of animal protein. I will have to eat more dark green leafy veggies during the colder months to gain greater benefits of vitamin D. Thank you again for this video.

  17. When a video starts with “The Truth about … “, I get very suspicious. From what I understand, Vitamin D interacts with many other vitamins, minerals etc. (esp.the other fat soluble vitamins), and it is within that “symphony” that the keep us healthy. I don’t believe in taking supplements, but I also don’t believe that we can’t be healthy without UV-B lamps. Our ancestors had neither, and they were just fine. // Synthetic fish oil is just another supplement. How about just eating more fish instead of popping pills?

    1. My video clearly explains the benefits and importance of getting some natural sun exposure. UVB light therapy is a viable option for people living in places with very long and cold winters. Migrating to a warmer climate during the long cold winters has always been a natural tendency for animals, including humans. That’s the best option for people who can afford to travel. Regarding your comment about eating more fish, I recommend that you watch my video entitled “What About Fish” to understand why I do not recommend that solution. You say that any video that begins with “the truth about…” makes you suspicious, so hopefully when you watch this one you will not be too suspicious to see that what is being suggested is first and foremost exposure to natural sunlight and a healthier overall diet. The video also covers in detail why looking at vitamin D in isolation, as with any other single nutrient for that matter, is a reductionist and wrong approach to health and nutrition. This was something you also mentioned in your comment, so I gather you agree with most of my video. Another part of the video discusses how light therapy has helped people suffering from chronic and debilitating skin conditions, giving them a better option than the steroid creams that are often overly prescribed and worsen the condition over time. In Canada, UV lights qualify for a medical expense tax credit for the treatment of vitamin D deficiency as well as various skin disorders. Of course, new biologic drugs are slowly replacing light therapy treatments because pharmaceuticals are more profitable. If we are to be suspicious, that would be one place to start, and probably not with a video that is intended first and foremost to remind people of the importance of natural and healthy living. Thanks for watching.

      1. Please don’t get me wrong, I absolutely agree with what you said about the importance of natural and healthy eating. My personal journey is “back to the basics”, and so I don’t believe that it is necessary to deal with long winters by moving to a warmer climate or purchasing UV-B lamps. // As far as consuming fish is concerned (I haven’t watched your video so far), we keep hearing about mercury and the like. Nevertheless, there are studies about children who consume all kinds of fish and seafood on a daily basis, and even though these fish contain mercury and other toxins, these kids are MUCH healthier (physically and mentally) than children who eat less fish (or none at all).

        1. I understand and respect where you are coming from Anima. As far as studies go, one of my primary tasks at my health center is to teach my clients how to become better consumers of scientific information. I highly recommend that you watch my video entitled “The Absolute Truth About Your Medical Treatment” as it teaches you one simple yet extremely important tool for interpreting such information. If it weren’t for time constraints, I would publish several more on this important topic. My video on fish goes way beyond contamination, and I am sure you will find it quite interesting. For more information you can visit my website at https://markitonutrition.com – it is all about going back to basics. Thanks again for commenting.

    1. Tommy, vitamin D supplements raise vitamin D levels in the body, no-one argues that. Same way that no one argues that blood pressure medications lower blood pressure, and cholesterol drugs lower cholesterol. The more important questions we must ask is whether or not these treatments improve health outcomes that really matter, such as reducing the risk of stroke. As my video implies, there is no pill that can substitute the beneficial affects of natural sun exposure. Yes, supplements are very important, especially when composed of 100% whole foods. However, when it comes to vitamin D, I maintain that natural sunlight is the better choice. Due to time constraints I cannot respond any further. I understand your line of reasoning. Thanks for engaging with such passion.

  18. You’re right about the light therapy, and in fact I have one sitting in my room. I use it to heal my acnes and it works. HOWEVER, mine doesn’t emit any UV lights.If you click the link I sent you, they all do include multiple studies from NCBI and I read some of them. I don’t trust videos that don’t provide the source since I know some studies are heavily funded by some untrusted institutions (like your video. I guess you could try to include the studies in the description?)And what do you mean by risk reduction? I don’t understand why you mean.Also, PLEASE, when you say “vitamin D supplements blah blah blah”, specifiy whether you’re talking about D2 or D3. If you don’t even talk about them separately, you’re just maxing them two up and this is incredibly misleading and I question your motive behind this. Thanks a lot.

    1. Besides, we’re talking about taking supplements, not taking HIGH DOSE of supplments. Too much of everything is bad. Please don’t try to change the subject and mislead people. Too much D3 supplements? Yes it’s bad. However, too much of sunshine? BOOM CANCER. We’re talking about stuffs in moderate content. Please make make progressive contribution to the discussion instead of saying “Yeah supplements are bad because if you take too much of them then it’s bad so it’s bad.”

    1. Hello, we are not talking about tanning beds that damage our skin. The UV lights discussed in the video are narrowband UVB only, and there is no tanning or burning involved. All the best.

      1. No I’m talking about the sun. I went to some dermatologists and they told me that the UV light is the thing that makes your skin age. It damages the collegen in your skin that’s why people’s get saggy skin and wrinkles as they age. It’s just the accumulated effect of years of exposure to the sunray.You mention that taking vitamin D can cause other harmful effects, but what you’re talking about is actually the effect of D2, not D3. (You never mentioned D2 and D3 in the supplement part at least) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/02/23/oral-vitamin-d-mistake.aspxIt says that “The analysis of 50 randomized controlled trials, which included a total of 94,000 participants, showed:A six percent relative risk reduction among those who used vitamin D3, butA two percent relative risk increase among those who used D2” Also in this site:https://www.anabolicmen.com/vitamin-d-testosterone/There are so many searches showing that taking D3 supplement increases the testosterone level in men. And it also improve your hormonal system like reducing oestrogen, increasing DHT etc. In this news it says it DOES lower blood pressure:http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-3299349/Taking-Vitamin-D-supplements-lower-blood-pressure-boost-fitness-says-new-research.html“Researcher Dr Raquel Revuelta Iniesta, from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, said: ‘Our pilot study suggests that taking vitamin D supplements can improve fitness levels and lower cardiovascular risk factors such as blood pressure.'” These reports already showed that you saying “Taking vitamin D has NO BENEFITS” is wrong.

        1. You are right, over exposure to sunlight does damage and age the skin. On the other hand, getting zero exposure is detrimental to our health. Light therapy has been successfully used to treat a variety of chronic skin conditions as well as infected wounds. Also, if using light therapy for vitamin D, one need only expose areas of the body that have not received a lot of accumulated sun exposure. Studies on high dose vitamin D supplements, including D3, have shown negative effects. What may work in the short term is not necessarily recommended for the long term. One of the studies you cited involves a relative risk reduction- and so I recommend you watch my video titled “The Absolute Truth About Your Medical Treatment”, it teaches you what relative risk reduction means and provides important tips on how to interpret scientific studies, also recommending that people read the actual studies as opposed to articles in the media that often provide manipulated interpretations of the science. All the best.

          1. You’re right about the light therapy, and in fact I have one sitting in my room. I use it to heal my acnes and it works. HOWEVER, mine doesn’t emit any UV lights.If you click the link I sent you, they all do include multiple studies from NCBI and I read some of them. I don’t trust videos that don’t provide the source since I know some studies are heavily funded by some untrusted institutions (like your video. I guess you could try to include the studies in the description?)And what do you mean by risk reduction? I don’t understand why you mean.Also, PLEASE, when you say “vitamin D supplements blah blah blah”, specifiy whether you’re talking about D2 or D3. If you don’t even talk about them separately, you’re just maxing them two up and this is incredibly misleading and I question your motive behind this. Thanks a lot.

            1. Besides, we’re talking about taking supplements, not taking HIGH DOSE of supplments. Too much of everything is bad. Please don’t try to change the subject and mislead people. Too much D3 supplements? Yes it’s bad. However, too much of sunshine? BOOM CANCER. We’re talking about stuffs in moderate content. Please make make progressive contribution to the discussion instead of saying “Yeah supplements are bad because if you take too much of them then it’s bad so it’s bad.”

                1. Tommy, vitamin D supplements raise vitamin D levels in the body, no-one argues that. Same way that no one argues that blood pressure medications lower blood pressure, and cholesterol drugs lower cholesterol. The more important questions we must ask is whether or not these treatments improve health outcomes that really matter, such as reducing the risk of stroke. As my video implies, there is no pill that can substitute the beneficial affects of natural sun exposure. Yes, supplements are very important, especially when composed of 100% whole foods. However, when it comes to vitamin D, I maintain that natural sunlight is the better choice. Due to time constraints I cannot respond any further. I understand your line of reasoning. Thanks for engaging with such passion.

  19. The issue is simply people in the Northern Hemisphere, typical, get less light exposure and so need supplementation during Winter months. Taking a supplementation of VitD25 is better than none at all. Sunlight, full spectrum, is of course the preferred method, if you have that luxury ! As long as the supplement is the best quality you will be fine. Also, nothing works in isolation in the body so why not research what else you may be deficient in !? Selenium, Magnesium, Potassium etc etc.

  20. Beyond antibiotics, vaccines, acute trauma care and rare genetic diseases doctors are fucking useless.

  21. I subscribed your channel because of this video which is true and it is a significant fact for me from suffering of being alcoholic and smoker for the past 5 years and I develope some serious problems in my health to make the story short I’m still fighting my ill through exercise which jogging under the sun 3pm which makes me feels good and healthy and gives me strength and eat healthy foods drink a lot of water and milk . especially when you mentioned the multiplesclerosis one of the disease that requires vit. D from sunlight .

    1. +Mark Aires Ramas Congratulations on taking charge of your health. Your jogs in the afternoon sun sound wonderful. I do not recommend the consumption of milk and dairy. There is consistent evidence showing the links between animal based food (including dairy) and diseases such as MS. Keep up the good exercise, and keep working on improving your nutrition- especially adding more plant-based meals.

  22. Hi Marc,
    Thanks for a great video. It was so informative. Do you also recommend the light therapy for people with rosacea? My daughter cannot tolerate a lot of sunlight without her skin becoming very inflamed and painful.

    1. Thanks for watching Jeanne. If your daughter does not respond well to natural sunlight than I would not recommend UV light therapy. There is substantial evidence that gastrointestinal tract disorders are associated with inflammatory skin conditions such as rosacea. My first recommendation is to improve the health of her gut by cleaning up her diet. This in turn will lead to a stronger immune system while also correcting possible nutrient deficiencies. During this process I would recommend that she keep a food diary in order to discover potential triggers.

  23. *Marc This Video Is Fantastic* Thank you So much for all of the time and effort that you put into making this Very Important & Informative Video..Your Work & Research is Perfection.Debra

  24. Hi, Marc. How about Keratosis Pilaris? Many dermatologists said Sun Exposure is the worst enemy for the sufferer. Never expose to the sun, always apply sunblock, they said. I know because my cousin had the worst KP.

    1. There is quite a bit of overlap as well as several underlying causes behind most skin conditions, and no two cases are exactly alike. There is no general consensus that keratosis pilaris patients need to avoid the sun. In fact, many people report improvements during the summer months and, although no official studies exist, anecdotal reports- including some coming from paediatricians, suggest that KP improves with sun exposure. The message of “zero sun” should be replaced with “never get burned.”

      Unfortunately, many dermatologists are sometimes too quick to recommend harmful topical treatments, such as cortisone creams, that can worsen skin conditions over time. Like antibiotics, steroid creams often worsen the underlying causes of many chronic health and skin problems. The most difficult case I ever witnessed was someone that was prescribed cortisone on and off for over a decade, and eventually developed a severe skin infection that got worse following antibiotics. Dermatologists and doctors had no answer other than to prescribe more creams and more antibiotics. In the end the problem was resolved with the help of nutrition therapy (a complete change in diet) and UVB light therapy. It can sometimes take years for someone to recover from the use of steroids and antibiotics.

      Lifestyle changes, such as proper nutrition, exercise, and sensible sun exposure, should always be our first line of defense as we treat the skin from the inside out.

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