Posted on 09/28/2023 10:21:21 AM PDT by Signalman
The Vitamin D Council advises that most healthy people can receive 5,000-10,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day without harm. But high dose vitamin D must be accompanied by sufficient calcium and magnesium…and people with certain diseases should only take supplements under the supervision of a knowledgeable doctor. Vitamin D is essential for the absorption of calcium and the prevention of osteoporosis. Recent studies have shown that it may also boost the immune system and help to prevent cancer.
Our body will automatically regulate how much vitamin D it produces from sunshine. Studies show that sunbathing in the summer for about 30 minutes can result in the production of over 10,000 IU of vitamin D and that once our skin makes about 20,000 IU, the ultraviolet light begins to degrade the vitamin so that we do not “overdose” on the sun. Vitamin D expert Dr. Vieth reports that there is no practical difference between vitamin D acquired from the sun and that acquired from food and supplements.
The Vitamin D Council reports that doses of 5,000 IU per day from all sources (sun, diet and supplements) are safe for most healthy people and that there are no reports of toxicity up to 10,000 IU per day. But the Council also warns that without calcium and magnesium in sufficient quantities, vitamin D supplementation will withdraw calcium from the bone and will allow the uptake of toxic minerals. As everyone metabolizes vitamin D differently, the best way to identify the optimal level of supplementation is to adjust the dosage to maintain target blood levels. The Vitamin D Council recommends that optimal health is supported by blood levels of 50-80 ng/mL (125-200nmol/L) as identified in a 25(OH)D vitamin D blood test.
HIGH DOSE VITAMIN D FOR TREATMENT OF SEVERE DEFICIENCY
High dose vitamin D treatment is broadly accepted in the medical community for people who are suffering from a severe deficiency but are otherwise in good health. There are two views on the best way to receive high dose vitamin D. The most common form of high dose vitamin D in the US is a prescription form of ergocalciferal also known as vitamin D2. But as vitamin D2 is less potent than vitamin D3, many doctors now recommend high dose vitamin D3 which can be purchased in a health food store or on-line.
VITAMIN D2 (50,000 IU/week)
Dr. Michael Holick of the Boston University School of Medicine recommends high dose vitamin D2 treatment for people whose 25(OH) blood levels are below 10 ng/mL (25 nmol/L). He proposes an oral dose of 50,000 IU/wk of vitamin D2 for 8 weeks followed by another blood test to check serum levels. If the levels are still inadequate, another 8-week course of 50,000 IU/week may be prescribed until blood levels reach 30 to 50 ng/mL (75-125 nmol/L). Once these target blood levels have been attained, patients prone to developing vitamin D deficiency may be encouraged to take 50,000 IU of D2 every 2 weeks to sustain their blood levels…or 1,000 IU a day of vitamin D3. He also suggests that exposure to direct sunlight for 5-10 minutes on the arms and legs between 10am-3pm during the spring, summer and fall can prevent further deficiency.
Ergocalciferol is available to U.S. doctors in prescription strength of 50,000 units in the brand names of Drisdol and Calciferol. As it is derived from plants rather than animals, ergocalciferol is considered Kosher.
VITAMIN D3 (4,000 IU/day)
Dr. Vieth (Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto Canada) recommends that vitamin D3 is the preferred choice for supplementation. In 2001, a study involving 61 healthy men and women resulted in healthy increases in blood levels following daily intake of 4,000 IU of vitamin D 3-without an increase in blood calcium or urinary calcium excretion. After 2-5 months, the blood levels of participants increased to a range of 28-50ng/ml (69-125 nmol/L). Dr. Vieth has proposed a rule of thumb, that 4,000 IU of vitamin D3/day will increase 25(OH)D blood levels by 100nmol/L (40ng/ml) after 8 months of use and that any surplus vitamin D will remain in the body for approximately 2 months.
Dr. Vieth recommends a daily dose of 4,000 IU/day in order to maintain blood levels above 100nmol/L. He also clarifies that published cases of vitamin D causing elevated blood calcium (hypercalcaemia) have involved daily intake of 40,000 IU. Hypercalcaemia due to excessive vitamin D is generally accompanied by blood concentrations greater than 88ng/ml (220 nmol/L).
Dr. Vieth also suggests that high and infrequent dosing may result in blood level fluctuations without producing sustainable improvements in blood levels. Intake of lower doses of 2,000-4,000 IU daily rather than 100,000 IU once a month are more likely to produce the desired results.
CALCITRIOL
Calcitriol is a steroid that is produced after vitamin D passes through the liver and kidneys. The Vitamin D Council warns against treating vitamin D deficiency with calcitriol (or its analogs) as it poses risks of hypercalcaemia (high blood calcium) and fails to replenish the body’s stores of vitamin D.
HIGH DOSE VITAMIN D TREATMENT GETS SILLY (500,000 IU)
Non-compliance (failure to take medications) is common both with prescription drugs and vitamins. Pharmaceutical companies and researchers often seek to address this problem with a “one shot a year” approach to osteoporosis medication and occasionally with vitamins.
In 2010, professors at the University of Melbourne reported results of a study involving 2,256 women (aged 70 years or older and considered to be at high risk of fracture) who received an annual dose of 500,000IUs of D3 supplements for three to five years. They were surprised that the recipients of this high dose vitamin D regime had 26% more fractures and 15% more falls than the placebo group. Treatment of non-compliant people with mega doses of vitamin D does not seem to be the solution….as suggested by earlier research that lower doses ingested daily produce the best results.
There are a number of diseases for which vitamin D supplements can cause elevated blood calcium and possibly compromise the immune system. In these cases, supplements should only be taken under the supervision of a knowledgeable doctor.
For information on calcium and magnesium supplements that support high dose vitamin D treatment while also preventing osteoporosis, visit http://www.osteoporosis-vitamins.com/best-calcium-for-osteoporosis.html
I take THREE 5000 IUs per day. (I’m a big guy)
Ya know they are “full of it” (not vitamin D) when they suggest you talk to your “doctor”.
Doctors don’t know “jack” when it comes to vitamins.
Doctors are owned/owe allegiance to BIG PHARMA.
I was told by my chiropractor that full-body sunshine is required to be most effective. I asked her if she would be bailing me out of jail.
” Are 5,000 IUs of Vitamin D Too Much?”
Does your skin turn red then brown? Do you get blisters or peeling?
“Hmm…ask your doctor vs. anonymous internet forum…tough choice”
The doctor would only recommend a covid vax and multiple boosters.
Do you pop out at parties?
Are you unpoopular?
gaslight
I am in SoCal and am one of those weird people with a perpetual tan and have no vitamin d problems. I don’t even need to go out in the sun much, it just has to shine.
TAKE VITAMIN K with D...or you could have problems (hardening of arteries)
I have to take around 10K IUs daily to maintain my levels between 50-60 ng/ml.
Also...make your doc check your D3 level...or get tested yourself. It should be between 60-80.
I take 6000 IUs of Vitamin D daily. I do not go outside much and my doctor tested my Vitamin D levels. It was on the low end and I was already taking 5000 IUs of Vitamin D. It wasn’t enough. So now I take more. Be sure to take Magnesium as well. Vitamin D deplete Mag levels. So I take both.
I take 50,000/week of D2. Go in for blood work every 3 months. Solar all my numbers are good.
No..... in winter there isn’t sunshine
So I bought 5,000 IU D3. So I should start with 50,000 IUs per day?
Any time I think I am low on something, I will take 10x the amount recommended for a week.
I usually get the ones in a green bottle “Natures Way” or something like that.. they seem to be good. Quality does vary.
I take 4,000 iu daily with K2 and other supplements. I’m sure 5,000 would also be fine.
The entire main media is now gynocentric. Built for female consumption and programmimg.
My sister who has had 3 bouts of CoVid in the last year discovered that she was REALLY low on her Vitamin D levels this last time about a month ago. Ridiculously low. She lives in Florida, but rarely goes outside. Doesn’t do the grocery shopping. No exercise, total couch potato.
I try to tell her to take care of herself, but I think she just doesn’t care. It’s sad and aggravating at the same time.
With my history of kidney stones, my doctor recommended cutting back to 2500. I still take the 5000 with K3 every other day.
It probably would not hurt you, but Get tested
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