QUOTE (Jann @ Jan 6 2010, 04:49 PM)

The pharmacist that told you that there is no difference between "regular D" [which I'm presuming to be "D2" ergocalciferol] and D3 (cholecalciferol) is wrong. There is a difference. There are so many references for why the optimal form to be taking is D3. Here's just one that I found:
Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is the natural form of vitamin D for humans. Vitamin D3 is produced in the skin with sunlight exposure. Vitamin D2, known as ergocalciferol, is a compound produced by irradiating yeast with ultraviolet light.
A substantial body of new research documents that vitamin D3 is the preferable form and researchers clearly recommend its use. Vitamin D3 has been found to be at least three times as potent as vitamin D2, and is more stable, safe, and useful in the body.
As for WHY you become deficient: Dr Michael Holick -- one of the leading vitamin D researchers -- explained it to me this way when I asked whether an autoimmune disease was the cause of a D deficiency or did a D deficiency cause autoimmunity. He said..." Both are correct. D deficiency alters the immune system and when the immune system is activated it uses more vitamin D." So this is why it's important to keep our levels high -- especially if you have any immune system issues.
As for WHY you become dizzy when taking your D3 supplementation..??... I haven't a clue...I've never experienced anything like that. My suggestion would be to try a liquid form of D3. The one I use from Life Extension has 2,000iu in one drop...and it's tasteless. I take around 6,000-8,000iu D3.
Best wishes,
Jann
Jann - This is an excellent posting, Thank you.
I did this searching years ago too - I have a friend I have known since we were each around 15 ish. He worked in a tiny Health Food
Store. Then he opened his own when he turned about 35 ish. For the last 15 years or so, he has moved it a few times with the economy,
but still hanging in there. He always had this innate sense....like my friend Wendy went to him with a rash on her cheek, he said,
ohhhh, you have been eating TOO much sugar, it's yeast overgrowth, add some probiotics, Sure enough, she'd say yes, I had several
Starbux with caramel topping. He knows Dr. Mercola, who I sometimes agree with, and sometimes wonder, but I have bought his
juicer and it was totally worth it. My friend is who I turn to when I can't solve a medical issue, or need advice from a Homeopath, not an MD, too.
My Friend has been talking about morning Sun and how we need it for our immune systems since the mid 70's. He always said, it's NOT Vitamin
D - it's D3. He was the one who talked me into asking to have mine checked.
That being, my D3 - Cholecalciferol levels. On a scale of 1-40, with 20 being deficient, I was at the 2nd lowest the hugest lab around
had seen. I asked why, is it that I don't do dairy? No - they said, it's your latitude. Near Boston, you will never make enough by exposing your skin.
I said what are the risks? I asked every Dr. I knew, just sorta curious - they ALL were taking liquid Cholecalciferol at 6,000 -10,000 and suggested I do the same. Ok - 1-40, 20 is bad. Mine was 8. I have checked - it has never ever gone to a toxic level for me personally.
Nor for my husband, who also take the liquid - Jenn - we use the 2,000 drops and put them in beverage until a few times into it,
I tried it plan on my finger and you are right - no taste!!! No capsules, no endless bottles, a HUGE reduction in Cost.
Except for job lay off here, I noticed no previous problems with depression or anything, but my husband mentioned today he had
been forgetting...and he says he had been feeling pretty low. I just figured it was his ER and Pneumonia making him not smile the last few weeks.
( I just this sec asked him - he said "Oh yeah isn't D3 supposed to be good for Seasonal Affective Disorder? And I have not taken D3 in a few weeks?
so we shall see - I will report back in there ;-) My husband has always had some SAD, and especially here VT/NH - Nestled in the Mountains and Trees.
Yesterday I thought I was OFF - Sunset? Check clock - it was 2:37pm!!!
But for me the whole thing about Immune System. If I take it, I do not catch colds and flu. Before I used it, I was always catching a cold every few weeks.
Jenn - this is just awesome and I am so glad you wrote. Absolutely Awesome.
Thank you!!
Mary Beth