20 years of Vitamin D promotion, Cofactors: 2 Helden videos
📊 Summary of “Nach 20 Jahren Forschung: Die Dr. von Helden Vitamin-D-Formel” - April 2026
(00:00–00:42)Vitamin D levels are framed as more important than financial wealth for long-term health. The speaker claims that chronically low levels increase disease risk and suggests ~30 ng/mL as a minimum threshold, while toxicity (via high calcium) is said to be rare below ~200 ng/mL.
(01:18–02:46)Dr. von Helden explains he has tracked vitamin D levels for ~20 years and developed an online Vitamin D simulator that predicts blood levels over time based on dosage, body weight, and habits.
(03:38–05:13)Example: A 95 kg person taking 20,000 IU/week only reaches ~25–30 ng/mL after months—suggesting common medical dosing may be insufficient to exceed 30 ng/mL.
(05:13–06:44)Using the simulator’s “autopilot,” higher intake plans can be calculated to reach a target (e.g., ~70 ng/mL), requiring significantly larger doses (e.g., multiple capsules per week depending on body weight).
(07:44–08:32)Discrepancies in reported vitamin D levels can stem from unit confusion (ng/mL vs. nmol/L; 1 ng/mL ≈ 2.5 nmol/L), leading people to think their levels are higher than they actually are.
(08:59–09:38)Another common issue: misunderstanding supplement strength (e.g., drops containing 5000 IU instead of 1000 IU), which can unintentionally lead to much higher intake and higher measured levels.
(10:34–11:48)The simulator can also estimate real-world adherence—e.g., missed doses explain why measured levels may be lower than expected.
(12:11–13:18)A baseline blood test is not strictly required; consistent intake history can still produce useful estimates. The tool also allows users to track trends and compare with others.
(13:18–16:41)Sun exposure significantly affects vitamin D levels, but seasonal decline is inevitable. Even with frequent sun (e.g., vacations), levels drop later—supporting a “hybrid” strategy of sun + supplementation.
(17:28–20:11)High-dose scenarios are explored:
- ~20,000 IU/day → ~118 ng/mL (claimed as non-toxic in this context)
- ~40,000 IU/day → ~185 ng/mLThe simulator can also model how levels fall after stopping intake.
(21:02–23:52)The simulator is claimed to be validated using data from 174 patients, showing strong correlation between predicted and measured blood levels, though variability exists due to inconsistent reporting of intake and sun exposure.
⚠️ Important context
This video reflects the views of Dr. von Helden and includes controversial claims, especially regarding optimal vitamin D levels (e.g., targeting ~70 ng/mL) and safety of high doses. These exceed many mainstream medical guidelines, which typically recommend more conservative ranges and dosing.
Not consider?: Vit D form, existing health problems, gut problems, gene problems,
Side Effects and Cofactors of Vitamin D - Helden video April 2025
(00:27–02:36) Reported "side effects" of vitamin D usually aren't caused by vitamin D itself: Dr. von Helden does 1,000–2,000 vitamin D therapies per year and finds that headaches, dizziness, or malaise after starting supplementation are typically coincidental day-to-day fluctuations or expectation-driven attribution, not genuine side effects. When symptoms persist, the cause is usually missing cofactors (magnesium, hydration, diet) rather than vitamin D toxicity.
(02:36–04:38) The four pillars for bone and vitamin D function: Vitamin D is the "spearhead," but it works only with three cofactors — magnesium, vitamin K2, and vitamin C. These four together cover the essentials needed against osteoporosis and for proper vitamin D utilization.
(04:38–07:36) Calcium should NOT be supplemented: Calcium is already abundant in tap water, vegetables, fruit, and potatoes. Regular calcium supplementation drives vascular calcification and raises heart attack and stroke risk — comparable to taking up smoking. The body regulates calcium tightly, and excess is actively harmful (the "calcium paradox," explained via a "pocket-money paradox" analogy).
Phosphates block vitamin D
(08:09–11:10) Phosphates block vitamin D activation: Found in large meat portions, processed meats, and cola-type drinks. The ratio of stored (passive) D3 to active vitamin D is roughly 1,000:1 — and high calcium + phosphate intake signals the body to stop activating D, which in turn shuts down immune defenses (e.g., killer-cell activation). Practical takeaway: when a sick child has fever, give tea — not large meat/dairy meals.
(11:45–13:41) Cola and artificial sweeteners are doubly damaging: Cola's acid load forces bone dissolution to release bicarbonate as a buffer, while its phosphate suppresses immunity. Artificial sweeteners ("counterfeit money of nutrition") trap water in the gut and cause cramps, nausea, and chronic abdominal complaints.
(14:14–19:49) Vitamin K2 — context-dependent: Healthy people produce K2 via gut bacteria and don't strictly need it. Supplement (100–200 µg, no meaningful overdose risk) is important for people with chronic gut disease, kidney impairment, dialysis (5-year survival improved from ~80% to ~90%), or osteoporosis. Combined D + K2 preparations are pragmatic because compliance with multiple separate pills is poor.
(20:28–24:49, 32:19–33:26) Magnesium is the universal catalyst — central to mitochondrial energy production and the citric-acid cycle. The body has limited storage (~5–10 g in bone), so daily intake matters. Recommended form: magnesium citrate (well absorbed, also alkalizing, supports kidney/urinary health and dissolves calcium kidney stones); avoid magnesium oxide (poorly soluble, mostly a laxative). Practical habit: half a liter of water with a spoon of magnesium citrate before meals.
(27:16–29:16) Loading vitamin D up safely: A 30-day Tenerife vacation roughly equals 30 × 20,000 IU. For a ~70 kg adult this lifts serum 25(OH)D into the ~60–80 ng/mL target range. Personalized dosing can be modeled at vitamindsimulator.de. During this loading phase, adequate magnesium is especially critical.
(33:26–37:00) Vitamin C — the "100 mg/day" figure is outdated: Osteoporosis studies use 2–4 g/day with strong results because vitamin C builds collagen ("nature's steel cables"). Practical dose: ~1 g, 2–3× daily; water-soluble so no toxicity (excess just causes osmotic diarrhea). Useful as an alternative to chronic ibuprofen for some musculoskeletal pain.
(37:00–39:24) Vitamin A (retinol) — get it from food, not pills: Active vitamin A genuinely supports vitamin D's gene-level action, but supplemental retinol carries serious teratogenic risk and is hard to dose. Best source: carrots (also rich in antioxidants); carrot soup is famously beneficial even for infants.
Learn more on Glasp: https://glasp.co/reader?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ds9ns4N8iMo