Benefits of Vitamin D

Low vitamin D status associated with cognitive decline: Study

2010-12-23T21:44:00.000-08:00

Inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D is associated with higher levels of cognitive impairment; however it remains unclear if the link is causal, according to a new study.

The study, published in Neurology, suggests that a weekly intake of less than 35 micrograms of vitamin D is associated with a greater incidence of cognitive impairment. However the researchers noted that the association could be causal in either direction, stating it is possible that low vitamin D is a result of, rather than the cause of cognitive impairment.

“The main finding of this population based study …was that the weekly dietary intake of vitamin D was significantly associated with the global cognitive performance in both linear and logistic regression models, even while considering the effects of all potential confounders,” said the researchers, led by Dr Cédric Annweiler from Angers University Hospital, France.

D and cognitive decline

Cognitive performance declines naturally as we age, but it has been suggested that vitamin D status could impact on cognitive function among older adults.

It is suggested that vitamin D binds to neuronal receptors in the brain, and develops an anti-neurodegenerative action through, anti-inflammatory and antioxidative. Many people have therefore recommended that maintaining an adequate vitamin D status is essential to avoid vitamin D deficiency– induced cognitive decline.

Data from David Llewellyn and colleagues at the University of Exeter, England, indicated that insufficient levels of vitamin D may accelerate cognitive decline . The scientists analyzed vitamin D levels from blood samples of 858 adults and found that severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with a 60 percent increase in the risk of substantial cognitive decline.

Annweiler and colleagues said the benefits of vitamin D intake in treating or preventing cognitive impairment remain unknown, adding that, to date no randomized controlled trials have explored the benefits of vitamin D supplementation to treat or prevent cognitive impairment.

But, before conducting such a trial, they said it would be of benefit to determine whether dietary, non-supplemented, intake of vitamin D could be associated with cognitive performance in older adults.

“We had the opportunity to examine the association between dietary intakes of vitamin D and global cognitive performance in a large representative community survey of older women,” said the researchers.

Study details

A total of 5,596 women, not taking vitamin D supplements were divided into 2 groups according to their baseline weekly staus: either inadequate (less than 35 micrograms per week) or recommended (more than 35 micrograms per week).

Compared to women with recommended weekly vitamin D dietary intakes, women with inadequate intakes were reported to have lower scores on the SPMSQ mental state questionnaire.

The researchers observed that inadequate intakes were more often associated with cognitive impairment, as defined by an SPMSQ score of less than 8.

“We found an association between weekly vitamin D dietary intake and SPMSQ score. Inadequate weekly vitamin D dietary intakes were also associated with cognitive impairment,” wrote the researchers.

Causation

Exactly how low dietary intakes of vitamin D and decreased cognitive performance are associated remains unclear. Annweiler and co workers noted that it is yet to be clarified whether the of association is causal, and if so, in what direction the causation may be.

They stated that it remains a possibility that low vitamin D status may be a result of poor diet, due to cognitive decline. But, emphasized that vitamin D insufficiency has been suggested as a contributing factor to hypertension, which itself is a major risk factor in the development of cerebrovascular diseases and cognitive decline.

Annweiler and colleagues added that nutrients are not consumed in isolation, “but rather as components of an overall diet, which is precisely considered as a modifiable risk factor for cognitive decline.”

Moreover, they said that as a component of diet, low vitamin D intake may be a surrogate measure for other nutritional abnormalities, which in turn may lead to cognitive decline.

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U.S. panel expresses caution on Vitamin D

2010-12-17T21:29:00.000-08:00

Government scientists on Tuesday tripled the recommended intake of Vitamin D for most Americans. At the same time, the federal panel cautioned that most people already get enough - and should be skeptical of myriad reports that far higher amounts offer benefits for diseases ranging from cancer to diabetes.

The impact of the advice - coming after a decade of highly publicized research that has led to gradual changes in mainstream medical practice and dramatic increases in over-the-counter supplement sales - was unclear.

"Vitamin D has become a really hot topic," said Catharine Ross, a Penn State University nutrition professor, who chaired the panel. "We hope that the report will provide some reassurance to the American and Canadian public" - federal agencies in both countries were the sponsors - "that their Vitamin D status is not nearly as poor as they have been led to think . . . and is consistent with good bone health."

The conclusion that most people now get enough of the "sunshine vitamin" was perhaps the most controversial finding. Although there is no national standard for adequate levels of Vitamin D in the blood, hundreds of recent studies have found associations between low levels and the risk of various disorders.

Few of those studies were able to prove cause-and-effect, however, and the findings often conflicted. As a result, the panel set aside all claims of benefit for Vitamin D except for skeletal health, which has been known for more than a century. Most Americans, they said, get enough for their bones.

"Basically, what is going to happen here is nothing," said a disgusted-sounding Bruce W. Hollis, professor of pediatrics at the Medical University of South Carolina. Hollis, who gave expert testimony to the committee, has found significant benefits to infants whose breast-feeding mothers take 6,000 IU of Vitamin D daily - 10 times the new guideline.

Although the new recommendations of 600 IU per day for most children and adults are triple the old guideline, Hollis and other experts said that was too small to matter.

The panel also made recommendations for calcium, which works with Vitamin D to build bone. Most calcium guidelines stayed the same.

The most significant change from the past, scientists said, is in how the report defines the Vitamin D upper limit, the maximum amount that is likely to pose no risk of adverse effects to almost anyone. The limit previously was another hurdle for scientists who wanted to study supplementation in the higher amounts that they believed would make a difference.

This time, the committee not only set the limit higher, but also made clear that it was not intended to constrain research on subjects who were carefully monitored.

Michael F. Holick, a Boston University medical school professor, predicted that intense interest by the media and the public might influence makers of supplements and fortified foods to take their cues not from the new Recommended Dietary Allowance, but from the upper limit.

"I think they were, you know, being very, very conservative," said Holick, whose book, The Vitamin D Solution, describes benefits for heart disease, rheumatoid arthritis, depression, psoriasis, and several types of cancer.

"The good news is that they at least appreciated that everyone needs more Vitamin D."

Holick, who served on the panel that came up with the old recommendations, in 1997, said the committee was required to follow strict guidelines that would preclude consideration of many studies that he considers valid.

Indeed, the new report describes the difficulty of formulating the first scientifically based guidelines for a nutrient that occurs naturally in a few foods (mainly fatty fish), as a fortified element of many others (milk, orange juice, baby formula), as a common pill, and - in its most natural form - as a product of the skin triggered by sunlight.

It is largely the sunlight part that has caused widespread recent concern about deficiency, as people spend more time indoors or slathered with sunscreen, and as dark-skinned people move from latitudes with more sun to areas with less sun.

The report by the outside panel of the Institute of Medicine, part of the Academy of Sciences, does not need to be confirmed by any other body. On the other hand, for the findings to appear on labels and in federal policy, various agencies must translate its findings.

All of that is voluntary.

Ross, the panel chair, said she hoped the report would encourage doctors to "not just jump on the bandwagon" of Vitamin D deficiency.

Kara M. Nakisbendi, a gynecologist with an integrative medicine practice in Ardmore, said that the report might compel her to "not be as aggressive" in raising her patients' Vitamin D levels, but that she would still aim for essentially double what the report considered enough.

Wendy Warner, a holistic physician in Langhorne, said she, too, had seen enough research - and improvements in patients - that she intended to continue recommending amounts of Vitamin D far greater than the committee's guideline.

The panel spent considerable effort trying to determine levels of Vitamin D that would be safe over a lifetime and cautioned against taking supplements in amounts that it could not prove were OK.

Ross recalled past cases, such as hormone replacement therapy, that for years had shown promise and minimal harm, but were eventually found to be problematic.

Some nutrition researchers argue that such comparisons may be valid for pharmaceuticals, but not for nutrients, which are "essential to health," said Robert P. Heaney, a professor of medicine at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb.

He also suggested that the public had already made up its mind. Domestic sales were $425 million in 2009, 10 times those of 2001, the Nutrition Business Journal found.

And Wal-Mart, Heaney noted, recently introduced Vitamin D capsules with 5,000 IU apiece - nearly 10 times the new guideline for most Americans.

"Once Wal-Mart goes there," he said, "so goes the nation."

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New Guidelines for Vitamin D and Calcium

2010-12-10T21:18:00.000-08:00

If you've been confused about the flip-flopping reports on the benefits and risks of vitamin D recently, you're not alone. Health officials were just as baffled about the potential benefits that supplements of vitamin D and calcium could have, as well as how much of the nutrients would be sufficient to improve health.

That's why the Institute of Medicine (IOM), an advisory group established by Congress, was charged by the U.S. and Canadian governments to gather the existing evidence on the health benefits of vitamin D and calcium, and come up with revised guidelines to help the public and the medical community determine the recommend dietary allowance, or RDA, of each nutrient. And according to the committee's analysis, North Americans are not nearly as deficient in vitamin D as we have been led to believe.

The 14-member IOM committee, made up of nutrition and other experts, issued its report on Tuesday, advising that the average adult needs about 600 IU of vitamin D daily, and about 1,000 mg of calcium each day to maintain bone health. Those 71 years or older, however, may need more vitamin D, up to 800 IU a day, to combat deteriorating bone. Because of the lack of sufficient data to date, advice on vitamin D up to this point was not considered as a recommended dietary allowance, which is based on stronger scientific evidence, but rather an adequate intake suggestion, and stood at anywhere from 200 IU to 400 IU for adults. The new recommendations are based on data from more than 1,000 studies, most of which included trials in which volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either vitamin or calcium supplements or a placebo, after which their health outcomes were compared to one another.

In addition, the report states that contrary to previous claims, most Americans are not lacking in vitamin D, and that the majority of adults are in fact well-supplied with the bone-building vitamin. The discrepancy can be traced to the lack of standardization among labs that test for blood levels of the vitamin. Different facilities establish varying thresholds for what they consider to be sufficient levels of vitamin D and that can lead to a misleading perception that more people are deficient.

After studying data on which levels of vitamin D are linked to the most benefit for preventing fractures and maintaining bone health, the IOM committee determined that a blood level of 20 nanogm/mL was sufficient for the average adult. The mistaken belief that Americans are deficient in vitamin D has led some experts to suggest that adults spend more time in the sun, since UV exposure can trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin. But the committee cautions against that practice, since UV exposure can increase the risk of skin cancer and that risk outweighs the need to boost vitamin D production in the body.

The committee's advice also applies only to nutritional requirements to maintain skeletal health, and should not, says committee member Dr. JoAnn Manson, be interpreted to suggest benefit for any other health condition. In recent years, studies have suggested a link between vitamin D supplementation and a lower risk of heart disease, as well as prevention of cancer, Alzheimer's, diabetes and autoimmune conditions. But after a thorough review of the existing evidence for those diseases, the committee determined that the data on such supplementation and non-bone conditions was “inconsistent, inconclusive as to the cause and effect, and insufficient to inform nutritional requirements,” says Manson. Most of the data drawing these correlations did not come from rigorous clinical trials that randomly assigned subjects to a vitamin or placebo group.

That's not to say that vitamin D will not at some point prove effective in preventing or alleviating conditions other than bone-related fractures; Manson is currently recruiting for a multicenter study, the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial, or VITAL, that aims to do just that. VITAL will involve more than 20,000 healthy subjects who will be taking either vitamin D or a placebo and then followed over a number of years for their risk of developing cancer, stroke and heart disease.

VITAL will be the first such large-scale randomized study to analyze vitamin D supplementation in this scientifically validated way, so until those results are released, in another five years or so, the IOM committee declined to make any recommendations about vitamin D's role in anything other than promoting bone health.

The committee also established upper limits of intake per day, since some studies suggest that megadoses of the vitamin D may not provide any additional benefit, and may actually cause harm. Even when it comes to bone health, for example, a recent trial showed that high doses of vitamin D supplementation did not lower the rate of fractures and other studies showed high levels of D increased the risk of kidney stones and other renal conditions. “This perception that more is better and that everyone should jump on the bandwagon of high doses of vitamin D is of concern until we have evidence from randomized clinical trails that the benefits of such dosing outweighs the risks,” says Manson.

The advice is not likely to be the last word on vitamin D and calcium supplementation, and as new data emerges on the role that these nutrients may play in warding off disease, the guidelines may change. But in the meantime, the evidence is strong enough to support supplementing the diet with vitamin D in order to keep bones healthy. Having an RDA for vitamin D, say experts, should help to clear up some of the confusion over D.

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The vitamin D controversy

2010-12-08T21:39:00.000-08:00

The group said most people have adequate amounts of vitamin D in their blood supplied by their diets and natural sources like sunshine, the committee says in a report that is to be released on Tuesday.

“For most people, taking extra calcium and vitamin D supplements is not indicated,” said Dr. Clifford J. Rosen, a member of the panel and an osteoporosis expert at the Maine Medical Center Research Institute.

Dr. J. Christopher Gallagher, director of the bone metabolism unit at the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Neb., agreed, adding, “The onus is on the people who propose extra calcium and vitamin D to show it is safe before they push it on people.”

Over the past few years, the idea that nearly everyone needs extra calcium and vitamin D — especially vitamin D — has swept the nation.

With calcium, adolescent girls may be the only group that is getting too little, the panel found. Older women, on the other hand, may take too much, putting themselves at risk for kidney stones. And there is evidence that excess calcium can increase the risk of heart disease, the group wrote.

As for vitamin D, some prominent doctors have said that most people need supplements or they will be at increased risk for a wide variety of illnesses, including heart disease, cancer and autoimmune diseases.

And these days more and more people know their vitamin D levels because they are being tested for it as part of routine physical exams.

“The number of vitamin D tests has exploded,” said Dennis Black, a reviewer of the report who is a professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of California, San Francisco.

At the same time, vitamin D sales have soared, growing faster than those of any supplement, according to The Nutrition Business Journal. Sales rose 82 percent from 2008 to 2009, reaching $430 million. “Everyone was hoping vitamin D would be kind of a panacea,” Dr. Black said. The report, he added, might quell the craze.

“I think this will have an impact on a lot of primary care providers,” he said.

The 14-member expert committee was convened by the Institute of Medicine, an independent nonprofit scientific body, at the request of the United States and Canadian governments. It was asked to examine the available data — nearly 1,000 publications — to determine how much vitamin D and calcium people were getting, how much was needed for optimal health and how much was too much.

The two nutrients work together for bone health.

Bone health, though, is only one of the benefits that have been attributed to vitamin D, and there is not enough good evidence to support most other claims, the committee said.

Some labs have started reporting levels of less than 30 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood as a deficiency. With that as a standard, 80 percent of the population would be deemed deficient of vitamin D, Dr. Rosen said. Most people need to take supplements to reach levels above 30 nanograms per milliliter, he added.

But, the committee concluded, a level of 20 to 30 nanograms is all that is needed for bone health, and nearly everyone is in that range.

Vitamin D is being added to more and more foods, said Paul R. Thomas of the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health. Not only is it in orange juice and milk, but more is being added to breakfast cereals, and it now can be found in very high doses in supplement pills. Most vitamin D pills, he said, used to contain no more than 1,000 international units of it. Now it is easy to find pills, even in places like Wal-Mart, with 5,000 international units. The committee, though, said people need only 600 international units a day.

To assess the amounts of vitamin D and calcium people are getting, the panel looked at national data on diets. Most people, they concluded, get enough calcium from the foods they eat, about 1,000 milligrams a day for most adults (1,200 for women ages 51 to 70).

Vitamin D is more complicated, the group said. In general, most people are not getting enough vitamin D from their diets, but they have enough of the vitamin in their blood, probably because they are also making it naturally after being out in the sun and storing it in their bodies.

The American Society for Bone and Mineral Research and other groups applauded the report. It is “a very balanced set of recommendations,” said Dr. Sundeep Khosla, a Mayo Clinic endocrinologist and the society’s president.

But Andrew Shao, an executive vice president at the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a trade group, said the panel was being overly cautious, especially in its recommendations about vitamin D. He said there was no convincing evidence that people were being harmed by taking supplements, and he said higher levels of vitamin D, in particular, could be beneficial.

Such claims “are not supported by the available evidence,” the committee wrote. They were based on studies that observed populations and concluded that people with lower levels of the vitamin had more of various diseases. Such studies have been misleading and most scientists agree that they cannot determine cause and effect.

It is not clear how or why the claims for high vitamin D levels started, medical experts say. First there were two studies, which turned out to be incorrect, that said people needed 30 nanograms of vitamin D per milliliter of blood, the upper end of what the committee says is a normal range. They were followed by articles and claims and books saying much higher levels — 40 to 50 nanograms or even higher — were needed.

After reviewing the data, the committee concluded that the evidence for the benefits of high levels of vitamin D was “inconsistent and/or conflicting and did not demonstrate causality.”

Evidence also suggests that high levels of vitamin D can increase the risks for fractures and the overall death rate and can raise the risk for other diseases. While those studies are not conclusive, any risk looms large when there is no demonstrable benefit. Those hints of risk are “challenging the concept that ‘more is better,’ ” the committee wrote.

That is what surprised Dr. Black. “We thought that probably higher is better,” he said.

He has changed his mind, and expects others will too: “I think this report will make people more cautious.” (NY Times)

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Vitamin D Deficiency More Prevalent In Winter.... Experts Say Get Tested.

2010-12-03T20:57:00.000-08:00

Vitamin D is much more than a vitamin; technically it’s a hormone. Vitamin D is manufactured through exposure to direct sunlight. Once it is metabolized and absorbed, it has profound benefits in nearly every aspect of immunity.

Vitamin D deficiency increases risk for acute sickness as well as susceptibility to chronic diseases, including cancer.

It’s no coincidence that the number of coughs and colds increase in the winter when sunlight is at seasonal low in most climates. The American Journal of Public Health sites over 60 studies that implicate a protective relationship that vitamin D has over cancer. The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that children with low vitamin D levels were 11 times more susceptible to respiratory infections.

The best way to know if you are vitamin D deficient is through a simple blood test. Seek a qualified practitioner who can order a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25 (OH) D] test. The baseline minimum should be 30 ng/mL, although evidence is mounting to establish higher levels for optimal health and cancer prevention. The Vitamin D Council recommends enough sunlight, supplementation and/or artificial light to maintain levels between 80-100 ng/mL year round. Supplementation to increase levels of vitamin D can also be surprisingly inexpensive, especially when one looks at the cost of sick care.

Older adults require higher amounts of vitamin D due to an inability to absorb it efficiently. Research has shown that blacks may require as much as two times the sun exposure to accumulate the same amounts of vitamin D.

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition performed a study on vitamin D supplementation that showed a decreased incidence of cancer by over 75% compared to those in the placebo group who were given a sugar pill. The best food sources of vitamin D are fatty fish, eggs, meat and mushrooms. Although most people think of vitamin D for osteoporosis prevention it also assists in reducing inflammation and improving neuromuscular function. The Vitamin D Council recommends 2000 IU per day in the summer and 5000 IU in the winter. The Canadian Cancer Society has now officially recommended vitamin D supplements to help reduce risk of cancer.

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The benefits of breastfeeding

2010-08-17T07:57:00.000-07:00

Numerous major health organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Dietetic Association, strongly support breastfeeding. Their position statements urge women when possible, to exclusively breast feed their babies for the first six month of life and to continue breastfeeding with complimentary foods from six months to at least 12 months of age.

The belief is that this pattern provides optimal nutrition and health protection for the baby. It can be especially important for pre-term and low birth weight babies.

When the recommendations state "exclusively," they mean attempting breast feeding shortly after birth and not giving the infant supplemental bottles of formula, water, other liquids, or pacifiers. Doing so appears to lower the success rate of initiation and continuation of breastfeeding, and reduces the nutrition the baby receives.

Not only does breast milk contain a perfect balance of nutrients, but these nutrients are in a form that infants can better digest and absorb. This potentially means a reduced risk of digestive problems and optimal nutrient uptake. The amounts of the various nutrients are also at a level appropriate for the infant's immature kidneys and in the right proportions for growth and development needs.

Breast milk also has the unique advantage of changing composition over time. As the baby's nutritional needs change, the breast milk changes to meet those needs. The first milk (colostrum) is perfect for newborns, while the mature milk later on is appropriate for older babies. Breast milk is also bacterially safe, as well as cost and time effective.

The only additional nutrients a young infant may need are vitamin D and possibly fluoride. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends intake of 400 IU vitamin D daily from birth to at least 18 years of age for all infants — breast or formula fed (formulas may cover some of the need but probably not the full amount).

Breast milk contains numerous substances that assist with immunity. When it comes to health, research shows that breast-fed infants tend to have fewer infections and illnesses, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and visits to a health-care provider. Examples are ear and respiratory tract infections, including pneumonia.

Breast feeding is also associated with reduced risk of infant deaths in general, childhood leukemia, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For premature infants, breastfeeding reduces the incidence of the potentially fatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC).

For baby, long term, breast feeding is associated with a lower lifetime risk of chronic diseases, such as type 1 and 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Breast fed babies also tend to have healthier body weights and are less likely to become overweight or obese as adolescents and adults.

Breast feeding may also lower the chance of food allergies and intolerances. Some studies even show a relationship to higher intelligence test scores. Orally, breast feeding helps promote proper teeth and jaw development. Some studies suggest it can even act as a mild analgesic or pain reliever. Emotionally, the act of breast feeding assists with bonding between the mother and her infant.

In addition to knowing that she is providing the best nourishment for her child, mom can also benefit from breast feeding. To start, her recovery from delivery is quicker than if she does not breast feed. Because it delays menstruation, it can also help mom to recover her iron stores from losses at delivery.

The longer women breast feed, the lower their lifetime risk of getting breast and ovarian cancers, type 2 diabetes (except for those who have had gestational diabetes) and rheumatoid arthritis. This is especially significant with breastfeeding more than 12 months all children combined. Breast feeding can also lower blood pressure in women before, during and after breastfeeding sessions.

Moms may also benefit emotionally. Studies have shown that breast feeding women tend to have a lesser chance of experiencing postpartum depression.

While breastfeeding, a woman's need for protein is 25 gm/day above pre-pregnant needs (similar to needs during pregnancy). Calcium needs are slightly higher as well (1200-1500 mg/day) with adequate vitamin D. She should also increase her fluid intake to cover milk production. For weight maintenance, her calorie needs are similar to those during pregnancy. For postpartum weight loss, a slightly lower calorie intake does not appear to negatively affect milk production, but a more restrictive diet is not recommended.

Women who take prescription or over-the-counter medications or herbal supplements should check with their pharmacist and/or health-care provider to evaluate the safety of what they are taking with regard to breastfeeding. They should also reduce their exposure to chemical contaminants, including those found in foods (such as methyl mercury, which can be high in some fish).

If a woman anticipates pregnancy followed by breastfeeding, achieving a healthy body weight before pregnancy appears to improve breastfeeding success, as obesity triggers factors that may negatively affect milk production.

For a number of reasons, new moms may not be able to achieve the recommended goal of breastfeeding for at least a year. Although this longer duration of breastfeeding is optimal, be assured that any amount of time spent breastfeeding provides benefits. The good news is that there are many resources available to help — medical professionals, lactation specialists, registered dietitians, and breastfeeding support groups.

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Learn why vitamin D is the "SUNSHINE VITAMIN"

2010-08-14T21:45:00.000-07:00

Is 10 minutes a day exposure to the sun with no sunscreen a bad thing or a good thing?

The jury is still out among a lot of health professionals, but one thing is certain: there are many people in our country that are deficient in vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble supplement needed to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Over the last few years, vitamin D deficiency has been blamed for a number of conditions including depression, chronic pain, kidney disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, colon and breast cancer, and cardiovascular disease.

Much research has been done and much more will be done on the vitamin D debate. Many health professional are very excited about the health benefits of vitamin D and highly recommend it to their patients.

According to an article by Brian Alexander in the American Council on Exercise’s (ACE) Fitness Matters magazine, here are some things we know about vitamin D:

Vitamin D was discovered 87 years ago by a team of scientists at John Hopkins University who cured mice with rickets by feeding them cod liver oil. Oily fish like sardines remain one the few natural food sources of vitamin D.

It was later found that certain wavelengths of ultraviolet light prompts our bodies to synthesize vitamin D, eventually making a hormone called calcitriol.

Once this was understood vitamin D was produced synthetically, and foods, mainly milk, were fortified with it.

If you are Caucasian and expose 40 percent of your skin to midday summer sun in most of the United States, you will receive a dose of roughly 1,000 IUs per minute. An international unit (IU) is an internationally accepted amount of a substance. This type of measure is used for the fat-soluble vitamins (such as vitamins A, D and E) and certain hormones, enzymes and biologicals (such as vaccines).

As we age, we gradually lose our ability to absorb vitamin D.

The darker your skin, the less vitamin D you will receive from the sun.

Where you live can affect your vitamin D levels. Those living north of Atlanta, Ga., do not get enough ultraviolet rays in the winter for their bodies to produce the vitamin D that they need. Therefore, it is important to get your level tested by you physician and let him suggest alternatives.

In the same ACE article, Boston University physician and vitamin D researcher Dr. Michael Holick said, "When I first heard the claims about vitamin D, I thought it was kind of crazy."

But Holick has become convinced of vitamin D’s effectiveness. "Heart, colon, prostrate, brain, all those cells have receptors for vitamin D, we also know it stimulates serotonin production [important in depression], and it is important in muscle function."

Other studies have been inconclusive on the positive health benefits of vitamin D. So the arguments on both sides of the debate continue.

All sides do agree on one thing: more research is needed.

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Consumers Reassured Regarding Benefits of Calcium Supplements

2010-08-09T18:23:00.000-07:00

The New Zealand Self Medication Industry (NZSMI), the industry body representing non-prescription consumer healthcare products, said today that the benefits of calcium supplements in strengthening bones outweigh any known risks.

Tim Roper, executive director of the NZSMI, says consumers should maintain their current calcium supplements or consult their doctor if they have any concerns.

Mr Roper welcomed Medsafe's statement at the weekend that there is insufficient proof that there is a link between calcium and heart disease as suggested by a recent study highlighted in the media recently.

"The study, which concluded that calcium supplements modestly increased the risk of heart attacks, was not designed to measure a link between calcium and heart disease. It was limited in its scope and only dealt with people over 70. It's not surprising that people in this age group are more at risk of heart attacks.

"Most people in New Zealand who are taking calcium supplements are younger than the age group investigated. They are usually women under the age of 50 who are pregnant, breastfeeding or menopausal, taking calcium to strengthen bones and maintain bone density."

Mr Roper says media reports on the study also failed to mention that the study group of 70 year-olds were taking calcium supplements without the recommended addition of Vitamin D which aids absorption of calcium into the bones.

He adds that the researchers involved in this study also admit it has "some limitations...and the results may not apply to co-administered calcium and Vitamin D supplements."

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Calcium Supplements Lead to Heart Attack

2010-08-06T21:12:00.000-07:00

Thirty percent is the susceptibility to heart attack of people taking calcium supplements.

Dr. Ian Reid of the Department of Medicine at the University of Auckland was the head of the study. Higher blood serum levels lead to hardening of the arteries of the heart. These findings are consistent even after considering gender, age and the type of supplements taken.

The study excluded patients who were taking both calcium and Vitamin D supplements. Vitamin D helps in calcium absorption.

Calcium is not only for bone health but it regulates muscle contraction, which includes heartbeat and normal blood clotting.

Dr. Ian Reid suggests taking in calcium the natural way; through food: milk, yogurt (low-fat, nonfat), cheeses, pudding, soy milk and orange juice fortified with calcium, canned salmon and sardines both with bones, tofu processed with calcium and leafy vegetables.

“Given the modest benefits of calcium supplements, a reassessment of the role of calcium supplements is warranted” the scientists behind the study wrote in the British Medical Journal.

Experts however added, “Anyone who has been advised by their doctor to take calcium supplements shouldn’t stop because of this research alone.”

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Study: Supplement Vitamin D For More Muscle, Less Fat

2010-06-14T02:25:00.000-07:00

Vitamin D has seen a lot of popularity lately thanks to discoveries about its mood-boosting abilities. The so-called “sunshine vitamin” (the term refers to the fact that it can be absorbed via sunlight) is now being sold not only on its own but as a part of many other foods and beverages. Milk fortified with Vitamin D, for example, is a big seller. The vitamin is considered to be particularly important for those in areas such as the north east, where the sun doesn’t shine as readily as it does other areas.

But don’t think that just because you live in a warm, sunny climate that you don’t need to worry about Vitamin D. In addition to possibly contributing to your happiness, studies have indicated that Vitamin D can enhance your immune system and protect against disease. In addition, Vitamin D aids in the utilization of calcium, which helps maintain healthy bones. Research has shown that Vitamin D helps keep levels of calcium in the bloodstream at ideal levels. This benefits the function of the nervous system in addition to benefiting bone growth and maintenance (1).

And if you’re still not swayed, perhaps the latest Vitamin D discovery will convince you of the need for this vitamin. Fitness enthusiasts, or anyone generally interested in their physical fitness and appearance, will be interested to see the results of a study from the journal Nutritional Research.

In the study, researchers separated rats into two groups: one fed excessive amounts of calories thanks to a significant amount of added oil for fat content, and the other group fed a high-calorie diet driven by sugar. Each of these groups was split in half, with one half receiving a “sub-optimal” dose of Vitamin D and the other receiving 10,000 IE of Vitamin D, and a slightly higher amount of calcium than what the other half received.

The researchers were surprised to find that despite the overfeeding, the rats receiving the large dose of Vitamin D and calcium actually got thinner and more muscular. According to analysis, the rats receiving the high Vitamin D and calcium doses manufactured more of a protein that helps muscles burn fat for energy. The researchers believe that this change, as well as an increase in insulin receptors prompted by the supplements, led to the improvements in body composition (2). Obviously, this information is valuable for those dieting and those looking to gain lean muscle mass – who couldn’t use extra muscle and less fat? All it takes, according to this research, is a lot more Vitamin D and some calcium – which makes Vitamin D-fortified milk look like an ideal addition to one’s diet, as it would deliver both nutrients plus protein.

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More Possible Vitamin D Benefits

2010-04-21T07:34:00.000-07:00

Vitamin D has been making its way into the news more frequently these days. This attention has been slow in coming but researchers seem interested in making up for lost time.

Vitamin D has long been acknowledged for its role of assisting the body in the absorption of calcium. It is essential for strong, healthy bones. But wait, there's more.

While research is in its early stages, some interesting data has been emerging. Recent studies indicate that there may be a correlation between low levels of Vitamin D and mental deterioration.

And it is possible that a correlation exists between low Vitamin D levels and the danger of loss of balance or falls, for older people.

"But vitamin D also seems to have anti-inflammatory effects that may help keep blood vessels healthy, ensuring nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood flow to brain cells, says Amie Peterson, MD, of Oregon Health & Science University in Portland."

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Cod Liver Oil: A Fabulous Source of Omega 3

2010-03-05T07:21:00.000-08:00

Cod liver oil is not only a fabulous source of omega 3 fatty acids, important for brain purpose and cardiovascular health, but also a good source of vitamin D and A, especially important in the winter months in parts of the world where there is little sun, and vitamin D deficiency is common. If your shadow is longer than you are when you are in the sun, your body can't make vitamin D. Because there are not many foods that contain much vitamin D, and people have been frightened away from precisely those foods like lard, liver, eggs etc. due to the erroneous belief that cholesterol and saturated fat are unhealthy, cod liver oil would seem to be an excellent choice in the winter, especially since synthetic vitamin D supplements are less reliable than a food for obtaining health benefits. It should also be noted that the Inuit live in darkness for many months of the year - no sun available at all - and they traditionally relied on food sources for their vitamin D - seal blubber and lots of fatty fish. They did not emerge to have any signs of vitamin D deficiency. I would picture that because we are all biochemically different, we would all require different amounts of vitamin D and A to be healthy. There is definitely some indication of that concept based on this study of calcium absorption in Inuit children.

Based from the researches made by www.finlandiapharmacyonline.com, Cod Liver Oil store carries a broad selection of products of name-brand manufacturers; you will find here an extensive selection of Cod Liver Oil at best competitive price. Allnutri's marketplace offers a fine comparison of price, product reviews and updated offers from top rated online health stores.

Cod liver oil is one of the most effective providers of omega-3 fatty acids, and an excellent source of vitamin A and vitamin D. Cod liver oil supplements are a necessity for women and their male partners, to be taken for several months before conception, and for women during pregnancy. One hundred grams of regular cod liver oil provides 100,000 IU of vitamin A, almost three times more than beef liver.

The Benefits of Code Liver Oil

1. Helps fight and avoid widespread diseases like heart disease, cancer, diabetes, Alzheimer's and many others.
2. Known to increase energy levels and concentration
3. Increase resistance against flu and cold
4. reduces risk of depression by as much as 30%
5. Improves cardiovascular health.
6. Research studies made from 1918 to 2001 rated cod liver oil an A+.
7. Contain high amount of vitamin A, D and omega 3 fats.

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This 2010, we are giving overwhelming treats to our valued customers by offering GREAT DISCOUNTS on Best-Selling items plus, FREE SHIPPING for orders over $99.00 for the month of February. Experience and share increased presence, mindfulness and open-heartedness with your loved ones. Don’t let expensive medications and shipping costs hinder you from getting what you want and extending generosity.

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Sunshine and Vitamin D: A Catch 22

2010-03-03T07:18:00.000-08:00

I don't want to rub it in for those of you living in more northern locales, but I'm sitting on my back porch today enjoying a 72 degree, perfectly sunny day in mid-February. (This is one of the many reasons why I love living in Austin, TX!) But even in Austin, we've had a pretty rainy and cold winter as far as winters go. For those of you living in Minnesota, no laughing please. And that means there has not been a whole lot of sunshine, which I usually take for granted.

In medical school (almost 20 years ago now - wow, time flies), I learned that sunshine is a key catalyst for humans to convert a chemical in our bodies to vitamin D. And, vitamin D is essential for our body to absorb and utilize calcium and phosphorous - thus, it's critical for healthy bones. Only recently has research pointed to even greater health benefits, like protection from certain types of cancers, autoimmune diseases, and high blood pressure.

The sun, not our diet, used to be the easiest way to obtain vitamin D. That is, until sunblock was developed to protect us from dangerous UV rays and skin cancer - hence the Catch 22. You have to choose the lesser of two evils...skin cancer or vitamin D deficiency.

You may not realize this, but very few foods contain vitamin D naturally. Milk is actually fortified with vitamin D - it's not in there when it comes from the cow. And even then, almost no one drinks enough milk to reach her daily vitamin D requirements. (More on this below). Cod liver oil is a good source of Vitamin D, but not too many people (adults or kids) guzzle this stuff.

Well, I also graduated from medical school thinking I'd never have a vitamin D deficiency living in a sunny place like Texas - especially since I'll sit outside and enjoy the sunshine for 15 minutes everyday without sunblock on (don't tell my dermatologist). Wrong.

Since vitamin D deficiency and vitamin D's health benefits have been such a hot topic of late, I asked my family doctor to test my vitamin D level at my annual physical recently.

At first, she laughed and said, "You're going to be deficient. Everyone is."

I replied, "Humor me. If I see how bad my numbers are, I'll be more inspired to take that vitamin supplement you're going to prescribe."

Well, the joke was on me. My vitamin D level was so low, it didn't even register! I am being a good patient and taking my vitamin D replacement pills now and will be taking a supplement going forward. I'm also going to encourage my own patients (even more than I already have) to take vitamin D supplements after this little experiment.

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, babies under one year of age who are breastfed or who drink less than 32 oz a day of formula need 400 IU of a vitamin D supplement once a day. Infant vitamin supplements like Tri-Vi-Sol or D-Vi-Sol both have 400 IU per dropperful. And, after your child's first birthday, he also needs 400 IU of vitamin D a day. There's 100 IU of vitamin D per 8 oz of cow's milk (whole or 2%). So, if your child drinks the recommended 16 oz a day from age 1-3, he still lacks 200 IU of vitamin D a day. And once your child turns 3, if he isn't drinking at least a quart (32 oz) of skim or non-fat milk a day, he also needs a vitamin D supplement.

And, since many adults are also vitamin D deficient, you might want to consider picking up 1000 IU vitamin D supplements for yourself. And, take a moment to enjoy the sunshine if you've got any where you are!

- Ari Brown, MD, FAAP

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10 superfoods to eat in 2010

2010-02-28T07:10:00.000-08:00

The term “superfoods” gets thrown around a lot, especially this time of year. Unfortunately, it’s often attached to nutrient-rich foods that are expensive, obscure or, um, something of an acquired taste.

So our list of superfoods for 2010, developed from conversations with dietitians, kinesiologists and holistic-health experts, is more practical. Our suggestions pack a big nutrient bang per calorie and deliver health benefits you need — but you probably already like and eat many of them, like romaine lettuce, walnuts, even seaweed. (Who knew it’s not just the fish that’s good for you in sushi?)

Resolve to eat these 10 foods, and be a healthier you in 2010.

1. BLUEBERRIES

Why you should eat more: Blueberries are packed with antioxidants, which help protect the body from disease; they’re high in potassium, vitamin C and fiber, all for about 80 calories a cup. Recent studies have suggested they may help protect against heart disease, cancer (especially colon and ovarian) and age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s. In general, the darker the berry, the more health benefits, so load up on blackberries and elderberries, too.

How to up your intake: Fresh berries can be expensive and anemic-tasting in the winter, but frozen will work just fine, especially in a smoothie or stirred into yogurt. Processing, however, strips them of many nutrients, so that blueberry muffin doesn’t count.

2. QUINOA

What it is: It looks and cooks like a grain, but it’s really the seed from a leafy plant closely related to spinach.

Why you should eat more: Quinoa is a better source of complete protein than the foods it can stand in for, like rice. It provides more iron than most grains, and high levels of potassium and B vitamins. It’s also gluten-free and easily digestible, even for those with wheat allergies.

How to up your intake: Easy to prepare; it cooks in about 15 minutes. Boost the flavour by toasting in a skillet for five minutes before cooking one part quinoa to two parts liquid. Serve as a hot cereal topped with honey and yogurt; use as a substitute for rice pilaf or pasta.

3. SEAWEED

What it is: Most seaweed eaten in this country is nori, best known as those dried, dark-green sheets used in sushi rolls.

Why you should eat more: Seaweed is rich in iodine, which many Americans don’t get enough of. Iodine affects the thyroid, which helps regulate metabolism, nerve and muscle function, and it may boost resting metabolism. Some studies suggest it may even help prevent breast cancer.

How to up your intake: Sushi rolls, of course. At Japanese restaurants, also try it tossed in a soy/sesame/rice-wine vinegar dressing as a salad, or floating in miso soup. Or choose rice crackers flecked or wrapped with seaweed, available at Asian grocers.

4. WALNUTS

Why you should eat more: Unlike other nuts, walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, the kind associated with fish like salmon and sardines. These fatty acids have been shown to reduce the risks of heart disease and stroke, prevent blood clots, protect against irregular heartbeat, decrease blood pressure and enhance the immune system.

How to up your intake: Walnuts are extremely high in calories, so use moderation; sprinkle on a salad (see recipe) or toss into a trail mix with dried fruit and air-popped popcorn.

5. KEFIR

What it is: A fermented dairy product drink, it’s kind of a cross between buttermilk and yogurt. Once available only in health-food stores, it’s in many mainstream grocers, often near the soy milk.

Why you should drink more: As a dairy product, it’s high in vitamin D, essential for bone growth and development. Recent studies also suggest vitamin D may help the immune system and protect against tuberculosis, multiple sclerosis, hypertension and some forms of cancer. Also, while most yogurts contain one to three types of probiotics, which aid in digestion, kefir has 10; it also contains prebiotics, which help probiotics work better. Finally, because it’s fermented, it’s easier to digest by people who are lactose-intolerant.

How to up your intake: Use it to top oatmeal; substitute for yogurt or sour cream in recipes; eat it straight, either fruit-flavored varieties or sweetened with honey, berries and granola in a parfait.

6. APPLES

Why you should eat more: They’re not flashy, but the often-overlooked apple is high in fiber (4-5 grams per apple) and lower in sugar content on the glycemic index than fruits such as bananas or grapes, so they’ll hang around in your stomach a while longer, making you feel full longer. Chewing one can even clean your teeth. Plus, they’re so practical, you have no excuse not to substitute one for that candy bar. They’re relatively cheap, widely available and highly portable — they don’t have to be refrigerated, sliced, cooked or even peeled, and they’re sturdy enough to roll around in your gym bag all day without getting mushy.

7. CHILES

What it is: Any hot variety will do, including jalapenos, poblanos, serranos, Scotch bonnets, cayenne or habaneros.

Why you should eat more: The capsaicin in chiles, which makes them hot, also is believed to have a thermogenic effect — some studies have suggested eating them can increase your metabolism rate and help burn calories. A bonus: Chiles add a ton of flavor for little caloric cost. And because of the heat, you can’t gulp down your food; you have to enjoy it slowly, which gives your stomach time to recognize it is full.

8. LENTILS

What it is: Part of the legume family, they come in a variety of colors — white, yellow, green, red, brown — which all pack roughly the same nutritional punch.

Why you should eat more: A good, inexpensive source of protein popular in world cuisines, especially Middle Eastern and Indian, lentils also provide high levels of folic acid. This nutrient, chronically under-consumed by Americans, helps prevent anemia, may help relieve menopausal hot flashes and is an important nutrient for women who are pregnant, as it’s crucial for fetal development.

9. EGGS (organic, please)

Why you should eat more: Eggs have had a hard time shaking that bad reputation they got in the ‘80s, when cholesterol was a buzzkill. More recent research, however, has shown the complete protein and other nutrients in eggs far outweigh any risks for most people. Eggs are also considered an anti-inflammatory food, meaning they can help reduce bodily inflammation thought to lead to chronic disease including stroke, heart disease and diabetes. They also are a great source of choline, which helps brain functioning, including memory, intelligence and mood, and may help prevent heart disease.

10. ROMAINE LETTUCE

Why you should eat more: All greens are good for you, and the darker the better. They’re natural antioxidants and provide a plethora of vitamins and minerals, especially vitamins A, K, C and foliate. But unlike other greens like kale or collards, romaine needs no cooking or special preparation, is palatable to almost everyone and is available virtually everywhere — Caesar salad, anyone?

4 cups romaine lettuce, torn into bite-size pieces

6 cherry or yellow grape tomatoes (sliced in half)

4 toasted walnut halves

1 tablespoon golden seedless raisins

1 / 4 red onion, sliced thinly

2 tablespoons goat or sheep feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 avocado (cut in small cubes)

1/2 small, tart apple (Granny Smiths work great), sliced thinly or cubed

For dressing:

1/2 teaspoon honey

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar

1 teaspoon orange juice, freshly squeezed

1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil

1. Place salad ingredients into a bowl and toss.

2. Mix dressing ingredients and pour over salad. Serve immediately.

Adapted from www.netnutritionist.com, Gay Riley’s Web site

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The Pill May Decrease Bone Density

2010-01-18T09:08:00.000-08:00

Recent Study shows that Oral contraception may decrease bone density in young women.

Those taking birth control pills for more than two years, and those on the low-dose estrogen pills appear to have the greatest risk of decreased bone density in the spine and whole body, according to the researchers.

"I think the evidence is still emerging on this association, but our findings suggest that low-dose oral contraceptives with long-term use have some impact on bone density," said study author Delia Scholes, a senior investigator at the Group Health Research Institute of Group Health Cooperative in Seattle.

The findings were published in the January issue of Contraception.

What isn't entirely clear from this study of women under 30, explained Scholes, is what the long-term impact might be. Researchers don't know if the lower bone density findings are easily reversible just by stopping the use of oral contraceptives. They also weren't able to study if the lower bone density in these young women would translate to a higher fracture risk later in life.

But, "if oral contraceptives are indeed causing the approximately 5 percent lower spine bone density for oral contraceptive users versus non-users that we observed in our study, and if that impact is not reversed with oral contraceptive discontinuation or with other factors that may occur across the life span, a 5 percent lower bone density after menopause is associated with approximately 50 percent more osteoporotic fractures," said Scholes.

Almost 12 million American women are currently using oral contraception, according to background information in the study. And, the use of oral contraception is highest in women under 30, reports the study. That's important because the 20s are generally a time of peak bone mass production.

However, little is known about the effects of oral contraception on bone density. Previous studies have had conflicting results, with some showing no effect or a benefit on bone density while others suggest that oral contraceptives may inhibit bone mass accrual.

The current study was comprised of 606 woman between the ages of 14 and 30. The researchers reviewed oral contraceptive use, the duration of use and the estrogen dose in the contraception, and compared this to bone mineral density tests. The bone density test measured bone density in the hip, spine and whole body.

When the researchers compared oral contraceptive users to non-users they found that women taking oral contraception had average bone mineral density levels that were 5.9 percent less for the spine and 2.3 percent lower for the whole body. There was a trend for lower bone density in the hip as well, though this trend didn't reach statistical significance.

The researchers also noted a trend toward lower bone density in women taking oral contraceptives containing lower doses of estrogen, with the lowest readings in women taking formulations containing less than 30 micrograms of estrogen.

The researchers found no effects in the 14- to 18-year-old age group. However, Schole said it's important to note that contraceptive use was less in this age group than for the women between 19 and 30.

Scholes said the researchers suspect that the hormones in birth control pills are likely affecting normal hormone levels -- perhaps lowering normally circulating estrogen levels -- which then affects bone production.

"The studies on oral contraception and bone density have been conflicting," said Dr. Beatrice Chen, director of the Center for Family Planning Research at Magee-Women's Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. "Although this study adds to that information, I don't think young women should be scared into stopping birth control. Talk with your doctor about your own risk factors, and the risks and benefits of using oral contraception."

Chen said that studies on longer-term birth control, such as Depo-Provera, have shown that when the contraception is stopped, bone levels quickly return to normal.

If you're concerned about your bone health, Chen said that there are steps you can take to help prevent bone loss, including: consuming adequate calcium and vitamin D, participating in weight-bearing exercise and quitting smoking.

More information

Learn more about your bone health from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

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Study Confirms Benefits of Vitamin D and Calcium for Bone Strength

2010-01-16T09:04:00.000-08:00

A new study has proven that nutritional supplements such as vitamin D and calcium can prevent bone fractures, a practice many physicians have been recommending for quite some time.

Research conducted at UC Davis in Sacramento, California, revealed that individuals who take the nutritional supplements on a daily basis reduces the risk of bone fractures regardless of gender and age.

The findings represent a large effort from researchers around the world, determining the benefits of calcium and vitamin D in post-menopausal women, adult men and younger patients of both genders.

Various reports have confirmed that the supplements help post-menopausal women prevent osteoporosis, which affects roughly 8 million American women.

The researchers discovered that combining both of the supplements provides better results than when they are taken separately.

"This combination of supplements benefits both women and men of all ages, which is not something we fully expected to find," explained co-author John Robbins, a professor at UC Davis. "We now need to investigate the best dosage, duration and optimal way for people to take it."

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Milk Strike

2009-12-30T21:04:00.000-08:00

Infant Feeding

Health experts say the best source of nutrients for a baby is breast milk. Breastfeeding has benefits for the baby and for mom. For the baby, breast milk contains the right amount of nutrients to support the infant’s growth and development. For the mom, breast milk is readily available (no mixing formula or heating bottles). Breastfeeding also provides a close bond between mom and baby.

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends breastfeeding until a baby is at least six months old. Women who don’t breastfeed can use iron-fortified infant formula. At about four to six months, many infants can be introduced to baby cereals. Other baby foods are slowly offered starting around six months.

Milk is an important source of nutrition for children as they grow older. It provides calcium, vitamin D and minerals needed by the body. Whole milk is recommended for most children until they reach two because most children need the extra fat and calories. After two, parents can switch to low-fat or nonfat milk.

Experts warn parents should avoid giving cow’s milk until a child reaches his/her first birthday. Tyrala says cow’s milk is a great source of nutrition for calves, but not for humans. A baby’s digestive system can’t handle the extra protein in cow’s milk. Adding it too early to a child’s diet can cause liver and kidney damage and increase the risk for an allergic reaction.

Transition Troubles

Most children take the change from breast milk or formula to cow’s milk in stride. But sometimes babies become very fussy and don’t want to accept cow’s milk. Occasionally, a baby will refuse to drink cow’s milk and go on a “milk strike.”

Eileen Tyrala, M.D., Pediatrician at St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children in Philadelphia, says taste is probably the biggest obstacle for babies when parents try to transition to cow’s milk. Human milk and formulas are much sweeter than cow’s milk and there are differences in the thickness and temperature of the milks. For breastfed babies, the change to a bottle or cup can trigger a loss of bonding associated with breastfeeding.

Tyrala offers some tips for parents who are having trouble with infants on a “milk strike”:

•Offer cow’s milk in a sippy cup. This helps the baby make the association between the new drink and the different taste and texture.

•Go slowly. If the child is very resistant to the change, try just one serving of cow’s milk a day. Then gradually increase the number of servings of cow’s milk. It can take several days to two weeks for the child to reach the goal of drinking all cows’ milk.

•Dilute the familiar drink. Use three parts breast milk or formula to one part water. This will slightly alter the taste and texture of the “familiar” drink and, hopefully, enable the child to gradually accept a different drink (cow’s milk). Tyrala says it should only take a few days for a child to accept cow’s milk using this technique, so the temporary loss of calories won’t have any great affect on the infant.

•Add some low-sugar flavor. Tyrala doesn’t like the idea of adding sugar-laden flavorings to make cow’s milk as sweet as formula or breast milk. If taste appears to be an issue, she suggests adding powdered flavorings with less sugar.

•Try a substitute. Try an alternative to cow’s milk, like soy milk, rice milk or potato milk. Make sure these substitutes are pasteurized and are supplemented with calcium and vitamin D. If a child continues to refuse to drink cow’s milk, try yogurt, soft cheeses or calcium fortified orange juice.

If you have any specific questions or concerns about feeding your children, talk with your health care provider. For general information:

American Academy of Pediatrics

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

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Winter Back Pain? Low Vitamin D May Be to Blame

2009-12-29T14:53:00.000-08:00

Is it possible that your chronic winter backache could be due to the lack of sun exposure during the fall and winter months?

Based on a review of research by Stewart Leavitt, PhD, Executive Director of Pain Treatment Topics, vitamin D may be just the “pain pill” your body is looking for.

Leavitt found that patients with chronic back pain usually had inadequate vitamin D levels. And when they were given adequate vitamin D supplementation, their pain either vanished or was significantly relieved.

This could be a simple solution to years of nagging pain. Get your D levels checked and if they’re low, start supplementing. Work with your doctor to see just how much vitamin D it takes to get your levels in the optimum range. Experts consider 30 to 60 ng/ml of 25-hydroxyvitamin D as the preferred range.

Dr Leavitt’s report, "Vitamin D: A Neglected 'Analgesic' for Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain," which was peer-reviewed by a panel of experts, includes important points, for instance:

While many people suffer from chronic back aches and soreness during the winter, many times there doesn’t seem to be any injury, disease or bone problem to justify it.

In a study of 360 patients with chronic back pain, all of them were found to have inadequate levels of vitamin D. After taking vitamin D supplements for 3 months, symptoms were improved in 95% of the patients.

Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Among other things, inadequate vitamin D intake can result in a softening of bone surfaces, called osteomalacia, which causes pain. The lower back seems to be particularly vulnerable.

You may know that current suggested intake of vitamin D (600 IU a day) is outdated. Many people need much more, especially during late fall and winter in the northern regions of the world. Vitamin D is safe in doses up to 10,000 IU a day (and some experts say much more) and has few interactions with medicines. It’s very inexpensive and certainly worth a try.

Of course that doesn’t mean you should take vitamin D and forget about exercise, stretching, good posture, or that you won’t need some additional analgesic for your particular pain problem. But it’s certainly a healthy road to travel. It won’t irritate your stomach or damage your liver, like some pain medications. And there are so many other benefits associated with maintaining optimal levels!

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: We’re seeing more and more benefits of maintaining optimal vitamin D levels, particularly during the fall and winter when many people don’t get enough sun exposure to make their own vitamin D. A nagging backache may be your body’s warning that your levels are low. Commonly recommended dosages range from 1,000 to 5,000 IU a day. A specific blood test for the major circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, can show how well your dosage is working.

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We need our place in the sun, too

2009-12-27T20:45:00.000-08:00

While it is important to protect the skin from the sun and the melanomas which can result from over exposure, it is also critical that people understand the many benefits of vitamin D - the production of which is stimulated by ultraviolet radiation.

Exposure to the sun is known to be responsible for the initiation of melanoma and other skin cancers.

In New Zealand we have the highest rates of death from melanoma in the world because our temperate climate means being out in the sun is taken for granted.

To reduce the incidence of melanoma and other cancers a trendy mantra - slip, slop, slap and wrap - was introduced and SunSmart advice provided in schools.

Most could see the logic, were captivated and assiduously followed the recommendations.

But have the consequences been fully understood? Is the advice taken too diligently? Recently I saw a television advertisement for a product containing SPF 80+! Dunedin and Invercargill have 75% of the sunshine per year that Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington do.

We have a cooler climate, so there aren't as many days when it's comfortable to be out in the sun and besides there's shopping, DVDs and computers keeping us indoors and to make life more comfortable we're even planning to build a covered stadium!On the other hand, the sun's ultraviolet radiation promotes the synthesis of vitamin D in the skin so not getting enough time in the sun leads to low levels of vitamin D.

The sun is our main source of vitamin D because the few foods that contain vitamin D, like oily fish and eggs, provide only a small amount.

So it is important for everyone to have regular safe sun exposure.

Because vitamin D is fat soluble, what is made in the summer can be stored for the winter months, when it is colder and being out in the sun is less inviting, but that means it's imperative to be exposed to the sun when appropriate during the summer.

Vitamin D has an important role in maintaining blood calcium and phosphate levels by enhancing absorption of these minerals to promote bone formation and the production of strong healthy bones.

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to reduced immunity, cancers, autoimmune disorders, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, schizophrenia, depression and autism.

Even now there are pleas for more funds to publicise the danger of being out in the sun.

But let's be rational - while keeping the danger of overexposure to the sun in mind, in the South it is essential to spend some time out in the sun.

Enjoy.

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'The Biggest Loser' Champ Lives Well With Milk

2009-12-25T08:05:00.000-08:00

Losing has never felt so good for "The Biggest Loser" Danny Cahill. Danny knows maintaining his healthy new lifestyle means continuing to make smart choices everyday to help him stay fit. Drinking fat free milk is one healthy choice that is an important part of living well. And it's a simple step everyone can take. Every glass of milk has nine essential nutrients like protein for lean muscle, potassium to help maintain normal blood pressure, and calcium and vitamin D for strong bones.

Danny's ad copy reads, "Losing never felt better. Loving the new me means making smart choices every day. That's why I drink fat free milk. Every glass is packed with 9 essential nutrients including protein that helps keep me fit and strong. Now that's a winning combo."

Check out Danny's new ad, exclusive behind-the-scenes videos, photos from his Milk Mustache shoot and more at whymilk.com.

About the National Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign

The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP), Washington, D.C., is funded by the Nation's milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption. The National Fluid Milk Processor Promotion Board, through MilkPEP, runs the national Milk Mustache "got milk?®" Campaign, a multi-faceted campaign designed to educate consumers about the health benefits of milk. For more information, go to www.whymilk.com. Lowe New York is the creative agency for The National Milk Mustache "got milk®" Campaign.

SOURCE Milk Processor Education Program

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Formula for health is not in the vitamin aisle

2009-12-23T08:02:00.000-08:00

It's estimated that 40 per cent of Canadians take vitamin and mineral supplements each day. Yet according to a report in the December issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association, the formula for optimal health isn't in the supplement aisle of a health-food store.

Instead, the best strategy for staying healthy and lowering your risk for heart disease, diabetes and certain cancers is to eat a wide variety of nutrient-rich foods – a practice that for many people is not a habit.

Still, the report recognizes that some people do require vitamin and mineral supplements. Knowing which ones to take – and how much – can be confusing.

The fact is, the maintenance of good health is related more to the types and amounts of foods you eat than to the amount of certain vitamins or minerals you consume. When obtained from foods, certain nutrients have been demonstrated to guard against a number of health conditions. But studies investigating the effect of supplements on health outcomes have turned up disappointing results.

Foods are complex, providing more than just a single vitamin or mineral. Plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and whole grains also contain fibre, along with hundreds of disease-fighting compounds called phytochemicals. It's thought that vitamins and minerals work in concert with other components of food to exert health benefits.

You've heard it over and over: Choose mainly whole grains, get seven to 10 daily servings of fruit and vegetables, eat beans and lentils more often, and so on. Yet a very small percentage of Canadians lives by Canada's Food Guide.

According to national survey data, Canadians of all ages don't get enough magnesium, folate or potassium from their diet. Most adults don't get enough calcium from foods. And women under 50 consume too little iron.

While it's ideal to try to meet your daily nutrient requirements from food, for some people this is hard to do. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, strict vegetarians, people with food intolerances and allergies, and elderly adults often need to fill dietary gaps with a multivitamin and mineral pill.

People with certain health conditions, or who take medications that alter their need for some vitamins or minerals, may also need to rely on supplements. And older adults, people with dark skin and those with inadequate sun exposure require extra vitamin D.

If you fall into one of the following categories, consider taking certain supplements in addition to eating plenty of nutrient-rich foods.

Women of childbearing age

Women who may become pregnant should take a multivitamin supplement that provides 0.4 to 1 milligram of folic acid, a B vitamin that reduces the risk of neural tube defects – birth defects that affect the brain and spinal cord.

Menstruating women also need 18 milligrams of iron per day, an amount that's challenging – if not impossible – to get from foods alone. Look for a multivitamin with 10 to 18 milligrams of iron. (Vegetarians need an extra 14 milligrams to account for reduced iron absorption from plant foods.)

Pregnant women

During pregnancy, women need 0.6 milligrams of folic acid from a daily supplement in addition to food sources of folate. Natural sources include spinach, lentils, asparagus, broccoli, avocados and oranges.

Pregnant women also need 27 milligrams of supplemental iron each day (vegetarian women 48 milligrams). Choose a prenatal multivitamin supplement with 0.6 to 1 milligram of folic acid and 27 milligrams of iron.

Older adults

The U.S.-based Institute of Medicine advises that people over 50 get 2.4 micrograms of vitamin B12 each day in the form found in fortified foods and supplements. That's because aging reduces ability to digest B12 from food.

Vitamin B12 helps maintain nerve function, keeps red blood cells healthy and is needed to make DNA. Evidence also suggests it may guard against heart disease and maintain cognitive function.

To get your B12, choose a multivitamin and mineral supplement. If you prefer, take a B-complex supplement that contains all eight B vitamins.

Choose a product that provides no more than 0.4 milligram of folic acid, the recommended daily intake. Recently, there's concern that higher doses may accelerate the growth of pre-cancerous cells or early cancer growths.

In healthy cells, folic acid ensures that DNA replicates normally. But cancer and pre-cancer cells synthesize new copies of DNA faster than normal cells and need folic acid to multiply.

There's no evidence that the B vitamin in foods is harmful. In fact, the evidence shows that a diet rich in natural sources of folate is good for you.

At 50, calcium requirements increase to 1,500 milligrams daily. In most cases, people need to rely on calcium supplements in addition to diet to meet daily needs.

More vitamin D

Evidence suggests that optimal vitamin-D status helps prevent certain cancers, heart attacks, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The fact that Canadians don't produce enough vitamin D in their skin from sunlight between October and March prompted the Canadian Cancer Society in June, 2007, to recommend that adults take 1,000 international units (IU ) of the vitamin daily in fall and winter.

Older adults, people with dark skin, those who don't go outdoors often, and those who wear clothing that covers most of their skin should take the supplement year-round.

Before you buy, figure out how much vitamin D you're already getting from multivitamin and calcium supplements. Choose a supplement than contains D3 instead of D2, which is less potent.

Haphazard eaters, dieters

If you don't eat well despite your best intentions, or you consume less than 1,600 calories per day, a multivitamin and mineral supplement can help make up for shortfalls. But keep in mind that supplements can't replicate the nutritional and health benefits of whole foods.

Speak to your dietitian or doctor about which supplements and what doses might be appropriate for you. If you take medications, ask about possible interactions.

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Eagle's Eye: Smart health habits that can extend life

2009-12-22T18:02:00.000-08:00

In addition to plenty of calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone mass, we need protein to keep bones strong. Take dairy products such as milk and yogurt that contain the whole suite of nutrients, including calcium and protein.

During our parents' middle years, the belief is that after a certain age, decline is inevitable. Now, research reveals that smart health habits can extend an active, joyful midlife indefinitely. In fact, it rests upon two key pillars.

The first pillar is a lifelong commitment to preventive health. We've sifted through the latest research about how to remain physically strong, ward off diabetes and heart disease, preserve perceptual skills, and bolster an immune-boosting sunny outlook.
The second pillar is an active social life. We're also aware of the protective benefits of emotionally satisfying relationships. Now, new research details the advantages conferred by happy friendships.

Know to imbue these with more personal contentment, joy, and vibrancy:

1. A Strong Heart: It's the engine that drives an active lifestyle, essential to our ability to maintain healthy muscles and bones, a sharp mind even an upbeat attitude. It is all about cholesterol. If it is high, control it with a low-fat diet.

2. Stable Blood Sugar: For most people, type 2 diabetes is preventable meaning the associated higher risks of heart attack, circulation problems, and dementia are too. Eating complex carb whole grains, nuts, and vegetables is the key to preventing diabetes.

3. Comic Relief: A good laugh is one of the easiest and most reliable tools for managing health because the benefits of laughter are so much like those of physical activity. Latest study found that over the course of a year, the levels of good HDL cholesterol in volunteers participating in a mirthful-laughter group jumped 26%, while their levels of C-reactive proteins, a measure of inflammation linked to both heart disease and diabetes risk, dropped 66%.

4. Good Vision: Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) damages the retina, eventually threatens the vision of about one-third of people. See better with supplements. Those with vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and zinc can slow vision loss by 25% in people with early signs of AMD.

5. Keen Hearing: Load plate with antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables and take a standard multivitamin and, of course, avoid very loud, sustained noises, a leading cause of hearing loss.

6. Close Friends: Friends save lives. Happiness spreads through social networks, affecting not only friends but also friends of friends. Surrounding yourself with cheerful companions is beneficial. The real pals evoke a host of positive emotions that bolster immunity.

7. Sturdy Bones: A strong skeleton provides the foundation for an active lifestyle. In addition to plenty of calcium and vitamin D to maintain bone mass, we need protein to keep bones strong. Take dairy products such as milk and yogurt that contain the whole suite of nutrients, including calcium and protein.

8. Deft Balance: One-third of older adults suffer tumbles, and serious falls can hamper ability to remain active. Do exercises that promote balance, flexibility, and strength regularly.

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The Good Stuff - High Fat Foods You Should Keep on your Diet Menu

2009-12-20T07:45:00.000-08:00

If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to lose weight, chances are you’re already thinking about the foods you’ll be chopping from your menu. Lasagna, chocolate chip cookies, devil’s food cake and other fat-laden treats probably top the list. But Hy-Vee dietician Sheri Caldwell says as crazy as it sounds, there are some fattening foods that you should eat when you’re on a diet. These foods provide valuable nutrients that your body needs.

So if you’re making a New Year’s resolution to lose weight, make sure you keep these foods on your plate.

Nuts

“Many people think they should avoid nuts because they are high in fat and calories,” Ms. Caldwell says. “The good news is nuts provide unsaturated fats — the kind that is better for your heart health — protein, fiber and minerals.”

They also make a great snack when the afternoon munchies hit. They’re easy to grab and go, have a pretty good shelf life and provide more nutritional value than most “snack foods.” They also can be filling enough to last a few hours.

“Add a sprinkle of nuts on salads or in trail mixes,” Ms. Caldwell suggests. “Keeping the portion to about a handful will provide the health benefits without overdoing the calories.”

Peanut butter

Peanut butter is a great source of protein, fat and other vitamins and minerals and is another quick, economical option for a meal or snack. Again, the key is moderation. A tablespoon or two of the peanuty spread is all you need, and Ms. Caldwell says the best overall choice is a peanut butter that has the oil on top and doesn’t have any added sugars and hydrogenated fats. And be sure to check the labels. A reduced-fat peanut butter may contain more sugar and sodium than regular peanut butter.

“I recommend to stir the oil into the peanut butter before using,” she says. “This makes it possible to get a thin layer instead of a thick glob of peanut butter. If you prefer a peanut butter that is a bit sweeter and does not require mixing before use, select one with the least saturated fat and sugar.”

Cheese

Besides being pretty yummy, cheese is a good source of all kinds of nutrients including calcium, potassium, vitamin D and protein, which are important for a healthy bone mass and a reduced risk for osteoporosis. Those nutrients also help regulate the body’s fluid balance and maintain healthy blood pressure.

“It is recommended for most healthy adults to consume three to four servings of dairy daily, including milk, yogurt and cheese,” Ms. Caldwell says. “To reduce fat intake, try a low-fat variety or try using less of a stronger flavored cheese.”

Pasta/bread/rice

Pasta, bread and rice often get a bad rap because many people mistakenly view them as fattening. The truth is if consumed in moderation, these carbohydrates are a great source of important nutrients like B vitamins, minerals and fiber. And if they’re whole-grain varieties they can provide a unique nutrient package that refined foods lack.

“I recommended selecting whole-grain pasta, bread and brown rice,” Ms. Caldwell says. “To find whole-grain products, look for the word “whole” on the food label and in the ingredient listing, preferably as the first ingredient. Then pair them with lean meat or peanut butter and fruits and vegetables for meals and snacks.”

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Watson Announces New Program to Help Promote Good Bone Health in Advanced Prostate Cancer Patients on Long-Term Androgen Deprivation Therapy

2009-12-17T07:37:00.000-08:00

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE: WPI) today announced a new program encouraging health professionals to help maintain the bone health of prostate cancer patients who are on long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Nearly two million men are receiving ADT, a palliative treatment for prostate cancer that, while highly effective and considered the "gold therapy," can cause bone loss and increase a man's risk for osteoporosis.

As part of the program, Watson is providing urologists, oncologists and other health professionals with free 30-day supplies of calcium and vitamin D supplements along with educational patient brochures on how to help maintain bone health in men with prostate cancer on ADT.

Each supplement tablet contains 600 mg of calcium and 400 IU of vitamin D, and when taken twice daily, can help prostate cancer patients meet the daily amounts recommended by the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) for adult men 50 years of age or older.

"The bone health side effects of long-term ADT are a serious issue, yet few cancer patients are being informed about this risk or about the lifestyle changes and drug therapy that can help prevent bone loss," said Neal Shore, MD, FACS, CPI, Medical Director at the Carolina Urologic Research Center. "Because men with prostate cancer are more often receiving their care from a urologist or oncologist, it is important that specialists are educating their male patients about bone health rather than assuming it is the responsibility of the general practitioner."

Androgen deprivation therapy - the use of synthetic luteinizing hormone releasing hormone analogs (LHRH) therapy - is an effective and commonly used long-term therapeutic option for treating localized and advanced prostate cancer. LHRH therapy slows the growth of prostate cancer by suppressing the production of testosterone in the testicles. Over time, this decreased level of testosterone can, however, cause bone loss. Men, on average, lose about 0.5 percent to 1 percent of their bone mineral density every year. That loss can increase to about 4 percent to 13 percent per year in men on long-term ADT.

Given the risk of bone loss with ADT therapy, NCCN recommends that men with prostate cancer discuss the risk with their oncologist and personal physician as well as undergo frequent monitoring for osteoporosis using the NOF's guidelines for the general population. The guidelines include recommendations for calcium supplements (1200 mg daily) and vitamin D (800-1,000 IU daily) for all men over age 50 years and additional treatment for men who have a greater than or equal to 3 percent likelihood of suffering a hip fracture or greater than or equal to 20 percent likelihood of suffering a major osteoporosis-related fracture within the next 10 years.

Along with getting the daily recommended amounts of calcium and vitamin D, the NOF also recommends older men protect their bone health by exercising regularly (weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercises), avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol, and talking to their doctor about a bone mineral density test. Prescription medication that helps protect against bone loss also might be an option for patients at high risk for fracture.

"Watson is committed to urologic health," said Fred Wilkinson, Executive Vice President, Global Brands at Watson. "Our new supplement program will help physicians encourage their prostate cancer patients who are on long-term androgen deprivation therapy to make a commitment to good bone health."

About Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leading global specialty pharmaceutical company. The Company is engaged in the development and distribution of generic pharmaceuticals and specialized branded pharmaceutical products focused on Urology and Women's Health. Watson has operations in over 20 countries including many of the world's established and growing international markets.

In the U.S., the Watson portfolio includes RAPAFLO, GELNIQUE, Oxytrol®, TRELSTAR® LA and TRELSTAR® Depot, Ferrlecit®, and INFeD®. In addition, Watson markets the following brands under co-promotion agreements: AndroGel®, with Solvay Pharmaceuticals, Inc., and Femring®, with Warner Chilcott Limited. The Watson pipeline portfolio includes a number of products, including a six-month formulation of TRELSTAR®, for the treatment of advanced prostate cancer which is currently under review by the FDA; URACYST®, under development for cystitis; and a novel new oral contraceptive.

For press release and other company information, visit Watson Pharmaceuticals' Web site at http://www.watson.com.

Forward-Looking Statement

Statements contained in this press release that refer to Watson's estimated or anticipated future results or other non-historical facts are forward-looking statements that reflect Watson's current perspective of existing trends and information as of the date of this release. For instance, any statements in this press release concerning prospects related to Watson's strategic initiatives, product introductions and anticipated financial performance are forward-looking statements. It is important to note that Watson's goals and expectations are not predictions of actual performance. Watson's performance, at times, will differ from its goals and expectations. Actual results may differ materially from Watson's current expectations depending upon a number of factors affecting Watson's business. These factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainty associated with financial projections; successful integration of the Arrow acquisition and the ability to recognize the anticipated synergies and benefits of the Arrow acquisition; the impact of competitive products and pricing; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of litigation; variability of revenue mix between the Company's Brand, Generic and Distribution business units; periodic dependence on a small number of products for a material source of net revenue or income; variability of trade buying patterns; changes in generally accepted accounting principles; risks that the carrying values of assets may be negatively impacted by future events and circumstances; timely and successful consummation and implementation of strategic initiatives; the timing and success of product launches; the difficulty of predicting the timing or outcome of product development efforts and FDA or other regulatory agency approvals or actions; the uncertainty associated with the identification and successful consummation of external business development transactions; market acceptance of and continued demand for Watson's products; costs and efforts to defend or enforce intellectual property rights; difficulties or delays in manufacturing; the availability and pricing of third party sourced products and materials; successful compliance with FDA and other governmental regulations applicable to Watson's and its third party manufacturers' facilities, products and/or businesses; uncertainties related to the timing and outcome of litigation and other claims; changes in the laws and regulations, including Medicare and Medicaid, affecting among other things, pricing and reimbursement of pharmaceutical products; and such other risks and uncertainties detailed in Watson's periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to Watson's quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2009. Except as expressly required by law, Watson disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements.

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Vitamin C Is Good But Vitamin D Is The Key

2009-12-16T03:40:00.000-08:00

We’ve always been told Vitamin C is best for colds. More and more studies show Vitamin D in boosting the immune system and preventing chronic disease. Vitamin D deficiencies play a major role in most diseases.

To understand what Vitamin D really does we must first understand what it is.

“It’s not just a vitamin,but rather the only known substrate for a potent, pleiotropic (meaning it produces multiple effects), repair and maintenance seco-steroid hormone that serves multiple gene-regulatory functions in your body.

Just one example of an important gene that vitamin D up-regulates is your ability to fight infections. It produces over 200 anti microbial peptides, the most important of which is cathelicidin, a naturally occurring broad-spectrum antibiotic.”

The human body has over 30,000 genes and vitamin D positively affects 2000 of them. Long story short the positive affects of Vitamin D on the body are numerous. Did you know the sun is a major source of Vitamin D? Do you think it’s a coincidence that dermatologist and sunscreen manufactures spend so much time trying to keep you out of the sun?

Vitamin D is know to prevent numerous chronic diseases such as:

Caner, Heart Disease, Autism, Obesity, Diabetes, Cohrn’s Disease, Muscle Pain, Signs Of Aging, Multiple Sclerosis, Tuberculosis, Imflammatory Bowl Disease, Eczema, Dementia, Migranes, Cavities and Peridontal Disease.

To give you another idea of the importance of Vitamin D. “Researchers have calculated that simply increasing levels of vitamin D3 could prevent diseases that claim nearly 1 million lives throughout the world each year!” Here’s another interesting statistic that involves the sun. There is overwhelming evidence which shows the further you live from the equator the higher your risk of dying from cancer. Many of us are deficient in vitamin D, the question now is how do we address it.

According to Dr. Mercola, exposure to sun is the best source of Vitamin D. Secondly, Vitamini D3 is the best supplement. Before you run out and get your share of the sun and start taking Vitamin D3 make sure you have your Vitamin D levels checked so you will know where you are currently. For information on Vitamin D intake click here. Look into Vitamin D on your own and I look forward to hearing what you find.

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'Tis The Season for Vitamin D

2009-12-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

My favourite time of year is summer: the sun shining on my skin, a warm breeze through my hair and the health benefits of vitamin D flowing through my veins. Sunshine is absolutely the best way to obtain vitamin D, but during the approaching winter months, the suns’ rays aren’t powerful enough to produce an ample amount.

Vitamin D plays a vital role in sustaining healthy bones and teeth — by helping to absorb calcium. And without it, bones can become weak and brittle. It is also an integral part of boosting the body’s immune system to ward off any seasonal colds or flus. The “sunshine vitamin” is even a beneficiary tool in reducing the risk of cancer.

So, in order to get the lowdown on vitamin D, I went to my local health store and asked the woman behind the counter what she recommended. The most efficient choice would be to take daily vitamin D supplements, she suggested. But if you’re one of those people who can’t remember where your shoes are in the morning — let alone systematically taking a vitamin supplement — there are other ways to get your daily-D fix.

Foods rich in vitamin D, like salmon, tuna, mushrooms, soymilk, eggs and fortified cereals, are sensible sources as well. These foods will also help to increase serotonin levels, which will help stabilize your mood and energy. Mushrooms are the only food that darkens when exposed to sunlight, and is therefore able to produce vitamin D on its own.

She also suggested I go to a tanning salon as a solution to up my vitamin D intake. Now, I’m not one to bake myself in a burning cauldron of cancer, so I did some extra research on that subject. And what I learned is that the sun emits two types of ultraviolet rays: UVA and UVB. When braving the tanning bed, one must make sure the lamps are those of medium pressure, which are jam-packed with UVB rays. UVB will ensure that you don’t burn, but that you will still get loads of vitamin D.

So, whatever method you choose, make sure you stock up on vitamin D… until next summer of course, when we’ll be able to reap the benefits of sunshine once more.

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The Importance of Multivitamins

2009-12-11T11:40:00.000-08:00

Dr. Michael Roizen knows your secret. You're not eating enough fruits and veggies.

That's why most Baby Boomers need a multivitamin, said the chairman of the Wellness Institute at the Cleveland Clinic.

When it comes to opinions about the need for multivitamins, there seems to be, ahem, one a day.

Mount Sinai School of Medicine's Dr. Victor Herbert famously fell on the side of the skeptics, declaring, "supplements help some, harm some, and do nothing for most, so the bottom line is a wash," in the book Total Nutrition: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need, first published in the mid 1990s.

Until recently many doctors sided with Herbert, telling their patients that spending money on vitamins amounted to creating expensive urine.

But as Boomers have aged, nutrition science has advanced as well.

Studies are increasingly showing large gaps between optimal nutrition and what typical Americans are taking in from food, gaps that are easily surmounted with vitamins.

Roizen has data to prove it.

Co-author of You: The Owners Manual, Roizen is also the co-creator of the Web site RealAge.com . On that Web site, people report on their health status, including diet, to learn whether their "real age" is younger or older than it should be, and to glean wellness tips.

Based on users' responses, Roizen says he's certain about most adults' need for a multivitamin.

"We've had 27 million people take the RealAge program," Roison says. "A little less than 1 percent can get the right vitamins and minerals from their diet alone. It's possible, but it isn't done commonly in America. We just don't eat right."

For once, Boomers are following their doctors' advice.

According to Nutrition Business Journal estimates, U.S. consumer sales of dietary supplements reached $25.2 billion in 2008 on 6.2 percent growth. The multivitamin category accounted for $4.7 billion of these sales in 2008, on 4.3 percent growth.

But it's not necessary to go broke buying fancy brand-name vitamins, Roisen said. He tells patients at the Cleveland Clinic that a low-cost multivitamin will meet their basic needs. Grocery store brands are usually fine, he said. They're often manufactured by the same companies as the expensive vitamins, using the same basic ingredients.

But there are some other vitamins he suggests adding to the multivitamin.

His tips:

"You want to look for a multivitamin that has less than 3,500 international units of vitamin A," he said.

Buy a pill splitter, and take part in the morning, part at night, to improve absorption, he said.

Most Boomers need extra vitamin D, in the form of D3, as well, he said. Those under age 50 need around 1,000 IUs, while those over age 50 should get 1,200 IUs.

Two hours after taking their multivitamin and extra D, he recommends taking 600 mg of calcium two times a day, plus 200 mg of magnesium two times a day.

Last, he wants most of his adult patients to take fish oil, for the omega 3 fatty acids which benefit heart, brain and vascular health. Look for ones that offer 600 mg of DHA, he said. In his books, Roizen cautions patients to stay within his guidelines, and not fall for the "if a little is good, a lot must be better" mentality.

"There is toxicity from too much of some of the vitamins and minerals, so you want to make sure you stay within the guidelines of what we write," he said.

In Boynton Beach, internist Dr. Stacey Shinder has her patients bring in their vitamins, to ensure they're taking the right amounts, and not taking anything that might interfere with their prescription drugs.

Niacin, for example, can affect liver function, she said, and high doses of that and selenium can pose problems. Fish oil and blood-thinning drugs may be a bad combination.

Shinder, part of the MD VIP concierge group, charges members $1,500 a year for the extra attention. But she doesn't just go over vitamins with her patients. She orders blood tests to assess their levels of vitamin D, iron and other nutrients.

And she wants to hear about their diet.

"I often will have patients keep food diaries for me. Especially when we have weight management issues."

While she prefers good diet to vitamins, she's realistic.

"I am more of a believer in getting people to eat more fruits and vegetables, more colors, more varieties," she said. "No vitamin is a magic pill."

Rich or poor, the advice is similar.

Sue Grammond, registered dietitian at the Palm Beach County Health Department, also encourages clients to take a multivitamin. But she tells them if money is short, it's most important to eat a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables, and go for frozen veggies if fresh are difficult to keep, she tells them.

"One of the mantras in nutrition is food first," Grammond said. "It comes with the vitamins, the fiber, the whole package when you eat the whole thing."

Dr. Roizen's vitamin advice for Boomers:

1. Take a multivitamin that contains no more than 3,500 IUs of vitamin A. Buy a pill splitter, and take half the multivitamin in the morning, half at night.

2. Take additional vitamin D3. Those under age 50 need around 1,000 IUs a day, while those over age 50 should get 1,200 IUs a day.

3. Add calcium two hours after your multivitamin. Aim for 600 mg of calcium two times a day, plus 200 mg of magnesium two times a day.

4. After checking with your doctor, take a fish oil capsule with 600 mg of DHA per day.

5. Beware mega doses of vitamins. Too much vitamin A, niacin, vitamin E, and other nutrients can cause health problems, so talk to your doctor about what you're taking.

The buzz word is phytonutrients. The claim is that hundreds of plant compounds are still unknown, and benefit the immune system, the vascular system and general health.

But can they be turned into juice, freeze-dried, pressed into a capsule, and still offer health benefits? Top brands promising whole-food benefits include Juice Plus+, Nutrilite, Dr. Mercola's Whole Food Multivitamin and GNC's Maximum Greens, among others. These supplements can be much more expensive than a multivitamin.

A 31-day supply of Nutrilite's Double X multivitamin/mineral and phytonutrient pack costs a whopping $71.41. A month's supply of Juice Plus+ is $41.75. And a month's supply of GNC's Maximum Greens Ultra Mega Green Vitapak costs $35.99.

But are they worth it?

Nutrition Professor Susan Percival thinks it's likely.

At the University of Florida's Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, in Gainesville, she is studying the effect of several natural food compounds on immune system cells called gamma delta T cells.

The cells play a dual role, first by attacking germ invaders, then by dialing down the inflammatory response after infection has passed.

Mounting an immune attack requires just about every nutrient there is to produce armies of these immune cells, she said. Several plant compounds that are not found in multivitamins play an important role in priming the immune cells, she said.

Those compounds include catechins, found in green tea, cocoa and grapes, and anthocyanins, found in blueberries, Concord grapes and cranberries.

For research published in 2006, she enrolled 59 UF law school students in a study on Juice Plus+ capsules. She found those who got the real capsules and not the placebo had increased blood levels of nutrients and antioxidants, fewer DNA strand breaks, and an increase in circulating gamma delta T cells.

Many of the beneficial food compounds are in their pigments, the chemicals that make them colorful. Eating colorful fruits and vegetables is best, because you get the fiber, she said. But the capsules she studied had definite benefits.

"I cannot generalize to all whole food capsules except to say the ones I know take very good care to preserve much of the nutritional value that the whole fruit and vegetable had," Percival said.

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Top 12 Foods for Healthy Immune Response

2009-12-10T16:31:00.000-08:00

Editor's note: Flu vaccine may help some people, but there is no guarantee for a specific individual to get the benefits because the efficacy of a flu vaccine is often lower. Regardless, food consumers need to take care of their diet and lifestyle to maintain adequate immunity so that they may prevent most if not all of the flu viruses.

The 2009 flu season is upon us, and it appears to be hitting hard -- and early.

Staying well while those around you sniffle and sneeze requires that you extract as much nutrition from your diet as you can, loading up on the foods that pack the biggest nutritional punch.

Avoiding processed foods, grains and sugar will go a long way toward strengthening your immune system. However, you can do even more by selecting foods that are loaded with the specific immune boosting nutrients.

Eating a diet rich in the following foods will be far better for your health than loading up on handfuls of supplements, or worse yet, falling victim to vaccines that expose you to health risks far worse than influenza.

Below, I have outlined what I consider to be the absolute best foods you can eat to prepare yourself for the season, although the list is certainly not exhaustive.

1. Unpasteurized Grass-Fed Organic Milk

Raw organic milk from grass-fed cows contains beneficial bacteria that prime your immune system and can reduce allergies. It is an outstanding source of vitamins, especially vitamin A, zinc, and enzymes. Raw organic milk is not associated with any of the health problems of pasteurized milk such as rheumatoid arthritis, skin rashes, diarrhea and cramps.

Raw milk also contains beneficial fats that will help your immune system.

Although raw milk availability is limited in the US depending on where you live, you can locate the source closest to you at RealMilk.com.

Whey Protein

Even if you don’t have access to raw grass-fed milk, you can use a high-quality whey protein that comes from grass-fed cows to receive much of the same health benefits.

The protein in milk is whey protein. Whey is the liquid that separates from the curd during the production of cheese. When the liquid dries into powdered whey, the nutrients become concentrated, and it can be packaged and used in that form.

Whey protein can help you fight off colds and flu because it contains beta-glucans and immunoglobulins, which protect your immune system and support your body’s natural detoxification processes.

2. Fermented Foods

If you are serious about boosting your immunity, then adding traditionally fermented foods is essential.

One of the most healthful fermented foods is kefir. Kefir is an ancient cultured, enzyme-rich food full of friendly microorganisms that balance your “inner ecosystem” and strengthen immunity. Besides kefir, other good fermented foods include natto, kimchee, miso, tempeh, pickles, sauerkraut, yoghurt (watch for sugar), and olives.

Friendly bacteria have a powerful, beneficial effect on your gut’s immune system, your first line defense against pathogens, and aid in the production of antibodies.

3. Raw Organic Eggs From Free-Range Chickens

Before you wrinkle up your nose, raw eggs are an inexpensive and amazing source of high-quality nutrients that many people are deficient in, especially high-quality protein and fat. I am a proponent of raw eggs because they have been so helpful to my own health.

As long as you have a good source for fresh, organic raw eggs, you need not worry about salmonella. To find free-range pasture farms, try your local health food store, or go to http://www.eatwild.com or http://www.localharvest.com.

4. Grass-Fed Beef or Organ Meats

Grass-Fed beef comes from cows that eat what they were meant to eat—grasses, not corn or grains. This results in far greater health benefits for you the environment[i].

Grass-fed beef is very high in vitamins A and E, omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene, zinc and CLA. CLA (conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid) is three to five times higher in grass-fed animals than grain-fed animals and is an immune system enhancer.

Don’t confuse “organic” with grass-fed, since many organically raised cows are still fed organic corn, which you don’t want. However, most grass-fed cows are raised organically. And if you can find organic AND grass-fed, that’s ideal.

5. Coconuts and Coconut Oil

Besides being excellent for your thyroid and your metabolism, coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which converts in your body to monolaurin. Monolaurin is the actual compound found in breast milk that strengthens a baby’s immunity.

A great deal of research has been done establishing the ability of lauric acid to enhance immunity. This medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) actually disrupts the lipid membranes of offending organisms.

When selecting coconuts and coconut oil, make sure you choose organic ones that are unrefined, unbleached, made without heat processing or chemicals, and non-GMO.

6. Locally Grown Organic Vegetables Appropriate for Your Nutritional Type

When it comes to fighting off pathogens, you simply can’t do any better than eating a variety of fresh, organic and preferably raw vegetables for the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes they contain. However, the amount and type of vegetables you should eat daily will depend on your nutritional type.

Make sure the veggies you choose are fresh. The nutrient value drops to practically zero once a fruit or vegetable is canned. For example, take a look at the ORAC value of peaches.

ORAC Values

ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, and an ORAC unit or ORAC “score” is a standardized method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. The higher the ORAC score, the more effective a food is at neutralizing free radicals. The less free radicals you have, the healthier you will be.

Back to peaches.

A raw, fresh peach has an ORAC score of 1,814. A can of peaches in heavy syrup has an ORAC score of 436, meaning that more than 75 percent of the antioxidants are lost in the canning process.

You can check the ORAC score for many different things at www.oracvalues.com. The higher the score, the better. Please be aware, though, that the total antioxidant capacity of a food alone does not determine its health benefit, which depends on how it is absorbed and utilized by your body. ORAC score is a useful guide, but it is only part of the picture.

7. Blueberries and Raspberries

Blueberries and raspberries rate very high in antioxidant capacity (ORAC of 6,520), compared to other fruits and vegetables. Wild blueberries in particular are potent immune boosters. They contain powerful phytochemicals, such as anthocyanin, which is the pigment that gives blueberries their color. And they are lower in sugar than many other fruits.

8. Mushrooms

Mushrooms strengthen your immune system because they are rich in protein, fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and other minerals, and even vitamin D -- one of the only foods that can provide you with this essential immune strengthener.

Mushrooms make up a large part of the fabric of the earth. According to Paul Stamets, one of the world’s leading authorities on the health benefits of mushrooms, one cubic inch of soil can contain eight miles of mycelium.[ii]

Mushrooms also contain powerful compounds called beta glucans, which have been long known for their immune enhancing properties. The beta glucans in medicinal mushrooms (especially Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake) are notable for their ability to activate/modulate the immune system.

Beta glucan[iii] enhances immunity through a variety of mechanisms, many of which are similar to those of echinacea or astragalus root. For example, it binds to macrophages and other scavenger white blood cells, activating their anti-infection activities.[iv] Numerous studies support this.

9. Chlorella

As foods go, chlorella is nearly perfect.

Chlorella is a single-cell freshwater algae that acts as an efficient detoxification agent by binding to toxins, such as mercury, and carries them out of your system. It is the chlorophyll in chlorella that makes it so powerful. Chlorophyll helps you process more oxygen, cleanses your blood and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.

For a full review of all the benefits of this superfood, go to my chlorella page.

10. Propolis

Propolis is a bee resin and one of the most broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds in the world, if not the broadest spectrum, according to master herbalist Donnie Yance. Propolis is also the richest source of caffeic acid and apigenin, two very important phenolic compounds that aid in immune response.

11. Teas

The two best types of tea for fending off microinvaders are Matcha green tea and tulsi tea.

Green Tea and Matcha

Matcha is the most nutrient-rich green tea and comes in the form of a stone-ground powder, completely unfermented. The best Matcha comes from Japan and has up to seventeen times the antioxidants of wild blueberries, and seven times more than dark chocolate.

Green teas are rich in polyphenols, in the form of natural chemicals called catechins. The most powerful catechin in tea is epigallocatechin (EGCG), which was found in one study to be 25 to 100 times more potent than antioxidant vitamins C and E. And Matcha is more than 100 times as potent in EGCG as regular brewed green tea.

Tulsi

Tulsi tea, coming from the holy basil herb, has been used for thousands of years in the Ayurvedic medicine of India. Not only is this tea loaded with antioxidants, but it has multiple positive health benefits, including supporting your immune health, memory, heart health and vision.

12. Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices are at the top of the list of high ORAC value foods on planet Earth[v]. There are simply too many good ones to summarize here! So I will simply highlight a few that deserve special mention.

Garlic

Garlic, although not at the top of the ORAC chart (5,346), is incredibly beneficial to your immune system because it offers a triple-whammy: it’s antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal. You should be eating garlic every day. One of the best things about garlic is that bacteria, viruses, and yeast build up no resistance to it, unlike with synthetic antibiotics.

For optimal benefits, garlic should be fresh since the active ingredient is destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic cloves. In other words, garlic capsules are basically useless.

Garlic contains allicin, a chemical that is anticarcinogenic. It also has been shown to lower LDL, lower total cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of blood clots and stroke, lower homocysteine, and even prevent insect bites -- including mosquitoes and ticks.

Herbs and Spice and Everything Nice

Immunity from common infections involves not only preventing pathogens from taking hold, but also moderating the immune response to invading pathogens.

Complications arise when you experience an over-response to the infection, which is why H1N1 is taking its toll on healthy young adults. Their bodies are over responding -- something called a “cytokine storm.” It’s basically a severe inflammatory response.[vi]

One wonderful thing about plants (and herbs especially) is that they don’t all stimulate the immune system—some modulate it, or act as a buffer.

Here are some of the best herbs and spices for building a strong immune system that functions correctly:

*
Honeysuckle and chrysanthemum: good antivirals
*
Artemisia: antimalarial
*
Andrographis, aka “King of Bitters”: antiviral, and helps modulate inflammatory response[vii]
*
Licorice: buffers the inflammatory response by increasing steroid output by the adrenal glands; a good buffer if your immune system is over responding to the flu.
*
Turmeric: ORAC score of 159,277; general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity, and an anticancer agent as well; turneric is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E, and even strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which is considered by some to be the most reactive of all oxidants
*
Black Pepper: Increases the bioavailability of just about all other foods--herbs and other things
*
Oregano: ORAC 13,970; active agent is rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant; one tablespoon of oregano has the antioxidant capacity of one medium apple
*
Cinnamon: ORAC 267,536; powerful antimicrobial agent—found to kill E. coli and many other bacteria; also has antiinflammatory compounds
*
Cloves: THE BIG ORAC GRAND PRIZE WINNER AT 314,446, highest of all foods tested! Contains eugenol; its mild anaesthetic benefits are useful for toothaches and sore throats; good antiinflammatory[viii]

Finally, I recently had a fascinating interview with herbalist Donnie Yance, who shared his basic remedy for flu, should you come down with one.

Make this special tea from a combination of herbs that synergistically cause your body to sweat -- which is very desirable if you want to eradicate a virus from your system. And then drink it hot and often:

1. Elderflower (this has been used for hundreds of years for flu)

2. Boneset (eupatorium)

3. Yarrow

4. Linden

5. Peppermint

6. Ginger

By incorporating some of these fantastic foods, you’ll not only evade the circulating viruses but improve your overall health and longevity at the same.

source

Vitamin D is ‘nature's antibiotic’

2009-12-09T15:24:00.000-08:00

Vitamin D is being appreciated as "Nature's Antibiotic" as a string of recent discoveries about the multiple health benefits of this nutrient have come to the fore.

Right from the health of your immune system to prevention of heart disease and even vulnerability to influenza, vitamin D is now seen as one of the most critical nutrients for overall health.

But it is also one of those most likely to be deficient – especially during winter when production of the "sunshine vitamin" almost grinds to a halt for people.

Analogs of the vitamin are even being considered for use as new therapies against tuberculosis, AIDS, and other concerns.

And federal experts are considering an increase in the recommended daily intake of the vitamin as more evidence of its value emerges, especially for the elderly.

"About 70 percent of the population of the United States has insufficient levels of vitamin D. This is a critical issue as we learn more about the many roles it may play in fighting infection, balancing your immune response, helping to address autoimmune problems, and even preventing heart disease," said Adrian Gombart, a principal investigator with the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Among other findings about benefits of Vitamin D is the ones made by OSU scientists that it induces the "expression" of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide gene.

This explains in part how it helps serve as the first line of defense in your immune response against minor wounds, cuts, and both bacterial and viral infections.

Experts believe advances in the use of cathelicidin may form the basis for new therapies.

"Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is a world-wide, public health problem in both developed and developing nations. Nearly one billion people world-wide are deficient," the new report concluded.

The new report found that low levels of circulating vitamin D are associated with increased risk and mortality from cancer.

Vitamin D plays an important role in activating the immune system, fostering the "innate" immune response and controlling over-reaction of adaptive immunity, and as such may help control autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The regulation of cathelicidin by vitamin D, a unique biological pathway for the function of vitamin D that could help explain its multiple roles in proper immune function, is so important that it’s only known to exist in two groups of animals - humans and non-human primates - and has been conserved in them through millions of years of evolution.

Epidemiological studies show a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased rates of respiratory infection and influenza, and it has been hypothesized that flu epidemics may be the result of vitamin D deficiency.

Higher levels of a protein linked to vitamin D have been associated with reduced infections and longer survival of dialysis patients.

Vitamin D has important roles in reducing inflammation, blood pressure and helping to protect against heart disease.

source

Vitamin D: key to preventing cancer and heart disease

2009-12-08T08:18:00.000-08:00

Make sure you're drinking your milk because it gives you a strong healthy heart?

It's the latest in research about vitamin D that's linking it to everything from protecting you against heart disease to preventing cancer.

And with nearly 60 days cloudy days on average during the winter, it's no wonder so many of us are vitamin D deficient, and that's not a good thing.

Recent studies on the vitamin have found it might be more important to the body than any other, "It is represented in over 13 different organ systems in our body. Our central nervous system, our pancreas, our intestines, our muscles our bones." Dr. Mark Gostine with Michigan Pain Consultants in Grand Rapids has been studying the affects of vitamin D on the body for nearly a decade.

"What we're finding out is vitamin d has tremendous impact on multiple diseases."

Gostine says it can aid in preventing cancer and protecting you against heart disease, "Vitamin D can dampen the inflammation that leads to the hardening of the arteries and that of course can lead to heart failure."

That's a theory that's recently been supported by the American Heart Association. A recent study of nearly 28,000 patients showed that those who were deficient in vitamin D were twice as likely to have diabetes and high blood pressure.

But it's not just heart disease where doctors are discovering the benefits of vitamin D, Dr. Gostine believes it may even help in the prevention of certain cancers like breast and prostate, "The immune system is probably the common denominator here with vitamin D."

Vitamin D is actually a hormone steroid not a vitamin. So the body uses it to regulate the immune system which helps the body in the fight against cancer. "By up regulating the immune system it can help the white cells and all the immune components that are looking for the cancer trying to stamp out the cancer when it's very small when it can still be treated by the bodies immune system.", says Gostine.

So how much vitamin d should we get every day?

Dr. Gostine believes that the 400 units in your multi-vitamin aren't nearly enough because the recommended daily allowance for vitamin D supplements was based on a child's dosage in the 1940's

Dr. Gostine would like to see adults get at least 4,000 units a day or more depending on your level of deficiency.

Melissa Cooper has suffered with back pain for nearly a decade undergoing two unsuccessful surgeries before being recommended to Dr. Gostine. The first thing he did was check to see if she was vitamin d deficient, "I just couldn't believe it when they said my vitamin d level was so low."

In fact it was one of the lowest levels Dr. Gostine had ever seen and immediately placed her on 50,000 units of vitamin D a week. It took more than three months to get Melissa up to normal levels.

Once she was, she endured a third back surgery, this time it was more than successful.

A side by side comparison shows that Melissa actually grew bone in her spine.

Dr.. Gostine is a firm believer vitamin D made the difference, "I don't think there was any question that that was the reason."

Is it the next miracle vitamin? - that's yet to be determined.

But in the meantime it never hurts to soak up the sun when you get the chance.

source

Vitamin D: A potential role in cardiovascular disease prevention

2009-12-07T10:10:00.000-08:00

Inadequate levels of vitamin D are associated with an increase in the risk of cardiovascular disease and death, a new observational study has found. Dr Tami L Bair (Intermountain Medical Center, Murray, UT) reported the findings here at the American Heart Association 2009 Scientific Sessions.

Bair and colleagues followed more than 27 000 people 50 years or older with no history of cardiovascular disease for just over a year and found that those with very low levels of vitamin D (<15>30 ng/mL). Those deficient in vitamin D were also twice as likely to develop heart failure as those with normal levels.

"We concluded that even a moderate deficiency of vitamin D was associated with developing coronary artery disease, heart failure, stroke, and death," said coauthor Dr Heidi May (Intermountain Medical Center). However, "it is not known whether this is a cause and effect relationship," she told heartwire. Because this study was observational, more research is needed "to better establish the association between vitamin D deficiency and cardiovascular disease," she noted.

Evidence so far suggestive of benefit of vitamin D

Vitamin D was the subject of much discussion in a general session on vitamins at the AHA scientific sessions. Although the evidence supporting the benefits of vitamin D in cardiovascular disease is probably stronger than for any other vitamin, there have been only a few randomized clinical trials, and previous observational studies "show no robust effects," said Dr Harald Dobnig (Medical University of Graz, Austria). The latter suffer from limitations, such as doses of vitamin D supplementation that are too low, low compliance rates, and short study duration, he noted.

There are some large randomized trials underway looking at outcomes with vitamin D; it is hoped that they will provide definitive answers in five to seven years, Dr Eric Rimm (Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA) explained.

"I think there's promise for vitamin D. We know that most people have insufficient vitamin D levels in their blood," Rimm told heartwire. "So although it will take five years until some of the trials that are adequately powered to look at cardiovascular disease with vitamin D will report, the epidemiology right now is suggestive that people should have 1000 or 2000 IU of vitamin D a day," he said.

Vitamin D: How do we get it, and how much is enough?

Rimm discussed vitamin D at length, explaining that there are two sources: sunlight in the form of UVB rays, and diet (foods and supplementation). "Many tissue types and cells in the body have vitamin D receptors, and the active form of vitamin D is modulated by calcium and parathyroid hormone," he explained, with potential downstream effects on a number of bodily systems—inflammatory markers and the renin angiotensin system to name just two—he said.

People at highest risk of vitamin D deficiency include those with darker skin, those living at high altitudes, the elderly (because there is less of the precursor for vitamin D in the blood as people age and older people tend to spend less time outside), the obese, those who avoid the sun or cover the skin in the sun, those who are the immobilized or institutionalized, and pregnant and breast-feeding women.

Deficiency in vitamin D is generally agreed to be a blood level of <20>150 ng/mL indicating excessive vitamin D.

Data suggest that many people are likely getting inadequate vitamin D, he said, with studies showing that black Americans have blood levels ranging from 6-18 ng/mL and that white Americans have levels ranging from 16-25 ng/mL.

In general, a supplement of 100 IU of vitamin D per day will increase blood levels of vitamin D by 1 ng/mL, Rimm said. Those taking 1000 IU per day should have blood levels in the range of 25-32 ng/mL and those taking 4000 IU should have levels of 40-50 ng/mL.

Diet and sunshine good sources of vitamin D

However, Rimm stressed that vitamin D need not just come from supplements. "I think for vitamin D, it's a shame just to count on supplementation because, during the right times of year, five to 10 minutes a day of sunlight is sufficient is to make enough vitamin D. I do hear the concerns about skin cancer and I think people should wear suntan lotion, but it's probably better to put it on 10 minutes after you've been in the sun."

He cautioned that "in northern climes, even if you go out in the sun in January, you're not going to make much vitamin D, so there you would need supplementation to get adequate levels."
One of the best dietary sources of vitamin D is fish.

People should remember that diet is an important source of vitamin D, too, he noted. "One of the best dietary sources of vitamin D is fish. We already suggest people eat a couple of servings a week, but having three or four servings a week of fish can get you a fair bit of vitamin D, and would represent an additional 300 to 500 IU of vitamin D. This still might not be sufficient so you might need a little bit of sunlight or to take a vitamin D supplement. It's really a combination of things, that's probably the best approach."

Both Rimm and Dobnig said it is nearly impossible for anyone to suffer adverse effects from too much vitamin D. Those who spend whole days in the sun, such as lifeguards, have vitamin D levels ranging from 45 to 65 ng/mL, said Rimm. "Vitamin D is safe. Hypercalcemia is not a problem, with the rare exception of granulomatous disease," said Dobnig. He added that because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it can be given weekly, or even monthly.

Results of two large randomized trials eagerly awaited

Rimm said he hopes ongoing research will inform the vitamin D debate. Data are needed on intermediate end points, such as inflammatory markers and parathyroid hormone, and on "hard" end points, such as coronary artery disease, sudden death, and heart failure, both in primary prevention and in high-risk populations, including those with chronic kidney disease and heart failure.

The results of two large randomized trials are eagerly awaited, he said, including the National Institutes of Health-sponsored VITAL study looking at whether 2000 IU vitamin D and/or 1 g of fish oil (omega-3 fatty-acid supplementation) can reduce the risk of developing heart disease, stroke, or cancer in 20 000 men and women, which is slated to begin in January 2010.

The Thiazolidinedione Intervention with Vitamin D Evaluation (TIDE) study is being coordinated by researchers at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON. This trial is looking at rosiglitazone versus pioglitazone in people with type 2 diabetes at risk of heart disease, but also has a vitamin D versus placebo arm. The primary outcome for the vitamin D arm will be cancer, but there are a number of secondary cardiovascular end points, said Dobnig. Right now, I think the evidence for vitamin D probably is stronger than the evidence for other vitamins.

"The evidence for vitamins is not great," Rimm said. "The best thing we can say now is to stop smoking, eat a good diet, and don't be overweight. I think people sometimes lose touch with the most important message of prevention, and jump right to the vitamins thinking that's going to sustain them, so doing what we know first and best is probably the best place to start."

"After that, right now, I think the evidence for vitamin D probably is stronger than the evidence for other vitamins," he concluded.

source

Deviled Eggs Recipe and 10 Health Benefits of Eggs

2009-12-06T08:06:00.000-08:00

There are many traditional Thanksgiving Day recipes that everyone looks forward to and deviled eggs are a classic. Whether they are made with using a traditional deviled eggs recipes or one of the newer versions -- including spicy, gluten free , or even a caviar deviled eggs-- Thanksgiving Day isn't the same without this tasty appetizer. Even better? Eggs have great health benefits.

Deviled eggs are hard-boiled eggs cut in half and filled with the hard-boiled egg's yolk mixed with different ingredients. Deviled eggs are usually served cold. They are served as a side dish, appetizer or a main course, and are a common holiday or party food.

Eggs are full of protein and have so many good health benefits that consuming eggs on Thanksgiving is a great idea. Try a few new recipes or stick with the classic deviled eggs recipe for a delicious Thanksgiving Day appetizer.

Easy Deviled Eggs Recipes

Classic Deviled Eggs

Crab & Celery Deviled Eggs

Caviar Deviled Eggs

Gluten Free Deviled Eggs

Health Benefits of Eggs

1. Eggs are great for the eyes. According to one study, an egg a day may prevent macular degeneraton due to the carotenoid content, specifically lutein and zeaxanthin. Both nutrients are more readily available to our bodies from eggs than from other sources.

2. In another study, researchers found that people who eat eggs every day lower their risk of developing cataracts, also because of the lutein and zeaxanthin in eggs.

3. One egg contains 6 grams of high-quality protein and all 9 essential amino acids.

4. According to a study by the Harvard School of Public Health, there is no significant link between egg consumption and heart disease. In fact, according to one study, regular consumption of eggs may help prevent blood clots, stroke, and heart attacks.

5. They are a good source of choline. One egg yolk has about 300 micrograms of choline. Choline is an important nutrient that helps regulate the brain, nervous system, and cardiovascular system.

6. They contain the right kind of fat. One egg contains just 5 grams of fat and only 1.5 grams of that is saturated fat.

7. New research shows that, contrary to previous belief, moderate consumption of eggs does not have a negative impact on cholesterol. In fact, recent studies have shown that regular consumption of two eggs per day does not affect a person's lipid profile and may, in fact, improve it. Research suggests that it is saturated fat that raises cholesterol rather than dietary cholesterol.

8. Eggs are one of the only foods that contain naturally occurring vitamin D.

9. Eggs may prevent breast cancer. In one study, women who consumed at least 6 eggs per week lowered their risk of breast cancer by 44%.

10. Eggs promote healthy hair and nails because of their high sulphur content and wide array of vitamins and minerals. Many people find their hair growing faster after adding eggs to their diet, especially if they were previously deficient in foods containing sulphur or B12.

source

Chocolate Milk Good or Bad?

2009-12-05T19:58:00.000-08:00

Milk, filled with calcium and vitamin D, may help children grow into strong healthy adults, but many won’t touch it without adding chocolate syrup. A blog on the New Yorker Web site asked New Yorker Food Issue contributors if adding chocolate cancelled the health benefits of milk, or if it is a necessary incentive to get kids to consume nutrients.

Mimi Sheraton said the chocolate is OK because otherwise children may not get the much-needed calcium and vitamin D from the milk. She suggested using high-quality, low-sugar chocolate syrup in lowfat milk. She added chocolate may even add benefits, as recent studies have shown its ability to increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and reduce inflammation.

While the other contributors gave jokes for answers (Raffi Khatchadourian spoke about genetically engineered cows that produce chocolate milk from their udders; and John Colapinto said he didn’t want his son to drink chocolate milk or even eat sandwiches because of their negative health benefits), the article brings up a good point about how a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down. Or, in this era of childhood obesity and kids who experience adult disease, should we skip the sugar and try to give only the medicine?

source

Vitamin D Has Numerous Health Benefits

2009-12-04T08:50:00.000-08:00

Vitamin D is called as "nature's antibiotic" as recent discoveries have brought to light its numerous health benefits.

Right from the health of your immune system to prevention of heart disease and even vulnerability to influenza, vitamin D is now seen as one of the most critical nutrients for overall health.

But it is also one of those most likely to be deficient - especially during winter when production of the "sunshine vitamin" almost grinds to a halt for people.

Analogs of the vitamin are even being considered for use as new therapies against tuberculosis, AIDS, and other concerns.

And federal experts are considering an increase in the recommended daily intake of the vitamin as more evidence of its value emerges, especially for the elderly.

"About 70 percent of the population of the United States has insufficient levels of vitamin D. This is a critical issue as we learn more about the many roles it may play in fighting infection, balancing your immune response, helping to address autoimmune problems, and even preventing heart disease," said Adrian Gombart, a principal investigator with the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Among other findings about benefits of Vitamin D is the ones made by OSU scientists that it induces the "expression" of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide gene.

This explains in part how it helps serve as the first line of defense in your immune response against minor wounds, cuts, and both bacterial and viral infections.

Experts believe advances in the use of cathelicidin may form the basis for new therapies.

"Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency is a world-wide, public health problem in both developed and developing nations. Nearly one billion people world-wide are deficient," the new report concluded.

The new report found that low levels of circulating vitamin D are associated with increased risk and mortality from cancer.

Vitamin D plays an important role in activating the immune system, fostering the "innate" immune response and controlling over-reaction of adaptive immunity, and as such may help control autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis.

The regulation of cathelicidin by vitamin D, a unique biological pathway for the function of vitamin D that could help explain its multiple roles in proper immune function
, is so important that it's only known to exist in two groups of animals - humans and non-human primates - and has been conserved in them through millions of years of evolution.

Epidemiological studies show a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased rates of respiratory infection and influenza, and it has been hypothesized that flu epidemics may be the result of vitamin D deficiency.

Higher levels of a protein linked to vitamin D have been associated with reduced infections and longer survival of dialysis patients.

Vitamin D has important roles in reducing inflammation, blood pressure and helping to protect against heart disease.

source

Vitamin D might be just as important as vaccine to prevent effects of H1N1 swine flu, researchers say

2009-12-03T09:30:00.000-08:00

The world's leading vitamin D experts say that raising your levels of "the sunshine vitamin" this winter might be the best way to help your body naturally raise its resistance to all forms of the flu virus - including the H1N1 swine flu virus.

That's the message vitamin D advocate Dr. William Grant wants you to take to the bank.

"I'm a little hesitant to say it will reduce your risk of being infected, but it certainly will reduce your risk of dying from the complications, such as pneumonia, if you are infected," says Grant, founder of the Sunlight, Nutrition and Health Research Center - a vitamin D research and advocacy group.

Grant is concerned that epidemic vitamin D deficiency in Canada -- 97 percent of Canadians are vitamin D deficient in the winter due to Canada's northerly latitudes and relatively weak sunlight 4-6 months of the year -- means that Canadians could be more susceptible to flu virus in the winter.

Grant points to research suggesting:

    -  Higher vitamin D levels assist the body's innate immune system. Some
     studies suggest taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D/day will decrease your
     risk of seasonal flu.
  -  The groups most affected by the H1N1 swine flu virus have been those
     most likely to be vitamin D deficient: pregnant women, obese people,
     those with Type II diabetes and children with neurological disorders.
  -  Many of the deaths associated with the H1N1 virus have been pneumonia
     related, which means anything that would assist your body's innate
     immune system would make you less likely to be affected.

The worldwide vitamin D research community now recommends getting your vitamin D levels checked with a calcidiol test and maintaining vitamin D levels of 40-60 ng/ml.

November is Vitamin D Awareness Month in Canada. For more information about the benefits of vitamin D visit:

    www.vitaminDsociety.org
  www.GrassRootsHealth.org
  www.VitaminDcouncil.org

For further information: Michelle Di Rocco, (416) 360-6522 ext 251, michelle@punchcanada.com or Danna Barak at danna@punchcanada.com

source

Low vitamin D linked to high risk of leg artery disease

2009-12-02T10:40:00.000-08:00

A new study published in the June 2008 issue of Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology suggests that taking vitamin D supplements or getting exposed to enough sunshine may help prevent peripheral artery disease (PAD).

PAD is a condition in which the legs are narrowed or clogged by fatty deposit and blood flow is restricted to the legs. It affects an estimated 8 to 12 million Americans, according to the American Heart Association.

Dr. Michal L. Melamed from Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, New York and colleagues analyzed data from a national survey of 4,839 U.S. adults whose vitamin D levels were measured.

People with PAD had significantly lower levels of vitamin D than those without. Of those with the highest levels of the vitamin, only 3.7 percent had PAD compared to 8.1 percent of those with the lowest levels of vitamin D, the researchers found.

After other factors including age, gender and race were adjusted, people with the lowest levels of vitamin D were 2.18 times more likely to have PAD than those with the highest levels.

Specifically, a 10-nanogram-per-milliliter decrease in the blood vitamin D level was linked to a 35 percent increase in the incidence of PAD.

This study is not a trial, meaning the association is not necessarily a causal relation between PAD and the blood vitamin D level. Because of this, no one knows for sure if taking vitamin D supplements would definitely reduce the risk.

source

Low vitamin D linked to high risk of premature death

2009-12-01T07:35:00.000-08:00

People with lower blood levels of sunshine vitamin D in their blood appear to have an increased risk of death from all causes and from cardiovascular diseases, according to an Austrian study in the June 23 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The study found that people with the lowest level of vitamin D in their blood were twice as likely to die from any cause including death from heart disease during an eight-year period as those who had a high level.

Vitamin D is naturally produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunshine. Exposure of the face and both hands for 20 minutes to strong sunshine is believed to generate enough vitamin D, while a dietary regimen is needed to have a preventative effect against certain diseases or death, particularly in dark-skinned individuals and the elderly who produce less vitamin D.

An estimated 50 to 60 percent of older people in North America and the rest of the world do not have sufficient vitamin D levels, and a similar percentage of young people have the same problem, according to the background information in the report.

Previous studies have linked blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in the blood lower than 20 to 30 nanograms per milliliter with risk of falls, fractures, cancer, immune dysfunction, cardiovascular disease and hypertension.

In the study, Harald Dobnig, M.D., an internist and endocrinologist at the Medical University of Graz, Austria, and colleagues measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels in 3,258 patients of an average age of 62 years who underwent coronary angiography testing between 1997 and 2000.

During the 7.7-year follow-up, 22.6 percent of participants died and among the dead, 62.8 percent were from cardiovascular causes.

Death rates from any cause and from the cardiovascular causes were higher in those with their blood 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the lower 50 percent and in the lowest one-fourth of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels, the study found.

Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were also linked with markers of inflammation such as c-reactive protein, as well as signs of oxidative damage to cells, the study found.

"Apart from the proved effects that vitamin D has on bone metabolism and neuromuscular function, appropriate serum levels (that may also be higher than in the present investigation) are associated with a decrease in mortality," the researchers concluded.

"Although not proved, it seems possible that at least part of this effect may be due to lowering of a risk profile promoting atherosclerosis [narrowing of the arteries] and preventing cardiovascular end points," the researchers said.

"Based on the findings of this study, a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 20 nanograms per milliliter or higher may be advised for maintaining general health." (Editor’s note: many other studies have suggested that 30 nanograms per milliliter are needed.)

The current study merely established an association between the serum vitamin D level and death risk and it did not prove that taking vitamin D supplements to increase its level in the body would actually reduce the risk of death from all causes although the possibility cannot be excluded either.

However, many clinical trials have already demonstrated the preventative effect of vitamin D against premature deaths from all causes including cardiovascular causes.

One study meta-analyzed data from 18 separate trials of 57,000 participants who had a dietary supplement of vitamin D at a dose ranging from 300 to 2000 International Units and found that those who took vitamin D had a 7 percent lower risk of death than those who did not.

The study was conducted by Philippe Autier, M.D., of the International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France, and Sara Gandini, Ph.D., of the European Institute of Oncology in Milan, Italy, and published in the September 10, 2007 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Overall, earlier studies showed that deficiencies in vitamin D are associated with a higher risk of death from cancers (including breast, prostate, and colon cancer), heart disease, and diabetes-illnesses, which overall are responsible for 60 to 70 percent of deaths in developed countries.

Another study conducted by Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D., at the Harvard School of Public Health and colleagues revealed that it is 2.42 times more common to find people with 15 nanograms per milliliter of blood or less (deficiency) than it is to find those with a sufficient amount (30 nanograms per milliliter). The findings were published in the June 9, 2008 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine.

The researchers came to this conclusion after they compared 454 men ages 40 to 75 who had non-fatal heart attacks or fatal heart disease during the follow-up period with 900 men who did not have a history of cardiovascular disease.

Sunshine is the basic source of vitamin D. But readers should be careful about the advice they receive from news media, a health observer affiliated with foodconsumer.org suggested. Exposure to ultraviolet rays is widely viewed as a risk for developing skin cancer, and people are often urged to use screens to block exposure to sunshine. Be aware though that vitamin D deficiency can put an individual at a higher risk of dying from other more serious types of cancers and a variety of other chronic diseases.

Other sources include fortified foods such as fortified milk and cereals, natural foods such as cod liver oil, fatty fish such as cooked salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines, egg yolks, liver, and supplements.

The current recommended daily allowance for vitamin D is 200 IU per day for people under 50, 400 IUs for those between 50 and 70, and 600 IUs for those over 70. Older people need higher doses. Research has found that healthy people can tolerate intake of up to 10,000 IU per day. Vitamin D experts have already complained that the current RDA is too low to have a protective effect, and have recommended that the RDA should be increased to at least 1,000 IU per day.

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Vitamin D reduces asthma severity

2009-11-30T13:30:00.000-08:00

Although the committee charged with determining the recommended daily amount of nutrients cannot currently agree on how much vitamin D we need (New York Times), there is now plenty of research supporting its many health advantages. Dr. Mercola, author of the mercola.com site, states that some of the newest reports are indicating that low vitamin D levels in children can increase the severity of asthma.

Studies have shown that children who were hospitalized with asthma-related problems typically had low levels of vitamin D in the bloodstream. This data seems to corroborate an Australian study from 2006 which showed that exposure to sunlight reduced the severity of asthma in mice.

And, according to the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, mothers who have adequate vitamin D supplementation while pregnant can actually reduce the risk that their children will later develop asthma between the ages of 3 and 5.

Jane Brody, who refers to vitamin D as the “sunshine vitamin,” reported in a recent column that since the powers that be are still in a quandary over optimal levels of the vitamin, it’s up to the consumer to look at the some of the research and decide how much to take.

These new associations between asthma severity and vitamin D are simply verification that the “sunshine vitamin” could be coming into its own. Brody writes that vitamin D has been shown to regulate balance in older people, and has been linked to a reduction in cancers of the breast, ovary, rectum, prostate and stomach.

Currently, the recommended daily allowance of vitamin D is 400 IUs, which, according to Dr. Mercola, is ten times less than the amount necessary for optimal health.

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Try Vitamin D If You Want To Live Longer

2009-11-29T18:57:00.000-08:00

Writing in the journal Clinical Endocrinology, scientists from the Netherlands, Austria, and the U.S. report that low blood levels of the sunshine vitamin are associated with increased risk of all-cause mortality, and mortality from heart disease, in the elderly.

The research follows hot on the heels of similar findings published in Nutrition Research and in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

The new study used data from 614 people participating in the Hoorn Study, a prospective population-based study with men and women with an average age of 69.8. Blood levels of 25(OH)D were measured at the start of the study. After an average of six years of follow-up, 51 deaths had been documented, 20 of which were due to cardiovascular health.

People with the lowest average vitamin D levels were found to be at a 124 and 378 percent increased risk of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality, respectively.

Commenting on the potential mechanism, the researchers note:

“Apart from the maintenance of muscular and skeletal health, vitamin D may also protect against cancer, infections, autoimmune and vascular diseases, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency might contribute to a reduced life expectancy.”

Adults with lower blood levels of vitamin D may also be more likely to die from heart disease or stroke. Scientists in Finland compared blood levels of vitamin D, and deaths from heart disease or stroke over time in more than 6,000 people. Those with the lowest vitamin D levels had a 25 percent higher risk of dying from heart disease or stroke.

In addition, in a study of 166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer, nearly 70 percent had low levels of vitamin D in their blood, according to a study presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s Breast Cancer Symposium. The analysis showed women with late-stage disease and non-Caucasian women had even lower levels.

Said Luke Peppone, Ph.D., research assistant professor of Radiation Oncology, at Rochester’s James P. Wilmot Cancer Center:

“Vitamin D is essential to maintaining bone health and women with breast cancer have accelerated bone loss due to the nature of hormone therapy and chemotherapy. It’s important for women and their doctors to work together to boost their vitamin D intake."

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Vitamin D helps Kids improve Bone Density

2009-11-15T00:45:00.000-08:00

Calcium and vitamin D supplements can improve bone density during a crucial growth period for young girls.

A six-month study looked at identical twin girls aged between nine and 12, who were randomly assigned to receive either the calcium and vitamin D tablets, or a matched placebo.

David Greene, lecturer in exercise science at Australian Catholic University (ACU), said results showed that the supplements improved measures of bone mineral density, bone mineral content and bone strength in these girls.

These results are particularly important as young women accumulate bone mass most rapidly during adolescence, he said.

Therefore, ideal skeletal development can only be achieved when adequate dietary intakes of calcium and vitamin D supplement physical activity during this period, according to an ANU release.

Maximising bone strength during the growing years is also essential in order to offset the effects of osteoporosis in later life.

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Twenty reasons why vitamin D is better than a swine flu vaccine

2009-11-14T09:00:00.000-08:00

The news is out: Vitamin D is better than the swine flu vaccine at halting H1N1 infections. In fact, without vitamin D, chances are that a vaccine won't generate much of an immune response in the first place.

That's because vitamin D is essential for healthy, active immune function. That's just one of the reasons smart people are choosing vitamin D instead of the swine flu vaccine. Here are nineteen more reasons:

#1 Vitamin D activates your immune system to respond to any viral exposure (not just one virus).

#2 Vitamin D naturally belongs in your body.

#3 Vitamin D has been functioning as medicine in the human body since the beginning of the human species.

#4 Vitamin D is available right now and there's no shortage of it.

#5 Vitamin D won't cause your brain to swell and put you into a coma.

#6 Vitamin D doesn't require an injection with a scary needle.

#7 Vitamin D is found naturally in many foods such as sardines or salmon.

#8 Vitamin D has a perfect safety record. No one ever died from consuming it.

#9 Vitamin D is affordable. You can even get it for free (from sunlight).

#10 Vitamin D doesn't contain viral fragments from diseased animals (like vaccines often do).

#11 Vitamin D doesn't contain thimerosal or other chemical preservatives.

#12 Vitamin D doesn't need a warning sheet describing possible side effects.

#13 Vitamin D doesn't hurt your arm when you take it.

#14 Vitamin D also improves sugar metabolism, bone density and healthy moods.

#15 Vitamin D is safe for the environment.

#16 Vitamin D doesn't contain squalene or other inflammatory adjuvant chemicals.

#17 Vitamin D works on everyone and is safe for everyone, including infants and children.

#18 Vitamin D is made in nature, not a laboratory.

#19 Vitamin D is found naturally in breast milk.

#20 You can walk, and chew gum, and generate vitamin D from sunshine all at the same time!

Skip the vaccine. Get more Vitamin D!

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The Hottest Vitamin Under the Sun ( Part 3 )

2009-11-13T13:30:00.000-08:00

New products fortified with vitamin D may help the many who are deficient. Recent studies have shown pregnant women who lived at a latitude of 54 to 55 degrees north (about as north as Central Canada) had insufficient levels, even among those who use supplements.² Mothers-to-be who have lower levels of vitamin D are more likely to give birth via cesarean section.³ And Turkish researchers encouraged pregnant women to supplement their diets with vitamin D in order to reduce the risk of their children contracting acute lower respiratory infections.⁴

Once the children are out of the womb, they may still not be getting all of their vitamin D needs. In the United States, 61 percent of children aged 1 to 21 years who completed the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2004 had insufficient levels of vitamin D.⁵ Only 4 percent had taken a 400 IU/d supplement of vitamin D for the past 30 days. That same study found deficiency was associated with elevated parathyroid hormone levels, higher systolic blood pressure, lower serum calcium and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.

The heart-health benefits of vitamin D don’t stop with the youth. A University of Colorado study found an inverse relationship between vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease (CVD), as well as all-cause mortality.⁶ A review in The American Journal of the Medical Sciences states cross-sectional studies found vitamin D deficiency was associated with increased risk of CVD, including hypertension, heart failure and ischemic heart disease.⁷And Reuters reported at a September 2009 meeting of the American Heart Association in Chicago, researchers presented study that found younger white women with vitamin D deficiencies are about three times more likely to have high blood pressure in middle age than those with normal vitamin levels.

Because vitamin D is necessary for calcium absorption into the body, vitamin D is closely associated with bone health. In fact, one Swiss study found among men and women, vitamin D status seems to be the dominant predictor of bone mineral density (BMD) relative to calcium intake.⁸ In the study, only women with vitamin D concentrations less than 50 nm seem to benefit from a higher calcium intake alone. In a later review of eight randomized controlled trials, those same researchers found supplemental vitamin D in a dose of 700 to 1,000 IU/d reduced the risk of falling among older adults by 19 percent.⁹ However, doses of supplemental vitamin D of less than 700 IU or serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of less than 60 nmol/l did not reduce the risk of falling.

McBurney added supplementing with vitamin D is good for bone health throughout life. “Bones are remodeled every day, all our life,” he said. “So it is important to build bones when one is young, and to maintain adequate vitamin D status to maintain strong bones for life.”

The benefits of vitamin D go well beyond the heart and bones. Keeping vitamin D levels high may also protect against colon cancer,¹⁰ cold and flu,¹¹ Alzheimer’s disease,¹² multiple sclerosis,¹³ ovarian cancer¹⁴ and weight gain.¹⁵

With all the new studies finding vitamin D’s health benefits (every study referenced in this article is from 2009), the sunshine vitamin’s future is, well, sunny. “Scientists are discovering new insights into the role of vitamin D,” McBurney said. “With the unraveling of the human genome, we are living in a period of discovery unprecedented in history. The future is very exciting.”

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The Hottest Vitamin Under the Sun ( Part 2 )

2009-11-12T10:46:00.000-08:00

U.S. dietary reference intake (DRI) guidelines established in 1997 by IOM recommend 200 IU/d of vitamin D through age 50, 400 IU/d for people ages 51 to 70 and 600 IU/d for those 71 and older. But many experts now say everyone likely needs more. For instance, in 2008, The American Academy of Pediatrics the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommended breastfed infants receive supplements of 400 IU/d of vitamin D until they are weaned and consume more than 1,000 mL/d of vitamin D-fortified formula or whole milk.¹ All non-breastfed infants ingesting less than 1,000 mL/d of vitamin D-fortified formula or milk should receive a vitamin D supplement of 400 IU/d, they said. AAP also recommends older children and adolescents should take a 400 IU vitamin D supplement daily. In response, a new IOM panel is reviewing the recommendations on vitamin D and calcium and a report is expected in spring 2010.

Huang believes FDA will follow suit. “In 2010, we believe FDA will probably increase dramatically the recommended daily allowance (RDA) for vitamin D,” he said. “This will push further growth of vitamin D sales in functional foods and nutritional products.”

Those sought-after products will include dairy items as well as new innovations, said Diane Hnat, senior technical marketing manager DSM Nutritional Products.“Historically milk, margarine and ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal have been the most popular food delivery vehicles for vitamin D,” she said. “It is also allowed under the enrichment guidelines for grain products, and has picked up momentum with its additional approval in juice drinks with calcium.”

Those who formulate with vitamin D may want to invest in tests to ensure quality. “Product stability is very important in vitamin D products,” Huang said. “We have excellent stability test results to offer our customers. Also the impurities in the vitamin D are a concern, so we have utilized HPLC testing methods to assure the purity of our vitamin D products.”

The fat-soluble nature of the vitamin can also pose a challenge. “Vitamin D is fat-soluble so water-dispersible forms are required for many applications,” Hnat said. “The encapsulants’ capability to hold up during processing of foods like RTD meal replacements or processed cheese is important.”

Garner added it is less difficult to formulate vitamin D in supplements than in liquid forms. “While vitamin D is easy to process for supplements such as tablets, it is very demanding to make it part of any liquid formulation and/or clear and stable supplements,” he said. He noted NovaSOL D from Marco Hi-Tech is a water-soluble nutrient and therefore can be used in transparent liquids.

to be continued..................

The Hottest Vitamin Under the Sun ( Part 1 )

2009-11-11T12:37:00.000-08:00

Vitamin D may just be considered the “it” vitamin of 2009. This year, it seemed stories on the sunshine vitamin were published daily. Studies on its role in bone health, heart health, immune health, weight management, cancer prevention and other health conditions poured from scientific journals. With the outbreak of H1N1 influenza, the Public Health Agency of Canada plans to test vitamin D levels of people who contract the virus in order to find new ways to fight it; and the U.S. Institutes of Medicine (IOM) announced it will review the recommended daily values of vitamin D intake.

Yes, vitamin D was hot this year, and not just because it comes to us from sun exposure. With all the news reports and studies, it’s no wonder awareness of vitamin D is up among consumers. The International Food Information Council’s (IFIC) Functional Foods/Foods for Health consumer survey, released in August 2009, found 90 percent of Americans recognized vitamin D offers bone-health benefits compared to 81 percent in 2007. For responders who had children, 19 percent said they look for their children’s foods and beverages to be fortified with vitamin D. Michael McBurney, Ph.D., FACN, head of scientific affairs, DSM Nutritional Products Inc. added, “Fifty-six percent of those surveyed were already choosing foods with vitamin D to promote bone health, and another 38 percent were very or somewhat likely to do so.”

But consumers beyond those looking for bone benefits for the old and the young are also seeking vitamin D fortification and dietary supplements. “Traditionally, consumers were interested in calcium supplements with vitamin D; however, because of the scientific studies in the last a few years, they are now more interested in trying vitamin D for boosting the immune system, helping to fight the flu, etc.,” said Steve Huang, manager, PAT Vitamins.

Vitamin D comes in two biologically inactive precursors. D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is produced by the skin when it’s exposed to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation; D2, also known as ergocalciferol, comes from plants exposed to UV light. The liver and kidneys synthesize both forms of vitamin D into 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), to make it active in the body. However, David Garner, partner, Marco Hi-Tech JV LLC, argued the body prefers consumption of D3, adding, “D3 is said to be the best form of vitamin D (cholecalciferol) as it is the natural type that also is created whenever skin is exposed to sunlight.”

Humans may not be able to get all of their vitamin D from the sun due to amount of skin that is exposed, the length of exposure, UV wavelength, latitude, season, skin melanin content and age. Therefore, people are more interested in increasing their vitamin D by consuming the nutrient, but most unfortified foods do not provide adequate amounts. The few foods that do contain a significant amount of vitamin D—butter, cream, egg yolks and fatty fish, such as herring, catfish and salmon—are not, and in some cases shouldn’t be, prevalent in today’s diets.

“The reality is that the average U.S. diet does not provide the required amount of vitamin D,” said Dinesh Venkateswaran, technical marketing manager, DSM Nutritional Products Inc. “Therefore, dietary supplements may be useful sources for these nutrients that otherwise might be consumed in less than recommended amounts.”

to be continued.........

Beating the common cold, naturally

2009-11-10T13:29:00.000-08:00

With all the H1N1 discourse and debate, the nation's focus is definitely on flu season. With so much attention given to the prevention and treatment of the flu, it seems that the other big winter illness - the common cold - is getting less attention. While the common cold is typically the gentler sickness of the two - it still allows many to go to work and school, for example, while the flu usually lays people up for a week or more - it is still a drain on us, both as individuals, and as a wider population.

To protect ourselves from getting a cold or the flu, physical barriers usually rule the day: hand-washing, not sharing cups or water bottles, or staying out of busy public places altogether are strategies that we hear about over and over again.

But what about your diet? Is there anything you can take that will make you less likely to get the cold? And once you're in the clutches of one, is there anything that can make a cold's duration shorter or its symptoms less severe? While there are numerous purported cold remedies on the market, here are the highlights of a few popular nutritional supplements and their possible benefits - or lack thereof - in preventing the common cold.

VITAMIN C

When it comes to cold prevention, who doesn't think about popping some vitamin C? After decades of recommendations based largely around the prevention of scurvy, vitamin C made its way into our collective consciousness with two-time Nobel laureate Linus Pauling's assertions that mega-dosing was a pathway to good health. Now, many of us don't think twice about popping several thousand milligrams at a time, and there is a widely held belief that taking vitamin C at the onset of a cold will hold it at bay.

But what does the research say? In 2007, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews - basically, the granddaddy of evidence-based reviews on medical research - published an updated review of vitamin C and the common cold, and found that, in a nutshell, yes, vitamin C regularly can reduce the length one suffers from a cold - by 8% in adults and 14% in children, as long as it is taken regularly. But when taken after the onset of symptoms, there was no effect on the length or severity. In other words, megadosing on vitamin C after you feel your first sniffle doesn't seem to do much.

Although the general population may not benefit from taking vitamin C for a cold, there is some evidence that athletes training at a high level (marathon runners, for example), and those exposed to extreme cold temperatures can benefit from popping a few pills.

VITAMIN D

The sunshine vitamin plays a role in immune system function, and at least according to early evidence, it might help to prevent respiratory tract infections. In fact, a study published in the February edition of the journal Archives of Internal Medicine found that individuals with a lower circulating level of vitamin D had a higher likelihood of developing a respiratory tract infection.

On the other hand, a more recent study, published in the October issue of Epidemiology and Infection, found that subjects given 2000 IU of vitamin D over a 12 week period were no less likely to develop a respiratory tract infection. Since there is very limited research on the role vitamin D plays in the development of the common cold, the bottom line is that we simply don't yet know enough to be able to do anything but speculate. Having said that, since so many Canadians are vitamin D deficient by late fall or early winter - the time when cold and flu season hits full stride - taking a vitamin D supplement probably isn't a bad idea, even if it is for other health benefits than cold prevention.

GARLIC

Long used by numerous cultures for taste and health, garlic's antimicrobial and antiviral properties has earned it a reputation as a classic cold-fighter. But does the evidence agree? According to a Cochrane review published earlier this year, researchers found that there is insufficient evidence to suggest that garlic should be used to either prevent or treat the common cold. Bear in mind, however, that the issue was not so much that garlic isn't useful, but rather that there haven't been enough well-controlled trials to allow a clear conclusion to be drawn, one way or the other.

In fact, in one double-blinded trial, subjects given garlic pills containing 180 mg of allicin (the active compound in garlic) for 12 weeks developed only a third as many colds as those given a placebo (dummy pill) for the same amount of time. Since double-blinded, placebo-controlled trials are considered the gold standard for proof, the results would certainly suggest that garlic has a role to play, at least in cold prevention, but more good trials are needed.

ZINC

A known immune system modulator, there is some research to suggest that zinc can be used to manage respiratory tract infections, pneumonia, and the common cold. While there is some indication that zinc supplements might be most beneficial for children and the elderly - in other words, those with weakened or compromised immune systems - the data is inconsistent.

As for the benefits of using zinc lozenges to treat the common cold, the reviewers at Cochrane deemed the data inconclusive. Yes, there are several well-controlled trials, and some have demonstrated that zinc lozenges can, in fact, reduce the duration or the severity of the common cold, others have shown no effect. The difference could be the result of the type of zinc used and its bioavailability (the ability of the body to uptake and use a particular form of a nutrient), but the possibility of bias was also raised.

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How to eat yourself out of depression

2009-11-09T16:24:00.000-08:00

FOOD has a direct effect on the levels of certain brain chemical. For example, eating regular portions of tryptophan – containing proteins such as lean meat, cheese and eggs-can improve your mood. It’s because tryptophan is converted by the body into serotonin – the brain chemical that triggers the feel good effect.

The absorption of tryptophan is helped by eating carbohydrates. That’s why people crave cakes and goodies when they’re feeling down. But simple carbohydrate like cakes can give you an energy dip a few hours after you’ve scoffed then- and that makes you feel worse than before you ate it. The solution? Go for complex carbohydrates such as oats and whole grain which release energy slowly, but still help the absorption of tryptophan.

Avoid sugar: We crave different foods when the weather gets cooler. You want comfort food, but doughnuts and cakes are not the answer. Some scientists believe that sugar and other simple starches actually bring on depression, by lowering levels of serotonin. A recent study found that countries that ate the most sugar also had the highest rate of depression. Other studies have shown that depression improves when people eat less sugar.

Drink water: When the weather is cold, we drink less which can result in dehydration- one of the worst culprits when it comes to making you feel low. According to mental- health charity, MIND, drinking water came top as the best self- help strategy to boost your mood. This is because dehydration is a form of stress. It causes similar changes to the body as when you’re stressed by other means- resulting in depression.

The brain is 85 percent water. It’s the movement of this water through the nerve cells that generates electrical activity. A shortage mild dehydration triggers an increase in histamine, which can block the message – carrying neurotransmitters in the brain- making you feel miserable. So if you’re feeling low, try drinking three glasses of water. It will combat the signs of dehydration and you should feel happier just 10 minutes later. Over the course of an average day, you should drink at least eight glasses of water.

Boost your Vitamin D: Another reason to get outside, is to boost your levels of Vitamin D. Vitamin D is vital for healthy bones and skin, and also increases happiness by raising levels of the feel good chemical, serotonin, and this nutrient is made in your body when your skin is exposed to sunlight. Boost your intake further by using margarine every morning.

Other good dietary sources include breakfast cereal, oily fish and eggs.

Walk back to happiness: Exercise makes you feel happier, but pounding the streets in bad weather can be a struggle. Even a brisk walk will cheer you up though. Activity has the same effect on the brain as antidepressants. It stimulates neurotransrnitters (which carry messages around the brain) to produce serotinin – the endorphin which makes us feel good. In fact, walking has been found to be more effective than drugs in treating mild to moderate depression. Also, exercise, unlike antidepressants, works immediately and has no negative side effects, just 10 minutes of brisk walking will boost your mood. 20 minutes will cheer you up a treat and 30 minutes will put in an even better mood. After that, the effect of exercise on the mood remains the same.

You need help to make your relationship last

EVEN the happiest couples sometimes drift apart and to help your relationship stay the course, experts believe you really have to work with the tools you have. You know he’s the one, and he’s crazy about you. You’re in love – for now. But what about a few years down the line? By then you’re fed up with the way he leaves his dirty socks on the floor. He hates the way you always hog the bathroom. Is it time to break up?

Psychologist Susan Jeffers says that this sounds familiar, you need lessons in love. In her book: Feel the Fear Guide to Lasting Love, she explains that falling in love can be easy but couples need to learn how to keep their love alive. She says: “I believe that when many of us enter a relationship, we don’t really know how to love. It’s when the original feeling of bliss is over that the learning begins. Too many of us don’t understand what love really means. We say we love people in our lives, yet often we don’t act very lovingly.” She says that acting lovingly is the key; so how do you do this? Get rid of those negative vibes: If you think and act unlovingly, your partner will pick up on negative energy and it will lead to conflict. But she also advises us to look beyond our immediate relationship. “If your friends are always moaning, it’s time to find new ones. The complainers in life are not working on becoming more loving people.

Work out your own issues: When you’re trying to patch things up after an argument, the hardest thing is often admitting your own faults. But this doesn’t mean you have to blame yourself for everything that’s gone wrong either. See it as a chance to become self-aware. It’s hard to be loving toward someone else if, for example, you have body hangups and don’t really love yourself.

Don’t use your feelings to punish your mate: The same feelings come up in a good relationship as in a bad one. But Jeffers points out: “The difference is, in .a good relationship we use the feelings as tools of self-discovery in a bad one, we use the feelings to punish our mate.” The next time your other half does something that annoys you, don’t automatically go on the attack. Think about how you can change your reaction to what’s happened. If he wants a night out without you and, you’re angry about it, ask yourself why.

Is your life so limited that you can’t cope without him for a few hours? If your answer is yes, it’s not a reason to be cross with him. It’s something only you can change. And if you give him time with his friends, he should be happy for you to take time out with yours.

Become what you want your mate to be: We can’t ask another person to be something that we can’t or won’t be ourselves. So make a list of all the qualities you want your man to have, and start trying to develop them yourself. If you want him to appreciate you more, then remember to thank him for the little things he does for you. You’ll soon start to get back what you give.

Remember it only takes one: Insisting that both of you have to work on the relationship is often a cop-out, says Jeffers. “It can be so much easier to blame our mate and stay miserable than take responsibility for looking inside and pushing through the fears of changing ourselves.” If you stay positive, work out your own issues and avoid blaming the other person for everything, your partner will pick up on it and become more loving towards you.

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Vitamin D Deficiency: Children Need Vitamin D

2009-11-08T10:02:00.000-08:00

This nation has many costly health care problems, but vitamin D deficiency shouldn't be one of them.

A new analysis focusing on U.S. children ages 1 through 11 says about a fifth of youngsters that age aren't getting the minimally required level of vitamin D. Many more may fall short of the optimal dose.

The deficiency puts those children - disproportionately African-American - at risk of ailments such as rickets, a disease that can cause a weakening of growing bones and cartilage.

Rickets was thought to have been conquered in this country shortly after the turn of the 20th century, when it was discovered that sunlight and food supplements could both prevent and treat the disease. But pediatricians have seen a reappearance of rickets in the United States in recent decades.

Sunshine and vitamin D-fortified milk are two key sources of vitamin D. But as an Associated Press article published Monday noted, many children don't drink the multiple glasses of milk a day that would be needed to get the recommended dose of vitamin D.

Sunshine, with its ultraviolet light that the human body turns into vitamin D, is readily available in Florida, but not in the North.

SUPPLEMENT FOR SAFETY

The potential for damage from vitamin-D deficiency in young children is so clear that the American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that youngsters get a 400-unit, daily supplement.

The new research supports that recommendation, said Dr. Jonathan Mansbach, lead author on the study, which was reported in the November issue of the journal Pediatrics.

Some evidence indicates that teens and adults may need much more vitamin D, well beyond what would be consumed in a good diet. This too suggests that daily supplements would be helpful.

Many questions about vitamin D levels remain unanswered. Health experts should accelerate research into the causes of deficiencies, particularly the prevalence among people of color.

No one should overlook the benefits of fresh air, sunlight and adequate milk intake. But when these are not enough, the growing sentiment among health experts is to recommend a daily supplement.

This solution - accessible, relatively cheap and easy to administer - is far preferable to the possible consequences of vitamin D deficiency.

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Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis

2009-11-06T09:57:00.000-08:00

Research has come up with new developments regarding Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis. Let’s reduce the incidence of MS by making sure Vitamin D levels are supplemented vigorously.

You don’t hear much about multiple sclerosis — mostly because it’s a disease that continues to stump doctors and researchers. While there are a handful of treatments that can alleviate some of the symptoms, there’s no cure for it. But last month, researchers from the UK and Canada did even better. They made a discovery that may prevent it from occurring in the first place.

And the missing link is none other than vitamin D.

Researchers from the University of Oxford and the University of British Columbia examined genetic factors involved in multiple sclerosis (MS) risk. They found that one of the genes known to have the strongest effect on MS risk interacts closely with DNA and proteins that rely on vitamin D to activate them.

If your body doesn’t have enough of this essential nutrient to activate those proteins, the nearby gene may be altered. And your risk of developing MS may increase as a result.

The researchers actually believe that this vitamin D deficiency-MS risk relationship begins before we’re even born. According to the article I read about this study “They believe that vitamin D deficiency in mothers or even in a previous generation may lead to altered expression of the gene in their offspring.”

In theory, this could mean that if women get ample vitamin D throughout their lives — and during pregnancy — it could potentially wipe out MS altogether.

Granted, it is still theoretical at this point. But it certainly can’t HURT. And while vitamin D may or may not be the MS savior, it does play a critical role in many, many other aspects of your health.

Dr. Wright recommends 4,000 IU of vitamin D daily for adults and teenagers, 1,000 IU for infants and small children, and 2,000 IU for everyone in between.

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Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Increased Risk of Death

2009-11-05T09:52:00.000-08:00

Supplementing with the sunshine vitamin could save your life.

If you’ve been keeping up with your nutritional news, you know that you should be supplementing with vitamin D. The benefits associated with the "sunshine vitamin" are many and include reduced risk for a number of diseases. But that isn’t all: getting ample amounts of vitamin D could extend your life, according to two new studies which prove that vitamin is nothing short of a nutritional miracle.

Researchers reported in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society that people with low vitamin D levels were three times more likely to die from heart disease and two and a half times more likely to die from any cause than those with optimal vitamin D levels. The scientists wrote: “Current dosage recommendations for vitamin D supplementation appear to be inadequate in most older adults to support [the] higher levels that are associated with optimal general health and reduced mortality.”

In addition, a multi-center study published in the August 2009 issue of Nutrition Research found that vitamin D deficiency placed women at an increased risk of death. While recent study out of China found that 94% of people between the ages of 50 and 70 were vitamin D deficient, which increased their risk of metabolic syndrome — a group of symptoms that occur together and promote the development of coronary artery disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. Other research has linked the lack of vitamin D to osteopenia, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, fractures, common cancers, autoimmune diseases, infectious disease and cardiovascular disease.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line:

These are just two of many studies highlighting the dangers of low D intake. While the RDA for the vitamin is currently just 400 IU, many experts recommend that 1,000 to 5,000 IU is what's needed to achieve optimum levels. Don't let a vitamin D deficiency put you at risk for health problems as you age. Ask your doctor to check your vitamin D levels so you can be sure you are taking enough supplemental vitamin D to keep your blood levels within a safe range.

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Vitamin D Supplements Improve Risk Factors for Diabet

2009-11-04T11:21:00.000-08:00

Many health benefits are credited to vitamin D, and a new study from New Zealand has added another one to the list. Researchers found that supplements of the vitamin may improve insulin resistance and sensitivity, which are risk factors for diabetes.

Insulin resistance is a condition in which a person’s tissues have a reduced response to insulin, a hormone that is secreted by the pancreas to help regulate glucose levels in the body. This resistance causes the body to produce larger quantities of insulin in an attempt to maintain normal levels of glucose in the blood.

In the randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, the results of which were published in the British Journal of Nutrition, the investigators studied 81 South Asian women, ages 23 to 68 years, who had insulin resistance. Half of the women were given 100 micrograms (4,000 IU) of vitamin D3 daily; the other half were given a placebo. The treatment period lasted six months.

At the end of six months, the women who had taken vitamin D showed significant improvement in both insulin resistance and sensitivity compared with those who took placebo. The best results were seen in women who had blood levels of vitamin D in the range of 80 to 119 nanomoles per liter (nmol/L). The Vitamin D Council states that the optimal blood level of vitamin D is at least 125 nmol/L (50 ng/mL), yet most Americans have levels less than 30 ng/mL.

This study follows a recent meta-analysis that showed an association between low intakes of vitamin D, calcium, or dairy products and type 2 diabetes. The authors in the current study note that along with improving insulin resistance and sensitivity, their results indicate the importance of increasing the daily recommended intake of vitamin D. The findings of this study and others highlight the concern that the dietary recommended daily intake values (DRIs) in the United States are too low. Currently the DRIs are 200 IU for adults 19 to 50 years, 400 IU for people 51 to 70, and 600 IU for people older than 70.

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Vitamin D: How to Determine Your Optimal Dose

2009-11-03T08:07:00.000-08:00

In the wide world of supplements, vitamin D is the superstar. For the last few years, this humble nutrient has been featured prominently in allopathic and alternative circles alike. It has basked in the rays of media publicity, and has survived an onslaught of scientific scrutiny. And while such widespread publicity is often good cause for skepticism in the realm of health and medicine, vitamin D appears to be the real deal. Whether we`re talking about heart disease, cancer, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or Alzheimer`s disease, the "sunshine vitamin" delivers benefits unseen before our time (1).

Given the remarkably powerful benefits of vitamin D, many find themselves wondering how to actually go about obtaining it. We know that vitamin D is good for us, but how much do we need, and where do we get it? Most people know that sunlight is somehow involved in vitamin D production, but is sunlight alone sufficient to produce the incredible results demonstrated by recent vitamin D research? What about supplements? There are so many different preparations - with doses ranging from 400 IU to 50,000 IU - that it can get a little confusing. Are such supplements necessary, and if so, how much should we be taking?

Everyone is Different

One might suppose that this question is as easily answered as saying, "Everyone needs to spend 15 minutes in the sun every day." Or, "Everyone needs to take x amount of vitamin D per day." But it`s not like that. Not at all. There are a multitude of variables unique to you that determine how much vitamin D is required on a daily basis (2). And because there are so many individual variables, it really is impossible to recommend a single amount for everyone. Fortunately, however, there are many circumstantial clues to look for that will suggest whether you need to be paying better attention to your vitamin D status. Furthermore, personally optimizing your vitamin D level is fairly easy and inexpensive.

Are you at risk for vitamin D deficiency?
-How much sun exposure do you get every day?
-Where do you live? Above or below the 35 N latitude line? (3)
-What is your age? Over 40?
-Is your skin light, dark, very dark?
-Are you overweight?
-Do you have a chronic illness?

How do each of these factors affect vitamin D status?

Sun Exposure: Catching some rays each day is definitely desirable, and healthy young people can usually get the vitamin D they need from around 10 to 30 minutes of sun exposure per day - depending on their location and the time of year. Most adults in today`s modern world, however, do not even attempt to get this much sun exposure - much less achieve it. But even if they did, would it matter, or are there other variables standing in the way?

Location: Vitamin D is produced in the skin from a cholesterol derivative when we are exposed to UVB radiation from the sun. However, because of the axial tilt of the earth, the further north one lives, the less the sun`s UVB rays will be able to activate vitamin D in the skin. So sun exposure does not necessarily equal optimal vitamin D status if you`re living in the wrong location. Living down south is better, of course (south of the 35 N latitude line seems to be the best), but there is still more to consider.

Age: Say you do live close to the equator, or are significantly below the 35 N latitude line. That`s a good thing, and it probably helps. If you`re around 35-40 years old or above, however, you`re likely losing the ability to activate sufficient levels of vitamin D in your skin, even in the unlikely event that you`re getting adequate UVB sun exposure (4).

Dark Skin: What if you have dark skin? If you have a lot of pigment in your skin, this is going to shield you from the UVB radiation you need, and you`re probably deficient in vitamin D.

Weight: Vitamin D requirements are also relative to body weight. If you`re overweight, your body requires more vitamin D than if you are not overweight. If you get a lot of sun, but are on the heavy side, you`re probably still not getting enough vitamin D.

Chronic Illness: Chronically ill? Have cancer? The body demands more vitamin D when you`re sick, and is probably using it up faster than you can get it from the sun.

When one considers that many Americans are victims of not just one but many of the above drawbacks, it becomes readily obvious as to why there is such a widespread vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Not getting enough sun is bad enough, but lack of sun exposure combined with being middle-aged, overweight, and chronically ill is an absolute disaster - and it is the devastating situation that many (most?) Americans find themselves in today.

Is Sun Exposure Really Not Enough?

Yes, sun exposure is a good thing, but too often, it`s simply not sufficient to achieve the kind of levels necessary for disease prevention and treatment. This applies even in places like Hawaii, where individuals get plenty of sun exposure, and the latitude is around 21 (5, 6). The role of sunlight should not be downplayed too much, however. If you`re healthy, young, and live in a subtropical region, then you might have sufficient vitamin D levels. In fact, some young people in the subtropics who get sun exposure all day long have levels between 80-100 ng/ml. This is incredible, and it means that sun exposure really does work provided the conditions are right.*

The point being made in this article is simply that not everyone is young, not everyone is healthy, not everyone lives in Houston, and not everyone gets enough sun exposure every day. It is those people who need to supplement with vitamin D. This also happens to be most people.

Blood Testing is Crucial

How do you know if you`re getting enough vitamin D, and how much is enough? The only way to know is by testing your blood. Fortunately, testing vitamin D, as far as blood testing goes, is pretty cheap. You can set this up with your doctor, order tests online and get blood drawn at a local lab, or order a vitamin D home test kit, whereby you simply order the test, prick your finger, send in the blood, and wait for the results to come back to you.

Here are some basic guidelines:

-Make sure you are getting the right test. You must test for 25(OH)D, not 1,25(OH)D. They look similar, but 1,25(OH)D is a measure of kidney function, and is not the test you want for measuring vitamin D levels.

-Ideally, your blood level should be around 60-80 ng/ml, as this allows the body to have some vitamin D in reserve, and it duplicates the higher levels found in young, healthy individuals who spend a decent amount of time in a sun-rich environment.

-Begin taking vitamin D at least eight weeks prior to being tested. This will help you customize your dose once you receive your test results. To determine a basic, starting dose, it has been suggested, as per Dr. John Cannell of the Vitamin D Council (7), that you take 1,000 IU per 25 pounds of body weight. A person who weighs 150 pounds, for instance, would take 6,000 IU per day as a starting dose (150/25 = 6. 1,000 x 6 = 6,000). Do this for at least eight weeks, and then test. Perhaps this dose will put you in the ideal range, but there`s no guarantee since we are all so different, and have unique vitamin D receptor genotypes. The idea is to hopefully get somewhere in the ballpark with this method and then tweak your daily dose once the test results come back. If your results are still suboptimal, Dr. Cannell has estimated that each 1,000 IU increase in supplemental vitamin D will generally produce a 10 ng/ml increase in the vitamin D blood level (8). For example, if you have been taking 5,000 IU per day for 8+ weeks, and your results come back at 40 ng/ml, you would want to increase your dose to at least 7,000 IU (2,000 IU = ~20 ng/ml rise in blood level) to achieve a minimum of 60 ng/ml. Again, keep in mind that this is necessarily generalized, and additional blood testing every several months is recommended to further customize the dose appropriate to you.

What Kind of Supplements Should I Use?

In order to achieve consistent and predictable results, it is important to use the proper carrier form of vitamin D supplements. The absolute best form is an oil-based vitamin D preparation. Dry preparations, like tablets and capsules, should be avoided. Vitamin D is fat soluble, and needs to be taken with fat in order to be properly absorbed - hence the oil-based recommendation.

Oil-based versus dry preparations aside, there are two common types of vitamin D: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) and Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). You will need to avoid supplementing with vitamin D2 (9), which is a synthetic product made by exposing certain plants to ultraviolet radiation. D2 is not what the human body naturally uses, and compared to D3 it falls far short in terms of efficacy (of course, D2 happens to be what many vitamin D prescriptions are made of). D3 is what your body uses and prefers. No prescription necessary.

You can buy D3 in oil-based softgels, or, if you don`t like taking pills or have trouble doing so, you can get it in liquid drops.

Summary

Vitamin D status is important year around, but whenever fall and winter are upon us, the importance of evaluating this vital nutrient is even more urgent. In summary, here are the steps you should take if you are wanting to optimize your vitamin D level:

1) Start taking oil-based vitamin D3 according to your body weight, as explained above.

2) After at least 8 weeks, have your blood tested by a good lab. There are home finger-prick test kits that are also very good.

3) Remembering that the goal should be blood levels of 60-80 ng/ml of 25(OH)D, adjust your vitamin D3 dose to achieve this level. Each 1,000 IU increase will generally lead to a 10 ng/ml increase in blood levels.

4) Recheck blood levels every several months to make sure you are still in the optimal range and taking the proper dose.

It is beyond ironic that for quite some time now, everyone has been encouraged by the "authorities" to avoid the sun in order to keep from getting cancer, yet it is that very sun exposure that would help in avoiding cancer in the first place! "Avoid midday sun, or you`ll get melanoma!" we`re told. But melanoma is mostly triggered by UVA rays from the sun - not UVB. When is cancer-causing UVA exposure the lowest? Right around midday. When is UVB exposure the highest? Also right around midday. A high UVB:UVA ratio (high UVB and low UVA) is the best for creating vitamin D in the body, and this occurs when the sun is highest in the sky - exactly the time (ironically) that is often suggested to be avoided.

Supplementation is not recommended for everyone. Certain conditions, such as sarcoidosis and some lymphomas, can produce excessive amounts of vitamin D, and in these instances, one should move forward cautiously under the supervision of a healthcare professional.

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Information about Vitamin D

2009-11-02T09:36:00.000-08:00

One should have information that vitmain d belongs to the group of fat-soluble prohormones having two categories like vitamin D2 and vitamin D3. Its very common that vitamin d is abstracted from sun exposure, food , and supplements . In this way vitamin d act as biologically inert undergoing two hydroxylation reactions which must get activated in the body. Also calcitriol is another active form of vitamin d showing its prescence in the body. One should alos know that vitamin d also meaning metabolites. Vitamin d is important for human body as it plays several functioning like inhibition of calcitonin which is released from the thyroid gland. The vitamin d stops the emergence of calcitonin as it lead to bone resorption and degrading the cartilage.

One should also know that vitamin D helps in stopping the parathyroid hormone secretion which occurs from the parathyroid gland along with modulating neuromuscular and immunity functions and inflammation reduction. Generally it is seen that lack of vitamin d leads to make the bone thinner, brittle and misshapen in one’s body bones. The lackness of vitamin d exists in not having proper intake of those foods who is having vitamin d along with lackof sun exposure, disorders who stops in absorbing the sunlight, situations which stops the vitamin d converting into metabolites like liver adn kidney disorders and certain reasons of hereditary disorders etc. Not only this vitamin d deficiency eradicates bone mineralization resulting into bone softening diseases, appearance of rickets among children, osteomalacia among adults and biggest negativity is playing role in osteoporosis.

The important work of vitamin d is maintaining the different organs of the system of the body. The main function is to supply calcium in the blood stream by allowing the absorption of calcium and phosphorus from the diet from the intestinal part of the body. One should have information that reabsorption of calcium from the kidneys helps in mineralization of bones which aovids the chances of hypocalcemic tetany. Vitamin d shows its prescence in bone growth along with bone remodeling with the help of osteoblasts adn osteoclasts. So users of vitamin d and its supplements must gather important information about vitamin d before opting for its usage on one’s body.

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Vitamin D Deficiency found in 6 million U.S. Kids

2009-11-01T09:33:00.000-08:00

A new study has revealed that over 6 million American children are getting too little of vitamin D which is an essential nutrient. The optimal amount of vitamin D is still a subject of debate but its deficiency could lead to a number of health problems.

Dr. Jonathan Mansbach, lead author of the new analysis and a researcher at Harvard Medical School and Children's Hospital in Boston said, “Almost 90 percent of black children between the ages 1-11 years and 80 percent of Hispanic kids could be vitamin D deficient- “astounding numbers” that should serve as a call to action.”

This recent study has just added to the already existing evidence regarding the vitamin D deficiency in children, teens and adults. There is more concern because of the recent studies which suggest that vitamin D might help prevent serious diseases, including infections, diabetes and even some cancers.

Despite all these studies there is still no solid evidence that the lack of vitamin D leads to diseases or that high levels of it prevent them.

Doctors have not yet reached a consensus on the optimal levels of vitamin D. They are waiting for guidance expected in an Institute of Medicine report on vitamin D due next year. It is a advisory group of the government which sets dietary standards.

The study is the first of its kind to analyze the varying vitamin D levels in children aged 1 through 11.

Some previous studies had found low levels of vitamin D in teens and also kids with low levels having high blood pressure and cholesterol levels that were also likely to be overweight.

The new analysis uses data from 2001-06 government health survey involving almost 3,000 children. Vitamin D levels were measured by blood tests.

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Vitamin D2 effectively treats vitamin D deficiency

2009-10-31T09:17:00.000-07:00

A new study by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine researchers has shown that 50,000 International Units (IU) of vitamin D2, given weekly for eight weeks, effectively treats vitamin D deficiency.

Vitamin D2 is a mainstay for the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency in children and adults.

Continued treatment with the same dose of vitamin D2 every other week for up to six years after the initial eight-week period prevents vitamin D deficiency from recurring with no toxicity.

Vitamin D is essential for strong bones because it helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from the food we eat.

Vitamin D deficiency can lead to rickets in children and the painful bone disease osteomalacia in adults. Vitamin D deficiency can also cause osteoporosis and has been linked to increased risk of cancer, heart disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and infectious diseases including influenza.

Of the 86 patients researchers studied, 41 patients who were vitamin D deficient received eight weeks of 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 weekly prior to starting maintenance therapy.

For those patients, the mean pre-treatment 25-hydroxyvitamin D status (25(OH)D) level was 19 ng/ml, which increased to 37 ng/ml after eight weeks of weekly therapy. These patients were then treated with 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 every other week and had a mean final 25(OH)D level of 47 ng/ml.

For the 45 patients who received only maintenance therapy of 50,000 IU of vitamin D2 every two weeks, the mean pre-treatment 25(OH)D level was 27 ng/ml and the mean final level was 47 ng/ml.

‘Vitamin D2 is effective in raising 25(OH)D levels when given in physiologic and pharmacologic doses and is a simple method to treat and prevent vitamin D deficiency,’ said senior author Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, director of the Bone Healthcare Clinic and the Vitamin D, Skin and Bone Research Laboratory at Boston University School of Medicine.

‘While treating and preventing vitamin D deficiency, these large doses of vitamin D2 do not lead to vitamin D toxicity,’ he added.

According to Holick, this is the first study demonstrating the efficacy of a prescription therapy to prevent vitamin D deficiency long-term in routine clinical practice.

The study appears online in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine.

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Latest analysis confirms suboptimal vitamin D levels in millions of US children

2009-10-30T08:47:00.000-07:00

Millions of children in the United States between the ages of 1 and 11 may suffer from suboptimal levels of vitamin D, according to a large nationally representative study published in the November issue of Pediatrics, accompanied by an editorial.

The study, led by Jonathan Mansbach, MD, at Children's Hospital Boston, is the most up-to-date analysis of vitamin D levels in U.S. children. It builds on the growing evidence that levels have fallen below what's considered healthy, and that black and Hispanic children are at particularly high risk.

Both the optimal amount of vitamin D supplementation and the healthy blood level of vitamin D are under heated debate in the medical community. Currently, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children should have vitamin D levels of at least 50 nmol/L (20 ng/ml). However, other studies in adults suggest that vitamin D levels should be at least 75 nmol/L (30 ng/ml), and possibly 100 nmol/L (40 ng/ml), to lower the risk of heart disease and specific cancers.

Mansbach and collaborators from the University of Colorado Denver and Massachusetts General Hospital used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to look at vitamin D levels in a nationally representative sample of roughly 5,000 children from 2001-2006. Extrapolating to the entire U.S. population, their analysis suggests that roughly 20 percent of all children fell below the recommended 50 nmol/L. Moreover, more than two-thirds of all children had levels below 75 nmol/L, including 80 percent of Hispanic children and 92 percent of non-Hispanic black children.

"If 75 nmol/L or higher is eventually demonstrated to be the healthy normal level of vitamin D, then there is much more vitamin D deficiency in the U.S. than people realize," Mansbach says.

Mansbach and his co-authors suggest that all children take vitamin D supplements, because of the generally low levels that they found and the potential health benefits of boosting vitamin D to normal levels. Vitamin D improves bone health and prevents rickets in children, and recent studies suggest that it also may prevent a host of common childhood illnesses, including respiratory infections, childhood wheezing, and winter-related eczema.

Although sun exposure generates healthy doses of vitamin D, it can also cause skin cancer. Dermatologists and the AAP recommend wearing sunblock, but this actually blocks our skin's ability to make vitamin D. Furthermore, children with more highly pigmented skin require much more sun exposure than fair-skinned children to obtain healthy levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D can also be obtained from certain foods, like liver and fatty fish, but almost all children in the U.S. don't consume these foods in high enough quantities to match the vitamin D that could be provided by summer sunshine or vitamin D supplements.

In the study, children taking multi-vitamins that included vitamin D had higher levels overall, but this accounted for less than half of all children. Mansbach recommends that all children take vitamin D supplements, especially those living in high latitudes, where the sun is scarce in the wintertime.

"We need to perform randomized controlled trials to understand if vitamin D actually improves these wide-ranging health outcomes," Mansbach says. "At present, however, there are a lot of studies demonstrating associations between low levels of vitamin D and poor health. Therefore, we believe many U.S. children would likely benefit from more vitamin D."

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Total Nutraceutical Solutions To Launch Natural Organic Whole Food Mushroom Vitamin D Supplement

2009-10-30T05:32:00.000-07:00

Recent Studies Reveal Worldwide Deficiencies in Vitamin D Levels

Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. (TNS) (OTCBB:TNUS), announced today that the
company has formulated and will launch a unique natural whole food
mushroom-based Vitamin D supplement. This supplement is plant-based and not
animal-based and provides a new approach to Vitamin D supplementation in
health-conscious individuals. A proprietary grown mushroom, Agaricus blazei
Murill (AbM) by Sylvan Bio, Inc. and Creekside Mushrooms Limited will be
stimulated with UV light to produce natural organic Vitamin D2 within the
mushroom. The need for this product is underscored by the following statement in
the October 26, 2009 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine: "The worldwide
prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency is striking and more than 40% of the
population may be Vitamin D deficient." (Vol.169 No.19, pp.1806-1808).The
importance of the timing of this product launch and the need for a natural whole
food form of Vitamin D is further evidenced by a recent statement by the Office
of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health, that the second-best
source of Vitamin D is 3 ounces of mushrooms enriched with Vitamin D. Many
medical organizations, including the American Academy of Pediatricians, have
advocated increased intake of Vitamin D, especially in children. Children`s
Hospital Boston reports that 62% of children taking multivitamins had below
normal levels of vitamin D (USA Today, October 26, 2009). TNS has developed
technologic capability that will allow production of a daily oral encapsulated
natural supplement that contains enough Vitamin D equal to or greater than ten
8-ounce servings of Vitamin D fortified milk, at a cost that is affordable by
most people.

According to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, "nutrient needs should
be met primarily through consuming foods. Foods provide an array of nutrients
and other compounds that may have beneficial effects on health."
(http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidlines/dga2005/document/default.htm) This
statement was recently supported by a TNS experiment that revealed that
ingestion of a natural organic edible whole food could increase biologic
survival in a nutritionally deprived organism. Unaltered and Vitamin D2 enriched
dried powders of the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill by Sylvan significantly
increased survival above controls, 4% and 15% respectively (TNUS.OB; September
30, 2009).

Vitamin D, also called the "sunshine vitamin," has recently received much
attention as a needed nutritional supplement to improve human health. Decreased
levels of Vitamin D have been associated with a range of diseases, such as
osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, cancer of the breast, diabetes, cardiovascular
disease, and many others.

TNS has purchased a Steripulse - XL 3000 Pulsed UVB light system from Xenon
Corporation, Wilmington, MA, and the system is being installed at Columbia
Nutritional Services, Vancouver, WA, the TNS contract manufacturer. TNS has
acquired from The Penn State Research Foundation (PSRF) an option to license an
invention entitled "Rapid Generation of Vitamin D2 from Mushrooms and Fungi
Using Pulsed UV-light" (The Invention). A U.S. Provisional Patent Application
was filed on April 23, 2008 and names Professor Robert B. Beelman, and Graduate
Student Michael Kalaras as co-inventors, Department of Food Science,
Pennsylvania State University (PSU).

"As a doctor, I receive no greater pleasure than having the opportunity to
create products that can help people live longer and healthier lives," stated
Marvin S. Hausman MD, CEO, Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. "Vitamin D
deficiency is worldwide, is implicated in many diseases, and this product has
the potential to provide a needed nutritional answer to this problem."

"I am very excited that our new process is being commercially utilized to
produce Vitamin D-rich dietary supplements made from the highly nutritious
Agaricus blazei mushroom," stated Robert B. Beelman Ph.D., Professor of Food
Science, Pennsylvania State University. "I believe this product will be the
first of its kind made from a whole food that will appeal to health conscious
individuals that desire to consume a plant-based diet."

Sylvan Bio, Inc. is an emerging leader in providing innovative fungal products
to a variety of industries. Based in Kittanning, Pennsylvania, it is a wholly
owned subsidiary of Sylvan Inc., also based in Kittanning. Sylvan Inc. serves
mushroom, agricultural and nutraceutical markets through its prominence in
fungal technology and solid-substrate fermentation.

Creekside Mushrooms Limited is the largest single site fully integrated and
highly technological "underground" mushroom growing farm in the world.
Creekside`s unique underground farm is scientifically monitored to provide ideal
year-round growing conditions to consistently produce the highest quality
mushrooms, which are 100% organic.

About Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc.:

Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. (TNS), is an emerging nutraceutical company
with a focus on discovering, formulating and marketing products composed
primarily of organic natural mushroom compounds that contain bioactive nutrients
for potential health benefits. TNS develops production and analytic technologies
for food and nutritional supplements composed primarily of mushrooms and their
mycelial biomasses. Novel clinical models and biomarkers are used to show
nutritional and clinical efficacy of our products. In addition to preventative
healthcare formulations and nutritional approaches to a wide variety of human
conditions and illnesses, TNS also develops and acquires breakthrough
nutritional tools and products in the fields of animal husbandry and livestock
feeds.

Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future plans,
events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks associated with
thetransactiondescribed in this press release, and other risks identified in the
filings by Total Nutraceutical Solutions (TNS), Inc., with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Further information on risks faced by TNS are detailed in
the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, and in its subsequent
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These filings are or will become available on a
website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at
http://www.sec.gov. The information contained in this press release is accurate
as of the date indicated. Actual results, events or performance may differ
materially. TNS does not undertake any obligation to publicly release the result
of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect
events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of
unanticipated events.

Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc.
Roberta Matta, 509-427-5132
www.totalnutraceutical.com

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Study Suggest Vitamin D Levels Too Low for 1 in 5 U.S. Children, Daily Dose is 4 cups of milk

2009-10-29T05:49:00.000-07:00

1 in 5 kids get little vitamin D, study says....

At least one in five U.S. children aged 1 to 11 don’t get enough vitamin D and could be at risk for a variety of health problems including weak bones, the most recent national analysis suggests.

By a looser measure, almost 90 percent of black children that age and 80 percent of Hispanic kids could be vitamin D deficient — “astounding numbers” that should serve as a call to action, said Dr. Jonathan Mansbach, lead author of the new analysis and a researcher at Harvard Medical School and Children’s Hospital in Boston.

The findings add to mounting evidence about vitamin D deficiency in children, teens and adults, a concern because of recent studies suggesting the vitamin might help prevent serious diseases, including infections, diabetes and even some cancers.

While hard evidence showing that low levels of vitamin D lead to disease or that high levels prevent it is lacking, it’s a burgeoning area of research.

Exactly how much vitamin D children and adults should get, and defining when they are deficient, is under debate. Doctors use different definitions, and many are waiting for guidance expected in an Institute of Medicine report on vitamin D due next year. The institute is a government advisory group that sets dietary standards.

The new analysis, released online Monday by the journal Pediatrics, is the first assessment of varying vitamin D levels in children aged 1 through 11.

Previous studies in the journal this year found low levels were prevalent in U.S. teens, and also showed kids with low levels had higher blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and were more likely to be overweight.

The new analysis uses data from a 2001-06 government health survey of nearly 3,000 children. They had blood tests measuring vitamin D levels.

Using the American Academy of Pediatrics’ cutoff for healthy vitamin D levels, 6.4 million children — about 20 percent of kids that age — have blood levels that are too low. Applying a less strict, higher cutoff, two-thirds of children that age, including 90 percent of black kids and 80 percent of Hispanics, are deficient in vitamin D.

A Pediatrics editorial says the strongest evidence about effects of vitamin D deficiency in kids involves rickets, a bone disease common a century ago but that continues to occur.

Rickets can be treated and prevented with 400 units daily of vitamin D, the editorial says. The pediatricians’ group recently recommended that amount for all children, saying that most need vitamin supplements.

Mansbach says his study, funded by the National Institutes of Health, supports that recommendation.

Children can get 400 units daily by drinking four cups of fortified milk, or eating lots of fish, but many don’t do that.

The body also makes vitamin D when sunlight hits the skin, but many children don’t spend enough time outdoors. That’s one reason why lower vitamin D levels are found in children living in colder climates and those with darker skin, which absorbs less sunlight.

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Scientific evidence of vitamin D's vast benefits is building ( Part 3 )

2009-10-28T07:28:00.000-07:00

With vitamin D, he added, "You still have these same problems, but the data is pretty clear that vitamin D is providing a benefit. The evidence is gathering more steam."

A bone builder

Because it's critical in the absorption of calcium, vitamin D long has been recognized as important in building strong bones. Said Klamm, historically, vitamin D deficiency was associated with rickets, a softening of bones in children.

While few children are diagnosed with rickets these days, many are nonetheless low in vitamin D.

"It's pretty clear that somewhere in the neighborhood of half of all people under the age of 18 don't get enough vitamin D," Hall said.

The problem exists even among nursing infants.

"We used to think breast milk was the ideal food," Klamm said. "It turns out there's not much vitamin D in breast milk."

Though bone-building seems most critical for the young, it's just as if not more important for the old, whose skin makes vitamin D far less efficiently. At age 20, spending 20 unprotected minutes in the sun twice a week is all it takes for you body to manufacture sufficient vitamin D, Cardelli said; by age 70, the number climbs to 80 minutes.

Klamm said studies in nursing homes have proven that vitamin D supplementation is helpful in improving both bone and muscle strength. He added that some elite athletes now train at altitude near the equator for similar reasons: They believe that the extra vitamin D their skin creates in such a setting boosts performance.

Though the jury's still out on vitamin D's conclusive capabilities, plenty of people are taking it in the meantime.

"You never know because it's never the only thing going on with you. All I know is it didn't hurt me at all, and I haven't even had a cold in 2½ years," Barry said.

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Swine Flu Prevention Should Include Vitamin D

2009-10-27T08:34:00.000-07:00

As the country battles the swine flu, supplementing with Vitamin D is a good way to boost immunity, but only by taking adequate amounts.

Vitamin D has received increased attention due to its crucial role in disease prevention and immune response.

People deficient in vitamin D who don't get enough sun may need to supplement, particularly during winter months. D3 or cholecalciferol is the form the Vitamin D Council recommends, and in sufficient amounts. Vitamin D Useful Against Cancer, Bone Issues, Colds & Flu, and More.

Despite the name, vitamin D isn't a vitamin; it's a secosteroid hormone that targets over 2000 genes in the human body. Vitamin D has been shown, according to the Vitamin D Council, to have a positive affect on bone health, immunity, cancer prevention and inflammation. Vitamin D3 is made in large quantities when sunlight strikes bare skin. Ergocalciferol, also referred to as vitamin D2 or Calciferol is available, but it isn't the naturally occurring form of vitamin D in humans.

Dr. John Jacob Cannell, MD, Vitamin D Council’s Executive Director, notes on their website that current research links Vitamin D deficiency to at least 17 variations of cancer as well as heart disease, stroke, hypertension, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, depression, chronic pain, osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, muscle weakness, muscle wasting, birth defects, periodontal disease, and more.

In addition, vitamin D promotes calcium absorption in the gut and maintains adequate serum calcium and phosphate concentrations. This critical substance is needed for bone growth and remodeling, and without a sufficient amount, bones can become thin, brittle, or misshapen. Vitamin D can prevent rickets in children, osteomalacia in adults, and can help protect older adults from osteoporosis.

Vitamin D: Flu Season & the Sunshine Link

Most vitamin D is created from exposure to UV-B radiation from the sun. As a result, vitamin D deficiency is more common in the winter, when cold and flu levels reach their peak in populations.The rapid spread of the flu usually stops by May when population 25(OH) D levels quickly rise.

A large study appearing in the February 2009 Archives of Internal Medicine found that people with the lowest blood vitamin D levels reported having more recent colds or flu. The risks rose in adults and children who had acute or chronic respiratory disorders. "The findings of our study support an important role for vitamin D in prevention of common respiratory infections, such as colds and the flu," says Adit Ginde, MD, MPH, UC Denver Division of Emergency Medicine and lead author of the study.

There are no significant dietary sources of vitamin D, so unless people get adequate sun exposure or take supplements during the winter months, their immune system is easily compromised.
How Vitamin D Fights Colds and Flu

The body's immune system naturally produces antimicrobial, (destroying or inhibiting the growth of microorganisms), peptides or (AMPs). These AMPs won't work with every virus it comes in contact with, but for the ones they do, the body's immune system automatically springs into action.

When microbes like the influenza virus reach upper respiratory airways, they stimulate the production of an enzyme that converts 25(OH)D, the circulating inactive form of vitamin D, into the hormonally active 1,25(OH)2D (1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). 1,25(OH)2D is needed to activate the genes that produce antimicrobial peptides.

Bottom line, without vitamin D there is no innate immunity in the body.
Vitamin D Levels Must Be High Enough To Aid Flu Prevention

Although the risk of vitamin D3 toxicity is very unlikely, people's fear of overdosing remains high.

Dr. Cannell and other vitamin D researchers recommend taking enough Vitamin D3 to get 25(OH)D levels above "substrate starvation levels," 50 ng/mL or 125 nmol/L. Current recommendations are inadequate to maintain optimal health, and certainly to prevent or treat colds and flu.

The Vitamin D Council recommends people supplement with vitamin D before getting a blood test, then adjust their dose so their 25(OH)D level is between 50–80 ng/ml during both the summer and the winter. The council cautions that these are conservative dosage recommendations. People who avoid the sun, and nearly all dark-skinned people need to increase their dose if their blood levels are still low, even after two months of the above dosage, particularly during the winter months.

Exact levels, explains Dr. Cannell, are difficult to determine because requirements vary by age, body weight, percent of body fat, latitude, skin coloration, season of the year, use of sun block, individual variation in sun exposure, and how sick someone is.

“If you use suntan parlors once a week,” says Dr. Cannell, “or if you live in Florida and sunbathe once a week, year-round, do nothing.” However, if you receive very little UVB exposure the Council recommends the following dosing levels of D3:

* Health children under the age of 2 - 1,000 IU per day*
* Healthy children over the age of 2 - 2,000 IU per day*
* Adults and adolescents - 5,000 IU per day.

*The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends 400 mg per day for children.

Consult with a health care provider before taking vitamin D, particularly if you have any of the following conditions: sarcoidosis, primary hyperparathyroidism, granulomatous disease, or other conditions that cause high blood calcium.

Vitamin D has received increased attention due to it's critical role in bone health, cancer prevention and immunity. People who test low or who have risk factors need to supplement. Take the optimal form and dose particularly during the winter months to prevent and treat colds and flu.

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Scientific evidence of vitamin D's vast benefits is building (Part 2)

2009-10-27T07:24:00.000-07:00

There are vitamin D receptors on the body's immune cells," he said. His perspective: "They're there for some reason."
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Added Cardelli, "There is evidence also that our white blood cells are more effective at killing germs if our vitamin D level is higher."

To Barry's dosage concern, Klamm would respond in much the same way Barry's own health care provider did: The balance between the risks and benefits of vitamin D supplementation leans pronouncedly to the side of benefits.

"It's almost impossible with over-the-counter vitamin D to get too much," Cardelli said.

For those wanting to take action to prevent flu this fall and winter, Klamm said, "vaccinating is a good idea, washing hands is a good idea and taking vitamin D is a good idea. It's easy, and it's cheap."

A cancer preventive

Scientists further speculate that vitamin D plays a role in fending off cancer, particularly of the colon and breast. Two factors enter into their suspicion.

First, these diseases occur more frequently further from the equator, where more people are deficient in vitamin D.

"(Scientists) noted that there's a correlation between where you live on the planet and risk for certain diseases," Cardelli said.

Second, like immune cells, the tissues affected by several cancers have vitamin D receptors. Klamm said again, "If you either believe in evolution or the good Lord, there's a reason for them being there."

While the mechanisms of vitamin D's cancer-fighting effects are not yet understood or proven, every month sees new scientific articles published on the topic, said Dave Hall, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at Lawrence University in Appleton.

"There's a lack of vitamin D, and now researchers are going in and asking the questions," Hall said.

Answering them is a long and involved process.

"You have to do a prevention study, which takes a long time and a lot of people," Cardelli said.

"It's extremely difficult to examine nutrients and look at health effects," Hall said. "We hear a lot of different things about, 'Well, you don't have enough vitamin E in your diet,' or vitamin C, and there are a lot of conflicting studies."

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Vitamin D Benefits - Milking your options

2009-10-26T09:20:00.000-07:00

People nowadays surely have a lot of options these days when it comes to choosing milk, according to a recent Los Angeles Times article.

The newspaper took a hard look at six different kinds of milk and broke them down by nutritional qualities. Here are some highlights:

Cow’s milk

Though milk made from cows is the most popular choice in the U.S., the health benefits of said milk are debatable. Whole milk packs a whole bunch of calories – 150 per cup to be exact – so skim and reduced-fat milks are generally healthier to drink.

Cow’s milk does provide a good dose of calcium and vitamin D, but just how important calcium is for bone health is a controversial issue and the relationship between cow’s milk and cancer is also mixed. Plus, people who are allergic to dairy or lactose intolerant can't drink cow’s milk.

“Most of the world's population can't digest milk. Our bodies are not made to drink this stuff," said Dr. Scott Sicherer, professor of pediatrics at the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York,

Goat’s milk

Goat’s milk is pretty popular around the world, and it seems to be coming around in the U.S. as well.

Still, those who eschew cow’s milk for health reasons may want to sidestep goat’s milk as well. Whole goat’s milk has about the same saturated fat and cholesterol content as whole cow milk.

Plus, some studies have found that goat’s milk is just as likely to cause allergies or cause discomfort to those who are lactose intolerant.

“If someone's allergic to cow's milk, I tell them to stay away from mammalian milks,” said Sicherer.

Soy milk

Soy milk has a lot of health benefits like no cholesterol and little saturated fat. And, it still provides the same amount of key nutrients found in whole cow’s or goat’s milk, like calcium, protein, vitamins and potassium. It’s also been shown to lower the risk of cancers like prostate, colorectal and breast cancer.

But the relationship between soy milk consumption and cancer is kind of iffy and, since soybeans are pretty bitter, the milk is often heavily processed and sweetened, which means higher calorie counts. Plus, since soy milk contains high levels of carbohydrates that are hard for the body to break down, drinking soy milk can create an, um, uncomfortable situation.

"It can really cause a lot of gas in some people," said Alexandra Kazaks, professor of nutrition at Bastyr University in Kenmore, Wash.

Almond milk

Like soy milk, almond milk is drowning in health benefits. It contains no cholesterol, saturated fats or lactose. It’s also lower in calories and total fat than soy milk. Plus, almonds are a good source of iron, riboflavin, vitamin E and some essential fatty acids.

But, since the amount of almonds in almond milk can actually be pretty minimal – often they’re second or third on the ingredient list – drinking almond milk may get you very little of nut's health benefits.

Plus, there’s the whole issue of tree nut allergies, which affects about 0.2% of children.

Rice milk

Health-wise, rice milk has a lot going for it. It doesn’t have cholesterol, saturated fat or lactose, and it’s rare that people are allergic to it. It does often contain more calories than almond or soy milk, however.

Rice milk is also pumped up with calcium, vitamin A and vitamin D, but not with sweeteners, since it’s a mild-flavored product anyway. But, it’s not a great source of protein, so rice milk drinkers will have to look elsewhere for their daily intake.

Hemp milk

Hemp milk contains the same amount of calories as soy milk, but it also packs more fat content, albeit the healthy kinds like omega-3 and omega-6. It’s also low in saturated fat and cholesterol- and lactose-free. And, people with hemp allergies are rare.

However, it’s unclear whether the omega-3 fat in hemp has the same heart-health benefits of those found in fish oils, said William Harris, director of the Cardiovascular Health Research Center at the University of South Dakota.

And, just in case you’re wondering, hemp milk is made from different cannabis varieties than those used to produce marijuana, and contains none of the mind-altering active ingredient THC.

Overall, it’s clear that the many milk choices out there all have pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide what goes best with your cookies.

P.S. know more about Benefits of Vitamin C.

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Scientific evidence of vitamin D's vast benefits is building ( Part 1 )

2009-10-26T07:14:00.000-07:00

Want to build sturdy bones and strong muscles? Prevent cancer? Dodge the flu in all its forms? An increasing number of health care professionals, including some very vocal and visible ones, say a single supplement can help you do all that and more — and a growing body of research supports their contention.
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That wonder substance that works wonders? Vitamin D — of which studies have estimated 1 billion people worldwide are deficient.

"It's clear that vitamin D is different from the other vitamins," said Dr. Rick Klamm, a family practitioner with ThedaCare Physicians-Neenah East. "It's really a hormone. It's not a vitamin."

Familiar as an additive in milk, vitamin D is unique in that we don't need to get it from a food source. Rather, our skin manufactures it upon exposure to the sun. That's part of the reason why, especially at northern latitudes like ours, the "D" in vitamin D could stand for deficient.

"In Wisconsin from October to April, we really can't make vitamin D, even if we do go out in the sun," said Dr. Roxanne Jadin-Cardelli, an internist with Aurora Health Center in Neenah.

In light of such geographical fluctuations, some scientists suspect that vitamin D helps defend against several conditions more prevalent in less sun-infused climates. Here, we consider a few of them.

An immunity booster

On the recommendation of her health care provider, Jeri Barry, 47, of Neenah takes 4,000 IUs, or International Units, of vitamin D each day. She also just finished a high-dose regimen after a blood test found her vitamin D level insufficient — that is, below about 30 nanograms per milliliter.

"I had 12 weeks when I took 50,000 IUs once a week to get my level to where my doctor thought it should be," Barry said.

She didn't do so without digging a little deeper first. "My question, of course, was, 'My gosh, that sounds like a ridiculous amount to be taking. What are the down sides?'"

There are few if any, according to Klamm, who along with his wife takes 2,000 IUs of vitamin D daily. He advocates vitamin D supplementation as one weapon in warding off the flu, which spikes in various geographic regions precisely when sunlight levels plummet.
(2 of 3)

"There are vitamin D receptors on the body's immune cells," he said. His perspective: "They're there for some reason."
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Added Cardelli, "There is evidence also that our white blood cells are more effective at killing germs if our vitamin D level is higher."

To Barry's dosage concern, Klamm would respond in much the same way Barry's own health care provider did: The balance between the risks and benefits of vitamin D supplementation leans pronouncedly to the side of benefits.

"It's almost impossible with over-the-counter vitamin D to get too much," Cardelli said.

For those wanting to take action to prevent flu this fall and winter, Klamm said, "vaccinating is a good idea, washing hands is a good idea and taking vitamin D is a good idea. It's easy, and it's cheap."

A cancer preventive

Scientists further speculate that vitamin D plays a role in fending off cancer, particularly of the colon and breast. Two factors enter into their suspicion.

First, these diseases occur more frequently further from the equator, where more people are deficient in vitamin D.

"(Scientists) noted that there's a correlation between where you live on the planet and risk for certain diseases," Cardelli said.

Second, like immune cells, the tissues affected by several cancers have vitamin D receptors. Klamm said again, "If you either believe in evolution or the good Lord, there's a reason for them being there."

While the mechanisms of vitamin D's cancer-fighting effects are not yet understood or proven, every month sees new scientific articles published on the topic, said Dave Hall, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry at Lawrence University in Appleton.

"There's a lack of vitamin D, and now researchers are going in and asking the questions," Hall said.

Answering them is a long and involved process.

"You have to do a prevention study, which takes a long time and a lot of people," Cardelli said.

"It's extremely difficult to examine nutrients and look at health effects," Hall said. "We hear a lot of different things about, 'Well, you don't have enough vitamin E in your diet,' or vitamin C, and there are a lot of conflicting studies."
(3 of 3)

With vitamin D, he added, "You still have these same problems, but the data is pretty clear that vitamin D is providing a benefit. The evidence is gathering more steam."
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A bone builder

Because it's critical in the absorption of calcium, vitamin D long has been recognized as important in building strong bones. Said Klamm, historically, vitamin D deficiency was associated with rickets, a softening of bones in children.

While few children are diagnosed with rickets these days, many are nonetheless low in vitamin D.

"It's pretty clear that somewhere in the neighborhood of half of all people under the age of 18 don't get enough vitamin D," Hall said.

The problem exists even among nursing infants.

"We used to think breast milk was the ideal food," Klamm said. "It turns out there's not much vitamin D in breast milk."

Though bone-building seems most critical for the young, it's just as if not more important for the old, whose skin makes vitamin D far less efficiently. At age 20, spending 20 unprotected minutes in the sun twice a week is all it takes for you body to manufacture sufficient vitamin D, Cardelli said; by age 70, the number climbs to 80 minutes.

Klamm said studies in nursing homes have proven that vitamin D supplementation is helpful in improving both bone and muscle strength. He added that some elite athletes now train at altitude near the equator for similar reasons: They believe that the extra vitamin D their skin creates in such a setting boosts performance.

Though the jury's still out on vitamin D's conclusive capabilities, plenty of people are taking it in the meantime.

"You never know because it's never the only thing going on with you. All I know is it didn't hurt me at all, and I haven't even had a cold in 2½ years," Barry said.

to be continued.........

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Vitamin D is essential in our fight against diseases

2009-10-25T18:35:00.000-07:00

If the conditions are right, a healthy body can create all the vitamin D that it needs all on its own.

Some vitamin D occurs naturally in foods such as eggs and oily fish. Wild salmon offers a lot; farmed salmon often little. Some vitamin D is added to certain foods, especially milk, during the manufacturing process.

Your body creates vitamin D when cholesterol in the skin is exposed to the sun in spring, summer and fall. An hour per week on the face and arms might do it, but not if you have dark skin. People with naturally dark skin need up to five or 10 times the amount of sun that fair-skinned people need in order to get the same benefits.

Vitamin D is essential for your ability to make use of calcium and phosphorus. Without a sufficient amount of it, people develop rickets, a disease that causes bones to become soft and weak, and osteoporosis. Recent research shows a much wider role for vitamin D than was previously perceived.

Vitamin D may regulate more than 200 genes. Very high (but safe) levels of vitamin D in the blood have been linked with reduced occurrence of breast and other cancers, while low levels are associated with higher susceptibility to multiple sclerosis, diabetes and depression.

Vitamin D plays a significant role in hypertension, in immune system functioning and in pre-birth brain development.

For the population as a whole, the levels of this vitamin in our bodies are declining. More use of sunscreen, less time in the sun and an aging population may be the factors responsible for this change.

In an April 2009 professional seminar, Dr. Jeffrey Bland of Metagenics Inc. said that in one group of 40 mother-infant pairs tested at birth, 76 percent of the mothers and 81 percent of the infants had significantly low blood levels of this vitamin.

The official recommended daily intake is 400 units, but that is only enough to prevent rickets.

A qualified practitioner may prescribe up to 10,000 units a day to remedy a deficiency, but it would be dangerous to take this amount without supervision.

Canadian regulations limit your off-the-shelf capsule to 1,000 units, and that may well be a sensible caution for self-dosing. Toxicity from too much vitamin D is possible but very unusual. The levels of vitamin D found in foods are not nearly high enough for that. Only long-term supplements at a very excessive level (over 10,000 units) would pose a danger.

Ask your family practitioner to check your vitamin D level when you get your routine tests done, if he or she isn’t doing so already.

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Vitamin D research may have doctors prescribing sunshine

2009-10-24T18:26:00.000-07:00

The sun is a good thing. Dr. Michael Holick says that ultraviolet radiation helps the body produce Vitamin D.

The reason is that vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and even treating many types of cancer. In the last three months alone, four separate studies found it helped protect against lymphoma and cancers of the prostate, lung and, ironically, the skin. The strongest evidence is for colon cancer.

No one is suggesting that people fry on a beach. But many scientists believe that "safe sun" — 15 minutes or so a few times a week without sunscreen — is not only possible but helpful to health.

One is Dr. Edward Giovannucci, a Harvard University professor of medicine and nutrition who laid out his case in a keynote lecture at a recent American Association for Cancer Research meeting in Anaheim, Calif.

His research suggests that vitamin D might help prevent 30 deaths for each one caused by skin cancer.

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Health tip of the day: Benefits of Vitamin D

2009-10-22T18:07:00.000-07:00

Vitamin D is essential for calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Vitamin D is produced in the skin by ultraviolet rays from the sun. Those people who have dark complexion gets lesser vitamin D from the sun ray's than people with white colour. It is also important for the formation and maintenance of a healthy bones and teeth. Vitamin D is a water soluble vitamin.

Children who has a deficiency from this vitamin often develop rickets which is characterised by bowed legs and malformed bones.

Vitamin D required for an ordinary person is small but pregnant and lactating women and children require a higher amount than others. Some expert says that vitamin D is more of a hormone than a vitamin.

Symptoms of Deficiency :

- Soft bones (rickets)

- Rheumatic pains

- Exhaustion

- Menopausal symptoms

- Hypothyroidism

- Tetany

- Nails are thin with ridges and easily break

Dosage:

•Recommended Daily Requirements - 400 I.U.

•Supplemental Dosage - 1 tsp cod liver oil in winter.

•Therapeutic Dosage - 1,500 to 2,800 I.U.

Food Sources of Vitamin D :

Fish liver oil, sardines, tuna, nuts, seeds, margarine fortified with vitamin D; exposure to sunlight or other ultraviolet sources; milk, eggs and liver.

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Headaches Can be Relieved with Calcium and Vitamin D

2009-10-21T19:45:00.000-07:00

Headaches are one of the most common health complaints of adults. There are three types of headaches; tension, migraine, and cluster. The tension headache is the most common and often results from muscle tension around the neck and shoulders. Migraines may be due to hormonal imbalances within the brain. Cluster headaches usually affect men and are in some ways the most obscure of the three headache types. Headaches are usually treated with drugs, often painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Migraine headache drugs are more complicated and sometimes involve the use of antidepressants and other psychiatric drugs that often have significant side effects.

However, there are natural alternatives to drug use for helping get rid of headaches. In one study, eight patients with chronic tension-type headaches and low vitamin D levels were put on a vitamin D and calcium regimen. All eight patients reported significant lessening of their headaches after supplementing with calcium and vitamin D. It appears that vitamin D and calcium can also help people with migraine headaches, including women who are in the postmenopausal phase of their lives. Several different hormonal changes accompany both menopause and its aftermath, post-menopause. These two changes in a woman’s life can result in many different ailments, including migraine headaches. In a small study, treatment with vitamin D and calcium dramatically reduced both the frequency and duration of migraine headaches within two months of starting the supplement therapy.

Vitamin D and calcium supplementation may also reduce headaches associated with premenstrual syndrome (PMS). There are four main PMS-related symptoms: headache, breast tenderness, tiredness and depression. Vitamin D and calcium can help prevent all of these monthly symptoms. The amounts of calcium and vitamin D taken for headaches should be moderate, since too much vitamin D can actually cause headaches. The RDA for vitamin D is 400 IU/day for most people, so they should take between 400-1000 IU/day for headaches. If there are any questions about long-term supplementation with vitamin D, they should consult their physician. Calcium supplementation usually ranges from 500 mg/day to over 1000 mg/day. Some people should also supplement with 250-400 mg/day of magnesium, as will be explained below.

Unfortunately, supplementing with large amounts of calcium may also cause headaches in some people. Why would calcium cure a headache in one person and cause one in the next person? Some people do fine on calcium alone, especially if they live in a warmer climate with plenty of sunshine. These people also tend to do better on diets that are higher in protein and fat. The excess calcium in their diet is used to neutralize the acidity of the protein in their diet. If people live in colder climates, supplementing with both calcium and vitamin D is recommended. However, there is another type of person that does not do well with calcium alone, or calcium with vitamin D. They need additional magnesium to balance out the calcium supplementation. These people tend to do better on a high complex-carbohydrate diet, instead of eating a lot of protein and fat.

Calcium contracts muscles and magnesium relaxes muscles. Therefore, you might think that calcium is bad for tension headaches since it contracts muscles. However, different people have different biochemical make-ups. A cup of coffee may cure a headache for one person and cause one for the next person. This may be due to the caffeine in the coffee constricting blood vessels in the brain. If someone’s blood vessels are too loose (dilated) coffee may help their headache by increasing the tone of the blood vessels; if the blood vessels are already constricted to begin with, coffee may cause or worsen the headache. The same idea can apply for calcium and magnesium. If someone’s muscles are tight to begin with, taking calcium without magnesium may cause a headache due to increased muscle tension on the nerves in the head. If someone’s muscles are too lax and not firm enough, the calcium can help tone them the way they should be, helping their interaction with the surrounding nerves and helping the headache go away. People who are interested in this headache theory should read some articles about metabolic typing.

Readers can learn more about the benefits of calcium and vitamin D at Dr. Jensen’s heath tips web site at www.individualizednutrition.com/

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Low Vitamin D Raises Blood Pressure in Women

2009-10-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

Younger white women with vitamin D deficiencies are about three times more likely to have high blood pressure in middle age than those with normal vitamin levels, according to a study released on Thursday.

The study, presented at a meeting of the American Heart Association in Chicago, adds younger women to a growing list of people including men who may develop high blood pressure at least in part because of low vitamin D.

Researchers in Michigan, who examined data on 559 women beginning in 1992, found that those with low levels of vitamin D were more likely to have high blood pressure 15 years later in 2007.

“Our results indicate that early vitamin D deficiency may increase the long-term risk of high blood pressure in women at mid-life,” said Flojaune Griffin, who worked on the study for the University of Michigan School of Public Health.

Vitamin D, which the human body can make from sunlight and which is found in fatty fish, fortified milk products and dietary supplements, has long been known to contribute to healthy bones and teeth.

But deficiencies, which are widespread in women, are linked to cancer, immune system problems and inflammatory diseases.

High blood pressure raises the likelihood of stroke, heart disease and other cardiovascular problems.

The women in the blood pressure study lived in Tecumseh, Michigan, and were 24 to 44 years old with an average age of 38, when the research began.

Researchers measured vitamin D blood levels at the outset and took blood pressure readings once a year. In 2007, they compared systolic readings — the top number in blood pressure results that indicates the pressure within blood vessels when the heart beats.

More than 10 percent of women with vitamin D deficiencies had high blood pressure in 2007, versus 3.7 percent of those with sufficient levels. When the study began, 5.5 percent with deficiencies also had high blood pressure, compared to 2.8 percent with normal vitamin D.

The study was funded by the U.S. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

Almost half the population worldwide has lower-than-optimal levels of vitamin D and researchers say the problem is worsening as people spend more time indoors. African-Americans seem at especially high risk as dark skin can make it harder for the body to absorb ultraviolet light.

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The Vitamin D difference

2009-10-16T18:04:00.000-07:00

Plain old vitamin D might finally be ready for its day in the sun. New research is shedding light on the leading role that this vitamin may play in preventing cancer and in keeping tumors in check.

Vitamin D isn’t technically a vitamin, since it’s produced in the body as a result of exposure to sunlight (“vitamins” are essential to life but by definition can be obtained only outside the body, through diet or supplements). It’s only when we don’t get enough sun that our bodies don’t make enough vitamin D and we need to get it from other sources. But while one of those sources, milk, is fortified with enough vitamin D to prevent the bone disease rickets in children, dietary sources—even a multivitamin—don’t provide nearly enough D to help prevent cancer, many scientists now say.

New findings are showing that benefits of vitamin D acts as a sentinel to help regulate cell growth and prevent a cell from becoming malignant, says Boston University Medical Center researcher Michael Holick, PhD, MD. “And that’s why we think that you need an adequate vitamin D level throughout your entire life, and that [anytime] you become vitamin D-deficient, you put yourself at increased risk of potentially developing a malignancy later in life, because you’ve lost the policing ability of vitamin D to help keep cell growth in check.”

The prescription? Sensible sun exposure for your skin type, plus vitamin D supplements. The payback? The benefits of Vitamin D Greatly reduced risk of colon, breast, prostate, and other cancers, a growing body of research is showing.

Changes in Latitudes
As early as the 1940s, scientists noticed that people who lived in northern states—like Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts—were more likely to die of malignancies other than skin cancer than people who lived in Texas, South Carolina, or Georgia, says Holick. The implication even then, he adds, was that “there is some immunity provided by the sun.”

But only in the last decade or so have researchers begun to zero in on vitamin D as the source of that immunity. One clue was that prostate cancer is twice as deadly among African-Americans as Caucasians in the United States; the only other place in the world with as high a death rate from that disease is Norway.

“A question you really have to ask yourself is, ‘How are African-Americans like Norwegians?’ ” says cancer biologist and epidemiologist Gary Schwartz, PhD, because they have almost the same rate of death from one of the most common cancers in the world.

Schwartz, a researcher at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, says, “They don’t look a lot alike, and they’re not genetically alike,” but it turns out that members of both groups tend to have low levels of vitamin D in their blood.

The skin pigment melanin hinders African-Americans in synthesizing vitamin D; at the same time, Norwegians—and other Scandinavians—far from the equator, have difficulty getting enough sunlight to produce adequate vitamin D. Schwartz says that in terms of vitamin D synthesis, “African-Americans are essentially Scandinavians all year round.”

He adds, “The reason that it’s potentially so interesting is that it’s something that’s completely remediable.” No one can go back and remove a past exposure to a toxin, or alter a genetic susceptibility, but people can readily change their blood levels of vitamin D.

Insights from Research
Other studies have implicated vitamin D in incidence or survival rates for colon, breast, endometrial, and lung cancers, among others.

In a study of health professionals published last year by the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, men with highest blood levels of vitamin D (10 nanograms per milliliter higher than those with the lowest levels) had about two-thirds the risk of dying from cancer—and even more dramatic protection from cancers of the digestive system. Other work, published last September by the American Association for Cancer Research, showed that higher intake of vitamin D was associated with a lower risk for pancreatic cancer. And rates of kidney cancer are greater at northern latitudes than among people who live near the equator, according to research published in December in the International Journal of Cancer.

In a seeming paradox, multiple studies have suggested that people who get regular exposure to the sun on the job have a decreased risk of melanoma. And according to a 2005 study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, people who had the most sun exposure as a child and young adult are less likely to die of melanoma even if they do get it.

Beyond Protection
Not only does vitamin D play a role in who gets cancer, but it seems to also help keep cancers from being as aggressive.

For example, patients with higher levels of vitamin D when they first receive a diagnosis of lung cancer may survive longer. In one recent study of patients with early-stage, non-small cell lung cancer at Massachusetts General Hospital, “individuals who had higher vitamin D levels had a better prognosis even up to 10 years later,” says Edward Giovannucci, MD, ScD, a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. That study was published last November in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

In other work, published last year in the journal Anticancer Research, mice fed a vitamin D–deficient diet developed more aggressive, faster-growing colon tumors than did mice who had adequate vitamin D when the tumors were induced.

Some research has been less conclusive. Participants in the Women’s Health Initiative study seemed to gain no protection from taking 400 units of vitamin D a day for seven years and had about the same rates of colon cancer as women who took a placebo. But Holick says that he pointed out to the authors of the research, published early last year in The New England Journal of Medicine, that women who entered the study with the lowest levels of vitamin D in their blood had about 2½ times the risk of developing colon cancer during the next eight years compared with women who had the highest blood levels.

Increasing Intake
The state of knowledge of how much vitamin D is enough to protect against cancer has changed a lot since that study began. Unfortunately, the amount of vitamin D that women in the study took was probably not enough to make an impact, says Giovannucci. “When the study was designed probably 10 years ago or so, the understanding was that 400 or even 200 units of vitamin D would be sufficient. But our understanding now is that we probably need much more vitamin D to have any influence.”

How much vitamin D? “We all need to increase our vitamin D intake,” says Holick.

“I personally, and most of my family members, now take 1,000 International Units of vitamin D3 a day. That’s what we think you need to satisfy your requirement if you’re not getting enough of it from sun exposure.”

He says he takes a supplement in that amount daily, year round, even though he plays tennis and cycles in the summertime. And when he is outside in the summer, he spends part of the time—15 minutes or so—without sunscreen.

Sunscreen blocks DNA-damaging UVB radiation, but those are the same wavelengths of light that help synthesize vitamin D. “You don’t want to get a sunburn, ever,” Holick says. “But I typically will go out, get some sun exposure, and then put sunscreen on, so I take advantage of the beneficial effect and prevent the damaging effects due to excessive exposure.” Recommendations for adequate vitamin D supplements depend somewhat on a person’s lifestyle, skin color, age, and overall health. A light-skinned lifeguard in a bathing suit on a sunny summer day probably synthesizes as much as 20,000 or 30,000 units of vitamin D, says Giovannucci. People with very dark skin probably need about 10 times as much sun exposure to synthesize the same amount of vitamin D as people with very light skin—or may need more from supplements if they aren’t getting that much sun exposure.

Obese people may need more vitamin D (because the benefits of this vitamin D is sequestered in fat), and so do people who can’t readily absorb nutrients from their gut into their bloodstream. Also, people need more supplementary vitamin D as they age, because their skin and kidneys gradually become less efficient at synthesizing vitamin D and converting it into its active form.

Gauging Vitamin D Levels
Holick recommends getting blood levels of vitamin D measured once a year, in late fall. (The amount of vitamin D you make from sunlight from spring into fall determines your stores for the year.) “If you are deficient then, you will remain so throughout the winter,” he says.

But there is still controversy about what makes for an adequate blood level. Blood tests measure not vitamin D itself, but a compound that is made from vitamin D by the liver, called 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or calcidiol. Doctors had thought that levels of 16 to 20 nanograms of 25-hydroxyvitamin D per milliliter of blood were adequate. But researchers are finding that even for bone health—and probably also for cancer prevention—levels of around 30 to 40 are optimal.

“So someone with 25, which would not be considered deficient by current standards, would do better to get his or her levels up to 30 at least,” says Giovannucci. However, “unless your physician is very up on vitamin D literature, if your values are even like 15 or 20, the lab is likely to say ‘normal’ and your physician is not going to worry about it and say your vitamin D level is fine.”

Deficiencies in Diet
Relying on dietary sources alone probably won’t work to get your vitamin D levels high enough. “There’s essentially no vitamin D naturally occurring in our diet, and very few foods are fortified with vitamin D,” says Holick, “and it’s so little that it’s inadequate to satisfy your requirement.”

Milk or orange juice fortified with vitamin D have only about 100 International Units in a glass. And Holick has found that milk very often doesn’t have as much as it says it does on the label. Salmon contains high levels of vitamin D, perhaps as much as 1,000 units a serving, but that’s only in wild salmon, he says, and “you’d have to eat it every day.” Taking 1,000 units a day in the form of a supplement will never be too much, Holick says. Even if you get outside a lot in the summertime, the body knows how much you’re making in your skin, and it destroys any excess.

Giovannucci says the guidelines for dietary intake—200 to 600 units a day, depending on age—need to be revised, and that some people may need as much as 2,000 units a day of vitamin D to get their blood levels up to adequate amounts. Sun exposure is the most efficient way to make vitamin D, he says, although he finds it impractical to make specific recommendations. “But at the same time, I think that sometimes the messages of avoiding sun and always putting on sunscreen are too extreme.”

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