Vitamin D & B12 (Dr. Chaffees perspective) source Copilot

B12

B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for the production of red blood cells, DNA synthesis, nerve function, and brain health. B12 is mainly found in animal foods, such as meat, eggs, dairy, and fish, but also in some fortified foods, such as cereals, plant milks, and nutritional yeast. B12 deficiency can cause anemia, fatigue, weakness, numbness, tingling, memory loss, depression, and neurological damage. Therefore, it is important to get enough B12 from your diet or supplements, especially if you follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, have digestive disorders, or are elderly.

Dr. Chaffee is a physician and researcher who advocates for higher intakes of B12 than the average amounts suggested by the dietary guidelines. He argues that the current recommendations are based on outdated studies that only measure the minimum amount of B12 needed to prevent overt deficiency, not the optimal amount to support optimal health and prevent chronic diseases. He cites evidence that higher levels of B12 are associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, dementia, Alzheimer's disease, and depression. He also claims that higher doses of B12 are safe and well-tolerated, as excess B12 is excreted in the urine and does not accumulate in the body. He recommends that adults take at least 1000 mcg of B12 per day, preferably in the form of methylcobalamin, which is more bioavailable and effective than other forms of B12.

He also suggests that people with certain conditions, such as pernicious anemia, malabsorption, or genetic mutations, may need even higher doses of B12, up to 5000 mcg or more per day, under medical supervision. He believes that increasing B12 intake can have significant benefits for health and longevity.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is another essential nutrient that has many roles in the body, such as regulating calcium and phosphorus metabolism, bone health, immune function, and cell growth. Vitamin D is mainly obtained from sunlight exposure, but can also be found in some foods, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, mushrooms, and fortified products. Vitamin D deficiency can cause rickets, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, and increased risk of infections and chronic diseases.

Therefore, it is important to get enough vitamin D from your diet or supplements, especially if you live in high latitudes, have dark skin, wear sunscreen or clothing that blocks sun rays, or have limited sun exposure for other reasons.

Dr. Chaffee advocates for higher intakes of vitamin D than the average amounts suggested by the dietary guidelines. He argues that the current recommendations are based on outdated studies that only measure the minimum amount of vitamin D needed to prevent overt deficiency, not the optimal amount to support optimal health and prevent chronic diseases.

He cites evidence that higher levels of vitamin D are associated with lower risks of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune diseases, depression, and cognitive impairment. He also claims that higher doses of vitamin D are safe and well-tolerated, as excess vitamin D is metabolized and excreted in the bile and feces and does not accumulate in the body. He recommends that adults take at least 4000 IU of vitamin D per day, preferably in the form of cholecalciferol, which is more bioavailable and effective than other forms of vitamin D.

He also suggests that people with certain conditions, such as obesity, malabsorption, or genetic mutations, may need even higher doses of vitamin D, up to 10000 IU or more per day, under medical supervision.

He believes that increasing vitamin D intake can have significant benefits for health and longevity.

One of the reasons why we need more vitamin D based on Dr. Chaffee's research is that vitamin D helps to modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation, which are involved in many chronic diseases. Vitamin D activates the expression of genes that regulate the production and function of immune cells, such as macrophages, dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells. Vitamin D also inhibits the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-alpha, IL-6, and IL-17, and enhances the secretion of anti-inflammatory cytokines, such as IL-10 and TGF-beta. By doing so, vitamin D can help to prevent or treat conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, asthma, and psoriasis. Furthermore, vitamin D can also protect against infections caused by bacteria, viruses, and fungi, such as tuberculosis, influenza, and candidiasis, by enhancing the innate and adaptive immune responses. Therefore, vitamin D is crucial for maintaining a balanced and healthy immune system and reducing inflammation-related complications.