More than just Vitamin D: New Specifics On Vit D3

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May 12, 2008

Vitamin D3 is more than just Vitamin D and Sunshine

Sunshine helps

Vit D3 For Psych

Many are recognizing the relevance of Vitamin D3 testing for multiple brain and body applications, but there are some important caveats found in this recent paper:

JJ Cannell†, BW Hollis, M Zasloff & RP Heaney, “Diagnosis and treatment of Vitamin D deficiency,” Expert Opin. Pharmacother. (2008) 9(1):1-12

  1. D3 is not D2, and most of the large doses written for the convenience of infrequent dosing – is D2, and less effective
  2. Pay attention to the dosing based upon the levels found in testing,
  3. Notice the specific test that is recommended: 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25[OH]D), 
  4. Review the multiple applications for D3 levels in a variety of conditions from osteopenia, to fibromyalgia, to depression
  5. Relevance in pregnancy and breast feeding documented
  6. 105 solid references with treatment specifics

We've been interested in D3 for some time now, and recommend following Dr Cannell's work at the Vitamin D Council site and through his newsletter there.

And here is an interesting article on Vitamin D and Mental Illness.

Take a look, see what you think and feel free to comment below-
cp

2 Comments

  1. Gina,
    Many thanks for your comments, I do hope readers take the time with this recent outstanding paper by Dr Cannell et al – it does address the increasingly frequent problem that most physicians are writing for that easy D2 and not using the effective D3 for supplementation.

    I know a functional medicine doc in DC who frequently gives presentations about D3, had his tested after what he thought was adequate supplementation, and his was in the 20’s as well.

    Interesting additional point raised elsewhere by Dr Jaffe: without sufficient Vit C many nutritional elements are not retained. Vit C calibration will often help those not responding well to supplementation… it’s about synergy.

    Thanks for your comments!
    cp

  2. Gina Pera says:

    Hi Dr. Parker,

    Thanks for your coverage of Vitamin D, and for recognizing the importance of Vitamin D testing.

    The test to measure Vitamin D levels is so cheap and the results so important, it should be a part of everyone’s physical exam–especially those living in the north.

    My husband lived in Canada until age 35. And even after living in sunny San Diego for several years, his Vitamin D level was 20!

    We should all be grateful to Dr. Cannell and the rest of the Vitamin D Council. This non-profit has done an excellent job of creating awareness on this critical public health issue. And we should also be grateful to the astute physicians who heed the science.