New medical information on Vitamin D + videos:
 

This is a very good video with the newest information from
UCSD college of medicine.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o

This is just an excellent explanation of what to do to improve health,
prevent cancer, prevent cancer spread if you have it already, improve immune function and prevent influenza/colds, MS, diabetes, chronic pain.

I hope everyone here watches this video...it is very new and very up
to date.

This is a video from Australia explaining what doses doctors are giving there:
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/2514231.htm

Thank you, MrsD. That's a great video.

I am currently taking 4,000 IU of Vitamin D3 everyday. I break it up into two doses.....2,000 IU mid-morning and 2,000 IU at bedtime.

I'm thinking about asking my two sons to start taking this, too. They're 22 and 26. Do you think 4,000 IU daily would be too much for them?

Thanks! :)

Like the video explained... about 50% of Americans are low.
In fact the NOW brand just came out with the 5000IU strength!
I prefer the gel caps, as I think they are absorbed better.

If you don't get outside, you are probably low. The higher north you are the worse it is.

You could start them at 2000IU for the winter, and less if they are outside in the sun as explained in the summer. If they are inside all the time...then 4000IU

This winter I upped from 2000IU to 4000IU and felt MUCH better.

Without testing, we are just shooting in the dark. I went by feeling for myself. In summer I am much less moody/tired, then as Oct approaches, I start to slide. This winter was better for me at the higher 4000 IUs. I might use 6000IU next winter.

I won't be taking any on vacation, as I am outside ALL THE TIME then.

I think we will see more and more research coming out on this subject in the near future. The breast cancer data was really compelling! Could explain why a friend of my husband's daughter died of breast cancer at 32. (a terribly tragic thing!)

there's a version of it just came out in stores, of gummy bear version of it.

vitamin D video
 

WOW

I just this moment finished watching the video and then bookmarking the website.

I am soooooo excited!!!! :D I'm never in the sun and live in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania where we have about 5 sunny days per year.

thank you thank you thank you for sharing this potentially life-changing video. I'm purchasing vit D tomorrow !!!

Thanks, MrsD. I hadn't seen that one.

I also just watched this one... informative, and very entertaining as well!

D-Lightful Vitamin D: Bone & Muscle Health and Prevention of Autoimmune and Chronic Diseases by Michael Holick, MD
http://www.ucsd.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=15773

and another:
Vitamin D and Diabetes... Can we prevent it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTtmv...eature=channel
Presentation on YouTube... 48 minutes... by Frank Garland, PhD, Naval Health Research Center

Here is another video by Dr. Cannell, in regards to immunity, influenza risk, and autoimmune disease--and the effects of Vit D upon them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=--NqqB2nhBE

Thanks to Tena from PD for this video link!

Internist says I have a low Vit D level
 

Dear Mrs. D.,
Could my low vit D level be what caused my stroke a few months ago?
Docs have not found any reason for the stroke.
They ran numerous tests when I was inpatient and found nothing.

They sent me home and told me to take 325 mgs aspirin per day.

Mari

You had a stroke? How did I miss that? Was it during my vacation?

All the facts for Vit D are not in yet. I don't know if stroke was one of the factors proven yet. But if you are low, it can lead to depression, and mood issues.

For stroke, the blood clot type, you will want to get a C-reactive protein serum level drawn, and a B12. Elevated homocysteine can lead to strokes. B12, B6 and folate are used to reduce homocysteine levels. Inflammation can be caused by C-reactive protein, and homocysteine. This damages the vascular lining, and
then cholesterol is used as a bandaid to cover the damage.

However, clotting disorders, can also cause strokes. People can have platelet disorders which can lead to clots.

Another factor is Atrial fibrillation. This heart arrhythmia may cause a clot to form in the heart, which then bits break off and travel around the body.

A friend of mine (47 yrs old) had a huge stroke from lifting heavy furniture during a move --she ripped a part of the interior of her carotid artery which then caused a clot to form and it moved into her brain. With time this healed up.
She has severe Rheumatoid arthritis and uses Humira, and has alot of inflammation, and that may have been a factor too.

One supplement --curcumin-- has been shown to reduce endothelial inflammation considerably. This spice is not absorbed well, so using it successfully means finding one that is proven to have good absorption. I use Curcugel-500 for that reason.

Hi,
I had a stroke in July.
The internist did test for C R Protein -- the test came out high.
She wants to put me on a a med that raises HDL (the good kind?)

I'll order the Curcugel-500.
M.

Well, the only proven supplement to lower C-reactive protein is Vitamin C.

Fish oil is one of the best agents to raise HDL.
It also reduces blood clotting but that is a small effect.

Lovasa RX is a fish oil designed for cardiovascular effects.
But you can get it less expensively OTC generically at Costco or SAMs now.
The triple strength caps are close to Lovasa in dose.

Vit C
 

Mrs. D.
That's a good study.
Thanks.
M.

Vitamin D- absorbability
 

Once again, many thanks for your diligence in keeping the rest of educated and healthier of course! but yet - another question- is Vit. D better absorbed in a stand alone gelcap, or is absorbency enhanced in a supplement like Jarrow's Bone-Up, or does it matter?? Julie

I take a gelcap...it is mixed in an oil. I really don't think the dry powder type supplement is a good idea for D, since it is oil soluble.

I use a supplement enhancer for my morning supps. It is called Bioperine, made by Source Naturals.
Here is a thread about it at PN
http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/sh...ight=bioperine

I became interested in it because of the Doctor's Best products which have it added. Also there was a study showing this pepper extract can lower cholesterol! So I've been using it.

One has to be careful with DRUGS and Bioperine. Not much information is available on the net about the drugs which may be affected by it. But until further info comes along I think it is similar to the effects of grapefruit juice on drug levels.

I am not really recommending Bioperine for others at this time because of this unknown factor. But I don't take any drugs in the morning, so I am using it to enhance my supplements.

New article on Vit D....children
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091026/...vitamin_d_kids

While the statistics are revealing....the dosing is not great.
This demostrates that physicians will test, but don't want to treat this aggressively enough.

Here is an article that discusses the big question:

How much should I take?

http://www.naturalnews.com/027345_Vi...ure_blood.html

Vit D and metabolic syndrome:
 

This is a very interesting link:

http://people.csail.mit.edu/seneff/o...amin_D_Obesity

Thanks to pabb for sharing it!

Cholesterol and Vit D:
 

Here's another interesting link for all of us Vit D users...thanks Mrs. D for all your info.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/177447.php

New study on Vit D...shows no cancer prevention for some types:
 

http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20100619...ucescancerrisk

This study was done for only certain types of cancer (not all of them).

And one link was found to higher rates of pancreatic cancer for those with higher blood levels of D. More work is needed to explain that result, as there may be certain variables for those people in addition to the D levels.

Doctor suggests less calcium from supplements when using D
 

This recent blog entry from a cardiologist explains that he is
using a maximum of 600mg a day of calcium for his patients who take high dose supplemental Vit D:

http://www.trackyourplaque.com/blog/...vitamin-d.html

He says also, people may not need calcium supplements at all since Vit D improves calcium absorption from food.

Gene research shows a link between low Vit D and disease:
 

From University of Oxford:

http://www.ox.ac.uk/media/news_stories/2010/240810.html

Very compelling new genome data posted on Aug 23, 2010

This is a very important article and I suggest interested readers here check it out!

Very interesting. But does anyone else get frustrated at all the differing reports and studies. One minute they tell us that taking high doses of vitamins is a waste of time. Then they say it's good. It's like we were always told how important it was to eat at least five pieces of fruit and veg a day. And then a couple of months ago a new study proved that it really makes very little difference.

Vitamin D is not really a vitamin. It is only historically called one.

from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1240026/

The current research into Vit D has changed our understanding of how this substance works in the body, and how adequate levels can prevent serious illnesses. So old thinking at least for this "vitamin" is out the window for now.

Not sure where this goes...but this is probably at least fairly appropriate.

I am once again watching my calories, etc. and trying to lose a few pounds. I am using a computer program to track all my foods and exercise.

For the past two weeks, I have eaten what I think is very appropriate and very healthy.
The program also tracks nutrition.

I have been eating lots of vegetables (all kinds), chicken, fish, hummus, organges, oatmeal, beans, salads, fresh peanut butter, yogurt, etc.

I just looked at my nutrition averages....several seemed healthy (near 100%), a few seemed mediocre. But what stood out by far was VITAMIN D. It barely registered on the chart...like 1% (again barely).

I supplement D3 and have been tested and all is well. I do belive I have felt better since supplementing with this.

Anyway, just thought I would mention that even eating in a very healthy manner does not seem to help us take in the D3...perhaps it only comes from the sun????

AND I personally am trying to avoid excessive sun exposure. This certainly isn't a nutrient coming from our food....

A quick google search revealed that some mushrooms and some fish might have a certain amount of VIT D in them.

Suppelmentation seem important to me.

Here is an article about a Japanese study using D3 in children, and incidence of flu:

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE62I3MK20100319

D3 reduces incidence of type A flu and reduces asthma in children.

New study, and very controversial:
 

Here is a link to a new study, which refutes the new Vit D information coming out from many other sources:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20101130/...beat_vitamin_d

Already we have the media swarming all over it.
NPR
http://www.npr.org/2010/11/29/131668...d-on-vitamin-d

CNN
CBS news all today. None explained that Vit D is not a Vitamin and all suggested to get Vit D from diet...which is practically impossible.

You see the research in the OTHER direction, got NO coverage.

The more TV/media coverage, the more suspect the study IMO.
It suggests to me Big Pharma bucks behind it all. Big Pharma pushes every button they can so people will not take control of their own health. Big Pharma wants you to be sick so you will use their drugs. They are also lobbying to have supplements more strictly controlled.

I think this article is laughable.

With Statins for example when the Zocor and Pravachol patents were expiring...they had articles in TIME and NEWSWEEK suggesting statins are so safe, they should be taken by everyone --even those without elevated cholesterols. And should be put in our drinking water! Given to our children too!

Here are some other links:
http://www.usnews.com/science/articl...gets-increased

And from D-Action:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Grassr...n/198626816074

that's hilarious, only because when i did a study and i took statins as part of it
, i had a side effect, called insomnia, which only happens in some.

So what is IOM?
 

Here is an interesting factoid:

http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Diet...Vitamin-D.aspx

In order to read the whole report you have to PAY for it!
No wonder the media are getting it all inaccurately.

http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Diet...Vitamin-D.aspx

And it is not affordable for the public at $78.50 for a PDF!

Some excerpts are available like this dose chart:
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Diet...RI-Values.aspx

And this is a summary of the report:
http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Diet...ort-Brief.aspx

I think this is totally unbelieveable!

So who funds the IOM?
 

This is who:

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Institute_of_Medicine

So it is similar to the current situation at the FDA.... which is:

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontl...dependent.html

Vitamin D
 

I agree that testing is important. That is an obvious point.

But food typically does not have Vit D in it. The D in milk is D2 and less bio active. I00IU D2/8oz of milk.

I have seen some newer foods with labels D3, on them but they are few and far between.

Vit D is NOT a vitamin, and I wish with all the media attention this would be explained. Biologically we evolved to make our own from the SUN. But today the medical community has squashed that source...with all the suggestions about skin cancer, and coverups, and sunscreen products.

D2 and D3 are very different chemically. And react differently in our bodies. It is incredibly naive to put out a government statement with such low values as a recommendation.

You know I had a patient once who took SIX 50,000 IU daily, and had been doing so for years. I ran into him at an HMO and when I saw his use, I went to the supervisor (I was temping there until they could hire a new person)...and she said he had been getting that for several years, and not to verify it or do anything but just take care of it! This was an older gentleman. Details were not forthcoming either from her.
I will never forget it! But that was before we had the newer research we have now. That RX D2 was not serving him well!

The daily allowance is 400IU.... so 25% of that is 100IU.

So some brands may have changed their D content, and that is good. Traditionally it always was D2 form however.

People can choose what to do, with all the available information out there. It is just a shame that the media does not provide adequate information to make that choice. That is just my opinion.

I use Lactaid 2% milk. I rarely drink more than 8oz a day.
That would give me 100 IU of D3. And it costs me about $4.00 for a half gallon!

Fortified foods normally do not supply high amounts of what is being fortified. For example...Gatorade? providing electrolytes?
Nope... has some sodium, but one serving of Gatorade typically provides 30mg of potassium. (Potassium intake for adults is now recommended to be 4500mg).

Food contents are really confusing. Man made things are highly controlled by FDA. Naturally occuring things like V8 juice can have 800mg of potassium in a twelve ounce can or 1100mg in a Low Sodium can!

To find food contents here is a good website:
www.nutritiondata.com

Member "lookingforacure" on our PD forum found and posted this link. It is a reply to the IOM guidelines recently released:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-relea...111112159.html

I'll be watching for those papers mentioned in the link by Dr. Cannell MD. As soon as they are available, online I'll post a link to them as well.

responses from Vit D researchers:
 

Bioavailability study:
 

Questions come up here often about which type of D3 to take.

Bioavailability studies are done on drugs, but not often on supplements. I've been suggesting soft gels because I suspected they were better than "dry" types. But here is a study showing no real reason to use one over the other:

http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...HnnaNdoqV88xEA

milk
 

i used to think that i was getting plenty from my milk, but blood tests found me low. low d3 is linked to cancer and i have that too. don't depend on the milk. btw can anyone explain what the dif is between d2 and d3?

This link explains the difference:
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

ergo is D2
chole is D3
from http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/treatment.shtml

my personal testing stats...
 

I just had my Vit D tested with my yearly check up.

It was 43. My doctor expected higher. I take 5000 IU D3 daily since late Sept. (none during the summer).

So we settled on 10,000 IU D3 one day, and 5,000 the next and alternating that way. She wants me at 50ng at least, but ideally at 70, which she has medical information that 70 is the best level for cancer prevention.

The 43 is not bad... tho for my efforts so far. I rather shudder to think where I was 5 yrs ago! (didn't test back then).