Vajra91
The Force is Strong With This One
The other day, while I was combing the web in search of an effective cure/treatment for psoriasis (as usual), I came across this interesting protocol from a brazilian doctor named Cicero Galli Coimbra. A protocol that, apparently, has proven useful in the treatment of all manners of autoimmune diseases.
Coimbra Protocol - General Information (the closest I could find to an "official" page about the protocol)
http://www.vitamindprotocol.com/dr.-coimbra-s-ms-protocol.html (another explanation of the protocol, more or less the same info from link n.1 with a few other details)
Coimbra Protocol Summary - This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community (The most in-depth collection of information on the protocol I've found thus far)
A pilot study assessing the effect of prolonged administration of high daily doses of vitamin D on the clinical course of vitiligo and psoriasis. - PubMed - NCBI (Study on high daily doses of vitamin D for treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo)
Now, as a disclaimer, I've only discovered this protocol very recently. I'm still researching the subject and my understanding of the details is still limited. At first, my intention was to wait and research a while longer, maybe even trying the protocol myself before posting about it, just so that I would have some personal experience to speak of and not risk wasting anybody's time.. But then I realized that there's probably a lot of people on this forum who are much more experienced and qualified at researching this kind of thing than I am, so.. Here you go.
In short, this protocol revolves around the administration of very, VERY high doses of vitamin D. The rationale behind this seems to be that people with an autoimmune disease have an increased resistance to vitamin D and thus need a much higher dose in order to benefit from it's immunomodulatory effects. The dose is increased until the levels of parathyroid hormone, the production of which is inhibited by vitamin D, reach the lower limit of their normal range, taking care to never suppress the parathyroid hormone (PTH). According to Coimbra, so long as the PTH is not suppressed, he can be sure that he's not giving a toxic dose of vitamin D. A few supplements are also administered as part of the protocol to improve vitamin D metabolism.
The major risk of this protocol seems to be the possibility of hypercalcemia, but according to Coimbra a careful diet (i.e. no dairy, at all, ever) and proper hydration can reduce the risk to a minimum.
Still according to Coimbra, there are a few factors that could severely hamper the effectiveness of the treatment, specifically stress, depression, some specific drugs and.. Smoking (ouch..).
These seem to me like the major bullet points of the protocol. There is a lot more information available, specifically in the links above, but as I said I'm only just starting to figure this out and I don't want to risk passing along incorrect information. Still, between the studies and the testimonies, this seems promising to me.
What really surprises me is that, despite the constant research, this is the first time I've read about this. Especially in light of the fact that, a few years ago, I tried another protocol based on vitamin D (that one was only 10.000 i.u. per day though and with non of the co-factors) which, at the time, prompted me to do quite a bit of research on the subject.
Anyway.. I hope this will prove to be of some use.
Coimbra Protocol - General Information (the closest I could find to an "official" page about the protocol)
http://www.vitamindprotocol.com/dr.-coimbra-s-ms-protocol.html (another explanation of the protocol, more or less the same info from link n.1 with a few other details)
Coimbra Protocol Summary - This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community (The most in-depth collection of information on the protocol I've found thus far)
A pilot study assessing the effect of prolonged administration of high daily doses of vitamin D on the clinical course of vitiligo and psoriasis. - PubMed - NCBI (Study on high daily doses of vitamin D for treatment of psoriasis and vitiligo)
Now, as a disclaimer, I've only discovered this protocol very recently. I'm still researching the subject and my understanding of the details is still limited. At first, my intention was to wait and research a while longer, maybe even trying the protocol myself before posting about it, just so that I would have some personal experience to speak of and not risk wasting anybody's time.. But then I realized that there's probably a lot of people on this forum who are much more experienced and qualified at researching this kind of thing than I am, so.. Here you go.
In short, this protocol revolves around the administration of very, VERY high doses of vitamin D. The rationale behind this seems to be that people with an autoimmune disease have an increased resistance to vitamin D and thus need a much higher dose in order to benefit from it's immunomodulatory effects. The dose is increased until the levels of parathyroid hormone, the production of which is inhibited by vitamin D, reach the lower limit of their normal range, taking care to never suppress the parathyroid hormone (PTH). According to Coimbra, so long as the PTH is not suppressed, he can be sure that he's not giving a toxic dose of vitamin D. A few supplements are also administered as part of the protocol to improve vitamin D metabolism.
The major risk of this protocol seems to be the possibility of hypercalcemia, but according to Coimbra a careful diet (i.e. no dairy, at all, ever) and proper hydration can reduce the risk to a minimum.
Still according to Coimbra, there are a few factors that could severely hamper the effectiveness of the treatment, specifically stress, depression, some specific drugs and.. Smoking (ouch..).
These seem to me like the major bullet points of the protocol. There is a lot more information available, specifically in the links above, but as I said I'm only just starting to figure this out and I don't want to risk passing along incorrect information. Still, between the studies and the testimonies, this seems promising to me.
What really surprises me is that, despite the constant research, this is the first time I've read about this. Especially in light of the fact that, a few years ago, I tried another protocol based on vitamin D (that one was only 10.000 i.u. per day though and with non of the co-factors) which, at the time, prompted me to do quite a bit of research on the subject.
Anyway.. I hope this will prove to be of some use.