Vitamin D brand and results

I purchased L.A. Natural brand for my pet skunks who never really get sunshine.  That's how I started using that brand, because it is liquid spray and I spray it on their food, no pills or powder.   I like that brand.  I will get more cod liver oil for the benefits and the more natural Vit D3, but will use both. 

I use 8000 to 10,000 IUs a day, per integrative MDs recommendation.  My GP had me on only 3000 IUs a day, and I ended up with cancer, not knowing it needed to be much more, esp w thyroid issues and absorption issues.

Good thread, lots of info.

I have skipped around from brand to brand. Just got labs back from onc yesterday and my level was 77. My onc was thrilled. She has autoimmune issues like I do and is really into integrative/complementary medicine, so she "gets" it!

I take a 5000 IU gelcap, but get a few hundred extra from some of my other supps, so probably am really around 6000-6500.  Onc was questioning where I got 5000 IU without a prescription, but I told her that it is readily available, and even if it wasn't, one could always take more of 1000 or 2000 IU caps. "Oh, duh!", she said...Just love her...

Cottontail, please look into the difference between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. What we want to be taking is vitamin D3.

Charlene

I take NOW brand, 5000 IU/day.  I started at 24 a year ago and I was 47 last month.  I haven't read through the thread to see if my results are good or not.  I figured that nearly doubling in a year was a positive result.

"dunesleeper wrote:

Cottontail, please look into the difference between vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. What we want to be taking is vitamin D3.

Charlene"



Dunesleeper,



I'm vegetarian, and plan to be vegan by the end of this year. I won't take D3 or eat foods fortified with D3. All forms of D3 are made from animals.



I've looked at plenty of research on the differences between D2 and D3 and never saw much showing that there was a significant difference between the body's absorption of D3 vs D2.



I have heard arguments against D2 because it's "irradiated fungus/yeast/etc," but D3 that isn't specifically labelled as from fish oil is synthesized from irradiated lanolin (which is a waxy cholesterol precursor produced by the sebaceous glands of sheep). I'm not convinced that one irradiated substance is any better or worse for you than another irradiated substance.

Additionally, D3 made from fish liver oil carries a risk of Vitamin A toxicity (when taken in high amounts over a prolonged period of time), as Vit. A builds up and is stored in the liver. Consuming fish of any kind also poses a risk of mercury and other toxic contamination.



That's not even touching the environmental and ethical issues involved....



Thanks, though.

I need to take 10,000iu/day....trying to figure out what is the best method and best brand.....

Does anyone use Doctor's Best D3?

Also, wanted to mention a few good other supplements that I have found that I take:



Alive Liquid Multi vitamin- has greens and fruits too. From vItamins store or Amazon

Pure Essence Labs Calcium plus Ionic fIzz. Has several water soluble vitamins included. From vitamin store or Amazon



These two are liquid form so the absorption is very good.

2500 iu's Fish Oil natures Way from Cost Co



I know one or all of these are helping because my skin looks and feels the best it has in years. My fine lines are less and my skin is super soft. I have more energy and I feel much happier. Its a little pricey but so are endless Doctor visits and co pays. I figured pay now or pay later....



Hope that helps.

I started another thread yesterday about supplements in general and the differences in brands, but no one has responded...so if you don't mind I am going to re-post it here....thanks in advance....

I need to start taking several supplements....the doc I am seeing likes PURE Encapsulations that is mail order, but she is also okay with ones from Vitamin Cottage or similar stores...The doc says that the PURE are pharmaceutical grade...what does that really mean and does that really make a difference!!!  I looked at Costco today at their brand and Nature Made brand...I don't want to be penny wise and dollar foolish, but then again, don't want to pay more if I'm not getting more....

These are what I will be taking with doses:

Vit D 10,000 iu/day

DIM 200

Folic acid as metfolin

B-Complex (and doc recommends getting it with mefolin instead of taking it seperately)

Calcium citrate 1200

Vit k (forget the dose)

Omega 3  4000/day

Magnesium citrate 400 mg

Any thoughts or input would be greatly appreciated....  Thanks, Karen

Hi Karen. To help answer your question about pharmaceutical grade. Alot of the less expensive, mass marketed vitamins are sometimes synthetic. They are not naturally occurring therefore the body doesn't readily recognize or absorb them. To give you an example, I switched from the Centrum one a day to Alive lIquid mega vitamins. I noticed a big difference in my skin, and energy level. This costs more but I think if it works so why not. I mean how many times have I wasted money on frivolous things without batting an eye. My health takes priority now. Try the higher quality ones first and see if you notice any improvements in your health. It's not a big commitment of money and is worth a try.

joe,

Do you wish to share what type of bc you had dx? Most people do on this board.

 Norah