Vitamin D

[Guest guest]

Hi Guys: I'm reading " What Really Causes MS " by Harold and

came across 2 interesting things about Vit. D. Thought I'd pass it

along:

1. In one study, when they tested Vit D levels in newly diagnosed MS

patients vs control group, there was NO difference in levels when

test was done in winter. But when test was done June thru Sept., MS

patients had significantly lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D

concentrations. The implication is that a)either MS patients had been

avoiding the sun in the summer or there is an IMPAIRED ABILITY to

produce 25-hydroxyvitamin D. It is unclear which.

I'D BE INTERESTED TO KNOW FROM THOSE OF YOU WHO RELY SOLELY ON THE

SUN (I.E. DO NOT TAKE VIT.D SUPPLEMENT) WHETHER YOU'VE HAD LEVELS

CHECKED.

2. Researchers pooled data from 180,000 women. They found intake of

vit D from supplements was inversely associated with MS risk.

(Relative risk of .59 compared to those who did not take vit D). THE

INTERESTING THING, THOUGH, WAS THAT THE RESEARCHERS FOUND NO SUCH

ASSOCIATION BETWEEN VITAMIN D OBTAINED FROM FOOD AND MS.

Maybe we have trouble utilizing vit D from the sun AND from food?????

Thought it was interesting.

Beverly

[Guest guest]

Dear Gang,

Another interestinf fact about Vitamin D. If you are deficient, your

body can't absorb calcium. Calcium helps muscles to contract

normally. A deficiency can cause muscle spasms and cramps.

http://www.ext.vt.edu/pubs/nutrition/348-071/348-071.html

Also, High Calcium And Vitamin D Intakes Associated WIth Higher Risk

Of Cognitive Impairment In Elderly

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/05/070501115230.htm

Sigh...once again, w3e are required to know the proper balance of

things.....Lydia

>

> Hi Guys: I'm reading " What Really Causes MS " by Harold and

> came across 2 interesting things about Vit. D. Thought I'd pass it

> along:

>

[Guest guest]

It is interesting. Funny, I've been doing a lot more reading since I

was diagnosed.

My doc is the director at the Evergreen MS Center in Lynnwood. I gave

him a list of the vitamins I take. What he said about vitamin D is that

they don't yet know if vitamin D levels affect MS or the other way

around.

[Guest guest]

My Vitamin D levels consistently have tested low since my MS diagnosis.

My own belief is that MS causes Vitamin D to be low rather than low

Vitamin D being a cause of MS. I live in Florida and get lots of sun

all year round. Also, my skin really started aging once I started

getting 30 minutes of sun every day. My skin looks scaly and old,

especially on the legs and arms and I'm getting these weird white spots

on my arms and legs as well. Yuck. And my D levels are still low. Ugh

but LOL.

>

> Hi Guys: I'm reading " What Really Causes MS " by Harold and

> came across 2 interesting things about Vit. D. Thought I'd pass it

> along:

>

[Guest guest]

--but see, that's exactly what the study might be saying. That

no matter how much sun we get, we cannot utilize the D from the sun,

and our levels would be low.

And there is another study that indicates the amount of sun a

pregnant woman gets may indicate degree of risk for MS in offspring.

Babies born in May have greater risk (mother was pregnant during

winter months) and babies born in November have lower risk (mother

was pregnant during summer). So that would indicate D deficiency is

cause rather than effect of MS.

(Of course, being as how I defy all statistics in every area, my

birthday is November 10. hmmmmm.)

So, do you take a Vit D supplement? Maybe you should instead of

getting all that skin damage!!! We don't want to have MS AND be ugly.

(just a joke!!!)

By the way, were you born and raised in Florida?

Beverly

>

> My Vitamin D levels consistently have tested low since my MS

diagnosis.

> My own belief is that MS causes Vitamin D to be low rather than low

> Vitamin D being a cause of MS. I live in Florida and get lots of

sun

> all year round. Also, my skin really started aging once I started

> getting 30 minutes of sun every day. My skin looks scaly and old,

> especially on the legs and arms and I'm getting these weird white

spots on my arms and legs as well. Yuck. And my D levels are still

low. Ugh but LOL.

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was born in May-- never thought I would dislike being born in May ��

Montel was born in May also.

[Guest guest]

Hi Beverly,

I was born and raised in NY/NJ. I was a sun worshiper though during

the summers and we always visited my grandma in Florida during the

winter at least a couple of times. I moved to Florida 6 years ago,

and I became symptomatic of MS 2 years ago.

I try to take cod liver oil (Carlson's) but as noted previously I

always burp it up, and I wonder about it being rancid. Additionally

it has listed " natural lemon flavor " listed in the " other

ingredients " section. From what I have read, " flavor " is a cover up

term for MSG. Otherwise, it would just say " lemon. " I haven't found

any cod liver oil from other brands (Nordic Naturals, etc) that don't

also have the " lemon flavor. " So I have mixed feelings about the cod

liver oil and take it only occasionally. I do take Cal/Mag to help

with the D absorption.

Regards,

>

> --but see, that's exactly what the study might be saying.

That

> no matter how much sun we get, we cannot utilize the D from the

sun,

> and our levels would be low.

>