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Disagreement over Vitamin D

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Posted 11/30/2010 5:03 PM (GMT 0)
Interesting article on the increase of Vitamin D supplementation.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/health/30vitamin.html?nl=todaysheadlines&emc=a23

Sue
Posted 11/30/2010 6:16 PM (GMT 0)
Very interesting. As with everything conflicting info. My D tested at 21 so my doctor has me taking 50,000 IU s a week, but according to that article 21 is not deficient! Oh well, may be a mistake but I think I am still more inclined to think I need the D especially through the winter. I am not going to change anything until I am tested again.
Posted 11/30/2010 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Since I started supplementing vitD I rarely get sick anymore if ever, with flu or cold. I can't remember last time I had a cold. It could be the probiotics too possibly.

Here is a contradicting article from a source that isn't the main stream corporate owned media.
Saying the benefits of Vit D from the sun far outweight the small risks of skin cancer etc.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/30769.php
Posted 11/30/2010 10:46 PM (GMT 0)
The more vitamin d the better. Up to 10,000 a day is fine. Serum levels should be at 25.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDToxicity.shtml
Posted 12/1/2010 2:18 AM (GMT 0)
Having gotten violently sick from one of those 50,000 unit vit D supplement capsules (because I turned out to be allergic to calcitriol), I believe that caution is needed when dealing with supplementation. That stuff is not water-soluble so it takes several weeks for the body to get rid of it. / Old Hat (30 yrs with left-sided UC; presently in remission taking brandname Colazal)
Posted 12/1/2010 3:28 AM (GMT 0)

Zippy123 said...
Since I started supplementing vitD I rarely get sick anymore if ever, with flu or cold. I can't remember last time I had a cold. It could be the probiotics too possibly.

Here is a contradicting article from a source that isn't the main stream corporate owned media.
Saying the benefits of Vit D from the sun far outweight the small risks of skin cancer etc.

www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/30769.php

I dont remember the last time I had a cold or flu, just this darn UC and then the stroke. I was taking a lot of D and calcium when I flared and right up until the stroke. I was low and it got corrected but it was no silver bullet and high dose calcium was really the only change besides dehydration that I can think of connecting to the stroke. Calcium plays a role in clotting mesh but I cannot find anything to suggest high doses of it increases stroke risk.
Posted 12/1/2010 3:31 AM (GMT 0)
I just found the Calcium STROKE link:

Study on Calcium Supplements and Heart Attack Risk
In 2008, a study found that heart attacks were more prevalent in healthy older women who were taking calcium supplements, so researchers wanted to expand on the findings of that study. In the recent study, researchers analyzed results of 11 trials of calcium supplements which involved a total of 12,000 patients. The results showed that people who used calcium supplements were 30% more likely to experience a heart attack and also had a small risk for stroke. Age, sex and type of supplement had no effect on the findings.

http://www.suite101.com/content/calcium-supplements-may-increase-risk-of-heart-attack-and-stroke-a267754
Posted 12/1/2010 5:30 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the heads up on calcium and heart issues, first I heard of that. I rarely take calcium myself, I try to get it enough from food sources like cheese and the like I guess I am paranoid of stones from it. I do take magnesium and vit D almost every day.
Posted 12/1/2010 12:39 PM (GMT 0)
Now you know why I have K2 in my signature. Vitamin K2 is supposed to take the calcium out of your arteries and place it into your bones. K2 is produced by the bacteria flora in the colon so I figured if my colon were inflamed or my gut bacteria were inadequate then K2 might not be absorbed. But please don’t listen to me and do your own research. Strokes are serious business. I don’t care if I poison myself but I could never live with myself if somebody hurt himself taking my advice. You cannot take K2 if you are on blood thinners.

Too much calcium without balanced magnesium and vitamin B6 can cause kidney stones and problems with too much calcium. I think calcium supplementation is probably more important for women than men. Calcium causes prostate problems with men but I suspect it is because calcium metabolism drains your stores of vitamin D.

To be safe I don’t take extra calcium. And you should not take B6 alone without balancing it out with vitamin B complex. You know you are taking too much magnesium when you begin to get diarrhea.

There is so much research concerning vitamin D that you should probably be aware of your blood levels. Taking supplements can probably lead to an overdose if you work as a lifeguard or a roofer. But ordinary guys like us probably should supplement enough to get D levels in the optimal range. For example the statistics on cancer are higher for those whose level is below 20 than for those who level is higher than 32.

There is no silver bullet. Food, supplements, and vitamins are a package deal that need to be in balance.
Posted 12/1/2010 4:13 PM (GMT 0)
my Level of Vit was at a 45 the highest in the "normal" range my doctor has ever seen. I take a 5000 iu every other day or when I remember. It has no impact on my UC good or bad. There is nothing I take or don't take as far as supplements or eating certain foods that make my UC better....unfortunatly
Posted 12/1/2010 8:16 PM (GMT 0)
Mine was low and my husband's was almost non-existant. I'm on 4000 IU with the blessing of my GI. I must say that my "mood" has improved a lot....I feel better generally all around, but the most improvement has been my husband whose pain and aches have improved a lot as well as his mood/energy level.

Unless they do studies on children into adult years with higher dosages of vitamin D...they have no idea what it can improve.

They say breastfeeding lowers allergies/colds....uh...NOT! That's only based on observation and to me it's not even in the ballpark of proof.

q
Posted 12/1/2010 10:14 PM (GMT 0)
Let's not get silly on Breastfeeding... Science has proven it is protective and common sense dictates this as well.

http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/fn-an/pubs/infant-nourrisson/nut_infant_nourrisson_term_3-eng.php


Take those Vitamin D pills people!!! 4000 plus a day! Load up on Vitamin C while you are at it as well.
Posted 12/1/2010 10:33 PM (GMT 0)
I am using this article as an excuse not to take vitamin D and to stop calcium.

My family was all into C when I was a kid. I did the beta carotene thing then found out it is bad for smokers(smoked then). I am really tired of taking all the pills then finding out they don't work or are bad. I am not happy with the research in traditional drugs and supplements seem to be even worse

I will be down to two fish oil caps in the morning and curcumin twice a day.VSL#3 yogurt Plus colazal.

I would get tested for D if I didn't live in AZ and spend 30 hours a week in the sun.
Posted 12/1/2010 11:50 PM (GMT 0)
My D test had me at 52. My doc said that D supplements could cause D (as in rrhea) and suggested only taking the pill once or twice a week. I've cut back to once or twice month because I live in Florida and try and get sun without sunblock as much as possible.

If my score were lower I'd be more intense about supplements. I also eat no dairy to speak of.

Thanks Babe for the K2 info. I don't take calcium and bones test dense but good to know for the future. What foods carry K2 naturally?

(edited for updated profile)
Posted 12/2/2010 2:36 AM (GMT 0)
What an interesting topic! I've relapsed and am experiencing knee pain and fatigue in addition to the blood and D and cramps and SE's of the meds. Anyway, I want to speak with a nutritionist about important vitamins to include. Probably the Vit D, K2, B complex. Ugh. Just sounds like more pills to swallow to me. I'm worried about my mom who takes a lot of calcium and has Afib. Western medicine is really ridiculous sometimes.
Posted 12/2/2010 1:19 PM (GMT 0)
THe information about calcium and heart attack has been around for a while. THere are so many indications/contra indications about supplements that I would suggest working with someone (naturopath etc) who specializes in this and knows what they are talking about! Really, drs have NO idea about vitamins. I was recently told that we were doing my daughter a disservice by not giving her cow's milk/dairy (though she reacts to any type of milk and I do believe caesin aggrivates a leaky gut). Anyway, I tried to explain all of the other sources of calcium in her diet (when she can tolerate them that is) which are much better absorbed than calcium from dairy but the doc just would not listen and insisted we go for lactose free milk.
We work with a nurse who used/uses supplements to treat IBD (her daughter has a very severe case of UC and she is med free on a TON of supps). This woman really does know her stuff. She put us on K2 etc a long time ago. She sent out the following email to her clients a while ago (I hope she doesn't mind me posting it here, if anyone's interested in contacting her, please email me for her details):

This study just shows the single nutrient calcium given for osteoporosis. Bone is made up of multiple minerals, not just calcium. Meat is a great source of phosphorus also needed for calcium deposition. Doctor's don't know that calcium needs to be given with it's co factors to prevent calcification of the soft tissue: coronary arteries, kidney's (kidney stones are caused by displaced calcium), brain (causing mental illness), and colon health. Calcium should NEVER be given without Vitamin K2 and other co factors: Vitamin D, magnesium, boron, maganese that put calcium into the bones, not in the soft tissues. The most important co factor is K2, that directs calcium into the bones. Studies show that K2 actually chelates the calcium out of the coronary arteries! So yes, do you see how important it is not to just randomly take supps without someone of nutritional knowledge helping you. You can actually harm yourself. Vitamin K1 interferes with Vitamin K2, so you need to take the right K2 supplement.

We are eating low fat (eggs, fermented cheese, and butter contain K2) and taking calcium supplements- a recipe for heart disease!

Hope this helps. It IS confusing!
Posted 12/2/2010 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
Yes supplements can be a double-edged sword and must be in balance, etc., etc., etc., I am very careful how my supplements are balanced, but there may be one exception to this rule, vitamin D3. It mostly comes from sunlight and doesn’t need to be counterbalanced with other nutrients.

Here is an excellent video about vitamin D and cancer by some grassroots academics from the University of California. They are not paid to spread this information. This is 30 minutes long but to get to the heart of the matter skip the first 8 minutes and 25 seconds and watch up to the 11 minute mark. A total of 2 and ½ minutes. Fascinating.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o
Posted 12/2/2010 7:10 PM (GMT 0)
Oh I lied. I am still taking and will continue to take glucsomine sulfate. No question that it has almost eliminated my knee pain.It took 3 months to do so. And science has turned against it?

It is really the major fault of our health system that if you can't make a bunch of money the research won't be done.
Posted 12/2/2010 7:16 PM (GMT 0)
Vitamin D is awesome. This article is totally at odds with everything else I've read, especially for a New England girl who burns in reflected sunlight!
Posted 12/2/2010 7:45 PM (GMT 0)
This topic was just on World News with Diane Sawyer. I believe I was tested at 26. I took 2,000 IU as my GI told me to for 3 months and it bumped me up to 36. I don't have a problem taking it for short periods of time because I'm very pale and live in MN where half the year is snow.

Post Edited (callalily22) : 12/2/2010 1:39:28 PM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/2/2010 9:04 PM (GMT 0)
my daughter was tested at diagnosis and her level was in the 60s, the GI clinic's nutritionist advised supplementing to bump it up to the 70s (which she called "theraputic range") but i've heard for AI disease 130-150 is optimum.
Posted 12/3/2010 12:53 AM (GMT 0)
I was at my GI today and they are doing research on the Vit D conection and have found that this study, although for the general public, does not apply to us as they have found a corulation between a high Vit D number and the level of inflamation being less for us with IBD. I forgot to ask her what she considers the optium number for us.
Posted 12/3/2010 3:03 AM (GMT 0)
When I can get D naturally, I do..I suck up as much as I can, unfortunately I can't from Oct - may due to my location so I supplement, I was HORRIBLY ill from low D levels, very very important to include magnesium in that mix, for energy & pain issues. I feel myself slide in energy, pain, depression if I don't keep my dosing on an even keel. I've lived this, I know for a fact what it has done for me. All thishappen prior to ever being diagnosed with UC, it was a completely different issue for me..how or if they relate, I can't say, but I know I personally have to have it & suffer if I don't.
Posted 12/3/2010 8:12 AM (GMT 0)
An interesting point regardomg getting vitamin D naturally...the darker skinned one is, the less vitamin D is "absorbed".
Posted 12/5/2010 4:36 AM (GMT 0)
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/sardi-statement-fnb-vitamin-d-report.shtml
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