Two colleagues on the GEITP mailing list offered these (similar) thoughts as to “why vit D deficiency cannot be considered by itself –– without taking into account two other fat-soluble vitamins.”
From:
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 12:41 PM
Subject: RE: Low-frequency synonymous coding variation in CYP2R1 confers a large-effect on vitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis
Vitamin D enhances the absorption of calcium into the body and, whereas most people are familiar with its importance –– unfortunately, it is not common knowledge that supplementation with, or getting an adequate amount of, Vitamin K2 in the diet [see attached] is equally important. The fat-soluble vitamins including vitamins D, K2 and A work synergistically. Indeed, Vitamin K2-activated proteins guide calcium into our bones and teeth. When there is no K2 to activate the proteins that send calcium to the bones, the calcium settles in our arteries (causing atherosclerosis) and other soft tissues. It is likely, for this reason, that risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease increases when K2 levels are low.
You can see why supplementing with Vitamin D doesn’t always produce favorable results (and even increases risk of disease, in some studies). Vitamin K2 is nearly absent from U.S. diets –– given our farming practices. Vitamin K2 is found in fermented foods and animal products. Grass-fed animal products are much higher in vitamin K2, compared with grain-fed animal products. Unlike humans, grain-fed animals are excellent at converting K1 to K2. Still, there are far too few studies that consider supplementing with both vitamins D and K2, simultaneously. Given the lack of a good assay for Vitamin K2, few researchers measure it. It might be a while before we curb the many diseases “purportedly caused by vitamin D deficiency” for this reason.
From: Nebert, Daniel (nebertdw) [mailto:NEBERTDW@UCMAIL.UC.EDU]
Sent: Friday, August 11, 2017 3:22 PM
Subject: Low-frequency synonymous coding variation in CYP2R1 confers a large-effect on vitamin D levels and risk of multiple sclerosis
From a practicing physician –– who wishes to share some fundamental information about vit D deficiency, but remain anonymous:
Concerning vitamin D deficiency in the U.S. population, consider these facts:
1) The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in our population has been estimated to be between 50% and 80%.
2) Vitamin D receptors have been found in the nuclei of cells of all body systems, and they are proposed to be in virtually every cell in our body –– obviously an unprovable hypothesis.
3) Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to disease states involving practically every body systems –– including the nervous system (e.g. MS, ALS), cardiovascular system (e.g. arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, stroke), gastrointestinal system (e.g. irritable bowel, celiac disease, Crohn disease), musculoskeletal system (e.g. osteopenia, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis), many if not all types of cancer [see the two attached articles]…….
4) Chronic musculoskeletal complaints with vague pain in a global distribution, diagnosed as “fibromyalgia,” can be resolved within 6 weeks after instituting a regimen of oral vitamin D replacement; this was demonstrated in a randomized controlled trial involving ~100 people diagnosed with “fibromyalgia syndrome” (FMS).
5) “Vitamin D deficiency” is presently defined as “serum vit D levels below 20 ng/mL”, but vitamin D insufficiency is believed to begin at 30 ng/mL. The risk of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in our society is associated with obesity, decreased sun exposure, excessive use of sunscreens, taking oral statins (to lower circulating cholesterol, which is required for vitamin D synthesis in our bodies), and (simply) low vitamin D dietary intake.