text:
The safe dose of vitamin D supplementation to get most of the population to the optimal level is 2,000 IU a day, but the elderly and overweight may need more.
How Much Vitamin D Should You Take?
Doctor's Note
After all that work plowing through the new science, the same 2,000 IU per day recommendation I made in 2011 remains: https://nutritionfacts.org/2011/09/12/dr-gregers-2011-optimum-nutrition-recommendations/
If you missed the first two videos in this series, see:
- Do Vitamin D Supplements Help with Diabetes, Weight Loss, and Blood Pressure?
- Will You Live Longer If You Take Vitamin D Supplements?
And be sure to check out:
- The Optimal Dose of Vitamin D Based on Natural Levels
- The Best Way to Get Vitamin D: Sun, Supplements, or Salons?
- The Risks and Benefits of Sensible Sun Exposure
I also explore vitamin D as it relates to specific diseases:
- Do Vitamin D Supplements Reduce the Risk of Dying from Cancer?
- Vitamin D for Asthma
- Vitamin D for Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Should Vitamin D Supplements Be Taken to Prevent Falls in the Elderly?
If you haven't yet, you can subscribe to my videos for free by clicking here.
190 responses to "How Much Vitamin D Should You Take?"
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I don't get it ? If the lab results can go any where from 20 to a 120 from the same blood sample, how the heck do you know any of the studies were correct?
Mcdougall got the right idea, don't take Vitamin D, now if you'll excuse me I need to go out in the canadian sunshine while it's still here. Happy 4th USA!
What a great idea! Its a beautiful day just across the border from Vermont, I am getting my Vitamin D while moderating for the next couple of hours, enjoy the holiday and the sun
Tell us the same in December.
Well I'm going to get tested this winter several times just to see , I am not planning on supplementing.
It will be my own "We didn't know until now" lol
How did that work out for you?
I was going to get tested in late January, pretty sure I'm not getting much D from the sun here now , even though I still spend several hours outside each day. I will post my results.
So have you got your results?
Vit. D is made in the skin by UVB, not UVA, the one that gives us cancer and sunburn. UVB is wimpy compared to UVA and doesn't penetrate the atmosphere to sea level at a 45 degree angle. If your shadow is as tall as you are at noon you won't get any D at all, naked. In our hemisphere this is called the "cold and flue" season.
Trial on Vitamin D is underway (lead by Dr Manson) and we will know the result in one year by 2017.
In the meantime, personally I am taking 5000 IU of Vitamin D supplementation + vitamin K as a precaution. There are days in the summer that I cannot get outside around noon because of work and I live in a region where there isn't too much sun in the winter. Other than that, I eat and exercise well.
Good job Jimmy!
From Dr Greger: The recommended intake of Vit K is about 100 mcg. A half cup of kale? >500. No need for natto; just eat your greens.
What about Vitamin K2?
Teresa I already answered this months ago in this same post if you bothered to read all the comments or search 'k2' in your browser…
But here I post it again:
"As for Vitamin K2 it has been answered by Dr Greger himself in the last FB Q&A. Short answer if you eat enough dark green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables you will absorb vitamin k1 and then your gut bacteria will make vitamin K2 from the k1."
I don't know that I get a lot of D3 in diet. I can't say I eat a well balanced diet every day. Some days better than others
Is it true that Canada only has two seasons, July and winter? =0
Just a little neighborly kidding.
Cheers, from sunny California.
Mark G.
Sounds like the flip of Texas. We only have summer and non summer.
How long does non summer last?
down here during the winter months, non-summer lasts from 10pm-6am. :o)
So … you've got only two seasons: summer, and next-summer.
yeah that makes sense lol
When I was in high school our ag teacher would comment on how foolish some of the farmers in the area were trying to grow cob corn , didn't everyone know we were way to far north to grow anything other than immature silage? I have been following a little story not far from here, well actually a little further north , about what has been found out about the native Indian population in these parts BEFORE european's came to these parts. To everyone"s surprise they had huge crops of corn , I mean 100's of acres using at least 1500 lbs a day ! 62% of their diet was corn. You can read it for yourself at Wikipedia "Mantle Site Wendat Ancestral village"
Was my teacher ever wrong , they grew cob corn pre 1600's , maybe much further back, for God's sake they can grow corn in Manitoba now.
Cheers from too hot Canada
Always good to do our own research when we can. :)
I don't know about Canada or Texas but I do know Louisiana has two seasons: hunting and football.
We have two seasons in Rochester, NY: Winter season and Construction Season! LOL…
I'm in Montreal and the sun is great today and during spring/summer but I always supplement from Oct/Apr
There are many methods of measuring Vit D. Here are a few categories: competitive protein binding assay, immunoassay (radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay), high performance liquid chromatography, liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Within each category there are many variations in sample preparation, reactivity of the detection molecule, the type of marker, etc. Presumably, but not certainly, a clinic or individual that sends out a sample for testing is going to have that done by an automated, inexpensive, and imprecise methodology. A research lab that cares about the accurate determination of Vit D and has sufficient funding and expertise will use the best method available at the time.
The late great epidemiologist Dr. Agatha Thrash said just 10 to 20 minutes in the sun baring a forearm would do your daily Vitamin D for most folks (people of African descent, due to pigmentation need more). Dr. Zane Kime, author of "Sunlight Can Save Your Life" reminds us that Vitamin D is a hormone produced from cholesterol through the sun acting on the skin (thereby lowering cholesterol). He suggested Vit. D supplements might cause a reduction of the body 's ability to produce it adequately (just as testosterone supplementation causes us men to lose our ability to produce adequate amounts of that hormone eventually).
Esben Andersen, I wouldn't get too frustrated yet. Let's wait until the video comes out regarding Vit D through sun, supplements, or salons.
We still have these 3 videos to go before making any decision.
The Optimal Dose of Vitamin D Based on Natural Levels
The Best Way to Get Vitamin D: Sun, Supplements, or Salons?
The Risks and Benefits of Sensible Sun Exposure
It's freezing in upstate NY. I don't see the sun every day and I spend a lot of days indoors even in good weather and I am well clothed.
Here I am, thinking I'm going the right thing getting my VitD level tested, only to find out the results may not be accurate aaaarrrrrrrrrrgggghhhhh, still banging my head on the wall !!!!!!!!!
Don't despair, they don't even know for certain what the ideal range is.
Don't worry – enjoy life!
HI Gumbootgoddess, I would suggest getting your test locally, and relying on your local lab if the results seem to make sense (if you get a reasonable amount of sun and are in the normal range, for example.) If a result really seems not to make sense, I would suggest repeating the test with the same or different lab, and if you get the same result twice, it is probably reliable. In my case personally results had been inexplicably low despite lots of sun during a good part of the year, confirmed with a test at another lab, and came up with supplementation. Hope that is helpful!
Dr Miriam, I wonder if an indirect vitamin D test can be done indirectly through a calcium blood test which is more accurate? Granted a low calcium reading may be due to low intake of calcium itself, but since calcium can be easily obtained through foods, it is assumed that one eats a diet rich in calcium first and then take a calcium blood test. If the calcium reading is low then one can deduct that it is due to low vitamin D.
It won't work well because the calcium level in the blood is tightly regulated. If you don't get enough calcium from food then the body will liberate calcium from your bones to increase calcium levels. At the same time the body will increase the production of certain enzymes that help to absorb calcium from food and other enzymes that help to absorb calcium to the bone better. These latter two processes require the body to use calcitriol which is derived from vitamin D, to switch on the genes that code for these enzymes.
A sign of low vitamin D affecting the calcium regulation process can be higher parathyroid hormone levels.
Hi Jimmy, Low vitamin d in the blood can and often does coexist with normal or even high calcium levels, so this won't really work. Calcium levels are regulated tightly by the body and other influential mechanisms include parathyroid hormone secretion which will cause calcium to be taken from bone in order to maintain normal levels (something we don't want to be happening chronically and one of the reasons to TAKE vitamin d if blood levels are low). Calcium levels can also depend on the albumin levels (if low for example in severe malnutrition) High calcium levels can be a sign of cancer, without any connection to vitamin d levels. So unfortunately, "it's complicated…." Hope that was helpful!
Well we don't necessarily take vitamin test for other vitamins such as vitamin A, B, C, E, K, minerals such as magnesium, zinc, iron, etc, cancer biomarker, etc, etc. So my point is that why do we have to worry so much about taking vitamin D test? Since there are sufficient evidence that there are benefits by having vitamin D intake via the sun, foods or supplements then we need to feed our body with vitamin D. Ideally you want to get through the sun and foods but if you can't then you need to take supplementation.
By the way, it was shown that there is no difference in the body between vitamin D through synthesis from the sun than through foods or supplementation.
Since we don't necessarily take lab test for other vitamins and minerals but we know that they are beneficial, so we still want to eat the right types of foods that provide those vitamins and minerals without taking a test. Same goes with vitamin D.
How much does it decrease mortality/increase lifespan by?
Attached is a link to the systematic review looking at all cause mortality from Dr Greger's reference list in NF's sources cited. When looking at the full article, the plain language summary including the results and author's conclusion is the easiest way to get the highlights of this review. Note what population seemed to benefit according to the authors and as Dr Greger mentioned how many people needed to take D3 and for how long
Alas, unable to access this without McGill authorisation…
the link requires a user name and password.
Since uptake is very dependent on whether Vitamin D is taken with food or not, I wonder whether the studies took this into account and whether this would affect the recommendation.
I thought I'd take a minute to share a very interesting little experiment that some researchers performed. I read this piece of research years ago so I can't provide a link, but here's the info. The researchers took a group of people and measured their blood levels of VitD to get the individual baseline. Then they put the individuals out in the mid-day sun. After 20 minutes the individuals were taken out of the sun and the VitD level taken again. The question was: How much VitD does the body make for itself when it has the opportunity to do so in 20 minutes in the sun? The answer is that in that 20 minutes the VitD levels in the group, individually, went up by 40,000 Units. So that gives us an idea as to how much the body makes and how much the body can perhaps use, or store, or whatever it chooses to do. The paper I read did not provide information as to the ages of the individuals and/or the number in the study. Or at least I don't recall that information. I believe these were healthy individuals and probably not elderly. But I thought this little study was interesting given this topic by Dr. G.
Did they give a location? One might surmise that D levels would vary with different latitude exposure.
You look up the UV Index on the web for the location that you want to know about. Type in "UV Index Cleveland, OH" for example and the index will come up for that area.
In the Certification course for Plant-based nutrition thru the T. Colin Campbell Foundation they have a handy chart for figuring out how much sun one needs based on skin type and the UV Index. For example if you occasionally burn and slowly tan and in your area at the moment there is a UVI of 6-7, then 15 to 20 minutes of sun a day is enough to get adequate Vit D. Of course it's problematic if you're in the higher latitudes and don't get consistent sun. I'm in AZ and that's the least of our worries! The point is, I've heard both from Campbell and McDougall, that if sun is available we can get all we need.
Thanks for sharing, Ginger. That is really fascinating!
You said, "… The answer is that in that 20 minutes the VitD levels in the group, individually, went up by 40,000 Units." Do you mean went up BY 40,000 "units" (ng/dl?) for each person? Or that the (resultant) level was 40,000 "units"?
I'm glad you asked because I was wondering the same thing. something didn't make sense.
Ginger stated "by", so I read her comment with some amazement. But I wanted to be sure, particularly since individual D3 production rates vary considerably by individual.
How funny, I just got 2 emails. 1-this one on Vit D3 and the other, about using enough sunscreen to protect me from the sun! I'm taking 1,000 a day because I'm only 100lbs and I take Vit k.
Maybe the discrepancies of the vitD results could be explained by the "butterfly effect" which would mean that the method used is not wrong and nature is supposed to be just like that.
I congratulate everyone commenting here whether the comments be positive or negative doesn't matter you're aware which unfortunately most people arent they haven't a clue!
I have found that 2000 units a day is not enough for the elderly people in my community. Almost everyone I check in my practice has a low level of Vit. D and many have severe deficiency. I find that 5000 units are well tolerated in this group, boosting the level to 45-65ng
Thanks, Dr. G, as always, for cutting through the confusion with solid information and simple, easily-implemented recommendations.
Amen, Dr. Mc!
I would like to know more about those lab results, like what was the full spread of responses and also the mean, median and mode forms of averages, while showing the full range. And I'd like to know if there were different methods of testings and the different types of machines their ages and even where the different manufacturers of the machines. It would also be important if the results were coming up different from the same sample tested on the same equipment. In short, I'd like to know possible reasons for the variations. I assume this info isn't available, but it seems like it's an important question.
I note that my range always comes back right around 40, except in those instances when I go in with symptoms of low D, like a lot of fatigue, slowed thinking, and otherwise feeling like crap. Those times my range has been in the low 20s. So, it might be that my results every few months tends to be similar because my doctor is using the same lab and it's being processed on the same equipment. It's just a guess, but it seems reasonable.
I have to be tested often because of calcium issues. Otherwise, I'd only be tested in my annual physical. I'd still want to be tested since some brands are just oil and contain little or no Vit D.
Mark G
Hi Mark G. In the video at around 2:32 there is a graph, which gives me the impression that something like 90% of the results cluster around 40-60, with a few outliers at either end. It would be interesting to know which labs were the outliers, and indeed how the labs were selected. As you say, it would be useful to know if the same sample were tested repeatedly at the same lab, would the result be pretty much the same? As well as the other concerns that you mention. When I first read the transcript, I found the statement that results vary so much to be alarming, but looking at this graph, I was somewhat reassured, since the vast majority of the results from different labs did cluster within the range I noted above. As I mentioned in an earlier comment this evening, if one were to get a lab result that did not make sense, if one repeats the test at the same or at a different lab, and it comes back the same, it is probably reliable. Again, with vitamin D levels, in the vast majority of cases one is not aiming clinically for pinpoint accuracy but for a state of sufficiency. Hope this is helpful. Happy 4th!
Hi Dr. Maisel:
Hey, thanks for that reply. It was really interesting and helpful. I think I'll go back and look at things again a little closer.
In Minot, North Dakoda, what does the US Air Force do in the summer?
If it falls on the weekend, they have a Base Picnic.
In the 1920s and early 1930s, when vitamin D was discovered, people went crazy for it. They were taking 20 mg, or what works out to over a million IU of D2. Doctors went out of business, pharmacies closed, hospitals went bankrupt. The pharmacies came up with International units in an effort to cut consumption. It worked and brought back sickness. Some doctors and Vitamin D experts believe that we need ten times as much D3 as 1,200 iu. To me, it is the one vitamin. This story is told in "The Miraculous Results Of Extremely High Doses Of The Sunshine Hormone Vitamin D3 My Experiment With Huge Doses Of D3 From 25,000 To 50,000 To 100,000 Iu A Day Over A 1 Year" by Jeff T Bowles, Asthma, MS, and many other diseases yield to D3 supplementation. Life was engineered to make use of what is cheapest and most available. What was more available than sunlight? How much sun do you think you would get based on human evolution? An hour at noon might work out to tens of thousands of units of D3. The vitamin is safe and effective at many diseases, and could be a major deficiency.
Could it simply be that vitamin D pills are suppressing the immune system, and lots of people's diseases are being caused by an overactive immune system. So yeah, the D pill helps in one regard, but maybe it sets them up to come down with a future illness due to a suppressed immune system.
I personally think D3 activates the immune system. D3 activates a large percentage of the genome. It might even be a backbone to some kinds of genes. D3 to me is the master vitamin. In the book by Bowles, he asks if healthcare costs could be reduced by 90 percent with D3. another doctor says $18 billion.
I agree.
Not true.
This is the same argument they use on cancer patient not to take antioxidant food or supplement during chemo treatment because antioxidant "suppresses" the chemo.
What worries me about taking too much vitamin D is that you might absorb too much calcium and then have all the negative effects from that.
Pretty sure I read that they had standardized these Vitamin D tests across the country a few years ago precisely due to the fact that they hadn't been standardized before and the results could be all over the map from the same blood sample. I don't think that's the case anymore (not sure if the same standards were put in place in other countries), and it's possible that the article featured here was drawing on that old data. If you're considering getting tested and are shying away because you think the results won't mean anything, this is worth looking into further before opting out.
I was taking 2,000 IU/day and at only 33.1 ng/Dl, so I bumped this up to 4,000IU/day am still at only 40.7 ng/dl. Dr Greger is saying we shouldn't trust our labs, but its awfully tempting to use these labs as helpful pointers. If so, I would go for 6,000-8,000 IU/day — I've read that some MDs are suggesting that these higher intakes are essential for some people to get into the right range. The alternative is to get sun exposure as some people have recommended here, but with a history of melanoma, my dermatologist is very insistent that intentionally getting sun exposure for the Vitamin D is the wrong approach.
are you sure you don't mean ng/ml ??
i'm on weekly standing order bloodwork and last Monday my D3 was 57 ng/ml.
I take 2 drops, 2000 iu sublingually.
my D3 one week prior was 47 ng/ml so either the labs are not consistent or the blood levels fluctuate quite a bit.
Oops, you're right. Just checked and it is 40.7 ng/ml. I'm going to edit that above to be accurate. As for your labs, maybe you got more sun the week prior to your reading of 57. Anyway, I think the answer may be to cross-check with different laboratories to eliminate variability in testing. I use LabCorp, but I could also do Quest Labs…
Up North here in New Hampshire, not much sun much of the year between clouds and latitude. We take 2,000 IU of Vitamin D3. Vitamin D3 is what the skin makes. Many supplements and additives are Vitamin D2 some of which is slowly converted to D3. FDA hasn't done their homework. How much to take? Get your blood tested. There's a lot more in Dr. George Jelinek's book "Overcoming MS". MS is much more prevalent the further away from the equator. It's an amazing parabolic curve.
OMG I wasn't expecting the punchline at 1:22, LOL! Great delivery. I think that one tops the 8 pounds of raspberries into the rectum (See "How not to die", p. 69). Dr. Greger performs therapy with food and… laughter :-)
isn't he amazing?
we listened to the audio book on a 20 hour ride to salt lake city.
it's like he was in the back seat talking the whole way, LOL.
loved it.
Good idea for a long trip, but based on the audio quality of older videos on this website, the question arose whether you could hear Dr. Greger clearly. Fortunately, audio on more recent videos has improved immensely.
Could hearing Dr. Greger as though he were talking from the back seat mean the entire original series of individual segments was reprocessed to standardize / reset audio levels?
Maybe that is an inducement for others to buy the audio book– so which one was it?
I never meant the AUDIO quality was bad at all but it FELT like Dr Greger was personally WITH us along the entire trip talking to us from the back seat (front seat, between us seat, whatever).
the audio is top notch, studio quality.
no worries about that, I was just sayin it was like he was with us the entire trip.
not sure how you got anything else from my comment.
I understood what you said about your audio book, but based on the audio quality of older videos on this website, I wondered how at least some videos could be heard clearly. For example, some website videos of 2008-2010 require significant changes in volume to be heard.
So, if every video in your audio book was such high quality that no adjustment of volume was necessary, perhaps Dr. Greger and/or staff had re-recorded the video for the less audible segments– but this time with better audio control.
And that could only help sell more audio books.
alphaa10: Before there was a NutritionFacts website, Dr. Greger produced annual DVDs ("volumes") which were meant to watched on a DVD player all the way through at once. Those early, pre-NutritionFacts annual DVDs covers something like volumes 1 thru 4 or 5. When NutritionFacts came to life, those annual DVDs were broken up in the video-of-the-day segments that you are referring to now. And yes, that set of videos has both volume and some editing issues.
Since that original set, all new videos produced for this website have the volume problem solved.
The audio book in question is a completely different animal that has nothing to do with those earlier volumes. The audio book is a brand new recording of Dr. Greger's new book, How Not To Die. The audio book was produced by professionals in relationship to publishing the book. It's not surprising to hear that it was well done, but the resources that went into producing the audio book are separate from what happens here on the website.
If you are making the request that the early videos on this website be re-recorded in order to fix sound problems, I'm sure the NutritonFacts staff will see your post. I have no inside information on this project. It's my *guess* that Dr. Greger would rather spend resources just producing new videos rather than re-recording old videos. Re-recording old videos opens up a can of worms, because the older videos do not have the detail that the newer videos have. So, if we are going to re-record, then do we bring the older videos up to current video standards in terms of content? And what if the science has changed? We are basically talking a large number of brand new videos. In that case, why not just produce that brand new video as a new video of the day rather than trying to replace an old one. In fact, you will notice that when it comes to vitamin D, Dr. Greger is doing a new series now. The point is that Dr. Greger is already addressing old topics again if he feels that there is something new worth saying. I'm guessing we just don't have time to replace all the old ones.
I'm also guessing you already know that if you have trouble hearing those early videos, you can read the transcript. I mention it just in case you did not know about the Transcript button to the right of each video.
Thea– Thanks for the background. I had presumed the website selections were the original content, but in fact, the DVDs are. In any case, when I see a website video publication date of 2008-2010, I know to adjust my volume. And yes, I have used the transcript option to discern what Dr. Greger said– with many thanks to the volunteers who spend hours transcribing.
{{I wasn't expecting the punchline at 1:22}}
punchline… you mean that was a joke?
should I see a doctor???
I have read that Vitamin A inhibits the absorption of Vitamin D. I was taking an eye supplement with Vitamin A in it and also taking Vitamin D2. A blood test showed I was low in D. I will no longer take the supplement with Vitamin A and see if that makes a difference. I know, I know. The test for D is not reliable.
Hi Terri,
Most "eye supplements" contain beta-carotene (and/or other carotenoids) rather than pre-formed vitamin A. Carotenoids should not have any interaction with Vitamin D (to my knowledge, anyway), but in any event if you're taking a D supplement I'd recommend D3 instead of D2.
I live in South Texas and I practice sun tanning in my bathing suit for about 20 to 30 minutes per day. And, I wear a hat. I think anything over that and you might start getting skin damage. But, you get more than vitamin D from sun exposure you also get a build up of nitric oxide which helps to promote vasodilitation. I imagine there are many more benefits besides these two benefits. Obviously sun exposure on your skin probably has some bactericidal effects also. I have been watching these videos now for about 5 months. I did a search on this website on the topic of fasting. I am really surprised that Dr Greger has not presented any information of fasting since research shows that the fewer calories you take in the longer you are going to live. Intermittent fasting on a whole plant food diet has been shown to rapidly bring down total cholesterol levels, IGF-1 levels come plunging down, hypertension becomes normal, and obviously weight loss becomes really easy. The trick is to maintain MOTIVATION to do intermittent fasting. And, the only way you can stay motivated is to read the research of how fasting helps the brain to grow new neurons, helps the immune system, and many more postive biological gains. So, am I missing something, has Dr. Greger touched upon this super important health topic?
I get a level of ~60 when taking 7,000 D3 per day year round….(Labcorp)…tested in spring…early summer…not a lot of sunbathing…
With such limited effects from the clinical trials (and with their risk of reporting bias), I think the causality confusion remains on whether D supplementation has any effect on longevity. In better controlled experiments, mutations that disable the vitamin D receptor or induce hypervitaminosis D both cause premature aging, which alas mostly says that hormonal signalling networks work more poorly when wires are ripped out.
A possible mechanism for how adequate vitamin D might slow aging is autophagy, the damaged organelle & protein aggregate "spring cleaning" that appears to play an essential role in life extension. Vitamin D3 induces autophagy in immune cells, inhibiting infection by HIV and tuberculosis bacteria. Some have argued that autophagy induction is a major benefit of vitamin D.
I haven't seen this posted elsewhere, but does anyone have a recommendation on the best D3 supplement (specific brand)? I'm having trouble finding a vegan source without oil (coconut, sunflower, etc.). Looking at all the options is enough to make my head spin! Had Dr. Greger ever said what he brand he takes?
Matthew: I just Googled "Vegan Vitamin D3", which at least cuts out those products with gelatin (collagen, mostly from animal sources). There is still a wide variety available. You can get drops, chewable gummies, capsules, and tablets. Capsules can be a little easier to swallow than tablets, if that's a concern. Many of them don't have a full ingredient list. A few that DO list all the ingredients are:
1) MegaFood brand, Vit D3, 2000 IU; "Other ingredients: plant cellulose, vegetable lubricant, silica"; certified gluten free, dairy free, soy free. Costs $26.98 for 90 tabs, from "iHerb"
2) Solgar brand, Vit D3 1000 IU; "Other ingredients": microcrystalline cellulose, vegetable cellulose, vegetable stearic acid, silica, vegetable magnesium stearate, vegetable glycerin, riboflavin. Costs $10.16 for 180 tabs, from "iHerb".
1) MRM brand, Vit D3 2,500 IU; derived from lichen; "Other ingredients: rice flour, cellulose capsule, modified starch, maltodextrin, sucrose, silicon dioxide and antioxidants (d-alpha tocopherol and ascorbyl palmitate)." Contains no dairy, egg, soy, wheat, or gluten. Costs $8.77 for 60 capsules, from PureFormulas.com.
Hope this helps.
Note that negative health effects won't start at 10,000 IU/day (with typical calcidiol levels of 250 nmol/l). This level has been argued as a safe upper limit because it is about the maximum level you can get from Sun exposure on the long term, and it is much lower than the estimated minimum level of about 40,000 IU/day that you need to get into the danger zone where you can get hypercalcemia. As pointed out here:
"…the wealth of animal studies and human anecdotal reports of vitamin D intoxication indicate that plasma 25(OH)D3 is a good biomarker for toxicity, and the threshold for toxic symptoms is ≈750 nmol/L. This threshold value implies that 25(OH)D concentrations up to the currently considered upper limit of the normal range, namely 250 nmol/L, are safe and still leave a broad margin for error because values significantly higher than this value have never been associated with toxicity."
Do you recommend that pregnant women supplement with vitamin D, also?
This is going to be a little lengthy, but I really need some plant based medical advice. I am 54. I have had osteopenia in my spine and hips for several years. It runs in my family and I have just gone through menopause. I started eating plant based about 18 months ago. I had bone density scans in 2010, 2013, and 2016. The first and last ones were on the same machine and the middle one was on a different machine. Evidently, they can't compare my results on different machines. This last scan showed that I went into osteoporosis in my spine and my hips have decreased in bone density but not to the osteoporosis stage. I was really hoping that my 18 months of plant based eating would be correcting the low bone density. I can't know for sure if the decrease was before the 2013 scan and my plant based eating or after that scan, because of the different machine. My doctors is concerned and would like to put me on medication. She is supportive of my plant based eating and is willing to wait for 2 more years to see how things look then, since my bone fracture ratio isn't in a bad range yet. She wants me to take vitamin D and Calcium though. I do take vitamin D. I have been taking 1,000 IU a day but plan to up that to 2,000 after watching this video. I have to be careful with sun exposure since I have already had a few rounds of skin cancer. I quit taking calcium supplements about a year ago.
I have loved plant based eating and the optimistic outlook on aging that it has given me. I am fairly active and would like to stay that way. I don't want bone fractures to be a part of my future. So my question is – should I wait the 2 more years before another scan, increase vitamin D to 2,000 a day, take calcium supplements, do more weight resistant exercise, and see if there is further decrease in my bone density? Or is there something else I should do? I really don't want to start taking the medication, but don't want any bone fractures either!
More weight resistant exercise always helps.
It also makes you feel better.
Alena: From my research, there are two keys to having healthy bones, proper diet and proper exercise. For diet, I highly recommend the book, Building Bone Vitality. https://www.amazon.com/Building-Bone-Vitality-Revolutionary-Osteoporosis–Without/dp/0071600191/ref=sr_1_1_twi_pap_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467768483&sr=8-1&keywords=building+bone+vitality That book will help you understand all the nutrients necessary for bone health, including putting calcium into perspective. The book would help you understand that calcium is just one of many substances which make up our bones. It might help you plug some holes in your diet??? And it might help you decide if supplementing with calcium is really a good idea or not.
Also for diet, I highly recommend Dr. Klaper's talk on healthy bones. I heard him speak live, so I don't know if the following talk would include all of the information or not, but hopefully it covers the same basic information, including which foods add to bone health and which foods to stay away from: http://doctorklaper.com/webinars/healthy-bones-preventing-reversing-osteoporosis/ This talk includes some information about foods to stay away from that the above book misses.
These sources are also great compliments for each other in exercise area. Not just any exercise will help your bones. The book explains about that. But Dr. Klaper goes into some specific suggestions on how to walk to help your bones.
In the talk I heard, Dr. Klaper also went into what is wrong with the osteoporosis drugs. They increase bone density, but not necessarily stop fractures! If you watch the talk and he doesn't cover the drugs, let me know an I'll try to summarize the information.
Good luck to you!
I meant to add: You doctor is right on target and gets good credit for recognizing that bones are "slow moving organs". So, it makes sense to do some interventions and give it time to take effect. I'm glad she is giving you a couple of years to work on it.
I agree. I appreciate her approach. I'm doing my research and hope the next scan in two years is better!
How disappointing the Dr. Klaper webinar is rent or buy.
jj: I agree. But if the talk covers the information I heard live, it is worth it (in my opinion) for someone in Alena's situation.
Thank you very much for the resources. I will certainly get going on them.
You mention your "first and last (scans) were on the same machine", 2010 and 2016 respectively, so your concern is whether the last 18 months on a WFPB diet has improved matters for you, despite the overall decline in bone density. The only way to isolate the effect of your dietary change 18 months ago is to compare your 2016 scan with one next year or even as late as 2018.
Alena – Thea has given you some good advice and resources. I would add that Brenda Davis has a you tube clip on this topic and her books cover it too – she has been religious about getting ample calcium from food and supplements and doing weight bearing exercise and credits her good bone density to these practices. My experience is very similar to yours and I am the same age. I think that plant based eating has the potential to make bone density worse due to the drop in calcium and protein, although this way of eating it good for other things. However, as Brenda Davis's experience shows, if you can get plenty of calcium, protein and exercise, everyday, then bone density can be preserved on a plant based diet and perhaps even improved.
Anyone knows if taking 14.000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly is equivalent to take 2.000 IU daily?
There's not a lot of long term research comparing dosing methods. Also, optimum dosing methods may be different depending on your objective. The Mayo Clinic website has a lot of info on doses used in research.
However, as far as I know, whether you supplement daily, weekly or monthly does not make a big difference.
Great! Thank you!
Doc says he takes his B12 once a week – can we do that with Vit D? do we know if the body stores it? thanks.
FYI – my doctor assumes it does. I take 50,000 units once a month. It seems to be working.
This study says there may be no real benefit to supplementing vitamin-D. And a 60-Minutes news (video) article that tested supplements bought from a random array of stores showed that few supplements contain what they claim on the label. I stopped taking Vitamin-D a month or two ago. I guess I'll try to get a little more sun exposure (not mid-day, of course) find out if I'm deficient on my next blood test.
I'm a 60 year-old vegan. I live on the coast and walk on the beach everyday. 12 years ago I was diagnosed with malignant melanoma so I cover up and wear sunscreen. I'm 5'5″ 115 lbs. I've have joint pain and lethargy so had blood levels checked. Everything looked great except my D – it was down at 11 which I was told is critically low. The doctor prescribed 3,000 units a day but a friend who does health coaching suggested 12,000 units a day for a month to 6 weeks and then dropping down to 2,000 to 3,000 per day. I'm not sure what is optimum. I'm taking a vegan D3 derived from lichen in liquid form sublingualy then follow with a squeeze of lemon (for better absorption). Given what you've said here I'm not sure where I should be given my extreme low level (and now wondering if it's even accurate!). Thanks so much for any input. You SO helped me a few years back with my young son . . .
Totally confused with all the units. nmol/litre, ng/ml?? What are IU's? I wanted to know HOW I get my vitamin D. What foods etc. HELP!! British government now saying we need to eat more eggs and tuna. Is this rubbish? Ben
It seems like there is so much conflicting information about topics such as this, even from doctors that support plant based diets, etc. It's very frustrating. For example, I saw this article regarding Vitamin D that say such supplements and unnecessary, can be harmful and should be avoided: http://www.forksoverknives.com/vitamin-d-supplements-are-harmful-sunshine-and-food-determine-health/ I seriously no longer know what to do…
Thanks for your comment Shrewby.
I understand your point as a health professional myself, sometimes it is hard to keep up with what's the latest science on any given topic. I just read the article shared & it is written by a very good physician (Dr John McDougall). This is solely based on my opinion.
While I certainly do agree with Dr McDougall, I think his article was focusing more on fracture risk and therefore I personally find the information presented here by Dr Greger is more to do with the benefits in helping the average person live longer.
I think this summary really points out the main take away points.
Hope this answer helps.
Thanks for your reply. Much appreciated :-)
I wonder how much validity there is to this study showing little to no benefit from Vitamin-D supplementation?
Just had blood work done. I am severely low on Vitamin D, my doctor told me the same, take 2,000 IU/day until my next blood work which is in 6 mos. 1) I am outside for an hour + a day at times walking or running 2) I live in a City that has endless sunshine year around
i take daily SINCE years 10.000 units a day and have round 60 in my blood . i do every 3rd month a blood test. so ..
Actually, the amount of vitamin d will vary dependent on a number of factors including your genetics. As an example, those from equatorial areas have different efficiencies for vitamin D and may need less. The literature seems to be suggesting somewhere between 50-70 is the current consensus, for the progressives, with anything above 32 as acceptable ,conventionally. You might want to view some of Dr. Greger's videos regarding vitamin d at:
http://nutritionfacts.org/?fwp_search=vitamin+d&fwp_content_type=video Dr. Alan Kadish Moderator for Dr. Greger
I'm an ethical and practical vegan, eating as much WFPB as possible. On a fixed budget, vegan D-3 supplements are too expensive, but I have many, many bottles of lanolin based D-3. What are the possible damaging effects of taking an animal based D-3?
What s the latest with Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis. Do MS patients need more D?I was taking SUPPLIMENTS W D3 and finally got tested. I don't spend much time outside. I eat lower carb items- no milk. The total I was taking ended up 7600IU/day. I felt very good. Finally got tested a month ago and my D level was way too high for my internist at 104 ng/ml. So til next test in 6mo.For now I'm taking 800iu/day in my Calcium pill of which I am also taking ½ the amount or 500mg. The label says 1serving(=2tabs) twice a day which was 1600IU Vit. D. and 1000mg Calcium. I assume this is the recommended amount for the public. I don't know if I was ever deficient but I worry about taking less than 1000IU considering some new evidence that it helps those with MS. Doesn't seem to be a consensus of opinion on this. I am over 68yrs of age.
Please see http://www.overcomingms.org for evidence based recommendations,
Summary here:
The Overcoming Multiple Sclerosis Recovery Program in Summary:
Diet and supplements
• A plant-based wholefood diet plus seafood, with no saturated fat, as far as is practical
• Omega-3 fatty acid supplements: Take 20-40mls of flaxseed oil daily; fish oil can be used instead if desired
• Optional B group vitamins or B12 supplement if needed
Vitamin D
• Sunlight 15 minutes daily 3-5 times a week as close to all over as practical
• Vitamin D3 supplement of at least 5000IU daily, adjusted to blood level
• Aim to keep blood level of vitamin D high, that is between 150-225nmol/L (may require up to 10,000IU daily)
• 30 minutes daily
• 20-30 minutes around five times a week, preferably outdoors
• In consultation with your doctor, if a wait and see approach is not appropriate, take one of the disease-modifying drugs (many may not need a drug, and drug selection should be carefully weighed against side effects)
• Steroids for any acute relapse that is distressing
• One of the more potent drugs if the disease is rapidly progressive
To Dr Greger,
I have been wondering if you have thought about doing a video detailing which supplement type is best… Capsule, gel, liquid or tablet. Just recently I have decided to switch to an gel based supplement that has the following ingredients … INGREDIENTS: Vitamin D3 10,000 IU, Sunflower oil, Capsule Shell (Gelatine, VITAMIN D3 Glycerine), Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol).
As you can see there is oil in there but only a small amount. I know this is bad but when you compare it to my previous tablet based supplement well look for yourself… Vitamin D3 5000IU, Bulking Agents – Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Magnesium Stearate, Silica.
Surely in this case the latter is the worse of the two? I mean eating silica?!
If you could reply I would be very appreciative.
Many thanks!
Not so sure you're going the right direction. First there is no ideal format for all supplements. The differences should be based on numerous factors including, where the product is absorbed, sublingual such as B 12 or the intestinal tract, with an enteric coating or…… it's the rest of the story that counts and this is a huge consideration.
The sunflower oil, if not organic can be a processed issue with both solvents and pesticides….. Silica is considered very safe and inert and not an issue for fillers in tablets and capsules.
On the other hand the magnesium stearate may be a slight issue and is being debated in supplement circles. With all that…the best approach is use the least excipients necessary to maintain the quality of the ingredients.. The big take away is that to get the benefits of vitamin D it NEEDS to be taken with a meal that contains oil for it to be absorbed at meaningful quantity.
I would suggest that you have your vitamin d levels when your taking the d with oily meals for 4-6 weeks and see if you need 10Kiu to get into the 50 range.
Dr. Alan Kadish moderator for Dr. Greger
hello alan,
I agree with your post but am not too sure about the part where vit D "needs" to be taken with fat. that may be more of a theoretical idea rather than one where double blind, placebo controlled trials have been done.
i'm a NO FAT Vegan for 6 years now, have been taking 2000 IU Vit D3 Drops for several years and have always been in the mid 40's-mid 80's range depending, I guess, on the season and maybe even my activity level. who knows. I would like to take more but I'm very averse to oils if you have followed my history so I limit it to two drops.
for the last year, I was on weekly routine bloodwork so I've got a pretty good idea of where my levels are at and now am going to more of a 2-4 week routine bloodwork schedule.
my blood level on 12/06/16 was 43 and I haven't been in the sun at all recently so that's a good idea of where i'm at in the winter. I remember prior to taking vit D3 that I was actually in the low range so the 2 drops has, let's say, 'doubled' my levels.
just some food for thought.
In regards to supplementing vitamin d3, which is best daily or weekly? I have heard some people take daily doses whilst others take the weeks supply on (for example) Monday and then wont take it again till next Monday, is this okay? So instead of taking 2000iu 7 days a week you would take 14000iu one day per week and not have to think about it again till next week.
Any info on this would be greatly appreciated!
I think a lot of people would love if the doctor publish a book with plant based complete meal plans (detailing breakfast, lunch and dineer for each day) and including recipes, both for geting a plant based diet without nutritional deficiencies and for knowing how to complete daily dozens every day at a practical level. Thank you
It took me months to figure out why, but 2000IU vitamin D3 supplement is cause me severe abrasive-feeling joint pain! I think it is causing an imbalance with calcium and K2 potentially. If I supplement all 3 with low dose vitamin D it seems not to hurt so much (but that could be the lower dose of vitamin D3). But the clicking and "weak" "loose" joints are still always evident. I wonder if it will ever go away. (I feel like my shoulders/knees/hips/ankles/ will painfully pop out of their socket!)
I also have joint pain and headaches with vitamin D supplement. The sun doesn't cause any pain so I have been getting more sun in the warm month's but I would love to understand why some folks have such pain with D.
Thanks for your great question. I'm not sure why you might be having those side effects. Have you ever had your vitamin D level checked? If it isn't low, you don't need to supplement it. And it is possible, you may be able to tolerate lower doses of it. Good luck to you.
Nutritionfacts.org Moderator
What about breastfeeding Mum's? How much is recommended? Thank you!
Does the body store excess supplimented Vitamin D?
The pills that I have are 5,000 iu each so I planned on taking them every other day.
thoughts from those that know and not just people's opinions please.
A lot of Vitamin D3 supplements are combined with Vitamin K2. Is that something Dr Greger recommends or can we get it from our diet and should we stick to only vitamin d3 when supplementing? I understand k2 is critically important, my question is if we can get enough on a plant based diet?
I read on google vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) is found in leafy, green vegetables, and vitamin K2 (menaquinone) in organ meats, egg yolks, and dairy products. But also that k2 is made by bacteria in our gut.
Thanks Kelly. I've seen every video and I already know it's not answered, my question was aimed at someone who knew what they were talking about.
As for the supplements you should look harder, Dr Greger's optimum nutrition recommendations including a few you missed are actually in the link below. As for "and possibly and omega 3"? The short answer is yes to an omega 3! 1tbsp of ground flax seeds (ALA) and a 250mg supplement of pollutant free algae or yeast derived long chained omega 3's (EPA/DHA) if you don't eat much seaweed etc. There are some videos on this you can find to learn more.
As for Vitamin K2 it has been answered by Dr Greger himself in the last FB Q&A. Short answer if you eat enough dark green leafy vegetables and cruciferous vegetables you will absorb vitamin k1 and then your gut bacteria will make vitamin K2 from the k1.
Dr. Stasha Gominak, neurologist has found that when she had her patients supplement with Vitamin D, after two years, most all of the patients were getting burning in their hands and feet. She also noticed their Vitamin B's became very low. I believe her view of a normal range for Vitamin D is 40ng/ml to 60ng/ml. She also speaks about how when we are low in Vitamin D it effects our sleep. She has several video's. I think this is the video she speaks about it.
Any perspective on what form of Vitamin D has the best absorption?
I take tablets but I've heard capsules or drops are more effective. Unfortunately it's hard to find entirely plant-based capsules (gelatin is lurking in the ones I've found) and I'd prefer not to have to use a dropper.
What about the vitamin D research groups that say to take – 1,000 IU per 25lbs of body weight?! I am confused now what amounts to really take in supplements after listening to Dr Greger. More confused now!
What are some reputable brands to get supplements from? Thanks!
Vitamin D Supplements are Harmful—Sunshine and Food Determine Health
And make sure to track your Vitamin D results over time (either on a spreadsheet or on a site like https://www.healthmatters.io), so you have a baseline to know how your specific dosis of Vitamian D is affecting your serum levels.
Hi I'm new around here and I would like to know if my 18 month baby should also get vitamin D.
Hello NutritionFacts!
I have just read about a newly published meta-analysis on Vitamin D (combined analysis of 81 different studies) this morning that was published in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Journal, which was lead by vitamin D experts from both the University of Aberdeen and the University of Auckland. They concluded "Our meta-analysis finds that vitamin D does not prevent fractures, falls or improve bone mineral density, whether at high or low dose." (quote from Professor Mark Bolland, meta-analysis lead).
The researchers went on to say that government guidelines for Vitamin D supplementation should be altered to reflect the above conclusions (i.e. governments need to no longer reccomend Vitamin D supplementation).
I wanted to know what Dr Michael Greger's / NutritionFacts' thoughts are on the above meta-analysis conclusions – do you think they have considered risk groups such as vegans / plant-based individuals when writing their conclusions? Do you think their conclusions are valid? Do you think there are any flaws in their meta-analysis that they have failes to percieve / understand?
I have left links to both the news article and the original meta-analysis in the Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology Journal below. I look very much forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.
News article – https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/04/vitamin-d-supplements-dont-help-bone-health-major-study-concludes
Journal meta-analysis link – https://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587(18)30265-1/fulltext
worrying question if after xray it is discovered a friend of mine who is male age 45 due to genetic predisposition has bone density of a 70 year old is ut plausible to reccommend 3,500IU without exceeding toxicity amount considering the age of the person is 45 not 70?
How much vitamin D should children take daily? (1 year old and 8 year old)
I'm interested in Dr. Greger's take on the recent big meta-study published in Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, which seems to indicate that Vitamin D supplements are useless for most people. Since Vitamin D pills are one of the few supplements he's endorsed (I think B12 is the only other type).
I was planning on starting Vitamin D supplements, but now I'm not so sure (I hate taking pills, and I don't want to do it everyday if it's basically useless).
In this meta-analysis the primarily focus was musculoskeletal concerns. There are many other functions of vitamin D. The tests for vitamin D are not reliable so it may make sense to take a safe dose of vitamin D if you do not have regular sun exposure. See the above comments by health support volunteers Ben and Cody.
Surely vitamin d supplements should be based on weight. I'm barely over 100 lbs and 4foot eleven inches. Should I be taking 1000iu every day? I get a banging headache when I do take them . Been taking this level,for years.
Dr. Pam Popper and Dr. McDougall both say no to vitamin D supplements, Dr. Gregor and Dr. Fuhrman say yes, so there's understandable confusion. I tested low for vitamin D several years ago, but haven't been tested again. At any rate, since I live in central Pennsylvania, I take a vegan 2500iu D3 supplement in the winter only. I had also been taking K2, but after reading that gut bacteria turn K1 from dark leafy greens into K2, I'll phase out that supplement.
Vitamin D supplements associated with higher risk of cancer…. large study. Story being reported in last couple of days.
What does Dr Greger say on this latest reporting?
August 6, 2019 – Just saw this:
Do you agree?
Is there a brand of Vitamin B-12 that anybody would recommend?
How much should infants and children take?
Here are two reputable sources to answer that question:
Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/ Vitamin D Dosing for Prevention and Treatment of Nutritional Vitamin D Deficiency in Children
(See table)
Source: Vitamin D Supplementation in Infants, Children, and … https://www.aafp.org › afp Infants ingesting less than 1 L (33.8 fl oz) of formula per day, as well as all breastfed or partially breastfed infants, should receive 400 IU of supplemental vitamin D daily. Children and adolescents consuming less than 1 L of vitamin D–fortified milk per day should receive 400 IU of supplemental vitamin D daily.
If I live between a 30º and 40º latitude and I'm not getting sun and the only Vitamin d3 suplement I have is 15.960 UI (calcifediol, 0266 mg) I have to take it once a day or once every month or week?
"Some of the participants were taking as much as 15,000 IUs of vitamin D daily without any untoward toxicity" https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=15.000+international+units+vitamin+d3
"ill try to not be confusing.. next time" oh thats great.. i just read an article where you said not to take vitamin d but i swear i heard you say.. ahh screw it! i think i need to stick to Dr Mcdougall, i literally dont have the patience or the brain for all this
I'm starting to find that other wfpb docs do not agree and that is leading me to question Dr. Greger's conclusions. Look up some of Dr. Pamela Poppers videos on D. Would love to see a debate between Greger and Popper on D. Also, this: https://khn.org/news/how-michael-holick-sold-america-on-vitamin-d-and-profited/
Why did Vitamin D disappear from the daily dozen app? Thanks!
Because it's not recommended for everyone.
I was vitamin D deficient, severely low according to my blood work. Before I realized it I was getting psoriasis all over my chest. It was getting worse over the year spreading down my arms and up my neck and around my back. I started supplementing and when I could getting outdoors more and the psoriasis went away. My muscles around my shoulders feel better too!
I was just made aware of this study out of my home town here in Calgary. Interesting conclusion related to bone health and dose.
How much extra Vitamin D might one take for virus resistance protection? This May 06, 2020 article recommends taking 7000 units daily, at least for 150 pounds older people:
"Vitamin D and COVID-19 // Can Taking Vitamin D Save Your Life?"
Excerpts: A recent report from the Philippines found that in patients infected with COVID-19, the patient's level of Vitamin D was significantly associated with clinical outcomes. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a higher level of death from the disease. …
"Vitamin D stimulates the production of CAMP — Cathelicidin Anti-Microbial Peptide — from our own immune cells. Think of CAMP as our natural Anti-Viral agent."
Please elaborate on "CAMP".
What level of n/mol in blood testing does everyone who takes a supplement aim for in Vitamin D blood tests ? 100 or 125 or 150 kind of range ? n/mol value only please.


text:
Roxane Mesquida (Marseille, October 1, 1981) is an actress and French model. Grew up in Le Pradet, Roxane Mesquida was discovered by director Manuel Pradal during the casting of the film Maria of the Angels' Bay and was chosen to play a role in the film. After this film, he starred in several films of the director Catherine Breillat and, as activity as an actress, has developed a modeling career, working with top photographers such as Karl Lagerfeld, Ellen von Unwerth for Vogue (Russia), Corinne Day for Vogue (France), Paolo Roversi for Italian Vogue, François Rotger for Playboy (France).
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See also

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Observe the language of Nature …
It is a language we once knew, but have grown deaf and dumb to her.
We need to nail Monsanto on the Cannabis issue, or Monsanto will nail us, AGAIN!
We don't need patented GMO variants – of a Natural, free gift – that is suitable only to the whims of Monsanto & The Pharmaceutical industry.
The confluence of two major events: a growing popularity for the DECRIMINALIZATION of Cannabis, in conjunction with an approaching major election cycle, demands this to be the moment we drive a stake through Monsanto's chemical heart. We may never again have another opportunity to ride the crest of a wave such as this.


text:
Thursday, October 22, 1998
Chairperson Trabue, called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. in the Boone County Chambers having a quorum present.
Present: Tom Trabue, Chairperson
Linda Rootes, Vice Chairperson
Norma Keil
Larry Bossaller
Absent: Jerry Kaufman
Also present: Stan Shawver, Director
Noel Boyt, Secretary
Bill Florea, Staff
Thad Yonke, Staff
Chairman Trabue welcomed Larry Bossaller as the newest appointed member by the County Commission to the Board of Adjustment.
Chairperson Trabue explained the function of the Board of Adjustment. He stated that all decisions are based upon the Boone County Zoning and Subdivision Regulations, which are considered to be part of the record of the proceedings.
Member Keil made and Member Rootes seconded a motion to approve the minutes of June 25, 1998, meeting with no corrections.
Motion passed by acclimation.
Request by Susan Sickman for a second dwelling on 3.31 acres located
at 15920 Rte F, Harrisburg.
Director Shawver gave staff report stating that the property was located approximately ¼ mile north of the Harrisburg City limits at the intersection of Stidham Road and State Rte. F. The property has split zoning. A section line divides it. The land north of the section line is zoned A-2 (Agriculture) and all the land south of the section line is zoned A-R (Agriculture Residential). There is approximately 1.9 acres that is zoned A-R. There is a single-family house on the tract. The applicant acquired the property in July 1998 and wished to place a second dwelling for her mother on the property. The property was originally part of two tracts of land that were divided east to west. Copy of the survey was included in packet. In 1991 the land was surveyed and reconfigured into its current form as part of a family transfer. There has been no change in zoning since the adoption of zoning.
The applicant is requesting a variance from Section 4. (5) of the Boone County Zoning Regulations states "every building hereafter erected or structurally altered shall be located on a lot as herein defined and in no case shall there be more than one main building on a lot except as otherwise provided in this ordinance." They are asking for a second dwelling on a tract of 3.2 acres of ground. It should be pointed out that there are other options available to the applicant.
The property could be subdivided. The 1.9 acres that is zoned A-R could be subdivided as part of a plat with the minimum lot size for A-R is .5 acres. This could be split into three (3) lots. Another alternative would be to create a Planned Residential Development, which would achieve the overall density of three, unites over the entire 3.2 acres of ground and place the second unit anywhere on the property. Staff notified 12 property owners concerning this request. We did receive a letter in opposition from property owner Thurman and a copy of that letter has been given to you. The applicant did submit a copy of the medical statement and a copy has been provided as well.
Susan Sickman, 15920 Rte F, Harrisburg came forward along with a friend (Terry McBee). She stated she wanted to acquire a variance for the right to place another dwelling on the property for her mother. She is elderly and is now living in a circumstance with her brother in Harrisburg. Because of her medical problems, she needed to be close to Ms. Sickman.
Open to the public. No one spoke in favor of the request.
Dot Fenton 15670 N Rte F, Harrisburg came forward. She owned the property just south. Ms. Fenton said Ms. Sickman did have other alternatives. Ms. Fenton said they had ten (10) acres for sale. She said when Ms. Sickman initially purchased the property she had intended to place a second home on the property besides her current double wide. Because it would not meet the County Regulations, she decided not to pursue it at that time. There had been a problem with the lagoon placement. Ms. Fenton said she was opposed with the request unless the Board of Adjustment could guarantee them that all regulations would be met.
The applicant had the floor to answer the concerns. Ms. Terry McBee, realtor spoke out. She said they had researched for the lagoon for additional sewage and there should not be a problem. The driveways would be separate having one on Stidham Road and one driveway would be on Rte F. At one time they were two separate lots until it was combined into one deed.
Ms. McBee said Susan Sickman was a friend of her and she had sold her other properties for her. She always keeps a very attractive property and would like to do this for her mother so it would not be an eyesore to the community.
Closed to the public hearing.
Member Rootes asked if this variance was for temporary dwelling. Director Shawver said the request was for a permanent variance residence for a second dwelling. Member Rootes asked even if the hardship would go away, the second dwelling would remain. Director Shawver said yes.
Member Keil asked where Ronda Thurman lived in reference to the applicant. Director Shawver advised directly to the east.
Member Bossaller asked if the present wastewater system could server both dwelling units? Director Shawver said there was an existing wastewater system that he assumed served the house. The second dwelling may require its own wastewater system. The Environmental Health Department would evaluate what service would be required. It may or may not be possible to utilize the same lagoon or it may have its own system.
Terry McBee spoke up and said they had researched it with an Engineer and surveyor and it could be done with little cost. Chairman Trabue wanted to address the concerns of Member Bossaller that for this request or any other request was approved, it would have to meet all of the zoning requirements and building permits.
Dot Fenton spoke up from the audience and said her husband was a licensed installer. His classes and training stated that no two dwelling could be on the same lagoon or septic system.
Chairman Trabue asked what was the intent of the applicant. Was it to place a second dwelling because of a hardship to have the mother close because of a temporary situation? Or is the intent to place a second dwelling on the property permanently.
Mrs. Sickman said she needed it now, her mother was 72 yrs old and she may be her another 20 years or she may not. After improvement on the land with the concrete, foundation and everything she did not want to have to move it off.
Member Keil asked (as far as the application) if she was asking for a second dwelling, not because of the hardship but because you wanted a second dwelling? Mrs. Sickman said it was because of the hardship.
Chairman Trabue said the board wanted to make it clear of the circumstances. Terry McBee spoke up and wanted to help make it clear what was happening. She said Susan and her husband had previously had a larger home in the Harrisburg area. Due to the marriage failing, her mother had to sell the larger home where her mother was living. For many reasons she purchased this smaller home. Her mother is currently living with her son that has 4 children creating a stressful situation.
Chairman Trabue said that a hardship case is generally granted on a temporary basis for a two (2) year period and by the regulations it would consists of a mobile home. He understood why the applicant would want it to be a permanent home. His personal feels were that there were other options available for the piece of property within the current regulations, he would recommend they be exploded before the Board of Adjustment would take any action. He could not support the request having the other options available.
The options would be to subdivide it within the regulations or rezoning the property as a PRD also within the regulations. Each of these would require public hearings but it would create a permanent zoning, permanent platting of the property, which would then meet all the regulations. A variance is for temporary type situations.
Ms. Sickman and Ms. McBee discussed it and Ms. Sickman stated she would be agreeable to doing it on a temporary…then.
Member Keil said if mother was only ¼ of a mile or even ½ mile from Harrisburg, she did not see the hardship in checking on her even every day when someone is that close.
Ms. McBee said the mother was not in her own home now. She sold her home in Sedalia, moved in with her son. Member Keil confirmed that the mother was now living with the son (a family member) at the present. Ms. McBee said the mother was in a 1200 sq. ft. home with four (4) children being confined to one room.
Chairman Trabue had applicant restate the "new" request since the full board did not hear it. Ms. Sickman said she would be willing to go for the temporary variance for the mobile home.
Member Keil asked her if she realized that the variance could be denied at any renewal. If the variance was reviewed every year, then it could be denied at that time of renewal.
Ms. McBee stated the her mother wanted a permanent foundation for mobile home and in investing money in a permanent foundation maybe allow another family member in the trailer later if/when the mother was gone. That is why for the permanent variance.
Member Rootes asked if there was a reason why the applicant did not want to subdivide the property? Ms. McBee said they had researched it, but from a cost stand point and surveying cost that this might be an avenue to accomplish the same thing.
In the discussion, Mr. Yonke stated in the earlier discussions with Ms. McBee in the office, she was advised if there were other options within the regulations, those options needed to be exhausted before the variance request, but a variance request would be the last option to try.
Ms. McBee asked if this variance would be (approved) on a yearly review, but in the meantime have the survey done, and complete the other avenue, would that work. Director Shawver said it would just as well work to have it done up front. Ms. McBee asked if it could be done very quickly? Director Shawver said it was up to them, there was an existing survey on the property that was not very old. It would not be surveying un-surveyed land.
Member Rootes stated that because the mother does desire to have a permanent attached home and wanting to make it very attractive for her, she thought it would be better investment to go ahead to make it a permanent arrangement. If the mother was there on a temporary arrangement, and later left then the home would be required to be removed. She did not feel comfortable granting the variance.
Member Bossaller stated he sensed urgency of the mother in her present health condition. Ms. McBee said yes, there was urgency.
Member Keil asked why if the property was acquired in July 1998, why has it taken until October to make the application for Board of Adjustment? Ms. McBee stated the mother had been in ill health, in a car accident and in the hospital. The family was unsure on the mother's health and where she would stay.
Chairman Trabue stated the property was purchased this year with a second dwelling in mind and would have to be subdivided to add an additional dwelling. He had a problem with the purchase of the property knowing there were several obstacles ahead. Other property could have been purchased to elevate that situation.
Ms. McBee stated they were told that to apply for the variance the property needed to be in the Sickman's name. Director Shawver agreed, said Ms. McBee was advised in March of '98 the necessary steps.
Ms. McBee stated the variance was the easiest way to accomplish the same thing at the least amount of cost. A house was purchased for the mother but washer and dryer were not on mail level. The mother fell in the house and now selling it to her son. The mother is still staying in the home with the son and his family until the mother can relocate.
Member Keil asked if this house was the same house on the tract in question. Ms. McBee said no, Susan lives on the tract in question, the mother lives in Harrisburg with the brother.
Member Keil asked if the mother could live with Susan while the survey was being done. Ms. Sickman and Ms. McBee agreed, saying. Ms. McBee added that Susan's son is in conflict with the grandmother and has run away several times.
Chairman Trabue referred to a letter from MediQuick. He asked how recently did the physician (John Mruzik, MS MD) from MediQuick examine the mother? Ms. Sickman said he saw her mother that day, because of the short time they had to show the Board her medical condition..
Chairman Trabue asked if this doctor was her regular physician? Ms. Sickman said Dr. Dolland, from Sedalia was her attending. Chairman Trabue stated he would feel more comfortable with an evaluation from the mother's regular doctor. It seemed that the request was put together with a lot of loose ends.
Member Bossaller made motion to table the request by Susan Sickman for a second dwelling on 3.31 acres located at 15920 Rte F, Harrisburg.
Member Rootes said she could not support this request because there were other options available and did not believe it would be a service to the applicant to table the request.
Member Rootes made and Member Keil seconded request to DENY Susan Sickman for a second dwelling on 3.31 acres located at 15920 Rte. F, Harrisburg.
Linda Rootes yes Norma Keil yes
Larry Bossaller no Tom Trabue yes
Motion to deny passed. 3 yes 1 no
* * *
Request by Gary R. Evans to allow a 100' sign to be placed within the
required setback of property zoned C-G (General Commercial) located
at 5612 E St. Charles Rd., Columbia.
Director Shawver gave staff report stating that this site is located just east of Columbia at the NE at the Lake of the Woods interchange with I-70. The property is zoned C-G (General Commercial) all the adjacent zoning is C-G as well. There is an adjacent convenience store and gas station facility on the site.
The applicant is in the process of redeveloping the site. He is building a new convenience facility and a strip development as well. The existing structure will be removed. The applicant would like to erect a business sign that would be approximately 100 feet tall. The sign location is within the required setback. The property has been zoned C-G since the adopted in 1973.
Section 9 A. (2) provides a 45' height restriction in the C-G zoning district. However, Section 9 B. (1) provides an exception to the height restriction that allows structures to be up to 100 feet tall, provided that they are setback from the property line an additional foot for every foot in height above the height restriction. In this case, a 100-foot tall sign would be required to be at least 65 feet from the front property line and 61 feet from the side property line. Site plan was shown to the board. Staff notified 49 property owners.
Director Shawver advised Board of Adjustment that the property was subject to a pre-annexation agreement with the city of Columbia. That is part of the provision of sewer service to the site. As part of the pre-annexation agreement, there is a condition that states that any property, and/or any improvement would comply with all city regulations. The city regulations are similar to Boone County where they also have height restriction for commercial signs (commercial development) of 45 feet. City also has a sign ordinance as well that the County does not have. If the Board grants a variance, the applicant will still have to find some relief from the City. A sign of this size would require a Conditional Use Permit from the City's Board of Adjustment and would have to comply with the city sign ordinance. Director Shawver did not want the city restrictions to effect their (County BOA) decision but wanted the Board aware there would be other restrictions the applicant was subject to.
Tom Mendenhall, 2009 Wood Hall Dr. Columbia, one of the partners involved in the convenience store project came forward. He stated that the pre-annexation agreement was only because they had to enter into an agreement with the Regional Sewer District. There were a couple of lagoons behind the property and one next door owned by Mr. Story. They put up the money to bring a regional sewer to that area which is being constructed and should be completed by Thanksgiving (end of November). That would remove the lagoons and clean up the hole side and corner. They currently own another convenience store at Nifong and one Stadium across from the Mall. If they go with another size sign, it would place it in the middle of the building or in the middle of the gas tanks.
Open to the public: No one spoke in favor or opposition to the request.
Director Shawver stated that a letter had been received from the Fire Protection District. The letter wanted assurance that if the sign failed, it would not restrict any access on public roads. Mr. Mendenhall stated they had gone to extra precautions as far as the base for the size of the sign. He was not aware of any problems and it was even engineered above the wind resistance requirements.
Closed to public hearing.
Member Keil asked what was the objection to having a sign within the regulations. Mr. Mendenhall stated there was an electronic sign presently there now and the new sign would not be in parallel. A crane would come out and to have it all in line and the star above the up sign. If it began moving, then it would be into the gas tanks.
Chairman Trabue asked for clarification of the site plan. Mr. Mendenhall approached the Board and pointed out the different location of the proposed new sign.
Member Keil clarified that the new sign was placed, then it was a matter of seeing both signs at the same time. Member Keil asked why not place the new sign on top of the store. Mr. Mendenhall's response was, "no". He added they wanted the signs to line up for the traffic from the road to see as they came closer.
Member Rootes asked if the Texaco Star could be placed on the electronic one here Shell sign was. Mr. Mendenhall said it was not structural made for that. Member Keil asked if it could not be made to accommodate it. Mr. Mendenhall said with enough dollars it could be done.
Chairman Trabue said he had an appreciation for them not moving the sign back 65' into the property. That would be difficult but his initial reaction was that it was one of the entrances to the city of Columbia and signs were important. His concern was in the height of the sign rather than the type of sign at present.
Member Rootes said the property was very close to the city limits and it was under pre-annexation agreement, which she thought the city already had some controls. Mr. Mendenhall spoke up and said that until which time it was annexed into the city it would be a whole different deal. And until then they wanted to have their sign.
Member Rootes asked that if the Board granted the variance, he would have to then go to the City to get permission for the sign. Director Shawver stated that in talking with City staff that was understood. Mr. Yonke stated that the pre-annexation agreement predates the variance so it would not be considered a "grandfatherd or condition" that could be wavered. So it would require an adjustment from the city.
Member Rootes asked if the variance was granted, it just meant that the Board was clearing the county hurdle and it would still have to meet the city's requirements. But if the variance were not granted, then there would be no reason to proceed to the city for their approval? Director Shawver stated that was correct. It was a pre-annexation agreement and not contingent to the city but are subject to all city standards.
Mr. Mendenhall spoke up and said the city sign ordinance allowed the height of signs until the year 2009. Member Rootes added "existing" signs. He continued that "this was outside in the county and it would be something of a legal thing".
Member Rootes asked if the sign in question was existing? Mr. Mendenhall said no, but there had been a sign there. Member Rootes asked Mr. Mendenhall what he meant by exiting or a certain date to meet city standards. Mr. Mendenhall answered that if the property were annexed then the height of signs of would have until 2009 or 2007 to come into city's compliance.
Director Shawver said he was not prepared to issue a permit on this sign until the city staff would tell him to issue one. The way Director Shawver read the pre-annexation agreement the owners were subject to all city standards and regulations. Director Shawver said he would not place them in jeopardy of violating the pre-annexation agreement.
Chairman Trabue said if the variance was approved it would be with that condition. Director Shawver said absolutely.
Chairman Trabue said he had a concern in validating this and passing it off to the city. Mr. Mendenhall said this was being built in the county and wanted to work with county.
Member Bossaller said he had a concern about the variance with the surrounding properties. This was commercially zoned and the other commercial properties would be asking for the same type of variance to be approved.
Chairman Trabue said there had been several examples in the city where there are conflicts of buildings built before the sign ordinance and the height limitations were
He had gone out and made a site visit. He thought the existing sign was coming down. The sign to the west (Putnam Boat Sales sign) is a much smaller sign height wise. It is a reasonable sign. From a visibility point coming from the east there was not a visibility problem at all.
Director Shawver wanted to correct a statement he made. There was nothing the regulation prohibiting him from issuing a building permit for the sign if the variance was granted. However, with the pre-annexation agreement the city may offer protest and could be back at the Board of Adjustment until it was resolved.
Chairman Trabue said he was in favor of the height ordinance the county had in effect. In transition it is unfair to business who come in after that vs. ones that have been there for some years and did not have the restrictions. In the long term he felt it would correct itself.
Chairman Trabue asked how long had the taller sign to the south been up or was there a variance granted? Director Shawver stated it had been there for years, and when affiliation changed they just re-topped the sign.
Member Rootes asked if there was a difference for sign on the interstate vs. other properties. Director Shawver said he was not aware of any differences.
Mr. Mendenhall said they wanted a nice new look, did not want to re-top an old sign. They felt that the traffic would stop if it could be seen from the road and looked nice. They made the decision to do that and make the investment. The competion across the street did not build a bran new sign and that was there prerogative.
Member Rootes said it would be a great asset to the neighborhood to have a branch bank and other shops to the residential area. She added that she agreed with the chairman and appreciated seeing the shorter signs. That is the newer trend and since there are other advertising options available she was reluctant to support the variance.
Member Bossaller agreed with fellow Member Rootes and with county regulations and also was reluctant to support the variance.
Member Keil made and Member Bossaller second motion to DENY request by Gary R. Evans to allow a 100' sign to be placed within the required setback of property zoned C-G (General Commercial) located at 5612 E St. Charles Rd., Columbia.
Norma Keil yes Larry Bossaller yes
Tom Trabue yes Linda Rootes yes
Motion to deny request for variance was unanimous. 4 yes
Review permit issued to Robert Forbis for a mobile home as a second
dwelling on 6.0 acres located at 16671 N. Hwy. NN, Sturgeon. (granted 4/94)
Director Shawver gave staff report stating that the property was located 2.5 miles northeast of Harrisburg on State Highway NN. The property is zoned A-2 (Agriculture) and all the surrounding property is zoned A-2. There is a single family dwelling on the property that is occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Forbis. In 1994 a request was granted for Mr. and Mrs. Forbis for a second dwelling on the property. Their daughter Rebecca Forbis Straight, was to provide them with care since Mrs. Forbis had health problems. The variance was last renewed in August 1996 for a two year renewal. A call had been received in support of the request. Staff notified seven (7) property owners. To our knowledge the situation is still the same and there is still a need for the request.
Rebecca Forbis Straight, 166751 N. Hwy NN, Sturgeon came forward. She said the situation was the same. Nothing had changed. She is a nurse and still helps with their care. Her father will be 89 in November and his health is worsening with age. Her children are older and help with lawn care. She asked that the variance be renewed.
Member Bossaller made and Member Keil motion to approve renewal of permit issued to Robert Forbis for a mobile home as a second dwelling on 6.0 acres located at 16671 N. Hwy. NN, Sturgeon. (granted 4/94) for an additional two years.
Larry Bossaller yes Norma Keil yes
Tom Trabue yes Linda Rootes yes
Motion to approve 2 yr. renewal was unanimous. 4 yes
* * *
Review permit issued to Chester & Louanna Reeder for a mobile home
as a second dwelling on .98 acre located at 1901 E. Rte M. (granted 8/94)
Director Shawver gave staff report stating that the property is located on State Highway M approximately 2 miles southwest of Ashland. The property is zoned A-2 (Agriculture) as is all the surrounding property. There had been a house and detached garage on the property. In August, 1994 the request was granted allowing Mr. Reeder's mother to place a mobile on the property to be near her son. She had previously resided in Wilton and was flooded out in the 1993 flood and did not want to return to Wilton. The variance was last renewed in August 1996, for a two year renewal. To our knowledge the situation is still the same and there is still a need for the request. No complaints had been received.
Chester and Louanna Reeder, 1901 E. Rte M, Hartsburg came forward. Mrs. Reeder said
The situation was the same. Nothing had changed and wanted the variance to be renewed.
Member Keil made and Member Rootes seconded motion to approve renewal of permit issued to Chester & Louanna Reeder for a mobile home as a second dwelling on .98 acre located at 1901 E. Rte M. (granted 8/94) for an additional two (2) years.
Norma Keil yes Linda Rootes yes
Tom Trabue yes Larry Bossaller yes
Motion to approve 2 yr. renewal was unanimous. 4 yes
* * *
Review permit issued to Hazel & Billy Joe White for a mobile home as a
second dwelling on 10.643 acres located at 6850 Guy Nowlin Rd. (granted 8/94)
Director Shawver gave staff report stating that the property was located approximately one (1) mile northeast of Columbia. The property is zoned A-2 (Agriculture) as is all the surrounding property is zoned A-2. There had been one mobile home on the property. In August 1994, and a request was granted for Hazel and Billy Joe White to have a second dwelling on the property to be occupied by their daughter and son-in-law. The variance was last renewed in August 1996 for a two year renewal. To our knowledge the situation is still the same.
Curtis Adkinson (son-in-law), 6850 E Guy Nowlin Road came forward. He stated he just got a new job and still plans on getting a new house. They get along with the neighbors and keep the yard very nice.
Member Keil asked if Mr. Adkinson would review the circumstances for the variance granted in 1994. Mr. Adkinson said he and his wife purchased the pre-1976 mobile home from his savings. Family allowed them to live on part of the 10 acres.
Director Shawver stated the pre-1976 mobile home was from his mother who moved it to this location on the same 10 acres until the kids could get on their feet and buy some land or build a house. Because of the "estate" the property could not be subdivided or to do a family transfer. The Board looked at it as a young couple, getting started with the intent to purchase/buy land and build a house at some point in time. They knew it was a temporary basis and not desirable keep it there.
Member Rootes asked if Mr. Adkinson did purchase a home or moved away, then this second home would have to be removed. Director Shawver agreed.
Director Shawver stated no complaint had been received. Guy Nowlin Road was a private road and all the properties were very well maintained. Some of the private roads in the county have zoning violations but there is nothing like that on Guy Nowlin Road.
Chairman Trabue asked if they had a time frame on when they may be relocating from the pre-1976 mobile home. Mr. Adkinson said maybe within the next five years.
Chairman Trabue said these variances are only granted for a temporary basis and the Board does not anticipate the variance being permanent. The Board will be looking at it closer if it is again for renewal. Mr. Adkinson acknowledged and said he understood.
Member Rootes made and Member Bossaller second motion to approve renewal of permit issued to Hazel & Billy Joe White for a pre-1976 mobile home as a second dwelling on 10.643 acres located at 6850 Guy Nowlin Rd. (granted 8/94) for an additional two years.
Linda Rootes yes Larry Bossaller yes
Norma Keil yes Tom Trabue yes
Motion to approve renewal was unanimous. 4 yes
Nomination for Chairperson
Member Keil nominated and Member Rootes seconded nomination of Tom Trabue for Chairperson. Motion was approved by acclimation.
Director Shawver returned the floor to Chairperson Trabue to continue the election.
Nomination for Vice-Chairperson
Member Keil nominated and Member Bossaller seconded nomination of Linda Rootes for
Vice-Chairperson. Motion was approved by acclimation.
Having no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
M. Noel Boyt
Minutes approved 27th of May 1999.


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*For those of us who didn't get the memo, from the looks of things Oprah and guests who did had an O-mazing time on the 'Share the Adventure' cruise that brought together some of the world's foremost visionaries for an entire week as they set sail from Seattle to Alaska.
It was a week chock full of talks and activities aboard "ms Eurodam" and along with partners at the Holland America Line, O, The Oprah Magazine, is now sharing the adventure with the rest of us in an array of exclusive photos and video.
Throughout the week guests took part in morning meditation with yoga instructor Sara Ivanhoe and explored eating well with Impatient Foodie founder Elettra Wiedemann.
O, The Oprah Magazine editor in chief Lucy Kaylin and editor at large Gayle King shared a peek behind the scenes of the award-winning magazine, explaining how they bring the pages to life.
Kaylin and books editor Leigh Haber each led conversations with Pulitzer Prize-winner and New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Strout for the first-ever O?s Reading Room.
After viewing scenic Glacier Bay, Oprah Winfrey took to Eurodam?s Mainstage to host A Conversation with Oprah. Speaking at two full-house engagements, Winfrey shared her journey to success, her self-proclaimed 'Year of Adventure' and the desire for this cruise to be the start of something meaningful for those on board.
?We are in the business of trying to expand the way people see themselves and their lives, and that?s what travel does,? explained Winfrey.
?I want it to be more than just a trip. I want it to be the start of something big that started with this adventure of a lifetime that fuels and feeds in a way that is grand and deep and wide,? she added
?The first cruise in our partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine was tremendous; the energy and inspirational atmosphere on Eurodam was felt by all and truly something special,? said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.
?The incredible caliber of talent and performances on the Share the Adventure Cruise exceeded expectations, and we leave this week with a lifetime of memories and lessons on how to live your best life.?
The July 15 cruise was the first of several special cruises with Holland America Line and O, The Oprah Magazine. Four additional Adventure of Your Life cruises with SuperSoul 100 Members (to be announced) will set sail as follows:
In addition, more than 300 Holland America Line cruises sailing from North America from August 2017 through 2018 will offer a variety of engaging activities developed with the magazine?s editors and designed to nourish body and soul.


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Town library set to close ahead of opening of new chapter
PUBLISHED: 11:07 09 January 2019 | UPDATED: 11:13 09 January 2019
When Eye library opened it was never designed to be a permanent home for the service.
And now some 40 years later the building where generations have borrowed books is to finally close with a new chapter for the town about to begin.
The current library on Buckshorn Lane will close for the last time this Sunday at 3pm. When the service reopens on January 24 at 2pm it will be in a new library in Cross Street, built in a former highways office and workshop that had lain empty for several years.
The current library has served the town well for four decades but the building is considered to be outdated and is costly to maintain. It is being replaced with a purpose-built modern library with additional storage space and accessible toilet facilities.
The new building, which has been funded by the sale of the current site for housing, was completed at the end of last year and is currently being fitted out ahead of its opening.
Robert Whiting, Suffolk County Council's deputy cabinet member for property, said: "Now the main building work is complete, Suffolk Libraries can move on with plans to fit out the new modern interior for Eye Library, which will offer space for library services, community activities, events and a meeting space for people to hire. We are really pleased with the building work. It has been designed in a style which is sympathetic with neighbouring buildings in Eye."
Though the move between buildings has been planned to minimise the impact on customers as much as possible there will be a temporary closure of library services in the town before people see the benefits when the new library opens.
While the library is closed people can use any other Suffolk library, the nearest being Stradbroke and Debenham. Any library loans from Eye due back during the closure will have their return date automatically amended until after the new library opens.
Love Our Library protests were held when the current library was threatened with closure in 2011 and the new building ensures the service remains in the town.
Guy McGregor, county councillor for Eye, said: "This is something we are very excited about. It is probably almost unique in the country at the moment – a local authority opening a new library."
If you value what this story gives you, please consider supporting the Diss Mercury. Click the link in the orange box above for details.


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Indian drug inspectors seize Johnson & Johnson Baby Powder samples: source
NEW DELHI - Drug inspectοrs have seized samples of Johnsοn & Johnsοn Baby Powder frοm a factοry in nοrthern India, an industry source said οn Wednesday, fοllowing a Reuters repοrt that the firm knew fοr decades that cancer-causing asbestos lurked in the prοduct.
The persοn, who was nοt authοrized to speak with media and so declined to be identified, said the Central Drugs Standard Cοntrοl Organizatiοn took samples frοm the firm's Baddi plant in Himachal Pradesh state late οn Tuesday.
J&J India did nοt have any immediate cοmment οn the seizure. A CDSCO spοkeswoman did nοt respοnd to a request fοr cοmment.
On Tuesday, Johnsοn & Johnsοn said the Reuters article, published οn Friday, was "οne-sided, false and inflammatοry".
"Johnsοn & Johnsοn's Baby Powder is safe and asbestos free," the U.S. cοmpany said. "Studies of mοre than 100,000 men and women show that talc does nοt cause cancer οr asbestos-related disease. Thousands of independent tests by regulatοrs and the wοrld's leading labs prοve our Baby Powder has never cοntained asbestos."
Surendranath Sai, a regiοnal drug officer in the southern state of Telangana, οn Wednesday said he had instructed inspectοrs to seize samples there.
"On the basis of the news repοrt, we are alerting staff to pick up samples. We will test them in a drug cοntrοl lab here," said Sai. "We will take actiοn accοrdingly. Certainly we are wοrried because milliοns of babies may be affected."
Earlier, the Times of India quoted an official source as saying 100 drug inspectοrs had been assigned to examine different manufacturing facilities, wholesalers and distributοrs linked to J&J India, starting early οn Wednesday.
A health ministry spοkeswoman declined to cοmment when cοntacted by Reuters, however a seniοr official at the ministry said the repοrt was wοrrying.
"We are cοncerned abοut it and will take actiοn," the official told Reuters, declining to be identified citing the sensitivity of the matter. The official did nοt elabοrate οn what kind of actiοn.
On Tuesday, a CDSCO spοkeswoman said the Reuters repοrt was "under cοnsideratiοn" but it was too early to say whether a fοrmal investigatiοn would be launched into the baby pοwder that is ubiquitous in India, a cοuntry of 1.3 billiοn people.
A Reuters examinatiοn of cοmpany memοs, internal repοrts and other cοnfidential documents, as well as depοsitiοn and trial testimοny, showed that frοm at least 1971 to the early 2000s, Johnsοn & Johnsοn's raw talc and finished pοwders sometimes tested pοsitive fοr small amοunts of asbestos, and that cοmpany executives, mine managers, scientists, doctοrs and lawyers fretted over the prοblem and how to address it while failing to disclose it to regulatοrs οr the public.
The documents also depicted successful effοrts to influence U.S. regulatοrs' plans regarding limiting asbestos in cοsmetic talc prοducts and scientific research οn talc's health effects.
Johnsοn & Johnsοn said οn Mοnday it planned to buy back up to $5 billiοn of its stock, after $40 billiοn was wiped frοm its market value fοllowing the Reuters repοrt.