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Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

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Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#11

Post by toomuchtodo »

mwigdahl wrote: post #10
thrusong wrote: post #4

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where it is quite cold for a big majority of the year. I have dabbled with supplements because I get a couple of major colds every year. I've heard things like you only need 15 minutes of sunshine per day to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D, but I've also heard it can be quite bad for you if you have too much in your system (and it's hard for your body to flush excess amounts). If t…

I take 5000 IU per day year round and have not had any issues. Research suggests you can dose 10x that without major problems, although personally I wouldn't go higher than I am already. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30611908/

Vitamin D toxicity is a legitimate concern, so those dosing should be mindful of it, depending on dosage and existing serum levels. Don't action on medical advice from strangers on the internet alone, talk to you doctor or other credentialed medical practitioner you work with if needed.

https://hn.algolia.com/?dateRange=all&page=0&prefix=false&qu...

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#12

Post by BurningFrog »

thrusong wrote: post #4

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where it is quite cold for a big majority of the year. I have dabbled with supplements because I get a couple of major colds every year. I've heard things like you only need 15 minutes of sunshine per day to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D, but I've also heard it can be quite bad for you if you have too much in your system (and it's hard for your body to flush excess amounts). If t…

It's possible to overdose on Vitamin D, but you have to eat absurd amounts.

Unless you eat the pills like candy, you're safe.

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#13

Post by kacesensitive »

pif wrote: post #6
kacesensitive wrote: post #3

Anecdotal but when I'm sick I double my vit C and D intake which typically helps me.

> which typically helps me. Uhm, how can you get to that conclusion? I mean: how can you compare the evolution of a cold with and without the vitamin surplus?

Very well could be a placebo

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#14

Post by ErikCorry »

mwigdahl wrote: post #10
thrusong wrote: post #4

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where it is quite cold for a big majority of the year. I have dabbled with supplements because I get a couple of major colds every year. I've heard things like you only need 15 minutes of sunshine per day to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D, but I've also heard it can be quite bad for you if you have too much in your system (and it's hard for your body to flush excess amounts). If t…

I take 5000 IU per day year round and have not had any issues. Research suggests you can dose 10x that without major problems, although personally I wouldn't go higher than I am already. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30611908/

That sounds like a lot:

To help prevent vitamin D toxicity, don't take more than 4,000 international units (IU) a day of vitamin D unless your healthcare professional tells you to. Most adults need only 600 IU of vitamin D a day https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-h...

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#15

Post by kacesensitive »

garciasn wrote: post #9
kacesensitive wrote: post #3

Anecdotal but when I'm sick I double my vit C and D intake which typically helps me.

IANAMD. It is my general understanding that unless you are severely deficient, Vitamin D supplementation generally takes weeks to bring levels up. It's unlikely that taking it for a few days is going to have any measurable impact on your recovery from illness unless you are severely deficient and/or taking MASSIVE doses, which may or may not be recommended depending on your prior levels and BMI. See more here: https:…

Very interesting thanks for sharing!

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#16

Post by efsavage »

thrusong wrote: post #4

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where it is quite cold for a big majority of the year. I have dabbled with supplements because I get a couple of major colds every year. I've heard things like you only need 15 minutes of sunshine per day to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D, but I've also heard it can be quite bad for you if you have too much in your system (and it's hard for your body to flush excess amounts). If t…

You probably have to really try to take too much Vitamin D with any over the counter supplement (It should be part of your standard blood tests so you should know if you're running high or low and your doctor can recommend or prescribe a good dose.

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#17

Post by hollerith »

BurningFrog wrote: post #12
thrusong wrote: post #4

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where it is quite cold for a big majority of the year. I have dabbled with supplements because I get a couple of major colds every year. I've heard things like you only need 15 minutes of sunshine per day to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D, but I've also heard it can be quite bad for you if you have too much in your system (and it's hard for your body to flush excess amounts). If t…

It's possible to overdose on Vitamin D, but you have to eat absurd amounts. Unless you eat the pills like candy, you're safe.

Untrue. Source: painful personal experience.

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#18

Post by anonlinc77 »

Can confirm anecdotally. I used to get 2-3 colds a year for about 15 years straight, especially during season changes when the humidity levels changed. Started taking 5000 IU vitamin D3 daily about 2 years ago and I haven't gotten sick since.

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#19

Post by colechristensen »

efsavage wrote: post #16
thrusong wrote: post #4

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where it is quite cold for a big majority of the year. I have dabbled with supplements because I get a couple of major colds every year. I've heard things like you only need 15 minutes of sunshine per day to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D, but I've also heard it can be quite bad for you if you have too much in your system (and it's hard for your body to flush excess amounts). If t…

You probably have to really try to take too much Vitamin D with any over the counter supplement ( It should be part of your standard blood tests so you should know if you're running high or low and your doctor can recommend or prescribe a good dose.

With 5,000 IU sometimes taking several at a time I had blood levels of Vitamin D at the top of the range which wasn't dangerous it was just informative, "hey you're having enough, tone it down".

Re: Vitamin D reduces incidence and duration of colds in those with low levels

#20

Post by bluGill »

thrusong wrote: post #4

I live in Winnipeg, Manitoba where it is quite cold for a big majority of the year. I have dabbled with supplements because I get a couple of major colds every year. I've heard things like you only need 15 minutes of sunshine per day to get your recommended dose of Vitamin D, but I've also heard it can be quite bad for you if you have too much in your system (and it's hard for your body to flush excess amounts). If t…

I've heard the 15 minutes is all you need. I've also heard that in winter the sun is so weak that no amount of sunshine gives you any. (even if you were naked outside in winter - risking frostbite).

I'm not a medical doctor. I cannot evaluate any of the above claims. I wish I could find a source I could trust.

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