As VD deficiency is a worldwide spread nutritional problem, there is a tendency for the public to overdose themselves with vitamin D supplementation which can result in hypercalcemia and several associated disorders.
The present study was designed to investigate the possibility that combining low doses of vitamin D with B-sitosterol (SIT), a common phytosterol in the diet without toxicity, enhances the efficacy of the vitamin.
Murine macrophages were stimulated with LPS and supplemented with VD3 (80nM) and SIT (8muM) for 24hr and examined for cell proliferation, release of nitric oxide (NO) and cytokines and the activation of NFkappaB.
SIT8 muM was found to reduce cell proliferation by 62% while VD was found to be not effective.
In combination, SIT and VD reduced cell proliferation by 75%.
The amount of NO released, as influenced by 8muM SIT or 80nM VD3 treatments, was not significantly different from control.
Combining SIT and VD3, resulted in a 220% greater increase in NO release compared to control.
The SIT + VD3 treatment brought about significant increase in all the cytokine release, regardless of whether they were pro- or anti-inflammatory.
The effects were either additive or synergistic.
We conclude that SIT enhances the action of VD3 on the immune function of macrophages which could be beneficial to vitamin D deficient individuals and to those with autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. ========== I would ask your LLMD about this one.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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Thanks for posting this. It's really helpful to know how much VD3 to take (or not) and what to take it with. Is a low dose 1000 IU? I also take 3 coral calcium capsules at night with 3 magnesium, year round. I'm wondering if I should take more calcium, say, in the AM.
I take 1000 IU every 3 days in the summer and 5000 IU daily in the winter; our winters are cloudy and dark from late Oct. early March. I always wondered if 5000 IU was a little high.
Posts: 97 | From Great Lakes state | Registered: Jul 2008
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
1000 IUs is practically nothing especially if your D is low. I take 50,000IUS per week. Was on 100,000IUs per week at first.
The following site has tons of very beneficial information on vitamin D.
Pinelady
Frequent Contributor (5K+ posts)
Member # 18524
posted
You would have to ask a doctor. I don't do D or calcium, but this may be a key to getting it in right.
-------------------- Suspected Lyme 07 Test neg One band migrating in IgG region unable to identify.Igenex Jan.09IFA titer 1:40 IND IgM neg pos 31 +++ 34 IND 39 IND 41 IND 83-93 + DX:Neuroborreliosis Posts: 5850 | From Kentucky | Registered: Dec 2008
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posted
Am printing out the Vit D council info to read later. thanks, sutherngrl!
I am seeing a LLDO this afternoon and will ask him about D3. I just wonder how much the Drs. know about this.
Posts: 97 | From Great Lakes state | Registered: Jul 2008
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
My LLMD knows a lot about D. There is tons of new research out there now and he keeps up with it all.
Vitamin D is literally amazing!
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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posted
Please be VERY careful if you are considering taking a Vitamin D supplement, especially D3!
I have Lyme disease, severe CFS, and most of the other crap we Lymies suffer from. My LL doctor and I have come to the conclusion that I suffer from the third form of Lyme, where the spirochetes convert to cell-wall-deficient forms as a "survival tactic".
If you are familiar with the Marshall Protocol, he is adamant that you MUST avoid Vitamin D supplementation. D3 is actually not a vitamin, but a secosteroid, similar to prednisone in activity, meaning it's a powerful immune system suppressor - it might make you feel good in the beginning, but you're in essence feeding the buggers that are making you sick!
Also known as calciferol, Vitamin D was misnamed as a vitamin after its discovery in 1922. A vitamin is a type of organic substance that is required in the diet and essential to nutrition and metabolism. Vitamin D is unique because it is not required in the diet; instead, it is manufactured by the body via exposure to sunlight or artificial lights. Although we do consume Vitamin D in our diets, it is not technically a vitamin since it is not required in the diet.
For the purpose of explaining the Marshall Protocol, we are less concerned about the technical definition of Vitamin D and more concerned about how it affects chronic disease. Whether a true vitamin or not, Vitamin D plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of Lyme Disease and other illnesses involving infection with cell-wall-deficient bacteria. At the center of the Marshall Protocol is the breakthrough discovery that Vitamin D is not handled correctly in the bodies of people infected with cell-wall-deficient bacteria. Let's look at how this dysregulated handling of Vitamin D occurs.
As we mentioned, Vitamin D can enter the body in two ways: it is either synthesized in the skin after exposure to sunlight or artificial lights, or it is consumed in the diet. Once Vitamin D is inside the body, not all of it remains in static form. A small portion of Vitamin D is converted to a type of secosteroid known as 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin-D (abbreviated ``1,25-D''). A hormone required for regular body function, 1,25-D is manufactured by the kidneys as a metabolite (or product) of Vitamin D. In healthy people, the body tightly regulates how much 1,25-D is made in the kidneys; although critical to health, too much 1,25-D can be very harmful. If present in excessive quantities, 1,25-D can be immunosuppressive and cause a plethora of physical and psychological symptoms.
In people infected with cell-wall-deficient bacteria, the production of 1,25-D can spiral out of control and rapidly reach damaging levels. This happens because, as an evolved survival mechanism, cell-wall-deficient bacteria are capable of catalyzing the process by which Vitamin D is converted to 1,25-D. Instead of a slow, controlled conversion which occurs only in the kidneys, 1,25-D production becomes uncontrolled, occurring throughout the body inside cells infected with cell-wall-deficient bacteria. Specifically, immune system cells harboring cell-wall-deficient bacteria can turn into tiny, unrestrained factories producing excessive amounts of 1,25-D. Bacteria catalyze the 1,25-D conversion process intentionally to cause immune system suppression and create a more favorable living environment in the body.
The result of catalyzed 1,25-D production is a subclinical yet devastating immunosuppression syndrome that allows Lyme Disease (and other types of cell-wall-deficient) bacteria to persist chronically in the body. When present in appropriately controlled quantities, 1,25-D is a critical nutrient and is important to health, as we have said. However, when present in excessive quantities, 1,25-D is immunosuppressive and inhibits the immune system from fighting infections. This process is one of the core survival mechanisms of Borrelia Burgdorferi. The excessive levels of 1,25-D often present in people harboring chronic infections leads to a greatly inhibited host defense system. By accelerating conversion of Vitamin D to 1,25-D, these tiny bacteria are basically able to neutralize the human immune system.
Additionally, as we have alluded to, elevated levels of 1,25-D itself (even without infections on board) can cause a plethora of disease symptoms. So, an elevated level of 1,25-D has a two-fold impact: it suppresses the immune system and also creates numerous other symptoms of malaise. This is why it is so important to address elevated 1,25-D levels when treating Lyme Disease.
Lastly, a fellow lymie emailed me this morning about an immune system support supplement, Del-Immune V, I spent several hours researching it online and found no "scam alerts" on the product, just good info and reviews. You can get a 30 capsule trial bottle right now for just $10 at
If I remember, I'll post back here after I've gotten the product and used it for a bit to give my 2 cents on it's efficacy.
Posts: 16 | From maryland | Registered: Jul 2008
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My Doc is opposite of the Marshall Protocol.
He is a researcher, microbiologist and he is seeing under the microscope how D3 'thins' our biofilm and helps us kill the little buggers better. That's my version of his words.
I know I will herx with Vit D3 and I will feel better after it.
On the other hand, he's asked us to stay away from mag.... as that builds up the biofilm.
All seen under a microscope in what he is finding.
We all beleive what 'fits' us the best... I choose to believe this, as other LLMD's that I've seen only 'treated' me... now I have one that is trying to find an answer. My opinion... do as you feel is best for your own body and mind.
-------------------- Lyme, Babs, Fry Bug..... Whatever it is, may a treatment be discovered to make us all whole again! Posts: 941 | From AZ-MT | Registered: Oct 2004
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t9im
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 25489
posted
I don't buy into the Marshall protocol and D3. Makes me suspect the whole protocol.
Also its not how much D3 you take but how well your body absorbs it so you have to check the blood level.
Around 80 to 100 should be OK and approaching 150 is when toxicity can be a worry.
Most MD's are behind the D3 curve. Read Dr. Hollicks work.
Also taking extra calcium supplements is not wise as this can lead to placque build up in the blood vessels.
Studies are starting to indicate the D3 is better for bone strength versus all the calcium.
-------------------- Tim Posts: 1111 | From Glastonbury, CT | Registered: Apr 2010
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sutherngrl
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 16270
posted
There has not been much success for lyme through the Marshall protocol. He is not a doctor!
Also D is not a steroid like prednisone. It is a naturally occuring hormone.
Posts: 4035 | From Mississippi | Registered: Jul 2008
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I was on the MP for well over a year, had to stop taking a key component, Benicar, because my BP started dropping to such low levels that I had a couple of fainting episodes, one very painful and physically damaging (fell in my hallway, slammed into the bathroom door frame).
I don't have active lyme any more, I had some fluid drawn from a cyst behind my right knee last year, had it checked, Western blot was negative (I was positive on 8 bands when I was diagnosed). Since I didn't take any antibiotics, just followed the MP, I can't see how anything but those treatments put me in remission (or killed the Lyme entirely).
We also discovered that I was suffering from heavy metal poisoning, tested positive for 14 out of the 21 metals they look for, with lead, cadmium, and mercury being the worst. I tried doing oral chelation therapy with DMSA for a year, only dropped my nickel levels. I just finished a 14 week IV EDTA chelation treatment (and Zeolite), will get retested in Sept at my next appt with my Doc.
We now believe it was the lead/mercury poisoning from replacing old amalgam fillings and exposure to lead at my old place of work that caused me to get into such bad shape, especially since I'm 99% sure I was infected with Lyme in 2002, but didn't get sick until 2006. Also found several huge black mold infestations in my basement ~2 yrs ago, used 2 special chemicals to kill it and seal the concrete (same stuff used in NO after Katrina).
But I'm still suffering from CFS, so something still ain't right....I had a massive adrenal gland failure when I got really sick and had to go on LTD, could be they haven't healed up yet, I dunno.....probably need to get tested for the 6 common lyme co-infections, my lymie friend has 2 of them plus two strains of Lyme, the poor gal...
P.S. To the person who posted that they were taking Del-Immune V, have you noticed a change in your health after starting it?
Posts: 16 | From maryland | Registered: Jul 2008
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