The comments below reflect the personal experiences and opinions of readers and do not represent medical advice or the views of this website. The information shared has not been evaluated by the FDA and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or health condition. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for medical concerns.
Pain, Fibromyalgia, Shingles
Posted by Hisjewel (Usa) on 03/29/2018
★★★★★
I learned so much from that Vitamin D book Robert Henry suggested that I read early 2017.
And I gave the D3 a Purposeful second go because of it. However for some reason I seem to soon forget the necessity of a supplement when I am feeling better.
I went on a vacation and when I returned I had forgotten why I was taking the Vitamin D. All I knew was once again my bones were achy, I started back on the MSM. Then I came across more information that stated that fibromyolgia is a Vitamin D3 deficiency. When I take the 10,000 to 20,000 IU D3 at least 5 days a week, I find it very energizing and when I get up in the morning I automatically stretch. When I don't take it, I do not get that stretch. I am 66 so I guess I need help to stretch.
And also other readings mention that Vitamin D3 taken at a 50,000 IU for 3 days lightens the pains of shingles. And I did try it and after 3 days tested it out by eating a good old peanut butter sandwich, I had no breakout and no pain.
HisJewel
Reader Feedback
Posted by Denise (Vermont) on 04/26/2021 25 posts
It's pretty ridiculous not shaking hands and even worse, using poisonous products to kill bacteria (sanitizers) The world has gone utterly mad and fearing a microscopic enemy. It used to be terrorists but now it's a phantom virus. Really people, your body was made to handle almost anything. Exposure is key, if you don't expose your body to all combinations then it's not going to read mutations. Mutations always occur and they occur in the body too. Keeping away from people, keeping away from germs is bad for you in itself. It's better to expose yourself while you're in good health because your immune system learns that way. It only makes it weaker by keeping away from real life.
Cofactors Critical to Vitamin D
Posted by Art (California ) on 04/21/2018 2891 posts
★★★★★
Vitamin D and Why it May Not Be Working For You as Well as it Should
Many people take vitamin D because it is noted for many health benefits in hundreds of studies, but for some reason, some people do not seem to be able to obtain benefit from vitamin D. Many people are aware that there are cofactors for vitamin D such as boron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin K-2 and calcium, but we often do not realize how important these cofactors can be in terms of helping vitamin D to be all it can be for our health.
On that note, here is a very brief and easy to read article that clearly and simply explains why magnesium is absolutely needed in order for vitamin D to completely do the job it was meant to do in our bodies.
https://www.health.news/2018-03-27-are-you-getting-enough-vitamin-d-if-you-dont-take-magnesium-you-may-not-be.html
On a related note, the following very short abstract describes how not enough vitamin D and / or not enough magnesium can potentially create health problems for us!
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29480918
Art
Insomnia
Posted by Kathi (New Brunswick, NJ) on 04/16/2009
★★★★★
I'm writing to follow up on my vitamin D cure for insomnia report in February. After taking 2000 IU/day for 1.5 months I finally went to my doctor for a Vitamin D blood test, and it was 20 ng/ml, which is considered deficient. I also asked him why he didn't test me for vitamin D last year when I was having incredible trouble sleeping, digesting (I also had IBS) and managing daily life, and was told that insurance would not have paid for the test unless I had a "known" symptom of deficiency such as osteoporosis. However, insurance was very willing to pay for several expensive pharmaceuticals the doctor recommended me to try.
A SIMPLE VITAMIN D TEST THEN WOULD HAVE SAVED ME A WHOLE YEAR'S WORTH OF AGONY, AND WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH CHEAPER FOR ALL CONCERNED. WAKE UP USA WE NEED BETTER PREVENTIVE MEDICINE!!!
I am continuing to do much much better, am now taking 3000 IU/day D3, upping my daily intake of veggies, and also supplementing with ACV/honey, flaxseed oil, 500 mg vit C, and 200-400 mg magnesium citrate (I've read that vit D deficiency can go hand-in-hand with magnesium and potassium deficiency). My "sensitivity" to fish (rich in Vit. D and magnesium) has disappeared! No more IBS! I'm looking forward to some warm sunny spring days when I can get my vitamin D dose from the sun.
Vitamin B and D Deficiencies Are Connected
Posted by Valerie J. (New Zealand ) on 10/28/2017
★★★★★
In response to Robert (Manhattan, Ny) on 08/20/2012, who wrote:
"I found from repeated use, on and off, that higher doses of Vit D3 (1000 to 3000iu) results in a negative mood state... So instead I try to make an effort of getting around 10 to 15 minutes of summer sun daily. Another lesson to myself to remember that despite all the positive claims and current hype about a supplement or herb, one must listen to their body first."
Deficiency in D causes a deficiency in B vitamins which are needed for nerves, and mood. If you are low in B bits to begin with and supplement with D, because D stimulates repairs in the body, and Bs are also needed in higher amounts for tissue and nerve repair, a B deficiency can easily crop up. The fact your moods were affected is not a bad thing and neither does it suggest it was D vitamin causing it but rather more the fact you're probably deficient in B's too. In fact, B Vitamins are usually made by the microbes in the gut, but if those microbes get deficient in D, they die off and B vitamin production declines. It's the main reason why we gain weight in winter and drop a few pounds in Summer. Conversely studies show that when you supplement with adequate doses of D, you lose weight. That's becausevin addition to feeding microbes that make B's, it also increases insulin sensitivity, AND reduces insulin levels as a result. [Studies done in post menopausal women who had PCOS)
Chronic Exhaustion, Asthma, Migraines
Posted by Tiffany (St. Louis, MO) on 01/21/2009
★★★★★
For me, Vitamin D is a MIRACLE. I have been on and off of the 50,000 iu/prescription-only doses and they did NOTHING for me until I stumbled upon an article about how unhealthy the prescription-grade is because it is lab-made and is actually vitamin D2. I did tons of research online and I can say that after ONE day of taking 2000 I.U. of vitamin D3, I felt AMAZING.
I have been telling EVERYONE about it and each person who has started taking it has had significant health changes.
For me...the chronic exhaustion is gone, I feel HAPPY, I feel like I can make it through the day! I wake up feeling renewed and my attitude is 10000% better. My asthma is MUCH better! A friend of mine suffered from chronic migraines all of her life and after two days of taking the D3, she feels amazing! Another friend had muscle spasming issues/constant aching and during the first day, she felt spectacular!
I'm not sure what else it will do for me but my skin is amazingly beautiful and clear! Also, I bent over to pick something up and to my surprise I felt NO pulling in my muscles! I used to be a dancer and was very limber, and this has returned despite the only change being Vitamin D3!!!!!! I could bend down to where my forehead touched my knees and I could touch the floor with my wrists!
I'm SOOOOO VERY BLESSED by stumbling upon the information I discovered and I am sharing it with the world!!!!
Ted posted his statement in 2006 and since then, so much more evidence has been released in great favor of Vitamin D. The TRICK is, stick with D3...NOT with D2!!!! ONLY cholecalciferol, NOTTTT ergocalciferol.
Once I get my next blood tests and determine whether my levels have returned to normal, I will then change my intake from 2000 I.U. of D3 to 1000 I.U. of D3.
I feel the best I've felt in ALL of my life and Vitamin D3 is ABSOLUTELY A HUGE PART OF THIS!
Cough
Posted by Debbie (South Bend, IN) on 02/17/2009
★★★★★
In reference to the cough...I have a friend here at work, age 58 who had been suffering from a bacterial respiratory infection since April of 2008. We work of different floors and I hadn't seen her in a while until she stopped into my office in the middle of January (Tues 1/13) of this year. She was still very, very ill. Whenever she tried to talk she would cough. It was bad.
I suggested she do the Vitamin D3 treatment....50,000 ius on the first day followed by 10,000 ius each day for a week and then 50,000 more for the following 2 weeks plus the daily 10,000. Guess what. She is cured. She had been on antibiotics and everything imaginable to get rid of this. She was sick for over 8 months.
Not only is her respiratory infection gone but she told me that she is no longer depressed and she has a great outlook on life again. Mind you, when I saw Cindy in January her skin was gray and she couldn't talk without coughing. Today looks completely healthy. I just went upstairs on a errand and I saw her in the classroom with students and the teacher she assists and she was laughing and healthy for the first time in almost a year. Vitamin D is an amazing thing.
Colds, Chronic Bronchitis
Posted by John (Nyc, Ny) on 01/15/2010
★★★★★
I have been in the healing profession (practitioner, researcher, advocate) for 30 years, nothing comes close to my experience with MSM, I am so sorry it took this long to try it. My chronic asthma gone in 3 days!! On albuterol for almost 40 years. I am in shock.
Some side effects which I consider to be cleansing symptoms: nausea, sleeplessness and skin breakouts, but I did start on a high dose of 20 grams a day. After three weeks no more 'side effects'.
My energy has greatly increased, I feel quite euphoric every day now. The only time I had that kind of euphoria was by drinking three glasses of organic green juices a day. I think people on heavy medications, mercury fillings, toxic diet are going to have more difficulties with it, so building up from a small dose with extra vitamin C and plenty of pure water will help.
The other supplement that really helps is Vitamin D3, I take 16,000iu liquid daily, no colds for two years now and my chronic bronchitis of 20 years has disappeared. Some years it was mild others, severe triggering serious asthma attacks. So the combination of Vitamin and MSM has been miraculous for me. This great website encouraged me to try MSM. Thanks so much.
p.s. Brushing my teeth with MSM has whitened them.
D3 Overdose Detox Remedies
Posted by Hesham (Kuwait) on 03/16/2013
Dear Ted, my mother toke overdose off d3 by mistake and now she is sufering from the toxity of d3 "870 nmol". She is in the hospital now given the treatment for lowering the calcium. How can we detox d3? Kindly help ASAP
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Posted by Kerrie (Sydney, Nsw Australia) on 09/19/2012
★★★★★
I have AS, diagnosed nearly 8 years ago. I have tried everything and stumbled upon something that has made a remarkable difference to my pain. I have been taking a supplement with vitamin d3 1000iu per tablet, boran(from borax)1mg, selenium 50mcg, and natural vitamin E 33 mg. I have been taking this supplement two mid morning and one in the afternoon. At the same time I am taking red algea (lithothamnion calcareum) 500mg, twice a day (taken at same time as red algea). Before trying this, talk to your Dr, not everyone is vitamin D difficient. I avoid the sun as I am fair skinned and burn easily.
Warts
Posted by Hound (California) on 04/01/2017
★★★★★
I had a wart on my thumb. It was on the joint which made removing it difficult. Tried for years to get rid of it using compound w and sacylic acid. When I started taking 10,000 IU per day of Vitamin D3 after discovering I was deficient on a serum D blood test, the wart disappeared and never returned.
Arthritis
Posted by Bonita (Rochester, MN, USA) on 01/03/2009
★★★★★
Found this website looking for flea remedies and found so much more! I too am always looking for remedies other than what are mainstream, just because it seems to me there has got to be more than one way to skin a cat, so to speak!
Read about Vitamin D deficincy in The Star Tribune by a doctor at the U of MN who discovered how many people suffer from a lack of it. Of course, I am a blue eyed blond who frys like a lobster in the sun and can't remember when the last time was that I went outdoors without sunscreen and and hat so I began taking a D supplement right away. I take 2000 IU of vitamin D daily. I have to say that I feel pretty darn good considering I have arthritis in all the major joints of my body.
I also have been using lysine to take care of my Herpes simplex outbreaks for years and would not be without it. I find that if I take 4-6 500 mg tablets at the first sign of the itch/tingle on my lip, and then 2 tablets every couple of hours after that, I can most times, stop it in its tracks and completely skip and signs of the break out. If I am nowhere near my supply of lysine and I get those symptoms, taking it at first opportunity causes the leisons to heal very rapidly. In any case, it works for me.
Am going to try the apple cider vinegar thing as well, for arthritis and for the flea problem. Weird that it will be for 2 such unrelated problems but If it works, who cares. It is certainly safe enough. Thanks for being here as a sounding board and gathering of natural remedies.
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Posted by Greg (Port Alberni BC Canada) on 12/10/2024
★★★★★
My wife woke up 5 years ago and was in complete body pain. Found out she had the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis. They put her on 4 drugs. She took herself off 2 right away because of sickness. Then we did research and decided to try natural. She started taking 200,000iu's of vitamin D3 along with K2, magnesium, turmeric and moringa. Every month she got her blood checked. By September she had reduced herself to half of one drug. By December her blood test came back saying it didn't register RA. She cut herself back to 30,000 iu's a day and it's Dec 2024 and she's doing amazing. She had a flareup in July and cutout sugar and carbs and has been feeling better then she ever has. She had some bumps on her hands before July but they're all gone as well and she's lost 30lbs and is about 130lbs and feels great. So keep your vitamin D high with vitamin K2, magnesium and tumeric and drink at least half a gallon of water a day and things will be great. The key is patience, it takes time for your body to recover and build the nutrient supply.
Hot Flashes, Insomnia
Posted by Jennifer (Napa, Ca) on 05/23/2024
★★★★★
So true! I suffered with insomnia and hot flashes for months until I happened to start taking Vitamin D3 for anxiety. I take 5,000iu per day starting with a loading dose of 30,000 the first day, and within a week NO more hot flashes and sleeping through the night. Absolutely astonished Vitamin D3 could help me sleep this well. ALWAYS take in the morning either with or without food, never take it at night because it's initially very energizing.
Erectile Dysfunction, Migraines
Posted by Deirdre (Atlanta, GA) on 02/15/2010
★★★★★
I had the good fortune a couple of weeks ago when I was visiting Los Angeles to speak with an osteopathic doctor from Colorado who has treated and cured many of his patients with D3. The gist of what he told me (sorry, I didn't have any writing instruments with me at the time of the conversation so this is in my memory bank) was that many ailments are healed with vitamin D3 after 2-3 months on the hormone (he refers to it as a hormone, not a supplement). He suggested that I first get my D levels checked at a doctor's office. Once I know the baseline, I can start taking 8,000 iu of vitamin D3 a day. After 3 months, I should get the levels checked again. In summertime some people would be able to drop this daily dose to about 4,000 iu/day or less, but you won't know unless you get your levels checked. He told me people will be very surprised to see how deficient they are in D. Even those that live in sunny climates like Los Angeles are surprisingly deficient in D3.
One of his patients with erectile dysfunction was cured after a two months on D3. Unfortunately, the patient was so thrilled with the results that he started taking a lot more than what was recommended! A blood test showed his D levels soared too high and he had to come off it for about two months. After two months he was deficient again.
The good doctor also told me that 90% of his patients suffering from migraines were cured after being 2-3 months on D3. The key is to give it 3 months at 8,000/day dosage. He recommended the vitamin d council website for further research: http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/
Reader Feedback
Posted by Ted (Bangkok, Thailand) on 03/04/2009 391 posts
A 50,000 i.u. a month works out to 50,000/30 = 1667 i.u per day. A healthy person on a sun can easily produce 10,000 i.u. in a day. So the fact that giving 50,000 i.u. is like taking a 1700 i.u. vitamin D so that will have a minor impact on a vitamin D deficiency. Most unhealthy people can't produce 10,000 i.u. so they need supplements. But if supplements don't produce 5000 to 10000 i.u. from sun exposure it could mean some problems. As to woman with nursing babies they need about 2000 - 2500 i.u. A sick people I estimate needs at least 20,000 i.u. for people who have muscular atrophy. So the question works out to how much I.U. you need per day. The number is different. For example, in a condition of hyppoparathyroid, the dose required to normalize them is about 150,000 i.u. per day. In one case I remember a person with a muscular atrophy. The dose to reverse that required 20,000 i.u. for about a month. A person with a kidney problem (from lack of vitamin D) needed to get back in order required 50,000 i.u. of D3 for about a month. A good sun exposure will help increase vitamin D, but what's not mentioned is the long term trends in increasing UV radiation output by the sun has been also increasing.
So the issue is one of determining the right I.U. dose for a specific conditions. On the whole vitamin D works better if it's taken daily because in some instances, suppose your stomach didn't work that well on the day vitamin D was consumed, then it's not likely the body will absorb them. Plenty of things can block their absorption, a diarrhea, food poisoning, bouts of constipation, certain foods or gelatin may have blocked the vitamin D from absorbing, the capsules may not have dissolved completely in the stomach. It's my estimation that some people think taking only one capsule of vitamin D will last for a whole month because the body can store the vitamin D. But my experience has been that the vitamin D may not be properly absorbed on that particular day and I my end up missing my entire month of vitamin D. Therefore taking small doses is seen as more wise on the issue of absorption if one day I were to not absorbed, then I have the other 29 days to lean on.
Ted
Psoriasis
Posted by Chuck (Atlanta, GA) on 02/07/2009
★★★★★
For about 20 years, I had a chronic patch of psoriasis over my left eyebrow. I had tried several prescription and OTC creams, but none of them worked. After reading an article about how thousands of people got relief from psoriasis by sunbathing in the Dead Sea area, I remembered how my own psoriasis would practically disappear during the summer months when I sunbathed regularly. That was when I made the connection between sunshine and vitamin D. So, I started taking a daily supplement of 1000iu of vitamin D, which was in addition to the 400iu in my daily multivitamin. In about a week, I was amazed to see the patch of psoriasis had completely disappeared and has never returned. It may not work for everyone, but it sure worked for me!
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Posted by Charity (Faithville, Us) on 10/12/2018
Jan, I really miss the sun on my skin as fall is upon us. I tan as much as is reasonable while the sun is out and take vitamin K to store the D. Fall comes with shorter, cooler, darker days and rain ... but for me the autumn brings with it holiday pressures to make everyone happy .The media has put great subconscious demands on us to buy and decorate to fulfill the people in our lives. It sells products but does not produce healthy emotions. Most of the gatherings are filled with foods that are not very healthy and people stressed by the added pressures. I try as much as possible to get outdoors even in the cooler weather. We are body, mind, and spirit and our health improves when we address all the areas that affect us. I felt led to write this to you. Hope you find what heals you of SAD and fills your cup with joy overflowing. Blessings, Charity
General Feedback
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn Usa, Tn Usa) on 02/17/2013
MARY, you know not of what you speak. Name me one vegetable that has vitamin D in it except a mushroom. ====ROBERT HENRY=====
General Feedback
Posted by Valerie (New Zealand) on 10/28/2017
Calcification in tissue occurs in vitamin D deficiency. If you don't get enough, calcium is pulled from bone and the blood levels are high anyway. Taking vitamin D in sensible doses prevents this. It's the people posting about the higher doses and claiming calcium is high that really get me. Yes mega doses over long periods are dangerous. But the RDI is beyond a joke and causing many diseases. For one, if you get calcification Of arteries in deficiency then take doses to address that deficiency, stands to reason that calcium in arteries will be pulled out and put back into bone. And to do this it needs to be in the blood first. Would be handy to know what levels of blood calcium are TOO high, but I would say that when its dissolved from the artery walls with optimal doses, it goes into the blood to be cleared out and has a snowflakes chance in hell if actually adhering to much tissue thereafter. Even the kidneys would be shoving that stuff out. I doubt it could stick to ureters or kidneys any more than it could an artery. Heck calcium levels would have to be dangerously high or way above normal levels.
Cod Liver Oil
Posted by Valerie (New Zealand) on 10/28/2017
NOTE: Some people are unable to convert betacarotene to retinol efficiently so if they rely on this variety alone for Vitamin A can become deficient in it. I'd say those that are vegan and have this issue need to find an oil containing retinol to supplement with. The fish Oil or cod liver oil variety is great source for non vegans or non vegetarians and needs no conversion.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Posted by Bill (The Philippines) on 10/11/2018
Hi Jan...If it were me and I had SAD, I would take the following simple protocol:
Niacinamide (no flush) -- 500 mgs 3 times a day with meals. You can also safely increase this dose to 1000 mgs 3 times a day if it is helping. There are few significant side effects with niacinamide -- it's quite safe at higher dosage.
B50 Complex -- once a day with a meal.
See the research here: http://drjaydavidson.com/s-a-d-winter-blues/
Here's some more research by Dr Abram Hoffer, one of the Fathers of orthomolecular medicine, on the benefits of taking higher dose niacin/niacinamde for various psychoses and depression:
http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_psychosis.html
All about the benefits of higher dose niacin/niacinamide for the body:
http://www.doctoryourself.com/hoffer_niacin.html
I take at least 500 mgs of niacin (with flush) once or twice a day. Keeps my blood healthy, gives me energy, helps to prevent arthritis, Alzheimer's disease and diabetes 2 and also helps to keep me calm and happy.
Vitamin D Side Effects
Posted by Dorothy (Sydney) on 11/24/2017
I got depressed on cod liver oil. Subtle blue feeling. Stopped taking and it went away. I am now taking D3 but with all the required co-factors. Mag, Bs, K, etc. Ok so far.
Hypertension
Posted by Umbolava (Chicago, IL) on 06/24/2010
★★★★★
Apple cider vingar works with my blood pressure I had a bp of 200/120 apple cider vinegar just one dose dropped it down to 170/100 still extremely high. Now I am 6 foot 3 280 lbs and need to loose weight bad. I still take apple cider vinegar 4 tablespoonfuls once a day. I should do it a least twice but I don't and probably add some raw garlic. As I am athletic run two miles swim a mile and play sports. I am overly stress work the night shift and around obese people.
However vitamin d has worked better for me than apple cider vinegar. I take 5000 iu daily with magnesium 400mg and One a day vitamin for men. Vitamin D helps my immune system hypertension and regulates my insulin all at the same time. This vitamin D 3 works. Please check out vitamindcouncil.org. Most americans do not get enough vitamin d because we are always in doors. It is really cheap at whole foods trader joes walmart even dollar general.
Please Please add vitamin d3 to your daily routine you will feel and see the difference.
