Asthma & Vit D - 'follow-up' Post

[Matman]

Follow-up to my Post earlier this week (Feb 2019) that included a recent Article Link ref Asthma & Vit D.

I take a Vitamin D3 'Supplement' rather than relying entirely on sunshine exposure, because I need ‘better controlled’ daily Vit D3 Dosage than Sunlight / iffy-Weather typically provides.

Just discovered one, relatively inexpensive, formula (with far fewer undesirable additives than the tabs sold by the same company). The formula concerned also appears to be more absorbable. It’s designed for giving to kids via a dropper, that allows you to drip-a-drop under the tongue (two drops in my case, as I’m a big kid😉). NOTE: I'm 'not' advocating nor recommending this product for anyone, including kids - just sharing 'info').

As well as (hopefully) improving 'Respiratory Health', I’ve been encouraged to ensure optimum Vit D3 dosage as, following a DXA Scan that I requested (precaution to Oral Steroid Use), I’m informed I have Osteopenia (which can, in some cases, lead to Osteoporosis). The Consultant told be to ensure I get sufficient Vit D3 plus more Dietary-Calcium, to try to mitigate this issue - which I'm now doing. (Having also chatted with my GP - I've decided to defer taking Bisphosphonates unless, sometime down-the-road, I really have to).

Personally, I generally avoid 'Super-Strength' Supplements of all kinds - and it’s the same with Vit D3. The Kid's Vit D3 Dosage therefore fits in with this philosophy. For me, at least, 400iu to 800iu Daily is where I want to be. Likewise, I don't generally take Supplements 'every day', but rather once every couple / few days (though in the case of Vit D3, I have now started to take 'daily'). As you know, I'm not a professional Medic, so it's important to check with a Professional Adviser before taking 'any' Supplements. (Drugs.com is a very useful back-up Site for entering your Medicine Names, then discovering, not only side-effects they can produce, but also what can interact with them. (In some cases, I've seen Supplement Interactions mentioned when I've checked a Drug Name there, but don't know how 'comprehensively' that Site covers 'Supplement' Interactions).

I’ve mentioned in earlier discussions where Vit D3 has cropped up, that I gather (for good absorption) it's important for there to be some 'food-based-oil' present in your system. The kid's formula I’m now using includes olive oil. Also seems to be important to take Vit D3 a couple of hours before / after any other meds / supplements you might be using.

Vit K2 is apparently an important cofactor that should, ideally, be present in your system when using Vit D3. (Nothing is 'simple' is it - but without ticking all the boxes to ensure everything required is present to ensure likely absorption - time, money and effort can be wasted, and health benefits become less likely to occur).

Don’t want to get 'flamed' for name-dropping the Company that I buy Kids Vit D3 from, but if someone asks me, I’ll reply with the name. (Obviously, whether you choose this formula or some other, it's essential to do 'your own' checks / due diligence, as I'm not a chemist / pharmacist, nor am I recommending this product)

Here's the link to my recent Post (with Article Link) on Vit D that kicked-off the discussion:

healthunlocked.com/asthmauk...

[Hidden]

I rely on sunshine exposure on a very little and often basis in the summer months (I have fair skin, so very short exposure times helps to ensure that I don’t burn) with the occasional boost from a 400iu dose of D3 supplement. In the late autumn, winter and early spring I take a 400iu supplement every other day.

As far as osteoporosis is concerned as a post menopausal woman I’m aware that I’m more at risk and I make sure I consume adequate amounts of calcium rich foods to help with this. However, it’s important to recognise exercise as part of a regime to encourage strong bones. Having done ballet and gymnastics as a child, and having continued with ballet for much of my adult life (I still do a weekly class at a reasonably advanced level) my bones are, I hope, in reasonably good shape:-).

[Matman in reply to Hidden]

Thanks.

[Hidden]

There are lots of suggestions on how to use natural methods to stave off Osteoporosis if you join the community Bone Health. healthunlocked.com/bonehealth' Or visit the Royal Osteoporosis Society website theros.org.uk/ All the best.

[Matman in reply to Hidden]

Cheers. Appreciated.

[starveycat]

Please can you tell me the name big the vit d you take as a liquid many thanks

[Matman]

Here’s a link to it. Please check ingredients for yourself and do some due diligence including getting professional independent medical advice before using or giving to others. Please also note that I’m not connected with this Company nor do I get paid or remunerated in any way by them.

healthspan.co.uk/products/v...

[LDloveslattecoffe]

I have 800iu twice a day vit D3 and 5mg Folic Acid (B6) daily on prescription from GP. I kept going borderline D3and then when my health was really bad my D3 went according to GP "in my boots" so I had a very high dose for 12 weeks when went back to normal then nothing for 5months and tested again was bottom end normal range which was when put on maintenance.

I have a number of health conditions on top of asthma which probably don't help (PCOS, eczema, migraines, Osteoarthritis, Fibromyalgia and highBP).

Recently potassium blood been going low and week later on retest going to the low end of normal.

Hate getting older!

[Matman]

Yeah, I hate aging too.

Assuming, that like others on this Forum, you're Asthmatic, then - if you're using a Fostair Inhaler - Potassium Depletion is a 'consequence' noted on the Patient Info Leaflet. Same applies to other 'Duel' Ingredient 'LABA' Inhalers (but maybe not to 'all' of them). Suspect many drugs can deplete Potassium which, as I'm sure you know, is an 'extremely' important nutrient, and one of the main reasons we're encouraged to eat so much Veg & Fruit. May be worth entering each of your Med Names on Drugs.com to see if any of them show Potassium Depletion consequences. (Or do the same in Aunty-Google).

My solution (though I've not had my Potassium levels tested) is to eat at least one large Banana a day (about 100mg of Potassium 'Per Bite', I believe). Supplementing with Potassium Tabs is, apparently, 'risky' and should be limited to only 100mg a Day or Less, at least that was the case last time I looked for info.

I've not had my Vit D3 Levels checked either, but as 'so many' people are deficient in it, I started to supplement a few months back on the assumption that I am too. Suppose I ought to get checked, but I'm at the Docs so often at present, that I can just imagine my GP's Eyebrows raising to heaven if I ask for 'more' Tests.

Since Posting about this Topic, saw some chinese research about Vit D (not 'Human' Research unfortunately) which further supports idea that VitD looks very promising for helping many with Lung Disease. As I emphasised earlier, the manner it which you take it plus the presence of food-oil and cofactors like K2 etc are probably important for good uptake. Low levels in those already using Vit D3 'might' be a consequence of taking at the same time as 'competing': meds; supplements; food and drink (or not having the other cofactors the body needs for adequate absorption). At times of Good Weather, it might be best to take Vit D3 less often than daily, as body chemistry is such a delicately balanced sensitive beast, especially - it seems - for those with Asthma, allergies and the like. Hate to imagine what consequences might be occurring from all the Meds, Supplement and other Toxin Interactions (including booze etc) that many of us entertain most days.

[Hidden in reply to Matman]

I have had my vitamin D levels checked; my consultant gastroenterologist requested it. I was found to have very low levels (despite the fact that I had no symptoms) and my GP was contacted. I was put on a rescue pack of 20,000iu a day for fifteen days and then 800iu for thirty days.

5 days into the 20,000iu I started to get joint pain in my fingers. On day 6 it went to pain in my knees as well. At that point I contacted my GP and asked to come off the very high dose. I suggested instead that I go straight on the 800iu dose and get re-tested at the end of the thirty day course. I got the distinct impression my GP thought it probably wouldn’t work (though to be fair to her she didn’t say so) but she agreed.

This was in June, so in addition to the supplements I decided I would have my lunch outside every day (provided it wasn’t raining or unseasonably cold). I ate my savoury facing into the sun, and sweet (fruit) facing away from it. I always wore a brimmed hat to protect the top of my head and I also wore sunglasses. I made sure I had my arms and lower thighs exposed. Total time of sun exposure - about fifteen minutes.

At the end of thirty days I was re-tested. The results came back normal - and what’s more I was well inside the normal range. My GP looked at me after she had given me the news and said “How did you do it?” So I told her. She acknowledged it had obviously worked, told me I no longer needed vitamin D supplements but added that I might need to go on a low top up dose come come mid winter.

My consultant gastroenterologist had me re-tested for vitamin D the following year. The results came back normal:-).

[S4r4L0u153]

I have 1000IU of Vit D3 every day. Without it I get v deficient and had to have 50,000IU of D3 for 6 wks to pull it up. I now have to stay on it. When I haven’t I notice I get v tired. I would say my asthma has improved since sorting out my Vit D, however I have had an allergy specialist revamp my whole way of managing my allergies/rhinitis/asthma, so I don’t know whether the Vit D has played a role in the improvement or not. I do know I’m less exhausted and an extra bonus is my hair is shiny, I also make sure I eat a banana every day for vitamin K.

[Matman]

Thanks. Yes, suppose 50,000iu / 7 sounds close to 800iu to 1000iu Daily that is often recommended. Glad to hear you are doing well on your allergy specialist regime. Haven’t used an allergy specialist before, might be something I should try.

[Shellc]

You need at 5000iu daily with k2 mk7 , since I’ve been taking this in the last I’ve had no infections

[Hidden in reply to Shellc]

Can I ask where you found this? As a supplement 5000iu daily sounds rather on the high side to me. Too much vitamin D is not good for the body.

[Shellc in reply to Hidden]

I belong to a copd site on Facebook , I’ve had my vit d checked and I’m within range , because of all the meds we take we are usually very defiecent , I make sure I take with k2 mk7 so it goes to the right places

[Hidden in reply to Shellc]

Ah - understood. Thanks for the clarification:-).