Vitamin D and Neurological Diseases

[SilentEchoes]

With vitamin D deficiency reaching epidemic proportions worldwide, there is now concern that optimal levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream are also necessary to preserve the neurological development and protect the adult brain.

Classically, vitamin D has a recognized role in the regulation of bone health and calcium-phosphorus homeostasis, by acting at the level of the skeletal bone, intestine and kidney.

There is now consistent evidence showing that several “non-calcemic” effects of vitamin D metabolites occur, and increasing consideration is given to vitamin D status as a marker of general health, since low vitamin D levels are associated with the development and progress of autoimmunity, infectious diseases, diabetes mellitus, cardio-metabolic disorders, obesity, neuromuscular disorders, and cancer.

It appears that vitamin D plays a role in neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity, and a link has been described between Vit. D and dopaminergic neurotransmission.

Collectively, the physiological effects of vitamin D in brain functions include the promotion of neurotransmission, neurogenesis, synaptogenesis, amyloid clearance and the prevention of neuronal death. It is not surprising that observational studies have documented associations between higher serum vitamin D concentrations and healthier cognitive performance.

Another recent field of interest regards VDR gene polymorphisms. Preliminary data suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the VDR gene may have roles in the development of multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin D deficiency has been mechanistically and clinically linked to neurological diseases and neuropsychological disorders, cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.

One key aspect related to vitamin D homeostasis and neurological disorders is the role of vitamin D supplementation in deficient patients. Endocrine Society, the International Osteoporosis Foundation, and the American Geriatric Society suggest that a minimum level of 30 ng/mL is needed to minimize the risk of falls and fracture in older adults.

In the context of PD, potential neuroprotective effects exerted by vitamin D include the notion that 1,25(OH)2D indirectly inhibits the synthesis of nitric oxide, a free radical that can damage cells; secondly, it indirectly stimulates the synthesis of the antioxidant glutathione, and; thirdly, vitamin D may act as a neurotrophic factor, through the stimulation of nerve growth factor (NGF), glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and neurotrophin 3 (NT3).

Read more here: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

SE

[Despe]

Hello SE!

I am sure you are familiar with:

coimbraprotocol.com/general....

I believe one of the forum members is on the Coimbra protocol.

[SilentEchoes in reply to Despe]

I haven't looked closely at this protocol, but I will now - thanks!

[Despe in reply to SilentEchoes]

Hope you find it helpful.

You are welcome!

[Smittybear7 in reply to Despe]

I take 10000 of d3 a day.i also take cal plus under the direction of a nutritionist. Lately I have read if the combination is not right it can cause calcification of the arteries. K2 is also necessary. How can I find a specialist to map this out. I think I need a new nutritionist. Any suggestions I live in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Thank you

[SilentEchoes in reply to Smittybear7]

I agree that we should be taking K2/MK7 along with D3. I've been looking for good research to support this.

This Harvard study recommends vitamin D levels of 40-60ng/mL

health.harvard.edu/blog/vit...

How much Vitamin D you need depends on your current status. I'm at 22 😕 and have some work to do.

I'll do a separate post on K2. How much K2/MK7 you should supplement with D3 is murky to me. "Unless you are actively increasing your Vitamin K2 levels through diet or supplementation, you are likely deficient and have inadequate levels for your bone and heart health needs."

You should test your vitamin D level. If you're in the US you can get the blood draw through Quest or LabCorp. Or buy an at home test online. ultalabtests.com/cart/index...

You can get a Vitamin D/K2 test too. ultalabtests.com/cart/index...

You have to be careful not to raise your vitamin D level too high. "Optimal" is your target.

SE

[Despe in reply to Smittybear7]

I don't live in your state so I don't know any good dieticians/nutritionists. I remember there was a post I read, don't remember if it was here or somewhere else, but the recommended K2/MK7 dose was 300mg. Is your D3 combined with K2/MK7? My husband also takes D3 with K2/MK7 and believe it has the right amount of each. Quick Silver Nanoemulsified (spray) is the one my husband and I take. He takes 10,000 IU daily, and I take 2,500 IU every other day or every a couple of days, since last test result indicated that my D3 was above normal.

[SilentEchoes in reply to Despe]

"the recommended K2/MK7 dose was "300mg" Should be micrograms/mcg.

Check out my post on the synergy of D3 and K2. They are both fat soluble vitamins and should be taken separately, about 3 hours apart.

Blood VD levels and calcium should be checked regularly when supplementing at high doses to avoid problems of hypercalcinosis. Kidney stones are not fun.

SE

[Despe in reply to SilentEchoes]

Yes, you are right, mcg, not mg. I follow Dr. Hyman and his D3 is combined with K2. A lot of vitamins D3 are combined with K2. Are they wrong?

[Hidden in reply to Despe]

Despe, it’s not optimum to take them together because they compete for absorption. Taking 3 hours apart is optimum. (From what I’ve read anyways.)

[Despe in reply to Hidden]

I will contact Dr. Hyman and ask the question (Actually "Farmacy" where I have been purchasing D3/K2).

[Hidden in reply to Despe]

I’ve also read that magnesium can help with the absorption of D3. I wonder if that is true. Maybe Dr. Hyman knows?!And I also read that zinc and magnesium should not be taken together bc they also compete for absorption. I also wonder if that is true. There is so much conflicting info about nutrient and supplement timing.

[Despe in reply to Hidden]

Yes, there is a lot of conflicting info about everything, from food to vitamins and supplements, and it's really confusing and frustrating. I don't have a lot of time to spend on trying to find out information.

I have just emailed "Farmacy" where I was getting his (Hyman's) D3/K2 and asked them what their recommendation/insight is on taking them at least 3 hours apart. They have been pretty good in answering questions. As soon as I get their response, I will copy/paste it here. I did some searching and some health sites recommend taking D3/K2 together. Anyway, I do trust Dr. Hyman and hope we get to the bottom of this.

We space out Mag throughout the day. Hubby takes Remyte and Picco Potassium (Dr. Dean's and both liquid) with zinc.

PS. If my memory serves me well, hubby used to take the two separately, but then most recent guidance was to take them together. He quit taking them separately and started again the combination D3/K2.

[LAJ12345 in reply to Hidden]

Surely food has all the vitamin and nutrients combined and taken together. Perhaps it is ok so long as the ratio is right and they are in a biologically available form.

[Hidden in reply to SilentEchoes]

This book might be of interest.

Not endorsing as I have not evaluated it or read it but just learned of it recently.

D3

[Sydney75 in reply to Smittybear7]

You are blessed to live in Pittsburgh! That's my old hometown. Great medical systems in Pgh. UPMC has a center you might start there. They have a movement center and an integrative medicine center.

upmc.com/services/neurology...

Highmark their big competitor has a center too.

ahn.org/services/neuroscien...

I live in Florida now, better weather but healthcare is so-so.

[Smittybear7 in reply to Sydney75]

Thanks for the information! I have an appointment with a neurologist in July with UPMC.I am currently working with a neurologist from Allegheny Health Network and one from premier medical associates. Trying to find the right fit.

[Bolt_Upright]

Well done SE. Vitamin D does seem to stop progression (for a year, at least) in a subset of patients: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in Parkinson disease 2013 academic.oup.com/ajcn/artic...

"Objective: We evaluated whether vitamin D3 supplementation inhibits the progression of PD on the basis of patient VDR subgroups.

Design: Patients with PD (n = 114) were randomly assigned to receive vitamin D3 supplements (n = 56; 1200 IU/d) or a placebo (n = 58) for 12 mo in a double-blind setting. Outcomes were clinical changes from baseline and the percentage of patients who showed no worsening of the modified Hoehn and Yahr (HY) stage and Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS).

Results: Compared with the placebo, vitamin D3 significantly prevented the deterioration of the HY stage in patients [difference between groups: P = 0.005; mean ± SD change within vitamin D3 group: +0.02 ± 0.62 (P = 0.79); change within placebo group: +0.33 ± 0.70 (P = 0.0006)]. Interaction analyses showed that VDR FokI genotypes modified the effect of vitamin D3 on changes in the HY stage (P-interaction = 0.045), UPDRS total (P-interaction = 0.039), and UPDRS part II (P-interaction = 0.021). Compared with the placebo, vitamin D3 significantly prevented deterioration of the HY stage in patients with FokI TT [difference between groups: P = 0.009; change within vitamin D3 group: -0.38 ± 0.48 (P = 0.91); change within placebo group, +0.63 ± 0.77 (P = 0.009)] and FokI CT [difference between groups: P = 0.020; change within vitamin D3 group: ±0.00 ± 0.60 (P = 0.78); change within placebo group: +0.37 ± 0.74 (P = 0.014)] but not FokI CC. Similar trends were observed in UPDRS total and part II.

Conclusion: Vitamin D3 supplementation may stabilize PD for a short period in patients with FokI TT or CT genotypes without triggering hypercalcemia, although this effect may be nonspecific for PD. This trial was registered at UMIN Clinical Trials Registry as UMIN000001841."

[SilentEchoes in reply to Bolt_Upright]

Thanks for this study!!

Edit: How would co-supplementing with K2 affect the study results?

SE

[Smittybear7]

Thanks for sharing

[SAGoodman]

It definitely makes sense, as I have to take D3 2X a day at 5000iu each just to get my levels in the acceptable range...

[SilentEchoes in reply to SAGoodman]

Check out my post on the synergy of D3 and K2 🙂

[MBAnderson]

youtube.com/watch?v=9eEyWlb...(Not working as expected?)