Vitamin D Supplements
Vitamin D is another key supplement. In simple terms, if you’re vitamin D deficient, your immune system will not activate to do its job. And since vitamin D also balances your immune response, it prevents an overreaction in the form of inflammation, which can lead to autoimmune disorders like Crohn’s Disease.
So, what can you do?
Make sure your vitamin D levels are optimized. Vitamin D appears to be nearly as effective as the omega-3 fats. Ask your physician to regularly run blood tests on your Vitamin D levels, it’s the only way to determine the correct oral dose of Vitamin D you might require if you are deficient. The best way to get vitamin D is regular sun exposure so make sure you have a healthy tan this summer. If you have a healthy tan there is little reason to measure your D levels as they will likely be near ideal, although data has shown that even in warm and sun climates, such as Florida, California, or Arizona, a great percentage of the population is Vitamin D deficient. Getting the correct test is the first step in this process, as there are TWO vitamin D tests currently being offered: 1,25(OH)D, and 25(OH)D.
The correct test your doctor needs to order is 25(OH)D, also called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is the better marker of overall D status. This is the marker that is most strongly associated with overall health.
Next, the “normal” 25-hydroxyvitamin D lab range is between 20-56 ng/ml. The conventional range is really a sign of deficiency, and is too broad to be ideal.
In fact, your vitamin D level should never be below 32 ng/ml, and any levels below 20 ng/ml are considered serious deficiency states, increasing your risk of as many as 16 different cancers and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, heart disease just to name a few.
According to Dr. Mercola, the OPTIMAL value that you’re looking for is 55-65 ng/ml.
These ranges are based on healthy people in tropical or subtropical parts of the world, where they are receiving healthy sun exposures. It seems more than reasonable to assume that these values are in fact reflective of an optimal human requirement.
Because you first need to get blood tested for Vitamin D deficiency (please see the exact description of the specific name of the Vitamin D test referenced on the Alternative Protocol page), which requires a doctor’s prescription and reading the results thereof, I recommend if you are found to be deficient, start supplementing. It is very important to have this monitored through your doctor as Vitamin D3 supplementation if not properly controlled can lead to toxicity.
Vitamin D3
( I add 5,000 I.U., but you must select dosage appropriate for your blood serum level requirements)
Click here to see the Vitamin D3 I take
Per topics covered in our Updates,
An avalanche of favorable studies has resulted in record numbers of Americans supplementing with vitamin D. Since it is virtually impossible to obtain adequate vitamin D from food sources, supplementation with 5,000-10,000 IU daily is required by many aging individuals.
Overlooked many, is the critical importance of vitamin K. If one is concerned enough about their health to take higher dose vitamin D, it seems absurd to miss out on the benefits of vitamin K. For instance, vitamin D facilitates calcium absorption into the bloodstream and thus plays an important role in maintaining bone density. Less recognized is the need for vitamin K to transport calcium from the bloodstream into the bone. Vitamin K is also required by calcium-regulating proteins in the arteries.1-5 Together these two vitamins help maintain youthful calcium skeletal distribution while promoting vascular health.6-11
Vitamin K can be found in small amounts in the diet, but obtaining the desired higher potencies requires supplementation. Many Life Extension members obtain optimal potencies of long-acting vitamin K in the Super Booster or Super K formulations. An increasing number of new members, however, are asking for high-potency vitamin D—but are not taking any supplemental vitamin K.
To directly address this problem, Life Extension® has put together a formula called Vitamins D and K with Sea-Iodine™. Like vitamins D and K, few Americans obtain optimal amounts of iodine. As people seek to limit their salt intake, this deficit is exacerbated since iodized salt is the principal source of this mineral in many diets. We expect the issue of iodine insufficiency to receive more media attention as new studies uncover the problems this creates. Sea-Iodine™ is included in this formula to provide iodine without the harmful effects of sodium.
Testimonials
“It is important to take Vitamin K with Vitamin D. Iodine is also good prevention from diseases that I can’t mention due to restrictions by the FDA.” By LadyDi, Portland, OR
“Makes it easy with three supplements in one.” By Jeneane, Henderson, NV
“Nice combination of 3 important nutrients most of the general population is deficient in. Thanks for combining these into one convenient capsule!” By PR in the OC, Orange County, CA
“I had low Vit D levels that I increased over time and now able to keep it in the good range with this supplement.” By Barb, Sevierville Tn
“A physician prescribed the exact same dosages from a compounding pharmacy. I am a 63 yr old male, 5’7 and 157 pounds with no bone loss issues. Recommended for anti-aging benefits, etc. This LEF formulation is effective and a lot cheaper than the prescribed product. The quality is solid!” By Mr. Maniac, St. Louis, MO
Please Note: Before adding any new supplements, especially those containing Vitamin K, please check with your doctor or pharmacist for any drug interactions ( this is especially true if you are on any meds like Coumadin).
Vitamin D Testing
(should be done every 3-4 months, especially if you are supplementing with Vitamin D3)
As we have discussed in numerous Updates, Vitamin D is not only essential to good health and your immune system working properly, but it’s critical that levels be elevated when you have IBD, UC, and Crohn’s.
Here’s an interesting and important article on Vitamin D, featuring the interview with Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD The Pioneer of Vitamin D Research, click here to read it.
Recent research has shown that vitamin D is important to every cell and tissue throughout the body. From proper immune function and bone density to heart health and mood disorders, vitamin D is critical for optimal health.
You should know your Vitamin D blood level. Life Extension offers a reliable vitamin D blood test at a fraction of what most commercial blood labs charge. Optimal blood levels of vitamin D are often far greater than the standard reference range. The only way to achieve an optimal level is through proper supplementation.
Click here to see info on the Vitamin D Blood Test
Testimonials
5 Stars out of 5, Great way to keep current on Vit D level
“LEF tests through LabCorp are a cost effective way to monitor blood levels of essentials for which insurance does not pay. LEF order to LabCorp arrived in 2 days. Lab just 3 miles from home. LabCorp results were received through LEF in less than 36 hours from blood draw! That’s speedy!!!Thanks LEF for making this possible.” by Marksman, from Texas Panhandle
5 Stars out of 5, Excellent way to test for vitamin D
“Since insurance may not pay for repeated testings to get vitamin D in optimal ranges, LEF’s test is an inexpensive way to do repeat testing. I used the recommendations of the Vitamin D Foundation and the information provided by Dr. Joseph Mercola, along with my Integrative health doctor to strive for an optimal range. Unfortunately the lab’s range is still lagging behind the science, though the testing results are accurate.” By Marie F, from Vinton, VA
5 Stars out of 5, Vitamin D from 28 to 61
“I was tested with a 28 ng/ml at my doctor’s office. No mention was made to be concerned. I increased my Vitamin intake to 7500 daily for over six months and then had the test taken through L.E.F. My vitamin D increased to 61 ng/ml. I feel empowered that I was able to correct a deficiency before it became a real problem.” by YogaGirl, from Troy, MI
As a result of the Vitamin D3 testing, and to ensure I am getting adequate Vitamin D3, I’ve been taking Vitamin D and K, with Iodine.
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