The incredible potential of vitamin D

[Norbert Somogyi]

6 hours ago, Carl-Richard said:

I used to take 720 IU, now I'm taking 1200 IU. I've been thinking about if I could up the dose. Meanwhile expert doctors in my country are writing pop journalistic articles about how you can overdose on vitamin D and that you shouldn't take more than 400 IU a day unless you're already deficient 

400 IU is equivalent to 10 micrograms, barely able to make a measurable difference unless you are severely deficient (~5-10 ng/mL). There have been products with 50,000 (! - 1250 mcg) IU per capsule with 60-120 capsules since 2000, which are meant to be taken weekly or bi-weekly (7700IU/day and 3750 IU/day respectively). Let's say we add up 80 capsules' worth of Vitamin D3, which is 4 million IU (it would take 10,000 days (roughly 27,4 years) to consume that much at the aforementioned dosage, way beyond the shelf-life of the product). They are severely and intentionally downplaying the potential of D3, since it is so cheap and generally much more effective than other much-more expensive methods. Furthermore, it does not guarantee repeated admission of patients.

Here is an overview of clinical trials addressing this for multiple conditions with incredible benefit.

In short, feel free to up the dosage slowly to 5-10K/IU while also addressing other cofactors such as Magnesium, Omega 3 (each have incredible benefits alone - but they work synergistically with D3, activating it and helping you absorb and use it more efficiently) and K2 (standalone vascular benefits), which in combination with D3 is also for avoiding hypercalcemia.

P.S: Test your levels and experiment, different bodies react differently to different doses.

[Michael569]

On 16/03/2025 at 0:10 PM, Cireeric said:

Currently im taking 10.000 IU and I need to check my blood-levels again soon

Its not necessarily that levels will go up to much but that received in high doses at once, vitamin D can be hepatotoxic (cause damage to liver). More in people who have a pre-existing condition but also in healthy individuals. 

It also works with your parathyroid hormone and helps balance out the amount of calcium that's being absorbed and removed from the body so interfering with that balance for too long could lead to hypercalcaemia which in itself isn't great. You can imagine what having too much calcium floating around the body will do to your soft tissues (arterial calcification deposits, excessive calcium passing through kidneys increasing stone formation etc).  Yeah 10K feels too high as a maintenance dose.

Vitamin D - Health Professional Fact Sheet

I'd check your levels and if you are already on a good level then maintenance 2K or a gentle push for even higher with 5k seems like a reasonable strategy. If you are very low then 10K for some time is probably a valid, just check it monthly. 

if you want to go super geeky, you could also run a genetic test for VDR and some of the other relevant polymorphisms (if existing) to fine tune even further but for most people this might not be necessary. I've run a genetic test on myself years ago and my VDR is actually working overtime so my levels tend to go up fairly quickly and I found that taking seasonal 2000 IU about 3 months a year keeps me at lower 90s (nmol/L) throughout. However I eat tons of UV irradiated mushrooms, live in part of UK that has decent amount of sun and am a bit freak about getting enough sunshine since my balcony gets hit directly so I'm like a sunflower catching every sunshine I can get tanning in my shorts on balcony in January

@Norbert Somogyi btw really interesting insight about that vitiligo. I am just curious, are you sure this is vitiligo or could it be a fungal infection targetting your melanin cells. I am asking because I have 3 small spots on the top of my neck and they appear with each year's tan and fade as I lose tan. I got it tested and they said there was a small fungal infection that attacked the destroyed the melanin cells so those areas no longer tan. I had more but most of those naturally healed and they are no longer visible. 

So as we are now in the middle of "no-tan" season, those spots may have simply disappeared? Vitiligo tends to form around fingers and face the most and likewise tends to be more apparent during tan season. A GP can run a skin antibody test to assess whether this is an infection or autoimmunity/. 

Edited March 17 by Michael569

[Norbert Somogyi]

35 minutes ago, Michael569 said:

 

@Norbert Somogyi btw really interesting insight about that vitiligo. I am just curious, are you sure this is vitiligo or could it be a fungal infection targetting your melanin cells. I am asking because I have 3 small spots on the top of my neck and they appear with each year's tan and fade as I lose tan. I got it tested and they said there was a small fungal infection that attacked the destroyed the melanin cells so those areas no longer tan. I had more but most of those naturally healed and they are no longer visible. 

So as we are now in the middle of "no-tan" season, those spots may have simply disappeared? Vitiligo tends to form around fingers and face the most and likewise tends to be more apparent during tan season. A GP can run a skin antibody test to assess whether this is an infection or autoimmunity/. 

I have no diagnosis that it was actually Vitiligo, however do you mean Tinea Versicolor? I'm just reading up about it, and it seems to produce roughly the same symptoms as Vitiligo (with the exception of additional dryness&scaliness and itchiness&sweating - none of which I experienced). 

My spot has always been a few shades lighter than the surrounding skin (regardless of seasonal tan), and burnt really easily (due to a lack of pigments in that area), and it seems to be shrinking away since I've been dosing with vitamin D3 (this aforementioned study also confirms the possibility of Vitamin D-assisted repigmentation).

Edited March 17 by Norbert Somogyi

[Michael569]

1 hour ago, Norbert Somogyi said:

Tinea Versicolor

yeah that's it. Completely forgot the diagnosis name. 

1 hour ago, Norbert Somogyi said:

and it seems to produce roughly the same symptoms as Vitiligo

, exactly. I initially panicked that I had vitiligo but it was reassuring that it was just a skin infection. I didn't experience any of the dryness or itchiness. It was just worrying. I don't think about it anymore, there's just 3 small spots left

1 hour ago, Norbert Somogyi said:

d it seems to be shrinking away since I've been dosing with vitamin D3 (this aforementioned study also confirms the possibility of Vitamin D-assisted repigmentation).

Interesting stuff. Vitamin D in general has positive effects in autoimmunity but I'm surprised to see that remission was achieved by some of those participants. It would still be interesting to be sure which one it is but good to hear that you've put it into remission. 

[Thought Art]

Interesting. Vitamin D3 in blood is not active. 

[Norbert Somogyi]

13 hours ago, Thought Art said:

Interesting. Vitamin D3 in blood is not active. 

Nice clickbait, but it seems to work. I like how he advocates for minimum 10K/day, which I tend to agree with (for most it seems to be enough to sustain a 50+ ng/mL / 125 nmol/mL levels)

Regarding inactive D3 present in the blood, I guess that's the only current way to provide an approximate measure of what levels of vitamin D3 can be present in the body. Since that amount is currently not being used. Higher levels usually correlate with higher concentrations (and with benefits), up to a certain point where the returns can be diminishing and point towards toxicity (the threshold of which is complex and multifactorial, but I guess the currently established ratios are downgraded for safety concerns).

It's interesting how he is being clear with some things (like the potential of healing MS with high doses of D3 (~20-150K IU/day - Coimbra protocol by Dr. Cicero Coimbra), while being vague with others (D3 shrinking tumors with therapeutic doses  - for which there are hints). Whatever therapeutic doses mean, however if I were to guess something like above 20-30K/IU (as in the link before).

[Cireeric]

On 17.3.2025 at 1:03 PM, Michael569 said:

Its not necessarily that levels will go up to much but that received in high doses at once, vitamin D can be hepatotoxic (cause damage to liver). More in people who have a pre-existing condition but also in healthy individuals. 

It also works with your parathyroid hormone and helps balance out the amount of calcium that's being absorbed and removed from the body so interfering with that balance for too long could lead to hypercalcaemia which in itself isn't great. You can imagine what having too much calcium floating around the body will do to your soft tissues (arterial calcification deposits, excessive calcium passing through kidneys increasing stone formation etc).  Yeah 10K feels too high as a maintenance dose.

Vitamin D - Health Professional Fact Sheet

I'd check your levels and if you are already on a good level then maintenance 2K or a gentle push for even higher with 5k seems like a reasonable strategy. If you are very low then 10K for some time is probably a valid, just check it monthly. 

if you want to go super geeky, you could also run a genetic test for VDR and some of the other relevant polymorphisms (if existing) to fine tune even further but for most people this might not be necessary. I've run a genetic test on myself years ago and my VDR is actually working overtime so my levels tend to go up fairly quickly and I found that taking seasonal 2000 IU about 3 months a year keeps me at lower 90s (nmol/L) throughout. However I eat tons of UV irradiated mushrooms, live in part of UK that has decent amount of sun and am a bit freak about getting enough sunshine since my balcony gets hit directly so I'm like a sunflower catching every sunshine I can get tanning in my shorts on balcony in January

@Norbert Somogyi btw really interesting insight about that vitiligo. I am just curious, are you sure this is vitiligo or could it be a fungal infection targetting your melanin cells. I am asking because I have 3 small spots on the top of my neck and they appear with each year's tan and fade as I lose tan. I got it tested and they said there was a small fungal infection that attacked the destroyed the melanin cells so those areas no longer tan. I had more but most of those naturally healed and they are no longer visible. 

So as we are now in the middle of "no-tan" season, those spots may have simply disappeared? Vitiligo tends to form around fingers and face the most and likewise tends to be more apparent during tan season. A GP can run a skin antibody test to assess whether this is an infection or autoimmunity/. 

Thanks for your detailed answer!

[Norbert Somogyi]

Vitamin D Research Update: PLUS The latest use of the disinformation playbook against vitamin D

Dr. Coimbra talks about how he came to develop the Coimbra protocol, treating people with autoimmune disorders (mainly Multiple Sclerosis) with vitamin D3 - controversial in the medical community, understandably so. However the first video goes into detail why RCTs (randomized controlled trials) for D3 are not currently properly designed. Video from 2014, English subtitles available.

[Thought Art]

Make sure to take things like Magnesium when taking your D3 to make sure it is active. 
 

D3 requires a balance if other vitamins you can research to ensure healthy use.

[Norbert Somogyi]

11 hours ago, Thought Art said:

Make sure to take things like Magnesium when taking your D3 to make sure it is active. 
 

D3 requires a balance if other vitamins you can research to ensure healthy use.

Thank you for pointing that out, those cofactors are important. Not only in reducing risk factors associated with D3 supplementation, but furthermore increasing absorption and utilization by activating D3.

Here is an overview - Vitamin D Cofactors in a nutshell | VitaminDWiki

Furthermore here are some optimal levels based on the research of Alex Vasquez (DC, ND, DO) - Optimal Vitamin D level: 50-90 ng - Dr. Vasquez | VitaminDWiki

 

Edited Thursday at 12:58 PM by Norbert Somogyi

[Michael569]

5 hours ago, Norbert Somogyi said:

Question: How to embed pictures into posts? The option insert image from url  does not work for me at the button 'insert other media'. Any other ideas?

save to your pc using snipping tool then upload here with the "choose files " link 

[Norbert Somogyi]

7 minutes ago, Michael569 said:

save to your pc using snipping tool then upload here with the "choose files " link 

Thank you, this worked!

[Norbert Somogyi]

Dr. Cicero Coimbra's Presentation to Jen Aliano Grassrootshealth (transcript, pdf - video not found yet) - 2025, March 2nd
Publically available PDF containing all the 81 slides displayed at the presentation (Available at the bottom of the VitaminDWiki website linked above - if this direct link seems suspicious)

Summarization of the transcript by DeepSeek:

• The text is a detailed transcript of a discussion with Dr. Coimbra, a neurologist renowned for his use of high-dose vitamin D to treat autoimmune diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis (MS). Here’s a summary of the key points:
• Dr. Coimbra's Background: Dr. Coimbra graduated in 1979, completed residencies in internal medicine and neurology, and has been practicing since. He developed an interest in vitamin D's role in treating autoimmune diseases after observing its effects on a Parkinson's patient with vitiligo.
• Vitamin D and Autoimmune Diseases: Dr. Coimbra discovered that high doses of vitamin D (10,000 IU/day) significantly improved autoimmune conditions, especially MS. He references studies showing reduced relapse rates in MS patients with vitamin D supplementation.
• The Coimbra Protocol: This protocol involves high-dose vitamin D (up to 1,000 IU per kilogram of body weight) tailored to individual patients, monitored through parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels to avoid toxicity. The protocol also includes dietary restrictions (low calcium) and supplements like magnesium and omega-3s.
• Vitamin D's Role in the Body: Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin via UVB sunlight exposure. Deficiency is common in urban populations due to limited sun exposure and sunscreen use. Vitamin D is crucial for immune function, and low levels are linked to various diseases, including tuberculosis and autoimmune disorders.
• Immune System and Vitamin D: Vitamin D enhances the immune system by activating immune cells to destroy pathogens like tuberculosis. It also inhibits TH17 cells, which are implicated in autoimmune diseases.
• Historical Use of Vitamin D: Dr. Coimbra references historical treatments, such as Dr. Rollier's use of sunlight to treat tuberculosis in the early 1900s, highlighting the long-standing recognition of vitamin D's therapeutic potential.
• Stress and Autoimmune Diseases: Emotional stress is a major trigger for autoimmune diseases. Managing stress is crucial for treatment success, as stress reduces magnesium levels, which are necessary for vitamin D activation.
• Vitamin D Resistance: Some patients with autoimmune diseases have genetic resistance to vitamin D, requiring higher doses. The Coimbra Protocol adjusts doses based on PTH levels to ensure safety and efficacy.
• Case Studies: Dr. Coimbra shares success stories of patients with lupus, psoriasis, and MS who experienced significant improvements with high-dose vitamin D therapy.
• Safety and Toxicity: High-dose vitamin D must be carefully monitored to avoid toxicity, which can occur if calcium levels rise too high. Patients must follow a strict low-calcium diet and stay hydrated. Toxicity is reversible if caught early.
• Vitamin D in Pregnancy: Adequate vitamin D during pregnancy (7,000 IU/day) reduces the risk of complications like autism, MS, and asthma in offspring. Children born to mothers with sufficient vitamin D levels show better neurodevelopment and higher IQs.
• COVID-19 and Vitamin D: Dr. Coimbra's patients on high-dose vitamin D either avoided COVID-19 or experienced mild symptoms. He recommends high-dose vitamin D during pandemics.
• Aluminum and Autism: Dr. Coimbra links the rise in autism to aluminum nanoparticles in vaccines, which can cross the blood-brain barrier and cause inflammation. He uses silica to help remove aluminum from the body in autistic patients.
• Training and Protocol Adoption: Dr. Coimbra trains other doctors in his protocol at no cost, emphasizing the importance of individualized treatment and monitoring.
• Global Health Crisis: Dr. Coimbra warns of a global health crisis due to the increasing use of aluminum in vaccines and the rise in autism, depression, and other neurological disorders. He advocates for replacing aluminum with safer adjuvants like calcium phosphate.
• In summary, Dr. Coimbra's work highlights the critical role of vitamin D in treating autoimmune diseases and the importance of addressing environmental toxins like aluminum in vaccines. His protocol offers a promising, albeit carefully monitored, approach to managing these conditions.

[Norbert Somogyi]

Had my blood levels checked recently, the results came back at 200.6 nmol/mL (~80.24 ng/mL). Magnesium and Calcium are also within the optimal range. Incredibly happy with the results!

I will be experimenting with increasing the dosage (from 20,000) up to 30,000 daily (Optimal Dose according to Dr. Judson Sommerville's research and book with an identical title) along with adjusting the cofactors I currently take. I am curious to see if there are further improvements to experience. In case things stay relatively the same with my blood levels increasing (gonna test again during summer) within reasonable margins, then I will be using it for prevention potentially for the rest of my life as long as I don't experience bad symptoms.

[Norbert Somogyi]

This substack post highlights some of the potential reasons why Doctors are reluctant to test and recommend optimizing important biomarkers (such as vitamin D) to patients. In short, to avoid throwing themselves out of business. Personal note: When I tested my levels at my own cost in a lab, 25(OH)D cost 18-20x times as much as other markers I was interested in. Clearly not supported by my local government.

Here's a case of Dr. Dave McCarthy who optimized his patiens' levels (to around 80 ng/mL) and had to retire early due to a lack of visits in general. Summarization of the interview's transcript can be found below (DeepSeek). Full audio podcast can be found here - LINK.

• Key Takeaways:
  • Vitamin D’s Critical Role:
    • Dr. Dave McCarthy, a retired family physician, emphasizes the widespread deficiency of Vitamin D and its impact on health.
    • Optimal levels (80 ng/mL or 200 nmol/L) are far higher than what’s needed to prevent rickets (20 ng/mL).
    • Deficiency is linked to muscle pain, autoimmune disorders, heart failure, seizures, sickle cell crises, and more.
  • Case Studies Highlighting Vitamin D’s Impact:
    • Sickle Cell Patient: A 21-year-old with frequent crises had undetectable Vitamin D levels. After supplementation, he remained crisis-free. His sister, who consumed more dairy (Vitamin D-rich), never had a crisis.
    • Seizures in a Child: A dark-skinned child in Montana with unexplained seizures improved dramatically after Vitamin D and magnesium supplementation.
    • Heart Failure: Correcting deficiencies (Vitamin D, magnesium, thiamine, Vitamin C, CoQ10) significantly improved cardiac function in patients.
  • The "Panacea Paradox":
    • Vitamin D’s broad benefits seem "too good to be true," leading to underutilization despite extensive research (4,000+ studies annually).
• Supplementation Guidelines:
  • Dosage: 5,000–10,000 IU/day for most adults (higher for malabsorption).
  • Team Approach: Nutrition is a "team sport"—magnesium, thiamine, and other micronutrients are often needed alongside Vitamin D.
• Challenges in Medicine:
  • Traditional medicine focuses on treating diseases rather than addressing deficiencies.
  • Many physicians overlook micronutrient testing, despite evidence of their impact.
• Thiamine (B1) Deficiency:
  • Common in heart failure, neurological disorders, and alcoholism.
  • Anti-thiamine factors in coffee, tea, and beer can block absorption, even with adequate intake.
• Call to Action:
  • Dr. McCarthy advocates for widespread Vitamin D testing and supplementation, especially in high-risk groups (dark-skinned individuals, elderly, those with chronic illnesses).
• Final Thought:
  • The podcast underscores the transformative potential of addressing micronutrient deficiencies—often overlooked in conventional medicine—to improve healthspan and treat chronic conditions.
• Listeners interested in learning more can visit Dr. Gillian Lockitch’s website (askdrgill.com) or explore her book, Growing Older, Living Younger.

The more I do my research, the more I realize how much of a global exploitation healthcare and modern medicine usually is. I guess it makes sense from a capitalist perspective, but it is just so angering. Realizing how free I can finally feel after optimizing my biomarkers, a feeling I haven't reached through years of therapy, retreats and inner work. It is so hard to digest that so many people are robbed of this feeling (from even institutions that promise healing).

Is there a way healthcare and modern medicine can be transformed to be pro-humanistic and preventative instead of focusing on treatment (maximizing profit on treating intentionally inflicted and sustained diseases and disorders)? A way healthy forms of alternative medicine can be combined with the merits of modern medicine? In this century?