Indeed, vitamin is very important. It helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. It also helps boost our immune system

Commercial links are not allowed and has been removed.

Just a handful of types of fish are normally found to have significant amount of vitamin D. Fish for instance tuna fish, spanish mackerel, trout together with sardines are generally rich in vitamin D. These kinds of oily fish as well as identified as food full of vitamin D. In regards to maximum vitamin D quantities within fish, trout is definitely a guaranteed success.



Fortified Milk products

Vitamin D isn't a naturally sourced nutritional inside normal milk. For this reason, vitamin D is certainly included. Commercially distributed cow milk, soya milk along with rice milk accessible in bottles are normally found to include vitamin D.



Cod liver fish oil

Cod liver fish oil has been included in the listing of food resources of vitamin D. Apart from currently being a high method to obtain vitamin D, it is usually seen to be an excellent source of many other wellness maximizing nutrients and vitamins similar to vitamin A and even omega-3 fatty acids.



Egg Yolk

Egg yolk is available in the selection of all-natural food resources for vitamin D. Nonetheless, it's not a good choice for the people struggling with high cholesterol levels.

 interesting story    about Vitamin D

Though, undercooked fish is certainly one of the very best food supplies of vitamin D, preparing food effectively just before eating it is suggested to protect yourself from a myriad of parasitic contamination. Aside from food preparation over hot temperatures, ensure that you prevent deep frying, preferably select baked or even barbequed fish for healthful preparing food.

Hi Margo

I've just found a thread with an article about how Vit D improves treatment response.

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2010_conference/easl/docs/0518_2010_b.html

I always advise someone to get their levels checked, because there were a few people who were so lacking in it, that they needed very large doses to bring them up to the right level.

Love Steff xx

Hi Andi,

It would be a good idea to get your Vit D levels checked by your doctor. It seems people with Hep C have trouble absorbing it from the usual sources and even post treatment, people have been found to have very low levels.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with all there is to take in, so just try and concentrate on one thing at a time (easier said than done, I know). Just keep a notepad handy and then when you think of something, write it down, rather than wracking your brains and getting anxious!

The most important thing right now is that you're starting treatment shortly and need to organise the med routine first and foremost. Here are a few tips:

Get a few of those pill containers that have separate compartments and days on them, so you can keep track of the meds.

Set reminders on your phone for the times when you have to take your meds. Even writing them down on paper as well can be a good idea to keep track.

Hopefully your treatment team have run through this with you and even provided some of the tools already mentioned.

Please feel free to ask ANY questions at all. We have many people here who are doing/have done the triple therapy, so you're in good company

Love Steff xx

thank you. I'm sitting here trying to make out a list and I'm overwhelmed!!!

Fortified Milk products Vitamin D just isn't a natural nutritional within normal milk. Consequently, vitamin D is actually put in. Commercially made available cow milk, soy milk and also rice milk accessible in containers are seen to feature vitamin D symptoms. Cod liver fish oil Cod liver fish oil has additionally been included in the listing of food sources of vitamin D. In addition to currently being a high source of vitamin D, it is usually discovered to be loaded with many other well being improving nutritional vitamins just like vitamin A and even omega3 fatty acids. Egg Yolk Egg yolk comes in the collection of pure food supplies of vitamin D. Having said that, it's not a great choice for individuals troubled with high cholesterol levels. Despite the fact that, uncooked fish is a of the leading food sources of vitamin D, preparing food accurately just before ingesting it is strongly recommended to avoid all types of parasitic illness. Besides cooking food over high temperatures, ensure that you steer clear of deep frying, rather go with baked or perhaps barbequed fish for healthy and balanced preparing food.

Fortified Dairy products

Vitamin D just isn't a naturally sourced nutritious found in typical milk. Consequently, vitamin D is usually included. Commercially available milk, soy milk and also rice milk obtainable in bottles tend to be found to incorporate vitamin D.



Cod liver fish oil

Cod liver oil has been included in the listing of food resources for vitamin D. In addition to simply being a splendid way to obtain vitamin D, it's also discovered to be full of many other wellbeing boosting nutritional vitamins similar to vitamin A as well as omega-3 efa's.



Egg Yolk

Egg yolk comes in the collection of pure food sources of vitamin D. On the other hand, it's not a great choice for the people experiencing high-cholesterol.

 

Despite the fact that, undercooked fish is certainly one of the top food resources for vitamin D,levels for vitamin D, cooking food effectively just before ingesting it is suggested to avoid all sorts of parasitic illness. Aside from cooking food over hot temperatures, be sure to stay away from deep frying, rather go with baked or maybe barbequed fish for wholesome preparing food.

Hey,Thank you so much for giving details informtion about vitamin D..very helpful article for me.

Thanks for the coffee info, I have to have my coffee in the a.m. no matter what.

I've taken perscription strength 50,000ui once pill a week for years, because I was low, and now have to take for life.

The hepotologist nurse told me to take 1000-2000 per day. I had to remind her I already took perscription.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/06/110607105212.htm

personally my first timee on treatment, caffine made me throw up. I am not taking any caffine. But thought other's may find this info usful.

http://www.aidsmeds.com/articles/hiv_hcv_coffee_1667_21137.shtml

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/hepatitis-c/hepatitis-c-topics/hcv-treatment/3273-coffee-helps-reduce-side-effects-in-hivhcv-coinfected-people-during-interferon-based-therapy

    Hi,

       I also take vitamin 6 and started taking Livatone Plus. If you go on line and look up Liver cleansing Diet it has all the information on it. It has every herb that you need for the liver and more. Ive taken it for 2 weeks now. I've also start jucing and feel more entergetic.  Theres a book juicing for life it has all kinds of recipes for the liver aneima etc..I'm hoping doing this will help me with my viral load in combination with interferon, ribi and incevek.

Hi Ron,
With respect to vitamin supplement  .... I read that additional quantity of iron should be avoided....does the vitamin supplment you take is without Iron.?

Ron Gilbert wrote:

---

Hi all,

I found this enlightaning article about Vitamin D, and could not help but think how important it is for everyone who is on tx (or considering tx) to see this information.

I had completely quit taking ALL supplements including a Multi in order to get the most out of tx. I have re-started my Multi that has 300 units of Vitamin D. Also, a supplement that has 1000 units of Vitamin D (same dose as the study) making certain there is no deficiency.

I'm not promoting this as something everyone should do. Please make up your own mind. I personally don't want to be lacking my basic Vitamins and Minerals as I go through this tx.

Here's the link: http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2010_conference/easl/docs/0518_2010_b.html

Ron.

-- Edited by Ron Gilbert on Tuesday 17th of May 2011 10:09:29 PM

---

Hi Everyone,

Here is the link to the Vitamin D3 Study, and a quote from the Study. 

85% of patients in the vitamin D group achieved SVR, compared with 43% in the control group (P < 0.001).

http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2010_conference/easl/docs/0518_2010_b.html 

Ron 

"Your medical provider can order a simple blood test to see if you are getting sufficient vitamin D. The IOM recommends that vitamin D levels should be above 20 nanograms per milliliter of blood."

I do believe this "20 nanogram" number may be outdated as my recent blood test showed an acceptable range of "50-100"

Not sure how they mesured on my test but I was in range.

Ron

Hi Steff,

Great information thanks for posting.

Hugs,
Greg

Hi Everyone,

Here's some up to date info on Vitamin D and the Liver.

http://www.hcvadvocate.org/news/newsLetter/2011/advocate0111.html#top

HEALTHWISE:  Vitamin D and the Liver
—Lucinda K. Porter, RN

Vitamin D is frequently in the news, presenting interesting, but conflicting information.  At the recent Liver Meeting sponsored by the AASLD, there were at least two posters about vitamin D and chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. On November 30, 2010, the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies (IOM) released its vitamin D consensus report. This month’s Healthwise discusses vitamin D—what it is, why we need it, how much we need, how to get enough, and what those of us with hepatitis C need to know about this supplement.

The liver is essential for the production of vitamin D. A prohormone (precursor to a hormone), vitamin D is activated first by the liver; then by the kidneys. Vitamin D enters the body two ways—via sunlight or by consuming it. When exposed to sunlight’s ultraviolet B (UVB) rays, the skin manufactures vitamin D and the bloodstream transports D to the liver. If consumed by way of food or dietary supplements, vitamin D is circulated to the liver for activation.

The best-known disease associated with vitamin D deficiency is rickets, a condition that causes softening and deformity of the bones. During the industrial era in northern United States and Europe, children working in factories lacked sunlight, making them susceptible to rickets. Scientist discovered the link between vitamin D and rickets, and beginning in the 1930’s, children were given a daily dose of cod liver oil. Fortifying milk with vitamin D dramatically reduced rickets in the U.S. Children were quite happy to drink milk rather than smelly fish oil.

If you scan the news, it looks like vitamin D is a wonder supplement, suggesting that vitamin D does more than just protect the bones. There are reports linking vitamin D to muscle tissue, inflammation, and the immune system. Lab, animal, and epidemiological data suggest a possible link between low vitamin D levels, cancer, diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, gum disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis. 

Since the vitamin D research is confusing, the governments of the U.S. and Canada asked the IOM to clarify the issue.  In its report “Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D,” the IOM thoroughly reviewed all available research and made the following conclusions:

• Vitamin D is vital to bone health, but has not been proven to have any other healthy benefits.

• The current recommended daily allowance for vitamin D (RDA) needs to be increased.

• More vitamin D is not better.  The total daily vitamin D intake for adults and children over age 9 should not exceed 4000 International Units (IU) per day. The totals for infants and children under age 9 are less and vary according to age.

Although the IOM’s report is exhaustive, it is not necessarily perfect. The IOM based its recommendations on a literature review, rather than the gold-standard randomized, double-blind, placebo study. Other researchers are voicing their objections about the IOM’s report, stating that the report is not conclusive and should not make across the board recommended daily allowances that don’t take geography into consideration. 

What we do know is that older adults with insufficient vitamin D are at risk for osteopenia (bone thinning) and osteoporosis (bone loss), which may lead to fractures and other complications.  With age, the skin’s ability to utilize sun as a source of vitamin D is compromised. Adequate supplementation is the best insurance policy.

Vitamin D and Liver Disease

People with liver disease are susceptible to vitamin D deficiency according to an article titled “Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Chronic Liver Disease” (Digestive Diseases and Science, September 2010). In this study, researchers Arteh, Narra, and Nair from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, TN looked at 118 patients: 43 with HCV cirrhosis, 57 non-cirrhotic patients with HCV, and 18 patients who had cirrhosis from a cause other than HCV. Arteh and colleagues found that 92% of patients with chronic liver disease had vitamin D deficiency. One-third of these had severe vitamin D deficiency; African American females had the highest risk.

Looking further at the role of vitamin D and liver disease, a team of researchers presented a poster at the 2010 Liver Meeting. In “Vitamin D Metabolites Inhibit Replication of the Hepatitis C Virus” by Gutierrez et al. presented laboratory data showing vitamin D’s ability to inhibit HCV replication. More research is needed to understand the relationship of vitamin D, liver cells and HCV.

Also at the 2010 Liver Meeting, Mouch and Assy presented a poster titled “Vitamin D Supplementation Improves Viral Response in Chronic Hepatitis C Genotype 2/3 Patients Treated with Peg Interferon Alpha and Ribavirin.” This small study looked at 40 HCV patients with genotypes 2 and 3. Baseline levels of vitamin D were measured, before treating all subjects with standard HCV medications. Half of the subjects were also given 1000 to 4000 IU/day of vitamin D, depending on their baseline vitamin D levels. 

Despite the fact that the vitamin D group had higher body mass and viral loads, those who took additional vitamin D had better treatment outcomes. It was also noted that those who had lower vitamin D levels at baseline were more likely not to respond to HCV treatment.

Taking Vitamin D

Your medical provider can order a simple blood test to see if you are getting sufficient vitamin D. The IOM recommends that vitamin D levels should be above 20 nanograms per milliliter of blood.

Although we get most of our vitamins from food, vitamin D is more readily obtained from the sun and supplementation. It is naturally available in a few foods, such as fatty fish (salmon, sardines, and mackerel), fish liver and beef liver. Fortified foods are the highest source of dietary vitamin D for those living in the U.S.

Sun exposure is a good source of vitamin D, but it is a not a perfect source. First, there is not enough UV energy in the winter above 42 degrees north latitude (above Boston or the northern border of California). People living in much of Canada and Alaska have less than 6 months of sufficient UV energy from the sun to produce sufficient vitamin D. Second, UV is a potential carcinogen and most experts suggest avoiding direct sunlight or using sunscreen.

In ideal circumstances, 5 to 30 minutes of sun exposure to the arms, and legs or face three times weekly in sunny weather (between 10 AM and 3 PM) will yield sufficient vitamin D. However, darker skin, older age, obesity and other factors may interfere with obtaining adequate D levels. Sunscreen, a necessary protection from skin cancer, melanoma, and interferon-related photosensitivity reduces vitamin D exposure.

Certain medications may interfere with production of vitamin D. The most common of these are anti-seizure medications such Dilantin, weight loss drugs such as Xenical and Alli, the cholesterol-lowering medication cholestyramine and steroids, such as Prednisone. 

The best way to insure sufficient vitamin D intake is with dietary supplements.  The IOM recommends 600 IU/day for children and adults ages 1 to 70. The RDA for adults over age 71 is 800 IU/day of vitamin D. Keep in mind that if you get vitamin D from the sun and fortified foods, you may already be getting sufficient vitamin D. Do not take more vitamin D than your medical provider recommends.

Excess Vitamin D

Vitamins are classified as water-soluble (dissolves in water) or fat-soluble (dissolves in fat). Water soluble vitamins B and C are eliminated from the body fairly quickly. Fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K are stored in the liver. Therefore, it is possible to have excess fat-soluble vitamins stored in the liver, particularly vitamin A.

Excess vitamin D is rare as the amount that produces toxicity is quite high. Adults taking 50,000 IU/day for several months can reach toxic levels. The symptoms of vitamin D toxicity are nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, excessive urination, excessive thirst, weakness, nervousness, itching, and eventually kidney failure.  The IOM advises no more than 4000 IU/day for adults and children over age 9.

Now that the winter months are shortening the amount of sun we are exposed to, take a moment to assess your vitamin D intake. If you have liver disease, such as hepatitis C, are over age 70, or have any factors that may interfere with your body’s production of vitamin D, talk to your medical provider about a blood test to measure the levels. Getting enough vitamin D is a simple, relatively inexpensive way of protecting your health.

References:

• Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D
  www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/
  Dietary-Reference-Intakes-for-Calcium
  -and-Vitamin-D/Report-Brief.aspx

• Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University
  http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter
  /vitamins/vitaminD

• National Institutes of Health’s Office of Dietary Supplements
  http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind

Edit, question answered in another thread.

Ron and Moocow, much obliged.  TYVM

I know I read something about it somewhere and I have added a vitamin D daily just wish I had know just how benefically it could have been I would have started sooner. I added it about 1 1/2 months ago.

Thanks for sharing the info!

Mary

Thank you so much for posting Moocow,

Article is printed now and ready to be delivered. I was surprised as well that I had not been checked for D levels or even Iron levels. (to my knowledge). I just put in a call to get my 4 week pcr scheduled and I'm requesting both.

For me this is "must know" information and Im glad I at least found out about it at the beginning of my 4th week of tx and not 6 months after the fact.

I'm taking my 4000 units a day and will be seeing my Dr. in a few days. I am hopeful there will be a positive impact on tx.

Thanks again, Ron.

There is a thread on the Knowledge base about this that was posted in 2010- Here it is for those of you interested in Vit D supplementation during TX. Vitamin D Benefits

I strongly recommend anyone that finds any of these articles useful to print and take it with you to your appointment at the specialist.

You'd be surprised at the amount of gastroenterologists that DO NOT keep up on this stuff!

Hi All.

Apparently, a group of dark skinned Dr's decided to investigate why dark skinned peoples do not fair as well as light skinned peoples when treating for HCV with basic SOC.

They not only discovered deficiencies in Vitamin D to be the source of the problem, they also discovered that daily adding 4000 units of Vitamin D to treatment acually DOUBLED the chances of reaching SVR. 44% reached UND @ wk 4.... 96% reached UND @ wk 12.

I wonder why my Dr. dint tell me about this?  During the study there were zero incidents of adverse reactions.

Ron

Great,

it seems Vitamin and mineral levels in the body could be checked quite easily but I honestly don't know? I will be asking my Dr. if he had considered this.

Thanks, Ron.

Hi Ron,

Thanks for the link, before starting treatment my nurse told me about the importance of vitamin D, I have been taking a liquid form called D3 Drops. I only use one drop a day instead of the normal three as I was told not to overdo the dose. 1 drop equals 333.3IU.

Cheers
Greg

Hi all,

I found this enlightaning article about Vitamin D, and could not help but think how important it is for everyone who is on tx (or considering tx) to see this information.

I had completely quit taking ALL supplements including a Multi in order to get the most out of tx. I have re-started my Multi that has 300 units of Vitamin D. Also, a supplement that has 1000 units of Vitamin D (same dose as the study) making certain there is no deficiency.

I'm not promoting this as something everyone should do. Please make up your own mind. I personally don't want to be lacking my basic Vitamins and Minerals as I go through this tx.

Here's the link: http://www.hivandhepatitis.com/2010_conference/easl/docs/0518_2010_b.html

Ron.