I recently had my vitamin D level checked and it came back at
16 ng/ml, which is ridiculously low! The
last time I had it checked in 2011, it was 38 ng/ml. At that time, the doctor told me that I
needed to increase it to 50 ng/ml. I
listened but only for a minute. I could
not find a supplement that I thought was safe for my mast cell crazy body. There was always something I didn’t like
about each brand but in reality, I’m just always nervous to consume something
new. Countless trips to the ER in an
anaphylactic state are enough to make anyone skittish! However, not listening
to the doctor dropped the number in more than half. Now I’m listening!
What is Vitamin D?
It is the Sunshine Vitamin, of course! Actually, it is a
hormone that our body makes on its own when exposed to ultraviolet B which is
produced by the sun. Vitamin D is
considered a steroid hormone although referred to as a vitamin. You may have
heard it called the sun hormone or sun vitamin. Because it is absorbed and then
converted, it is unique in comparison with other vitamins that we absorb
directly from foods and use immediately.
Vitamin D is definitely a bit more complicated as a chemical process
must take place for our bodies to use it.
Research is uncovering the importance of this vitamin/hormone as every
cell in our body needs it.
Why Do We Need
Vitamin D?
The steam train is rolling on the importance of Vitamin D
and research is coming out left and right with studies and results to support
the evidence that it is critical in keeping the body strong and minimizing
disease risk. Some of their amazing
super hero fighting properties include:
- Immune system stability
- Allergy reduction
- Cancer prevention
- Maintaining healthy lungs and healthy heart
- Bone and muscle health (we need vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus)
- Asthma prevention
- Type I and II diabetes prevention
- High blood pressure stability
- Depression fighter
- Alzheimer prevention
- Multiple sclerosis prevention
- Chrohns and Irritable Bowel Syndrome prevention
- Rickets prevention
- Weight control
- Helps with COPD
- Warts
- Glaucoma
- Lowers inflammation
- Improves autism symptoms
- Regulates sleep patterns
- Anemia prevention
- Reduces IgE
The Journal of Immunology states Vitamin D deficiency has
been linked to allergic disease and increased risk for development and severity
of allergic disease. As a mast cell
activation patient, this is enough to raise my eyebrow. If you are interested in some of the research
discussing health conditions, the Vitamin D Council provide a Health
Conditions list.
The American academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI)
is researching the link between vitamin D deficiency and the prevalence of food
allergy. Now this is interesting as food
allergies have increased significantly over the past 20 years and so has
vitamin D deficiency. In fact, the AAAAI
states that in an Australian study, infants with low vitamin D were more likely
to have egg or peanut allergy and were more likely to have multiple allergies
compared to infants with normal vitamin D levels. One U.S. study identified regional difference
in EpiPen prescriptions in. The most
EpiPen prescriptions in the nation were filled in northeastern states while the
southwest refilled the fewest prescriptions.
There was also a significant increase of prescriptions filled in Australia
as it is at higher latitude and farther away from the equator. The message is the farther away from the
equator, the lower the vitamin D levels, the more prescriptions filled. Um! Interesting! I live in the Great Lakes
Region which is cloudy half the year and I sit inside all day at a desk meaning
minimal sunshine.
How Do We Obtain
Vitamin D?
Vitamin D is naturally obtained when bare skin absorbs
ultraviolet B rays. The sun has been
deemed the enemy over the last several years because of skin cancer
scares. And, it is very scary. Most of us probably know somebody has dealt
with skin cancer and the sunscreen companies are riding this train warning us
not to go out unprotected however sunscreen blocks the absorption of vitamin
D. We need the sun to kiss our bare skin
but we need to do so cautiously. It was
recommended to me to allow the sun to touch my bare skin 20 minutes a day and
then seek protection including wearing a hat.
Where we live and the tone of our skin all have an impact on how we
absorb vitamin D.
The easiest way to increase levels aside from the sun is vitamin
D3 supplements. Vitamin D3 is the best
form of supplement as it more readily absorbed and used by the body. Supplements come in pill, capsule or liquid
and include several brands with a few being Natures Answer Vitamin D3 Drops, Optimal
Vitamin D3 Liquid, Carlson Labs Vitamin D3, Nordic Naturals Vitamin D3.
It is very difficult to obtain an adequate amount through food. In fact, nearly impossible because it only
occurs in a small number of edibles including some oily fish (salmon, tuna and
sardines), liver, egg yolks and fortified dairy and grain products. You’ll notice that it is in four of the most
allergic or histamine producing foods on the planet! Many mast cell patients cannot eat the foods
that contain this much needed hormone.
I also fall into the malabsorption category meaning I don’t
absorb supplements very well plus as stated before I’m horrible at consuming
new things so I purchased a Sperti Vitamin D lamp Model D/UV-F (FDA recognized). Hopefully, it works because the thing was
horribly expensive ($440). It is
recommended by the Vitamin D Council for people that cannot absorb natural rays
every day and that have malabsorption issues.
I emailed them to confirm but will not know until I have another test
done. I do spend time outside during the
summer months and supplement with the Sperti but now that we are into October,
I will begin doing a session first thing in the morning and then again at
night. Fingers crossed and prayers up
above! This level needs to rise! So stay tuned! I will provide follow up
results.
The Vitamin D Council provided this chart comparing
different organizational guidelines. For
MCAS patients, I believe we should aim for 50ng/ml or higher however 80 – 100 is
ideal.
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Vitamin D 25(OH)D
range guidelines from various organizations:
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Vitamin D Council
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Endocrine Society
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Food and Nutrition
Board
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Testing
Laboratories
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Deficient
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0-30 ng/ml
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0-20 ng/ml
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0-11 ng/ml
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0-31 ng/ml
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Insufficient
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31-39 ng/ml
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21-29 ng/ml
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12-20 ng/ml
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Sufficient
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40-80 ng/ml
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30-100 ng/ml
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>20 ng/ml
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32-100 ng/ml
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Toxic
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>150 ng/ml
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