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Vitamin D and Colitis

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Mrsmith687
New Member
Joined : Jan 2019
Posts : 19
Posted 9/30/2019 1:26 PM (GMT -7)
Quick story;

Recently had a set of blood tests prior to starting vedolizumab (haven't started yet). Overall very depressing, but one thing the tests showed was that I have very low vitamin D levels - a measly 19 nmol/L. Anything below 25 nmol/L is formally classified as deficient, while ideal levels should be around 120 nmol/L.

about 3-4 days ago I started aggressively supplementing with vitamin D - 100 micrograms per day (corresponding to 4000 IU). I'm planning on staying at this dose for 3 months, then maintain my levels with 50 micrograms per day.

I have to say, my symptoms have already improved dramatically. Bleeding has virtually stopped, BM's are more formed, diarrhea has stopped, less urgency etc.

I'm in a bit of disbelief - none of the mainstream drugs have worked for me, and I've had near constant symptoms for almost three years. To think that if, after all this time, all I needed was more vitamin D...

Has anyone else had similar experiences?
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UCinGV
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 499
Posted 9/30/2019 1:34 PM (GMT -7)
I take a daily Vitamin D supplement, and I've been doing well lately, though it never struck me as making a strong difference.

There have been studies showing that ulcerative colitis is more prevalent among people living further north away from the equator, which some scientists think means that vitamin D levels may play a role in UC.
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IamCurious
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 3550
Posted 9/30/2019 2:42 PM (GMT -7)
You will find dozens of threads discussing vitamin D if you use the search feature for threads on this forum. Below is a small sample.

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=3621591

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=17&m=3430280

BTW don't just arbitrarily take a specific dose of vitamin D without testing your blood levels at least a couple of times within the next year or so to get a baseline level for your personal body chemistry. For example I need to take 5,000 IU of vitamin D every day to maintain blood levels within 50-60 ng/ml (125-160 nmol/l).

See what your blood levels are before deciding how much vitamin D to take. Over 100 ng/ml or 250 nmol/l is on the verge of overdosing.

The Vitamin D Council recommends maintaining serum levels of 50 ng/ml (equivalent to 125 nmol/L*), with the following reference ranges:
1. Deficient: 0-40 ng/ml (0-100 nmol/l)
2. Sufficient: 40-80 ng/ml (100-200 nmol/l)
3. High Normal: 80-100 ng/ml (200-250 nmol/l)
4. Undesirable: > 100 ng/ml (> 250 nmol/l)
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MarkWithIBD
Regular Member
Joined : Jun 2018
Posts : 442
Posted 9/30/2019 5:31 PM (GMT -7)
For me it was the opposite. Taking high doses of vitamin D3 made me better in the short term and then my health got worse. I did a lot of research on this and it turns out that synthetic D3 acts as an immune suppressant (secosteroid-D) if the body lacks the cofactors like magnesium, retinol (active vitamin A), and bioavailable copper to convert it to active forms. Without the conversion, the storage form builds to eventual toxic levels.

They're also finding now in the huge meta-studies that it doesn't seem to improve bone density. The only people who seem to benefit from D3 supplements are those who have poor genetic status for converting the various forms of D3. In those people, D supplementation is essential. They are about 10-15% of the population. I believe the genetic mutation is VDRtaq.

Once I stopped taking vitamin D and got all my D through natural sunlight during the warmer seasons, my health got better. It turns out that if you expose yourself regularly to Sun in the summer, the body can store enough D for the dark season. Alternatively, you can take cod liver oil which has low and natural levels of natural D that we are meant to take, less than 100ug per day. For myself, I avoid CLO because it's very high in PUFA which is not good for IBD.
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IamCurious
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Joined : Jan 2010
Posts : 3550
Posted 9/30/2019 6:16 PM (GMT -7)
I did a lot of research on this and it turns out that synthetic D3 acts as an immune suppressant

Actually it's vitamin D2 that is the synthetic form, D3 is natural.
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Hambo88
Regular Member
Joined : Feb 2018
Posts : 115
Posted 10/2/2019 12:19 PM (GMT -7)
Are u still ok?when did u start taking the d vitamin?
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HJQuinn
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2018
Posts : 101
Posted 10/5/2019 10:12 AM (GMT -7)
I have had similar experiences, not specifically with Vitamin D, but the idea is when we get sick it's likely because of a deficiency in vitamins, minerals etc. If we can figure out what the deficiency is we may greatly improve. I increased my fiber which helped increase my butyrate, I added cabbage and other foods that are also natural TNF-blockers. I have found it to be just as effective as the meds without side effects. I've been in remission for over a year now with no meds. To be fair, I also use a natural anti-inflammatory as needed called Qing Dai but I hear Cloves do the same thing! Cloves are great because whatever the problem may be cloves have got it covered, they are anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and help heal the mucosa layer etc.

I did terrible on the meds too. I lost three years of my life to them as well. Glad to hear you are doing better!
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Scarecrow
Regular Member
Joined : Aug 2010
Posts : 306
Posted 10/6/2019 4:05 AM (GMT -7)
I found this a while back at WebMD. Southerners May Be Less Likely To Have Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis

https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/news/20111031/southerners-may-be-less-likely-to-have-crohns#1
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HJQuinn
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2018
Posts : 101
Posted 10/6/2019 11:14 AM (GMT -7)

Scarecrow said...
I found this a while back at WebMD. Southerners May Be Less Likely To Have Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis

https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/news/20111031/southerners-may-be-less-likely-to-have-crohns#1

That's true for psoriasis too! Interesting!

High Five Scarecrow!! I hope I never have to go on meds again! Chinese Herbs all the way! I also get mine from CCHerbal thanks to this forum! xoxo
Take Care!
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ewafromwarsaw
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 1407
Posted 10/6/2019 12:37 PM (GMT -7)
HJQuinn - what 'cloves' do you mean?
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HJQuinn
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2018
Posts : 101
Posted 10/6/2019 3:10 PM (GMT -7)

ewafromwarsaw said...
HJQuinn - what 'cloves' do you mean?


Oregon's Wild Harvest organic cloves. They are capsules. They have a ton of other benefits as well. The spice....but this particular brand of organic cloves is the best, it contains eugenol. I don't know if I'm allowed to include a link but I believe they are available in Whole Foods and on Amazon etc.
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ewafromwarsaw
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 1407
Posted 10/12/2019 11:00 AM (GMT -7)
thanks HJQuinn smile
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HJQuinn
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2018
Posts : 101
Posted 10/17/2019 12:18 PM (GMT -7)
I just want to add that I checked my blood tests from the past and I was actually low in Vitamin D when I was sick. After I got better it was back to normal levels. I researched it a little and Calcium cannot work without Vitamin D. Calcium plays a vital role in regulating the immune system by communicating with T Cells. And stress depletes calcium! Interesting! I suggest we all move to a tropical location permanently. :o)

Post Edited (HJQuinn) : 10/17/2019 1:32:40 PM (GMT-6)

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Sara14
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 6235
Posted 10/18/2019 11:41 AM (GMT -7)
Lol HJ. I've had my Vitamin D levels checked in the past and they were normal. I don't supplement, other than a multi-vitamin once a week or so.
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HJQuinn
Regular Member
Joined : Jan 2018
Posts : 101
Posted 10/22/2019 8:16 AM (GMT -7)

Sara14 said...
Lol HJ. I've had my Vitamin D levels checked in the past and they were normal. I don't supplement, other than a multi-vitam5in once a week or so.

I dont supplement with D either. We must be getting it from the sun. Thats good. 😊
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ewafromwarsaw
Veteran Member
Joined : Jun 2013
Posts : 1407
Posted 10/22/2019 4:22 PM (GMT -7)
Champignons and egg yolks contain quite a lot of Vitamin D. I often prepare egg - champignons 'kotlety', it's very simple and delicious both warm and cold. You need:
5 hard boiled eggs
1 raw egg
5 champignons
4 tablespoons of breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons of finely cut parsley leaves or dill (optional)
1 onion
1/2 teaspoon of salt
3 tablespoons of oil for frying plus some extra breadcrumbs
Cut the onion finely and fry it on some butter (e.g. ghee). Grate hard-boiled eggs and champignons into a bowl. Add the onion, raw egg, bradcrumbs, salt, parsley (I prefer dill) and mix the paste thoroughly. Leave for 15 minutes. Then form small round 'kotlety' cutlets and toss them in some extra breadcrumbs. Fry them on 3 tablespoons of oil for several minutes on each side until golden. I cooked them today and have already eaten all of them smile
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Old Mike
Veteran Member
Joined : Jan 2007
Posts : 3927
Posted 10/24/2019 5:53 AM (GMT -7)
Vitamin D never helped me, but here is some new info as of today.
Oldmike

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-10-sun-doesnt-skin-uv-exposure.html
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Oligodar
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2017
Posts : 241
Posted 10/25/2019 12:31 AM (GMT -7)
Interesting article. I still take 2000UI of D3 a day even though I do not see any difference.
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16180
Posted 10/25/2019 5:04 AM (GMT -7)
I'd be careful not to take too much Vitamin D a day, as it can be calcium leeching and weaken your bones, I've heard...
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Oligodar
Regular Member
Joined : Jul 2017
Posts : 241
Posted 10/27/2019 11:00 AM (GMT -7)
Yes, you are probably right. I have stopped taking D3 completely and I am waiting what will happens.
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greenuc
Regular Member
Joined : Sep 2011
Posts : 266
Posted 10/27/2019 5:34 PM (GMT -7)
Just make sure you supplement with vitamin k if you are on high dose d.
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supergut
Regular Member
Joined : Oct 2019
Posts : 23
Posted 10/31/2019 6:53 AM (GMT -7)

Scarecrow said...
I found this a while back at WebMD. Southerners May Be Less Likely To Have Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis

https://www.webmd.com/ibd-crohns-disease/crohns-disease/news/20111031/southerners-may-be-less-likely-to-have-crohns#1

Have you used any probiotics like VSL#3 or similar? Do you see any benefits if you take probiotics?
I'm new to chinese herbal medicine but I'll definitely give them a shot. Do you know of any EU webshops that carry them?
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iPoop
Forum Moderator
Joined : Aug 2012
Posts : 16180
Posted 10/31/2019 8:32 AM (GMT -7)
Many of us have tried probiotics, and like everything: works for some, does nothing for some, and makes symptoms a whole lot worse for some. Try and see, carry a healthy skepticism, and expect results within 30-days (keep/discontinue based on your results).

Probiotics gave me insane flatulence, and made my wallet lighter. No positive impact on my UC symptoms. Discontinued.
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UCinGV
Regular Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 499
Posted 10/31/2019 8:37 AM (GMT -7)
If one probiotic doesn't help you I would try a few more before discounting them.

Recent research has found that everyone falls into a number of distinct categories for gut bacteria. I think it's three, and you don't necessarily have the same type as your mother. I would guess from that that different people would benefit from different types of probiotics.
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Sara14
Veteran Member
Joined : Mar 2007
Posts : 6235
Posted 10/31/2019 8:48 AM (GMT -7)
Probiotics never helped me either, and one popular one (Culterelle) made me flare. I never tried VSL#3 because by the time I had a doctor who would prescribe it to me, my insurance no longer covered it and I didn't want to pay the money.
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