John of Ohio, I am planning to buy vit d3, Solgar, 10.000 IU. Do you think it is the right one ? On top of that vit K2 (MK7) Solgar as well. What is your opinion ? Thank you.
Those are acceptable products. Use them. But, again, don't expect any quick results, Persist. If you do, chances of colds or flu next season will be very low. Keep us posted --John of Ohio
No, not at all. It can take that much to get serum vitamin D levels at or above the ideal 50 ng/ml. If you want, have your blood tested for vitamin D in six months for a serum vitamin D reading. Between 50 and 100 ng/ml is ideal. --John of Ohio
John , thank you for being willing to help at all times! One more question, can my 14 year old daughter take the same vit d3+ K2 I am going to buy? I will definitely have my blood tested in a few months' time.
I would suggest that a 14-yr old take 10,000IU of vitamin D once every other day (effective 5000IU). Can take the K-2 daily. Don't forget magnesium as an important vitamin D co-factor. Magnesium citrate works (but take with food, to minimize diarrhea). I get diarrhea from most tablet forms of magnesium, so I get most of mine (beyond the magnesium in green, leafy foods) by spraying 10 squirts of magnesium chloride on my thighs each morning, working the solution into the skin and waiting a minute or two for it to dry out. It's called transdermal absorption, and works well. This is the product I use: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/swanson-ultra-dr-barbara-hendels-magnesium-oil-3-8oz-bottles-liquid --John of Ohio
Magnesium spray- that's really interesting! I will try it all. Thank you for all advice !!very much appreciated.
John, I ordered the magnesium oil and I'm very anxious for it to arrive. Supposedly, one teaspoon equals 550 mg. I wonder if I can use it by the teaspoon full a couple of times a day and apply it in drops instead of a couple dozen sprays? Also, would the magnesium oxide gelcap be absorbed any better than a solid tablet? I ordered from Piping Rock. The magnesium oil had the exact description as the type you use, but was less expensive. If it works for me, it can be purchased by the gallon, which would be even less expensive in the long run. Thanks for taking the time to answer so many questions. You're a big help to lots of people. Cheryl
Your skin will absorb the magnesium ion from the magnesium chloride solution ("magnesium oil" -- which is actually a water solution, no oil) in any amount applied to your skin. If you want to split up the applications, fine. I like to get it over with, so I apply it to my thighs when I wake up each morning, and rub it in. Thighs stay slightly wet for a few minutes, but by the tine I'm done shaving, etc. they are dry and I can put on my pants (well, in winter long underwear). The water evaporates, leaving the magnesium ions in the skin, where normal circulation takes around the body, by-passing the intestines, so no diarrhea. Not certain about breaking open a gel cap and applying those contents to the skin. The magnesium citrate may be in an oil, and that might not be absorbed well, as the oil does not evaporate. Gel caps are a lot more expensive. I'll check your source for the "magnesium oil." A gallon would be a very adequate supply for a teaspoon (15ml?) a day. --John of Ohio
John Oh, I messed that up and didn't make myself clear. Taken orally, would a magnesium softgel be better absorbed than a solid tablet? I have some softgels that I picked up at Costco for a reasonable price. I'm flying by the seat of my pants, here, just trying to get my magnesium level in the normal range. Last time I saw my doctor, she said, "Oh, it isn't that low." What kind of a doctor says that? When I see her in April, it's either going to be addressed or I'll be looking for a new doctor. This had been going on over a year and I just feel unwell with weakness and heart palpitations. Yeah, a whole gallon might be going overboard. ;D
The "not too low" comment almost surely derives from this. Your serum magnesium level is probably just at the low end of "normal," which the good physician regards then as "not too low." The real problem is this. What published data for "normal" levels means is just that, the normal or average range of magnesium found in the blood of moderns. But "normal" or "average"or "typical" or "normative" (terms commonly used) simply aren't optimal. When everyone is deficient, the clinical "average" or "normative" levels are simply not enough for optimal health. That's where we're at. And it's very hard to take too much magnesium. If it's in the common salt forms, such as magnesium citrate, magnesium oxide, etc,, high dosages cause diarrhea. For the magnesium oil, would be hard to absorb too much of it, You'd have to slather large wetting amounts all over your skin. And, even then, the kidneys would excrete excess amounts in the urine. (If you have renal, kidney, dysfunctions, excess magnesium and a lot of other good things can cause problems. If you have any kidney issues, check with your doctor, of course. Most people do not.) Frankly, I do not know (haven't look 'em up) the published, established optimal serum concentrations of the magnesium ion. I do know that ingestion of 500mg is very healthful. For me, that would be a target. Fortunately, my wife prepares and serves lots of green, leafy vegetables, which are high-quality magnesium sources. The magnesium ion is the central metallic ion in all chlorophyll molecules, the ones that make vegetables green. When you eat your greens (such as kale or spinach, etc.) you're getting good amounts of bioavailable magnesium. (But few moderns eat many greens.) --John of Ohio
The optimal serum level, according to the page I got showing the results of my lab work, is 1.8 to 2.6. Mine is 1.6, but when it was first discovered that I have a magnesium deficiency, it was 1.4. My aim is to get it up to a level where I feel well.