Changexpert
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I think many people may know this topic on vitamin D already, but I think a very important connection to an immune response initiated inflammation needs to be addressed.
There are two forms of vitamin D, 25-OH, which is a storage form. Most supplements we take are in is in this storage form (cholecalciferol). Once cholecalciferol is ingested, our liver converts it into the active form calcitriol, aka vitamin D 1,25. I have had multiple lab tests for both of these readings and many my storage form is constantly on the low side while my active form is constantly elevated, above the reference range. Even after standing in the sun for at least 40 minutes daily for 3 months, I could not get my storage level up. In hindsight, I think these contrary levels were due to supplementation of magnesium for a long time as magnesium is a necessary component that gets used up for the conversion process of storage vit D to active vit D.
One big problem with high active level and low storage level is immune system dysfunction. The storage form is associated with immune system regulation, making sure that the immune system does not go haywire to attack our own cell (autoimmune response). On the contrary, active form makes sure that our immune system stays active enough to combat pathogens/infection. This perfectly matches with a thought I have had from JAK/STAT connection, where overstimulation of immune system is one of primary causes of hair loss.
The best way to raise vitamin D level up is sun exposure, especially for people with a congested liver. If supplemental route is pursued, Vitamin D should not be taken alone. Storage vitamin D intake would convert more active form by nature (enhanced by magnesium intake, whether from food or supplement), and increased active D level leads to increased calcium absorption in the intestine. So vitamin D and calcium are synergistic. If calcium is not taken with vit D, then active D just floats around and do not get consumed to absorb calcium. This creates another issue where parathyroid hormone (PTH) is released in response to low calcium serum level, resulting in breaking down of a bone (osteoclast) to pull calcium away from bone to the serum (blood). So vitamin D consumption will create an endless cycle without an adequate calcium intake (http://courses.washington.edu/conj/bess/calcium/PTH-action.png).
In addition, magnesium is used up to convert storage D into active D, so magnesium is also important assuming your active D level is not elevated. However, I would think that many hair loss sufferers have high, if not elevated level of active D form because I have seen too many posts about itchy scalp, a perfect example of inflammation from immune system overreaction.
So many of people on PR (including myself) focus heavily on magnesium intake and pay close attention to details. What are magnesium agonists? What are magnesium antagonists that I should avoid? What are other minerals that need to be in balance with magnesium? What forms of magnesium should I take? Is transdermal better? What dosage is the most appropriate? Should it be taken before/after meals or away from meals? So much magnesium love here. I do not think it is coincidental that a lot of people (again, including myself) have elevated active D level while having low storage D level.
Looking back, I have stopped drinking milk completely for 2.5 years because I realized I am lactose sensitive (not intolerant). Also, I have stayed away from dairy as much as possible, which means my calcium intake has been significantly lower for past 2.5 years. The time frame coincides perfectly with the onset of aggressive hair loss. If my guess is right, restoring calcium level (not through osteoclast - this is not ideal) along with storage vit D level should lower the active D level, both of which would lower inflammation greatly.
Please share your thoughts/comments on this approach. Thank you so much.
https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/blog/activated-vitamin-d-vs-25ohd-levels-what-should-you-measure/
PS - There are multiple posts/articles claiming magnesium is needed for vitamin D conversion, but they do not cite any scientific studies. Upon research, I have found that vitamin D conversion is dependent on several CYP genes in the liver, which are all dependent on heme (metabolized iron). FAD (one of active forms of B2) is needed for heme synthesis. Magnesium is a cofactor for FAD synthesis. It is a very roundabout explanation, but it does its job
PS2 - The above reference only shows magnesium as a cofactor, which means magnesium is not used up in the process. Taking a stab from a different perspective, NADPH is used in the kidney to convert storage D into active D. Maybe, it is the conversion of NADP+ to NADPH and pentose phosphate pathway that use up the magnesium (1, 2, 3).
http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q8NFF5
@Gondwanaland @Beyond @heapsreal @MeSci @snowathlete @adreno @Sushi @Hip
There are two forms of vitamin D, 25-OH, which is a storage form. Most supplements we take are in is in this storage form (cholecalciferol). Once cholecalciferol is ingested, our liver converts it into the active form calcitriol, aka vitamin D 1,25. I have had multiple lab tests for both of these readings and many my storage form is constantly on the low side while my active form is constantly elevated, above the reference range. Even after standing in the sun for at least 40 minutes daily for 3 months, I could not get my storage level up. In hindsight, I think these contrary levels were due to supplementation of magnesium for a long time as magnesium is a necessary component that gets used up for the conversion process of storage vit D to active vit D.
One big problem with high active level and low storage level is immune system dysfunction. The storage form is associated with immune system regulation, making sure that the immune system does not go haywire to attack our own cell (autoimmune response). On the contrary, active form makes sure that our immune system stays active enough to combat pathogens/infection. This perfectly matches with a thought I have had from JAK/STAT connection, where overstimulation of immune system is one of primary causes of hair loss.
The best way to raise vitamin D level up is sun exposure, especially for people with a congested liver. If supplemental route is pursued, Vitamin D should not be taken alone. Storage vitamin D intake would convert more active form by nature (enhanced by magnesium intake, whether from food or supplement), and increased active D level leads to increased calcium absorption in the intestine. So vitamin D and calcium are synergistic. If calcium is not taken with vit D, then active D just floats around and do not get consumed to absorb calcium. This creates another issue where parathyroid hormone (PTH) is released in response to low calcium serum level, resulting in breaking down of a bone (osteoclast) to pull calcium away from bone to the serum (blood). So vitamin D consumption will create an endless cycle without an adequate calcium intake (http://courses.washington.edu/conj/bess/calcium/PTH-action.png).
In addition, magnesium is used up to convert storage D into active D, so magnesium is also important assuming your active D level is not elevated. However, I would think that many hair loss sufferers have high, if not elevated level of active D form because I have seen too many posts about itchy scalp, a perfect example of inflammation from immune system overreaction.
So many of people on PR (including myself) focus heavily on magnesium intake and pay close attention to details. What are magnesium agonists? What are magnesium antagonists that I should avoid? What are other minerals that need to be in balance with magnesium? What forms of magnesium should I take? Is transdermal better? What dosage is the most appropriate? Should it be taken before/after meals or away from meals? So much magnesium love here. I do not think it is coincidental that a lot of people (again, including myself) have elevated active D level while having low storage D level.
Looking back, I have stopped drinking milk completely for 2.5 years because I realized I am lactose sensitive (not intolerant). Also, I have stayed away from dairy as much as possible, which means my calcium intake has been significantly lower for past 2.5 years. The time frame coincides perfectly with the onset of aggressive hair loss. If my guess is right, restoring calcium level (not through osteoclast - this is not ideal) along with storage vit D level should lower the active D level, both of which would lower inflammation greatly.
Please share your thoughts/comments on this approach. Thank you so much.
https://www.vitamindcouncil.org/blog/activated-vitamin-d-vs-25ohd-levels-what-should-you-measure/
PS - There are multiple posts/articles claiming magnesium is needed for vitamin D conversion, but they do not cite any scientific studies. Upon research, I have found that vitamin D conversion is dependent on several CYP genes in the liver, which are all dependent on heme (metabolized iron). FAD (one of active forms of B2) is needed for heme synthesis. Magnesium is a cofactor for FAD synthesis. It is a very roundabout explanation, but it does its job
PS2 - The above reference only shows magnesium as a cofactor, which means magnesium is not used up in the process. Taking a stab from a different perspective, NADPH is used in the kidney to convert storage D into active D. Maybe, it is the conversion of NADP+ to NADPH and pentose phosphate pathway that use up the magnesium (1, 2, 3).
http://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/Q8NFF5
@Gondwanaland @Beyond @heapsreal @MeSci @snowathlete @adreno @Sushi @Hip
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