Treating Autoimmune Disease with the Coimbra Protocol - Dec 2025

YouTube - 41 minutes

Summary: Vitamin D Therapy & The Coimbra Protocol

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  • Origin and Motivation (03:20) Dr. Jensen, originally trained in family and integrative medicine, adopted the Coimbra Protocol after witnessing a patient with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) achieve remission. He subsequently traveled to Brazil to train directly under Dr. Cicero Coimbra, who originally developed the high-dose vitamin D therapy for autoimmune skin diseases like vitiligo in the early 2000s.

  • Defining "High Dose" (10:55)In this protocol, a daily intake of 10,000–20,000 IU is considered the baseline for a "mega dose." However, therapeutic doses for autoimmune conditions are often significantly higher—Dr. Jensen has prescribed up to 120,000 IU/day, and Dr. Coimbra has used even higher amounts. The exact dose is highly individualized, determined by measuring Parathyroid Hormone (PTH) levels to gauge the body's response.[1]

    • Insight: This aggressive dosing is necessary because many patients with autoimmune diseases have a genetic resistance to Vitamin D, requiring higher blood concentrations to achieve the same biological effect on the immune system [1].[1][2]

  • Strict Dietary & Hydration Requirements (11:28)Patients on high-dose therapy must follow a strict low-calcium diet (avoiding dairy and calcium-fortified foods) and drink at least 2.5 liters of water daily.[3] This is critical to prevent hypercalcemia (excess calcium in the blood) and kidney stress, as high vitamin D levels significantly increase calcium absorption from food.[3]

    • Insight: To protect kidney function and prevent stone formation, patients are advised to avoid not just dairy, but also calcium-rich nuts and seeds, while limiting alcohol intake which can interfere with absorption [2].

  • Safety and Monitoring (07:26)The protocol is generally safe when monitored correctly. Dr. Jensen emphasizes the necessity of regular 24-hour urine calcium tests to ensure calcium is not accumulating to toxic levels. He notes that patients with granulomatous diseases (like sarcoidosis) are rare cases that require extreme caution and much lower, slower dosing.

  • Importance of Exercise (25:14)Daily exercise is mandatory, specifically weight-bearing activities or using a vibration platform. This creates a "demand" for calcium in the bones, preventing the high vitamin D doses from leaching calcium out of the bones (which could lead to osteopenia/osteoporosis) and ensuring it is deposited into the skeletal system instead.

  • The Role of Stress and Mental Health (19:24)Stress management is a non-negotiable part of the protocol; if a patient cannot manage emotional stress, the treatment is less likely to work. Dr. Jensen also screens for "pyrol disease" (a genetic issue affecting zinc and B6), noting that correcting these deficiencies can significantly improve the mental resilience required for recovery.

  • Patient Outcomes (30:57)The best responses are seen in patients who start treatment early in their disease progression, particularly young females and those with MS. However, Dr. Jensen reports seeing patients who had been bedridden achieve remission and regain the ability to care for their families.

  • Contraindications for Self-Treatment (39:19)Dr. Jensen warns strictly against trying this protocol without a trained practitioner. "DIY" high-dose vitamin D can lead to severe renal failure or calcification of arteries if the diet and hydration are not managed perfectly alongside lab monitoring.

Sources: [1] Dr. Tsoukalas - Vitamin D Resistance: A Critical Factor in Autoimmune Disease Development: https://drtsoukalas.com/vitamindresistanceacriticalfactorinautoimmunedisease_development-2/ [2] Overcoming MS - Coimbra Protocol: Vitamin D & MS: https://overcomingms.org/about-multiple-sclerosis/other-ms-treatments/coimbra-protocol/

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