Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

[Guest guest]

This article is too complicate for me. What does it say in a nutshell? Take MORE vit D or LESS vit D?

[Guest guest]

Michael Stroh, the science writer for the Baltimore Sun, wrote a very good article this morning about the Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza paper. Dr. Scott Dowell, an infectious disease expert at the CDC, is quoted by Mr. Stroh as saying, if the theory is true, "the potential impact (of vitamin D) would be far greater than the current influenza vaccine."http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/health/bal-te.flu26nov26,0,3590649.story?coll=bal-nationworld-headlines On a sour note, a Professor James Cherry of UCLA said we "manipulated the literature" and used "bad" literature to prove our points. I don't know Professor Cherry, but he has insulted me, the co-authors, and the editor of Epidemiology and Infection. A quick internet search shows that there is a Professor James Cherry at UCLA who has had substantial financial ties to the vaccine industry for the last 20 years. If Professor Cherry read the conclusion of the recent Science News article, he may be aware that his financial well-being is at risk here. In the conclusion of the Science News article, Professor Michael Zasloff was quoted as saying the payoff of vitamin D, might "be amazing. Imagine being able to block the spread of epidemic flu with appropriate doses of this vitamin." Perhaps Professor Cherry is imagining exactly that, and what it might mean to his net worth?http://www.sciencenews.org/articles/20061111/bob9.asp News > health & science Less sun, more sneezingTheory suggests that a shortage of vitamin D triggers outbreaks of flu By Michael StrohSun ReporterOriginally published November 26, 2006As the annual flu season looms, some scientists have this question on their minds: Why now?For more than a century, physicians have recognized that influenza sweeps the Northern Hemisphere during the winter months, typically peaking here between late December and March. Over the years they've floated numerous theories to explain the seasonal flu spike - blaming everything from the flood of frigid air to the wintertime tendency of people to huddle indoors.Yet these explanations "remain astonishingly superficial and full of inconsistencies," says Dr. Scott Dowell, director of the Global Disease Protection Program at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.Now Dowell and other researchers are focusing on a provocative new hypothesis that blames annual flu epidemics on something most people don't get enough of this time of year: sunshine.In a paper scheduled for publication next month in the journal Epidemiology and Infection, a Harvard University-led team proposes that a vitamin D deficiency caused by inadequate winter sun exposure may predispose people to infection.If this theory proves correct, it would not only solve a long-standing mystery, but could also have major public health consequences.Influenza kills an average 36,000 people in the U.S. each winter, mostly the very old and very young. If scientists could pinpoint the secret behind its seasonal recurrence and somehow alter it, "the potential impact would be far greater than the current influenza vaccine," says Dowell.Hippocrates, the Greek physician widely regarded as the father of medicine, was the first to recognize that certain diseases ebb and flow with the calendar. "Whoever wishes to investigate medicine properly," he wrote around 400 B.C., "should ... consider the seasons of the year."Epidemiologists, however, have found that this is easier said than done."You look at the environment around you and say, 'What's the difference between winter and summer?'" says Dr. David Fisman of the Ontario Provincial Public Health Laboratory in Canada. "There are so many things that are seasonal, it's really hard to tease them apart."One obvious answer is that it's colder in winter. And for as long as parents have bundled up their babies, there's been an unshakable belief that catching a chill makes a person more susceptible to cold or flu.Cold flunks tests Since World War II, scientists have devised numerous teeth-chattering tests of this stubborn wives' tale, dunking volunteers in cold baths or confining them to refrigerated meat lockers while squirting virus-spiked mucus up their noses."All attempts at demonstrating some relationship between cold exposure and susceptibility to infection have proved negative," Ron Eccles, director of the Common Cold Centre at Cardiff University in Wales, concluded in a recent published review of such studies.Experiments on the influenza virus have hinted that the flu bug is more stable in the cool, dry air of winter. But that doesn't solve the mystery, says Fisman, whose summary of efforts to understand seasonal influenza is scheduled for publication next year in the Annual Review of Public Health.One reason: Influenza surveillance efforts in Southeast Asia and other steamy tropical locales reveal that flu is not only common there but also exhibits seasonal patterns akin to those in colder climates."If you go back to the hypothesis about cold temperature and flu, it doesn't hold for the tropics," says epidemiologist Cecile Viboud of the National Institutes of Health's Fogarty International Center in Bethesda.Then there's the crowding theory.Because scientists think that the flu spreads only from person to person, most have assumed that the disease ravages in winter because people are cooped up in close quarters. Next >> Jump to page: 1 2 3 2006, The Baltimore Sun | Get Sun home delivery Talk about it E-mail it Print it Contact us Flu season In Depth 1918 influenza pandemic If I dieSpecial series from The Sun. Health & Science coverageWeekly section from The Sun. Stem cell research Flu season Also see Health & Science> Weekly section> Archive

[Guest guest]

Get more sunshine, so your skin manufactures the vitamin d that you need.

 

 

 

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JazziDJess

Sunday, January 21, 2007 3:29 AM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

 

 

This article is too complicate for me. What does it say in a nutshell? Take MORE vit D or LESS vit D?

[Guest guest]

clearhead49 writes:

 

Why would you want to take synthetic vitamins? Don't you know how to eat properly?

 

Jerry Anderson Nutritionist, Energy Psychotherapist>>

 

Jerry, in the real (and very busy) world I live in, I dont eat properly. I do take vitamins and supplements, herbs etc

[Guest guest]

siceloff writes:

 

Get more sunshine, so your skin manufactures the vitamin d that you need.>>

 

Thanks. Hard to do in this murky Winter months, but I try.

[Guest guest]

Why would you want to take synthetic vitamins? Don't you know how to eat properly?Jerry Anderson Nutritionist, Energy PsychotherapistJazziDJess wrote: This article is too complicate for me. What does it say in a nutshell? Take MORE vit D or LESS vit D?

 

Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Denatured food---chemtrails---global dimming......Wayne Anderson <clearhead49 wrote: Why would you want to take synthetic vitamins? Don't you know how to eat properly?Jerry Anderson Nutritionist, Energy PsychotherapistJazziDJess (AT) wmconnect (DOT) com wrote: This article is too complicate for me. What does it say

in a nutshell? Take MORE vit D or LESS vit D? Get your own web address.Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

 

Get your own web address. Have a HUGE year through Small Business.

[Guest guest]

Even in the winter, your skin, unless you cover it all up, makes d-3 in amounts that approach adequacy for health in about a half hour of exposure, of your face. Taking vitamin d as a supplement can be done but the supplement is not the same as what your body manufactures. And, you can get too much through supplementation. Your skin and the sunshine does not make "too" much.

I had a couple of trips to Washington D.C. a couple of years ago. Stayed in a hotel in Arlington. One of the things that I noticed was that many of the busy people "could" get up in the morning in their high rise, go to the basement and catch the subway to work. Then at lunch, go to the restaurants in the bottom of many buildings, and then go back up to the office. Then the work day ends, and they go back to the basement and catch the subway home, and go back up the elevators to their apartment. And they never once step out into the light of day.

There is a problem with depression, and all sorts of people take anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, etc.etc. Sunshine, your skin, and vitamin d-3 are the catalyst for a wee bit healthier living. All one needs to do is to step out of the fabricated environment into the real world of sunshine and birds, and trees, etc.etc. Not to say that it would solve all the problems by any means, but it is a step into the right direction. Sort of like stopping to smell the roses.

 

 

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JazziDJess

Sunday, January 21, 2007 4:28 PM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

 

 

siceloff (AT) earthlink (DOT) net writes:

Get more sunshine, so your skin manufactures the vitamin d that you need.>>Thanks. Hard to do in this murky Winter months, but I try.

[Guest guest]

In this day and age it is next to impossible (nope, I didn't say it WAS impossible) to eat properly.

That is a sad fact brought to you by the New World gummint, errr... Order.

 

Kenneth

 

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Wayne Anderson

Sunday, January 21, 2007 12:35 PM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

Why would you want to take synthetic vitamins? Don't you know how to eat properly?Jerry Anderson Nutritionist, Energy PsychotherapistJazziDJess wrote:

 

 

This article is too complicate for me. What does it say in a nutshell? Take MORE vit D or LESS vit D?

[Guest guest]

Herbs and vitamins, I take also but I don't buy from Wally World due to poor quality and price.

 

Kenneth

 

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JazziDJess

Sunday, January 21, 2007 4:23 PM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

clearhead49 writes:

Why would you want to take synthetic vitamins? Don't you know how to eat properly? Jerry Anderson Nutritionist, Energy Psychotherapist>>Jerry, in the real (and very busy) world I live in, I dont eat properly. I do take vitamins and supplements, herbs etc

[Guest guest]

Ed

I had a chance to read this post you sent, having been away from my computer for some time, and want to ask you if are able or willing to provide dose levels when you speak of "getting too much" vit. D as a supplement. I've recently been reading all manner of posts from every professional source, speaking of the extent to which evidence is popping up showing that vit. D is grossly undersupplied in the human diet, and that we should routinely take at least 1000 u or more, up to about 5000 u, daily, with little or no fear of overdose. One source took the position that 4000 u should be taken during the winter months, 2000 when things warmed up a bit, and during the warmest months, none should be supplemented, but added the proviso, that even during the warmer months, only when good sunshine levels existed, should we stop supplementation. Some of these people stress that, provided levels are kept below 10,000 u, there is little or no chance of overdose.

What's your view.

jp

 

 

 

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Ed Siceloff

Sunday, January 21, 2007 3:22 PM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

 

 

 

Even in the winter, your skin, unless you cover it all up, makes d-3 in amounts that approach adequacy for health in about a half hour of exposure, of your face. Taking vitamin d as a supplement can be done but the supplement is not the same as what your body manufactures. And, you can get too much through supplementation. Your skin and the sunshine does not make "too" much.

I had a couple of trips to Washington D.C. a couple of years ago. Stayed in a hotel in Arlington. One of the things that I noticed was that many of the busy people "could" get up in the morning in their high rise, go to the basement and catch the subway to work. Then at lunch, go to the restaurants in the bottom of many buildings, and then go back up to the office. Then the work day ends, and they go back to the basement and catch the subway home, and go back up the elevators to their apartment. And they never once step out into the light of day.

There is a problem with depression, and all sorts of people take anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, etc.etc. Sunshine, your skin, and vitamin d-3 are the catalyst for a wee bit healthier living. All one needs to do is to step out of the fabricated environment into the real world of sunshine and birds, and trees, etc.etc. Not to say that it would solve all the problems by any means, but it is a step into the right direction. Sort of like stopping to smell the roses.

 

 

-

JazziDJess (AT) wmconnect (DOT) com

Sunday, January 21, 2007 4:28 PM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

 

 

siceloff (AT) earthlink (DOT) net writes:

Get more sunshine, so your skin manufactures the vitamin d that you need.>>Thanks. Hard to do in this murky Winter months, but I try.

 

 

 

 

Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.17.14/658 - Release 1/29/2007

[Guest guest]

I've not heard of those sorts of doses, John. I don't know how much I get. Sunlight changes a form of cholesterol in your skin to vitamin d3 (cholecalciferol sp?). People who are on drugs to bring down cholesterol levels may need more d3 supplementing---I don't know this, I am asking anybody that might, for the sake of getting enough d3. d3 in turn is metabolized into other forms, some of which are more potent than d3 itself. Some of this occurs in the liver. So, what happens with people with liver disease who perhaps can not do quite what they want with d3.

Over 800u is said to mess with magnesium levels possibly causing magnesium deficiencies. While it is generally becoming more recognized that d3 does more things than just maintain calcium levels in the blood, is that much more necessary.

I eat a combination of meat and vegetables, including whole grains. Whole grains help to supply d3. So do fish, which I also eat. I eat much less milk, but do eat cheeses, milk products. And I supplement with d3 of only around 130u per day. But, most any day, I am outside in the sunlight. Even at that, I experience some degree of SAD when there are too many days of overcast. I know this because as soon as the sun peeks through my mood changes from sad to glad. Although not actually sad, I'm just more "up" with the sun.

I also exercise, along with the hard work with logs and firewood, which helps to maintain certain things, good bones and joints.

My own experience is that between the supplement and the sunshine, and diet, I get enough vitamin d3. Calcium and magnesium levels would appear to be ok. Perhaps magnesium is low, sometimes I get muscle cramps. I generally take care of that with eating more of particular herbs, when I begin to notice, that, and drinking more water (dehydration causes that as well).

But, I'd watch going above 800 units due to the magnesium. Unless one has a lot of various things wrong....I don't think that 1000, 3000, 5000 is necessary. Those would be doses made necessary by clinical necessity and a nutritionist, and testing, should be involved to determine that necessity. 800 units have been recommended for osteoporosis and the accompanying low levels of calcium in the blood. There would be that and the necessity of a doctor (preferably a naturopath) to determine why levels like you speak of would be medicinally necessary.

Hope that helps.

 

Ed

 

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John Polifronio

Friday, February 09, 2007 5:12 AM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

 

 

 

Ed

I had a chance to read this post you sent, having been away from my computer for some time, and want to ask you if are able or willing to provide dose levels when you speak of "getting too much" vit. D as a supplement. I've recently been reading all manner of posts from every professional source, speaking of the extent to which evidence is popping up showing that vit. D is grossly undersupplied in the human diet, and that we should routinely take at least 1000 u or more, up to about 5000 u, daily, with little or no fear of overdose. One source took the position that 4000 u should be taken during the winter months, 2000 when things warmed up a bit, and during the warmest months, none should be supplemented, but added the proviso, that even during the warmer months, only when good sunshine levels existed, should we stop supplementation. Some of these people stress that, provided levels are kept below 10,000 u, there is little or no chance of overdose.

What's your view.

jp

 

 

 

-

Ed Siceloff

Sunday, January 21, 2007 3:22 PM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

 

 

 

Even in the winter, your skin, unless you cover it all up, makes d-3 in amounts that approach adequacy for health in about a half hour of exposure, of your face. Taking vitamin d as a supplement can be done but the supplement is not the same as what your body manufactures. And, you can get too much through supplementation. Your skin and the sunshine does not make "too" much.

I had a couple of trips to Washington D.C. a couple of years ago. Stayed in a hotel in Arlington. One of the things that I noticed was that many of the busy people "could" get up in the morning in their high rise, go to the basement and catch the subway to work. Then at lunch, go to the restaurants in the bottom of many buildings, and then go back up to the office. Then the work day ends, and they go back to the basement and catch the subway home, and go back up the elevators to their apartment. And they never once step out into the light of day.

There is a problem with depression, and all sorts of people take anti-depressants, anti-anxiety drugs, etc.etc. Sunshine, your skin, and vitamin d-3 are the catalyst for a wee bit healthier living. All one needs to do is to step out of the fabricated environment into the real world of sunshine and birds, and trees, etc.etc. Not to say that it would solve all the problems by any means, but it is a step into the right direction. Sort of like stopping to smell the roses.

 

 

-

JazziDJess (AT) wmconnect (DOT) com

Sunday, January 21, 2007 4:28 PM

Re: Vitamin D and Epidemic Influenza

 

 

siceloff (AT) earthlink (DOT) net writes:

Get more sunshine, so your skin manufactures the vitamin d that you need.>>Thanks. Hard to do in this murky Winter months, but I try.

 

 

 

 

Version: 7.1.410 / Virus Database: 268.17.14/658 - Release 1/29/2007