Post by robeiae on Jan 14, 2019 9:52:29 GMT -5
...do dermatologists really have a clue?
From the piece:
I'm no scientist, to be sure, but given how many supplements have turned out to be practically worthless, when it comes to demonstrable health benefits, much of the above rings true to me. In particular, the idea that vitamin D is just a marker seems--in hindsight--almost obviously true.
The problem is that we--as a society--accept out of hand that "health" can be controlled and enhanced through simple chemistry. Yes, the supplement industry is next-level bullshit in this regard, but the issue runs much deeper.
From the piece:
Yet vitamin D supplementation has failed spectacularly in clinical trials. Five years ago, researchers were already warning that it showed zero benefit, and the evidence has only grown stronger. In November, one of the largest and most rigorous trials of the vitamin ever conducted—in which 25,871 participants received high doses for five years—found no impact on cancer, heart disease, or stroke.
How did we get it so wrong? How could people with low vitamin D levels clearly suffer higher rates of so many diseases and yet not be helped by supplementation?
As it turns out, a rogue band of researchers has had an explanation all along. And if they’re right, it means that once again we have been epically misled.
These rebels argue that what made the people with high vitamin D levels so healthy was not the vitamin itself. That was just a marker. Their vitamin D levels were high because they were getting plenty of exposure to the thing that was really responsible for their good health—that big orange ball shining down from above.
How did we get it so wrong? How could people with low vitamin D levels clearly suffer higher rates of so many diseases and yet not be helped by supplementation?
As it turns out, a rogue band of researchers has had an explanation all along. And if they’re right, it means that once again we have been epically misled.
These rebels argue that what made the people with high vitamin D levels so healthy was not the vitamin itself. That was just a marker. Their vitamin D levels were high because they were getting plenty of exposure to the thing that was really responsible for their good health—that big orange ball shining down from above.
The problem is that we--as a society--accept out of hand that "health" can be controlled and enhanced through simple chemistry. Yes, the supplement industry is next-level bullshit in this regard, but the issue runs much deeper.
But, yanno, skin cancer is a thing, too... 
I couldn't be flattered because it was so damn awkward -- I could only "I'm a running club friend; so nice to meet you," and move on. So, yeah, I shall never be a supermodel, but I do look a lot younger than I am, which of course is partly genetics and good health/habits, but I think it's unquestionably also the sunscreen. I'm sticking to it.
