Vitamin D

Vitamin D

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Vitamin D is a fat-soluble substance that is closely related to our immune system. That is why it is so important not only for a healthy person, but above all for people suffering from Lyme disease or its co-infections.

We can divide vitamin D into:

- Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which is naturally found in fungi and plants as well
- Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which occurs naturally in animal products.


The effect of vitamin D on health


1. Impact on immunity

As mentioned before, the main function of vitamin D is to influence immunity. It is an important regulator of the immune response, influences T and B lymphocytes, thereby regulating the immune response and moderating the cytokinin balance of Th1 and Th2. This significantly influences the course of autoimmune diseases.

Studies show that with a significant deficiency, supplementation with 1600 UI of vitamin D3 per day is enough to reduce the risk of infection by as much as 36%.

2. A powerful antioxidant

Vitamin D may be effective in detoxifying the body. It helps in the production of a strong antioxidant, which is glutathione, which indirectly reduces antioxidant stress and combats free radicals.

3. Effects on bones

Regulates the calcium and phosphate balance. Converted in the body to its active form, 25-dihyroxyvitamin-D increases the absorption of calcium in the intestines, thanks to which it improves bone mineral density. Research shows that the risk of fracture increases by as much as 33% for every 10ng / ml decrease in 25 (OH) D below 28ng / ml!

4. Prevention of heart disease

Vitamin D is related to many aspects of our health. It affects blood pressure, triglycerides and cholesterol (including LDL and HDL levels). All this is closely related to cardiovascular diseases, which are the most common cause of death in Poland. According to studies by Fatemeh Gholami, Ghobad Moradi, and others, a decrease in vitamin D was associated with a higher risk of morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease. Low vitamin D levels increased the risk of disease by 44% and a whopping 54% higher risk of dying from the disease!

5. Effect on tumors

Neoplasms arise when the cells of the body divide uncontrollably, and the newly formed cells do not differentiate into tissue typical for cells. Vitamin D inhibits the excessive growth of cells and influences their differentiation. It primarily affects cancer of the breast, bladder, colon, stomach, esophagus and many others.

Vitamin D testing


The laboratory test measures the concentration of 25 (OH) D. The standards are given below:

Deficiency

Deficiency

 

< 20 ng/ml

Low concentration

 

20 – 30 ng/ml

Normal concentration

 

30 – 50 ng/ml

Increased value

 

50–100 ng/ml

Potentially toxic

 

100–150 ng/ml

Toxic concentration

 

> 150 ng/ml

Some tests are given in the unit bmol / l. The converter is 1ng / ml = 2.5 nmol / l

Suggested in Lyme disease: upper limit of normal concentration and increased value.

Natural sources of vitamin D.


Vitamin D is mainly synthesized by sunlight. Together with the diet, we provide ourselves with little of this vitamin (maximum 20% of its amount). Food sources include fish (eel, salmon, herring) and some varieties of mushrooms, such as shiitake mushrooms.

Vitamin D dosage


The selection of the dose depends primarily on the geographic location. The more sunny days in the place where we live, the less supplementation should be. However, for residents of Poland and most of Europe suffering from Lyme disease, we recommend supplementing a minimum of 2000 IU in the autumn and winter period (in people with obesity, this value should be doubled).

In the spring and summer period, supplementation is not required, as long as we are “exposed” to the sun for about 15 minutes every day between 10 am and 3 pm, with at least 20% of the body being exposed (short T-shirt and shorts), without the use of UV filters and cloudiness.

Vitamin D deficiency


The most common symptoms of deficiency are vomiting, diarrhea, headaches, eye aches, weakness, lack of appetite, excessive thirst and general malaise. With Lyme disease and its co-infections, it is often difficult to distinguish symptoms of vitamin D deficiency of symptoms caused by Lyme disease, so it is always worth checking its level and starting supplementation.

Too much vitamin D.


We often hear that someone is taking "horse" doses of a vitamin, ie 10,000 IU, and sometimes even more. Remember, however, that excess can lead to hypercalcemia, i.e. increased serum calcium levels. As previously mentioned, vitamin D is converted in the body to its active form, and it causes increased absorption of calcium in the intestines, kidneys and bones. Therefore, such large doses should be selected only after consulting a doctor and only in extreme deficiencies.

It can therefore be seen that vitamin D is necessary for the proper functioning of the body, and its deficiencies can greatly increase the risk of many diseases and aggravate the symptoms of Lyme disease. So remember to include vitamin D in your phytotherapy.

You can find vitamin D supplements HERE

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