H1N1 is Vitamin D deficiency?

[Messy]

Well, not a complete deficiency but is more likely to infect those who are lower on vitamin D (per a news report I heard on my way to school this afternoon). That interests me... Has anyone else heard this? I always give the kids, and sometimes us, extra vitamin C all through the fall until spring due to colds. My prenatal vitamins say they have 100% of both vit D and C, but I think I will buy extra D :)

[Julie K]

I had read somewhere a while back to take extra D3...so I am lol

Not sure what the difference between Vit D and D3 is though!

[Nikilata]

Eh I am taking a daily vitamin (my prenatal upset my stomach) which has everything I need in it along with eating healthy and I still ended up with H1N1.

[~Isme~]

Very interesting!

That's kinda scary for us, though. I'm getting much less D (I'm sure) since I developed lactose intolerance. The baby really only has mommy milk... and neither one of us get a whole lot of outside time. :( I've started giving everyone vitamin C supplements... I may need to look into some vitamin D supplements too.

[Messy]

Hunting for info on this and I am shocked... It honestly appears vit D can nearly prevent H1N1. Though the CDC is not interested in looking into it nor the studies.
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/newsletter/vitamin-d-and-h1n1-swine-flu.shtml
http://www.ehow.com/how_4947989_avoid-swine-flu-vitamins-supplements.html
http://www.emaxhealth.com/1275/83/33165/vitamin-d-might-protect-against-h1n1-flu.html
~~~~~~~
Eh I am taking a daily vitamin (my prenatal upset my stomach) which has everything I need in it along with eating healthy and I still ended up with H1N1.
***Nearly. Not 100% anywhere I have read. I was careful to qualify. I am not sure what the level of vit D required would be being pregnant, but I am going to be finding out!!!

[Nikilata]

I should have added, if it might help by all means I am not against it!
My kids are taking their daily vits along with gargling with salt water every day and swabbing out their noses each day. I would netti pot them but 2 of the 3 freak and with how sick I have been I just don't want to fight with them on it.

[Messy]

I should have added, if it might help by all means I am not against it!
My kids are taking their daily vits along with gargling with salt water every day and swabbing out their noses each day. I would netti pot them but 2 of the 3 freak and with how sick I have been I just don't want to fight with them on it.
I have HORRIBLE sinus problems (damn Indiana), and really need to look into this netti pot thing... I have heard awesome stuff about it!

[Messy]

According to this website, my prenatals have 2 times the recommended amount of Vit D, so I feel good :)
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/factsheets/vitamin-d.html

[~Isme~]

According to this website, my prenatals have 2 times the recommended amount of Vit D, so I feel good :)
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/factsheets/vitamin-d.html


If I start taking my prenatals (the only multi-vitamin I have around) do you think the baby will get the vitamin D through my breastmilk?

[Ahavati]

Yep I've heard it. Being outside in the sun is another good source of vit D!
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[Messy]

If I start taking my prenatals (the only multi-vitamin I have around) do you think the baby will get the vitamin D through my breastmilk?
I think so. I am not sure though. Let's look it up!!! :D

[Nikilata]

Vit D has been argued about if breastfed babies get enough for a long time.
I would consider giving liquid supps if you are worried about it at all.
I personally think as long as they get some sun they get plenty though.

[Messy]

Yep I've heard it. Being outside in the sun is another good source of vit D!
Posted via Mobile Device
Maybe not so much :( Here is a quote, "Human milk typically contains a vitamin D concentration of 25 IU per liter or less." From this link at the CDC http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/recommendations/vitamin_d.htm
They recommend vitamins to suppliment the vit D.

[Ahavati]

I read somwehere ( have to check when I get to my computer) you can take 2-3000mgs of vitamin D. I'll check when I go back upstairs to the comp.
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[Messy]

Vit D has been argued about if breastfed babies get enough for a long time.
I would consider giving liquid supps if you are worried about it at all.
I personally think as long as they get some sun they get plenty though.
Yeah, I remember over 9 years ago when I was breastfeeding Dre', arguing on the AOL board "breast vs. bottle" about the vit D deficiencies :err: One wackadoodle used that as her reason that breastmilk was inferior :shakehead: She was a dingbat.
~~~~~~~
I read somwehere ( have to check when I get to my computer) you can take 2-3000mgs of vitamin D. I'll check when I go back upstairs to the comp.
Posted via Mobile Device
Everything I have found puts it in IUs and mcgs. This link converts it back and forth (since each vitamin/mineral/substance converts in IUs differently).
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/factsheets/vitamin-d.html

[Ahavati]

Yeah, I remember over 9 years ago when I was breastfeeding Dre', arguing on the AOL board "breast vs. bottle" about the vit D deficiencies :err: One wackadoodle used that as her reason that breastmilk was inferior :shakehead: She was a dingbat.
~~~~~~~

Everything I have found puts it in IUs and mcgs. This link converts it back and forth (since each vitamin/mineral/substance converts in IUs differently).
http://www.feinberg.northwestern.edu/nutrition/factsheets/vitamin-d.html

Hmmm, here is one that says 2000IU. I looked at the bottle of Vitamin C I have but that is measured in mg...

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/vitaminddose.html

[~Isme~]

I dunno. Under normal circumstances I don't really feel that vitamin D supplementation is necessary for breastfed babies. Of course, that's assuming that the mother is getting SOME vitamin D in her diet... which I don't know if I am.

[Ahavati]

Here is another good article on Vit D and benefits etc http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/10/Vitamin-D-Experts-Reveal-the-Truth.aspx

[Messy]

Here is another good article on Vit D and benefits etc http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/10/Vitamin-D-Experts-Reveal-the-Truth.aspx
Wow! This article is saying that most adults need 5,000 IUs and my prenatals only have 400 IUs. The other website said 200IUs was sufficient for pregnant women... Gah! So much information to figure out!
The interesting thing is, as in the article you quoted explains, the fact that vitamin D is not talked about nearly enough for the amount of health benefits it might provide. I had no idea to even *think about it until hearing that program tonight. I always think colds=vitamin C increase and leave it at that...

[Ahavati]

After I read that info, I thought maybe I've never gotten the flu because we were ALWAYS outside.

[Messy]

After I read that info, I thought maybe I've never gotten the flu because we were ALWAYS outside.
Ya know, that makes a lot of sense. I never ever had the flu (or was majorly sick or even ever saw a doc :err:) the whole time I lived in California (from age 4 til 11). We moved here and I was hospitalized the first winter, I was so sick. My next winter my grandma got me the flu shot and I was literally sick all winter long... In CA, we played outside every.single.day. Here, the weather gets icky and we all hibernate :( Maybe it is all linked...

[Melissa]

Hmm.. interesting! I always take a vit D. sup seeing as we don't see the sun 6 months of the year :lol:

Up here in the north, we are also told to give our breastfed babies vit. d drops as well, even if you are taking a supplement yourself. I didn't in the summer though, but in the winter, my babes always got vit. d drops.

[Amber]

I am extremely vit d deficient. It puts me at high risk of contracting everything. Not jut h1n1
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[CommieVegan]

Posted via Mobile Device

[yoopers]

I am on a prenatal vitamin and we are outside for 1 - 2 hours a day, but we all got probable H1N1.

[CommieVegan]

Darn mobile device! Still getting used to it.

There has been research showing that vit D is much more important than we used to think, Nd people need more of it than 400 IU, which is the current recommendation. It is good for the immune system so I can see why it would help people fight off H1N1.

D3 is a kind of vit D from animal sources, most often lanolin. Some say the body absorbs it better than D2, which is vegetarian.
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[Messy]

So, can you buy D3 in pill form? When the bottle says "vitamin D" and no other info, how do we know what type of D it is? I am so new to this, but willing to do anything to help boost H1N1 immunities in this house since the schools keep having "nose spray clinics".

[Rocket Queen]

FYI and IU is a microgram or 1/100th of a mg.

[Messy]

FYI and IU is a microgram or 1/100th of a mg.
No, an IU isn't a microgram. And the conversion varies for each vitamin/substance.
http://forum.onlineconversion.com/showthread.php?t=882
As in the above link, all the websites I check concur that this is the way it converts:
I did some searching, and found that for Vitamin D, 1 IU = 0.025 microgram

IU * 0.025 = micrograms

[Heather]

I think it's only been in the last couple of years that the studies have come out showing that taking higher doses of vit D helped prevent disease. I now take 1000mg in addition to my prenatals. I live up North so we need to take more than people who live in warmer sunnier climates apparently.

And if you have a sinus problem GET THE NETI POT!!! I got one out of sheer desperation when I got a wicked sinus problem with this last pregnancy. I was scared to use it but I watched a bunch of youtube videos showing how to do it and it was FABULOUS. It's a strange feeling but wow, it's great for your sinus'

[daisy0306]

:popcorn:

[Rocket Queen]

No, an IU isn't a microgram. And the conversion varies for each vitamin/substance.
http://forum.onlineconversion.com/showthread.php?t=882
As in the above link, all the websites I check concur that this is the way it converts:
I did some searching, and found that for Vitamin D, 1 IU = 0.025 microgram

IU * 0.025 = micrograms


Ah, I stand corrected. I was going off my division I research lab experience. Might have been a different abbreviation, now that I think about it. :looky:
~~~~~~~
And yes, I second the neti pot suggestion if you have regular sinus issues. I died without mine here once the seasons started changing. I had a sinus headache every damn day until I got my replacement neti and started using it again.

[Messy]

Hmmm... Where would one acquire said netti pot? I think all my headaches and probably a portion of my migraines are attributable to sinus problems. Ya know, I never was sick until I moved to Indiana (no sun) and never knew what a sinus nor a migraine was either. From age 11 is when the migraines started, AKA when we moved from CA to IN.

[Rocket Queen]

Your local natural store should have them, otherwise most natural medicine type online stores will have them too. I got mine from a co-op a long time ago.

[Shaineinok]

I have some links for ya'll but it will be after my oldest goes to school before I can get them. But the short version is that Cod Liver oil is a great source, 90% of Americans are Vit D deficient, there are test kits you can get or have done to check your levels, and the odds are a multi vit doesn't have nearly enough to do any good plus the source is not very absorb-able.

[Shaineinok]

Here is a link to some dosages.
http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/clarifications.html

Note: I can't afford some of the higher priced brands so generally I get ours from Walmart. The capsules you can poke and then sqeeze into the mouth of a infant or child or they make a flavored liquid that my kids like.


Basic info
http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/codliveroil.html

[daisy0306]

I have some links for ya'll but it will be after my oldest goes to school before I can get them. But the short version is that Cod Liver oil is a great source, 90% of Americans are Vit D deficient, there are test kits you can get or have done to check your levels, and the odds are a multi vit doesn't have nearly enough to do any good plus the source is not very absorb-able.

Where would one find a test kit?

[ChefWife7]

So, can you buy D3 in pill form? When the bottle says "vitamin D" and no other info, how do we know what type of D it is? I am so new to this, but willing to do anything to help boost H1N1 immunities in this house since the schools keep having "nose spray clinics".


Yes you can get D3 in pill form go to local health food store and ask the nutritionist there where you can get D3. We take it not everyday but when we feel a cold coming on We live in AZ so we get plenty of sun exposure

[Kori]

That must be why my mom has been pushing vit D drops on us lately. We've been taking them every day.

[*Cassie*]

You are more suspectible to ANY illness when you have a vitamin D deficency. Trust, it's not just H1N1. It's always best to take a multivitamin in addition to a veggie and fruit rich diet, as well as daily excerise of at least 30 mins to 60 mins.

[Shaineinok]

Where would one find a test kit?

You have to send blood to a lab.
http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/vitamindfeature.html

[pinkflamingos77]

I am vitamin D therapy, still!

My kids got H1N1 and I did not. I am not sure why I did not get sick but I am not going to analyze it and try to figure it out. I am just glad that I was not down with them or we would have been screwed.

I do know that vitamin D is becoming the super vitamin/hormone that we need and if we do not have adequate amounts. It can cause a whole long line of health issues for you. Especially in women. I definitely think we ALL should be taking a vitamin D supplement.

If your vitamin D supplement bottle tells you take it 2 times a day. Split the does between AM and PM. If you take both at the same time. Your body will only absorb what it needs and you pee out the rest. Basically you are wasting a dose. Don't take both doses at the same time.

You can buy D3 over the counter. I get mine at Costco, under their brand. My doctor recommended it.
~~~~~~~
The last time I was in the doctors office, she said more and more research is coming out. Saying that the sun is still a good way to get vitamin D but women should still be taking a vitamin D supplement on top of sun exposure and a multivitamin.

[Ahavati]

Multivitamins are extra doses but they don't have near the amount of some vitamins that we need. And being very deficient in a vitamin, we have to really boost them with high amount to get back up to where we need to be.

[pinkflamingos77]

Multivitamins are extra doses but they don't have near the amount of some vitamins that we need. And being very deficient in a vitamin, we have to really boost them with high amount to get back up to where we need to be.

:exactly:

[JustJacqueline]

So, can you buy D3 in pill form? When the bottle says "vitamin D" and no other info, how do we know what type of D it is? I am so new to this, but willing to do anything to help boost H1N1 immunities in this house since the schools keep having "nose spray clinics".
I got my D3 supplements from Walmart. They are 2000's an weren't expensive at all. They are tiny too so no one minds taking them...not sure whether to supplement my FF 8 month old though :headscratch:

[messy mama]

This is what I give the kids, 5 drops in the AM and 5 drops in the PM. Along with Cod Liver Oil, Sodium Ascorbate and probiotics. When I remember, that is. :err:

http://www.iherb.com/Now-Foods-Liquid-Vitamin-D-3-2-fl-oz-60-ml/14060?at=0

This is what I take, along with the other stuff listed above.
http://www.iherb.com/Carlson-Labs-Vitamin-D3-2000-IU-360-Soft-Gels/8743?at=0

[CommieVegan]

I give Baby Girl Carlson's Baby D Drops (when I remember). It's D3, alas, so don't tell the vegan police.

Most supplements will be D3. It takes quite a bit of looking to get D2.

[Messy]

I give Baby Girl Carlson's Baby D Drops (when I remember). It's D3, alas, so don't tell the vegan police.

Most supplements will be D3. It takes quite a bit of looking to get D2.
From what I have found, D2 is not as effective as D3. So while it is not vegan friendly :hugs: it is more readily absorbed and least wasted. I was so confused over all the D's :err:

[CommieVegan]

From what I have found, D2 is not as effective as D3. So while it is not vegan friendly :hugs: it is more readily absorbed and least wasted. I was so confused over all the D's :err:

Unfortunate for us vegans, huh? :) Oh well.

[eapoosmama]

I read somwehere ( have to check when I get to my computer) you can take 2-3000mgs of vitamin D. I'll check when I go back upstairs to the comp.
Posted via Mobile Device

Depending on your D levels, you can take up to 10,000 IU per day. More if sick for short 2-3 day stretches.
I take 5,000 IU per day and my young children take 2,500 IU per day.
************************************************** ******************************
D2 is what is usually put into milk along with calcium to replace what is killed off when pasturized.
D3 is found in orange juice.
D3 is a natural form of D3, more easily absorbed and if I understand it correctly comes from the lanolin/wool.

While the sun does help, you pretty much have to be sleeveless to absorb. Just because your in the sun does not mean that the body absorbs. My RA doc told me she has patients who work outside, getting lots of sun and still have low levels of d.

An adult should have about a 50 level of D in their bloodwork.

Mine is 24. I work really hard to get the right level of D3 so that I absorb calcium. I have osteopenia/osteoperosis at 45, due to malabsorbtion issues caused by having 1/2 my intestions missing due to an emergency total colectomy&anastomosis.

Appropriate levels of D help the autoimmune system greatly.
I am not surprised that the CDC is stepping away from this topic, not surprised one bit.

We take liquid D3 from Vinco Labs, my kids love it.

[Messy]

Just reviving this thread so Charise does not have to dig for it :D

[Isis]

thank you!!! now to read it

[Isis]

lots of great info and I am still processing it all and we are uping him well all of us.

[cowboycadesmomma]

People in Alaska can't get vit D required from sun light. Dh and I just had our levels checked. Normal is 20-100 and I was 29, doc said 1000 units per day. My DH was 9!!!!! He was given a prescrip for 50,000 units a week for 8 weeks. It is one pill taken once a week. I didn't realize how important vit D was until we just went to the doc. Ugh, scary.

[Isis]

yeah it is Dh and I are upping it de is already on a multi vit so we will get the d3 tomorrow and up that as well and hope for the best

[Messy]

Right now I am taking my prenatal vitamins and taking 4,000 IU (4 pills) of D3 extra per day. The kids are taking at least 2,000 extra IU of D3 a day. Theirs are gummy bears and really yummy :err:

[Isis]

I can't do the gummy ones ricky thinks they are candy and trys to climb on everything to get to them and so i get the nasty ones he will still take them but leave them alone.

[HRM's mom]

People in Alaska can't get vit D required from sun light. Dh and I just had our levels checked. Normal is 20-100 and I was 29, doc said 1000 units per day. My DH was 9!!!!! He was given a prescrip for 50,000 units a week for 8 weeks. It is one pill taken once a week. I didn't realize how important vit D was until we just went to the doc. Ugh, scary.

My DH's cardio dr just tested him for Vit D and he was below the norm and we had been taking Vit D3 for a couple of weeks before hand. We are planning on going to a medibolic clinic sometime this year to get all of our vit levels checked. Vit D 3 is super important for lots of different reasons. One being to keep the flu away but another is for Heart Health. We are taking 2000 IUs of D3 daily.

[odentonmom]

Right now I am taking my prenatal vitamins and taking 4,000 IU (4 pills) of D3 extra per day. The kids are taking at least 2,000 extra IU of D3 a day. Theirs are gummy bears and really yummy :err:

When I read this thread (back in late November I think,) I started giving my kids and myself a multivitamin and vitamin D gummies.

We take a gummy multivitamin and the younger ones take an additional 500mg of D3 and my 12 y.o and I take an additional 1000 mg of D3. I don't want to jinx us, but we have been healthy since then. Prior to that, we had all been sick off and on since October.

How did you decide how much for the kids? Our multivitamin has a very small amount of D in it, so I thought that 500 mg was a safe amount to add.

[odentonmom]

After reading more of this thread, I am thinking we could safely take a little more.

[Messy]

I decided by reading a billion articles LOL! The kids take 2-3000 extra IU besides their multivitamin per day. Then I take 4,000 IU in addition to the prenatals per day.
I also don't want to jinx anything but my kids have been way healthier since starting on the D3s. So have I. The last few winters have been horrible!!! I am so happy this is half over and looking brighter!!!

[Crzyboutmy5]

If I start taking my prenatals (the only multi-vitamin I have around) do you think the baby will get the vitamin D through my breastmilk?

i'm EBF and DS's peditrician told me to still supplement with a mutivitamin like polyvisol. make sure it's Vit D3 too!

[Pinoikoi]

The problem with D is that the recommended dose is changing... Plus, depending on your location, you might need more than other people do.. I tested low in D, and have been supplementing since.. I take about 2500 units per day. When I tested low, my OB suggested a once a week script which was 50,000 units per week, but I decided not to do that because it is once a week and that seemed too sporatic during pregnancy..

Note: I am very far north.

low D is being linked to all kinds of things now though.. and the recommended dose keeps getting upped..

D3 is the best form of this to take. You can also find it sold as D2, but D3 is the more complete supplement.

[eapoosmama]

Very interesting!

That's kinda scary for us, though. I'm getting much less D (I'm sure) since I developed lactose intolerance. The baby really only has mommy milk... and neither one of us get a whole lot of outside time. :( I've started giving everyone vitamin C supplements... I may need to look into some vitamin D supplements too.

Let me preface by saying that the recommended daily dose of Vit d in most suppliments is 400 IU. In the last few years studies have yielded that an adult dose should be MUCH higher. So more than likely you are not even getting close to what you need. You can always request a vit d level blood test in your annual blood workup/physical. Your levels should be about at 50. Up until recently my levels have been an alarming 24.I struggle with levels due to not having my intestines and now having Osteopenia at age 46 due to low Vit d levels and low calcium as a result. I have done tonnes of D research and consulted with my Gastro, Colon/Rectal Surgeon, 2 PCP's, Rhumetologist (sp), a DO, Chiro, Gyn and my Chinese Med Dr. on this exact subject of D.

Also my Rhumie has told me that not everyone can get D from the sun like others. She has had patients who work in construction outside in Florida all day long and still have low levels of D.
And general Cows Milk if not RAW milk does not have good sources of Vit D. In fact it reads 30% but it is more like 10% that you are getting because of the processing and the type of d they put into the milk once pasturized to replace all the good/natural Vit D that they killed in the pasturization process. You can get some great Vit D suppliments that are not from the pharmacy/filled with "fillers" at your trader joes, food cooperative and probably whole foods.
Vit d3 is the important source for a good d. Personally I take 5000IU per day of Vinco Brand of liquid drops. My children take 2500IU every day and like it, taste like orange.

Unless you are vegan you should not choose Vit D2 as your souce, Vit D3 is THAT important to a good result.

If I am feeling like I am coming down with something I shift my levels of d up to 7500 or 10,000 IU for 3 days to greatly boost the autoimmune system since I live with a compromised autoimmune having Ulcerative Colitis.

If you need to confirm any of the you may want to consult with a Naturalpath, Homeopath, Holistic med or a compounding pharmacy (not a mainstream general pharmacy, they will look at you like your head is cut off and usually are not up to date on recent Vit D studies)

Vit D has helped me feel better than I have felt in 10 years and for the first time and Medication free since 2001. I strongly recommend a good D daily.

[eapoosmama]

really miss the damn edit button. :twitch:

edited to add the following corrections:

I have 1/2 only of my intestines.
feel better and AM medication free for the first time since 2001.

AND even with lactose intolerance you can drink and eat Goat & Sheep milk product successfully.
The molecular fat structure is different and most who can't tolerate cows milk CAN tolerate goats milk. You can find it at Trader Joes or your Food Cooperative and sometimes at your farmers markets or CSA. Goat milk yogurt with fruit and granola is awesome.

[Shopaholic]

Yep I've heard it. Being outside in the sun is another good source of vit D!
Posted via Mobile Device

when Lucas was a newborn (itw as summer in CA) I'd strip him down to his diaper and take him out in the sunfor 10 minute periods a few times a day.