VITAMIN D BOOSTS IMMUNITY ©
C. Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D.
 
Vitamin D has long been known to enhance immune function, even curing tuberculosis of the skin.  In the past few years it has been shown to increase naturally body-produced antibiotics!  It has now been repeatedly reported that taking 2000 units of D 3 per kg of body weight daily for 3 days, at the first sign of influenza, markedly reduces symptoms and speeds recovery.  In Europe and in Australia there are reports of using a single dose of 600,000 units of D3 once a year to prevent flu---far more effective and safer than flu vaccines! 
 
In the kidneys Vitamin D 3, the only physiologically useful form of D, is converted to Calcitriol, a significant anti-cancer hormone.  This conversion may be responsible for the significant benefit of D 3 in preventing cancer of many organs. Vitamin D also is a potent inhibitor of vascular calcification---that is it can significantly reduce the potential for atherosclerosis. As with D's major effect upon bone metabolism, Vitamin K 2 is an essential co-factor. According to the Vitamin D Council "Current research has implicated vitamin D deficiency as a major factor in the pathology of at least 17 varieties of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more."  
 
The January 2, 2009 issue of SCIENCE has an interesting article confirming to me what I have long believed about glioblastoma, the most common malignant brain tumor---highly associated with cytomegalovirus.    Since a majority of people are deficient in vitamin D, that may be a major precipitating reason for development of this malignancy!
 
One of the myths rampant in the medical profession is vitamin D toxicity.  There are numerous papers demonstrating the safety of at least 10,000 units of D 3 daily and one published paper states that 50,000 unit daily is a safe level. One clinical report of D toxicity occurred in a man who had taken 156,000 to 2, 604,000 units of D for two years! He recovered uneventfully.  In general the risk of large dosages of D is that of excess calcium, so that those taking more than 10,000 units of calcium daily should never take calcium supplements.  Individuals with hyperparathyroidism or some granuolomatous diseases, which leads to excess calcium in the blood, should not take large dosages of D-for them probably 2,000 units of D 3 daily is the maximum to be used.  Incidentally, vitamin A (as in cod liver oil) -NOT beta carotene-blocks vitamin D.  On the other hand, I take 200,000 units of beta carotene and my vitamin D level (on 50,000 units daily) is quite high, but my calcium level is normal.
 
The bottom line is:
All individuals over the age of 12 should take a barebones minimum of 50,000 units of D 3 and 100 micrograms of K 2 once a month
Individuals who do not have elevated blood levels of calcium should consider taking 50,000 units of D 3 and 100 Micrograms of K 2 once a week
I will soon be reporting on a study of 50,000 units of D 3 and 100 micrograms of K 2 daily over a 6 month period
Meanwhile, if you have a feeling of "getting" the flu, take 2000 units of D 3 PER KG OF BODY WEIGHT, daily for 3 days.
 
Many recommend regular testing of your blood levels of D.  The following is from the newsletter of Dr. Joe Prendergast who awakened me to the broader field of vitamin D a year ago:
D*action Vitamin D Testing
D*action: A Consortium of Scientists, Institutions and Individuals Committed to Solving the Worldwide Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic.

Scientists are calling for a standard vitamin D intake of 2000 IU/day and the achievement of a serum level of 40-60 ng/ml. Scientists' Call to Action.

GrassrootsHealth has launched a worldwide public health campaign to solve the vitamin D deficiency epidemic in a year through a focus on testing and education with all individuals spreading the word.

Everyone is invited to join in this campaign! Join D*action and test two times per year during a 5 year program to demonstrate the public health impact of this nutrient.

$30 and a quick health survey allows everyone to get a vitamin D blood spot test kit to be used at home (except in the state of New York) have the results sent directly to them take action to adjust their own levels to get to the desired ranges with whatever help is needed from their healthcare practitioners.

With only 100 people joining up today, and getting 2 friends to join in 2 weeks (and those 2 friends getting 2 more), by week 42, there could be 400,000,000 people who are vitamin D 'replete'! (more than the United States population).
Click below:
www.grassrootshealth.net/questionnaire-welcome