Vitamin D

[humbird753]

I take a multivitamin, Calcium with D, and B Complex. I have noticed that many of you take Vitamin D. Wondering how much and what is it needed for?

All comments appreciated. Thank you.

Paula

[tex]

Hi Paula,

Vitamin D has many critical functions in our health, so when you ask what it's needed for, I'd have to say, "for general health". It's necessary for a strong immune system, and it does more to strengthen our resistance against all types of disease, (from the common cold to cancer, and everything in between), than anything else available to us. It's also vital for healing, and for rebuilding and keeping bones strong. Vitamin D also helps to prevent GERD, and various other health issues that don't come to mind at the moment.

A low vitamin D level predisposes to developing an IBD, and virtually everyone with Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis has extremely low vitamin D, because in addition to vitamin D deficiency leading to IBDs, IBDs also rapidly deplete vitamin D levels. This is probably because the body uses up all the available supplies of vitamin D trying to heal all the damage done by the IBD, so higher than normal intake levels of vitamin D are needed, especially when the disease is active. This is probably true for MC as well, though the damage it causes is not nearly as severe as the damage caused by Crohn's disease or UC.

Most of us take around 5,000 IU daily, especially during the cooler part of the year, when we can't get much vitamin D from the sun. Some take more, and some less. In general, the farther north one lives, the less vitamin D is available from exposure to the sun, so more supplementation is needed in norther areas. Here in sunny Texas, I usually take 2,500 IU during the summer months, and 5,500 IU the rest of the year. The reason for the odd 500 IU, is because that's what my multivitamin contains. If I lived as far north as you, I would probably take 6,000 or 7,000 IU during the winter months, for example.

Tex

[MBombardier]

I live in the north, like you, and take 5,000 IU 3 or 4 days of the week, and 10,000 IU the other days, when I remember. I get my Vitamin D level checked every year to make sure I am getting the right amount.

[humbird753]

Thank you for the information, Tex. Can you also tell me what type of Vitamin D would be best? I am seeing other comments about D2 and D3??? I'd like to start taking it right away.

I am also wondering what brands of vitamins others use that you know are gluten-free. I tried "searching" the web, but didn't feel confident about the results I got. I am assuming there are a lot out there selling gluten-free vitamins at a very high price, and aren't necessarily better than others that are gluten-free.

I will need to do more research to know what to look for on labels. So far, I am sticking with foods in their natural state. I decided I can learn more later once things have settled down more for me.

Thanks again.

Paula

[desertrat]

Paula, I use Pure Encapsulations. Their vitamin D3 is fantastic, and many nutritionists use it. In fact, the compounding pharmacy I go to are very reliable, (and awesome pharmacists) who sell only the best vitamins. You can google Pure Encapsulations and find various places that sell it, especially on Amazon. Pure Encapsulations contains no dairy, wheat, yeast, gluten, sugar, soy, preservatives or hydrogenated oil. Hope this helps!
Mandy

[tex]

All vitamin D available for sale without a prescription seems to be D3, (which is the preferred type), whereas all prescription vitamin D is in the form of D2. D2 will work, but it's usually not as effective as D3 for most people.

Probably the most well-known brand for allergen-free vitamins is Freeda, (and their prices are reasonable), but there are also other brands available. You just have to check the label for the other brands, because many of them contain either gluten, dairy, or soy, and unfortunately, pharmaceutical labels are not required by law to list inactive ingredients. Most of them voluntarily list all ingredients, but they sometimes don't clearly specify certain allergens, because pharmaceuticals are exempt from the food labeling laws. Here's a link to Freeda's site:

http://www.freedavitamins.com/

You're most welcome,
Tex

P. S. It sounds as though the Pure Encapsulations brand that Mandy suggested, should be safe for almost anyone.

[MBombardier]

http://www.iherb.com/Healthy-Origins-Vi ... 18335?at=0

Healthy Origins Vit D3 5,000IU 360 capsules for $13.49.

All they have in them is olive oil, gelatin, glycerine, and purified water.

Sara and I loooove iherb.com. If you decide to buy these and are a new customer of iherb, message me privately and I will send you my referral code. That will give you $5 off your first order and me $5 for referring you.

[humbird753]

Well, I have been searching online for not only D3, but other gluten-free supplements as well with the recommendations I have been given here. I would also like to get probiotics. I currently take two 2 billion CFU/g daily. But I am seeing some via the internet at 30 billion. I'm not sure what strength is needed. Can someone suggest anything on this?

Thanks again,

Paula

[tex]

Usually, the higher-count probiotics are more effective, because the mortality rate can be very high - for one thing, stomach acid kills most of them, (since that's part of it's job), before they ever get to the intestines, and many of the survivors are in a weakened conditioned when they arrive at their destination. Of course, the higher-count probiotics are usually more expensive, also.

Dr. Lewey, (The Food Doc), used to recommend VSL#3, but I don't know if he still does.

Tex