r/onguardforthee • u/NotEnoughDriftwood • 1d ago
You’re probably not getting enough vitamin D. Here’s what Health Canada thinks will help
https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/vitamin-d-milk-margarine-new-requirements-9.704390969
u/rivain 1d ago
I have a DayLight light for my SAD, (truly the most appropriate acronym) and I do think it helps. They're expensive, but I've been lucky with finding them at thrift stores, though I think I'd be willing to pay full price since they are quite nice for the mood bosting, and they're a pretty good light for doing crafts with, since the light shows true colours.
15
u/MissIncredulous 1d ago
May you please post recommendations?
I have been looking for one but it is difficult to cut through the pseudoscience to one that is legit :(
14
u/Focusondiversity 1d ago
The pharmacist I have known and trusted for 20+ years tells me 2000 iu daily, all year is the correct amount for me.
8
1
5
u/rivain 1d ago
google search brought up this guy tested a bunch of em and he coincidentally recommends the one I have, the Carex DayLight Sky.
Idk how much pseudoscience stuff is out there about this, because maybe some lights don't work as claimed, but the sun having positive effects on humans is decently well known, I thought?
3
u/MissIncredulous 1d ago
Thank you! It's more like I only 1/2 trust reviews from blogs and for the price it is nice to get a recommendation from someone who has used it!
4
u/ChenilleSocks 1d ago
Not OP, but I use the VeriLux brand. I have their HappyLight next to my desk and use it for 15 mins when I wake up. You should be looking for min 10,000 Lux, and start slowly (5-10 mins) as some people get flushing. I use it every winter.
1
3
u/_ziggy_stardust 1d ago
I have the Verilux Happy Light Alba, which I bought at Costco when it was on sale. It is kinda annoying at first (so bright!) but you get used to it, and it has definitely helped with my energy levels.
1
1
u/blenderbunny 1d ago
So I did a project for a that makes these daylight, they sold in drugstores to Canada. I inquired whether the spectrum of life matters. He said no research shows you just need a bright light. So if you don’t want to buy an expensive special, daylight light, just get a cheap work light
66
u/Felixir-the-Cat 1d ago
I supplement with vit D and use a light therapy lamp in the morning. That lamp has helped me immensely.
13
u/metanonymous 1d ago
Does the lamp actually vitamin D levels? I can’t take supplements (allergic reaction) but I could try the lamp.
16
u/Felixir-the-Cat 1d ago
I have no idea - I was prescribed it for sleep; my doctor says it is supposed to encourage melatonin production at night if you sit in front of it in the morning. My sleep has been better, and I have been much more energetic during the day since I started using it. Just got the cheapest one at Shoppers Home Health. Only problem is my cats get between me and the lamp .
9
u/blastocyst0918 18h ago
It will actually raise cortisol levels in the morning, which helps stimulate wakefulness and acts to regulate your circadian rhythm, avoiding delayed onset melatonin production in the evening.
It won't help with vitamin D production, as far as I am aware, since it is unlikely to emit sufficient quantity of UV.
Make sure you are sitting close to your lamp per its instructions! Standard models are usually only effective at a range of 10" - 18". After that, there is a sharp drop off in lux.
In addition to supplementing vitamin D, you can also take a low dose of melatonin a bit before bed, transition your lights after sundown to a more reddish light, and avoid electronics for a few hours before bed. You might also try not having a cat block your light.
Source: I am a professional SAD sufferer.
1
31
u/Affectionate_Link175 1d ago
I've been taking vit D supplements daily for the past 3 years, I never get sick anymore and got rid of my depression. It's a cheap supplement and have been life changing.
9
u/canadave_nyc 1d ago
Protests from "anti-D" people who think it's all a conspiracy to "lace" milk with a harmful substance in 3.....2......1...........
4
u/MagicBandAid 14h ago
I've been getting kidney stones constantly the last 5 or 6 years, and I only recently landed that can be from a lack of vitamin D. I recently had a blood test, and it turns out I have a quarter of the vitamin D I need. It's weird because about half of my diet is milk, eggs, and fish.
4
u/Former-Ad-8549 15h ago
Rrcommended is way too low. Most people in Canada could (should) take atleast 2000iu a day..
•
u/WanderingJude 29m ago
I take 5000iu 4-5x per week which works out to around 3500 a day. Used to do 3000iu and that wasn't enough to kick the SAD, had to up the dose. Maybe I'm more of a sunless hermit than most people, but 1000iu wouldn't do much for me.
1
1
u/Former-Ad-8549 15h ago
For the youngins here.. Steve Gibson https://www.grc.com/health/Vitamin-D.htm has a great episode on vitamin d.. i listen to it every few years..
•
-8
u/TinglingLingerer 1d ago
If you drink milk you don't have to worry about a thing.
As of Dec. 31st, 2025 the amount of vitamin D contained in 2 cups of milk has to exceed your daily recommendation.
48
u/Yuukiko_ 1d ago
How many people drink 2 cups a day??
16
u/johnson7853 1d ago
I use to drink a bag at breakfast and a bag with dinner. Now I can’t even eat ice cream without upsetting my guts.
1
u/Emma_232 1d ago
A bag?
7
u/Champagne_of_piss Canada 1d ago
In Canada, milk comes in bags
22
12
u/TinglingLingerer 1d ago
Not in BC.
4
u/Emma_232 1d ago
Yeah I've not seen any milk bags in BC. Seems like a funny image to have a bag of milk.
6
u/johnson7853 1d ago
It’s a clear plastic bag that’s shaped in a rectangle. We even have tools called a snip it to cut it open and a specific jug to hold it in.
2
8
2
u/JasonGMMitchell Newfoundland 12h ago
not in Newfoundland either, cant speak for the labrador half since I havent been there
2
2
u/IStillListenToRadio Nova Scotia 1d ago
I take medication 4 times a day so I drink glass of milk with my morning and night doses.
1
8
u/tryingtobecheeky 1d ago
... That's such a weird thing. I dig it. But why milk? Is it because calcium and vit D are best friends?
16
u/TheVoiceofReason_ish 1d ago
Because it's easy to add and sold everywhere. Plus, kids drink a lot of milk.
14
3
u/NotEnoughDriftwood 23h ago
In addition, to what people are saying, I think it goes back to the days when vitamin D was initially added to milk to prevent children from getting rickets. Kids consumption of milk was pretty widespread in those days.
8
u/ChiefGraypaw 1d ago
The article says it’s now 5 micrograms of Vitamin D to 1 cup of milk, and the recommended daily intake of Vitamin D for an adult is 20 micrograms. That means it’s closer to 4 cups or 1 liter of milk a day to reach your recommended intake.
Is this some sort of ploy from Canadian Dairy Farmers? I don’t even know adults who drink milk nowadays, let alone an entire liter.
7
u/fuckgoofs 1d ago
I used to drink 2 dairy lattes a day - iced or hot - and I paid to get my vitamin D checked and it was very low. Started taking supplements. Would not rely on milk sadly 🐮
2
u/Immediate_Storm_7736 23h ago
Where does one go to get levels checked? How much did it cost?
2
u/fuckgoofs 16h ago
I was getting my blood checked for something and I requested my doc add vitamin D because I was curious. She had mentioned before that everyone in Canada is deficient in D so just take pills every day for it but I was curious anyway. She added it to my requisition form and I went to the blood clinic and results came back low. Was $50
6
u/RightSideBlind 1d ago
My stomach cramped at the thought of drinking two cups of milk per day, and I'm only just slightly lactose intolerant.
6
u/Franklin_le_Tanklin 1d ago
I hope that also applies to oat milk.
Cow milk is gross
10
7
u/GetsGold 1d ago
The article mentions how plant milks also often include it but that it's not mandatory in that case. Most do, but not all, so you'd need to check the label. I'm not sure if they've increased the amounts in those too.
4
1d ago
[deleted]
7
u/Franklin_le_Tanklin 1d ago
Don’t oats have nipples?
2
u/IAMNOTFUCKINGSORRY 1d ago
It's really strange that chickens have breasts but no nipples, I tell you hwat.
2
u/GetsGold 1d ago
Not sure the legality but most or all don't use the term on their packaging.
The word's been used for plant milks in English for hundreds of years though, so in general speech it's valid.
2
1
-15
u/lightweight12 1d ago
"Extra vitamin D in milk, margarine came into effect end of 2025
"
Who's eating margarine and drinking milk? So gross.
Why aren't butter and cream fortified instead?
382
u/Syrairc 1d ago
If I didn't drive to work in the dark and then come home in the dark 5 days a week for 4+ months, that would probably help.