David,
I just saw the Vit D article and your comment. I'm not sure if a supplement with such profound effects (transcription for 200 ! genes) should be taken litely in high doses. The article discovered a large number of binding sites but is not very clear about their function yet. I'm glad I stopped taken it.
Quote :
Future work to characterize functional variants will need to critically consider the most relevant cell type and developmental stage for a particular phenotype....
We also present evidence of VDR binding enrichment in regions of positive selection. The reasons behind this are unclear....
Genome-wide association studies have revealed a large number of novel loci involving common variants influencing susceptibility to many common diseases. These loci generally have modest effects on disease risk but provide insights into disease pathogenesis. The challenge now for researchers is to define the molecular mechanisms through which these variants operate.We show here how ChIP-seq for a biologically important nuclear receptor, integrated with the wealth of GWAS data now available, provides a powerful approach to further understand the molecular basis of complex disease.....
unQuote
Gys
David,
Thank you for yet another insightful article. When receiving Health Central's e-newletter the first thing I look for are articles written by you.
You are appreciated,
Mellow
Love these headlines! But until the information, and what to do with it, trickles down to the PCP with the most contact with patients, years can go by while we wonder, should I? How much?
I take D3, and I take a large dose analogue for hypoparathyroidism too. The medication leaves me with a high level of 125(oh)(?), but low ones of 25. The supplement rectifies this, in part. Of course I could go out in the sun, but at my age don't think I could handle the assault on my skin. However, this article and many like it prompt me to do something now, who know how much later I may have.
Thanks for doing all this research for me, I have been following you for years, and you have enriched my life.
Helen
Helen,
See the web site http://www.grassrootshealth.net/daction . In order to know for sure, you need to be tested. They will do the test for $60 if you join D*Action and give them the data they are requesting for their ongoing research project. They say on their main page that it is safe to take at least 10,000 IU per day. David has said he takes 15,000 IU in the winter months.
You did not mention anywhere how much vit D is beneficial.... there are also different types of vit D I have been reading about....D1, D2, D3 etc.
which one is better and how much? some range would help.
Dear Sarah,
I didn't mention how much vitamin D in this article, but I have in earlier ones. I think that 5,000 IU per day is a good amount for most people (personally I take 10,000 IU, and my blood level is right up at the highest recommended range, so I don't recommend that level to others; still, I have been extraordinarily healthy -- not even a cold -- in the several years that I have maintained that level). It is well below any possible toxic level and yet high enough to have enough in our blood as measured in the available tests.
The type of vitamin D is easier. In fact, there isn't a vitamin D1. The question is between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Most people (but not all) recommend vitamin D3. It is the natural form of vitamin D.
Best regards,
David
http://www.grassrootshealth.net says that no one taking 10,000 IU per day, the amount David said he is taking, reached toxic levels, implying that that level is safe. David didn't say what his level is now, but from perusing the Grass Roots Health site I get the impression that 80 ng/ml is about optimum.
Featuring Content From:
By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional medical care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2013 Remedy Health Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Top 8 Low-Carb Mistakes 
What Your Feet Say About Your Health 
7 Unusual Treatments for Diabetic Foot Pain 
The Facts on Diabetic Neuropathy 
another way to verify health links would be to look at the epidemiological data- that is, do areas with high D status (due to sunlight or diet) have lower disease rates than low D status areas?- my surmise is that replacing relative deficiency probably verifies most of the health claims, but that taking supraphysiologic amounts probably is like drinkin da snake- yeah, hormones are good, and growth hormone does alot of good things (especially for competitiors), but there is always a trade-off metabolic wise- there are snake oil salesmem in CA who market 'healthy' hormone cocktails to wealthy aging clientele, ostensibly to replace aging deleterious effects on hormone levels, but it's really just chasing the fount of youth...