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NZer1 wrote:Mark are there studies that show that PwMS improve when they have your protocol?
Science as always, ;)
Nigel

1-take 5,000-10,000 IU day to get to 150-200nmol/L - MarkW's balance of probability recommendation.

MarkW wrote:Unfortunately Muse some posters are hijacking my Vit D3 thread with their ideas on Mg. I know that many minerals are important but it is virtually impossible to measure accurately the needs of the human body. I suggest taking a low dose water soluble multi-mineral and then letting the body choose what it needs and excrete the rest. This approach is widely used across the globe. Have you come across problems in pwMS when using a multi-mineral????
MarkW

The biggest problem for pwMS is low vitamin D3 not magnesium or any another mineral. The scientific evidence shows this

Assessment of serum magnesium, copper, and zinc levels in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients
http://ijpbs.mazums.ac.ir/browse.php?a_ ... lc_lang=en

Mean serum level of magnesium was 1.87 ± 0.37, copper 110.7 ± 19.5, and zinc 85.4 ± 13.5 in patients (control group), and 2.22 ± 0.24, 133.7 ± 13.4, and 110 ± 8.3 respectively in case group. This difference is statistically significant (P< 0.001).

Magnesium, vitamin D status and mortality: results from US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2001 to 2006 and NHANES III
http://www.biomedcentral.com/1741-7015/11/187/abstract

High intake of total, dietary or supplemental magnesium was independently associated with significantly reduced risks of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency respectively. Intake of magnesium significantly interacted with intake of vitamin D in relation to risk of both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency. Additionally, the inverse association between total magnesium intake and vitamin D insufficiency primarily appeared among populations at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency. Furthermore, the associations of serum 25(OH)D with mortality, particularly due to cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal cancer, were modified by magnesium intake, and the inverse associations were primarily present among those with magnesium intake above the median.

Objectives To determine whether serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D), a marker of vitamin D status, predict disease activity and prognosis in patients with a first event suggestive of MS (clinically isolated syndrome).
Design, Setting, and Participants The Betaferon/Betaseron in Newly Emerging multiple sclerosis For Initial Treatment study was a randomized trial originally designed to evaluate the impact of early vs delayed interferon beta-1b treatment in patients with clinically isolated syndrome. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured at baseline and 6, 12, and 24 months. A total of 465 of the 468 patients randomized had at least 1 25(OH)D measurement, and 334 patients had them at both the 6- and 12-month (seasonally asynchronous) measurements. Patients were followed up for 5 years clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging. ... values greater than or equal to 50 nmol/L (20 ng/mL) at up to 12 months predicted lower disability (Expanded Disability Status Scale score, −0.17; P = .004) during the subsequent 4 years.
Conclusions and Relevance Among patients with MS mainly treated with interferon beta-1b, low 25(OH)D levels early in the disease course are a strong risk factor for long-term MS activity and progression.

Correcting vitamin D deficiency early in the course of the disease is important ... some experts say it's too soon to recommend giving vitamin D supplements to people with the central nervous system disorder. ...

"Although these data are exciting, these are just studies of association," Waubant said. ... no study has yet established whether taking vitamin D supplements helps reduce new symptoms and disability from occurring in people with MS. "It's possible that the effects we have seen in this and the prior studies are actually due to something else, and not to vitamin D insufficiency," she said.

... trials will help answer the important question of whether it is safe and effective to recommend high-dose vitamin D supplementation to people with MS," Mowry said

MarkW wrote:First step is to take Vitamin D3, minimum level for pwMS is 125 nmol/L of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in blood (50ng/ml). My advice (edited 3 March 13 with new title) This level applies before and after de-stenosis:
- Take 5 to 10,000 IU a day of D3. It is very cheap and safe for adults.
- Target level (minimum for pwMS) is 125 nmol/L of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in blood (50ng/ml).

My advice has been supported by my reading so I have summarised this:
- Take 5 to 10,000 IU a day of D3. It is safe for adults.
- Target range is 100 to 150 nmol/L of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in blood (measure in Feb-Mar). Lifeguards in St. Louis have 150 nmol/L naturally.
I am not a person to give you lots of references so here are two:
- Lancet Neurology June 2010 p555 - Leading Edge. Short 1 page summary, easy reading.
- Lancet Neurology June 2010 p599-612 - Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis. Review from Harvard with 196 references, heavy material.
I note that Vitamin D is important for many areas of health, including vascular health, which has already been discussed on the forum.
So if you have MS and do not have good blood levels of vit D, why are you not taking vit D3 ??
My advice - take one 5000 IU capsule a day until Feb/Mar next year, then get tested. I take D3 as Cholecalciferol in a softgel capsule. This is the most bioavailable form.
MarkW

jimmylegs wrote: Among patients with MS mainly treated with interferon beta-1b, low 25(OH)D levels early in the disease course are a strong risk factor for long-term MS activity and progression. Vitamin D May Slow Multiple Sclerosis, Study Suggests
But whether MS patients should take supplements is subject of debate
http://consumer.healthday.com/cognitive ... 84034.html. Correcting vitamin D deficiency early in the course of the disease is important ... some experts say it's too soon to recommend giving vitamin D supplements to people with the central nervous system disorder. ..."Although these data are exciting, these are just studies of association," Waubant said. ... no study has yet established whether taking vitamin D supplements helps reduce new symptoms and disability from occurring in people with MS. "It's possible that the effects we have seen in this and the prior studies are actually due to something else, and not to vitamin D insufficiency" she said. ... trials will help answer the important question of whether it is safe and effective to recommend high-dose vitamin D supplementation to people with MS," Mowry said.
Jimmylegs said "while personally, 50 nmol/l is a number i wouldn't bother with (esp since the subjects were also taking ifn-b), i think it's fine to recommend d3 supplements to achieve target serum levels as long as you clearly understand what is going on with cofactors".

have I mis-understood your position?

i think it's fine to recommend d3 supplements to achieve target serum levels - as long as you clearly understand what is going on with cofactors. which have been studied elsewhere, as detailed above.

NZer1 wrote:I've been taking 50,000 iu of D3 every 5 days for over a year, no improvements rather a continued steady decline, so I wonder why this isn't working for me Mark!
Nigel