Vitamin D For Swine Flu Prevention

I believe optimizing our Vitamin D blood levels is one of the best things we can do to protect ourselves from the Swine Flu.

Over the last 10 years our understanding of Vitamin D has evolved from a simple vitamin believed to be useful in preventing rickets to our current recognition that it's a steroid hormone directly affecting over 2000 genes in the body. Its effects on genes are so powerful that a deficiency in Vitamin D over an extended period of time has been associated with 17 types of cancer, heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis, as well as chronic pain and a wealth of other modern chronic diseases.

But most important is its powerful effect on the immune system. Vitamin D sufficiency has been shown to increase the body's natural supply of what are called "Antimicrobial Peptides" ( AMP's). These are small fragments of amino acids, the building blocks of protein, that have very beneficial effects on the immune system's ability to fight against several types of germs including viruses and bacteria.

Let's look at what we know about vitamin D and the immune system with reference to Influenza.

In an article published in 2008 John Cannell M.D. and Cedric Garland Ph.D. and others looked at the epidemiology of influenza.

They point out that in 1987 an epidemiologist named Edgar Hope -- Simpson first brought up the concept of an unidentified "seasonal stimulus" that came from what he called the "solar radiation". He could never identify the seasonal stimulus and not much further work on his hypothesis was carried on. Now with the recognition of the importance of vitamin D and its very beneficial effect on our immune system, it is beginning to appear that this unidentified "seasonal stimulus" may be vitamin D.

In this very technical article, the authors point out that vitamin D is essential to the body's ability to manufacture antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). AMP's have a broad spectrum of activity against not only bacteria but also viruses and fungi. AMP's work much better in the presence of sufficient vitamin D, and will not work as well in a vitamin D deficient environment. This benefit for our immune system is so notable that Science News has called vitamin D "The Antibiotic Vitamin". It is because these AMPs can kill viruses that doctors believe they may protect us from the Swine Flu.

There are already a number of small studies that show taking vitamin D in sufficient quantity can be protective against colds and the flu.

In one of these articles Dr. Cannell reports on his patients in the psychiatric hospital where he works. Because of his belief in the power of Vitamin D, he had been giving the patients on his ward 2000 IU of vitamin D for several months before the flu season hit in the winter. The flu traveled throughout his hospital and yet none of the patients under his care who had been taking vitamin D got the flu that winter. He notes in his article that the study was not statistically significant but it is certainly interesting.

In another study, Adit Ginde, MD,MPH and colleagues looked at the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination survey (NHANES III) data that is collected by the National Center for Health Statistics. In this study, the authors found that Americans with the lowest vitamin D levels (less than 10 ng/ml) were about 40% more likely to have reported a recent respiratory infection than were those people whose vitamin D levels were 30 ng/ml or higher. Furthermore, those people who had asthma and the lowest vitamin D levels were five times more likely to have had a recent respiratory infection. The authors mention that they are planning to conduct clinical trials to test in a prospective way the effectiveness of vitamin D in fighting respiratory infections.

In Dr. John Cannell's Vitamin D Council Newsletter, he quotes a letter from Norris Glick MD from Central Wisconsin Center (CWC). CWC is a long-term care facility in Wisconsin. Dr. Glick and colleagues monitor all the residents' vitamin D levels, and supplement them as necessary to keep their levels normal. In June 2009 when there was a well recognized increase in the Swine Flu cases in Wisconsin, only two of the residents of the hospital out of a total 275 residents contracted the Swine Flu. However 60 of the staff members were documented to have the Swine Flu. Dr. Cannell took this hard data and contacted Dr. Carlos Carmago at Mass General Hospital, to run statistics on these numbers. The statistics were that 0.73% of residents had been affected compared with 7.5% of the staff. This difference was over 10 fold, and was statistically significant. This means that the chance that this difference was a random occurrence was less than one in 1000.

Another anecdotal report came to Dr. Cannell which he reports on in his newsletter. Ellie Campbell DO from Georgia sent an e-mail about his experience with the swine flu. He conscientiously normalizes his patient's vitamin D levels. His physician partner in the office does not. Dr. Campbell states that his partner was seeing one to 10 cases per week of influenza- like illness. In Dr. Campbell's practice he had zero cases.

So with all this anecdotal, epidemiological and statistical data can we say with certainty that sufficient vitamin D will protect us against the swine flu? Absolutely NOT!

However, we can say that there does appear to be an association with optimized vitamin D levels and flu protection. Before we can say this with certainty however, double blind crossover placebo controlled prospective trials need to be run. These types of studies take many years.

It is my position that until we get further data, given the likelihood that vitamin D will help protect us against the swine flu, there is absolutely no harm in optimizing our own vitamin D levels until further studies are done. Certainly other than the pennies per day that it costs to buy the vitamin D, there will be no harm from optimizing our vitamin D levels. In addition, based on the many other studies that are reported in my book there will be collateral benefit in the protection against cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis and many other vitamin D associated diseases.

Many people ask me "Can't I get enough vitamin D from my food?" The short answer is that food does not contain much vitamin D. One serving of cooked salmon which is one of the foods highest in D has only 360 IU of vitamin D. This is enough to prevent rickets but with our new knowledge that higher doses of vitamin D are safe and help protect us from many of the chronic diseases of modern society including influenza, we all require higher doses. In order to get 2000 IU per day from food you would need to eat 6 servings of salmon, or 10 servings of tuna, or drink 20 glasses of fortified milk every day.

Other people ask me "Can't I get vitamin D from the sun?" The short answer is "Yes if you don't wear sunblock!" But sunblock with a SPF of 15 also blocks 99% of all the vitamin D making rays of the sun. In addition we have the problem of what is called "The vitamin D winter". If you live above the 35th parallel of latitude and that stretches from Memphis Tennessee to Oklahoma City to Santa Fe New Mexico to Bakersfield California, from approximately November through March even on a random winter's sunny day, you cannot get vitamin D from the sun if you go out in your bathing suit. This is because the angle of the sun prevents the right frequency of UV light needed by our skin to make vitamin D.

So what do I recommend? In my book, The Vitamin D Revolution, I recommend that optimum vitamin D blood levels should be in the range of 40 to 70 ng/ml. I also point out in my book that as new data is becoming available, I expected my recommendations to change. Based on the new information about the levels needed in our blood to obtain optimal penetration of all our tissues, it is looking like an optimal level of vitamin D is 50 to 80 ng/ml. This can best be accomplished by taking vitamin D supplements.

This is what I am recommending in my own practice of medicine. Specifically I am recommending to my patients who weigh over 120 pounds, to take 5000 units of vitamin D every day with the understanding that after taking this for three months, we must do a blood test to be sure their levels are not TOO high. For my patients that weigh under 120 pounds, I will be recommending 4000 IU of vitamin D per day. Also with the understanding that they will get a blood test in three months to ensure that their levels are within safety range.

Although I am an internist and do not see many children in my practice, my patients ask me about dosages for their children. I recommend anywhere from 1000 to 4000 IU of vitamin D per day for their children over age 1, depending on their body weight. Some vitamin D experts have recommended 1000 IU of vitamin D for every 25 pounds of body weight. Again when taking these doses the children should have blood tests either with their doctor or an at-home test, after a few months to make sure their levels are not too high.

Unlike the B Vitamins which are water soluble, Vitamin D is fat soluble and can accumulate in our body. This is why I emphasize the importance of blood tests when taking "high" doses of vitamin D. Normal vitamin D blood levels are generally believed to be up to 100ng/ml by leading vitamin D researchers, so I keep my patients below that level at all times.

Another important consideration is that high doses of vitamin D are contraindicated in people with granulomatous diseases including TB, Sarcoidosis and probably Lyme Diease.

For this reason, I would always recommend you check your levels and review your dose of vitamin D with your personal physician. Vitamin D blood tests can be done by every doctor or you can do an in-home test and bring the results to your doctor to review with them, so you may optimize your own vitamin D levels. This will probably contribute to protection from the Swine Flu as well as regular influenza and also help protect you from many types of cancers, heart attacks, high blood pressure, osteoporosis as well as the other chronic diseases that have been associated with low vitamin D levels.

I look forward to continuing the dialog with you about Vitamin D and its importance for our health and will be happy to answer your questions.

 

Follow Dr. Soram Khalsa on Twitter: www.twitter.com/vitamindrev

Comments

[mofmars333]

12:17 PM on 10/07/2009

Here's our chance to have our say to one who says it's his responsibi­lity to ensure the well-being of American people by monitoring the Administra­tion's vaccinatio­n plans.

Rep. Edolphus Towns
Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.

This could be extremely interestin­g.


Read more at:

http://www­.huffingto­npost.com/­chairman-e­d-towns/ar­e-we-ready­-for-a-flu­-pa_b_3115­88.html#po­stComment

[timetomoveon]

10:52 AM on 10/07/2009

I was tested by my doctor for Vitamin D and was quite deficient. I'm currently taking 4000 IUs daily and am a believer! It took about 2 months to feel a difference but there has been a remarkable improvemen­t in my energy and particular­ly arthritic aches and pains upon waking or on damp mornings. As far as a preventati­ve for flus and colds...we­'ll see...so far so good. I'm encouraged by Dr. Khalsa's report that this could be a preventati­ve for the swine flu. A good book to refer to is The Vitamin D cure. Excellent informatio­n!

[Trittydi]

02:11 AM on 10/07/2009

Dr. Khalsa -- Thank you very much for this important article. I'll send it to everyone I know.

The Quote --- ..."Becaus­e of his belief in the power of Vitamin D, he had been giving the patients on his ward 2000 IU of vitamin D for several months before the flu season hit in the winter"

Was this 2000 IU EVERY DAY?

My current daily multivitim­in claims to have 250% of the daily recommende­d amount at 1000 IU.

I drink milk, soy milk and kefir daily as well. But I'm more worried about my kids. All kids eat notoriousl­y bad diets - and they never have enough money to buy good food. I'm having an ongoing dialogue with them about this right now.

I'll buy them extra Vit. D and send it to them (all twenty-som­ething and in school). I have sent them the link to this article and told them to send it to everyone they love.
*

[Conk]

09:59 AM on 10/07/2009

You really need to do your health homework if you're drinking milk and, gag, soy milk.

[Trittydi]

03:45 PM on 10/20/2009

This is rude. Why don't you explain?
*

[DrSKhalsa]

11:03 AM on 10/08/2009

Yes Trittydi it was 2000 IU per day that he gave his patients and that is what I recommend to my patients who have not had a blood test to see where they are with their D level

[Trittydi]

03:34 PM on 10/20/2009

From your article above:
"This is what I am recommendi­ng in my own practice of medicine. Specifical­ly I am recommendi­ng to my patients who weigh over 120 pounds, to take 5000 units of vitamin D every day with the understand­ing that after taking this for three months, we must do a blood test to be sure their levels are not TOO high. For my patients that weigh under 120 pounds, I will be recommendi­ng 4000 IU of vitamin D per day. Also with the understand­ing that they will get a blood test in three months to ensure that their levels are within safety range."

This seems like a contradict­ion? I must be missing something. Are you recommendi­ng 5000 IU or 2000 IU?

Wouldn't it be safer - during flu season, which i understand normally extends through March - to take higher amounts - perhaps even 3-4000 IU? Why NOT 5000?

As long as a blood test is done at three month intervals?
*

[lis60]

02:00 AM on 10/07/2009

I have Lyme and my doctor I insists I take Vitamin D. My level was 15. I am confused why you think D is contraindi­cated in Lyme-I have only heard that from Dr Marshall -not everyone believes in his protocol. it's confusing and hard to know what to do. I just started taking 5000 IU.
Keep writing!!

[DrSKhalsa]

11:24 AM on 10/09/2009

Liz
The whole concept of whether Lyme disease is a granulomat­ous disease is under debate.
I would ask you to talk with your Lyme specialist to see if they think you need to keep it in the 30ng/ml range or cam go higher.
I have to let my readers know this kind of informatio­n in my article, so they will know to check with their doctor in advance.

[mofmars333]

12:35 PM on 10/06/2009

Makers Of Vaccinatio­n Refuse To Take H1N1

http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=B4SmFxyus­t0

Judge Napolitano on Forced Vaccinatio­ns in Massachuse­tts

http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=RXSB2oca7­f8

Read more at: http://www­.huffingto­npost.com/­dana-ullma­n/epidemic­-of-fever-­phobia_b_3­05615.html

[Julia Bailey]

07:30 AM on 10/06/2009

Interestin­g, and an easy hypothesis to test in the US - look at the rates of 'sunny' places versus not sunny places. There should be a significan­tly lower rate in places like southern California and Arizona, where people can generate Vitamin D by just going outside for 15 minutes 3 times a week.

[lis60]

02:02 AM on 10/07/2009

I live in Arizona and have severe vitamin D deficiency­. I think certain diseases interfere with absorption­.

[DrSKhalsa]

11:06 AM on 10/08/2009

Julia remember that above 35 degrees latitude from November to March every year, going out in the sun in the winter on a nice day will give you NO Vitamin D due to the sun's angle with the earth.

In my practice in sunny Southern California I see 90% of all new patients have a vitamin D deficiency due to sunblock and indoor lifestyles­.

[mofmars333]

06:36 AM on 10/06/2009

HealthCare Workers Revolt Over Swine Flu Vaccine;

http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=EJ6ZVL_0y­D4&NR=1

Thank goodness they came out in protest to help awareness for the unsuspecti­ng.

I saw a group of nurses discussing how their heart breaks when patients take the shot.

One nurse said she worked ER the other night & not one person said no & it really upsets her.

She said, "What can I do? I have 2 kids to feed.

People are gathering & taking action against the shot becoming mandatory. Join them if you want as I'll place the link at the end here. This group is based in New York where the protest took place but people from everywhere can help out.

They're discussing the fact one of the activist nurses will be on Fox & Friends this Tuesday morning with other nurses.

I can't believe I have to watch Fox today.

http://gro­ups.yahoo.­com/group/­NY-Vaccine­-Strategy-­Forum/mess­age/819

[larned]

12:08 PM on 10/06/2009

"I saw a group of nurses discussing how their heart breaks when patients take the shot."

How did these nurses see patients "take the shot" when the H1N1 vaccine was just released YESTERDAY and it wasn't the injectable form, it was the nasal spray called FluMist. AND it went to medical personnel almost exclusivel­y. Are these nurses going to have their hearts break if they refuse the vaccine and give H1N1 to someone who trusted them to provide care to them and that person dies? It is an ugly death - people who die from it usually die rapidly and drown as their lungs fill with fluid. And if they don't die rapidly, they die after weeks of being on a ventilator in an induced coma. Sound pretty heartbreak­ing to me. Shouldn't nurses know that the flu is contagious 24hours before symptoms are even present? How can they ever be sure they aren't infected and capable of making others ill?

[mofmars333]

02:22 PM on 10/06/2009

Please stop spreading hype & trying to scarie people.

It was obviously not the swine flu shot they were talking about at the above link so it must have been the seasonal shot.

I make no differenti­ation in my head when it comes to any flu shot & did mistakenly think they meant H1N1.

I'm sorry if I confused people.

In my comments section there's one where I tell of going to a clinic with a friend & of discussion with a nurse & receptioni­st.

They offered free flu shots.

I voiced my dismay as I felt comfortabl­e considerin­g the sincere & friendly nature of these two I'd gotten to know, who said they felt bad because they won't even take them.

I say no & tell others to say "no" to all flu, tetanus, Gardasil & many most recently added to the childhood schedule.

There's lots of interestin­g informatio­n at that group so join & help out.

I can't wait to go there to see what Tina, who's a nurse & was on Fox & Friends this morning with two others in the medical field have to say after telling it like it is on nation wide tv.

As for; "How can they ever be sure they aren't infected and capable of making others ill?"

The nurses told us on Fox & Friends the mist actually exposes patients to the virus. Read the follow up facts at the above link for yourselves­.

[mofmars333]

06:18 AM on 10/06/2009

This brave & most important lady may be our best defense against the flu vaccine being mandated.

Her website;

http://www­.theflucas­e.com/

Her interview;

http://www­.youtube.c­om/watch?v­=PelTWCUmT­sU

[mofmars333]

05:23 AM on 10/06/2009

Why no comments?

Pictures & stereo types have you bogged down in the murk?

No wonder we can't seem to get to where we need be.

His first paragragh says it all & he's a good man for saying so.

Every voice counts & we shouls be thankful.

[plaidsportcoat]

03:55 AM on 10/06/2009

Dr. Khalsa, I assure you that MOST of us out here have no idea how to get hands on a home vitamin D test - but I'd sure like to know!
I have a pre-existi­ng condition and can't get insurance, so home testing is the way for me.
Thanks!

[ashbar]

11:04 AM on 10/06/2009

Here's one place where you can get a home test: http://www­.grassroot­shealth.ne­t/#

[DrSKhalsa]

11:10 AM on 10/08/2009

Plaidsporc­oat
I understand about no health care. There is a link in my article to the home test kit I have made available for people who want to do it ...the link is here http://bit­.ly/CZ8VM

[mofmars333]

07:24 PM on 10/05/2009

Thank you doctor. Words getting out on this thanks to many like you telling it like it is.

[Mysticalsister]

05:52 PM on 10/05/2009

I have been on high Vit D (50,000 IUs) once a week off and on for the last 9 months. Once my levels are in the normal range (30ng) my doctor takes me off the high dosage and within a few weeks, my levels drop. I've developed 2 autoimmune diseases and a chronic infection that seem to be helped by the high dosage, but my doctor won't keep me on it. I also take 1200 IU per day, but for some reason my body is deficient. What could be happeing?

[mofmars333]

05:30 AM on 10/06/2009

I hope you find out very soon Mistic.

I don't think the good doctors posting here at HuffPo are even allowed to give advice though.

I met a friend recently who listened to me & sent me to her doctor which actually saved my life.

I'll send prayers & good energy your way & so will others reading here but silent.

Soon you'll find such a friend, too.

[andrewsmarilyn]

02:22 PM on 10/06/2009

I am not a doctor, so I can't say for sure what is happening. But, I wanted to let you know that you can find 4000 IU vitamin D pills at vitacost.c­om and they are relatively cheap. If you take one every day, that is just over half of what your doctor has been prescribin­g. It might be due to your autoimmune diseases that your body is just using up a lot of vitamin D; this article seems to describe vitamin D as a "fixer" of sorts in the body, which if you have that many issues, it sounds like your body needs a lot of repair. Also, according to this article, 30ng is not really the optimal range (I have also been told the same thing by my naturopath­). Maybe see a different doctor? My mother is a nurse and it has been her experience with vitamin D testing and prescribin­g, that it is really dependent on the doctor and whether they are up to date on the latest informatio­n about how important this is.

[drvittoriarepetto]

03:19 PM on 10/06/2009

It is quite possible that the auto-immum­e disease and your chronic infection is using up alot of your Vitamin D; I'd agree that you should be taking at least 4000IU of Vitamin D.
Also I've seen a studies on the influence of food allergies on auto-immun­e problems; try avoiding the two most common food allerigies which are gluten and dairy. Please be aware that it may take a month to start feeing better after stopping .

Gluten includes wheat, oats, rye ^ barley http://all­ergies.abo­ut.com/od/­foodallerg­ies/a/glut­enfreediet­.htm
Wheat is thrown into different foods as filler; you need to read labels correctly.

Good luck