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vit D and the immune system

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    vit D and the immune system

    VIRUS

    We have no protection against a virus.
    What we can have is a strong immune system to evolve and get ahead of any virus to survive it.

    vitamin D helps modulate the immune system.
    It can strengthen a weak system and reduce or calm an overactive system.

    •Persons with auto-immune disorders usually have very low vitamin D levels.
    •Since the early 19th century vit D was identified as a treatment for Tuberculosis.
    •Through its ability to activate ‘antimicrobial’ peptide genes in the body, vit D has an antibiotic effect.
    •Vit D is especially protective for mucus membranes- (we contract virus's through our mucus membranes)

    Although normal blood ranges for 25-hydroxyvitamin D are 30-80ng/dl; optimal blood levels of vitamin D are in the 70-90ng/dl range.
    Research for neurological disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis suggest levels nearer 110ng/dl to reduce relapse rates. (1)

    For the past few years my experience has been that many patients need to continue doses of 15-20,000 I.U.'s/day of vitamin D3 for several months in order to raise their blood levels into optimal ranges.
    I routinely recommend daily doses of vit D in the 4-8,000 I.U. - this seems to keep most patients in the optimal range.

    Have your vit D checked at least once a year. I recommend patients check in the Fall and Spring when levels may be high and low.

    1. Simpson, S., B. Taylor, L. Blizzard, A.-L. Ponsonby, F. Pittas, H. Tremlett, T. Dwyer, P. Gies, and I. A. van der Mei. 2010. Higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D is associated with lower relapse risk in MS. Annals of neurology in press.
    NutritionTara
    Eat better, feel better and be richer for it.

    #2
    Thanks for your advice on vitamin D levels and so forth.
    I have been a proponent of testing and optimizing vitamin D levels since I was diagnosed in 2009. I believe that people with MS need to keep their levels higher than 'healthy' people.

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      #3
      I also want to thank you for that information.

      I know now I want to get mine up a little more. In April of this year, I was in the low 60s. I was taking 10k a day.

      Pkar2

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