This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Community: Knowledge & Support

Problems of vitamin D deficiency are becoming more evident
Awareness is increasing that this may be the root of numerous health problems.
By Victoria Stagg Elliott, AMNews staff. May 22/29, 2006.


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The woman had been going to various doctors for years, seeking a solution for seemingly unending generalized pain. Over time, her function had diminished to the point that she could no longer walk without assistance. It was only when her physician tested her vitamin D levels, diagnosed them as low and began treatment that she started to recover.

"She was very deficient in vitamin D," said Gustavo Jurado, MD, an internal medicine resident at the University of Chicago. "It's often overlooked. But if we had picked that up sooner, she could have avoided eight years of suffering."

Dr. Jurado presented this case at last month's American Assn. of Clinical Endocrinologists Annual Meeting and Clinical Congress in Chicago. Physicians are increasingly recognizing that vitamin D deficiency, which was the subject of several of the meeting's presentations, could be the cause of numerous patient ills.

"Vitamin D deficiency has not been well-recognized, but we're becoming progressively more aware of how hugely prevalent it is," said Daniel K. Short, MD, PhD, a staff endocrinologist at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center in La Crosse, Wis.

Experts say this problem is coming to the fore due to the convergence of several phenomena. Older skin has a harder time synthesizing vitamin D from the sun, the nutrient's primary source, and the population is older than ever. Obese individuals have a harder time getting vitamin D from sunlight, and obesity is also on the rise. Increased awareness of skin cancer may be leading people to shield themselves from the sun so much that they are blocking out the vitamin, too. In addition, few foods contain it, and most of the U.S. population lives where it is not possible to get vitamin D from the sun year-round.
http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/0 ... sb0522.htm

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John was diagnosed Jan 2005. On lipitor 20mg .On Copaxone since July 4,2005. Vitamin D3 2000iu-4000iu (depending on sunshine months)June 10 2005(RX::Dr. O'Connor) Omega 3 as well Turmeric since April 2005. Q10 60mg. 1500mg liquid Glucosamine Nov 2005.

melody
i have purchased my vit d3 does it matter what time of the day to take them?
thanks Elaine

I don't believe so but they are fat soluble so with at least something with 3 grams fat. I take my 1000iu with breakfast. John takes some each meal.

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John was diagnosed Jan 2005. On lipitor 20mg .On Copaxone since July 4,2005. Vitamin D3 2000iu-4000iu (depending on sunshine months)June 10 2005(RX::Dr. O'Connor) Omega 3 as well Turmeric since April 2005. Q10 60mg. 1500mg liquid Glucosamine Nov 2005.