Posted by tealady on March 26, 2005, at 17:22:12
In reply to Re: Vitamin D and depression » TamaraJ, posted by Larry Hoover on March 26, 2005, at 11:06:43
> > I, too, am interested in the protocol, and what is a safe amount to take on a daily basis.
> >
> > Thanks.
> >
> > Tamara
>
> Here's a full-text link to an article establishing the safety and efficacy of 4000 IU/day.
>
> http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pubmed&pubmedid=15260882
>
> Lar
>
Hi Lar,Good to see you back posting again.
I took a quick look at that link , but I can't reach the conclusion (as you seem to?) that it's safe for everyone (or even most people) to take 100mcg VitD3a day long term.
I CAN reach the conclusion that for those living in cold climates (like near Toronto :-))
AND having below range (LOW) 25(OH)D levels to start with , maybe due to not enough exposure to sunlight..or poor absorption , anyway for some reason tending to be low in 25(OH) D and with normal levels of PTH and ionized calcium..then Yes supplementing for a year on 100mcgD3 doesn't seem to hurt.
Actually it doesn't seem to not make too much more difference than just taking 15mcg a day, at least as far as effect on ionized calcium and PTH., although there again I preferred the long term effects of 15mcg on PTH, the 100mcg long term may possibly be suppressing PTH? ..suppressing "hormoan stuff" is not usually a great thing to do long term :-)..unless you really know what your about
The 25(OH)D is increased for sure, but I'm not exactly sure what other effects that would have long term on the body.So strange that I would read that article and conclude, yes start off on a higher dose over the first winter ..say 2 or 3 months ..and then reduce long term intake to the minimal required to maintain optimim ionized calcium and PTH etc...perhaps say < 20mcg daily?
BTW My own calcium (and corrected) calcium levels are now usually about 2.50 (2.43)mmol/L or so. Do you know if there is way of converting these to ionized calcium..or is it a completely different measurement? (understand Ca++ ions)
JUst in case his post gives you the wrong impression, I am PRO vitD3 supplementation in colder climates..I'd be doing the same if I lived in one..I even took a tiny dose cod liver oil in England in summer when I was over there :-))
I just don't think this article is suggesting higher doses is safe for most..or shows that there is a benefit from a larger dose long term.
As with all supps, intake should be based on how it makes you feel, and I always go for the minimal dose to achieve this.
BTW that study also only dosed once a week (I think) ..and then divided by 7 to get the daily dose. This is making an assumption..probably correct (but unknown really) as different results are obtained in some studies with some supps by giving larger weekly doses or the "equivalent" daily doses...maybe to do with absorption etc.
Jan
poster:tealady
thread:410247
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/alter/20050323/msgs/475918.html