all things vitamin D

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lyndacarol
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Post by lyndacarol »

The cause of MS is unknown. Although the scientists repeat over and over again that "MS is an autoimmune disease," every proposed explanation, including autoimmunity, is a hypothesis-- a suspicion without absolute proof!

Simply saying "MS is an autoimmune disease" 36 million times does not make it a true statement. Each of us may lean to our own particular hypothesis, but we try to keep an open mind and review the evidence in an unbiased manner.

I think most of the time we are able to be tolerant and respectful of others and their ideas. I certainly appreciate everyone's tolerance of my "insulin (slowly expanding to "metabolic") hypothesis." Thank you
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CVfactor
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Post by CVfactor »

It may seem to you that the scientists are repeating over and over that MS is an autoimune disease. Yes, this is a hypothesis, but it is based on a lot of scientific data.

This is the reason why I provided links to the scientific publications in my original post so that one can read for themselves.

If you have a theory, I would be glad to read any supporting evidence of this claim. Otherwise, just saying it 36 million times does not make it true (to use your words).

But I have been reading a lot of Sou's post and I think that alot of his responses to peoples input has been disrespectful and condesending to the origninal poster.

I don't think this is helpful to any who suffers from MS, in my opinion.
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CVfactor
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Post by CVfactor »

Hi,

Here is another link to a recent article that describes the factors involved in immunity homeostatis:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2869392/

This article describes how Vitamin D functions on the differentiation of T cells (inflamitory/anti-inflamitory) via imature dendridic cells.

Just one note on my view as to whether or not MS is an autoimmune disease or a vascular disease as proposed by the CCSVI theory.

In my case, I acquired MS by first being struck with Acute Diseminated Encephalomyelitis (ADEM). This is a MS spectrum disease that has a very rapid onset (it is more similiar to experimental autoimune encephalomeylitis (EAE) than MS is).

So, if MS is caused by CCSVI it does not seem that these acute forms of the disease (EAE, ADEM) would exist. In other words, the vascular restrictions would have to happen suddenly.

In my opinion, this does not seem probable.
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CVfactor
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Post by CVfactor »

Hi again,

For those of you that don't know, the key immune system cells (dendritic and regulatory T-cells) have vitamin D receptors (VDR).

This means that 1.25(OH)D3 has a direct function on immunity.

Here is a paper that describes this in more detail:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19031030

Likewise here is another paper on the same subject:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20678591
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CVfactor
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Post by CVfactor »

All,

Here is an animation of the role or regulatory T-cells in the homeostatis of the immune system:

http://www.abdserotec.com/animation/t-cell/

This is kind of an old presentation, but you can see that in the mechanism of Treg suppression #2, the enzyme idoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase is responsible for initiation of the anti-inflamitory regulation or effector T-cells.

Fast forward to more recent data.

http://brain.oxfordjournals.org/content ... 6.abstract

The paper above concludes:

"Finally, 1,25(OH)2D3 also increased the expression and biological activity of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase, mediating significant increase in the number of CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells."

Clearly, Vitamin D has a role in autoimmunity. The key thing is that your immune cells metabolize 1,25(OH)2D3 locally from 25(oh)D3.

Thus, your Calcitriol levels in your tissues may be quite different than that found in your serum.

So, any reccomendations for Vitamin D (Calcidriol) levels by your doctor is not based on the optimum to maintain immune system homeostasis.
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MSUK
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Sun exposure, vitamin D may lower risk of multiple sclerosis

Post by MSUK »

Image


People who spend more time in the sun and those with higher vitamin D levels may be less likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published in the February 8, 2011, print issue of Neurology®,the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. MS is a chronic disease of the brain and spinal cord, usually with recurrent flare-ups of symptoms. It is often preceded by a first episode (or event) of similar symptoms lasting days to weeks.

“Previous studies have found similar results, but this is the first study to look at people who have just had the first symptoms of MS and haven’t even been diagnosed with the disease yet,” said study author Robyn Lucas, PhD, of Australian National University in Canberra. “Other studies have looked at people who already have MS — then it’s hard to know whether having the disease led them to change their habits in the sun or in their diet.”.... Read More - http://www.msrc.co.uk/index.cfm/fuseact ... ageid/1334
MS-UK - http://www.ms-uk.org/
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CVfactor
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Post by CVfactor »

All,

Here is further evidence that local metabolizm of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D
(active form of vitamin D) at the cellular level is different than what is found in your blood serum:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20211254

From my point of view, I am taking as much Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) to the estimated lowest observed adverse effect level (LOAEL) while monitoring my calcium level to be sure that I do not become hypercalcemic.

What I am taking is 40,000IU/day. The LOAEL is described in this paper:

http://www.ajcn.org/content/69/5/842.full

So, I have been on this dosage for over four months and feel beter than I have ever felt since I became sick (no relapses).

The study below also brought subjects to this high of a dose without becoming hypercalcemic:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20427749

So, your doctor will tell you that taking this much Vitamin D will cause you to become hypercalcemic, but I don't believe it.

I think that the future study of clinical trials will probably be done with Vitamin D analogs, because these can be patented and proclaim the benefits of not causing hypercalcemia:

http://www.jimmunol.org/content/186/1/132.abstract
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SCGirl
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Post by SCGirl »

Well, I must be the most unlucky person in the world (really!). I grew up in sunny SC and still live here. I was always a sun worshipper and thought if anything, I was risking a chance at skin cancer. I had to have Vitamin D levels out the roof or at least I would think. But I am sure this is one of the many probable reasons for MS.
If they can put a man on the moon, why can't they determine the cause of this miserable disease and FIX IT?! Sorry, needed to vent...
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CVfactor
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Post by CVfactor »

Our friends at Eli Lilly and Company seem to be investigating the uses of Vitamin D and it's analogs:

http://edrv.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/26/5/662
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WantingToKnow
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Post by WantingToKnow »

Same here! I grew up in SC and still live here. If you already have MS, does sunlight help, or does it not matter I wonder? :)
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SCGirl
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Post by SCGirl »

I believe studies show that you still need more than the average amount of Vitatmin D and since summer is just around the coner, that gives me an excuse to worship the sun! 8)
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itaska21
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Post by itaska21 »

The sun and humidity make my symptoms worse! I've spoke to others who experience flare-ups in the sun too. This study definitely has me scratching my head. :?:
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CVfactor
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Post by CVfactor »

For those who think MS is autoimune, here are more papers on regulatory T-cells:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/v5x43485w65ll710/

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19350586

I believe a cure is close with Treg cell therapy, but I have found the natural method to this route with Vitamin D.

I wish the best to you all and I hope you find a solution that works for you.
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1hunter
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Post by 1hunter »

are there suppliments we should NOT take at the same time that dont mix well?
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jimmylegs
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Post by jimmylegs »

not take at the same time as d3, do you mean? well i know if you take magnesium that you definitely must take some of your daily dose *with* the d3, and the rest of it at a separate time. d3 makes use of magnesium as it gets processed. but your body needs mag for other things not just d3 handling. i learned this the hard way and it was a pharmacist that got me back on track.
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