Context

• In March 2012 there was a Vitamin D Symposium for the Middle East
• The proceedings of which will be available in the Vitamin D Life by mid April
• Vitamin D Life got to wondering why they are so so deficient (many have less than 10 nanograms)

Compact list of reasons for vitamin D deficiency

ME = especially likely in the Middle East

    Less time in the SUN

1. Air conditioning - to avoid the hot sun ME
2. Increased use of multi-media indoors
3. More indoor jobs - more office workers, fewer farmers ME
4. Living in cities more ME
5. Want whiter skin - especially women ME
6. Fear skin cancer
7. Cholesterol reduced
8. More Obesity
9. Soft drink cola
10. Meat from factory farms
11. Some drugs consume or block vitamin D
12. increased use of polyunsaturated fats
13. More windows which appear to destroy vitamin D
    Other than sun
    
14. Eat less liver - which used to have very large amounts of vitamin D ME
    Unsure how the meat was killed
15. Less Magnesium in foods
16. More Seniors
17. Excessive clothing (burka) ME
    Note: Women in ME have much less vitamin D than men
18. Have a condition which Consumes vitamin D
19. Have a condition which Prevents Adsorption in the gut
20. Have a condition which Prevents Conversion to active form
21. Have a condition which requires more vitamin D
22. Lactose Intolerance or Vegan
23. Health reasons to avoid sun
24. Work long hours or night shift
25. Live far from equator NOT ME
26. DDT in bodies reduce the vitamin D
27. Myths about vitamin D
28. Dark Skin ME
29. Use vitamin D2 avoiding D3 from wool and gelatin typically made from animals ME
    Note: D2 is known to have less benefit than D3, and it may actually DECREASE D3 levels
    Note: As of 2012 many companies make Kosher/Vegan Vitamin D3
    Note: Vegi-caps do exist
30. Lack vitamin D fortification of food and drinks ME

Details on the list CLICK HERE
Details on Vitamin D in the Middle East CLICK HERE