Friday, October 19, 2007

Higher Doses of Vitamin D Safe

A question from a customer regarding the safety of 1,200 IUs of Vitamin D in Macula Complete prompted this post.

A study on vitamin D3 and multiple sclerosis resulted in data supporting the use of much higher doses of vitamin D3 for clinical research, and provided evidence that vitamin D3 intake beyond the current upper limit of 2,000 IU per day is safe by a large margin.

The current RDA is only 400 IUs per day. Based on a large number of new peer-reviewed studies suggesting that number to be too low, the RDA is expected to triple in the coming year.

The study, published in the September issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, included 12 patients in an active phase of multiple sclerosis (MS) who were given 1,200 milligrams elemental calcium per day along with progressively increasing doses of vitamin D3—from 700 (2,800 IUs) to 7,000 micrograms (28,000 IUs) per week—to determine the
"tolerability" of higher doses of vitamin D that may be required for therapeutic efficacy therapy. This study specifically assessed how well the body handles calcium levels relative to vitamin D concentrations in the blood.

At the beginning of the 28-week study, mean serum concentrations of 25(OH)D were 78 ± 35 nmol/L, rising to 386 ± 157 nmol/L (P < 0.001). Mean values of serum calcium concentrations and the urinary ratio of calcium to creatinine—both biomarkers of which high levels are associated with problems processing calcium in the body—did not increase or exceed reference values for any participant. Additional related biomarkers including liver enzymes, serum creatinine, electrolytes, and serum protein levels did not change. Disease progression and activity were not affected, but there was a mean decrease in the number of MS-related lesions per patient.

Participants' serum vitamin D concentrations reached twice the top of the normal range without resulting in hypercalcemia or hypercalciuria—detrimental conditions linked to problems with the body's processing of excess calcium.

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is good Vitamin D safety information. A number of my patients have asked why the level of Vitamin D in Macula Complete was increased to 1,200 IUs.

Anonymous said...

The primary function of vitamin D is to maintain skeletal calcium homeostasis in bone formation and maintenance.

It promotes intestinal absorption of calcium (and phosphorous), and maintenance of adequate quantities of calcium and phosphorus for bone formation through its effects on the kidney and gut. 
Not only effective in bone health, new studies suggest it dramatically reduces the risk of developing certain cancers, including those of the colon and breast.

Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3) is synthetized in the liver from ergocalciferol in certain plants and animal fat, and endogenous 7-dehydroxycholesterol. In the skin (the main source of active D in humans), the provitamin is converted to the active form of cholecalciferol through the activity of ultraviolet irradiation.

Not only has Vitamin D been found to be safe at levels higher than those usually included in supplements (400 IUs), this important vitamin, as D3, was shown to be effective in calcium processing at levels up to 28,000 IUs (7,000 micrograms), without negatively affecting biomarkers as noted.

Ellen Troyer, MT MA said...

A study reported in this months American Journal of Epidemiology found that women with high sun exposure (think vitamin D) had half the risk of developing advanced breast cancer (cancer that spreads beyond the breast) compared to women with low sun exposure.

The study only looked at women with naturally light skin color and they defined high sun exposure as having darker skin on the forehead and nose, areas that are usually exposed to sunlight.

Again, we recommend 10-15 minutes of early morning or late afternoon sun exposure every day possible, sans sunscreen and hats.

Anonymous said...

Glad to see Biosyntrx supporting Vitamin D supplementation - and getting some morning and late afternoon sun on unprotected skin.

The vitamin D deficiency link to increased risk of cancer should be enough to get other companies to follow your lead and raise the amount of vitamin D in their multiples.

Anonymous said...

Biosyntrx seems to lead the eye vitamin pack when it comes to responding to well-documented vitamin/mineral/antioxidant science.

Why do the large companies wait so long to do what's right?

Anonymous said...

This is great info! I'm so glad I'm doing something right by taking my Macula Complete! My doctor said it might be a good idea to take it, but after reading all of this information I think it's a great idea!! Thank you for all of the facts!

Anonymous said...

It is reallt great to have a company that supplies this useful info to the public. I take the Oculair now, just for a good multivitamin, should I switch to the Macula Complete as Betty is taking?

Ellen Troyer, MT MA said...

Hi Julie,

If you are under 50 with no AMD or Alzheimer's in your family history, you are probably good with Oculair. However, if you do have a family history of either one of these gene linked degenerative diseases, I suggest you switch to Macula Complete.

Anonymous said...

nice article. I would love to follow you on twitter. By the way, did you guys know that some chinese hacker had hacked twitter yesterday again.

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