Low Vitamin D may predispose toward BPPV

A clinical report indicates that low vitamin D levels may predispose indiviuals toward benign paroxymal positional vertigo, BPPV.

Those with low vitamin D levels were more likely (by a factor of 23x) to suffer BPPV than those with more elevated vitamin D levels.

In summary, the paper claimed, "Our study demonstrated an association between idiopathic BPPV and decreased serum vitamin D. Decreased serum vitamin D may be a risk factor of BPPV."

The article is here: Vertigo 23X more likely with low vitamin D, perhaps Calcium in ear – Oct 2012 |

There is overwhelming evidence that few moderns maintain enough serum vitamin D to remain healthy. The taking of 5000 IU of vitamin D-3 each day should be strongly considered.

--John of Ohio

 

But what common lab tests indicate as "low" or "normal" vitamin D is usually way too low. Commonly, 20 ng/ml is regarded as the threshold. Anything below that is "deficient;" anything above is "adequate."

But not so. Remember this phrase: "Fifty is nifty." Take enough vitamin D-3 each day to get your serum levels to at least 50 ng/ml.

For most, that means between 5000 to 10,000 IU per day. The older you are, the less vitamin D your body makes and stores.

For the last few years, I've taken 12,500 IUs, two 5000 IU softgels, along with 2500 IUs in my men's multivitamin. Result? Not a cold or flue. Sleep like a kid. And have no winter blues, the depression of "seasonal affective disorder." Before, winter was always a low period.

And yes, vitamin K-2 is very important, very helpful. It properly allocates calcium throughout the body; keeping it out of arteries (hardening of the arteries) and putting it in bones.

Likewise magnesium supplementation is important. Few Americans get enough in their diet.

--John of Ohio

 

Well, none of us posting here are in a position to claim a practicing physician is in error. They are always right. Period.

However, I'd sure like to learn the basis of the physician's claim that a woman should not take more than 1000 IU of vitamin D-3 a day? If more than that is toxic, did the good doctor then also warn to stay out of the high-sky summer sun after an hour or so? Your bare skin exposed to mid-day summer sun can synthesize 1000 IU in an hour or two. Swimming at a beach for several hours, then, would be toxic (according to the good doctor).

According to the medical experts at the Vitamin D Council, "Although most people take vitamin D supplements without any problems, it’s possible to take too much. This is called vitamin D toxicity. Vitamin D toxicity, where vitamin D can be harmful, usually happens if you take 40,000 IU per day for a couple of months or longer, or take a very large one-time dose."

Am I getting too much vitamin D?

Patients should not be reluctant to ask doctors the specific medical reasons for their prescriptions and advice. "Dr., why is 1000 IU a toxicity threshold, when many other physicians and medical experts recommend 500O IU or more?"

The Vitamin D Council (How do I get the vitamin D my body needs?) shows various recommendations for daily vitamin D supplementation.

The Vitamin D Council recommends 5000 IU a day. The Endocrine Society recommends 1,500 to 2000 IU. The Food and Nutrition Board says only 600 IU/day, 800 IU/day for seniors.

The importance of other vitamin D cofactors (such as vitamin K) are detailed here:
Vitamin D and other vitamins and minerals

--John of Ohio