more on vitamin D dosage

Here are a number of links and the latest studies on vitamin D dosage.

Since so many have mentioned increased Vitamin D dosages lately..I think it would be good to look at the issue.

Here is a must read interview with Dr Vieth on Vitamin D dosage


The following link gives some balanced guidelines on Vitamin d dosage by a medical doctor. The entire site, developed by scientists, professors and MD.s is entirely nonprofit and its goal is to promote good science in regards to vitamin D..it's a good read... http://www.vitamindcouncil.com/treatment.shtml

A call this march by scientists from all over the world (checkout the authors) to adjust dosages to meet the needs http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/85/3/649#FN2 upper limit "UL limit should be 10,000iu/day"

another technical study by Dr Hollis, prof, of biochemistry http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/135/2/317
which concluded..Given the results of these recent scientific studies that evaluated high-dose vitamin D supplementation, it appears that the current DRI for adults are woefully inadequate, misleading, and potentially harmful, placing individuals at undue risk for a number of chronic diseases. The current adult dietary recommendations of 200–600 IU/d are extraordinarily low compared with endogenous production during sun exposure. Reexamination of the requirements for vitamin D is clearly merited and may likely reveal the need for vitamin D intakes exceeding 2000 IU/d for adults.

Here is technical paper written within the last year by four of the top scientists in the field including Reinhold Vieth

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/85/1/6

and Vieths 1999 landmark study..http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/69/5/842


Except in those with conditions causing hypersensitivity, there is no evidence of adverse effects of 10,000 IU/d of Vitamin D. Published cases of vitamin D toxicity with hypercalcemia, for which the 25(OH)D concentration and vitamin D dose are known, all involve intake of 40,000 IU/d. and above.

The desirable objective of mean 25(OH)D concentrations >100 nmol/L, the total vitamin D supply from dietary and environmental sources must be 100 µg (4000 IU)/d.

Vieth goes on to explain in his paper how government guidelines were based on previous faulty testing and anecdotal reports.

Who shouldn't take vitamin D...What are the contraindications for Vitamin D?
The main contraindication is the existence of primary hyperparathyroidism , also individuals with sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, or lymphoma and some cancers may become hypercalcemic when given increased Vitamin D doses. Those on calcium channel blockers and thiazide diuretics should not take vitamin D without a doctors guidance..Some rare individuals are sensitive to Vitamin D at higher doses.

What are the signs of Vitamin D toxicity?
The main signs are sudden hypercalcemia (excessive levels of calcium in the blood) and/or hypercalcinuria (excessive levels of calcium in the urine). Toxicity symptoms are headache, nausea, dizziness, vomiting, loss of appetite and dry mouth. Most of these scientists say it can occur at approx, 40,000iu/day and above. Less if involved with the medical conditions listed above.

two cardiologists blogs dealing with vitamin d dosage

http://www.lewrockwell.com/miller/miller25.html
http://heartscanblog.blogspot.com/search/label/Vitamin%20D%20toxicity%3F

well, something to look at and consider....hope this helps..bj

a letter from a mother

I have received quite a few posts and emails from people but this has been one of the most touching...I'll place some of the testimonials and other posts in another section. I don't post email letters to protect privacy...but since forum posts are already on the net, here is one.

BJ,

Just wanted to update you on Michael's progress. As a reminder, Michael is 9 and was diagnosed with guttate around May 2006 after a bout of strep. He did 3 mos. of broad band and 3 mos. of narrow band light therapy and tried every steroid cream rx offered. Taclonex was our saving grace which we used sparingly and coincided its use with special events that he wanted to be less rashy for.

I started him on your Barney formula June 1st. We definitely saw improvement but still relied heavily on the creams to control the rash. I started him on 1 multivitamin, 2 tsps. of ibuprofin, and one vit D-3 (400 IU). His doctor's at Yale and UConn were against trying your formula since they had never heard of it, but his Pedi approved trying it.

At the three month mark, I increased the D-3 to 800 IU/day and added 1 tsp./day of flax oil with omega-3. He hates the oil so I sneak it in with his crushed up D-3 pills in a spoonful of sugar-free icecream.

Here we are four months later, and Michael's skin is absolutely unbelievable- he has occassional spots which probably coincide with skipping parts of the treatments when he falls asleep early and or sugar snacks. His scalp is not perfect yet and is really his only trouble spot still. Definite improvement though (scalp) as I used to comb out a good 1/4 tsp. of scales/day, now it's mostly small flakes. His chest, back, arms, and legs have a lot of scarring which I hope next summers sun will take care of.

I cannot thank you enough- you have given Michael a new lease on being a normal kid. He has a level of confidence in himself that we haven't seen in him in almost 1 1/2 years. I love knowing he can be clear without relying on steriod creams.

I hope you will be able to share Michael's Barney success with other parents fighting guttate. Patience is a virtue, and it sure paid off with this treatment.
__________________________________________

She received the ok from her pediatrician and as I suggested has since reduced the ibuprofen to one teaspoon (100mg) and increased the Vitamin D to 1500iu. which is within FDA safe limits. Hopefully his progress will continue...bj