We discuss in this interview – Vitamin D benefits :

– The role of vitamin D in rheumatoid arthritis and its correlation with disease activity

– Exercising and sun exposure to boost vitamin D

– The many benefits of an optimal daily dose of vitamin D

– Vitamin D supplements

– Effects on the immune system

– UV and infrared rays

– Can it be toxic?

– Effects on sleep

Joining us on this week’s podcast is Dr. Judson Somerville, a medical doctor and author of “The Optimal Dose.” A world-leading expert in the healing powers of vitamin D, in his book, Dr. Somerville highlights how vitamin D at optimal doses can be the key to restoring good health. He took some time out of his busy schedule to discuss the role of vitamin D in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and its correlation with disease activity with us.  

Introduction to Dr. Judson Somerville

A seventh-generation Texan, Dr. Somerville graduated from the University of Texas with a Chemical Engineering degree. He then completed his doctorate at McGovern Medical School in 1988 and began residency training at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in General Surgery. After two years, he switched to Anesthesiology.

In 1994, he set up a private Anesthesiology practice in Texas specializing in pain management and opened The Pain Management Clinic in 1995. Dedicating the next 23 years to helping his patients to cope with chronic pain, Dr. Somerville established himself as an expert in the field, publishing his work in various publications. 

Somerville’s Personal Challenges

In 1990, during his residency training, Dr. Somerville was involved in a severe bicycle accident, resulting in him becoming paraplegic and a wheelchair user. Astoundingly, despite this traumatic experience, he still went on to complete the rigorous training of his medical residency. 

Dr. Somerville’s challenges didn’t stop there. Following his bicycle accident, Dr. Somerville was bitten by a spider, which led to sepsis and necrotizing fasciitis, a rare bacterial infection that can become fatal. This was complicated by the lack of feeling in his leg, which delayed his seeking treatment. 

Dr. Somerville also developed an autoimmune condition, which he didn’t realize until recently, was probably connected to his accident. Shockingly, he almost died, probably multiple times. At this point, he believes that he was severely deficient in vitamin D, partly due to his inability to exercise in the sun as he usually would. Research shows that exercise can boost your vitamin D receptor expression. 

These challenges have provided Dr. Somerville with the unique capability of connecting with his patients personally and professionally. His recently published book, ‘The Optimal Dose,’ shares some of the knowledge he has gathered during his health journey. The book highlights the importance of vitamin D and the dangers of deficiency.

How Did Vitamin D Help Dr. Somerville?

Dr. Somerville’s health was deteriorating; he was 100 pounds overweight and suffering from sleep apnea, gastric reflux, repeated urinary infections, and wound infections. His nutrition was poor, and he reasoned he had about 3 to 5 years to live. 

Inspired by his mum, he decided to try natural solutions and turned to high doses of vitamin D. Trialing on himself and his patients; he finally found that 30,000 IU was the optimal dose. This dose is significantly higher than current guidelines of 400-600 IU (depending on age) in the US.

What is Vitamin D?

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone rather than a vitamin, as vitamins, by definition, cannot be produced in the body. It is fat-soluble and helps the body to absorb calcium and phosphorous, essential for building bone. 

Naturally present in a limited number of foods, your body produces vitamin D upon exposure of your skin to the sun. This is because the sun’s UVB rays interact with 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC), a protein within the skin, and converts it into active vitamin D3. 

The naturally derived form of vitamin D is the same as that in a supplement. This inactive form of vitamin D is then converted into biologically active forms in the liver and kidneys. 

Almost Every Disease We Get Is a Function of Vitamin D Deficiency

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), part of the cytokine family, is a protein that regulates the immune response. Expressed in the skin, lungs, gut, and thymus, TSLP expression is modulated by vitamin D. Therefore, vitamin D can act as an immune balancing agent, inhibiting T helper cell responses and promoting regulatory T cells. 

Evidence shows that vitamin D deficiency can alter the composition of the gut microbiome, increase gut permeability and increase immune activity and inflammation. Vitamin D also regulates the development of dendritic cells, which help to initiate the immune response. Without the regulatory effects of vitamin D, the immune system can go haywire, leading to immune dysfunction and an increased risk of a cytokine storm. 

Are Most of Us Vitamin D Deficient?

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent, affecting around 50% of the world’s population. The leading causes of vitamin D deficiency are:

• Lack of exposure to the sun.
• Excessive use of sun cream.
• Lack of vitamin D in the diet. 

For most people, spending less than half an hour outside on a hot, sunny day will allow them to produce around 25,000 IU of vitamin D. This is similar to the optimal dose Dr. Somerville mentioned before and much higher than the recommended daily dose. 

Can High Doses of Vitamin D Be Toxic?

While taking too much vitamin D can lead to hypercalcemia (a build-up of calcium in the blood), this is very rare, affecting people with an underlying genetic defect. Nevertheless, Dr. Somerville remains passionate about educating people on the real benefits of high doses of vitamin D, despite the misinformed recommendations of many medical professionals who remain unnecessarily concerned about their effects. 

Unfortunately, many published studies examining vitamin D’s health effects have been carried out using low doses. Meaning that researchers may have grossly underestimated the actual health benefits of vitamin D. 

Real-Life High Dose Vitamin D Benefits

Dr. Somerville states that he started his optimal dose of vitamin D to improve his bone health and sleep quality. He was astounded by the results. When he first started, he was exhausted and went home to sleep. He noted that it was light when he settled to sleep, and when he woke up, it was still light. He thought he’d been asleep for barely a minute, but shockingly it had been 10 hours!

Dr. Somerville explains the importance of achieving deep sleep for restoring and healing the body and brain. The brain’s lymphatic drainage system helps to drain waste into the lymph nodes. For this system to work effectively, he states that the brain must be contracted by 30-40%, primarily when we are in a deep sleep. He believes that diseases such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia occur when a lack of deep sleep prevents this system from functioning correctly. Vitamin D is known to have both a direct and indirect role in regulating sleep. 

Observing his patients, Dr. Somerville also noticed that they started to lose weight or not gain anymore. With vitamin D’s ability to suppress the appetite, boost the metabolism by 20-30%, and block the absorption of unnecessary fat, Dr. Somerville also lost weight.

The most fantastic observation from his patients taking high-dose vitamin D was the immune effects. A faster rate of wound healing and notable protection against colds and flu – these results were nothing short of amazing! 

Does Vitamin D Improve Rheumatoid Arthritis?

Are you wondering if taking vitamin D can improve your RA? There is evidence to suggest that it can.
Vitamin D supplementation can help RA patients to relieve their symptoms and improve their quality of life. In a study published in Frontiers in Medicine in 2020, scientists found vitamin D supplementation to be an effective intervention for RA patients. The researchers also reported the effects of vitamin D to differ depending on the dose and duration of intervention.

Can Vitamin D Cure Arthritis?

While there is currently no cure for RA, vitamin D supplementation may help to significantly prevent, reduce and slow the progress of inflammation associated with RA. 

Can Vitamin D Cause RA?

Vitamin D deficiency may lead to the development and progression of RA. A meta-analysis published in 2016 showed that RA patients’ serum vitamin D levels were lower than healthy controls. In addition, RA disease activity was also negatively associated with serum vitamin D levels.

Getting Started With Vitamin D

Rather than recommending a particular brand, Dr. Somerville recommends that his patients find a vitamin D supplement of their choice. He suggests that the chosen supplement is suspended in capsule form in olive or avocado oil. He also recommends that the optimal dose of 30,000 IU of vitamin D be started alongside 400mg of magnesium. Doses can then be adjusted depending on the consistency of the patient’s stool. 

He advises that patients have their vitamin D and calcium levels checked periodically to ensure that they stay within the recommended range. 

According to Dr. Somerville, patients taking the optimal dose of vitamin D will experience notably improved sleep and a decreased appetite during the first few weeks of supplementation. Based on his personal experience, acne scars and sun spots will fade, and allergy symptoms will subside. 

At this point in the podcast, Dr. Somerville reiterates that this is not to be taken as medical advice but is purely his personal opinion based on his own and his patient’s experiences. 

How Much Vitamin D Should I Take for RA?

Having optimal vitamin D levels can help to improve your RA symptoms and delay disease progression. So, with this in mind, how much vitamin D should you take for RA?

Dr. Somerville passionately believes that we should take 30,000 IU of vitamin D as the optimal dose to achieve enhanced immunity and metabolism and experience deep restorative sleep. 

What Vitamins Are Good To Take for RA?

During this podcast, Dr. Somerville mentioned several vitamins and supplements that can help RA patients. These include vitamin D, magnesium, vitamin K2, selenium, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acid-rich krill oil. 

However, Dr. Somerville’s book “The Optimal Dose” focuses on the importance of optimal dosing of vitamin D3. 

Finding Out More About Dr. Judson Somerville’s “The Optimal Dose”

Now retired, Dr. Somerville works passionately to educate medical professionals and their patients on the health benefits of optimal vitamin D dosing. While he may consider setting up a training course in the future, he is happy to spread the word through his book and blog. His blog can be found at www.judsonsomerville.com/blog/, while his book can be purchased from most major bookstores and Amazon.