I have noticed quite a few are having setbacks or not doing as well as they were around the same time now. I relate it to seasonal allergies and or upper respiratory viruses. Nov and Dec are regarded as the start of the flu season. This happens because the otherwise meager stores of vitamin D most people stagger along with begin to be depleted below any immune-supporting level. Hence, the flu viruses are unchecked. There is a good change (yet untested by clinical research) that the late fall and early winter weakening of the immune system from depleted vitamin D (no sun on the skin this season, no photosynthesis of vitamin D) would also allow embedded herpes viruses in the inner ear to resume activity. I've mentioned this before. It sure would be interesting to know the serum vitamin D levels of those with Meniere's. I'm betting they are low, weakening the innate immune system, thereby allowing heightened herpes virus activity. Why not start popping 5000 IU of vitamin D-3 each day, and see what happens in a month (It can take that long, or longer, to elevate serum vitamin D levels)? Wouldn't that be something? The taking of a 3-cent 5000 IU vitamin D softgel each day would reduce or eliminate Meniere's symptoms. Might Meniere's, like so many other afflictions, be a result of chronic vitamin D deficiency? It's interesting to note that Meniere's tends to strike middle-aged and older aged people. Kids and young adults get the disease very infrequently. As it happens, vitamnin D photosynthesis rates in the exposed skin, and vitamin D absorption decrease with age. The older you get, the more vitamin D you need to adequately support the immune system. --John of Ohio
John I have been taking vit D at the direction of my doctor I had a deficiency about a year ago, my last test result for D was 34, I am still taking D everyday and trying to get my D levels higher. I have a question for you though, I take D3 tablets not softgels and the other ingredient include glycerin. Isn't glycerin a fat? and is it necessary to take D3 with a fat if my tablet already has glycerin?
No, glycerin is not a fat. It's a water-soluble molecule. Your vitamin D can be absorbed if taken with a fat-containing meal. If taken alone, much or most of the vitamin D will simply pass on out, unabsorbed. A serum level of 34 ng/ml is far better than the 20 or less most people have. But the real support of the immune system doesn't occur until the level is 50 ng/ml or greater. --John of Ohio
I do not have seasons winter here in Asia, like you guys. But recently it is a bit colder, with the rainy season. JOH, is this ok what you were referring to? http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Vitamin-D-3-5-000-IU-120-Softgels/10421
That is one of many 5000 IU vitamin D softgels. It can be used. The onset of colds and flues in late fall and early winter, anywhere in the world, is not controlled or affected by outdoor temperatures. They have nothing to do with those colds and flues. It's the length of days, and the angle of the sun, which is the same at each latitude everywhere in the world. Low angle sun provides no UVB on the skin, so no vitamin D can be photosynthesized, regardless of air temperature. --John of Ohio
John when I looked up glycerin a week or so ago it says this Glycerin is an organic compound known more formally as glycerol. Its common sources are animal fat and vegetable oil. I wont take softgels because many are made with gelatin and I have a severe allergy to fish/shellfish
I always need to read labels due to my food allergy and look up ingredients I am not familiar with, that's when I found that definition.
I've been taking only 2,000 iu's per day, I just upped it to 6,000 In a few months, that may turn everything around for you. --John of Ohio
The biggest allergen this time of year in the north east is mold. And yes, pine. You could have an allergy that's only showing up as vertigo. I'm an acupuncturist, and from my tradition, time of year matters. Symptoms that get worse in the fall involve the ability to breath deeply, let go and accept grief. I don't know if this is relevant to you. But for some people, time of year matters with their emotions. You might feel one way more in the fall, or the fall may remind you of some trauma. Just something to contemplate. We are not separate from nature. A piece of herbal advice: Since the anti-virals work for you, why not think about taking some herbs that will be kind to your immune system instead (or in addition to) increasing your anti-viral medicine? For example, I have a fair number of people who take Red Reshi mushroom extract. It usually doesn't interact with other medicines or herbs and its wonderful as a overall tonic that boosts your immune system and can reduce allergy symptoms. When people come to me with problems every fall, I have them start herbs just before the fall, so that they can be built up in their system before the fall hits. So this is really advice for next year. Garlic is another safe and common herb that kicks butt in the fall. I've got some garlic tincture brewing for myself in the fridge right now.