Using Calcium to Bind Oxalate in the Gut

• Hi. I'm confused regards to vitamin D. I know too much can convert to oxalates but also want to boost my immune system. Is it therefore advised against to spend too much time in the sun? Thanks!
  
  

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    Monique Attinger - nutritionist This is one of those “urban legends” that has started and has a life of its own.... so, for the record:
    
    1. Vitamin D does not convert into oxalate!
    
    2. It is okay to take vitamin D. It is not contra-indicated because of oxalate.
    
    3. You do need fat in the body to absorb vitamin D.
    
    4. It’s okay to eat healthy fats and to take those at the same time you take vitamin D.
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  Monique Attinger - nutritionist 5. Now - the ONE place where we suggest (it’s not a hard and fast rule) that you don’t take vitamin D is ONLY when you are taking calcium to bind oxalate. You may not want to do that at every meal - obviously, it’s also important to absorb some calcium and so you don’t always want to take it to bind.


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  Roslyn Ellison Monique Attinger - nutritionist ..just checking that the vitD calcium issue only refers to calcium supplements not calcium from food...
  Correct ?


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  Monique Attinger - nutritionist Roslyn Ellison - Yes. This is ONLY to do with vitamin D from supplements, and how to manage using calcium to bind oxalate.


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  Monique Attinger - nutritionist Just want to ensure this is as clear as possible... What I am saying is that vitamin D will encourage you to absorb calcium, and that means the calcium will be less likely to be left in the gut to help "bind" with oxalate. What we are trying to do is to leave calcium in the gut (not encourage absorption) so that it will be present to help bind with oxalate. Is that clearer?


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  Crystal Corner What’s the dose you recommend Monique?

   
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  Monique Attinger - nutritionist We don't generally recommend a dose. And the reason is that not everyone can even take calcium (because of issues with constipation). I would suggest a small amount is sufficient - because you aren't going to bind every molecule of oxalate just because you took calcium. So I have tended to use a multi-mineral, with 150 mg of calcium and 150 mg of magnesium. I avoid constipation - and both calcium and magnesium work to help bind oxalate.


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  Mike Harvey I spend about 10 mins to15 mins each side in the sun to get enough to produce enough vitamin D.


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  Christi Jordan Snaufer sun and food (such as cod liver oil) are the best ways to get D!! As long as you aren't getting burned, you're reaping the benefits of the sun!


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  Jeanette Szwec I've had a vitamin D shortage for years. If I take 20K a day, I barely get into the normal range. When you go to your doctor, get your vitamin D level measured and then take enough to be in a normal/high normal range. This differs greatly for everyone. So without tracking of levels, its pretty impossible for anyone to tell you how much to take. Vit D is particularly important for your immune system.


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  Sasha Datta I was Vit D short for years. I take 10k unit 4 days in the week and that keeps it in the normal range. My doc tracks this through blood tests .....

   

  Monique Attinger - nutritionist Vitamin D is one of the cofactors for absorption of calcium. We are trying to leave calcium in the gut when we bind oxalate - so this is an instance where we are looking for a benefit when NOT supplying a cofactor. We do that because we are hoping to leave more of the calcium in the gut.


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  Kay Fawkes I always feel like crap if I supplement D. I'm ok with sunlight though


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  Tammy Ellis I have not been able to tolerate vit d either, despite being low. I would to love to understand why.


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  Monique Attinger - nutritionist That's for another thread.

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