27 replies to this topic

[TheFountain]

What dose, if any is anybody still taking of D3? 

 

I am considering stopping it after doing about 1000 IU's in the winter because of the Calcium thing, even though I already supplement K2 100 Mcgs daily.

 

We are moving into summer time and I am beginning to feel that I may not need it, even if I get around 2-3 days a week of optimal sun exposure, my body can live on these reserves.

 

I have taken D3 for about 9 years fairly regularly and at various doses but mostly at a dose of 1000 IU's to 2000 IUs, I did take 4000 and 8000 a few times but that was only for a short period.

 

What the heck were we thinking taking those super doses? What was the reason, cancer prevention? But then, it can cause arterial issues? Trade off much?

 

IDK guys, what do you think of all this and what do you do confidently right now?

[TheFountain]

And I want to add that I have supplemented K2 alongside the D3 perhaps only about 35% of the time I took D3, primarily because I wasn't yet aware of the synergy played between these two supplements. 

 

Thankfully I stopped Calcium supplementation Years ago, I forget why but I think maybe about 5-7 Years ago I started realizing it wasn't necessary and the idea of calcium sticking to arteries was beginning to be discussed. At that time I had been supplementing D for about 2-3 years and K2 only on and off, when I could afford it as part of my regimen. Now that I have an actual career that pays decently, I can afford to take K2 all the time.

Edited by TheFountain, 16 July 2019 - 03:49 AM.

[Dorian Grey]

From what I've read, one can only get D from the sun during the months between the Spring & Autumn equinoxes (Northern Hemisphere), though D can be stored for several months into the Fall (forget what the half life is now).  

 

I take 1000 IU/day from about Thanksgiving through Easter for possible benefit through the flu season.  Haven't augmented with K as I'm trying to keep my stack from swelling, though I do drink green tea, which is supposed to be rich in K.  

 

Figure this is a good compromise.  All things in moderation (and to thine own self be true!)

[TheFountain]

From what I've read, one can only get D from the sun during the months between the Spring & Autumn equinoxes (Northern Hemisphere), though D can be stored for several months into the Fall (forget what the half life is now).  

 

I take 1000 IU/day from about Thanksgiving through Easter for possible benefit through the flu season.  Haven't augmented with K as I'm trying to keep my stack from swelling, though I do drink green tea, which is supposed to be rich in K.  

 

Figure this is a good compromise.  All things in moderation (and to thine own self be true!)

I would check the amount of K in green Tea. I watched a very helpful video from a Minnesota Dr. talking about how rare Vitamin D toxicity and Hypercalcemia is. They did a observational study (I guess) on 8000 individuals an saw that the only person who was even close to that took 50,000 IUs daily for like 3 months straight. 

 

He also points out at the end of the video how low Vitamin D increases your chances of heart disease and cancers more than high Vitamin D levels do.

 

https://www.youtube....h?v=Xk60G3xl1cU

[Dorian Grey]

Oh I'm not afraid of supplementing D (in moderation!).  I just can't believe it needs to be maintained at the high level some believe is beneficial.  

 

True, we wear clothes now and don't get enough sun. The higher latitudes also seem to have a major cancer problem, & some have attributed this to low D.  

 

I'm not afraid of the sun, & sunbath at least once a month in the Spring, Summer & early Fall.  Interestingly, my D levels never budge much over 25 ng/ml no matter how much sun I get.  I take this as an indication my body likes to keep D at around this level.  

 

Supplementing D during the Winter flu season is a no-brainer.  I'm just a big believer in moderation in everything I take in pill form.  More isn't always better!  

Edited by Dorian Grey, 16 July 2019 - 06:16 AM.

[TheFountain]

Oh I'm not afraid of supplementing D (in moderation!).  I just can't believe it needs to be maintained at the high level some believe is beneficial.  

 

True, we wear clothes now and don't get enough sun. The higher latitudes also seem to have a major cancer problem, & some have attributed this to low D.  

 

I'm not afraid of the sun, & sunbath at least once a month in the Spring, Summer & early Fall.  Interestingly, my D levels never budge much over 25 ng/ml no matter how much sun I get.  I take this as an indication my body likes to keep D at around this level.  

 

Supplementing D during the Winter flu season is a no-brainer.  I'm just a big believer in moderation in everything I take in pill form.  More isn't always better!  

How many years have you supplemented Vitamin D?

[unbreakable]

I take 5.000 IU daily and have been stable on that dose since a few months. Will have bloodwork soon and decide from there.

[Dorian Grey]

I've been taking D-3 since around 2009 when I quit getting the flu shot.  

 

https://www.longecit...une-senescence/

 

Mercola had a paper on a study on osteoporosis in a mental hospital that accidentally discovered their patients on Vitamin-D were much less likely to get infected with flu that had swept through the hospital during the study.  I think I took 5000IU during the Winter for a couple of years, & started sun bathing during the Summer after reading Mercola's rants about the sun being the only way to get the sulfated form of D.  

 

When I started checking my D levels, I found no matter how much sun I got or how much D I took, my levels never varied much from the 25ng/ml.  It was around this time I started seeing reports of the calcium issue regarding high dose D.  I've never taken more than 1000IU/day now, and still switch to sun exposure during the Spring through Fall.  

[TheFountain]

I take 5.000 IU daily and have been stable on that dose since a few months. Will have bloodwork soon and decide from there.

Did you ever take Vitamin D3 before that dose? Or was that the very start of it?

[TheFountain]

I've been taking D-3 since around 2009 when I quit getting the flu shot.  

 

https://www.longecit...une-senescence/

 

Mercola had a paper on a study on osteoporosis in a mental hospital that accidentally discovered their patients on Vitamin-D were much less likely to get infected with flu that had swept through the hospital during the study.  I think I took 5000IU during the Winter for a couple of years, & started sun bathing during the Summer after reading Mercola's rants about the sun being the only way to get the sulfated form of D.  

 

When I started checking my D levels, I found no matter how much sun I got or how much D I took, my levels never varied much from the 25ng/ml.  It was around this time I started seeing reports of the calcium issue regarding high dose D.  I've never taken more than 1000IU/day now, and still switch to sun exposure during the Spring through Fall.  

 

I started taking it around that time also, I was 24 at the time. Over the past 9 or 10 years I have taken vitamin D in variable doses, very infrequently did I go over 5000 IU's but I think I once bought a bottle of D where the dosage of 1 pill was that much, but generally speaking it's been 1000 IU to 2000 IUs

 

I have had my vitamin D levels checked maybe 3 times in the past 5 years and it always never over 40 ng/mL at those times. Last time it was around 35 ng/mL which is probably just fine. 

[Keizo]

I took 5000-6000 IU every day for 6 months or more then had a blood test done in August 2017 I believe, and my levels were 120 nmol/L (that's like 48 ng/dl normal/good range according to test 51-250 nmol/L). My sun exposure during that summer was low but still was outside like an hour every day being in the sun with bare arms and neck. So considering that I don't think my levels would suddenly become very much higher than that. 

So it is not a "super dose" in my case, now if you are much more sun exposed or eat peculiar diets then yeah 5000 IU might be a lot. 

I have been sticking to 5000 IU / day since then, but recently taking every Monday 35000 IU. Since I have no intentions of sunbathing and looking like a tomato, it's quite natural for me to think to myself that pills are the same as sun exposure and so forth.... 

 

My vitamin D3 supplementation coincided with some significant health gains, such as less allergies and breathing problems, doubling of testicular volume within ~6 months at age ~23 when I started taking 2000-3000 IU D3 fairly consistently and increased my caloric intake (this was  2015 or so). Probably generally felt better too, but of course my situation might be confounded by a few things like having had quit benzodiazepines in 2012 and experiencing some significant problems with that for a long time, and so on. But the breathing and allergy thing seems like the most likely to be related to vitamin-D levels, just from what I've read. Whereas testicular volume maybe is more about just calories and overall nutrients and perhaps something to do with the benzodiazepines (or withdrawal from them) interfering with hormonal regulation, as well as natural growth (albeit weirdly fast). D3 is what I've been supplementing most consistently and so it seems likely it has done some good, unlike most all the more sporadic supps I've taken. (I did take resveratrol for a while that's the only other candidate I think might've have had something to do with the testicular growth, but I only took like half a gram for 6 months, and then quit it. So if it had something to do with that it was more akin to a reboot of the system, sort of like PCT for Anabolic Androgenic steroid users to get their system up online again, to make a loose comparison.)

 

The calcium issue is something I was very interested in long ago but I couldn't find too much about it that seemed too certain, and all the different forms of vitamin K made it more confusing. My plan now is to eat a bunch of Kale and various foods to get a good amount of K from. I do think I am genetically predisposed to calcification of soft tissue (everyone is I suppose but I mean to the point where you really notice it like with my dad), so I'll certainly try and read some more about K.

Edited by Keizo, 16 July 2019 - 06:24 PM.

[Heisok]

I would suggest getting labwork for the vitamin D level.

 

My significant other had only been taking 2,000 IU daily for a few months as part of a multi. They stopped taking it 3 days before the test. They had been in the sun with a large amount of skin exposure regularly. About a year ago, they cracked a couple ribs due to a very serious cough and/or a bike accident. Months after recovery , they tripped an fell, and fractured a couple different ribs. From a Dexa scan they were diagnosed with minor Osteopenia at 45 years old. The Dr. suggested doubling the Vitamin D, and adding Calcium . They said that they do not test for D, but the Dr. changed their mind after the 2 of us were persistent.

 

VITAMIN D, 25-HYDROXY was 96 ng/mL on a scale of 20-79. Their serum Calcium was 9.8 mg/dL scale 8.8-10.5.

 

This points out a couple possible issues. One is that testing could be important. Also that others have pointed out that some comprehensive multi's have perhaps too high of certain vitamins, and in this case perhaps vitamin D.

Edited by Heisok, 16 July 2019 - 08:31 PM.

[experimenting]

I take 10,000iu/day.

I'm sure you'll all have seen my constant, desperate posts on the matter. D3 has been life changing for me and as yet I have no idea why. Significant physical changes (stamina, muscle mass, body composition) psychological changes (much more stable temper, high libido, increased cognition, less emotionally sensitive). At 10,000iu hypercalcemia becomes a problem. To fight this I take megadoses of K daily. That blunts acetylcholine so I need to add back B vitamins and E vitamins. Quite the circus, but D3 literally holds me together.

Still have no idea why.

[unbreakable]

Did you ever take Vitamin D3 before that dose? Or was that the very start of it?

 

I pretty much started with that dose.

 

5.000 IU might seem high, but I'm still a little obese and believe people with higher BMI need significantly more Vitamin D.

[unbreakable]

I take 10,000iu/day.

I'm sure you'll all have seen my constant, desperate posts on the matter. D3 has been life changing for me and as yet I have no idea why. Significant physical changes (stamina, muscle mass, body composition) psychological changes (much more stable temper, high libido, increased cognition, less emotionally sensitive). At 10,000iu hypercalcemia becomes a problem. To fight this I take megadoses of K daily. That blunts acetylcholine so I need to add back B vitamins and E vitamins. Quite the circus, but D3 literally holds me together.

Still have no idea why.

 

Maybe you had so low Vitamin D Levels, that your testosterone levels also dropped?

[pamojja]

I take 10,000iu/day.

I'm sure you'll all have seen my constant, desperate posts on the matter. D3 has been life changing for me and as yet I have no idea why.

 

One plausible reason could be genes:

 

 The low plasma vitamin D3 levels have been a global problem for last quarter century. However, one aspect that is often ignored is the inability of the VDR to execute the beneficial functions in the presence of genetic alterations in VDR. Even with the optimum level of vitamin D3 an individual may still get little or no vitamin D-related benefits due to polymorphic VDR expression."
Source: Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) Gene Polymorphism: Implications on Non-Bone Diseases

 

 "Nevertheless, VDR polymorphisms influence metabolic response to vitamin D supplementation. VDR genotypic variations might help identify those who will benefit the most from vitamin D treatment.

Least improvement in serum 25(OH)D levels was observed in patients carrying VDR Fok-I CC genotypes and might need higher doses of vitamin D than their counterparts in order to achieve sufficient levels.

Cardiometabolic improvement was more evident in carriers of Taq-I GG and Bsm-I TT polymorphisms. These carriers may be the better responders to vitamin D therapy in terms of improving metabolic profile and a more tailored approach to vitamin D intervention is warranted."

Source: Vitamin D Receptor Gene Polymorphisms Modify Cardiometabolic Response to Vitamin D Supplementation in T2DM Patients

 

In my case I used 8.800 IUs per day to reach an average level of 70 ng/ml during the last 10 years, as a therapeutic dose against chronic conditions (PAD, COPD, T2D, ME/CFS). Interestingly, in 2012 I needed double the dose to reach half the levels, than in 2017, where serum levels accidentally overshoot up to 135 ng/ml. Maybe also coincidentally, with that even my last symptom of chronic diseases left. Vitamin D serum levels in my case always strongly correlated with otherwise deficient testosterone levels.

 

The first 2 years supplementing vitamin D, calcium in serum was always below normal range. Vitamin D normalized it with time, and kept it in the middle of normal.

Edited by pamojja, 17 July 2019 - 08:41 AM.

[TheFountain]

I took 5000-6000 IU every day for 6 months or more then had a blood test done in August 2017 I believe, and my levels were 120 nmol/L (that's like 48 ng/dl normal/good range according to test 51-250 nmol/L). My sun exposure during that summer was low but still was outside like an hour every day being in the sun with bare arms and neck. So considering that I don't think my levels would suddenly become very much higher than that. 

So it is not a "super dose" in my case, now if you are much more sun exposed or eat peculiar diets then yeah 5000 IU might be a lot. 

I have been sticking to 5000 IU / day since then, but recently taking every Monday 35000 IU. Since I have no intentions of sunbathing and looking like a tomato, it's quite natural for me to think to myself that pills are the same as sun exposure and so forth.... 

 

My vitamin D3 supplementation coincided with some significant health gains, such as less allergies and breathing problems, doubling of testicular volume within ~6 months at age ~23 when I started taking 2000-3000 IU D3 fairly consistently and increased my caloric intake (this was  2015 or so). Probably generally felt better too, but of course my situation might be confounded by a few things like having had quit benzodiazepines in 2012 and experiencing some significant problems with that for a long time, and so on. But the breathing and allergy thing seems like the most likely to be related to vitamin-D levels, just from what I've read. Whereas testicular volume maybe is more about just calories and overall nutrients and perhaps something to do with the benzodiazepines (or withdrawal from them) interfering with hormonal regulation, as well as natural growth (albeit weirdly fast). D3 is what I've been supplementing most consistently and so it seems likely it has done some good, unlike most all the more sporadic supps I've taken. (I did take resveratrol for a while that's the only other candidate I think might've have had something to do with the testicular growth, but I only took like half a gram for 6 months, and then quit it. So if it had something to do with that it was more akin to a reboot of the system, sort of like PCT for Anabolic Androgenic steroid users to get their system up online again, to make a loose comparison.)

 

The calcium issue is something I was very interested in long ago but I couldn't find too much about it that seemed too certain, and all the different forms of vitamin K made it more confusing. My plan now is to eat a bunch of Kale and various foods to get a good amount of K from. I do think I am genetically predisposed to calcification of soft tissue (everyone is I suppose but I mean to the point where you really notice it like with my dad), so I'll certainly try and read some more about K.

Vitamin K2 in the form of MK7 is the best and most absorbable form out there. MK4 is great for bone density but for the cardiovascular studies MK7 is the one that showed the most benefits.

[TheFountain]

I take 10,000iu/day.

I'm sure you'll all have seen my constant, desperate posts on the matter. D3 has been life changing for me and as yet I have no idea why. Significant physical changes (stamina, muscle mass, body composition) psychological changes (much more stable temper, high libido, increased cognition, less emotionally sensitive). At 10,000iu hypercalcemia becomes a problem. To fight this I take megadoses of K daily. That blunts acetylcholine so I need to add back B vitamins and E vitamins. Quite the circus, but D3 literally holds me together.

Still have no idea why.

 

What are your Megadoses of K2? Is it in the form of MK7? 

 

Have you been tested for Calcification? 

[experimenting]

One plausible reason could be genes:



In my case I used 8.800 IUs per day to reach an average level of 70 ng/ml during the last 10 years, as a therapeutic dose against chronic conditions (PAD, COPD, T2D, ME/CFS). Interestingly, in 2012 I needed double the dose to reach half the levels, than in 2017, where serum levels accidentally overshoot up to 135 ng/ml. Maybe also coincidentally, with that even my last symptom of chronic diseases left. Vitamin D serum levels in my case always strongly correlated with otherwise deficient testosterone levels.

The first 2 years supplementing vitamin D, calcium in serum was always below normal range. Vitamin D normalized it with time, and kept it in the middle of normal.

Very possibly genetic. Not sure how to test for this.

Would something like supplemental Boron help (apparently improves VDR function) and Zinc as well (I use this in low doses).

[Mind]

I take 1000 to 2000 IUs pper day, less in the Summer, more in the Winter. I will consider upping my dosage as I get older (if no rejuvenation therapies arrive anytime soon).

[TheFountain]

I take 1000 to 2000 IUs pper day, less in the Summer, more in the Winter. I will consider upping my dosage as I get older (if no rejuvenation therapies arrive anytime soon).

Hey Mind, do you take it alongside K2? If so what type and dosage of K2 do you take?

[experimenting]

Hey Mind, do you take it alongside K2? If so what type and dosage of K2 do you take?

BTW to answer I use 2 of the LEF super K daily. That's 3mg k1, 2mg k2-4, 200mcg k2-7.

[TheFountain]

BTW to answer I use 2 of the LEF super K daily. That's 3mg k1, 2mg k2-4, 200mcg k2-7.

Ah so it has all 3 variants of K. Probably the best idea. Do you notice any side effects?

[experimenting]

Ah so it has all 3 variants of K. Probably the best idea. Do you notice any side effects?

I do, issues with short term memory and cognition, but I've always had these issues so who knows. I have read that K vitamins decrease ACH. I have enough issues that I'm probably not a reliable indicator.

[TheFountain]

I do, issues with short term memory and cognition, but I've always had these issues so who knows. I have read that K vitamins decrease ACH. I have enough issues that I'm probably not a reliable indicator.

Pardon my ignorance what is ACH?

[unbreakable]

I guess he means acetylcholine. ACh.

[TheFountain]

I guess he means acetylcholine. ACh.

I thought so but wanted to confirm.

[Mind]

Hey Mind, do you take it alongside K2? If so what type and dosage of K2 do you take?

 

I take one K--blend tablet per day. Just started this year.