It can be. But more expensive is rarely better. Exceptions?: Jigsaw magnesium for folks who can't tolerate other mag supplements, Garden of Life Primal Defense 2000 mg or 2000 IU vitamin D? 2000 mg = 2,000,000 mcg vitamin D = 80,000,000 IU vitamin D:) You may want to consider upping your D to a dose of 1000 IU per 25 lbs body weight *except* on days that you get midday summer sun exposure, in a bathing suit, without sunscreen, until just before a burn would occur (then s/s can be applied). Remember that any sunscreen blocks D production, clothes block D production, windows block D production, shade and clouds block D production. Like calcium, magnesium doesn't absorb well in larger amounts. It's better to take 300-400 mg 4x per day than 800 mg 2x per day. You're likely absorbing only about 240 mg with each 800 mg dose. At the bottom (or in the next post if this is too long, is a document I wrote up detailing what's been successful for me. It's based on the work for Pfeiffer, Hoffer and Matthews-Larson.[/url] Anyone not getting sun exposure per the aforementioned guidelines, needs oral D and a lot of it. More Vitamin D information. My excema went away when I went gluten free but fwiw even though I cheat now, it stays gone....I think it's the D. Knowing what I know about D and immune function, it makes sense. And those getting sufficient magnesium, D, zinc, K, boron etc don't need as much calcium anyway.....but if you need to take a little additional calcium, I woudln't worry about it. True, but spending money on expensive raw or 'whole foods'/'food based' supplements generally isn't worth it. They're always made with lab made vitamins that are then simply fed to a single celled organism - for example, a yeast which digests it, then the whole slop is spray dried and formed into a vitamin. The same effect can be had for a fraction of the price by taking a well formulated multi (optimal forms of vites and minerals) and eating it with a meal. Dealing with digestive/assimilation issues as necessary like taking digestive enzymes, probiotics etc My concerns about that supplement: ~evidence indicating that signifcant beta carotene supplementation may be unwise. This supplies 12,500 IU beta carotene (1/2 dose, which you're taking) or 25,000 IU beta carotene from the full dose ~concerns about high dose E supplemention - for which this qualifies at 400 IU daily (1/2 dose...1 pack) or 800 IU (full dose, 2 packs) ~not enough zinc - At the half dose you're taking, it's supplying only 7.5 mg zinc citrate (non-optimal form) and zinc is commonly insufficient in many diets. It contains no iron - which is good or problematic depending on dietary iron intake, ferritin levels etc. Zinc gluconate and zinc monomethionene (chelated zinc) are significantly better absorbed and utilized forms of zinc. For $25 (half dose - ie one pack), it's supplying too much of the some things and not enough of the things that are commmonly needed (zinc, selenium, iron, magnesium) Taking something like Natrol My Favorite Multiple ($4.50 per month), plus sufficient calcium or magnesium (as needed on an individual basis) would cost you about $12 a month rather than $25. The antioxidant foods are in amounts that are essentially 'window dressing' at the half dose level anyway..... I find tumeric to be very helpful for inflammation. 1/4 tsp directly on my tongue, swallowed down with water does the trick and is incredibly cheap. Since my post is too long with the additional Anxiety/Depression info, I'll post it separately. Best, Katherine

2nd that. I looked into it awhile ago. There are distinct benefits to juicing v. smoothies. We do both. Juicing, but removing the fiber allows significantly more absorption and more rapid absorption of the various vitamins, minerals and antioxidants present in the food. I juice only non-starchy veggies and non-sweet fruits. Starting with a cucumber (fruit) and celery (veg) and 1/4 lemon (incl the peel) I then add a small amount of 2-3 of the following: kale, dark lettuce, parsley(or other herbs) green bean, garlic, broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, collards, chard etc Sorbet can be made in the higher end juicers by using whole fruit with the 'blank' (instead of the screen): mango with a tiny bit of banana, berries with a tiny bit of banana, frozen cantaloupe..... Occasionally I'll make one of Furman's soups - the one that uses carrot/celery juice as a base instead of water...the kids love it. Best, Katherine

When our GS died at home at 12 years of age, our JRT who'd been with us since six weeks of age seriously grieved. He was very very sad. When our JRT (11) died, our other dog who'd been with us since puppyhood (3 years) could't have cared less. k

Because that's what we do on the general board. K

Viral meningitis has been going around..... that can account for the headache, neckpain, stiffness etc Hope she feels better soon K

Ulcers are really nothing more than infections and most infections can be reduced significantly by simply optimizing serum D levels. this study indicates that D levels play a role in h. pylori infection http://www.sjkdt.org/article.asp?issn=1319-2442;year=2007;volume=18;issue=2;spage=215;epage=219;aulast=Nasri so might this study (as infection rates are higher in darker skinned children): http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_7342/is_9_30/ai_63125323/ and this study - for which I can't find the pubmed link (showed that black children have a dramatically higher h pylori infection rate than white children): The Lancet March 16, 2002;359:931-935 More links here for vitamin D: https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AV3S7fNjwg33ZHp0bWN3cV83ZnJrNXZrZDg&hl=en 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.

I tried to respond to your pm but your box was full;p The neutrogena s/s tend to initiate a burning sensation on many folks....with or without retinoids on board. Can you send me a link (maybe drugstore.com) for the one you're using? It's tough to get matte s/s without resorting to asian s/s which tend to be very drying. You might not mind: SPF=UVB protection so that pretty much just 'is what it is' PPD is one measure of UVA protection Avene - no water resistance whatsoever with a drop of bioderma or vichy tint Avene Creme 50+ Avene Emulsion 50+ (like but it was drying for me) Avene Creme or Emulsion 20 Bioderma - no water resistance whatsoeve all below listed with a drop of bioderma tint Bioderma Anti-Age (love...but $30 for 30 mL) Bioderma Lait (shinier but dries down tolerably - 100 ml for $30) Bioderma AKN Mat Avene Creme Bioderma AR (don't like) Vichy (L'Oreal Cosmair) with a drop of bioderma or vichy tint Micro-Fluide 50+ with a drop of tint in place of makeup etc etc La Roche Posay (L'Oreal Cosmair) with a drop of bioderma or vichy tint there are at least 20 versions - some nice, some not so much. The now discontinued LRP dermo-pediatrics 40 spray was nearly universally loved. $20 for 125 mL....dried down to a nearly matte finish. ugh. gone forever. the 50 spray in it's place is intolerable for daily facial use for adults (too shiny/sticky) Like all lines, some LRP s/s are greasy, some are not. LRP Lait Veloute is often well-liked (haven't tried) LRP Fluide Extreme is also often well-liked. drying to me though Shiseido lotion and cream are pretty drying for most folks and the UVA protection isn't great. Oily skinned folks tend to very much like Shiseido s/s. Neutrogena 1) As facial sunscreens, I find the chemical formulations generally irritating 2) oxybenzone is a chemical present in nearly all of the stable, higher UVA protective U.S. sunscreens - HT, Coppertone, BB, Neutro. We avoid it fairly meticulously due to it's known endocrine disrupting effect. Estrogenic.... Regarding the claims of folks who didn't pigment with asian sunscreens then pigment with euro sunscreens: I'm not sure what to think. I hyperpigment/tan very easily and my 11 yo dd freckles very easily....neither of us do with the lrp. I often think it's an issue of 'displacement'. The Shiseido wears like steel and is difficult to remove. Most euro screens aren't *that* difficult to remove and can be more easily displaced by sweat, sebum, humidity....but i'm just not sure. Vitamin D Be sure to take missed doses.... If it's been more than 3 months on 6,000 IU, a move to 8,000 IU is not unreasonable. It certainly couldn't hurt to get your numbers to 60 ng/mL and if you get a little incidental sun exposure bumping levels even significantly higher, no problem. Toxicity has never been reported below 200 ng/mL (500 nmoL). Lifeguards can achieve levels of 100 ng/mL (250 nmoL) with just sun exposure. Be sure your'e getting plenty of mag, zinc, boron, K etc... Gloves Foxgloves Hat ~prefer 5"+ *wire brim* ~or an adjustable visor with a 5" brim (cheapie by San Diego Hat co or way too expensive, yet fantastic, Helen Kaminski version)

Couple more questions for you, HappyGrace. So your level was 21 ng/mL and is now 40 ng/mL. How much time passed between the first and second test? How long were you actually taking the 6,000 IU? If you've been taking the 6,000 IU D per day for less than three months, know that your levels are still going up. How's your dd doing with the lyme's disease? My cousin had it and it was ......ugh. It was mind bogglingly awful. Here's some s/s info I posted in a thread you started in April....but I think it was too far buried to bump up even when I replied so you may not have seen it: The Neutrogena Sensitive Skin is an all-physical formulation. It burned not b/c of the actives but b/c of the inactives on your barrier disrupted skin. [ETA: when chemical s/s cause a burning sensation, it's often not the actives in the formulation but the inactives.] Try moisturizing very very well for a few days, increasing dietary zinc and antioxidants, then try the s/s again *over* moisturizer and/or a silicone serum like olay regenerist fragrance free (generic is fine) Over time, retinoids actually improved my barrier function over all, though at any given time, over application of them can leave me with some burning when other topicals are applied - chemical or no - simply b/c of the dryness. The LRP US s/s actually are decent....L'oreal has a version as well (they're both owned by the Cosmair umbrella). My personal favorites though - dry to normal skin, loves emollient, moisturizing, even shiny stuff;p: Bioderma Anti-Age (ebay) mixed with a drop of the Bioderma tinted cream Bioderma Max Lait (ebay) mixed with a drop of the Bioderma tinted cream Avene cream 50+ mixed with a drop fot he bioderma tinted cream You see a pattern here:) They're all a little whitening (the anti-age is the least) so the drop of tint takes away that white cast. The anti-age is 30 spf/30 ppd (ppd is a measure of UVA protection, spf only measures UVB) and is very light and ung-dly expensive;/ So I use the Max Lait or Avene whenever I can tolerate it. Many who like very light 'matte' sunscreens are loving the Bioderma AKN Mat 40. ETA: The Vichy Micro-Fluide is also getting raves. I wish you lived in Atlanta. We could have a sunscreen sample party. LOL. I brought a *ton* home from Italy last summer. Best, Katherine

Awwww;( I'll just toss out there, that based on her symptoms, it sounds like she's needing more zinhttp://www.welltrainedmind.com/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=1640146c and vitamin D. We think of breakouts as a 'normal' part of puberty and young adulthood but really it's due to a combination of hormonal and immune issues that are quite treatable. Zinc and D3 are both evidence based acne treatments. Acne and D information - a 1938 study!! More Zinc and D information and links Anxiety and Depression - Orthomolecular Treatment Vitamin D Dosing and 25(OH)D Levels Acne best, katherine

2nd the rec for a high quality high powered juicer. I have a Green Star or Green Power and love it. No need to loose the juice from the pulp, just mix it back in....or half of it back in. K

2nd the insufficient datat but based on what there is i'd say....... Borderline Personality Disorder and not Bipolar or it's various presentations. K

:iagree::party:

And there is that tricky thing: it's easier to prevent something than treat something. Not saying you could or should have done anything to prevent what's happening now, just agreeing that yes, it's difficult to treat something even when you do know what it is, especially if it's been going on for a long time. Consider this though: You may be able to tolerate and benefit from allopathic medicines that were not previously tolerated because your system is stronger now from the nutritional/complementary approaches and vitamin D. My own *teensy* example. I have some minor and some potentially not so minor heart issues. I need to take stimulant medications for ADHD. The stimulant medications made the palpitations severe to the point of being scary. On the recommendation of very alternative hcp, I started taking sufficient/optimal/therapeutic doses of magnesium, taurine and fish oil - when I take those, I can tolerate the stimulant medications with no heart palpitations. I'm certainly not recommending this for you or saying that it would work for you, but am saying that with all of the additional support your system is getting now, might it be possible that you could reap some of the benefits of allopathic medicine without the drawbacks? Maybe a pain specialist? Neuro? Rheumatologist? I don't know what your specific issue is....just tossing out suggestions {{{{{Jean}}}}} Wishing you the very best, Katherine

Get the largest capacity you can. Is the costco one also 5 qt? Or is it 6.... K

This is interesting.....and Jean in Newcastle is saying that for her, 80ng/mL 'feels' the best. I'm at 64 ng/mL after taking 6,000 IU per day religiously, incl all missed doses. I may up it now to see how 80 ng/mL feels. :) k

ng/mL or nmoL? US? :) K

:) I love hearing that folks are taking this seriously. It's perhaps the single most important step you can take for your health - though admittedly, it's difficult to pick *one* thing. ***Keep in mind the issues with Quests 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. 1)32 ng/mL (80 nmoL0 is the bottom of the current reference range. Still leaves us in a state of substrate starvation. 2)40 ng/mL (100 nmoL) the minimum recommended by currently by any reputable D researcher (see grassrootshealth.net). 3)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) 4)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. Euro/canadian labs are behind the times on this one and are still generally using a much lower range (nmol) 5)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 (and therefore from supplements) 6)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 - possible optimal? - number for which to aim. 7)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% 1000 IU (25 mcg) per 25 lbs body weight per day is a very reasonable dose of D3 for someone who a) works indoors midday b)wears clothes midday c)avoids sun midday d)wears any s/s 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. However, 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. Best, Katherine

Viral meningitis has been going around. My mom had it (dallas tx). A couple of homeschool friends here likely have had it (based on symptoms). There's really nothing that a medical doc will do for viral meningitis. High doses of vitamin D may be helpful, zinc, elderberry and the like may or may not be helpful. http://www.cdc.gov/meningitis/about/faq.html K

Jennifer, the Vitamin D theory of autism really does, with astounding clarity, explain all of the points you bring up. I believe you'll find it very interesting. My kids were completely unvaccinated, born at home, nursed for - well, a really really long time. I'm *way* out there. Yet I have been convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt, that vitamin D deficiency is at the root of the negative outcomes some have had after specific vaccines. This year, I've started vaccinating my kids and myself. The links are about 2 posts back. All the best to you, Katherine

Still though, logic and sound science must prevail. Regardless of who does the study, we need to assess the study design, methodology and results. Our logic is fundamentally flawed if we discount the evidence based on who does it rather than *the quality of the evidence itself*.

Yeah, there's that. In 20 years, we'll know that fetal vitamin D deficiency was behind the autism epidemic - through various genetic pathways. http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=vitamin-d-and-autism http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health/autism/ http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/newsletter/new-harvard-paper-on-autism.shtml The little green diamonds in the vitamindcouncil.org text are links to references. All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident. and " The truth can wait, for it lives a long time . Arthur Schopenhauer German philosopher (1788 - 1860) We shouldn't wait any longer though. Be sure you're taking enough vitamin D to keep your blood levels in the middle of the reference range. Very very few are able to get enough from sun due to pesky little things like living indoors, working indoors, wearing clothes..... not to mention sun screen, sun avoidance and heat.

a meteor:) K

2nding the recommendation to follow your diet and symptoms (ie food log) very closely for awhile to see if you can suss out what causes problems. If it's just general though and constant, it's best to stay on the meds. Untreated long term GERD can cause esophogeal cancer. K

Consider watching a lot of the dog whisperer. Her issues sound maneageable. Sounds like the bigger issue though is that you're afraid of feeling the pain you so recently felt..... {{{{hugs}}}} Katherine

I'd really watch out regarding this approach. This just gives room to help the whole thing blossom further and take on a life of it's own. I'd proceed with professional help of a cognitive behavioral therapist or an EMDR specialist. It may or may not be helpful to get a dx from a good child psychiatrist. K