Shockaveli,

Regarding your strange CH pattern after using oxygen therapy.  If you've been on the accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule for even one day... I'll opine your CH pattern change was due to the vitamin D3... and I'll double down if you were taking the Bio-Tech D3-50.

Take care,
V/R, Batch

Hey Grandchester,

Thanks for the update.  Glad the anti-inflammatory regimen is working for you.  Have you had a recent lab test of your serum 25(OH)D3?  If so, please take the online survey for CHers taking this regimen.

To start this survey, click on the following link:

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Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Hey Chuffy,

Glad to hear you're still CH pain free, but I wish I'd known about your shingles.  I had them in 2016.  They started as a stiff neck and slight tingling sensation across my upper chest.  I was in Pelican Alaska salmon fishing and only had enough vitamin D3 for 10,000 IU/day with me. (Very poor planning that's never happened again on travel). 

The sensations continued to grow in intensity over the last four days of the fishing trip.  By the time I got off the plane in Seattle, the pain had escalated to the point the slightest movement of my head sent what felt like 110 Volts AC shock across my upper chest.

As soon as I got home, I took 100,000 IU of vitamin D3 and crashed.  Less than 6 hours later when I woke up, the neck pain was completely gone and there was no tingling across my upper chest.  I took 50,000 IU/day of vitamin D3 for the next two days.  There was no post herpetic neuralgia and there was no outbreak of the classic shingles rash only a very slight numbness across the area innervated by the third and fourth Cervical supraclavicular sensory nerve.

Bottom line, a long time dose of 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 is not sufficient to stop the shingles varicella-zoster virus infection spreading from the dorsal root ganglia along the sensory nerve to the area of the body it innervates.  That said, a large bolus dose of 50,000 to 200,000 IU of vitamin D3 can stop the varicella-zoster virus dead in its tracks.

What we've learned since the COVID-19 studies have started reporting out is 50 mg/day zinc, 800 to 1000 mg/day Quercetin, 3 to 6 grams/day vitamin C and Invermectin can also kill virus including the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Howz the COVI-19 lockdown affecting you in the UK?  Things are as screwed up as Hogan's goat around here and there's no light at the end of the tunnel. 

The Senate run off elections in Georgia look like deja vous all over again with fraudulent signature validation, voter fraud and defective Dominion voting machines that just happened to break down in Republican districts - but not in the socialists strongholds.   The only question now is how many votes will be added to ensure the socialist win with convincing numbers.

Even if the mRNA COVID-19 vaccines are effective, we all will still be required wear masks.  What the BIG Pharma and BIG Government pseudo experts are not telling people is the mRMA vaccines require a healthy immune system to work effectively.

The only real good news is if you're taking at least 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3, the probability of coming down with COVID-19 is very low.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D - studies, reports, videos/

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As of Jan 6 had:  34 trials,  4 trial results,  10 meta-analyses and reviews,   39 observations,   22 recommendations,   41 associations,  82 speculations,  34 videos.

Traveller, If your lips get tired, you can always watch the following video by Professor Roger Seheult, MD.  He explains the important role Vitamin D may have in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19.  Note:  He is required by a law written by the BIG Pharmas to use the word "may."  Otherwise he would be making a claim of efficacy that's reserved for the exclusive use in explaining patented Rx.

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The attached FLCCC MATH+ Hospital Treatment Protocol for COVID-19 treatment protocol calls for an oral dose of 480,000 IU of vitamin D3 for COVID-19 patients upon admission to the ER and 90,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for five more days if serum 25(OH)D3 is less than 20 ng/mL.

Hey Chuffy,

Thanks for the update and great question.  The short answer is yes.  As long as we're taking vitamin D3 to prevent our CH, we also need to be taking the vitamin D3 cofactors and that includes magnesium.

The longer answer is magnesium as well as zinc are consumed in the enzymatic processes that hydroxylate vitamin D3, (add  a Hydroxyl group [OH] to the vitamin D3 molecule's 25th position to form 25(OH)D3 and 1st position to form its genetically active metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3).  The following chart illustrates the metabolic pathway vitamin D3 takes to arrive at it's goal of initiating genetic expression.  The genes annotated in blue are responsible for expressing the enzymes needed along the way.

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There's another enzyme, RNA polymerase that's essential in producing the messenger RNA (mRNA) during genetic expression that down-regulates the primary neuropeptides, CGRP, SP, VIP and PACAP, all of which play roles in the pathogenesis of CH. It's the down-regulation (reduction) of these neuropeptides by vitamin D3 that helps prevent our CH.

The following chart illustrates how a strand of mRNA is transcribed (copied) from the DNA helix then passed from the cell nucleus into the cytoplasm where it is taken up by ribosomes. 

Ribosomes are sub cellular chemical factories that read the recipe or blueprint encoded in the mRNA then draw in amino acids from the cytoplasm to produce proteins.  These proteins then act as autocrine or paracrine signalling agents to change cell functions to replicate, differentiate. up- or down-regulate genetic products or they signal apoptosis, programmed cell death.

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In short, if this genetic expression doesn't take place due to a lack of magnesium and zinc, there's a greatly reduced CH preventative effect while taking vitamin D3.

Another very important example of genetic expression involves the COVID-19 vaccines.  These vaccines are mRNA segments that have been isolated and reproduced in a laboratory. They contain the genetic code, recipe/blueprint for the glycoprotein spike from the SARS-CoV-2 virus.  Ribosomes read this mRNA segment to produce the glycoprotein spike shown in the small circle, but not the entire SARS-CoV-2 virus illustrated in the following graphic.

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This is where things get really interesting.  In order for this mRNA vaccine to be effective in preventing COVID-19, our innate immune system, our first line of defense against invading antigens like virus, swings into action.  This is where macrophages and neutrophils (special white blood cells that include natural killer cells) identify this glycoprotein spike as a non-self invading antigen or foe, then consume/eat the spike.  This identification, friend or foe (IFF) capability requires the vitamin D3 metabolite 1,25(OH)2D3.  Without vitamin D3 the natural killer cells cannot tell the difference between self and non-self so lack this essential IFF capability.

This process signals our adaptive immune system's B-Cells and T-Cells to swing into action.  These two immune cells are capable of developing antigen-specific "memory" that confers immunological protection.  B-Cells express antibodies uniquely targeted at a specific antigen, in this case the glycoprotein spike.  They also alter their own DNA to retain the genetic code required to express these same antibodies at a later date if the glycoprotein spike presents again.  Hence we have long term immunity that can last many years. 

Once the antibodies produced by B-Cells start attaching to the glycoprotein spike, killer T-Cells are attracted to these antibodies and actually eat the glycoprotein spike and cells infected with this spike reducing them to harmless waste products that are eliminated from the cell.  These processes also require the vitamin D3 metabolite, 1,25(OH)2D3.

There's a disturbing aspect of immune system activity that many emergency medicine physicians did not understand until the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. The initial battle waged against invading antigens by the innate immune system cells causes these cells to reproduce (replicate) rapidly and release cytokines that trigger inflammation.  The natural killer cells and killer T-Cells continue to eat these virus with no problem. 

However, the neutrophils and B-Cells die once they've eaten the virus and form pus which accumulates in the tissues lining the nasal passages and cells lining the lung's alveoli.  Without vitamin D3, the immune system becomes dysregulated with uncontrolled immune cell replication and release of cytokines in what is called a "cytokine storm."   The buildup of dead cells and pus inhibits the uptake of adequate oxygen in the lungs causing hypoxia.  This is where COVID-19 patients require supplemental oxygen and if the cytokine storm continues, intubation.  At that point, survival rates drop rapidly.

Bottom line, if you intend to get the COVID-19 vaccine, your immune system will need a lot of vitamin D3 to make this mRNA vaccine effective. 

This begs the question, how much vitamin D3 is needed?  Fortunately there have been hundreds of studies of COVID-19 and vitamin D3 looking at this problem.  The following graphic, from one such peer reviewed study, gives us an obvious clue how much vitamin D3 we need to keep from dying from COVID-19.  The answer is enough vitamin D3 to elevate 25(OH)D3 serum concentration > 40 ng/mL or a minimum of 5,000 IU/day vitamin D3 for at least three weeks.

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The following chart illustrates the time course 25(OH)D3 serum concentration response to various doses of vitamin D3.  As you can see, it takes three weeks at a vitamin D3 dose of 5,000 IU/day for serum 25(OH)D3 to reach 40 ng/mL and three to four months to reach 60 ng/mL. The 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 we take to prevent CH is even better.

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There are other peer reviewed studies that conclude the higher the 25(OH)D3 serum concentration above 40 ng/mL, the more favorable the outcome from COVID-19 and at a high enough serum concentration, COVID-19 will likely be asymptomatic when infected by the SARS-CoV-2 virus.   

This is where CHers who have been taking the anti-inflammatory regimen with at least 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3 or 50,000 IU/week with the Bio-Tech D3-50 for more than a month or who started this regimen with the 12-Day accelerated vitamin D3 loading schedule, can breath a sigh of relief.   Even if they can't obtain the COVID-19 mRNA vaccine any time soon, their 25(OH)D3 serum concentration has boosted their immune system functions to help prevent COVID-19 and the deadly cytokine storm.  Their mean 25(OH)D3 serum concentration is illustrated in the following normal distribution chart from the online survey over 350 CHers have taken since December of 2011 at an average dose of 10,000 IU/day plus the cofactors.

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The other thing people need to understand is even if they don't have CH and they've not been taking vitamin D3, their 25(OH)D3 serum concentration will likely fall under the following normal distribution chart of baseline 25(OH)D3 lab tests CHers took prior to starting the anti-inflammatory regimen.

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As you can see, nearly 95% of these CHers had a 25(OH)D3 serum concentration less than 40 ng/mL and over 60% were less than 30 ng/mL.  The 50% at and below 24 ng/mL would have been in deep kimchi had they been infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus.   

It doesn't take rocket science to realize everyone, including CHers, their families and friends all need to start taking at least 10,000 IU/day along with the rest of the vitamin D3 cofactors ASAP.  Kids under 100 lbs (45 Kg) need to take between 50 to 100 IU of vitamin D3 per pound of body weight per day (110 to 220 IU of vitamin D3 per Kg of body weight per day) to attain a 25(OH)D3 serum concentration of 80 ng/mL (200 nmol/L).

As a side note, this regimen is so safe, I've had my entire family and many close friends taking it since 2011.  That includes four grand babies my daughter and niece delivered flawlessly after very normal pregnancies.  These grand babies were bathed in maternal vitamin D3 from conception through breastfeeding.  As a result, they have T-Rex immune systems.  They don't get sick.

My earlier post of 6 January provided the following vitamindwiki link.

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It lists 34 trials,  4 trial results,  10 meta-analyses and reviews,   39 observations,   22 recommendations,   41 associations,  82 speculations and 34 videos about using vitamin D3 as an effective intervention for COVID-19.  You be the judge.

So there you have it.  The long answer.

Take care and please keep us posted.

V/R, Batch

Thinker,

Thank you for the update and kind words.  Thank you also for sharing this important information among CHers on FB.

My understanding of the role of enzymes with respect to preventing cluster headache is still a work in progress.  As my undergraduate degree was in Chemistry with plenty of biochemistry, what I learned is enzymes function as a catalyst in biochemical reactions, but do not take part in that biochemical reaction once started. 

The catalytic process enables a chemical reaction to occur and take place at higher rates than if it were not present.  Virtually every biochemical reaction in the human physiology is initiated with enzymes.  And here's the kicker, the enzymes are produced (expressed) through the process of genetic expression by ribosomes.

A simple analogy and example of a catalyst is a nudge given to a basketball at the top of a stairway.  Once placed in motion by the catalytic nudge, it is no longer involved as the ball bounces down the stairway consuming potential energy by converting it to kinetic energy until it reaches the floor at the bottom of the stairway at a lower potential energy state where it stops bouncing.  In the case of an enzyme initiated biochemical reaction, the energy needed to initiate that reaction comes from the catalyst as it is broken down and thus consumed in the process.

These chemical reactions start at a relatively high potential energy state, proceed as potential energy is converted to kinetic energy and consumed, concluding at a lower potential energy state where the chemical reaction ends.  Accordingly, these processes proceed in accordance with the first and second laws of thermodynamics. 

As enzymes are broken down and consumed, the short answer to your question is the cofactors or co-nutrients as some call them, are consumed in the process of producing these enzymes so must be replaced.  The following link to the GrassrootsHealth Nutrient Research Institute provides an excellent discussion of the roles of co-nutrients along the vitamin D3 metabolic pathway to and including the vitamin D3 role in genetic expression.

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As you'll see from the graphics discussed in this link, the 25(OH)D3 response to dose of vitamin D3 is increased by each of these co-nutrients.  When the individual increases for each of these cofactors/co-nutrients are taken together, there's a synergistic effect where the overall 25(OH)D3 response is significant higher.

Results from the survey of CHers taking the anti-inflammatory regimen also indicate the sought after physiological response to this regimen, a reduction in the frequency of CH or its complete cessation are also increased significantly due to the cofactors/co-nutrients.

There is one small problem with the GrassrootsHealth discussion on co-nutrients.  The paragraph on vitamin A may leave readers with the wrong impression that vitamin A should be avoided as it competes with vitamin D3 for available vitamin D receptors (VDR) at the cell membrane and at the DNA level within the cell nucleus.  While it is true that too much vitamin A (retinol or retinyl palmate) competes for VDR, a small amount of vitamin A is essential in the formation of the 1,25(OH)2D3-Retinoic Acid Dimer that initiates the first phase of genetic expression transcription.  Without this small amount of vitamin, A, the rate and magnitude of vitamin D3 enabled genetic expression is significantly reduced. This process is illustrated in the following graphic.

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I say this as taking the 450 mcg/day of vitamin A (retinol) illustrated in the Supplement Facts label on the Kirkland Adult 50+ Mature Multi after 10 years and thousands of CHers starting this regimen is just about right.

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As to where to start your studies of vitamin D3, I would do an Internet search using the following search terms [Vitamin D AND Heaney].  That should result in several day’s worth of reading.  Then add [AND Am J Clin Nutr] to the search query and you'll pick up Dr. Heaney's studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  That's worth another day or two. 

Dr. Robert P Heaney, MD, Professor of Medicine, Creighton University was the first vitamin D3 expert I contacted in early 2011, after I discovered vitamin D3 and its cofactors stopped my cluster headaches after the second dose of 10,000 IU/day vitamin D3.   

He was kind enough to mentor my studies of vitamin D3 pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. He gave the initial version of my anti-inflammatory regimen treatment protocol a thumbs up and he also gave me pointers on developing the study protocol used in the online survey of CHers taking this regimen.  He was a giant in the field of vitamin D3 research.  We lost Robert to brain cancer in 2016.

With that under your belt, go to the vitaminDwiki.com website run by my dear friend Henry Lahore.  Henry created and maintains this website and has web crawlers searching all things vitamin D3 7/24, 360 days a year.  You'll never read everything on this website, but you will find my web page on preventing cluster headache with vitamin D3 that Henry maintains for me.  Henry has compiled the most extensive list of studies, papers and videos on the use of vitamin D3 as an intervention and preventative for COVID-19 at the following link. 

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ideos

Your next website is grassrootshealth.com created and run by another dear friend, Carol Baggerly.  I suggest you become a member so you get the frequent updates from Carol by email.  If you're like me, you'll peruse both VitaminDWiki and GrassrootsHealth websites on a near daily basis.  There's almost always something new.

Hope this helps.

Take care and please keep us posted,

V/R, Batch