The Great Vitamin D Experiment

[toopoles]

What is SAD. I thought it meant "Standard American diet", but I do believe it is being used for something entirely different here.

SAD is Seasonal Affective Disorder. It is a Disorder involving moods that is seasonal. It happens especially in the winter, when people are unable to get enough light to feel better. Vitamin D is made by the UVB 2 rays from sunlight and it is generally believed that lacking this is what can cause SAD Disorder. Marty

[toopoles]

Hi everyone,

I didn't know if people on this thread knew that Mary Enig and Sally Fallon have a book out called Eat Fat, Lose Fat (2005). I was researching Vitamin A and D (I also struggle with SAD) and have been taking cod liver oil. I was worried about overdose. I ran across this statement on page 100 of the book.

"An optimal dose of cod liver oil provides 10,000 IU of vitamin A per day for an adult <snip about children> Those recovering from illness accidents or surgery should take 20,000 IU a day. Miraculous cures from various conditions, especially cancer and hormonal imbalances leading to menstrual and fertility problems, have been reported by people taking even larger doses for several weeks or months. High vitamin cod liver oil is perfect for weight loss, since it provides the maximum amount of A & D for the minumin number of calories."

In another place in the book it talks about someone who was on 80,000 for a fairly extended period.

Edited: They actually recommend 10.000-12,000 as a maintenance dose for vit a.

I can't afford the book, so I am trying to read through it at Barnes and Noble, but thought that this might be pertinent to this thread as I remember reading that some are on the cod liver oil and there was some talk previously about overdosing on Vit A.

Have a great week everyone, Marty

[AuntBillie]

Thanks Toopoles. I had never heard of that, but it sure sounds like something I need to read more about.
God bless
Aunt Billie

[Zuleikaa]

Toopoles
Thanks for another reference. As long as A is taken with D (as in cod liver oil), the D seems to ameliorate any adverse impact with the A that comes when A is taken alone.

Again, as with vitamin D, adverse impacts re overdose of A seems to be with the man-made, not natural, version.

And "they" said the body couldn't tell the difference, lol!!!

[Zuleikaa]

D Report
I'm presently taking 3600-4200 IU D. The tide has now turned on daylight and we will start acquiring more as time goes on. After days when the amount of light remained the same, we have now gained two minutes. What a blessing, lol!!

Yesterday I got 3600 and noticed after my third dose of 1200 IU and after I ate I started to "need" something else. Something carb/fat. That's funny because I've been on my modified FFP this week and some days I've had trouble sticking to plan and some days I haven't. It's even stranger because before the third D dose I couldn't have been less interested in food and stuck to plan even though I had given myself permission to relax 1-2 days on the weekend.

So I think I'll decrease my dose by 400 IU and see if the "nibbly" feeling in the evening subsides. If my mood seems to need more D but my appetite doesn't, I'll try some L-glutamine to offset D effects.

Perhaps with the extra minutes of daylight, 3200 is my new dose plateau for now.

[Zuleikaa]

How's everyone doing?

I'm at 3200 IU and doing fine!!!

And guess what?!!!

I'm losing weight!!!

And it's January!!!!

Vitamin D rocks!!!

[quietone]

I am maintaining at about 1500 and using my light.

but this year those two things are actually working at keeping me straight. I feel more in control than I ever have at this time of year; even when I was using anti-d's.

And I am maintaining a slow, steady weight loss too. Even if I cheat a little!

[KittenLady]

Hi all,
I've been struggling with a long-lasting migraine which increased D didn't cure. I went up to 2400 IU and turned into a raving b%#&~. However, I haven't ended up in bed with it, so it's not as severe as in the past. :wiggle: My migraine incidence is still half of what it was the past 4 years at this time of year, so I can say that D3 is definitely helping.

I think this migraine started as a virus -- I had a mild "cold," and then a headache started last Wednesday. It settled in really good by the weekend, and now it's constant. I need those special injections. I had to reschedule because I couldn't drive -- that's the definition of "irony." :daze:

Actually, it just occurred to me that I might have a sinus infection (it's been a long time) from the cold. I'll let Doc figure it out. Until then, I'll try not to get into too much trouble on eBay! :lol:

[tokenyanke]

I'm doing fine at 1200. Still haven't gotten back to losing the rest of this weight.. probably partly because it's winter and my body is fighting it! TOM started yesterday... and no irritable feelings like I sometimes get when it starts... It seems like it's actually TOO light, too! lol... But I am not complaining. So, I'd say the D is working good for me. I still get really tired and worn out, though.

[quietone]

with my SAD, I ususally just cry a lot and feel poopy all the time...but every now and again, like right now, for reasons I don't get I get really, really crabby.

I don't know if I should up my D or do something else. When i used my light yesterday, it just made me not able to sleep because it was too late, it didn't help my mood.

It's very strange that my blood pressure has gone off the scale at the same time. I think this is connected to the crabbiness.

Anyone else out there that gets crabby with their SAD having a problem, or either not having their usual problem with D?

Thanks.

[tokenyanke]

The only time I seem to get crabby is when I try to increase my D intake. I can feel depressed sometimes at my normal level, but when I try to gradually increase it, within just a couple of days, I'm horribly irritable! It usually coincides with TOM somehow, too... This TOM, I kept my D level and did just fine except for a little bit of a low 2 nights ago, but that had something to do with being reminded of my late DH so I chalk that up to grieving.

I don't think I have a problem with SAD, so I can't say what you should do. You may need to increase the D a little and see if that helps or makes it worse.

I hope you're feeling better today.

[quietone]

Thanks.

I guess I should try it at least. Usually upping itmakes me irritable, but maybe now I need it.

I feel better today, but I am also controlling my BP now.

[tokenyanke]

I have always had a "normal low" BP... Guess that keeps me from using that as an excuse for my own crabbiness! lol... I hope yours gets under control and you feel better.

[quietone]

Strangely enough, or not, the morning crabbiness is very definitely related to the fluid retention. Taking the diuretic has put me back to the way I used to be in the mornings (mood-wise).

So, the connection is there, no doubt of all the symptoms together, just got to wait to get test results bakc and hopefully be able to figure out what that connection is...

[Zuleikaa]

I hope you find the answer. We are all searching.

[quietone]

Thanks.

I am actually excited to see my test results because I wonder if this is any way connected to my fibro symptoms and my worsening SAD symptoms over the last few years. I can't help but think this is all intertwined.

[Zuleikaa]

I think it is. Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in Fibro as well. Every time someone mentions a disease/illness I do a search with a vitamin D link. Vitamin D is really a super hormone that tells your body how to work. Not enough D, your bodyd mechanics start going haywire and deteriorating.

[Zuleikaa]

Everyone should be decreasing the D now. You can keep the cal/mag, BCAA, GTF chromium at the same dosages though.

[KittenLady]

Except for the sinus infection, I'm doing all right. :thup: D3 is back down now to 1600 IU for both DH and I. It really helped both of us.

Today is my first dose of OoO. So far, no problem.

[tokenyanke]

I've actually managed to up mine to 1600 IUs the past few days. TOM hit after only 14 days... It had been 26 days like clockwork, but the stress at work seems to have my Endo acting up... So, I started taking another 400 IUs during the day. Had a headache the first couple of days and then it leveled off. Once TOM is over, I'll probably back it back to 1200 IUs, though. Hopefully the work stress will drop back down, too!

[quietone]

Feb. here is still cold, dank and nasty most days, although they are saying 70 for tomorrow!! That's unusual. But I work in an office anyway so I won't be out in it unless I go out at lunch.

And Feb. is usually the worse month of all. I will wait until mid-March to start decreasing mine. I notice a significant change from mid-March to mid-April.

[Zuleikaa]

Feb. here is still cold, dank and nasty most days, although they are saying 70 for tomorrow!! That's unusual. But I work in an office anyway so I won't be out in it unless I go out at lunch.

And Feb. is usually the worse month of all. I will wait until mid-March to start decreasing mine. I notice a significant change from mid-March to mid-April.

I don't blame you!!! I remember February in Boston!!! February was always the worst of winter!!!

As always, you have to listen to your body!!!

[freeman]

Hi Zule
I am a new member after being directed to this thread and reading through.
I became aware of Vit D deficiency and felt it may have contributed to the CFS/Fibro diagnosis and the fact that the fibro pain has kept me housebound for over 3 years, without sunlight - made sense, sternum pain etc. Building huge obesity problems which no diet has corrected....

Started D3 replacement 3 weeks ago ~500 per day building now to 1000 per day in the hope of relieving pain and allowing me to at least get some walking accomplished.

Now: problem I noticed that I had put on even more weight and incredible appetite which was similar to when I had taken steroids...........nightmare time....

I read your two page handout re: the obesity link and would ask how to overcome this. ????????????

I was not aware of the BCAA supps, although have been taking calium and mag.

Any advice and guidence would be appreciated.
PS: I am also hypothyroid due to RAI 131 and insulin resistent (now I know why !!!)

jenny

[Zuleikaa]

Hi Zule
I am a new member after being directed to this thread and reading through.
I became aware of Vit D deficiency and felt it may have contributed to the CFS/Fibro diagnosis and the fact that the fibro pain has kept me housebound for over 3 years, without sunlight - made sense, sternum pain etc. Building huge obesity problems which no diet has corrected....

Started D3 replacement 3 weeks ago ~500 per day building now to 1000 per day in the hope of relieving pain and allowing me to at least get some walking accomplished.

Now: problem I noticed that I had put on even more weight and incredible appetite which was similar to when I had taken steroids...........nightmare time....

I read your two page handout re: the obesity link and would ask how to overcome this. ????????????

I was not aware of the BCAA supps, although have been taking calium and mag.

Any advice and guidence would be appreciated.
PS: I am also hypothyroid due to RAI 131 and insulin resistent (now I know why !!!)

jennyYou need to post to this current thread now
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?p=6513955#post6513955

1,000 IUs isn't enough to do you any good, you need a lot more than that. The increased appetite and weight gain might just be from winter...it happens.

[Dodger]

More good news about vitamin D here (http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-061219vitamin-d,1,526874.story?coll=chi-news-hed).

Those with the highest vitamin D levels were 62% less likely to get MS than those with the lowest levels.