Hi,

If taking Vit D or getting sunshine helps ameliorate depression, then good.
I can't ingest vit D -- interferes with my Verapamil -- will have to come up with a plan involving sunshine.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theres..._b_211636.html
Vitamin D and Mental Health

Vitamin D supports absorption/utilization of both Magnesium and Calcium. Zinc too. And probably other stuff i don't even know.

Vit D and the B complex of vitamins, plus C, E and Zinc all sort of work together...

Interestingly, many people with mental health issues have been found Mg deficient, Zn deficient, or to require greater amounts of these two elements. My source is a book which is in the cellar so... sorry, no citation. However, fyi, I do recall that it did NOT state whether these assessments were based on medicated or unmedicated population.

Now, as we all know, some of our medication (eg Depakote, which I take) causes more rapid elimination of certain elements. I for instance take Selenium and Zinc supplements - but these also contain all the complementary nutrients in proportions needed for the utilization of the minerals by the body. Including Vitamin D for the Zinc supplement.

Anyway, the point is, no single vitamin or mineral stands alone... in general. There are very complex relationships between them, one facilitates absorption of the other... two or more in a certain proportion may be needed to the body to utilize yet another...

An example, a classic B2 deficiency symptom is cracking at the sides of the mouth. But a person with this may actually be deficient in another B vitamin needed for proper activation of B2. (I think B1 and B6 are both implicated, best i recall sorry - book in cellar. ) Similarly Zinc deficiency symptoms may be due to the element not being processed properly, due to a deficiency not in Zinc supply, but in B complex, vit C, D or E. Indeed, any of these deficiencies may manifest in skin problems such as atopical eczema.

Magnesium deficiency - or deficiency in its "collaborative nutrients" can manifest, for example, in jitteriness, tics and "startle syndrome."

No single supplement is a substitute for a healthy diet (best source of nutrients, not pills). Our foods often contain naturally complementary elements. Yes, moderate sunshine too, in the case of Vitamin D (i know too many ppl developing melanomas right now... so not touting sunshine much).

I feel that supplementation should be used mostly when it is known that one has a deficiency or greater requirement due to any factors such as medication, smoking, high alcoholic consumption, stress, genetics etc. Also, supplementation, imho, should not, except where clinically necessary, cover 100% of the requirement, but simply bolster one's nutritional status to the appropriate degree - it should supplement the diet... as the name implies.

But no single nutrient stands alone.

~ waves ~

Please watch this new video based on the newest research about Vit D.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread92116.html

The type of Vit D you make from sun exposure is the same found in a D3 supplement. Good exposure to sun can make 10,000IUs.
That is typically more than most oral forms.

I watched the vid. Very interesting. I had labs only 2 weeks ago, so i can't have them again probably for a year (am not in US). I will check the amount in my supplements at least, for now. And i did have a level check a few years ago... that is my only reference.

I don't get much sunshine. I did not know it was not available in food in "reasonably eatable" daily quantity, even though i knew sunlight was the best source.

Also, i hope it is alright... i am going to quote your original post - from the Nutritional Forum thread, into BJ's biopsy thread for her. I think she could use this info... like ASAP.

thanks again

~ waves ~

The warnings about Vit D and verapamil are directed to its use for cardiac issues and blood pressure, both require careful dosing.

I don't know if the same restrictions pertain to use for neuro issues. It may be that some decrease in verapamil effect occurs but is too small to impact its use for headache prevention or bipolar. I think the only way one will discover this is by some experimentation. Some drugs doses given are arbitrary. Dr. Jay Cohen explains that he feels many drugs are given in doses that may be too large for the desired effects. His book on Statins goes into FDA and drug company choices for drugs in detail.
You can read about this controversy here:
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/406814
It could be that the doses of verapamil used for bipolar might not significantly be altered by Vit D. That would have to be titrated to the individual patient.

Thank you Mrs. D.

When I take calcium supplements beyond a small daily amount, the Verapamil loses its effectiveness and I suffer from increased anxiety.
I figured that vit D might be similiar.
I have abundant here sunshine so I can go outside if I plan for it.
M.

The Vit D your skin makes is the same as the supplement.

In fact your skin can make MORE than you realize.

The only thing I can think of is that by increasing your serum level of Vit D, you increase the ABSORPTION of calcium from the lining of the intestines. It is the calcium that may interact with the verapamil.

All very interesting. I would like to add that since I have moved away from my flower garden I have not felt as good mentally. Perhaps just the sunshine I'd get while working in my garden helped along with the walks I usually take.

Barbara

Hi,

I'm due for yearly fasting blood work at my internist's so I intend to ask for a vit D level.

If I need more D, I will let the internist and psychiatrist work out how much I need to take without interfering with my Verapamil or my stability.

My sis recently got blood work back regarding vitamin D serum levels. Her mdoc told her she was "low" and to take extra 400 to 600 IUs of vit D a day. (?!)

M.

400 to 600IUs? not gonna happen.

Send her the video I posted here.

The doctors are testing for this, but there seems to be a huge misunderstanding regarding treatment.

The reason? Well, doctors basically only get drug information now from sales reps. It is fairly rare for them to go on the internet or search for themselves.

Since Vit D3 is not patentable, no drug company is pushing it.
It is up the individuals to take control of their own bodies in this regard. Even the only Vit D on RX is ergocalciferol, and it is not adequate either. (but some doctors still think it is).