I will admit that I become instantly skeptical of any author's whose website wants to sell you a "$8 miracle cancer cure". I think 90% of your street cred as they call it, goes out the window.

His article on Vitamin D is muddled and takes various positions on a multitude of ideas. Poorly written in my honest opinion.

His article has no citations, references, or quotes, mostly his view on the history of Vitamin D.

I'll follow the current science that is peer reviewed that is found in PubMED, and not some dude on the internet who wants to sell me a cancer cure.

I have a hard time calling something a scam when most advocates recommend sunlight as the preferred source. Sunlight is free so I'm not sure how Big Pharma cashes in on that. Second, Big Pharma wouldn't waste its time and efforts on something that cost $20 for a year's supply.

I haven't had anything close to an illness since I started supplementing vitamin d even though most around me have gotten the flu or a cold at least once.

As Dexter mentioned, there are a number of benefits to Vitamin D, such as a stronger immune system, faster healing for joint or bone injuries, less overall joint pain, improved mood and depression, etc. The aspect of the above mentioned article, which is worth paying attention to is the difference between the synthetic Vitamin D2 and natural Vitamin D3.

Yes, Big Pharma is promoting Vitamin D2 as a cure all, but it is misleading since the body does not assimilate D2 the way it does D3. The natural form of Vitamin D3, usually found in gelcaps, is absorbed by the body at least 10x better than D2. It is only by engineering a synthetic form that Big Pharma is able to market Vit D. As a result of the Vitamin D buzz, a number of well-meaning doctors (my mother's included) are prescribing Vitamin D2 to their patients. Rather outraged by the Dr's lack of knowledge, I told my mother to save her money and get the real deal, Vitamin D3.

Recently, I read an article which discussed the link between celiac disease and Vitamin D deficiency. Celiacs and other gluten sensitive people do not absorb Vitamin D correctly. This might be of particular interest to those who are recent Paleo converts and suffering from low Vitamin D levels. Dr. Davis discusses some aspects of this on www.theheartscanblog.com.

Regarding my own experience, I am a believer in the benefits of optimal Vitamin D levels. One year ago my Vit D level was 32. My alternative MD recommended 10,000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day. In addition to this, I started following a gluten free diet. Over the last year, my Vitamin D level has climbed to an optimal 68. My joint pain and mood has greatly improved and I have only had one cold in the last year...a record for me. At my Dr's suggestion, I have dropped to 5000 IU of Vitamin D3 per day as a maintenance dose.

I think I will take the research on Vit D that shows excellent benefits for people who supplement with Vit D or get their Vit D from sunlight.

Off the top of my head, here is a list of benefits:

Better Mood. Better Immune system which wards off the Swine Flu and other sicknesses. Excellent dental health. Wards off many cancers including colon cancer among the population in the NE that have very low levels of Vit D. Prevents osteoporosis...especially in shut-in elderly. High levels of serum Vit D prior to surgery assists in quick recovery.

Here is a listing of articles regarding Vit D that Peter at Hyperlipid compiled.

http://paleohacks.com/questions/2633/a-review-of-pubmed-over-5-years-concerning-vitamin-d

And here is a another listing of current Vit D research. http://www.yourhealthbase.com/D_vitamin_update_2010.htm#Alzheimer’s/Dementia

There are the detractors of Vit D....especially the Marshall Protocol originator.

You decide which you want to follow.

You people are crazy. Google "Lappe Vitamin D cancer" - you will find a randomized placebo controlled trial showing that 1100IU of vit D + calcium prevented 77% of cancers. Do you need to know more?

I am a huge fan of D and have recommended it to many. I have been jumped on for my views on a couple of forums. Not everyone believes in the advantages of D....and some think it's downright dangerous!

I saw a personal improvement in mood and energy after beginning to take D, coupled with the studies, I'll be ignoring Capt. Miracle Cure

I suspect that like fish oil in that it's overhyped to the point where people take it despite obvious negative reactions and that there is a bell curve in terms of benefits. Too little is bad, but so is too much.

When the mainstream media jumps on any bandwagon it is always headed for the nearest cliff ... look for FDA regulation of over-the-counter Vitamin D3 in the future (Nordic Naturals has just learned that their fish oil will be classified as a "drug.")

That being said, my levels were at 31 ng 7 months ago. After averaging 10,000 iu a day for 7 months they stand at a respectable 55 ng. I am now on 15,000 iu per day for the next 6 months.

Why exposure to sunlight is important to help prevent MS http://bit.ly/96UZm6