Vitamin D Deficiency Raises Risk of Metabolic Syndrome
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY RAISES RISK OF METABOLIC SYNDROME
A study has found that those with low vitamin D levels are 70 percent more likely to have metabolic syndrome.
Also, those with low levels of vitamin D were 2.63 times as likely to be obese in the abdomen; 26 percent more likely to have low levels of HDL (good) cholesterol; 22 percent more likely to have high blood glucose (blood sugar) levels; 46 percent more likely to have high or abnormal blood triglycerides; and 43 percent more likely to have high or abnormal blood pressure readings.
The results of this research on Asian volunteers in Kuala Lumpur confirm similar findings regarding vitamin D deficiencies among non-Asian Westerners.
This study was published in a supplement of the August 2011 issue of the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health and is available now online at http://bit.ly/oGmSXa with subscription or access fee.
Latest Research on Alzheimer’s Prevention
VITAMIN D SUFFICIENCY
Researchers conclude that vitamin D sufficiency helps remove amyloid-beta plaque from the aging brain, across the blood-brain barrier, helping to prevent the excessive buildup that causes Alzheimer’s disease.
(The buildup in the brain, of amyloid-beta plaque is ordinarily controlled by transporter proteins and vitamin D. Although levels of these protein transporters increase with age, production tends to fail eventually. Low levels of vitamin D have been linked with age-related declines in memory and cognition, and with an increased risk of Alzheimer’s.)
The team found that vitamin D injections in mice appear to help regulate protein expression and cell signaling, which helps prevent plaque buildup and the onset of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The implication is that maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels with advancing age may provide some preventive benefit, and a potential therapy, for these brain disorders.
This newly released study will be published in a future issue of the journal, Fluids and Barriers of the CNS. It is available early at http://bit.ly/nmFQyC without fee.
GRAPESEED POLYPHENOLS
A new study found that grapeseed polyphenol, a natural antioxidant, suppresses the creation of a specific form of beta-amyloid peptide – a substance in the brain long known to cause the neurotoxicity associated with Alzheimer’s disease – and therefore confirms, according to the researchers, previous research suggesting that grapeseed polyphenol may be an effective treatment for people at risk for the disease to prevent its development or retard its progression.
The authors stress that for grape-derived polyphenols to be effective, it will be necessary to find a biomarker for those at risk, although it may also be beneficial for those in the early stages of the disease. The study is significant because it is the first to examine the effect of this substance on these destructive peptides, illustrating the mechanism behind the apparent protective benefit, and because it was conducted on living subjects, namely mice. However, research is now being conducted to confirm that the results hold true for humans. The full-text of this just-released study is not yet available but will be published in a future issue of the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.
Reduced Risk of Diabetes with Higher Vitamin D Levels
June 25, 2011 (San Diego, California) — Higher levels of vitamin D in the blood appear to be associated with a reduced risk for incident diabetes among people at high risk for the disease, according to a new report.
Anastassios G. Pittas, MD, from the division of endocrinology, diabetes, and metabolism at the Tufts New England Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts, and colleagues presented the findings here at the American Diabetes Association 71st Scientific Sessions.
According to Dr. Pittas, vitamin D might play a role in diabetes by improving insulin secretion and insulin sensitivity. “Most of the evidence focuses on a favorable effect in pancreatic beta cells,” he told Medscape Medical News.
To determine the relation between vitamin D status and risk for incident diabetes, the researchers analyzed data from the Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP), a 3-group trial comparing intensive lifestyle modification or metformin with placebo for the prevention of diabetes in patients with prediabetes.
The mean follow-up of the 2039-person cohort was 3.2 years. Plasma vitamin D levels were measured at yearly intervals, and subjects were assessed for incident diabetes. For this analysis, only participants in the intensive lifestyle and placebo groups of the DPP were considered.
Participants with vitamin D levels in the highest tertile (median concentration, 30.1 ng/mL) had a hazard ratio of 0.74 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.59 to 0.93) for developing diabetes, compared with those with vitamin D levels in the lowest tertile (median concentration, 12.8 ng/mL).
The findings also suggest a dose-dependent effect for vitamin D levels; the hazard ratio for incident diabetes was lowest (0.46; 95% CI, 0.23 to 0.90) in the people with the highest vitamin D levels (50 ng/mL or higher), compared with those with the lowest levels (below 12 ng/mL).
In a subgroup analysis by tertiles of vitamin D, the association was similar in the placebo group (0.72; 95% CI, 0.53 to 0.96) and the lifestyle group (0.80; 95% CI, 0.54 to 1.14).
According to Dr. Pittas, “this study offers several methodological advantages over previous studies.” Vitamin D status was assessed multiple times during follow-up, not just once at baseline, which might not reflect long-term vitamin D status.
“Our study also includes a large clinically relevant population at high risk for diabetes, with a substantial proportion of nonwhite participants, which improves the external validity of the results,” he said. However, he added, “this is an observational study and therefore confounding cannot be excluded. It would be premature to recommend vitamin D specifically for prevention of diabetes.”
“This prospective study confirms that there is an association between levels of vitamin D and risk of diabetes, even when correcting for body weight, with no absolute threshold of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D,” said independent commentator Clifford Rosen, MD, from the Jackson Laboratory in Bar Harbor, Maine. Dr. Rosen is a vitamin D researcher and member of the Institute of Medicine Committee that reviewed the evidence on calcium and vitamin D.
“The implications of this study relate to the importance of performing a randomized placebo-controlled trial of vitamin D for the prevention of type 2 diabetes in those at high risk,” he told Medscape Medical News. “In the interim, clinicians should at least focus on maintaining vitamin D levels in high-risk individuals at or around 20 ng/mL,” he added.
The study was not commercially funded. Dr. Pittas and Dr. Rosen have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
American Diabetes Association (ADA) 71st Scientific Sessions: Abstract 0117-OR. Presented June 25, 2011.
The Unexpected Amount of Vitamin D Required to Help COPD Rehabilitation
VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENTS BOOST COPD REHABILITATION BENEFIT
A study has found that, among chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients who participated in a three-month respiratory rehabilitation exercise program, those who simultaneously received large-dose vitamin D supplementation experienced a significant boost in exercise capacity and respiratory muscle strength, compared to those who received placebos. (COPD is a progressive lung disease that includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, and can involve chronic coughing or shortness of breath; it is exacerbated by a lack of exercise, which is common among sufferers, and rehabilitation programs aim to increase lung muscle strength and exercise capacity.)
Although the US recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 600 international units (IU) for those up to age 70, and 800 IU for those older, the researchers gave some COPD rehabilitation patients 100,000 IU daily. Within three months, those patients significantly surpassed the others in lung strength and exercise capacity.
Researchers suggested vitamin D supplements could boost the regular benefits of rehabilitation programs. Further study is needed to determine how vitamin D effects this benefit. This study was presented today, May 16, 2011 at the international conference of the American Thoracic Society in Denver. It is not yet available online.
Study: Why Vitamin D May Help Kids
The majority of obese adolescents are vitamin D deficient, which increases their risk of diabetes, hypertension, cancer, cardiovascular disease, according to new study published online ahead of print in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Researchers at Hasbro Children’s Hospital who conducted the study also said vitamin D status is significantly associated with muscle power/force, and a deficiency may interfere with the obese adolescent’s ability to increase physical activity. They called for increased surveillance of vitamin D levels in adolescents and further studies to determine if normalizing vitamin D levels will help to lower the health risks associated with obesity.
The researchers examined the prevalence of low vitamin D status among 68 obese adolescents and examined the impact of treatment of low vitamin D status in the patients. They found low vitamin D status was present in all of the girls (72% deficient & 28% insufficient) and in 91 percent of the boys (69% & 22% insufficient).
Of those with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency, 43 patients had a repeat measurement of vitamin D level after treatment. While there was a significant increase in vitamin D levels following treatment, serum vitamin D levels normalized in only 28% of the patients. Repeat multiple courses of vitamin D treatment in the patients who did not normalize their vitamin D levels after initial course, failed to normalize their low vitamin D status.
The researchers said the association between obesity and low vitamin D status also may be due to obese individuals having fewer outdoor activities than lean individuals and therefore, less sun exposure.
They also theorized obese adolescents don’t eat enough vitamin D-rich foods such oily fish, eggs and fortified dairy products and breakfast cereals.
Posted in these publications: News, Science & Research, Children, Vitamin D, Vitamins/Minerals, Healthy, Diet, Nutrition, Cancer, Heart Health, Cardiovascular, Diabetes, Egg, Fortification, Dairy, Breakfast Cereal, Bakery / Cereal, Cereal, Fish, Seafood, Obesity, Weight Management
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Patented Kids Potential provides 600IU of natural Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) – the most up-to-date and recently increased recommendation by the National Institutes of Medicine. Kids Potential is dispensed to thousands of US public school children daily as part of a comprehensive program called Eat, Exercise, Excel. Administrators report improved academic performance, behavior, fitness, less absenteeism and dramatic improvement in standardized testing by children participating in the Eat, Exercise, Excel program.
To learn more about how Kids Potential can help students succeed holistically, click here and view the documentary aired on PBS called “How to Turn Around a Failing School”, or the Fox News Broadcast.
Kids Potential is patented as a “nutritional supplement to enhance learning, academic and behavioral performance” (#7,771,756) – click here to learn more.
Best Time to Take Vitamin D
Did You Know…
Taking your vitamin D supplement with your largest meal of the day may boost its uptake by as much as 56%!
This finding was presented in a study published in the April 2010 issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
Adequate vitamin D levels are linked to a reduced risk of osteoporosis.
Vitamin D & Racial Differences in Blood Pressure
VITAMIN D LINKED TO RACIAL DIFFERENCES IN BLOOD PRESSURE
A study found that low vitamin D levels may strongly contribute to the racial disparity in the risk of hypertension (high blood pressure) among blacks and has added weight to previous evidence that low D levels promote hypertension generally.
The researchers compared systolic pressure readings (the upper number in a blood pressure reading) with blood levels of vitamin D among nearly 2,000 blacks and about 5,100 non-Hispanic whites, ages 20 and over. Among these subjects, 61%of blacks fell into the lowest 1/5th of vitamin D levels, compared to 11% of whites, which is consistent with evidence that darker skin limits vitamin D production from sunlight.
The study author said that lower vitamin D levels explained only one quarter of the racial disparity in hypertension and that further study is needed to tease out other pieces of the puzzle, which may include factors such as psychological stress. Prior research found that greater lactose intolerance reduces vitamin D-fortified milk consumption among blacks.
This just-released study will appear in a future issue of the Journal of General Internal Medicine. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/lnowzx.
Exciting New Improvements to Patented Kids Potential
This week we’re finishing production of our latest improvements to Kids Potential and we wanted you to be the first to know.
Awarded Patent
In addition to the enhancements listed below, Kids Potential has been awarded the very first patent ever for “a Nutritional Supplement to Enhance Learning Academic & Behavioral Performance” patent #7,771,756.
Improvements
We’re pleased to present these improvements (at no additional charge) to Kids Potential – for Learning & Academic Performance:
All Natural Sweeteners: We’ve replaced the trace amount of sucralose with high purity natural stevia leaf extract for a delicious natural sweetness that livens the natural berries in Kids Potential. The taste is better than ever!
Natural Vitamin K-2 for Healthy Bones: We included an additional important form of Vitamin K called Vitamin K-2 at the dose recommended by published clinical trials in children to support healthy bones. Latest research concludes that healthy bone density later in life begins in childhood. Between the Vitamin K-1 & Vitamin K-2 in Kids Potential, your child will receive 100% of the recommended daily value of Vitamin K in two forms.
Complies with the New RDA for Vitamin D-3: We’ve increased the Vitamin D-3 content from 400 IU to 600 IUs because the Institute of Medicine has just officially revised the RDA from 400 IU to 600 IU. This is a brand new recommendation, so we’re one of the very first to increase the Vitamin D content in a kids dietary supplement. We believe it is important to stay current with the scientific research which shows that we simply need more Vitamin D in our diet.
Additional Fruits & Berries: We’ve augmented our fruit blend to to include pomegranate, blackberry and Patagonian Maqui berry, as part of our comprehensive Polyphenol/Anthoflavone Complex which already includes: grape, citrus, decaffeinated green tea, blueberry, dark sweet cherry, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry, rose hips, wild bilberry, grape & red Concord grapeskin. We think the new Berry Blast flavor is the very best ever.
Comprehensive Pesticide Testing
Our all natural fruits and berries have been rigorously tested by a comprehensive USP pesticide/agricultural chemical panel at a US reference laboratory. Additionally, it has been tested for heavy metals and microbial contaminants to ensure that Kids Potential provides the cleanest, natural dietary supplementation for your child. To our knowledge, no other kids’ vitamin is as rigorously tested.
What We Don’t Give Your Child
This is our list of “Nos” – ingredients commonly found in mass market kids vitamins that you will never find in Kids Potential:
No Artificial Colors
No Artificial Sweeteners
No Preservatives
No Aspartame
No Acesulfame
No Fructose
No Saccharin
No Sucralose
No Sugar or Sucrose
No Dairy
No Egg
No Salt
No Wheat
No Gluten
No Yeast
No Starch
No Milk
No Lactose
No Corn
No Soy
No Carageenan
No Peanuts
No Tree Nuts
No Caffeine
No Herbal Stimulants
No Animal Products
We believe this is the best tasting Kids Potential ever and think your kids will agree.
Support your child’s academic learning and behavior for only $0.83/day. Click here to replenish your supply of Kids Potential.
Evidence that Vitamin D Deficiency Harms Lungs
VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY HARMS LUNG GROWTH & FUNCTION
A study has found the first, concrete, cause-and-effect evidence linking a deficiency of vitamin D with a deficit in lung function, as well as with altered lung structure itself. (Previous research had shown that a vitamin D deficiency may increase the severity of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, among people already afflicted; but the new study specifically shows that vitamin D deficiency causes diminished lung function and development among otherwise healthy subjects.)
The deficiency was introduced to both pregnant mouse mothers and to their offspring, in whom the lung function and structure later were found to be damaged. Among D-deficient mice, lung volume was found to be lower and airway resistance was determined to be greater. Physical activity did not differ between the study and control groups. However, it was not possible to determine whether impairment of lung function and altered lung structure stemmed from the mothers’ vitamin D deficiencies, or from the deficiencies in the newborn mice. Further study may help identify what population groups may be able to improve lung health by vitamin D supplementation. This study was released January 28, 2011 but will not be appear in print until a future issue of the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
Low Vitamin D in Pregnancy Affects Children’s Insulin Resistance
LOW VITAMIN D IN PREGNANCY AFFECTS CHILDREN’S INSULIN RESISTANCE
A study found that low blood levels of vitamin D during pregnancy may result in less muscle mass and higher insulin resistance in children. (An effect on musculoskeletal development had long been suspected but metabolic effect was not known.)
Researchers measured vitamin D status at the 28-32 week period of pregnancy. Later, they examined various blood, insulin and strength factors in the children born to these mothers at the ages of five and 9.5 years. At both ages measured, children born to mothers who had shown a distinct vitamin D deficiency had smaller arm-muscle area. Also, at 9.5 years of age, children of D-deficient mothers showed higher fasting insulin resistance. (In insulin-resistant individuals, the hormone insulin becomes less effective at lowering blood sugars and raises the risk of diabetes and early heart disease.)
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition released this study on January 12, 2011, although it will not be published until a future issue. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/eEYzbx.
Do Vitamin D Supplements Help Children?
Filed under: A Message from the Doctor, Caring for Your Children
Excellent article worth re-printing:
Bone density blow for vitamin D?
By Nathan Gray, 06-Oct-2010
Vitamin D supplements do not have any effect in boosting bone density for healthy children with normal vitamin D status, according to a new systematic review from the Cochrane collaboration.
The review, published in The Cochrane Library, concludes that supplementation with vitamin D does not improve bone density in the general population of children, but may have benefits for those with very low vitamin D status.
“Vitamin D supplementation had no statistically significant effects on bone density at any site in healthy children. There was, however, some indication that children who had low levels of vitamin D in their blood might benefit from supplementation,” said study leader Dr Tania Winzenberg, of the Menzies Research Institute, Tasmania.
Fragile bones
Osteoporosis is characterised by low bone mass and deterioration of bone tissues, leading to high bone fragility and an increased risk of fracture.
Low bone mineral density is a major risk factor for osteoporosis. Previous studies have suggested that up to 90 per cent of bone mass is built during childhood, and increasing bone mass in childhood is seen as a potential way to reduce the impact of osteoporosis
“It is estimated that a 10 per cent increase in peak bone mass reduces the risk of an osteoporotic fracture in adult life by 50 per cent,” stated the researchers.
Vitamin D is known to improve calcium deposition in bones, and previous research has suggested children with vitamin D deficiency have reduced bone density.
“By measuring bone density, you can assess how well an intervention such as vitamin D supplementation improves bone health,” said Dr Winzenberg.
The new Cochrane review assessed the results of six high quality trails looking at vitamin D supplementation and bone density in children, investigating
No effect
The authors reported vitamin D supplementation to have no statistically significant effects on, hip bone, forearm, or whole body bone mineral density. However, a small but statistically insignificant trend was found lumbar spine bone mineral density.
Researchers also found “a trend towards a larger effect with low vitamin D for total body bone mineral concentration”, indicating that low vitamin D status trails reported significant effects on total body bone density and lumbar spine bone density from vitamin D supplementation.
Dr Winzenberg outlined two key findings to take from the review. “First, there is reasonable evidence that giving vitamin D supplements to a general population does very little in terms of bone density.”
“But secondly, if we look at a specific group like deficient children, then the indications are that groups with lower status could see some benefits. But as it stands, the evidence is not good enough to make firm conclusions.”
Further work
Commenting independently on the review, Dr. Ailsa Welch, from the University of East Anglia said that the effects of vitamin D hinge on the baseline status: “If your status is already adequate, then the authors found no effect. But there needs to be more work done to determine the effects in low status children.”
Welch added that she believed the research was “very useful”, and said that the work “points to the need for further research in children.”
Andrew Shao, Ph.D, Senior Vice President of Scientific & Regulatory Affairs for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) highlighted that the authors “had very little data to work with, because there are very few studies in children.”
“Right from the start the researchers are restricted in terms of participants – there just aren’t enough studies in children to give a conclusive answer on the subject,” added Shao.
Shao also pointed out the “many other health benefits associated with vitamin D”, and stated that the findings of any study on vitamin D “should not overlook the fact that a lot of people – including children – have inadequate vitamin D status, or are fully deficient.”
Dr Winzenberg confirmed that the evidence is “pretty strong […]to suggest that research with deficient children is a promising area,” but added that “there is no suggestion that supplementing the entire population would be a good idea.”
Source: Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
Issue 10, Article Number: CD006944, doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006944.pub2.
“Vitamin D supplementation for improving bone mineral density in children”
Authors: T.M. Winzenberg, S. Powell, K.A. Shaw, G. Jones
How to Jump Start Your Diet
HIGHER CALCIUM AND VITAMIN D LEVELS INCREASE WEIGHT LOST THROUGH DIETING
A study has determined that the weight lost on identical weight-loss diets is greater among those with higher intakes of dairy calcium; and separately, among those with higher blood levels of vitamin D. Regardless of the specific diet, those with the highest calcium intake dropped an average of 12 pounds in two years. However, those with the lowest intake of dairy calcium lost only seven pounds on average in the same period. Aside from calcium, individuals who had the highest levels of vitamin D lost the most weight when dieting; and vitamin D levels increased as weight dropped. It did not matter whether the diet was low-fat, low-carb or Mediterranean.
This confirms previous research finding that obese people have lower levels of vitamin D.
Although the study assessed dairy calcium only, calcium is also available from supplements and other foods. Vitamin D increases calcium absorption and is found in supplements, fatty fish and eggs. It is also manufactured by the body from direct sun exposure. This study was published in the September 2010 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition and is now available online at http://bit.ly/aC1RNA.
The Link Between Vitamin D Levels & Schizophrenia
LOW LEVELS OF VITAMIN D LINKED TO DOUBLE THE RISK OF SCHIZOPHRENIA:
Babies with low levels of vitamin D have an increased risk – in fact, double the risk – of developing schizophrenia later in life. That’s the conclusion of a new study of 424 individuals that showed a link between vitamin D (25 hydroxyvitamin D3) sufficiency and healthy brain growth. (Vitamin D is produced by the effect of sunshine on the skin and, although linked to bone health, researchers have previously found that people with schizophrenia are more likely to be born in winter, when sunlight is rare.)
“Improving vitamin D levels in pregnant women and newborn babies could reduce the risk of later schizophrenia,” said one of the researchers.
It’s important to note that a link between schizophrenia was found with both insufficient and excess levels of vitamin D.
Further study is required to assess the actual best levels of vitamin D. The research team described this need for further study as “urgent”. This study was published September 7, 2010 in the Archives of General Psychiatry. The full text of the study is available online now at http://bit.ly/aIcjQp.
Vitamin D May Boost Heart Failure Survival
A study has found that heart failure patients with reduced levels of vitamin D have lower rates of survival than patients with normal vitamin D levels.
As a result, researchers suggest that a low intake of vitamin D may be a factor in the development, and outcome, of heart failure. Vitamin D is produced by the skin when it is exposed to the natural ultra violet-B, or UV-B, radiation from the sun. Most tissues and cells have a vitamin D receptor; and evidence suggests vitamin D reduces the risks of several chronic illnesses such as common cancers, autoimmune diseases, kidney diseases, chronic infectious diseases, high blood pressure – and apparently, heart failure.
The study team described the evidence of a protective effect from vitamin D as “compelling,” and recommended that heart failure patients should be advised to take vitamin D supplements and eat oily fish or eggs. The study was presented August 31, 2010 at the annual congress of the European Society Cardiology. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Omega 3, Vitamin D & Parkinsons
Two nutritional supplements appear to reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease. In one study, those with the highest vitamin D levels showed a 65 percent lower risk of the disease. Also, some research suggests that a regular intake of omega-3 fatty acids, the type of fat found in oily fish such as sardines and salmon, also may reduce the risk of Parkinson’s. However, there is still no known way to prevent Parkinson’s disease.
Vitamin D May Help Fight Colds & Flu
Vitamin D supplementation may increase the odds of surviving a winter without taking any days off sick.
In the small study 51 percent of those given 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily between October and March – when vitamin D levels drop and flu and cold infections rise – remained “healthy” compared to 36 percent of those given a placebo.
Results were not conclusive because both groups were equally likely to report flu-like symptoms during the period. (Previous studies showed a reduction in flu and cold infections but also produced conflicting results.) The study team called for larger studies to ascertain the benefit of vitamin D in warding off infections and to determine appropriate dosages. Experts often suggest people need more vitamin D than health officials recommend, which may require supplements for those not getting enough vitamin D from food sources, which include milk, cereal and some fatty fish such as salmon. This study will be published in the September 1, 2010 issue of the Journal of Infectious Diseases. It is available online now at http://bit.ly/b4ZEhE.
Do You Know How Much Vitamin D Your Body Needs?
Two thirds of the world’s population, including about half the people in North America and Western Europe, get an insufficient supply of vitamin D, according to vitamin D expert Anthony Norman, PhD.
His article appeared in the July, 2010 issue of Endocrine Today, a monthly newspaper about diabetes and endocrine disorders. Several studies have reported reduced risks of breast cancer, colon cancer and type 1 diabetes with adequate levels of vitamin D, the positive effect generally occurring within five years of beginning to get an adequate vitamin D intake, writes Norman.
It was Norman’s lab that discovered, in 1967, that vitamin D is converted by the body into a steroid hormone; and later discovered that 37 body organs respond to it biologically.
Vitamin D is found in very few foods naturally – fish, eggs and cod liver oil – which is why some other foods such as milk, orange juice, some yogurts and some breakfast foods are fortified with it.
Currently, the recommended daily intake of vitamin D is:
- 200 international units (IU) for people up to 50 years old;
- 400 IU for people 51 to 70 years old; and
- 600 IU for people over 70 years old.
But many scientists suggest that amounts as high as 2,000 to 4,000 IU are required for optimal health, levels which cannot be achieved through food alone; a combination of food, sunshine and supplements may be needed to achieve these levels.
Risk of Parkinson’s with Low Vitamin D
A study of 3,000 people found that those with the lowest blood levels of vitamin D appeared to be three times as likely to develop Parkinson’s disease later in life – up to 30 years later – compared to those with highest levels.
Parkinson’s affects several brain areas and causes tremors and slow movements. Vitamin D is called the sunshine vitamin because the skin can produce substantial amounts when in the presence of sunlight. It is also found in oily fish, milk, cereals and supplement pills.
For years, scientists have known that vitamin D assists calcium uptake and bone formation but recent evidence suggests it plays a role in regulating the immune system and developing the nervous system.
A level of 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood appears optimal for bone health. But the researchers suggested further research to determine the optimal blood level of vitamin D for brain and nerve health, as well as to determine the level of toxicity, neither of which is known. This study, which has been published in the July 2010 issue of the journal, Archives of Neurology, can be read online with journal subscription: http://bit.ly/bqfjsl
Vitamin D & Mental Agility
Cognitive performance is much improved among the elderly who are not deficient in vitamin D, and vitamin D deficiency may be common among shut-in seniors due to limited access to sunshine and other factors, according to a new study.
More than 1,000 study participants who were receiving home care were assessed for vitamin D status. Only 35 percent of participants had sufficient vitamin D levels and this group scored higher on cognitive performance tests than those who were deficient or insufficient in vitamin D. Pathways for vitamin D have been identified in the hippocampus and cerebellum areas of the brain; these are regions associated with planning, processing new information and forming new memories, suggesting vitamin D is important to the cognitive process and for independent senior living.
The study was released by the journal titled, Journals of Gerontology, Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, in a summary format. But it is available in full-text format at: http://bit.ly/d2FtYY.
Vitamin D Levels Low In Rheumatic Patients
Three separate studies paint a worrisome picture of vitamin D deficiencies among patients of rheumatic diseases. Rheumatic disorders are those of the joints and connective tissue and include rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and lupus, among others.
Two new studies found deficient vitamin D levels in these patients. But a third new study found deficiencies of vitamin D still remained in most patients even after supplementation for six months, with 800-1000 IU. This suggests that vitamin D is a common finding in rheumatic patients and that supplementation with 800-1000 IU is insufficient to normalize levels.
Would higher levels of supplementation work? The researchers report that the answer is not yet clear. All three studies were separately presented June 18 at EULAR 2010, the Annual Congress of the European League Against Rheumatism, in Rome. They have not been published yet.
Vitamin D Protects Against Viruses
A new study has found that vitamin D – long associated with good bone health – provides protection against viral respiratory tract infections, reducing their incidence and severity. One example of this type of infection would be influenza.
Researchers followed 198 healthy adults during the fall and winter of 2009 – 2010 and measured each individual’s ongoing blood levels of vitamin D in a seasonal period when these levels tend to fall due to the lack of sunlight. Levels were weighed against the incidence and symptoms of respiratory infections; those with the highest vitamin D levels experienced less illness and significantly reduced days of symptoms. Vitamin D is also known to support the body’s absorption of calcium to prevent osteoporosis, and has been linked to cardiovascular health.
This study was published June 15, 2010 by the open-access journal PLoS ONE and the full-text version is now available at: http://bit.ly/aXsUmY.
How to Choose Bottled Water
With all the bottled waters on the market today, it’s difficult to tell one type from another. Here are a few important definitions to help you make your choice:
- Usually, mineral water contains at least 500 parts per million dissolved mineral solids such as sodium, magnesium or calcium.
- Sparkling water is carbonated water in which the gases dissolved are “captured” in the water by capping the bottle before they can escape.
- Club soda is artificially carbonated tap water to which minerals have been added.
- Seltzer is artificially carbonated tap water that frequently is flavored or sweetened, making it high in calories.
Learn more about NutraMin Pure here: http://www.advantig.net/products/nutramin
How to Get the Most From Vitamin D
Your body may make better use of supplemental Vitamin D if you take it with your largest meal of the day, boosting its uptake over a 2-3 month period by as much as 56 percent, according to a study at the Cleveland Clinic, detailed in the April 2010 issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
TIP TO REMEMBER – Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin. Fat soluble vitamins should always be taken with the highest fat meal of the day.
Vitamin D is loosely linked with a decreased risk of autoimmune disorders.
Bone Health: Are Calcium & Vitamin D Enough?
“The WHI CaD” study is the largest randomized clinical trial conducted on calcium supplementation in post-menopausal women. It followed over 36,000 women for ~7 years. Half of the women took 1,000 mg of Calcium and 400 IU of Vitamin D; the other half took a placebo.
RESULTS: Women taking placebos had a hip fracture rate of 14/10,000. Women taking calcium and vitamin D had a hip fracture rate of 10/10,000. While the trend is favorable, the message of the study is that calcium and vitamin D are not enough, according to Dr. Joel Finkelstein, an osteoporosis researcher at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. “It is a good start, but women at higher risk need to know it is not enough.”
Dr. Joel Finkelstein:
“With widespread marketing calcium & vitamin D, many women believe that they are completely protected against the development of osteoporosis if they are taking these supplements. This study should help correct this important misconception and allow more women to receive optimal therapy for bone health.”
Finkelstein, JS. Calcium plus Vitamin D for post menopausal women – Bone Appetit? N Engl J Med 2006: 354; 750-752.
Suggestions for Optimal Bone Health
The Importance of Natural Vitamin K2 (MK-7)
Researchers investigated why women in the Eastern part of Japan had much lower incidence of hip fracture vs. women who lived in other parts of Japan. It came down to a Japanese traditional food consumed only in the region where women had very low incidence of hip fracture – a marker in medicine for bone density.
Natto.
Natto is a traditional Japanese fermented soybean dish commonly consumed in Eastern Japan. Natto is a fermented, soybean cheese-like dish that has a very strong amoniacal smell with a gluey texture and spiderweb-like strings when you stir it. So what does Natto have to do with bone density?
Vitamin K2, specifically, Menaquinone 7 (MK-7)
Researchers report Natto contains natural Vitamin K2, specifically Menaquinone 7 (MK-7) that is linked to stabilization of bone proteins, positively impacting bone density. Not only is Natural Vitamin K2 (specifically MK-7) important for healthy bones, scientists discovered that MK-7 supports cardiovascular health as well. The growing body of Vitamin K2 research indicates that it is a very promising nutrient for supporting healthy bone density.
For more information on nutrients that support bone density, click here to read about Osteo K-2.