:jz: for all the responses. Really appreciate them!
I didn't expect this thread to be focused on vitamin D, but rather as the title says - how to "redirect the sun"
However, with regards to vitamin D specifically:
Sit on the roof? or go to park?
I have been diagnosed with severe vit d deficiency a few months ago, and have most of the symptoms of osteomalacia (which I think I'm still in denial about imsad....)
Since then, I have tried to change my lifestyle/ diet, etc to some extent.
Unfortunately I can't find a public area that is safe as well as private enough to be able to adequately expose myself to the sun.
In my building, the domestic helpers, other workers and strangers have their quarters on the roof-top.....so I don't feel safe sitting there alone.
We have a park down my street.....but again, is the issue of safety and not being able to expose myself in public.
If you can´t get enough sun, you may get D vitamin from food too, like from different kind of fish, eggs or mushrooms. And don´t forget the good old way: cod-liver oil (just make sure it is gelatin-free if you use capsules).
(Yes I remember it very well from my childhood: it tasted as yuk :X )
Cod-liver oil +o(
(I may give the cod liver capsules a try in shaa Allah......I hope I can tolerate it. At the moment, I'm gagging each morning on my vit D/ K/ calcium combination tablet because it's so large to swallow (and it still does not contain the recommended daily doses :/ )
90% of vit D is obtained from the sun, and there are few food sources that contain large amounts of vit d by themselves.
Table 3 on this page:
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
Provides the vit d content and percentage daily values obtained from some food sources.
Apart from 1 tablespoon of cod-liver oil +o(, 3 ounces of swordfish (I don't think I hv ever eaten this fish) and 3 ounces of Salmon Per day - the rest of the food sources do not contain as much vit d/ it needs to be consumed in large amounts on a daily basis (which is not very practical).
E.g 1 egg only contains 10% of the recommended daily requirements (which is between 600iu -800iu/day).
So one needs to either eat 10 eggs/ day or combine them with other listed foods that are high in cholesterol/ fattening.....to be able to reach the required vit d doses per day.
I don't have weight/ cholesterol issues at the moment, but I certainly will have them on this type of long-term diet :exhausted:
Just take Vitamin D supplements. But go outside. Nothing is a substitution for the natural absorption of the sun's rays. You don't even need to be in the sun for more than 10-15 minutes I think. Look it up on Google. If you are short on time then schedule it. But do go outside to absorb the sunlight. If you don't live in a country with a lack of sunlight, then you should have all the available vitamin D intake daily and not worry about supplements.
It's recommended to be in the sun for 5-30 min per day, with the arms, legs and face exposed (or back).
In real terms, the duration needs to be a lot longer - esp in winter, depending on over-cast conditions, ones weight and complexion etc.
It may sound weird, but it's not easy to find a safe, women's only type of sports/ recreation centre where one can dress down and enjoy the sun to its full.
Stay healthy by going jogging in the morning before Fajr maybe with your spouse or by yourself and lots of water. Or wait until Ramadan ends and you can run all day.
I live in South Africa....I would likely get mugged or worse, if I jog alone here....
Do muslim women jog in public?....it doesn't feel appropriate :/
.....And so, this is why I'm trying to find a way to enjoy the sun in the privacy of my home, for as many hours per week that is required in shaa Allah.
I'm not keen on taking a tablet in the long term to obtain essential vitamins - when in shaa Allah, I can obtain them naturally through the environment.
It's just been more challenging than I thought it would be....: (
:jz:
