Yes, all of your open office, word (or whatever) files can be uploaded. Check google docs for specifics and exceptions. It's *awesome* And because I use gmail, when someone sends me an attachment, I am automatically offered the option to download it (to my harddrive) or to view it in google docs or to actually upload/open it in google docs. In *love*. No idea. Things saved on your harddrive won't be searched when you search your google bookmarks. FE, my firefox bookmarks from BGB (before google bookmarks) aren't available when I search my google bookmarks. So I just went through my bookmarks clicking to open the site, then clicking google bookmarks browser button to save the new bookmark (and tag and add descriptive notes). Just to clarify: in this context, the cloud is the "ether" of the internet, the location where our information resides. The tags are the labels. I want to be sure that as I read and you read, we know what we're referring to:) I'd also like one searchable place - I just don't think the technology is there yet. For now, I search gmail, google bookmarks and google docs separately. Though sometimes when I do a google search, my bookmark will show at the top of the search. I also use gmail as a filecabinet....I send myself emails with information I want to hold on to, adding keywords (tags) to improve searchability over time. Things like recommendations for a 'handyman' or plumber or tree service.....just send myself an email and keep it archived. What kind of file? HistoryScribe isn't familiar to me. :) K

I'd also have a look at _Transforming the Difficult Child_ Majorly helpful here. And a quick and easy read. K

Google docs

I loved evernote for awhile but the search function in it just wasn't working as well as I'd hoped. It was missing a lot. Now i just use a combination of google bookmarks, gmail and google docs. K

Yes! there is a better way. I just read _Getting Organized in the Google Era_ and would strongly recommend it. It started slowly so I skipped chunks until I got to the meaty parts. Much of it I'd already started doing (don't 'file'; search!) so I'll list what I do and some of his ideas. 1)Rather than organizing into folders and files, use tags in google bookmarks (online service). All of your bookmarks are stored 'in the cloud' and are exceptionally, wonderfully searchable and not only do you save the bookmark and add the tags, but it allows you to add a description which will also be searched when you're searching. 2)once a week or month or whatever, work into your routine an opportunity to peruse some of the bookmarks. 'oh yes, we're starting roman history'....search your bookmarks for roman history, history, rome, cesar etc. Make searching your bookmarks your first step of any new endeavor. We need new math: search the bookmarks! need some preposition worksheets: search the bookmarks! 4th grade curriculum: search the bookmarks. 3rd grade schedule: search the bookmarks 3)because you're tagging instead of foldering, you're 'organizing' your information into as many or as few categories as is appropriate for that link....the rome stuff will come up when you search rome and history if you tag it as both. the cool third grade grammar program you saw will be tagged, grade 3, grade 3 curriculum, grammar, language arts 4)also consider tagging ages and or grades on each bookmark so when you're planning for a certain age or grade, you'll get it, but you'll have also had the result 'hit' when you search for the subject or activity 5)this is also how I save my recipies....though more and more I'm also 'copying' them (ctrl+c) and pasting them (ctrl+v) into google docs so they're ready to print if/as needed. the benefits of google docs can also not be overstated. Google docs allows you to create documents, spreadsheets or presentations and store them in the 'cloud' (ie online) so that you can very easily share them, access them from any computer anywhere. they can be private or public. Here's some of what I do with google docs: upload most pdfs that I open - especially if I have to share it with others. no attachments!: PDF example Flyer upload - PDF I use it instead of Word to save information I've written for others that I know I'll be sharing again: Festive Chicken Salad My MUA notepad with tons of links to other docs (skincare stuff) spreadsheets: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Al3S7fNjwg33dE1GdEVXNG5JNUpQNzJpbW53Wm9FOVE&hl=en https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0Al3S7fNjwg33dE9PNkhEMEdVWlRVSk1aSUdFNGxOSkE&hl=en Best, Katherine

keys to...

The Wexler has almost no UVA protection. Unfortunately the boxes can say 'whatever' they want;/ But I know how tricky it is to find something with the right feel and finish. It's a PITA. Glad we 'caught' up... :) K

from my post above: "fear of vitamin D toxicity is unwarranted, and such unwarranted fear, bordering on hysteria, is rampant in the medical profession. Vieth R, Chan PC, MacFarlane GD. Efficacy and safety of vitamin D3 intake exceeding the lowest observed adverse effect level. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Feb;73(2):288–94. "

Interesting. Fwiw, Krispin's site might not very well detail just how much veggie intake she expects: it's a lot. A lot a lot. But she is also a big fan of sufficient (not excessive) protein because it, in various ways, supports multiple detoxification pathways in our bodies. Since our bodies are designed to detoxify (eliminate) toxins all the time anyway, you might want to ask her what she thinks has gone wrong with your daughters normal physiological pathyways for dealings and what can be done to support that. While it's true that ingesting less of a toxin load is helpful and likely is appropriate, there are many things that can be done, nutritionally, to support the detox systems in working correctly to begin with. There are also many ways to continue with appropriate amounts of protein while insuring that toxin load is minimized (ie organic, grassfed etc), cooked in liquid and slowly at low temps (ie no grilling or frying) 8 oz of animal protein a week? I'd have some questions: How much protein are we getting? It's generally accepted that adolescents need 45-60g protein per day. Eggs supply a significant amount of the choline we need (learning, memory, mood stability) Seafood provides a significant amount of selenium (though so do brazil nuts) Protein supports, in a variety of ways, detoxification pathways in the liver How much zinc are we getting? Zinc is critical for normal immune function, mood stability, production of sex hormones, brain function and more. With very high fiber intakes, it's generally assumed that zinc needs are increased by about 50% due to the fiber and phytates blocking zinc absorption. Red meat supplies much of the iron and zinc we need. Where are we getting these? How much vitamin D are we getting? http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/autism/vit-D-and-brain.shtml "Vitamin D's role in increasing glutathione levels may explain the link between mercury and other heavy metals, oxidative stress, and autism. For example, activated vitamin D lessens heavy metal induced oxidative injuries in rat brain. The primary route for brain toxicity of most heavy metals is through depletion of glutathione. Besides its function as a master antioxidant, glutathione acts as a chelating (binding) agent to remove heavy metals such as mercury." ...." Professor John McGrath and Dr. Darryl Eyles of the University of Queensland in Australia have repeatedly warned us that normal brain development depends on adequate amounts of activated vitamin D to orchestrate the cellular architecture of the brain. Both the vitamin D receptor and the enzyme necessary to make activated vitamin D are present in a wide-variety of human brain tissues very early in pregnancy. Eyles D, Brown J, Mackay-Sim A, McGrath J, Feron F. Vitamin D3 and brain development. Neuroscience. 2003;118(3):641–53. Eyles DW, Smith S, Kinobe R, Hewison M, McGrath JJ. Distribution of the vitamin D receptor and 1 alpha-hydroxylase in human brain. J Chem Neuroanat. 2005 Jan;29(1):21–30. Production of the vitamin D receptor in the developing mammalian brain rises steadily beginning several weeks after conception where activated vitamin D induces the expression of nerve growth factor and stimulates brain cell growth. McGrath JJ, Feron FP, Burne TH, Mackay-Sim A, Eyles DW. Vitamin D3—implications for brain development. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2004 May;89–90(1–5):557–60. " And from what source are we getting this D? We need enough to keep our blood levels in the middle of the reference range (ie 50-80 ng/mL). It's very very difficult to get it from sun except: during the summer *and* in the middle of the day *and* without any sunscreen *and* in a bathingsuit. Glutathione: http://ezinearticles.com/?Food-Sources-That-Boost-Glutathione-Naturally&id=1177 Phospholipids are coming from what foods sources? Typically eggs and soy are the only *significant* phospholipid sources in the diet of most americans though shellfish can offer a signficant amount as well. While many will add that nuts (esp) and grains (minimally) add phospholipids to the diet, the conversion of the forms in those foods, to the forms that we actually use in our bodies, is often less than ideal - your pms symptoms indicate that you need more in this area Phospholipids are also the precursors of PGE-1. Low levels of PGE-1 may be responsible for PMS: http://www.obgyn.net/pmspmdd/pmspmdd.asp?page=articles/fp_pms1 http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0FDN/is_2_8/ai_103194439/ I was taking neptune krill oil for something totally unrelated when I was suprised to find that the pm *I didn't know I had*, went away. I assumed sore breasts and moodiness were normal....hadn't thought of it as pms. After my 2nd period of no pms, I went hunting for info on NKO and found that indeed, it does appear to ameliorate pms symptoms. There's more but that's the first set of thoughts that floated to the top. Fwiw, I agree that 10-15 servings of veggies are appropriate and that human diets should be predominantly produce, with some legumes, some raw nuts I also firmly believes that we need animal protein - and sufficient D to keep our 25(OH)D levels in the middle of the reference range. Here's a little one page D 'cheatsheet' that I wrote up. https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV3S7fNjwg33ZHp0bWN3cV8yMDRqcXA0d3BjMw&hl=en K

uh, then you're reading the wrong book. it's romantic. but not light at all. It's pretty heavy and angsty and really did a number on me. Seriously it'd be equivalent to hoping that _Atonement_ would be a light, fun, romantic read. :) K

Yeah, it doesn't pass through. The person was mistaken. But probiotics do help gut health in a variety of ways which can decrease the amount of problematic proteins passing through the (leaky) gut wall. Enzymes also appear to help significantly by breaking down the proteins before they can become a problem. :) Katherine

Yeah, I've been down that road.:grouphug: It's hard but it very well may be worth it. Our nutritionist was Krispin Sullivan She's brilliant. Her site has a good bit of extremely helpful information. Best to you all, Katherine

TIA = Transient Ischemic Attack Had to look that one up;p That is very concerning. What a relief to be home and okay. :grouphug: When you're feeling better, you may want to check into the correlation between vitamin D deficiency and strokes. from the american heart association Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) What is a TIA or transient ischemic attack? A TIA is a "warning stroke" or "mini-stroke" that produces stroke-like symptoms but no lasting damage. Recognizing and treating TIAs can reduce your risk of a major stroke. Most strokes aren't preceded by TIAs. However, of the people who've had one or more TIAs, more than a third will later have a stroke. In fact, a person who's had one or more TIAs is more likely to have a stroke than someone of the same age and sex who hasn't. TIAs are important in predicting if a stroke will occur rather than when one will happen. They can occur days, weeks or even months before a major stroke. In about half the cases, the stroke occurs within one year of the TIA. What causes a transient ischemic attack? TIAs occur when a blood clot temporarily clogs an artery, and part of the brain doesn't get the blood it needs. The symptoms occur rapidly and last a relatively short time. Most TIAs last less than five minutes. The average is about a minute. Unlike stroke, when a TIA is over, there's no injury to the brain. What are the symptoms of a TIA? It's very important to recognize the warning signs of a TIA or stroke. The usual TIA symptoms are the same as those of stroke, only temporary: Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination Sudden, severe headache with no known cause The short duration of these symptoms and lack of permanent brain injury is the main difference between TIA and stroke. TIAs are extremely important predictors of stroke. Don't ignore them! If symptoms appear, CALL 9-1-1 TO GET MEDICAL HELP IMMEDIATELY. A doctor should determine if a TIA or stroke has occurred, or if it's another medical problem with similar symptoms. Some examples are seizure, fainting, migraine headache, or general medical or cardiac condition. Prompt medical or surgical attention to these symptoms could prevent a fatal or disabling stroke from occurring.

I naturally suck at this. :lol: But I still love the show. It's great, isn't it? :) K

Kale in a little EVOO, coconut oil, broth, or butter, saute clove of garlic for just a minute being very careful not to overcook the garlic as it will turn bitter. Add 1-2 bunches kale (deribbed and chopped), add a little additional broth if needed, a little red wine vinegar. Mix thoroughly. Place lid on pan, reduce heat to low. Cook to desired tenderness. Add more red wine vinegar if needed and the smallest amount of salt you can get away with. Fwiw, I also do this with balsamic vinegar, different broths, sometimes I add an onion. I also cook beet greens and collards the same way. NY Times Kale recipes I generally love their recipes....for just about everything.

continued from previous : http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDToxicity.shtml by John Cannell, MD It is true that a few people may have problems with high calcium due to undiagnosed vitamin D hypersensitivity syndromes such as primary hyperparathyroidism, granulomatous disease, or occult cancers, but a blood calcium level, PTH , 25(OH)D, and calcitriol level should help clarify the cause of the hypersensitivity. Although D can be toxic in excess, the same can be said for water. Therapeutic Index As a physician, I know that psychotic patients should drink about 8 glasses of water a day. However, many would hurt themselves by regularly drinking 40 glasses a day (called compulsive water intoxication). So you could say that water has a therapeutic index of 5 (40/8). Heaney's recent research indicates that healthy humans utilize about 4,000 units of vitamin D a day (from all sources). Heaney R, Davies K, Chen T, Holick M, Barger-Lux MJ. Human serum 25 hydroxycholecalciferol response to extended oral dosing with cholecalciferol. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003;77:204–10. However, 40,000 units a day, over several years, will hurt them. Vieth R. Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, and safety. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:842–56. Therefore, vitamin D has a therapeutic index of 10 (40,000/4,000)—twice as safe as water. We are not saying vitamin D is as safe as water, we are saying vitamin D is safe when used in the doses nature uses . Sun Supplies 10,000 Units Of Vitamin D The single most important fact anyone needs to know about vitamin D is how much nature supplies if we behave naturally, e.g., go into the sun. Humans make at least 10,000 units of vitamin D within 30 minutes of full body exposure to the sun, what is called a minimal erythemal dose. Holick MF. Environmental factors that influence the cutaneous production of vitamin D. Am J Clin Nutr. 1995 Mar;61(3 Suppl):638S–645S. Vitamin D production in the skin occurs within minutes and is already maximized before your skin turns pink. Fear of the fatal form of skin cancer, malignant melanoma, keeps many people out of the sun. The problem with the theory is that the incidence of melanoma continues to increase dramatically although many people have been completely avoiding the sun for years. Hemminki K, Zhang H, Czene K. Incidence trends and familial risks in invasive and in situ cutaneous melanoma by sun-exposed body sites. Int J Cancer. 2003 May 10;104(6):764–71. We are not saying sunburns are safe, they are not. We are saying that brief, full-body sun exposure (minimal erythemal doses) may slightly increase your risk of skin cancer but it is a much smarter thing to do than dying of vitamin D deficiency. Hypersensitivity, Not Toxicity Vitamin D hypersensitivity syndromes are often mistaken for vitamin D toxicity, as they cause hypercalcemia . The most common is primary hyperparathyroidism although some cases of "primary" hyperparathyroidism are actually secondary to Vitamin D deficiency . Patients with hyperparathyroidism should only take vitamin D under the care of a knowledgeable endocrinologist . Granulomatous diseases such as sarcoidosis, granulomatous TB, and some cancers can also cause Vitamin D hypersensitivity, as the granuloma or the tumor may make excessive amounts of activated Vitamin D , thus raising serum calcium. These patients should not take vitamin D except when under the care of a knowledgeable physician. Other syndromes occur when abnormal tissue subverts the kidney's normal regulation of endocrine calcitriol production. Aberrant tissues, usually granulomatous , convert 25(OH)D into calcitriol causing high blood calcium. The most common such conditions are sarcoidosis, oat cell carcinoma of the lung, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma but other illnesses can cause the syndrome and they can occur while the patient's 25(OH)D levels are normal, or even low. For that reason, while rare, it is advisable to seek a knowledgeable physician's care when repleting your vitamin D system, especially if you are older, have sarcoidosis, cancer, or other granulomatous diseases. In such high-risk patients, periodic monitoring of 25(OH)D levels and serum calcium will alert the physician to the need to do more tests—such as calcitriol or PTH—and take further action. It seems clear that restoring physiological serum levels of 25(OH)D will help many more patients that it will hurt. In fact, living in America today while worrying about vitamin D toxicity is like dying of thirst in the desert while worrying about drowning. John Jacob Cannell MD Executive Director 2003.09.05 updated 2009.06.20

full article posted with permission: http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitaminDToxicity.shtml Vitamin D Toxicity Fears Unwarranted Is vitamin D toxic? Not if we take the same amount nature intended when we go out in the sun. Vieth R. Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, and safety. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:842–56. Vieth attempted to dispel unwarranted fears in medical community of physiological doses of vitamin D in 1999 with his exhaustive and well-written review. His conclusions: fear of vitamin D toxicity is unwarranted, and such unwarranted fear, bordering on hysteria, is rampant in the medical profession. Vieth R, Chan PC, MacFarlane GD. Efficacy and safety of vitamin D3 intake exceeding the lowest observed adverse effect level. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001 Feb;73(2):288–94. Even Ian Monroe, the chair of the relevant IOM committee, wrote to the Journal to compliment Vieth's work and to promise his findings will be considered at the time of a future Institute of Medicine review. Munro I. Derivation of tolerable upper intake levels of nutrients. Letter, Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;74:865. That was more than two years ago. In 1999, Vieth indirectly asked the medical community to produce any evidence 10,000 units of vitamin D a day was toxic, saying "Throughout my preparation of this review, I was amazed at the lack of evidence supporting statements about the toxicity of moderate doses of vitamin D." He added: "If there is published evidence of toxicity in adults from an intake of 250 ug (10,000 IU) per day, and that is verified by the 25(OH)D concentration, I have yet to find it." Vieth R. Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, and safety. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:842–56. Like most medication, cholecalciferol is certainly toxic in excess, and, like Coumadin, is used as a rodent poison for this purpose. Animal data indicates signs of toxicity can occur with ingestion of 0.5 mg/kg (20,000 IU/kg ), while the oral LD50 (the dose it takes to kill half the animals) for cholecalciferol in dogs is about 88 mg/kg, or 3,520,000 IU/kg. An Overview of Cholecalciferol Toxicosis. The American Board of Veterinary Toxicology (ABVT). This would be equivalent to a 110-pound adult taking 176,000,000 IU or 440,000 of the 400 unit cholecalciferol capsules. Vieth reports human toxicity probably begins to occur after chronic daily consumption of approximately 40,000 IU/day (100 of the 400 IU capsules). Vieth R. Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, and safety. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:842–56. Heavy sun exposure when combined with excessive supplement use is a theoretical risk for vitamin D toxicity, but if such a case has been reported, I am not aware of it. Physician ignorance about vitamin D toxicity is widespread. A case report of four patients appeared in the 1997 Annals of Internal Medicine , accompanied by an editorial warning about vitamin D toxicity. Adams JS, Lee G. Gains in bone mineral density with resolution of vitamin D intoxication. Ann Intern Med. 1997 Aug 1;127(3):203–6. Marriott BM. Vitamin D supplementation: a word of caution. Ann Intern Med. 1997 Aug 1;127(3):231–3. However, careful examination of the patients reveals that both papers are a testimony to the fact that incompetence about vitamin D toxicity can reach the highest levels of academia. Vieth R. Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration, and safety. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999;69:842–56. Heaney R, Davies K, Chen T, Holick M, Barger-Lux MJ. Human serum 25 hydroxycholecalciferol response to extended oral dosing with cholecalciferol. Am J Clin Nutr. 2003;77:204–10. See worst science for a full critique. Cholecalciferol, Not Ergocalciferol, Is Safe Although there are documented cases of pharmacological overdoses from ergocalciferol , the only documented case of pharmacological—not industrial—toxicity from cholecalciferol we could find in the literature was intoxication from an over-the-counter supplement called Prolongevity. Koutkia P, Chen TC, Holick MF. Vitamin D intoxication associated with an over-the-counter supplement. N Engl J Med. 2001 Jul 5;345(1):66–7. On closer inspection, it seemed more like an industrial accident but it was interesting because it gave us some idea of the safety of cholecalciferol. The capsules consumed contained up to 430 times the amount of cholecalciferol contained on the label (2,000 IU). The man had been taking between 156,000–2,604,000 IU of cholecalciferol a day (equivalent to between 390–6,500 of the 400 unit capsules) for two years. He recovered uneventfully after proper diagnosis, treatment with steroids, and sunscreen. ~~~~~~~~ see next post for 2nd half of commentary

Some other things: While taking D, it's very important to get sufficient magnesium, zinc, boron, K and calcium. Without sufficient amounts of these cofactors, various issues can arise - it's not a vitamin D problem, but an overall nutritional problem. Most get suffcient calcium (or even excessive calcium). 1000 mg from all sources is definitely enough, perhaps too much as D levels optimize. 400-1000 mg magnesium from all sources is reasonable. The RDI is 400 mg but there does seem to be variation in mag requirements from person to person. At an Mg intake of around 1000 mg, I am more calm, have less muscle tension, fewer Raynaud's issues, no heart palpitations and a variety of other benefits. Mg citrate is a laxative in high doses and for some, even in low doses. Mg glycinate is better tolerated by more individuals but still doesn't work so well for me. If Mg citrate is tolerable, by all means, take it (in divided doses, with food, and after assessing and maximizing dietary magnesium). I've moved on to Jigsaw Magnesium - the only 'high end' supplement that I take - simply because no other forms 'work' for me. 15 mg zinc is the RDI for adults. I seem to do best around 30 mg per day from all sources. Zinc can definitely cause nausea (as can B vitamins) so use supplements only as required to make up where food sources leave off, take in the middle of a meal, and divide doses as needed. nutritiondata.org is a great place to analyze daily nutrient intake from food. best, Katherine

We either need D supplements or sufficient D from sun and getting suffcient sun to maintain optimal D levels is tricky in a modern environment. So really, everyone's levels plummet without supplementation - though for some, at some times of the year, the supplement of choice will be the sun. :) K

While I've not heard of nausea from D, it seems reasonable to try taking divided doses. 1)Are you taking it with food? 2)14,000 IU per day would be an alternative way to ingest the 100,000 IU weekly dose. My favorite D3 supplement is currently Nature's Answer D3. It has 2000 IU per drop and contains only D3 and extra virgin olive oil. 7 drops per day of that would do the trick. We're all happy to take our drop/drops directly on our tongues but the kids especially like it on bread with additional olive oil drizzled on Nature's Answer D3: http://www.iherb.com/Nature-s-Answer-Vitamin-D-3-Drops-15-ml/20745?at=0 Here are many additional d3 options: http://www.iherb.com/Search?kw=vitamin%20d33

Sure is possible, but difficult. Frightening though to read stories of morons (parden my french) who think that if physiologically appropriate amounts are good, then it must be GREAT to take 300,000 IU daily injected directly into the knees. Yes, it's out there. People do it. It is a fat-soluble vitamin, and it will be stored whether the body needs it or not. Be careful. How about just testing your D levels? So you know? Certainly your sister mentioned the necessity of optimizing dietary magnesium with vitamin d? And NOT taking too much calcium with D? Sufficient calcium of course, but not excessive. And sufficient zinc? And boron? And vitamin K? Then certainly she's aware according to the currently available literature, you're better off having 25(OH)D levels in the middle of the reference range (wether you get it from midday sun exposure or supplement) and supplementing calcium judiciously in a way that supports D levels and not visa-versa. All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. Arthur Schopenhauer German philosopher (1788 - 1860) Katherine

It's hard to go wrong by simply taking enough to reach levels that we could obtain from sun exposure. It's when we go *outside* of physiological norms that we run into trouble. E and beta carotene are problematic because they're isolated from the rest of the carotenoids and the rest of the tocopherols and tocotrienols then given in non-physiologically appropriate amounts in that isolation. Vitamin D (not a vitamin as you know) is a very different thing, the research is VERY different - not even a close contest, quite frankly, as you get current on the literature, it becomes clear that this is about the furtherst possible thing from a 'flash in the pan' so to speak. Keep in mind that our bodies mfg 10,000-50,000 IU D3 upon full body exposure depending on which study one reads and the methodology used and that lifeguards routinely obtain serum 25(OH)D levels of 100 ng/mL (250 nmoL) I've posted a myriad of cites so I won't post more in this email but there is just simply not any sort of comparison between cholecalciferol at physiologically appropriate amounts, and high doses of isolated antioxidants. Best, Katherine

Interesting! Might want to board search 'stoss therapy' for information on how vitamin D can be used with viral illnesses. Benedryl doesn't help congestion unless it's from an allergic/histamine based reaction. Sudafed (from behind the pharmacy counter) would be the medication of choice if she needs a decongestant. Oral zinc lozenges (gluconate preferred, with no citric acid) may be helpful. It seems to stop adenoviruses from replicating in the back of the throat. K

Vitamin D Dosing and Levels ***Keep in mind the issues with Quest's 25(OH)D test - at this point in time, it still appears that we need to divide their results by 1.3 to obtain results normed to the gold standard. (see vitamindcouncil.org, grassrootshealth.net for info) What should my vitamin D level be? ❍ 32 ng/mL (80 nmoL) is the bottom of the current reference range. Still leaves us in a state of substrate starvation. ❍ 40 ng/mL (100 nmoL) the minimum recommended by currently by any reputable D researcher (see grassrootshealth.net). ❍ 50 ng/mL (125 nmoL) is the point at which we have sufficient substrate for managing calcium levels and have additional to use for other necessary physiological functions (300+ other functions in our bodies) ❍ 60-65 ng/mL (150-162.5 nmoL) is reasonable number for which to aim. It's the 'middle of the current reference range for the major US labs. European and canadian labs are behind the times on this one and are still generally using a much lower range. ❍ 80 ng/mL (200 nmoL) is a target number for some researchers and is still within the range of a physiological range of what we could achieve from sun - ie a physiologically appropriate level. ❍ 100 ng/mL (250 nmoL) is a typical serum level of 25(OH)D obtained by lifeguards, from sun only, implying that this is a very physiologically normal - possibly optimal? - number for which to aim. ❍ 200 ng/mL (500 nmoL) is the lowest blood level of 25(OH)D at which there has been documented D toxicity. There has never been a case reported at levels lower than that. ☑ 10,000 IU-50,000 IU vitamin D3 is produced in the skin upon full body exposure to sunlight......with the average of the studies being about 20,000 IU. ☑ Don't be afraid to take as much D3 as is required to raise your serum 25(OH)D to 50-100 ng/mL. There is a 25-50% variation in serum vitamin d levels at 'x' amount of supplementation rate due to genetic variations in vitamin d binding protein. ☑ 1000 IU (25 mcg) per 25 lbs body weight per day is a very reasonable dose of D3 for someone who → works indoors midday → wears clothes midday → avoids sun midday → wears any sunscreen midday ☑ Early AM and later afternoon sun exposure on face, hands and arms is not sufficient to raise vitamin D levels or maintain optimal vitamin D levels. ☑ Fall, Winter and Spring sun exposure is not generally sufficient to raise viamin D levels or to maintain optimal D levels. ☑ A tan does not necessarily indicate sufficient vitamin D levels. It's easy to tan from UVA without getting sufficient UVB to raise D levels. ☑ A person (tan or not) who's been getting →midday →unprotected →summer exposure →on most body skin to the point just before a burn occurs, may have optimal D levels during the summer. ☑ The Vitamin D Council (vitamindcouncil.org) has all of the D research, reference cites and links to peer reviewed journal articles that you'd ever want to read, plus several thousand extra;) ☑ Grassrootshealth.org has a tremendous amount of good information as well. ☑ Stanford and other major D research centers have podcasts in iTunes that are excellent resources.

Here is my Depression and Anxiety info for the OP Depression and Anxiety - Orthmolecular Treatment ❒ My experiences using vitamins, minerals, amino acids and essential fatty acids to treat depression and anxiety are for informational purposes only. It may or may not be right for you. Consider consulting an orthomolecular physician, a health care provider you trust, or an experienced holistic nutritionist. ❒ more is NOT better. The right amount is what your body needs....taking more to hopefully see more improvement is generally not helpful and can occasionally be quite dangerous. ❒ Please purchase the book Depression-Free, Naturally by Joan Matthews Larson. without the book, it's impossible to know if what's listed below is right for *you* Website for her center, the Health Recovery Center. ❒ iherb.com is my 'go-to' for just about all supplements. I occasionally purchase from luckyvitamin.com if iherb is out of something. ❒ prices are *always* the best overall at iherb because an additional 10%-20% is taken off the total at the last step of checkout. I have no connection to iherb and receive absolutely no financial incentive for recommending them. This is simply my personal feeling having ordered from just about all of the major supplement providers over the years. DAILY vitamins, minerals, amino acids and EFAs vitamin b6 ➝ one per day with a meal (usually breakfast or lunch) ➝Natural Factors, B6 Pyridoxine HCl, 100 mg, 90 Tablets iherb.com: $5.09 msrp: $8.49 (40% Off) pyridoxal 5 phosphate - coenzymated form of vitamin b6 ➝ one per day with a meal (usually breakfast or lunch) ➝ Solgar, P-5-P, 50 mg, 100 Tablets iherb.com: $15.98 msrp: $19.98 (20% Off) ➝ zinc, sufficient b6, GLA are also critical for pyroluria which, while controversial, may be the root cause of some forms of anxiety. 5-methyltetrahydrafolate is the circulating form of folic acid ie 'active' or 'coenzymated' form of folic acid/ b9 form of folic acid (b9) ➝ one per day with a meal (usually breakfast or lunch) ➝ journal articles relating to 5-mthf and dysthymia/depression ➝ Metagenics, FolaPro, 120 Tablets iherb.com $32.25 zinc (chelated and without copper) ➝ one per day in the middle of a large meal ➝ incombination with sufficient p5p and GLA, zinc has been very effective in treating what I believe is pyroluria (controversial diagnosis) ➝ whether or not pyroluria exists, it's clear that for whatever genetic reason, some simply have greater zinc needs than others ➝ Now Foods, L-OptiZinc, 30 mg, 100 Capsules iherb: $5.38 msrp: $7.99 (32% Off) magnesium (time-release form of Albion's dimagnesium malate) ➝ mineral ➝ two per day am and pm, with or without food = 500 mg dimagnesium malate ➝ Jigsaw Magnesium w/ Sustained Release Technology approximately $15/month depending on how many bottles are purchased ➝ I can't tolerate magnesium citrate but would take it if I could - it's MUCH cheaper ➝ If you are currently being taking blood pressure medicine (incl spiro) or are being treated for high blood pressure, heart disease, kidney dysfunction, or diabetes, please consult your healthcare professional about the safe use of magnesium, especially when used in combination with other medications to treat these conditions. Magnesium toxicity can occur in those with kidney dysfunction, so please speak to your healthcare professional before supplementing with magnesium. SAMe ➝ take on empty stomach: one 400 mg tablet 30 min prior to breakfast ➝ take on empty stomach: one 400 mg tablet at least 2h after breakfast/snack and at least 30 min prior to lunch (setting timers helps) ➝ can increase or theoretically trigger manic episodes in those with bipolar disorder ➝ for me it's like a mood stabilizer; SAMe evidence ➝ Doctor's Best, Double-Strength SAM-e 400, 30 Enteric Coated Tablets iherb.com: $19.80 msrp: $39.99 (50% Off) taurine ➝ an amino acid ➝ 1 am with breakfast, 1 pm (with or without food) ➝ in combo with magnesium, it has stopped my heart palpitations, racing and arrythmia ➝ the magnesium, taurine and potassium allow me to take stimulant meds and SAMe without heart related side effects....without the Mg, K and Taurine, I can't tolerate the stimulants ➝ Now Foods, Taurine, 1000 mg, 100 Capsules iherb.com: $7.00 msrp: $11.99 (41% Off) vitamin d-3 (cholecalciferol) ➝1000 IU per 25 lbs body weight *per day* seems to be needed by most people to maintain 25(OH)D levels in the middle of reference range ➝ with food...all at one time is fine ➝ if possible, test 25(OH) D 2-3x per year via LabCorp or ZRT. ➝ Nature's Answer, Vitamin D-3 Drops, 15 ml iherb.com: $9.17 msrp:$17.95 (48% Off) fish oil ➝ 3 per day is my current dose...used to take 1 per 10 lbs body weight ➝ all at once or spread out; with or without food; am or pm ➝ experiment to find the dosing and timing that works for you ➝ Now Foods, DHA-500, 500 DHA / 250 EPA, 180 Softgels $28.68 $44.99 (36% Off) USED to take daily - still take occasionally, as needed, for transient mood issues Jarrow Formulas, Inositol, 8 oz (227 g) $16.17 $26.95 (40% Off) ➝ i take as needed when anxious....1/2 tsp 3-6x per day ➝ study doses are very high - up to 18g per day of the powder ➝ extremely extremely safe - even during pregnancy ➝ very inexpensive and likely very helpful for some depression/anxiety ➝ considered a b vitamin tryptophan ➝ you must learn more before taking it to insure that it's what *your* body needs ➝ must be taken on an empty stomach; at least 2h after and/or 30min before food ➝ take with juice ➝ cannot be taken with medications that increase seratonin (SSRI's and other meds) Source Naturals, L-Tryptophan, 500 mg, 120 Tablets $23.87 $38.50 (38% Off) choline phospholipids - lecithin, neptune krill GLA Health Library Depression Health Library Anxiety