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Comment by subsubzero | Hacker News Reader

I also had a vitamin D deficiency that was found after a particularly bad string of colds, my Dr told me to take a supplement(5000ius daily) of vitamin D and have not seen anything like it since. Apparently windows cars/office block sunlight's ability to create vitamin D in a person so a car ride or sitting near an office window does not provide any help. And if you are in a office job you are def. not getting enough vitamin D.

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Pretty much all glass used in cars or buildings block the UV light you need. Only direct sunlight helps Vitamin D levels.

> if you are in a office job you are def. not getting enough vitamin D.

I think this really depends on location and lifestyle. Anyone in a Mediterranean or sunnier climate that spends more than 30mn a day outside will be fine

I spend lots of time outside and I live in California. I still had life-long vit D deficiency, probably since birth. No idea why, might be something genetic.

The only way I could figure it out was via blood tests, spaced a few years apart. First time the doctor said "hm, you're pretty low on vit D, you should supplement it". Second time, it was more like "you're really low and you should take XXX amount each day, NOW!"

Big changes in terms of mood and "energy". I'm now kicking myself for not taking it earlier.

Sometimes deficiencies in other parts of your diet can reduce Vitamin D uptake, i remember reading somewhere. something to consider

Vitamin D is not absorbed instantly when exposed to the sun. Soap and hot showers removes what is left so levels are also affected by personal hygiene habits.

Perhaps not, if you're slathering on SPF 5 million sunscreen every time you go outdoors, as many people seem to do nowadays.

You need UV rays which are blocked by most windows.

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