Anecdotal case: When I first learned about the importance of supplementing with vitamin D3, well over a decade ago, I tried taking one my chiropractor recommended, "Bio-D-Mulsion" (400 IU/drop) and discovered that when I took it, I got intense cramping in my large intestines. I stopped taking it and the cramping went away. I then tried Jarrow brand vitamin D capsules and had chronic pain in my kidneys when only taking 1000 IU/day! At that point in time, I did not know about the co-factors needed to properly metabolize and utilize vitamin D3. My chiropractor then recommended Standard Process' Cataplex D which combines vitamin D3 with vitamin A (retinol form). At long last I was able to take and tolerate a vitamin D3 supplement! Why? Because of how vitamin A works to offset toxicities* from vitamin D3, and my diet was very deficient in foods containing fat-soluble vitamin A.
[* Reference, for example:
(2016) Comparison between the protective effects of vitamin K and vitamin A on the modulation of hypervitaminosis D3 short-term toxicity in adult albino rats
ELSHAMA, S. S., et. al.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27511521/ ]
Having now learned about all of the co-factors and put them to good use, I can take any vitamin D3 supplement with no complications. I have even super-dosed with 200,000 IU of vitamin D3 by taking 40 drops of BlueBonnet brand liquid vitamin D3 drops (5000 IU/drop) as directed by my physician (who is exceptionally knowledgeable in the use of nutritional supplements - a rare find!). Before taking my physician's word that super-dosing was safe, I first did a literature search, which is how I have come to learn that the research studies back up the safety of taking such dosages to quickly (within a week) boost one's vitamin D levels in the blood. Learning that it was found to be safe even for patients with kidney disease put my mind at ease. However, by then I was also knowledgeable about taking the co-factors and continue to use them to ensure optimal safe use of vitamin D3 supplements.
I note that since I have been supplementing with sufficient amounts of vitamin D3 through the winter months, keeping my blood levels above 50 ng/ml, I do not suffer from colds or flu. I recall my college years (30+ years ago!) when I suffered repeated bouts of strep throat, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and all manner of colds. I've only had the flu twice in my adult life, and do not feel threatened by viruses anymore. As one gets older, one allegedly becomes MORE susceptible to illness. My experience is the opposite: through appropriate nutritional fortification (and improvements in diet, though that alone does not account for my present state), my immune system is much stronger than it was during my college years, and I think it is sad that young people today similarly suffer in ignorance as I once did. I have to acknowledge that vitamin D3 and co-factors alone cannot guarantee imperviousness to all illness because other factors - stress levels, exposure to toxins, sleep deprivation, and other unhealthy habits - play a role in immune health as well. However, vitamin D3 and co-factors play a significant supportive role that, especially in today's covid world, should not be ignored.
Posted 10-11-20
[* Reference, for example:
(2016) Comparison between the protective effects of vitamin K and vitamin A on the modulation of hypervitaminosis D3 short-term toxicity in adult albino rats
ELSHAMA, S. S., et. al.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27511521/ ]
Having now learned about all of the co-factors and put them to good use, I can take any vitamin D3 supplement with no complications. I have even super-dosed with 200,000 IU of vitamin D3 by taking 40 drops of BlueBonnet brand liquid vitamin D3 drops (5000 IU/drop) as directed by my physician (who is exceptionally knowledgeable in the use of nutritional supplements - a rare find!). Before taking my physician's word that super-dosing was safe, I first did a literature search, which is how I have come to learn that the research studies back up the safety of taking such dosages to quickly (within a week) boost one's vitamin D levels in the blood. Learning that it was found to be safe even for patients with kidney disease put my mind at ease. However, by then I was also knowledgeable about taking the co-factors and continue to use them to ensure optimal safe use of vitamin D3 supplements.
I note that since I have been supplementing with sufficient amounts of vitamin D3 through the winter months, keeping my blood levels above 50 ng/ml, I do not suffer from colds or flu. I recall my college years (30+ years ago!) when I suffered repeated bouts of strep throat, laryngitis, pharyngitis, and all manner of colds. I've only had the flu twice in my adult life, and do not feel threatened by viruses anymore. As one gets older, one allegedly becomes MORE susceptible to illness. My experience is the opposite: through appropriate nutritional fortification (and improvements in diet, though that alone does not account for my present state), my immune system is much stronger than it was during my college years, and I think it is sad that young people today similarly suffer in ignorance as I once did. I have to acknowledge that vitamin D3 and co-factors alone cannot guarantee imperviousness to all illness because other factors - stress levels, exposure to toxins, sleep deprivation, and other unhealthy habits - play a role in immune health as well. However, vitamin D3 and co-factors play a significant supportive role that, especially in today's covid world, should not be ignored.
Posted 10-11-20
