Vitamin D supplementation and recommendation by Dr. Grattan Woodson

[Shannon]

I plan to add 5,000 units of Vitamin D to my daily regimen. There are a few people that should NOT take vitamin D. Those suffering from Hyperparathyroidism, which is a common cause of hypercalcemia. A simple blood test should be done to determine if you have this problem. Also those suffering from renal stones, sarcoidosis should not take additional Vitamin D. The rest of us need to make sure we have our vitamin D tanks on full during the months when sun exposure is insufficient to keep the D at healthy levels.

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...791#post261791

post #275

IMO, the Marshall Thesis while intriguing and using the modern language of science, is without scientific merit. There is no evidence to suggest the linchpin of his thesis is true; mainly that many human cell lines are infected with a large number of bacteria. There can be no ligands produced by intracellular bacteria that do not exist. These non-existent ligands then can not bind the VDR down regulating its function. For these reasons I reject the Marshall Thesis and also declare that his recommendation against the use of vitamin D supplements is misguided and if followed could be of harm especially among those who already have insufficient levels of serum 25 OH vit D.

What is an indisputable fact is vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in all human societies. The VDR is the target of vitamin D and regulates many processes within the human body that affect our health and susceptibility for disease. There have been an explosion of data on both the action of vitamin D, the VDR, and common human diseases that result due to vitamin D deficiency.

I resolve then that vitamin D deficiency is the cause of VDR dysfunction in most people with the exception of the small percentage of people with VDR polymorphisms which result in the VDR being variously resistant to the effects of vitamin D. What's more, replacement of vitamin D by the judicious use of sunlight and supplements is a vastly underutilized method of improving human health. The daily dose of vitamin D3 required to obtain the benefits of this hormone is at least 12 times higher than the RDA of 400iu. This level of intake equates to a dose of 5,000iu of vitamin D3 per day from all sources including sun exposure and supplements.

The jury remains out on the benefits and risks of vitamin D supplementation at the 5,000iu dose level but IMO the data is clear; supplementation is clearly warranted and very likely to substantially improve the health of those who follow this course.

At the conclusion of a debate, a time honored practice is to ask those who have participated in it to voice their opinion on what they learned for the exercise, what position they support as a result of it and in what way if any the information they gleaned as a result of the debate has affected their life choices and behavior.

I will go first. The vitamin D problem is real and supplementation is a very good answer to it. Using vitamin D3 is the best supplement to use and the lowest dose for optimal health is 5,000iu per day. Serum levels of 25 OH vit D3 is the best way to monitor body stores of vitamin D. Levels below 32ng/ml are inadequate for bone health and those below 50ng/ml are inadequate for immune health. The healthy and safe range for serum 25 OH vit D3 levels are between 50ng/ml and 80ng/ml. There is no benefit for having levels above 80ng/ml. Toxicity due to vitamin D3 is observed in those with serum 25 OH D3 levels above 120ng/ml; a level seen only in those who supplement with doses above 30,000iu of D3 daily (from all sources) and only after 2 months at this dose. Vitamin D supplementation is not safe or effective for everyone. These include people with and unexplained high blood calcium level, a history of kidney stones, a history of sarcoidosis, those with untreated primary hyperparathyroidism and for those with renal insufficiency.

The dose of vitamin D3 for children that is safe has not been studied enough but is probably no more than half the level for adults.

I look forward to hearing from both those who have participated in this debate on this thread as well as the large number of FT members who have simply observed it. I hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I have and wish to thank The Mountain's Voice for starting this thread. It has been very informative for me.

Grattan Woodson, MD
__________________
The Doctor

[the doctor]

Thanks for starting this thread Shannon. I have been working on a couple of related items that detail what to do and how to monitor serum levels etc. I will post them here later on.

GW

[the doctor]

Vitamin D and its Remarkable Role in Health and Disease from Infections to Cancer
A considerable quantity of research data published in the peer reviewed medical literature over that past 2 decades has shown that many people within the developed and underdeveloped world are vitamin D deficient. There are a variety of reasons for this finding including diet, lifestyle and use of inadequate levels of vitamin D supplements.

With regard to risk for pandemic influenza, the most important thing this data suggest for those deficient in this key vitamin is that they are much more likely to contract influenza than the vitamin D replete and are at higher risk of experiencing severe complication from this infection including cytokine storm, post influenza pneumonia and death.

The data suggests that cytokine storm seen in young victims of the current and past pandemic is due to an immune system dysregulation. It is clear that vitamin D plays an important role in immune health and being deficient in this critical substance maybe playing a causal role in this fatal complication of pandemic influenza.

The vitamin D story is quite interesting and has a long history and is not limited to influenza mitigation. What we understand today is that vitamin D is converted into a hormone by the body that has many important roles. While most think of vitamin D in relation to its role in bone and calcium metabolism what has become apparent is that this substance plays a critical role within the immune system too. People that are deficient in vitamin D are at much higher risk for a variety of common human diseases including infections, autoimmune disease and cancer due to the fact that their immune system is impaired by this condition.

Vitamin D is widely available, inexpensive, and easy to obtain both in the drug or health food store without a prescription or by simply exposing yourself to the sun on a regular basis while attired in a short sleeved shirt and sorts for 15 minutes daily.

The early adopter expert consensus is people need between 5000iu and 10,000iu of vitamin D3 daily for optimal health. This provides one who follows this recommendation after a few months with an optimal serum level of 25 OH vitamin D3 of between 50 ng/ml and 80 ng/ml. What’s more, despite the fact that this dose is between 12 and 24 times greater than the US RDA, the data show that supplementing with vitamin D3 at this level has almost no risk of toxicity.

The US RDA for vitamin D of 400iu is clearly too low to provide immunological benefits but is enough to prevent rickets in children. The US RDA is focused entirely upon rickets prevention since it was established many years ago when it was first understood that vitamin D deficiency caused rickets and that by adding 400iu to the daily diet prevented this bone disease. What we understand today is that while one might be able to avoid rickets with this very low dose of vitamin D, there are many other things vitamin D does that are not prevented by this very small daily dose. Many people who obtain a dose of 400iu vitamin D daily remain deficient in this key vitamin, as we now understand what having an adequate serum level of this substance means.

Current studies show that people need much more vitamin D each day for optimal health than 400iu per day. At a minimum what research scientists whose work is focused on this vitamin recommend is that people have at least 5,000iu of vitamin D3 each day.

It is remarkable and frankly surprising that these dose suggestions are between 12 and 24 times higher than the US RDA and there is some older data to suggest that people taking supplements in this range could be placing themselves at risk for harm. However most recent studies show that this is not the case. Rather these data show that it is very rare for anyone to suffer vitamin D excess until they obtain more than 30,000iu on a daily basis from all sources for at least two months.

It requires about 2000iu of vitamin D3 daily to obtain a level of 32ng/ml of 25OH vit D3, the minimum needed for bone health. To approach optimum health with vitamin D, meaning a level that encompasses both bone and immune health requires having a serum 25 OH vit D3 level between 50ng/ml and 80ng/ml. To achieve this serum level of 25 OH vit D require a daily intake of between 5,000iu and 10,000iu.

What is meant by optimal health?
This means having enough vitamin D to prevent or at least mitigate common infections including influenza, having a beneficial impact on those with a wide rage of autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erthematosis, Sjrogrens syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis as well solid tumors including breast and colon cancer. There are other cancers that can be prevented by having optimum levels of this vitamin including prostate, uterine, ovarian and non-melenoma skin cancer. If you have one of these or a related conditions, don't jump for joy. While vitamin D probably plays a role in these disorders what most scientists think is that there are multiple reasons for people to contract them with vitamin D being only one.

That said, the data suggest that it is an important one and one that we can do something about which is nice since there are so many causes for disease that we can do nothing about. What I am saying is that while a low vitamin D level may be playing a role in these disorders it is not the only player on stage and correcting a low vitamin D level may not have a significant impact on these conditions so don't get your hopes up. Nevertheless, if you have one of these conditions or not and have low vitamin D levels, there is certainly every reason to bring those levels up to the optimal range even if it has no effect on your primary condition. This is because there are so many benefits to doing so that your overall health and wellness will improve by virtue of the practice irrespective of where or not is has an impact on your primary condition.

This is a very exciting new field of medical research and the answers regarding these purported benefits have not yet been proven but what is clear is there are a considerable body of evidence being accumulated at a rapid clip that support both the efficacy and safety of vitamin D used for these purposes.

With respect to flu as well as these other serious common chronic diseases, having a serum 25 OH vit D3 level of between 50ng and 80 ng/ml is regarded as optimum. IMO, those who obtain the goal are those who are most likely to be able to experience an asymptomatic case of flu during this pandemic and if they become symptomatic are much more likely to have a benign course. Of course there are no guarantees in life and while having optimum levels of vitamin D has many potential benefits it is clear that it is no panacea. There are many reasons people die as a result of becoming infected with pandemic influenza with one of them probably being vitamin D deficient. What is important is to recognize this fact before being exposed to the virus and taking action now to obtain optimum serum levels of the vitamin. By doing so at a minimum you remove this source of risk from infection with the pandemic strain.

Getting your vitamin D3 from the sun
What is remarkable is light skinned people can obtain 15,000iu of Vitamin D3 by getting a MED (minimal erythema dose) meaning in the buff with 7.5 min on the front and back sides at high noon in the summer below 45 degrees latitude on a clear day. MED means not getting sunburned but just before it.

It is of interest that people of color need more sun expose than pale skinned people. A dark African American needs as much as 4 times this exposure to get the same benefit. So, what is needed is to time your exposure according to your skin tone.

An interesting thing about getting your vitamin D3 from the sun is that you cannot get too much! Why, because for the white person who gets their MED and 15,000iu of D3 in 15 minutes, if they stay out longer, while new D3 is being made, the UV light is destroying the D3 made earlier. This is apparently nature's way of preventing us from becoming vitamin D toxic from sun exposure. This means that there is no added benefit to exposing yourself for more than the MED.

Now, if you don't have a good place to obtain your MED in the nude, then you can do it in shorts and a short-sleeved shirt or bathing suit. This obviously reduces your exposed skin by up to 40% depending on the style of clothes, so in this instance for the white person, they will get about 6000iu of D3 with 15 minutes of full sun expose, an excellent dose. But remember, if you stay out longer, all you do is burn and damage your skin with no added vitamin D3 production so either go inside or put on sunscreen from that point on.

Sunscreen completely blocks the skins ability to make vitamin D3 so use it but not until after you have gotten your MED. Yes, tanned white folks will need to spend more time in the sun to get the full benefit.

The older you get the less efficient the skin becomes converting sunshine into vitamin D3. I think people in their 50s and 60s are able to convert much of the sun they receive into vitamin D3 but once you get into the 70s, then skin production gets pretty low. The best bet for older folks is to take at least 5,000iu of vitamin D3 daily.

Who should avoid vitamin D supplementation?
There are some medical conditions where vitamin D3 supplementation should be avoided or at least delayed until the condition is treated or cured.

Primary Hyperparathyroidism: this disorder is associated with high blood calcium levels, high vitamin D levels, kidney stones and osteoporosis. It is usually due to a benign tumor of one of the 4 parathyroid glands in the neck. Until the tumor has been removed, vitamin D3 supplementation is not recommended because it could make the consequences of this disease worse.

Sarcoidosis: this is a disease of unknown cause that is associated with abnormal production of activated vitamin D. Hypercalcemia is commonly seen with this condition especially in those who take vitamin D3 supplements. In this case, vitamin D supplementation should only be undertaken under your physician's guidance.

Kidney Stones: Most kidney stones contain calcium but not all kidney stones are due to calcium. If you have had kidney stones, vitamin D supplementation is not recommended until after the cause for the stones has been determined and treated and then only under the supervision of your physician.

Unexplained Hypercalcemia: If your blood calcium level has been elevated in the past or is presently, then vitamin D supplementation is not recommended until the cause of this is determined and an appropriate treatment has been applied. Afterward depending on the cause of the elevated calcium level and only with your doctors supervision can vitamin D supplementation be considered.

Renal insufficiency or failure: Chronic kidney disease that leads to reduced function is a complex medical disorder that affects vitamin D levels and metabolism. Patients with this problem should not supplement on their own rather they should only do so with their physician's guidance which might include forms of vitamin D available only by prescription.

Children: While children need vitamin D just as adults do, the safe dose for use in them is not certain. It is probably true that the recommended RDA for children is much too low as is the case for adults. The optimal 25 OH vit D3 range in children is the same as it is for adults but the adult dose is probably too high for kids. For pre-adolescent children then, one should not give them more than 2000 iu per day in the form of a supplement. Parents are advised to depend more of the sun as a source of vitamin D for their kids as it is impossible to get too much vitamin D from the sun although as in adults, in no case should you allow your child to remain in the sun long enough to obtain a sunburn. After 15 minutes of exposure, apply sunscreen to prevent this.

Children and adults living in the far northern or southern latitudes must use supplements to obtain vitamin D since sun exposure is inadequate. In this case, a starting dose of 2,000iu per day of vitamin D3 would be reasonable for kids and 5,000iu for adults. Monitoring blood levels of 25 OH vit D3 is recommended on the same schedule as for kids and adults. Working to obtain the optimal serum 25 OH vit D3 range with a "vitamin D friendly pediatrician or family physician" is the best strategy.

Everyone should have their vitamin D level checked
This is a simple test to have and while it is not cheap, it might be covered by insurance if you have it. If not, while the test cost varies, on average it is about $75 or so. The test to have is a 25 hydroxyvitamin D3 level (25 OH vit D3).

Interpretation of Serum Vitamin D Results
First rule, ignore the normal range provide by the lab as these have not kept pace with the research.
25 OH vit D3 level < 20ng/ml is grossly deficient
25 OH vit D3 level < 32ng/ml is insufficient
25 OH vit D3 level > 32ng/ml is adequate for bone health
25 OH vit D3 level > 50ng/ml is adequate for bone and immune health
25 OH vit D3 level = 80ng/ml is the highest recommended level
25 OH vit D3 level > 120ng/ml can cause toxic hypercalcemia and is potentially dangerous

The goal for optimal health is to maintain a 25 OH vit D3 level between 50ng/ml and 80ng/ml.

You can buy vitamin D3 in health food stores and online in much higher doses than 400iu. I have seen doses as high as 5000iu but this is rare. More commonly, you will find doses of 1000iu and 2000iu of vitamin D3. Vitamin D2 is also sold but the experts recommend D3 over D2.

Recommended vitamin D3 dosing for optimal health
To obtain a serum 25 OH vit D3 level of >50ng/ml but <80ng/ml, the appropriate range for both bone and immune health requires a daily intake of at least 5,000iu of vitamin D3 every day. Begin at this level rather than a higher one. Below are instructions for how to monitor your level and make changes if needed.

There are two ways to get vitamin D3. The first is from the sun and the second is from a supplement. The daily intake from both sources needs to be considered when deciding on how much vitamin D is needed for optimal health on a daily basis. Some experts think obtaining your vitamin D3 from the sun is better than from a supplement, a sentiment that makes sense to me but if getting your vitamin D3 from the sun is not a good option for you, by all means supplement.
.
In both the northern and southern hemispheres a person dressed in shorts and a T-shirt exposed to full sun at noon for 15 minutes up to latitude 45 degrees between March and September or September and March respectively will obtain about 6,500iu of D3 +/- 2,500iu. The +/- has to do with the latitude and time of year. Higher latitudes and the closer it is to the equinox, the less vitamin D3 is obtained. In no instance should you remain in the sun long enough to get a sunburn. When using the sun to obtain vitamin D3, do not apply sunscreen
.
So, you can get all the vitamin D3 you need from the sun during these times of year. In the winter though or for those living above 45 degrees, the strength of the sun is too limited to provide a reliable dose of vitamin D3. Under these conditions, taking a supplement of 5,000iu of vitamin D3 is recommended.

If during your summer, on the days you are not able to take advantage of the sun, you should take 5,000iu of vitamin D3.

It takes 2 months at this dose to obtain a steady state serum level of 25 OH vit D3. What is recommended is that you obtain a baseline value for 25 OH vit D3 before starting you sun/supplement regimen wait two months and then repeat the test
.
Use the table above for information on how to interpret the results of the test. Your goal is to have a serum level of between 50ng/ml and 80ng/ml. Levels above 120ng/ml have the potential to be toxic.

If your serum level of 25 OH vit D3 is less than 50ng/ml after 2 months on your regimen, increase your supplement. If it is >80ng/ml decrease your supplement. In the event that you are either above or below the goal range, it is necessary to recheck you level again after 2 months on the new regimen.

Once within the goal range, check your level annually to ensure that your regimen remains adequate.

Conclusion
It is true that these recommendations sound radical because they are so much higher than the standard recommendation. I thought the same when I first encountered them but have come to be a supporter of them over the last few years but especially of late. Education is a powerful tool. Don’t take my word for this. You can use the Internet to investigate this for yourself and this is what I recommend. Go on Google scholar and search vitamin D and immunity or vitamin D and infectious disease or vitamin D and dose and toxicity.
You will find a lot of very interesting articles that reflect the ebb and flow of this debate that has now become pretty clearly resolved in favor of people needing between 5000iu and 10,000iu of D3 for optimal health, not just rickets prevention.

Nevertheless, the vitamin D nay Sayers remain a potent force and have not capitulated. It will be some time before the conservative keepers of the RDA increase the recommendation for the general public. IMO, the argument has been won and resoundingly in favor of taking a lot more vitamin D than the RDA but this is something that you can investigate for yourself and decide this on the merits as I have.

[tropicalgirl]

Not taking it as I do have my concerns on taking supplements... but adding 15 min of sunlight without sunblocks to my routine... guess it will make it, am I right? (I still have sun even during winter time )

[the doctor]

The document posted above, Vitamin D and its Remarkable Role in Health and Disease from Infections to Cancer, is not my work. Rather it is a synthesis of the work of a great many FT members who contributed to a thread begun by The Mountain Voice on vitamin D and cytokine storm.

What happened on that thread in my opinion was simply fantastic. Our members searched the literature to find relevant articles, we had direct and indirect contributions from lead authors of key papers related to the topic. We entertained opposing views, explored alternative hypothesis and in the end settled on a few key concepts that I have tried to enunciate in the above paper. But did I succeed? Are these simply my parochial views of what the consensus was rather than the true consensus. This is important to investigate for this synthesis of our discussion to have the greatest impact.

The paper above is simply my interpretation of the work done by many FT members and our guest contributors. It belongs to no one including me and realizing this, I have removed my name from the paper. Please forgive me for the hubris to place it there in the first place. Removing my name does not mean I do not stand behind it but because while I might have written the summary, it is not my work. No, this paper is the result of the work of a great many of our members not just one.

I could not have written this paper if I had not participated so intently in the challenging and for me enlightening discussion that occurred on that thread. Participating on it changed my views, introduced new concepts and ideas to me that I had not considered before. To be honest, it has changed my practice of medicine and I believe that by instituting the things learned on that thread my patients will be the beneficiaries.

In that spirit, what I request is to consider this paper open for comment. What needs to be added? What should be removed? Where are the weaknesses that need to be strengthened? How about style, spelling, tense and grammar (one of my big weaknesses)?

Lets get this paper right and make it what it truly is, an example of what is possible when people of intelligence and good will come together to discuss an obscure issue but one that has the potential to be of great benefit to both those exploring it but also many more too.

Thanks for allowing me to be part of this exercise.

Grattan Woodson, MD

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by tropicalgirl

Not taking it as I do have my concerns on taking supplements... but adding 15 min of sunlight without sunblocks to my routine... guess it will make it, am I right? (I still have sun even during winter time )

This should work just fine especially if you have year round access to the sun which every tropical girl should.

GW

[The Mountains Voice]

Originally Posted by the doctor

#1) ...............is not my work. Rather it is a synthesis of the work of a great many FT members who contributed to a thread
#2) ...............it has changed my practice of medicine
#3) ...............In that spirit, what I request is to consider this paper open for comment. What needs to be added? What should be removed? Where are the weaknesses that need to be strengthened? How about style, spelling, tense and grammar (one of my big weaknesses)?
#4) ...............Lets get this paper right

#1) You are too modest Doctor, and yet that is exactly what makes you worthy to carry the flag for this one, for it is a very rare quality nowadays, and much needed.

#2) #3) #4) This is a cause worth fighting. It is the simplest, most inexpensive, most effective issue I have found, which could actualy make a substantial dent in what is looming as a global health catastrophe in regards to Swine Flu / Bird Flu. And yes, Bird Flu will rear it's ugly head in all of this before it is over. That's the scary one, with what will probably be a very high CFR, and yet as we see from the volume of work on Vitamin D here - that this one small step, of elevating and maintaining Vitamin D Level to the 50 - 80 range could probably impact positively a huge portion of those cases.

Taking that a step further - we could see huge reductions in cancer, and other illnesses, if this information were widely disseminated.

So it is important to get it right. And it is important that it have a spokesperson of humble nature, a throwback to times of old, when doctors served the patients, spoke plainly, and cared.

Because the information must be trusted to be picked up on by the media, and accepted bythe media. It cannot be tainted with personal desire, nor reward. And this is the challenge, because the only thing standing between extra unnecessary millions of deaths, and not, is simply that the word spreads forcefully. It won't be enough to do as the WHO, or CDC, and simply whisper a fine print comment, and then wash yourself of your sins, saying, "But I told them". This is the sort of information that is useful, and if the collective body of work, and entire existence of Flutrackers were to be judged upon this one topic alone - then it would be good.

It's time that this body of work was set out in the light for all to see. I would reference the original thread as a "Collected Body of Research" by link. I would reference all other supporting threads by link. These are the only footnotes needed, and will do dual duty by further exposing the power of what can be accomplished when mankind comes together outside a political environment to tackle a subject.

This has been very good.

The question is how to condense all of this into a single page, that can serve as a press release to the media, and a gentle push to officials, and an eye-opener to the average citizen. From a marketing perspective, I have often looked back to the advice of a man, given me long ago.....

"Write it for an 8 year old. It must be so simple, yet commanding, that not only could an 8 year old understand it, but would want to read it."

I will think about distribution method. We need 1 page.

[The Mountains Voice]

The following is an unapproved sample format. Comments at end.

Originally Posted by SAMPLE PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TO GLOBAL MEDIA:

Major Breakthrough Announced in Swine Flu Treatment
Released By: http://www.FluTrackers.com
July 8, 2009

Reference Data:
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=111947
Above thread has several hundred data feeds and discussion points from Flutracker members + input from global experts on the subject. FluTrackers put out a call to global experts – and they came! Thread contains links to supporting scientific studies.
http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/sho...d.php?t=114594
Above thread has some more easily digested layman summaries of the final agreed upon facts.

Background:
The Flutrackers Forum is a collection of people from around the globe. You will find a wide variety of participants, including experienced Virologists, Geneticists, Research Scientists, and Medical Professionals. This group does a wonderful job of analyzing incoming flu data, and then summarizing it in a way that the average layman can understand. The data is collected by an extraordinary group of people that works around the clock, in various shifts from around the globe - continually monitoring Global News and information sites for breaking news.

All of that Data / News is posted at the site for central review. The data is categorized into topical threads, and all groups interact to discuss implications, suggest new areas of focus for everyone to search for / research on. We also have Focus Areas that collect data, discuss and make practical suggestions directed to actual preparation / response to various scenarios.

One of those scenarios involved the role of Vitamin D in Influenza. As data began to flow in, our members began to get excited. It seemed that the data existed to support the hypothesis that Vitamin D played a very important role in the human health condition, much larger than is normally published. One of our members, Dr. Gratton Woodson, an Atlanta Physician and expert in Global Influenza studies, took it upon himself to put out the call to some of the world’s most respected Vitamin D researchers. They came. They discussed. They shared findings.

Following is a summary of the generally accepted conclusions from this Forum Event.

1. Fill in the blanks.
2. Simple, powerful data points.
3. Our “Footnote” will simply be the threads.
4. Factual, yet emotional points are suggested as the lead.
5. The goal is to get attention. Once the attention is had, THEN the supporting facts can be explored by the larger scientific community.

Suggested Immediate Actions for the General Population:

1. Fil in blanks - Doses
2. Level Testing
3. Ask your doctor
4. Warnings / Exceptions , etc, etc...

Because of his extraordinary work to pull together so many experts in this field, his tireless efforts to objectively gather and organize the facts regarding this most important subject, his expertise as a Physician who cares deeply about those he serves, and his humble nature, the general FluTrackers Forum community has nominated Dr. Gratten Woodson as our global spokesman for this topic.

A review of the reference data (above) should offer a fascinating real time history of the evolution of this topic, and should provide a wealth of editable material for news release. Further detailed inquiries can be directed to Dr. Gratten Woodson. (insert email and/or phone here)

PAGE 2 – Additional References

Other contributors to our research, and generally accepted experts in this field include:

XXXXXXXXXXXXX (email / phone)
Major reference papers include: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

XXXXXXXXXXXXX (email / phone)
Major reference papers include: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


XXXXXXXXXXXXX (email / phone)
Major reference papers include: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx


XXXXXXXXXXXXX (email / phone)
Major reference papers include: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

All of the above are available for media inquiry as well.

The following persons have read this document, and support the general findings:

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Qualifications / Position: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Qualifications / Position: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Qualifications / Position: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

XXXXXXXXXXXXX
Qualifications / Position: xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Comment #1 - Obviously Sharon & Dr. Gratson would have to approve this before I started launching it around the globe. Sharon, when completed in final acceptable format, you could pop this out as well to your contacts.

Comment #2 - Doc, you are the best man for the job. Perhaps you could do the "Fill in the blank sections". I know you will probably argue humbly against this - but I think you have a greater calling in this one. Pray on it.

Comment #3 - For additional power, legitimacy,and to get more news media interaction, I believe that some of the major contributors here should add their names. I think that some some big name persons who follow this should also perhaps have an "I have reviewed this, and add my name in agreement" statements. Perhaps Dr. Woodson could be pointman for selections.

Doc, if you take this on, and if Sharon approves it, then I will devote some major time to issuing press releases. Both of you think on this. This has been an incredible breakthrough, except that it hasn't. Hasn't broken through into the general knowledge base of the human population. If this collected knowledge isn't shared - then it becomes dead knowledge, and if we wait for big pharma to release the info - then people wil simply die waiting.

What say ye?

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by The Mountains Voice

#1)
The question is how to condense all of this into a single page, that can serve as a press release to the media, and a gentle push to officials, and an eye-opener to the average citizen. From a marketing perspective, I have often looked back to the advice of a man, given me long ago.....

"Write it for an 8 year old. It must be so simple, yet commanding, that not only could an 8 year old understand it, but would want to read it."

I will think about distribution method. We need 1 page.

You are absolutely right TMV, this long tome needs to be condensed into a single page document that is easy to understand yet still provides the essential content.

Florida1 has been discussing the need for this kind of simple but useful communication on several recent threads and I agree with you both.

I will work on boiling the initial synthesis down to its essence and strive to keep it down to a single page.

Great suggestion. Thanks,

GW

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by tolenio

I sent the vitamin D information to some First Nations chiefs associations and their heatlth directors and there was no response. I sent the same information to a First Nations fire chief, responisble for community response to pandemic in Northern Canada and lights went on;

He wrote me back;



I will bet you dollars to donuts that front line emergency workers have networks of communication that can ring louder than any ambulance siren or fire bell and once those are sounding media and politicians will not be able to ignore them.

That is my personal opinion, and I am sure it will inflame many, and may sound quite cynical to some, but in my opinion is very action oriented.

I know there is one northern community no longer in the dark.

Tom

That is great news Tom. Hey, if we can only help a few people that is much better than helping none. I am working on the one page summary but plan to focus it primarily on relationship between vit D and flu since I think this is what is needed most now. The pandemic is here and now, cancer is somewhere in the future.

GW

[tropicalgirl]

One page is great to inform people who needs information with a link to FT for more detailed discussion surely is great, but Twitter can spread the word very very easily... I can translate (the one page and the twitter alert) to Portuguese and spread to my net...

[The Mountains Voice]

Originally Posted by tropicalgirl

One page is great to inform people who needs information with a link to FT for more detailed discussion surely is great, but Twitter can spread the word very very easily... I can translate (the one page and the twitter alert) to Portuguese and spread to my net...

Excellent idea....
I think the Twitter could link to Static Main Thread, that has sublinks off of it for further detail.

[Desolation_anonymous]

Originally Posted by tolenio

Hi,

If you live north of 35 degrees lattitude from October to April there is not enough UV penetrating to the ground for you to make vitamin D at noon on a cloudless day.

If you, live in a smoggy area smog blocks UV rays as effectively as sunscreen and though the sun may be shining, your body cannot produce vitamin D. Hence Mexico City one of the smoggiest on the planet.

The natural ozone layer of the planet also acts like sunblock and blocks UV rays from the sun. If you happen to live in an area where natural ozone stacks up into mountains even if the sun is shining in a cloudless sky you will not be able to produce vitaman D in the skin.

Note: Australia has an ozone cloud over it.

If you are overweight up to 50% of the vitamin D will get caught up in fat deposits for vitamin D is fat soluble.

If you are a senior your body loses up to 75% of its ability to produce vitamin D due to changes in the skin.

If you are darker pigmented it will take more time in the sun to get the same results.

You need to calculate all your risk factors, know the current UV level, and then calculate sun time, knowing that in winter above 35 degrees latitude it is impossible for anyone to make vitamin D in the skin.

To do a quick risk assesment and calculate exposure times use online calculators like these;

Risk Assesment
http://www.thevitamindcure.com/assessment/

Sun Calculator
http://www.thevitamindcure.com/calculator/

There is no "one size fits all solution" and I hope this information helps you.

It is also good to own a personal UV indicator. They come in watch form for the wrist and the better ones will give timers based on your risk criteria and the current UV hitting the device.

Tom

Could you let us know where you get the information re: latitude? I find that really depressing, I live 38 degrees latitude, in an area of northern California that gets really hot (110 degrees plus) and sunny in the summer, and is sometimes sunny through November. yes, i know this dosen't = UV exposure, but I'm surprised the skin doesn't convert it at ALL. . .

I was also wondering- what if you only have your face/neck and arms exposed, how to determine how much exposure is needed?

Do you know if the vitaminDCure calculator shows that during the winter months?

I'd be curious to know if you can get exposure through pantyhose, as well

[The Mountains Voice]

Originally Posted by tolenio

Call me a cynic, for in all probability I am, but I have little confidence in media, politicians and bureaucrats. I put my trust and stock in pragmatic people, applying common sense to help others in risk. Hence FT...

I have no intention of limiting the "Press Release" to actual News Media. They'll get a go around. 1st the Big Media, then down through small town news papers. Then you release it to every email you can find inside CDC / WHO / HHS / Argentinian Health Depts, and so on and so on.

Then you hit major medical blogs, forums. Example: allnurses.com

Then you pop it onto al the many many flu forums.

And so on and so on.

And I share your lack of confidence in the media.... but you keep pumping it out there anyway. You keep doing, and doing, and doing. And when you get tired, you take a break and hope someone noticed, and that they pick up the flag and carry it a while.

Then when you are ready, you get off your A%#, stand up, pick up the banner, blow the trumpet, and march on for a while longer.

...or you sit silently, and watch people die, and things deteriorate, when you know you could have made a difference. Not my nature.

But we need the 1 page 1st (maybe 2 if we go with references).

[tropical]

#12: "The pandemic is here and now, cancer is somewhere in the future."


Ehm, with all the respect to the initiative, I must object the above.

Cancer is everywhere, and overwhelming now, and in the future.

If we could trespass eventual future cancer inducing evidence by augmented drug usage of this vitamin, than we could freely take the squalene based (already accepted by EU regs) adjuvanted vaccines, and even the cell technology fast produced vaccines, or other something inducing flu atenuating compounds.

I know that vaccines are not ready, and that we need a cheap worldwide solution, but if taking vit. D augmented supplements is not a peace of cake, than, maybe ...

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by tolenio

I sent the vitamin D information to some First Nations chiefs associations and their heatlth directors and there was no response. I sent the same information to a First Nations fire chief, responisble for community response to pandemic in Northern Canada and lights went on;

He wrote me back;



I will bet you dollars to donuts that front line emergency workers have networks of communication that can ring louder than any ambulance siren or fire bell and once those are sounding media and politicians will not be able to ignore them.

That is my personal opinion, and I am sure it will inflame many, and may sound quite cynical to some, but in my opinion is very action oriented.

I know there is one northern community no longer in the dark.

Tom

That is great news Tom. Hey, if we can only help a few people that is much better than helping none. I am working on the one page summary but plan to focus it primarily on relationship between vit D and flu since I think this is what is needed most now. The pandemic is here and now, cancer is somewhere in the future.

GW

[the doctor]

TMV, here is the first draft of a one page summary.

GW

Can Vitamin D Supplementation Ward Off Pandemic Influenza?
Summary by Grattan Woodson, MD on behalf of Flutrackers.com

Can vitamin D supplementation ward off pandemic influenza? Probably not but new data suggest it could help. It is well known that many people are vitamin D deficient and a newly published study suggests that being so could place millions worldwide at higher risk for catching swine flu and for death from this pandemic strain over the coming months.

A mountain of new information has come to light recently that links vitamin D with immune system health. People with low levels of this vitamin suffer from a higher rate of all kinds of infections including pneumonia, tuberculosis and seasonal flu. While the common flu seen each winter affects the very young an elderly most severely, the swine flu pandemic has been mostly deadly to young adults in the prime of life. History shows that this was also the case in 1918 during the Spanish Flu pandemic that killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide. It is not known why pandemic influenza focuses most on young healthy adults but it clearly does with fatal results all too often.

Apparently, many young people who die during influenza pandemics like the current swine flu experience an over reaction within their immune system in response to the vital attack. Scientists refer to this deadly condition as cytokine storm and suspect it occurs do to a loss of normal regulation of the victim’s immune system.

An interesting new study published in the August 2009 issue of Demato-Endocrinology by Drs William B. Grant and Edward Giovannucci found that during the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic the lowest rates of mortality in the US were seen in areas of the country with the highest levels of sunshine. These researchers conclude that one of the reasons for their observations might be that people living in these areas of US had higher levels of vitamin D compared to those living further north.

Other studies published over the past decade have linked vitamin D deficiency to immune system dysregulation, a key factor in the development of cytokine storm caused by infection with pandemic influenza. Members of the online Flutrackers community recently participated in an open forum on this topic. They concluded that reversing vitamin D deficiency was a widely available, simple and safe way to help reduce risk from pandemic flu.

A number of scientific and medical articles were discussed on the forum that considered many aspects of this issue. The participating FT members concluded that vitamin D deficiency was widespread, is easy, inexpensive and safe to correct by the use of supplements or by simply taking a regular 15-minute sunbath. While not a panacea, the consensus of our members was that everyone should consider have their vitamin D level checked, discuss this issue with their health care provider and begin a vitamin D supplement if needed.

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by tropicalgirl

One page is great to inform people who needs information with a link to FT for more detailed discussion surely is great, but Twitter can spread the word very very easily... I can translate (the one page and the twitter alert) to Portuguese and spread to my net...

Very cool.

GW

[somebodyoutthere]

I'm confused; is the measurement that a lab gives you on the Vitamin D test usually in ng/L or nmol/L? (I don't know what the abbreviations mean).

I didn't look carefully at the units--I just looked at the number and assumed that it was the same unit measurement that I was reading on websites. Mine was somewhere around 30 of whatever that measurement was.

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by Desolation_anonymous

Could you let us know where you get the information re: latitude? I find that really depressing, I live 38 degrees latitude, in an area of northern California that gets really hot (110 degrees plus) and sunny in the summer, and is sometimes sunny through November. yes, i know this dosen't = UV exposure, but I'm surprised the skin doesn't convert it at ALL. . .

I was also wondering- what if you only have your face/neck and arms exposed, how to determine how much exposure is needed?

Do you know if the vitaminDCure calculator shows that during the winter months?

I'd be curious to know if you can get exposure through pantyhose, as well

DA, if you can get a sunburn, then you can get all the vit D you need. I think 35 degrees might be a little low myself but who am I to argue with Dr, Hollic, the guy is one of my heroes.

Take those darn pantyhose off! Weren't they invented to enslave women or at the least make their lives frustrating and miserable?

Seriously though, you probably get a lot of sun through pantyhose but if that is the only exposed skin, then it may take a little longer to get the MED.

GW

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by tropical

#12: "The pandemic is here and now, cancer is somewhere in the future."


Ehm, with all the respect to the initiative, I must object the above.

Cancer is everywhere, and overwhelming now, and in the future.

If we could trespass eventual future cancer inducing evidence by augmented drug usage of this vitamin, than we could freely take the squalene based (already accepted by EU regs) adjuvanted vaccines, and even the cell technology fast produced vaccines, or other something inducing flu atenuating compounds.

I know that vaccines are not ready, and that we need a cheap worldwide solution, but if taking vit. D augmented supplements is not a peace of cake, than, maybe ...

Of course you are right T, but if we bring cancer into it I fear that the message will be dismissed as too good to be true. While I believe the cancer part too, it also distracts from the influenza message. Sure, cancer is epidemic and something needs to be done about but we are members of FT not CT. Our credibility is related to influenza and this is where we can make a difference now at this critical time in history. The cancer forums and there are many are sure to pick this story up if they have not already. Lets let them take the lead on that as they are the ones with the credentials to sphere head that aspect of the vitamin D story.

The cancer data will be available within the extended comments and references but, IMO should not be included within the one page lead for the reasons mentioned.

Also, let me remind everyone that the use of the FT trademark has not been given to this initiative and will not be until our mods and editors have taken a look at what the members produce as a final product. For this reason, it is very important that no one jump the gun. If you want to share the information with someone, fine but please don't include any reference to FT until the final document is approved by our PTB.
Thanks,

GW

[The Mountains Voice]

Originally Posted by tolenio

I am no artist, but possibly an artist could put something like this together that would be useful in either email mailings or simply tacked on bulletin boards.

I LOVE IT! Would make a great banner ad! Those darn things are expensive though. I know - I'm in marketing. I almost always pass on expending money for Banner Advertising, because it is very ineffective - but this WOULD work given the special circumstance we are about to face - which is a world that is getting ready to be very painfully focused on the Flu - whether they like it or not. I'm thinking we'd use www.Flutrackers.com for the web adress visual, but make the hyperlink a subthread? Maybe have a prominent link at top of page? A mini banner of the image??

In regards to the cancer statements earlier (made in separate posts)- I think a single bullet line mentioning cancer fighting properties is appropriate. Also other health benefits. Anyone have a link to a number/percentage rate study I can reference?

I need to sit down and read the entire threads again (ugh) and make notes.

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by tolenio

Hi,

Just to show how complicated dosage can be I will share some personal info I just got.

The phone rang and it was my doctor with my serum vitamin D level that we tested 2.5 weeks ago.

My serum blood vitamin D was 76 nmol/L. Somebody calculated on another thread the baseline of 40ng/L was in the vincinity of 99 nmol/L. I am below the minimum threshold.

Do I have any health issues other than being overweight? No. Blood pressures fine, sugar is fine, no chronic disease of any kind. I am simply overweight. I am about 90 pounds overweight.

Now keep in mind that I had supplemented with oral vitamin D 3,000 iu all winter, and I was deliberately seeking sun exposure prior to test (bathing suit at noon). Two weeks prior to the blood test I had increased my daily vitamin D to 9,000 units a day based on Dr. Dowd's book.

I still have not cracked the minimum threshold for healthy serum vitamin D.

I have modified my diet and now realize how important proper body mass index is to the body self regulating, but I am sure many people in the same boat as me have no idea that simply their body fat is having tremendous impact on their serum vitamin D, and what the implications are for D deficiency.

I imagine that very few doctors test serum vitamin D as a matter of routine. I mean routine like twice a year (mid summer/mid winter).

Dosage can be very complex.

Tom

Tom, I calculate your 25 OH vit D level as 30.4 ng/ml.

This is within the insufficient range according to the levels established in our document but not bad compared to most folks.

Assuming this value is correct and I would suggest you have it rechecked given the fact that measuring vitamin D levels is difficult and can vary by at least 20% +/-.

It is also important to inquire what test was used to check your vitamin D level. Some tests are better than others.

As pointed out, those of us with high levels of body fat may not be able to use the vitamin D they have stored. Whatever the case if the recheck using the best lab method available confirms the first result, then clearly you need more vitamin D.

Each of us are individuals and all individuals have their own way of responding to drugs and hormones including vitamin D. Given your results and assuming that they are correct, the obvious response is that you need to increase your current dose substantially to reach the immune health threshold of 50ng/ml.

Everyone is different and this is a fact you can take to the bank. Keep this in mind and adjust your approach to this issue and you will get the greatest benefits from it.

GW

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by somebodyoutthere

I'm confused; is the measurement that a lab gives you on the Vitamin D test usually in ng/L or nmol/L? (I don't know what the abbreviations mean).

I didn't look carefully at the units--I just looked at the number and assumed that it was the same unit measurement that I was reading on websites. Mine was somewhere around 30 of whatever that measurement was.

There is a big difference between the two. In general within the US we use ng/ml but elsewhere in the world they use international units or in this case nmol/L.

To convert nmol/L to ng/ml simply multiply the value by 0.4

To convert ng/ml to nmol/L simply multiply the value by 2.5

Units do matter! So be sure you pay attention to the units following your test results or you will not be able to interpret them properly especially if you are relying on the table provided in our vitamin D document.

GW

[the doctor]

Originally Posted by tolenio

Hi,

I am curious... Now that I am burning stored fat if the D stored in the fat is hitting the serum or being destroyed.

I know that the liver regulares this, but I do not know if there is research into burning fat and effect on serum D.

Being fat myself and knowing what we now do about D and autoimmune... Come on all you people blocking your serum D, knock down those road blocks! Not an easy road, but a good road. (smile)

Tom

While I don't know, I would guess that if an overweight person entered ketosis, meaning that they were breaking down fat for energy because their intake of calories had been reduced below requirements, that some of the vitamin D trapped in the adipose tissue would be released into the blood.

With regard to this possibility, it is of note that overweight people who reduce their calorie intake sufficiently to enter ketosis often report improvement in their symptoms from arthritis and other sources of chronic pain.

The reason for this, as far as I know is not known but given what we have learned about vitamin D over the last few weeks, could this observation be due to the release of vitamin D trapped in fat?

Interesting.

GW

[Desolation_anonymous]

Originally Posted by tolenio

Hi,

Just to show how complicated dosage can be I will share some personal info I just got.

The phone rang and it was my doctor with my serum vitamin D level that we tested 2.5 weeks ago.

My serum blood vitamin D was 76 nmol/L. Somebody calculated on another thread the baseline of 40ng/L was in the vincinity of 99 nmol/L. I am below the minimum threshold.

Do I have any health issues other than being overweight? No. Blood pressures fine, sugar is fine, no chronic disease of any kind. I am simply overweight. I am about 90 pounds overweight.

Now keep in mind that I had supplemented with oral vitamin D 3,000 iu all winter, and I was deliberately seeking sun exposure prior to test (bathing suit at noon). Two weeks prior to the blood test I had increased my daily vitamin D to 9,000 units a day based on Dr. Dowd's book.

I still have not cracked the minimum threshold for healthy serum vitamin D.

I have modified my diet and now realize how important proper body mass index is to the body self regulating, but I am sure many people in the same boat as me have no idea that simply their body fat is having tremendous impact on their serum vitamin D, and what the implications are for D deficiency.

I imagine that very few doctors test serum vitamin D as a matter of routine. I mean routine like twice a year (mid summer/mid winter).

Dosage can be very complex.

Tom

Holy cow, thanks! And thanks for all your other info, too! Now, if only I can get my doctor to test... doubtful (Kaiser). I guess 45 minutes afternoon walk 5x week and 2000 vit D a day might not be enough... :0

[Desolation_anonymous]

Originally Posted by the doctor

DA, if you can get a sunburn, then you can get all the vit D you need. I think 35 degrees might be a little low myself but who am I to argue with Dr, Hollic, the guy is one of my heroes.

Take those darn pantyhose off! Weren't they invented to enslave women or at the least make their lives frustrating and miserable?

Seriously though, you probably get a lot of sun through pantyhose but if that is the only exposed skin, then it may take a little longer to get the MED.

GW

ROFL. Thanks

[AlaskaDenise]

Originally Posted by the doctor

............ I am working on the one page summary but plan to focus it primarily on relationship between vit D and flu since I think this is what is needed most now. The pandemic is here and now, cancer is somewhere in the future.

GW

The first few words or sentence will either grab someone's interest or loose them.

The one fact that resonated with me was learning the Vitamin D levels of the surfer and lifeguard - people who are outside as much as our ancestors. I'm pitching my family & friends about Vitamin D by comparing the normal levels of our working-outdoors ancestors (using the surfer/lifeguard numbers) with the meager levels today. I think it's easy for people to grasp the concept that modern lifestyles are unhealthy. Trying to peddle another pill sounds like pitching the latest gimmick. After they're onboard with the concept that we're not naturally getting the levels our bodies were intended to have, then I can fill in with detailed numbers.

My point being.....if we can include a comparison to our historically-outdoors life in just a few words, I think it would result in better acceptance of the whole idea that we need to increase Vitamin D levels.

.

[tropical]

#41/42: ...
"Dermatologists have been equally culpable in creating a photophobic population, not advising "healthy" exposure to sun, but "no" exposure to sun. Another group to make the lawyers and media drool."


The artificial rays machines seems as cofins.
Better no raying than artificial rays, personaly.

But the natural sun exposure was also tampered by human ruinings of ozone layer, and poluting the atmosphere.

What was an natural, healthy habbit, 60 years ago, and previously, was ireversible nuked and ruined by polution.
And now we act as guinea organisms, and the various studies outcomes about cause-effect, are drifted by such overwhelming, mingling, artificial inserted, con-causes.

So, because of the above, the dermatologists were right, not the oposite (in some Aussi regions heavy gear clothes is needed for beach sun protection).
The sun exposure outside of the low levels time schedule (and below the ozone holes even than), is dangerous, no matter the real body need for vitamin D.

Instead less or whole day sun raying, maybe to switch onto fish vitamin sources ... (?)

[tropical]

Originally Posted by tolenio

Hi,

The ozone layer is fine. Honest.

Problems such as manmade global warming and manmade ozone layer destrustion are simply money makers for schlock researchers.

Yes climate varies it is natural. Yes ozone varies it is natural.

However, somebody learned how to cash in on those natural changes.

Tom

Well Tom, here we disagree.

Maybe an throughout literature read on the efects of the thousends of air, and non, nuclear blasts after the 1945, rockets, shuttles, plains, car exhausted gases, power and chemical plants, ..., will change your point of view ...