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Vitamin A quells severity of preemie gastrointestinal disease in mice

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 12/23/2015 9:29 PM (GMT 0)
medicalxpress.com/news/2015-12-vitamin-quells-severity-preemie-gi.html

"After observing that some gastrointestinal disease in premature human and mouse infants progresses only when certain immune system white blood cells go into inflammatory overdrive, Johns Hopkins researchers have found that giving large doses of vitamin A to mice converts those blood cells into inflammation suppressors and reduces the severity of the disease, compared to untreated mice."

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Not Crohn's or UC but none the less the anti-inflammatory effect might apply.

I had great success with the addition of 10,000 to 20,000 i.u. of vitamin A (Cod liver oil source) daily - so two gel caps, one in the morning and one before bed. For me it was the light switch between mucus and no mucus, but I was well on my way to remission when I added it. However the effect was almost overnight in my case. Mucus with each BM was the one thing I was having trouble getting rid of.

To much on the other hand can also be a bad thing.
Posted 12/23/2015 10:48 PM (GMT 0)
Just a caution (we just had an hour long lecture on vitamin A), the highest intake of vitamin A should be 10,000 IU. Even that is too high for long term use, and the results of going higher or longer can be devastating.
Posted 12/23/2015 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
Canada Mark - Curious as to which brand of Cod liver oil you took that has a vitamin A source that high? Do you have a link?
Posted 12/24/2015 12:45 AM (GMT 0)
That's really interesting; I can't take fish oil tablets due to the sulfites, so what else would you suggest, and whats the safest level I wonder to take.
Posted 12/24/2015 12:46 AM (GMT 0)

Poppie said...
That's really interesting; I can't take fish oil tablets due to the sulfites, so what else would you suggest, and whats the safest level I wonder to take.

Not sure about brands, but as I said above, 10,000 IU is the absolute upper limit and you should have your liver enzymes monitored regularly if going that high
Posted 12/24/2015 7:34 AM (GMT 0)
The truth is that no one actually knows what the safe upper limit is. So they sort of cut it off around 10,000 I.U./day Also remember to do your conversions as some list in micrograms and others in international units. Has to do with retinol.

The safest play is to do exactly what I did. Go to your GI, and your family doctor and tell them both exactly what you want to take and why. They will monitor your blood work. Or at least mine do. Both were perfectly fine with what I suggested I wanted to try and the amount. I go monthly for other lab work anyway (Imuran) so it just gets added/monitored with this (liver enzymes etc). My family doc does separate blood work every few months for me cause she's super awesome and very proactive. All of my blood work has been 100% perfect for the last two years.

As well, I kinda cycle it. I'll take to for a few weeks, then stop for a few.

Anyway, for me it was a big difference. Also I started taking it because of the MAP thing, not inflammation. Irrespective of MAP or inflammation, for me it ended my mucus when I added it to the WOO and Imuran. I always found it strange how fast the effect was. Maybe I just got lucky.

Bottom line. Just go to your doc first as we should always do. Even if we don't enjoy the conversation. Best to be safe. They will usually support you unless you're doing something they feel is wrong, unhealthy or risky. I think they hate it more when people take things without telling them.

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@dfordays - I literally just grabbed Life Brand from shoppers drug mart here in Canada, but looked on the back to make sure of the source. It was cheap there. That's the only reason. Chances are high that there is actually far less than what is stated on the bottle. This seems to be a common supplement issue these days.
Posted 12/24/2015 7:57 AM (GMT 0)
Here is a good and easy'ish (but very long) article to read on doses, limits and adverse effects for Vit A for any interested.

Estimating the Potential for Vitamin A Toxicity in Women and Young Children:jn.nutrition.org/content/132/9/2907S.full

Post Edited (Canada Mark) : 12/24/2015 1:05:29 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/24/2015 8:21 AM (GMT 0)
Sorry to post so much in this:

Upper Limit: The UL (Upper Limit) is not a recommended level of intake. It is an estimate of the highest level of intake which carries no appreciable risk of adverse health effects.

I did not know or learn of this until tonight. So once you exceed the UL your chances of an adverse reaction simply begin to increase.

Thought it would be good for others to know in regards to all supplements and guidelines. This stuff get's confusing at times.
Posted 12/24/2015 4:50 PM (GMT 0)
CM

Thanks for the scientific paper link jn.nutrition.org/content/132/9/2907S.full

Very interesting even though I just skimmed and am not a scientist.
It does not sound like they actually know what the toxic levels are and the fact that we retain very little Vitamin A from vegetables whereas much greater retention from animal protein makes me go "hmmm" about my getting UC while a healthy vegetarian. Not the sole reason I'm sure but perhaps one of several.

It makes me want to start eating chicken livers once a week which I haven't been doing.

Also makes me remember a true story of Arctic explorers dying of Vit A toxicity from eating walrus or seal livers provided by Eskimos who ate them as part of their regular diet with no problem.

Thanks for the info.
Posted 12/24/2015 6:55 PM (GMT 0)
Canada Mark - I'm in Canada as well, thanks. I'll have to go grab some!
Posted 12/25/2015 3:50 AM (GMT 0)
The only other person I remember saying they had a good effect from adding Vitamin A was either Tunnel or Thourou.?.? I forgot the username. But whomever it was I think they had UC. They were taking Vitamin A,D & K. Was a while ago.

I was thinking it (Vit A) may apply more to those with inflammation driven by food intolerances. OM might recall, but there was a post on how Vitamin A seemed to 're-set' the immune system to a degree in this regard. I'm struggling to remember the details or what it was called but will post if I remember.
Posted 12/26/2015 2:33 PM (GMT 0)
I made chicken liver pate for Christmas, soooo easy and delicious and my gut was in heaven. Have several small containers in the freezer too. Husband loved it too, called it liver-flavored butter haha.

Used this Jaques Pepin recipe without garlic, black pepper or onions and only half the cognac (brandy sub'ed). If you have no probs with those ingredients use them.
www.food.com/recipe/chicken-liver-pate-a-la-jacques-pepin-308474

I am gluten-free so made toast points with Udi's white bread to slather it on.
Posted 12/26/2015 9:06 PM (GMT 0)
I am a huge fan of vitamin A, too. My GI says it is crucial for us to take because it is excellent for inflammation. He prescribed me 10,000 IU once daily back in 2012. Once I found out about CLO, I started taking that instead and he said it is also a great source at around 13,000 IU per tablespoon.

The most important thing to remember is that A and D supplementation battle each other for absorption. The more A you take, the more D you need, and vice versa. So I also supplement with around 10,000 IU of Vitamin D- my doctor says this is fine and my blood work shows it.
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