The Body Chronic: The Letter of the Day: is Vitamin D

Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Letter of the Day: is Vitamin D

The hype around certain deficiencies and in intolerances is usually something to take note of with a grain of salt. The big thing now is celiac disease, and while a good number of people have it, I'm sure doctors are seeing a rash of people who believe they or their children have it as well.

So when this whole Vitamin D deficiency thing came out, I had to say I was skeptical. I'm using skeptical in the most serious way because I think that it's too loose a word. To say that I didn't believe it for a minute would be more accurate. But some bloggers I respected urged on about it, so I figured it couldn't be too bad.

But then I read some of the facts and symptoms. It's not a chronic condition (necessarily), but a deficiency that can be aided and even eliminated.

So, even though I was skeptical, I went out and bought some.

I have been taking the supplement regularly (or at least fairly regularly) for about three weeks now. At first I thought I noticed drastic changes, but over time those faded. (The changes included less fatigue, greater strength and less muscle weakness. ) But I have noticed some benefits that have lasted. For a time, I was a little less moody (when aided by my Prozac which I missed for over a week because of a lapse in prescription) . The fatigue thing faded some. I don't think it's a cure all, but I think it did help in this area.

So have any of you tried a vitamin D supplement? What were your results? Am I just making up benefits that weren't really there?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...: So, as someone who did their Ph.D. dissertation work on Vitamin D and it's anti-breast cancer properties, I feel like I should chime in :) First off, the "international units" system for measuring vitamins says that you should get 400 IUs of Vitamin D daily for safety. But, getting 10-15 minutes of sun a day on unexposed (ie: no sunblock) skin per day can generate up to 20,000 IUs naturally. My advice: supplements=very expensive urine. Get 10-15 min. of sun a day (lunchtime is a great time to do so) and your body will naturally make all the vitamin D it needs. Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a variety of illnesses - including diabetes. I wouldn't call it a miracle drug, but I'd certainly say our sedentary 21st century lifestyle and diet have led to many, many people being vitamin D deficient. I mean - for chrissakes - rickets is making a comeback! Drink some friggin milk people! If you want more info on D, I can probably dig up a few papers that are reader-friendly.; July 31, 2008 at 11:24 PM
Hygeian said...: I had always taken the approach that supplementing meant "expensive urine" (btw, I did find that phrase pretty amusing) and that eating intelligently was probably a better and cheaper way to get your nutrients. But after over a year of fighting a lyme infection (no sunshine for the doxy-full) and then three years of chronic diarrhea, when my bloodwork for a nutritional panel came back with a shockingly low D level, I started supplementing with some rather high doses at my doctor's insistence.

I didn't notice dramatic improvements, but there have been some. I don't get wiped out as easily and I'm less achy. I can't say it was just D though because while my D was the lowest, it wasn't the only low value in the results (and consequently not the only supplement I started taking).

Not everyone can get sun exposure. People on certain antibiotics or with some autoimmune conditions, for example, need to be sure to stay OUT of the sun. For the non-clinical population though, yes I suppose the "drink some friggin milk" advice is sound.

For the rest of us, supplementing is probably a good idea.; August 1, 2008 at 5:41 PM
Tiffany said...: my doctor was concerned about severe deficiency for me. he had me taking 4,000 IUs daily. after 10 months my levels did not increase at all. now i take a prescription vitamin D dose, plus sun exposure. it concerns me, because Vitamin D is needed for calcium absorption and there is osteoporosis in my family. i hope my levels start coming up.

good luck with the supplements/sunshine.; August 6, 2008 at 12:12 AM
Anonymous said...: Hi there,

I wrote about my experiences with being vitamin D defienct, I was critical,

http://"chronicchicktalk.com/2008/02/21/lupus-and-vitamin-deficiency/ Lupus and vitiman D; August 10, 2008 at 3:19 PM

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Chronic Glossary

Note: The information on this site is intended to create a support network amongst those living with chronic illness and/or pain and their loved ones and friends. It is not meant to be nor should it be used as an alternative to medical advice.

celiac disease--Celiac disease is a digestive disease that damages the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People who have celiac disease cannot tolerate a protein called gluten, found in wheat, rye, and barley.

chronic fatigue syndrome----CFIDS is characterized by incapacitating fatigue (experienced as profound exhaustion and extremely poor stamina) and problems with concentration and short-term memory. It is also accompanied by flu-like symptoms such as pain in the joints and muscles, unrefreshing sleep, tender lymph nodes, sore throat and headache. A distinctive characteristic of the illness is post-exertional malaise, a worsening of symptoms following physical or mental exertion occurring within 12-48 hours of the exertion and requiring an extended recovery period.

chronic headaches/migraines--By definition, chronic daily headaches must occur at least 15 days a month, for more than three months. The signs and symptoms vary depending on the specific subtype: chronic migraines, chronic tension-type headache, new daily persistent headache and hemicrania continuua.

fibromialgia-- Signs and symptoms of fibromyalgia can vary, depending on the weather, stress, physical activity or even the time of day. Common signs and symptoms include:widespread pain, fatigue and sleep disturbances, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), headaches and facial pain, heightened sensitivity. It's common for people with fibromyalgia to report being sensitive to odors, noises, bright lights and touch.

insulin resistance--Insulin resistance and pre-diabetes usually have no symptoms. You may have one or both conditions for several years without noticing anything. If you have a severe form of insulin resistance, you may get dark patches of skin, usually on the back of your neck. Sometimes people get a dark ring around their neck. Other possible sites for these dark patches include elbows, knees, knuckles, and armpits. This condition is called acanthosis nigricans.

interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome--Interstitial cystitis (IC) is a condition that results in recurring discomfort or pain in the bladder and the surrounding pelvic region. Symptoms may include an urgent need to urinate (urgency), a frequent need to urinate (frequency), or a combination of these symptoms. Pain may change in intensity as the bladder fills with urine or as it empties. Women's symptoms often get worse during menstruation. They may sometimes experience pain with vaginal intercourse.

irritable bowel syndrome --Irritable bowel syndrome is a disorder characterized most commonly by cramping, abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. IBS causes a great deal of discomfort and distress, but it does not permanently harm the intestines and does not lead to a serious disease, such as cancer. Most people can control their symptoms with diet, stress management, and prescribed medications. For some people, however, IBS can be disabling. They may be unable to work, attend social events, or even travel short distances.

pelvic floor dysfunction--Pelvic floor dysfunction, or obstructed defecation, results when the external anal sphincter and/or puborectalis muscles do not relax appropriately when defecation is initiated. People with pelvic floor dysfunction strain excessively in a feeble attempt to eliminate stool from the rectum.

polycystic ovarian syndrome-- If you have polycystic ovary disease, you are likely to have some of the following symptoms: Abnormal, irregular, or very light or infrequent menstrual periods; Absent periods, usually (but not always) after having one or more normal menstrual periods during puberty (secondary amenorrhea); Acne that gets worse; Decreased breast size; Development of male sex characteristics (virilization), such as increased body hair, facial hair, a deepening of the voice, male-pattern baldness, and enlargement of the clitorus. Diabete; Increased hair growth; body hair may be in a male pattern; Infertility; Poor response to the hormone, insulin (insulin resistance), leading to a build-up of insulin in the blood; Weight gain.

vulvodynia--The International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Disease (ISSVD) defines Vulvodynia as chronic vulvar discomfort or pain, characterized by burning, stinging, irritation or rawness of the female genitalia in cases in which there is no infection or skin disease of the vulva or vagina causing these symptoms. Burning sensations are the most common, but the type and severity of symptoms are highly individualized. Pain may be constant or intermittent, localized or diffuse.

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Thursday, July 31, 2008

The Letter of the Day: is Vitamin D

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