Loved Ones who support someone with MS Community Group
This group is meant for those who help someone with MS. This would include family, good friends, spouses and caregivers. It is a place to exchange good ideas that may help us in caring for those we love that have this disease.
On the main board someone brought up D levels. See URL below for more details.
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Multiple_Sclerosis_MS/forum/15801888-wow-vitamin-d/lastpage
I have noticed over time reading people's posts that some people have said their D was fine because they live in the south or CA. I replied to get it checked just in case. A few replied back that...to their surprise yes they were deficient. Others say they take a very long time ( 6 months to over a year) to bring up their D levels 10-25 points. Others once they get their levels up with high dose of D have posted greatly reduced levels (20+ points) within 3 months of changing from higher 5,000 IU to 2,000 IU doses.
Some people are deficient in a nutrient then they find they were not ingesting it ie Iodine because of iodine low soil in NW. They ingest iodine supplements, their scores go up quickly to normal, they use just a little after that to maintain the level. This is a deficiency due to lack of consumption. However the D issues mentioned above point to a metabolism/absorption problem.
This is why I replied back to the URL post typed above with my response below.
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Multiple_Sclerosis_MS/forum/15801888-wow-vitamin-d/lastpage
I have noticed over time reading people's posts that some people have said their D was fine because they live in the south or CA. I replied to get it checked just in case. A few replied back that...to their surprise yes they were deficient. Others say they take a very long time ( 6 months to over a year) to bring up their D levels 10-25 points. Others once they get their levels up with high dose of D have posted greatly reduced levels (20+ points) within 3 months of changing from higher 5,000 IU to 2,000 IU doses.
Some people are deficient in a nutrient then they find they were not ingesting it ie Iodine because of iodine low soil in NW. They ingest iodine supplements, their scores go up quickly to normal, they use just a little after that to maintain the level. This is a deficiency due to lack of consumption. However the D issues mentioned above point to a metabolism/absorption problem.
This is why I replied back to the URL post typed above with my response below.
Sun hits your skin-- skin processes a type of vitamin D-- it is transported to the liver-- liver processes D3 into a type you can use/store -- if parathyroid detects too little Calcium (ca+) in the body it transports D to the kidneys where it is processed again and the product is a signal to the gut to absorb more Ca+. Fat soluble vitamin D can also be absorbed in the gut from food like mushrooms/ supplements if fat is around.
So WHAT the heck am I talking about?
1.) If you don't get enough sun this can = low D
2.) If your skin has a problem processing UV-B sunlight into D= low D
3.) If you have a different problem in your liver processing D from skin into usable vitamin D this can = low D
4.) If you have problem with liver making bile resin to emulsify fat so fat & fat soluble vitamins can be absorbed & STORED ie D this can = low D
5.) If there is bad bacteria growth(inflammation) and/ or tight junction problems(they have found tight junction issues in MS participants) in Intestines then this can reduce absorption of Vitamin D supplements = low D.
So my point is that you need to have a healthy LIVER (see my posts on what research says you can do to help this key organ) & healthy GI, etc to increase and maintain nutrient levels such as D. If you are taking larger doses of oral D and levels do not increase or only creep up very slowly over 6 months or more then you may have to dig deeper as to WHY you can't improve this level. You may find the root cause may be contributing to other deficiencies in fat (needed for myelin production) and or proteins ( some needed to make myelin and in the case of MS this myelin is abnormal).
Best wishes to all,
EP
Sun hits your skin-- skin processes a type of vitamin D-- it is transported to the liver-- liver processes D3 into a type you can use/store -- if parathyroid detects too little Calcium (ca+) in the body it transports D to the kidneys where it is processed again and the product is a signal to the gut to absorb more Ca+. Fat soluble vitamin D can also be absorbed in the gut from food like mushrooms/ supplements if fat is around.
So WHAT the heck am I talking about?
1.) If you don't get enough sun this can = low D
2.) If your skin has a problem processing UV-B sunlight into D= low D
3.) If you have a different problem in your liver processing D from skin into usable vitamin D this can = low D
4.) If you have problem with liver making bile resin to emulsify fat so fat & fat soluble vitamins can be absorbed & STORED ie D this can = low D
5.) If there is bad bacteria growth(inflammation) and/ or tight junction problems(they have found tight junction issues in MS participants) in Intestines then this can reduce absorption of Vitamin D supplements = low D.
So my point is that you need to have a healthy LIVER (see my posts on what research says you can do to help this key organ) & healthy GI, etc to increase and maintain nutrient levels such as D. If you are taking larger doses of oral D and levels do not increase or only creep up very slowly over 6 months or more then you may have to dig deeper as to WHY you can't improve this level. You may find the root cause may be contributing to other deficiencies in fat (needed for myelin production) and or proteins ( some needed to make myelin and in the case of MS this myelin is abnormal).
Best wishes to all,
EP
Liver URL
http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/loved-ones-who-support-someone-with-ms/discussions/messages/14589223
Merja Soilu-Hänninen, Julia Åivo1, Britt-Marie Lindström, et, al. (2012) A randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial with vitamin D3 as an add on treatment to interferon β-1b in patients with multiple sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2012;83:565-571
Note this study was using more potent D3 (not D2).
Results..."84% of patients reached a serum 25(OH)D level >85nmol/l in the vitamin D group and 3% in the placebo group (p<0.0001). Patients in the vitamin D group showed fewer new T2 lesions (p=0.286) and a significantly lower number of T1 enhancing lesions (p=0.004), as well as a tendency to reduced disability accumulation (p=0.071) and to improved timed tandem walk (p=0.076). There were no significant differences in adverse events or in the annual relapse rate."
"Conclusion Vitamin D3 add on treatment to IFNB reduces MRI disease activity in MS."
1.) Vitamin D3 is fat soluble vitamin. What does this mean? Well you have to take it with fat [ie fish oil, olive oil, nuts with oil] to be able to absorb it through the GI wall into the blood.
2a.) You also need a healthy GI wall. What does this entail? Well you have to have more good bacteria than bad. The good bacteria protect the GI lining and some kill the bad bacteria.
2b.) You need to avoid allergens and foods that can cause damage to your INDIVIDUAL GI lining. This can mean avoiding casein (dairy milk protein), eggs or grain/gluten proteins. There are 2 main classes of glutens called gluteins and prolaminines. Each of these two groups have many proteins that can cause gluten sensitivity and in some develop later into full blown autoimmune celiac's disease. If you want more information on testing to find out what is an issue for you and more about glutens go to the below URL
* http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/recipes-2-avoid-allergens--reduce-immune-response/discussions/messages/17563769
* image located at the bottom of URL http://www.dailystrength.org/groups/recipes-2-avoid-allergens--reduce-immune-response
2c.) The other thing that needs to happen in the GI is for the liver to dump bile into the lumen. This bile breaks down the fat so it can be absorbed through the GI lining.
3.) Your Liver needs to be healthy enough to process and store your fat soluble vitamins.
4.) Stress and and under active right hemisphere of the brain can negatively impact GI function. As it is the right side of the brain that helps regulate the parasympathetic rest and digest (GI) portion of the body. The left side of the brain regulates sympathetic flight of fight stress response. If you are under constant stress or your right side of your brain is under developed you are going to lean toward a stress response and therefore the right side parasympathetic digestion (GI) is not properly stimulated.
--- Possible remedies to discuss with your doctor----
A.) So take vitamin D3 with fish oil, or some other good fats that your body needs (HDL is good).
B.) So what can you do if you have too many bad bacteria?
You could take enteric coated probiotics with a large glass of water (dilutes stomach acids so more of the bacteria make it alive to the GI).
C.) You can get tested, see tests in the first URL above, to what might be causing your INDIVIDUAL allergens/autoimmune response.
If you have a huge number of allergens make sure your getting enough digestive enzymes and help your right hemisphere of your brain which will help digestive processes.
D.) You can be kind to your liver (see my other posts on all what the liver does for you..it is AMAZING). This means lower sugar diet (not no sugar) which is also good for your good bacteria as bad fungals love sugar. Reduce alcohol consumption which is also a sugar.
Eat lots of greens, spinach, artichoke are also good for liver.
Supplements to talk to your doc about are NAC, SAMe, Alpha lipoic acid & milk thistle.
E.) If you grew up constantly stressed /trauma look at how to help your brain better down regulate stress while helping it to digest better. You can read Sally Goddard's Primary Brain Reflexes book and / or look into Neurocore's Neuro feedback that helps train your brain to live in a calmer state. Depending on your theta/beta wave ratio you may qualify for insurance to help cover your costs in some states ie Michigan. There is a lot of research on neuro- feedback which punishes higher beta waves by turning off a movie and when your brain (EEG waves) lower then it will reward your brain by turning the movie back on to stimulate it.
All of these things can impact vitamin D3 levels in the body and if you feel any of this applies to you then talk to a doctor.
Best wishes,
EP