Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

[the doctor]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Gratten

I sent the vitamin D information to some First Nations chiefs associations and their heatlth directors and there was no response. I sent the same information to a First Nations fire chief, responisble for community response to pandemic in Northern Canada and lights went on;

He wrote me back;



I will bet you dollars to donuts that front line emergency workers have networks of communication that can ring louder than any ambulance siren or fire bell and once those are sounding media and politicians will not be able to ignore them.

That is my personal opinion, and I am sure it will inflame many, and may sound quite cynical to some, but in my opinion is very action oriented.

I know there is one northern community no longer in the dark.

Tom

That is great news Tom. Hey, if we can only help a few people that is much better than helping none. I am working on the one page summary but plan to focus it primarily on relationship between vit D and flu since I think this is what is needed most now. The pandemic is here and now, cancer is somewhere in the future.

GW

[the doctor]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Gratten

TMV, here is the first draft of a one page summary.

GW

Can Vitamin D Supplementation Ward Off Pandemic Influenza?
Summary by Grattan Woodson, MD on behalf of Flutrackers.com

Can vitamin D supplementation ward off pandemic influenza? Probably not but new data suggest it could help. It is well known that many people are vitamin D deficient and a newly published study suggests that being so could place millions worldwide at higher risk for catching swine flu and for death from this pandemic strain over the coming months.

A mountain of new information has come to light recently that links vitamin D with immune system health. People with low levels of this vitamin suffer from a higher rate of all kinds of infections including pneumonia, tuberculosis and seasonal flu. While the common flu seen each winter affects the very young an elderly most severely, the swine flu pandemic has been mostly deadly to young adults in the prime of life. History shows that this was also the case in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic that killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide. It is not known why pandemic influenza focuses most on young healthy adults but it clearly does with fatal results all too often.

Apparently, many young people who die during influenza pandemics like the current swine flu experience an over reaction within their immune system in response to the vital attack. Scientists refer to this deadly condition as cytokine storm and suspect it occurs do to a loss of normal regulation of the victim?s immune system.

An interesting new study published in the August 2009 issue of Demato-Endocrinology by Drs William B. Grant and Edward Giovannucci found that during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic the lowest rates of mortality in the US were seen in areas of the country with the highest levels of sunshine. These researchers conclude that one of the reasons for their observations might be that people living in these areas of US had higher levels of vitamin D compared to those living further north.

Other studies published over the past decade have linked vitamin D deficiency to immune system dysregulation, a key factor in the development of cytokine storm caused by infection with pandemic influenza. Members of the online Flutrackers community recently participated in an open forum on this topic. They concluded that reversing vitamin D deficiency was a widely available, simple and safe way to help reduce risk from pandemic flu.

A number of scientific and medical articles were discussed on the forum that considered many aspects of this issue. The participating FT members concluded that vitamin D deficiency was widespread, is easy, inexpensive and safe to correct by the use of supplements or by simply taking a regular 15-minute sunbath. While not a panacea, the consensus of our members was that everyone should consider have their vitamin D level checked, discuss this issue with their health care provider and begin a vitamin D supplement if needed.

[the doctor]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Gratten

One page is great to inform people who needs information with a link to FT for more detailed discussion surely is great, but Twitter can spread the word very very easily... I can translate (the one page and the twitter alert) to Portuguese and spread to my net...

Very cool.

GW

[somebodyoutthere]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

I'm confused; is the measurement that a lab gives you on the Vitamin D test usually in ng/L or nmol/L? (I don't know what the abbreviations mean).

I didn't look carefully at the units--I just looked at the number and assumed that it was the same unit measurement that I was reading on websites. Mine was somewhere around 30 of whatever that measurement was.

[the doctor]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation

Could you let us know where you get the information re: latitude? I find that really depressing, I live 38 degrees latitude, in an area of northern California that gets really hot (110 degrees plus) and sunny in the summer, and is sometimes sunny through November. yes, i know this dosen't = UV exposure, but I'm surprised the skin doesn't convert it at ALL. . .

I was also wondering- what if you only have your face/neck and arms exposed, how to determine how much exposure is needed?

Do you know if the vitaminDCure calculator shows that during the winter months?

I'd be curious to know if you can get exposure through pantyhose, as well

DA, if you can get a sunburn, then you can get all the vit D you need. I think 35 degrees might be a little low myself but who am I to argue with Dr, Hollic, the guy is one of my heroes.

Take those darn pantyhose off! Weren't they invented to enslave women or at the least make their lives frustrating and miserable?

Seriously though, you probably get a lot of sun through pantyhose but if that is the only exposed skin, then it may take a little longer to get the MED.

GW

[the doctor]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Gratten

#12: "The pandemic is here and now, cancer is somewhere in the future."


Ehm, with all the respect to the initiative, I must object the above.

Cancer is everywhere, and overwhelming now, and in the future.

If we could trespass eventual future cancer inducing evidence by augmented drug usage of this vitamin, than we could freely take the squalene based (already accepted by EU regs) adjuvanted vaccines, and even the cell technology fast produced vaccines, or other something inducing flu atenuating compounds.

I know that vaccines are not ready, and that we need a cheap worldwide solution, but if taking vit. D augmented supplements is not a peace of cake, than, maybe ...

Of course you are right T, but if we bring cancer into it I fear that the message will be dismissed as too good to be true. While I believe the cancer part too, it also distracts from the influenza message. Sure, cancer is epidemic and something needs to be done about but we are members of FT not CT. Our credibility is related to influenza and this is where we can make a difference now at this critical time in history. The cancer forums and there are many are sure to pick this story up if they have not already. Lets let them take the lead on that as they are the ones with the credentials to sphere head that aspect of the vitamin D story.

The cancer data will be available within the extended comments and references but, IMO should not be included within the one page lead for the reasons mentioned.

Also, let me remind everyone that the use of the FT trademark has not been given to this initiative and will not be until our mods and editors have taken a look at what the members produce as a final product. For this reason, it is very important that no one jump the gun. If you want to share the information with someone, fine but please don't include any reference to FT until the final document is approved by our PTB.
Thanks,

GW

[The Mountains Voice]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Gratten

I am no artist, but possibly an artist could put something like this together that would be useful in either email mailings or simply tacked on bulletin boards.

I LOVE IT! Would make a great banner ad! Those darn things are expensive though. I know - I'm in marketing. I almost always pass on expending money for Banner Advertising, because it is very ineffective - but this WOULD work given the special circumstance we are about to face - which is a world that is getting ready to be very painfully focused on the Flu - whether they like it or not. I'm thinking we'd use www.Flutrackers.com for the web adress visual, but make the hyperlink a subthread? Maybe have a prominent link at top of page? A mini banner of the image??

In regards to the cancer statements earlier (made in separate posts)- I think a single bullet line mentioning cancer fighting properties is appropriate. Also other health benefits. Anyone have a link to a number/percentage rate study I can reference?

I need to sit down and read the entire threads again (ugh) and make notes.

[the doctor]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

Hi,

Just to show how complicated dosage can be I will share some personal info I just got.

The phone rang and it was my doctor with my serum vitamin D level that we tested 2.5 weeks ago.

My serum blood vitamin D was 76 nmol/L. Somebody calculated on another thread the baseline of 40ng/L was in the vincinity of 99 nmol/L. I am below the minimum threshold.

Do I have any health issues other than being overweight? No. Blood pressures fine, sugar is fine, no chronic disease of any kind. I am simply overweight. I am about 90 pounds overweight.

Now keep in mind that I had supplemented with oral vitamin D 3,000 iu all winter, and I was deliberately seeking sun exposure prior to test (bathing suit at noon). Two weeks prior to the blood test I had increased my daily vitamin D to 9,000 units a day based on Dr. Dowd's book.

I still have not cracked the minimum threshold for healthy serum vitamin D.

I have modified my diet and now realize how important proper body mass index is to the body self regulating, but I am sure many people in the same boat as me have no idea that simply their body fat is having tremendous impact on their serum vitamin D, and what the implications are for D deficiency.

I imagine that very few doctors test serum vitamin D as a matter of routine. I mean routine like twice a year (mid summer/mid winter).

Dosage can be very complex.

Tom

Tom, I calculate your 25 OH vit D level as 30.4 ng/ml.

This is within the insufficient range according to the levels established in our document but not bad compared to most folks.

Assuming this value is correct and I would suggest you have it rechecked given the fact that measuring vitamin D levels is difficult and can vary by at least 20% +/-.

It is also important to inquire what test was used to check your vitamin D level. Some tests are better than others.

As pointed out, those of us with high levels of body fat may not be able to use the vitamin D they have stored. Whatever the case if the recheck using the best lab method available confirms the first result, then clearly you need more vitamin D.

Each of us are individuals and all individuals have their own way of responding to drugs and hormones including vitamin D. Given your results and assuming that they are correct, the obvious response is that you need to increase your current dose substantially to reach the immune health threshold of 50ng/ml.

Everyone is different and this is a fact you can take to the bank. Keep this in mind and adjust your approach to this issue and you will get the greatest benefits from it.

GW

[the doctor]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

I'm confused; is the measurement that a lab gives you on the Vitamin D test usually in ng/L or nmol/L? (I don't know what the abbreviations mean).

I didn't look carefully at the units--I just looked at the number and assumed that it was the same unit measurement that I was reading on websites. Mine was somewhere around 30 of whatever that measurement was.

There is a big difference between the two. In general within the US we use ng/ml but elsewhere in the world they use international units or in this case nmol/L.

To convert nmol/L to ng/ml simply multiply the value by 0.4

To convert ng/ml to nmol/L simply multiply the value by 2.5

Units do matter! So be sure you pay attention to the units following your test results or you will not be able to interpret them properly especially if you are relying on the table provided in our vitamin D document.

GW

[the doctor]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

Hi,

I am curious... Now that I am burning stored fat if the D stored in the fat is hitting the serum or being destroyed.

I know that the liver regulares this, but I do not know if there is research into burning fat and effect on serum D.

Being fat myself and knowing what we now do about D and autoimmune... Come on all you people blocking your serum D, knock down those road blocks! Not an easy road, but a good road. (smile)

Tom

While I don't know, I would guess that if an overweight person entered ketosis, meaning that they were breaking down fat for energy because their intake of calories had been reduced below requirements, that some of the vitamin D trapped in the adipose tissue would be released into the blood.

With regard to this possibility, it is of note that overweight people who reduce their calorie intake sufficiently to enter ketosis often report improvement in their symptoms from arthritis and other sources of chronic pain.

The reason for this, as far as I know is not known but given what we have learned about vitamin D over the last few weeks, could this observation be due to the release of vitamin D trapped in fat?

Interesting.

GW

[Desolation_anonymous]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

Hi,

Just to show how complicated dosage can be I will share some personal info I just got.

The phone rang and it was my doctor with my serum vitamin D level that we tested 2.5 weeks ago.

My serum blood vitamin D was 76 nmol/L. Somebody calculated on another thread the baseline of 40ng/L was in the vincinity of 99 nmol/L. I am below the minimum threshold.

Do I have any health issues other than being overweight? No. Blood pressures fine, sugar is fine, no chronic disease of any kind. I am simply overweight. I am about 90 pounds overweight.

Now keep in mind that I had supplemented with oral vitamin D 3,000 iu all winter, and I was deliberately seeking sun exposure prior to test (bathing suit at noon). Two weeks prior to the blood test I had increased my daily vitamin D to 9,000 units a day based on Dr. Dowd's book.

I still have not cracked the minimum threshold for healthy serum vitamin D.

I have modified my diet and now realize how important proper body mass index is to the body self regulating, but I am sure many people in the same boat as me have no idea that simply their body fat is having tremendous impact on their serum vitamin D, and what the implications are for D deficiency.

I imagine that very few doctors test serum vitamin D as a matter of routine. I mean routine like twice a year (mid summer/mid winter).

Dosage can be very complex.

Tom

Holy cow, thanks! And thanks for all your other info, too! Now, if only I can get my doctor to test... doubtful (Kaiser). I guess 45 minutes afternoon walk 5x week and 2000 vit D a day might not be enough... :0

[Desolation_anonymous]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation

DA, if you can get a sunburn, then you can get all the vit D you need. I think 35 degrees might be a little low myself but who am I to argue with Dr, Hollic, the guy is one of my heroes.

Take those darn pantyhose off! Weren't they invented to enslave women or at the least make their lives frustrating and miserable?

Seriously though, you probably get a lot of sun through pantyhose but if that is the only exposed skin, then it may take a little longer to get the MED.

GW

ROFL. Thanks

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Gratten

............ I am working on the one page summary but plan to focus it primarily on relationship between vit D and flu since I think this is what is needed most now. The pandemic is here and now, cancer is somewhere in the future.

GW

The first few words or sentence will either grab someone's interest or loose them.

The one fact that resonated with me was learning the Vitamin D levels of the surfer and lifeguard - people who are outside as much as our ancestors. I'm pitching my family & friends about Vitamin D by comparing the normal levels of our working-outdoors ancestors (using the surfer/lifeguard numbers) with the meager levels today. I think it's easy for people to grasp the concept that modern lifestyles are unhealthy. Trying to peddle another pill sounds like pitching the latest gimmick. After they're onboard with the concept that we're not naturally getting the levels our bodies were intended to have, then I can fill in with detailed numbers.

My point being.....if we can include a comparison to our historically-outdoors life in just a few words, I think it would result in better acceptance of the whole idea that we need to increase Vitamin D levels.

.

[tropical]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

#41/42: ...
"Dermatologists have been equally culpable in creating a photophobic population, not advising "healthy" exposure to sun, but "no" exposure to sun. Another group to make the lawyers and media drool."


The artificial rays machines seems as cofins.
Better no raying than artificial rays, personaly.

But the natural sun exposure was also tampered by human ruinings of ozone layer, and poluting the atmosphere.

What was an natural, healthy habbit, 60 years ago, and previously, was ireversible nuked and ruined by polution.
And now we act as guinea organisms, and the various studies outcomes about cause-effect, are drifted by such overwhelming, mingling, artificial inserted, con-causes.

So, because of the above, the dermatologists were right, not the oposite (in some Aussi regions heavy gear clothes is needed for beach sun protection).
The sun exposure outside of the low levels time schedule (and below the ozone holes even than), is dangerous, no matter the real body need for vitamin D.

Instead less or whole day sun raying, maybe to switch onto fish vitamin sources ... (?)

[tropical]

Re: Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

Hi,

The ozone layer is fine. Honest.

Problems such as manmade global warming and manmade ozone layer destrustion are simply money makers for schlock researchers.

Yes climate varies it is natural. Yes ozone varies it is natural.

However, somebody learned how to cash in on those natural changes.

Tom

Well Tom, here we disagree.

Maybe an throughout literature read on the efects of the thousends of air, and non, nuclear blasts after the 1945, rockets, shuttles, plains, car exhausted gases, power and chemical plants, ..., will change your point of view ...