Supplements for Autoimmune Diseases Vitamin D 2000 IU Vitamin D Per Day I would suggest that you try and get the vitamin D without calcium or with a lower level of calcium than most brands. I would limit the amount of calcium supplement to less than 500 mg per day, or less than half the vitamin D. Dr. Fuhrman has a brand of supplement with the correct proportion of vitamin D to calcium 500mg of calcium per 2000 units of vitamin D. This is just a suggestion. You may be able to find a similar product in your local pharmacy. Or just get a vitamin D capsule that doesn’t have calcium. Dr. Fuhrman's Vitamin D Supplement- OsteoSun Sunlight If you live in a place with good sunlight exposure, then 10-15 minutes per day of midday sun, would be enough if you are fair skinned. The sunlight during the summer if fine in Washington D.C, though the late fall through spring sunlight is too weak to be effective. 10- 15 minutes should not cause burning, and will not result in a good sun tan. If it does, you may need to spend less time in the sun. It is before you start tanning and burning that you obtain the most production of Vitamin D from sunlight. Avoid exposing areas at risk for skin cancer based on previous burns. My dermatologist friends may not like this advice. If you have concerns that you are at risk of skin cancer, I would suggest you discuss this with your primary care physician or a dermatologist. Darkly pigmented people will need to spend much more time in the sun and may find that they need to supplement year round just due to time constraints. Omega 3 Fatty Acids I am currently on the fence regarding supplementing with high dose omega 3 fatty acids especially fish oils. There are studies on both sides of the issue, showing some and others showing no benefit. There are a couple of studies suggesting some potential problems from high dose fish oil supplementation. So I am currently reviewing the science behind supplementation with fish oils. Many people do supplement. If you use fish oil, the standard amounts studied are 1,000 mg DHA and 1,000 mg EPA. Though it may be that smaller amounts are needed if you are on a low fat diet, as it may be the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids that is the most important. Mercury and Toxin-Free Algae Derived Omega 3 Fatty Acids I have no problem suggesting the use of Algae derived DHA. The doses are shown effective for acheiving the correct Omega 3 index. As well, the doses are small enough that the negative side effects of supplementation with fish oils can be avoided. For those concerned about containments in fish oil (mercury, dioxin, etc), or are looking for a more environmentally sustainable source of Omega 3 fatty acids, I suggest using DHA derived from algae grown in sterile conditions. For those on a low-fat diet already, then 300-500mg DHA per day may be effective. Note that there are no studies looking at this specific recommendation for autoimmune disease, it is merely an educated guess. There are several studies looking at the supplementation of algae derived DHA in other conditions, and no significant side effects have yet been noted. How to Get Algae Derived DHA There are several sources of algae derived DHA, and one also includes EPA. Deva Vegan DHA Vcaps NuTru O-Mega-Zen3 caps and liquid each with 200 or 300mg DHA per pill and less expensive than V-Pure. Vegan Essentials Web-site Dr. Fuhrman has a similar product -- liquid DHA supplement http://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/supplements.aspx V-Pure with DHA 270mg and EPA 75mg from Algae (A new product, with both DHA and EPA. I'm unsure if the amount of EPA is significant or worth the extra cost. But it does begin to address some of the concern that algae products only contained DHA and not EPA) http://www.water4.net/index.htm can also be found on the Vegan Essentials Web-Site If you do choose a fish oil product, I would suggest looking for a pharmaceutical grade product that is third party tested to be free of contaminants. A number of products were pulled last year due to toxins such as dioxin. A few years ago, before the growth of the algae derived DHA products, I was recommending a company called Nordic Naturals. I would suggest doing some research into third party testing and statements on environmental sustainable fish stocks prior to purchasing. Return to Autoimmune Diseases

Supplements for Autoimmune Diseases

Vitamin D

2000 IU Vitamin D Per Day

I would suggest that you try and get the vitamin D without calcium or with a lower level of calcium than most brands. I would limit the amount of calcium supplement to less than 500 mg per day, or less than half the vitamin D.

Dr. Fuhrman has a brand of supplement with the correct proportion of vitamin D to calcium

500mg of calcium per 2000 units of vitamin D. This is just a suggestion. You may be able to find a similar product in your local pharmacy. Or just get a vitamin D capsule that doesn’t have calcium.

Dr. Fuhrman's Vitamin D Supplement- OsteoSun

Sunlight

If you live in a place with good sunlight exposure, then 10-15 minutes per day of midday sun, would be enough if you are fair skinned. The sunlight during the summer if fine in Washington D.C, though the late fall through spring sunlight is too weak to be effective. 10- 15 minutes should not cause burning, and will not result in a good sun tan. If it does, you may need to spend less time in the sun. It is before you start tanning and burning that you obtain the most production of Vitamin D from sunlight. Avoid exposing areas at risk for skin cancer based on previous burns. My dermatologist friends may not like this advice. If you have concerns that you are at risk of skin cancer, I would suggest you discuss this with your primary care physician or a dermatologist. Darkly pigmented people will need to spend much more time in the sun and may find that they need to supplement year round just due to time constraints.

Omega 3 Fatty Acids

I am currently on the fence regarding supplementing with high dose omega 3 fatty acids especially fish oils. There are studies on both sides of the issue, showing some and others showing no benefit. There are a couple of studies suggesting some potential problems from high dose fish oil supplementation. So I am currently reviewing the science behind supplementation with fish oils.

Many people do supplement. If you use fish oil, the standard amounts studied are 1,000 mg DHA and 1,000 mg EPA.

Though it may be that smaller amounts are needed if you are on a low fat diet, as it may be the ratio of omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids that is the most important.

Mercury and Toxin-Free Algae Derived Omega 3 Fatty Acids

I have no problem suggesting the use of Algae derived DHA. The doses are shown effective for acheiving the correct Omega 3 index. As well, the doses are small enough that the negative side effects of supplementation with fish oils can be avoided.

For those concerned about containments in fish oil (mercury, dioxin, etc), or are looking for a more environmentally sustainable source of Omega 3 fatty acids, I suggest using DHA derived from algae grown in sterile conditions. For those on a low-fat diet already, then 300-500mg DHA per day may be effective. Note that there are no studies looking at this specific recommendation for autoimmune disease, it is merely an educated guess. There are several studies looking at the supplementation of algae derived DHA in other conditions, and no significant side effects have yet been noted.

How to Get Algae Derived DHA

There are several sources of algae derived DHA, and one also includes EPA.

Deva Vegan DHA Vcaps

NuTru O-Mega-Zen3 caps and liquid

each with 200 or 300mg DHA per pill and less expensive than V-Pure.

Vegan Essentials Web-site

Dr. Fuhrman has a similar product -- liquid DHA supplement

http://www.drfuhrman.com/shop/supplements.aspx

V-Pure with DHA 270mg and EPA 75mg from Algae (A new product, with both DHA and EPA. I'm unsure if the amount of EPA is significant or worth the extra cost. But it does begin to address some of the concern that algae products only contained DHA and not EPA)

http://www.water4.net/index.htm

can also be found on the Vegan Essentials Web-Site

If you do choose a fish oil product, I would suggest looking for a pharmaceutical grade product that is third party tested to be free of contaminants. A number of products were pulled last year due to toxins such as dioxin. A few years ago, before the growth of the algae derived DHA products, I was recommending a company called Nordic Naturals. I would suggest doing some research into third party testing and statements on environmental sustainable fish stocks prior to purchasing.

Return to Autoimmune Diseases