Vitamin D doses

Summary

This video discusses the inadequacy of current Vitamin D recommendations, comparing them to natural production levels from sun exposure, which can reach 25,000 IU per day. The speaker highlights a study showing that daily doses of 5,000 to 50,000 IU are safe and effective in treating conditions like tuberculosis, psoriasis, and depression. Despite evidence supporting higher dosages, the speaker criticizes outdated guidelines, corporate interests, and the lack of action from health authorities. The video calls for a review and update of Vitamin D recommendations to improve public health based on the latest scientific findings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Vitamin D deficiency is linked to a range of health issues, including heart disease, autoimmune disorders, and various cancers.
• 😀 Current UK government recommendations suggest a daily intake of 400 IU of vitamin D, which may be far too low for optimal health.
• 😀 The research shows that people can safely take much higher doses of vitamin D, ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 IU daily, without adverse effects.
• 😀 In natural sunlight, the body can produce up to 25,000 IU of vitamin D per day, far more than the current recommended amounts.
• 😀 High-dose vitamin D supplementation has been shown to improve conditions like psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, and depression in some patients.
• 😀 Despite the benefits, many authorities continue to recommend low doses of vitamin D, potentially due to outdated guidelines or corporate interests.
• 😀 Historical fears of vitamin D toxicity, due to excessive doses in the 1920s and 30s, have led to overly cautious recommendations that are not supported by modern research.
• 😀 The research conducted on psychiatric patients in Ohio showed no cases of hypercalcemia (high calcium levels), even with high doses of vitamin D.
• 😀 The average vitamin D levels in patients taking higher doses (5,000-50,000 IU) were significantly higher than those not taking supplements, showing the benefits of supplementation.
• 😀 Current health policies may not be fully evidence-based, and there is a strong case for updating vitamin D intake recommendations globally to reflect new research.
• 😀 It's important for individuals to consult their doctors to determine the appropriate dose of vitamin D for their personal health needs, especially considering factors like sun exposure and geographical location.

Q & A

What does the study suggest about the current recommended doses of Vitamin D?

The study suggests that the current recommended doses of Vitamin D, such as the UK's 400 units per day, are likely too small compared to the natural production of 25,000 units per day that occurs with sun exposure.

Why does the speaker believe Vitamin D supplementation is not widely promoted despite its benefits?

The speaker suggests that large pharmaceutical companies cannot make significant profits from Vitamin D because it is not patented, which might contribute to a lack of widespread promotion despite its proven health benefits.

How does the historical context of Vitamin D use affect current recommendations?

The historical context shows that in the early 20th century, very high doses of Vitamin D were used to treat conditions like tuberculosis and psoriasis. This led to concerns over toxicity, causing a significant reduction in recommended doses, which the speaker believes may now be outdated.

What types of diseases are linked to Vitamin D deficiency?

Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to a wide range of diseases, including immunity disorders, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, autoimmune diseases, and several types of cancer such as colon, prostate, and breast cancer.

What did the study reveal about the safety of high Vitamin D doses?

The study found that high doses of Vitamin D, ranging from 5,000 to 50,000 units per day, were safe and well-tolerated by patients, with no adverse effects like hypercalcemia (high blood calcium levels) observed.

How does Vitamin D affect mental health according to the speaker?

The speaker mentions that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with depression, including seasonal affective disorder, and that supplementation can benefit psychiatric patients as well as the general population.

What was the average Vitamin D level in patients receiving supplementation?

The average Vitamin D level in patients who received supplementation was 118.9 nanograms per milliliter, significantly higher than the 27.1 nanograms per milliliter in patients who did not take Vitamin D.

How did Vitamin D supplementation impact calcium levels in the body?

The study showed that despite high Vitamin D doses, calcium levels remained within the normal range for most patients, with the average calcium level being 9.6 mg/dL, which is within the accepted range of 8.5 to 10.5 mg/dL.

What does the speaker believe about the current health authorities' stance on Vitamin D?

The speaker believes that health authorities around the world, including the UK's Health Security Agency, need to update their Vitamin D recommendations based on current evidence, which supports higher daily doses for better health outcomes.

What personal dosage of Vitamin D is the speaker taking?

The speaker personally takes 8,000 units of Vitamin D per day along with 200 micrograms of Vitamin K2.