Vitamin D plays role in preventing disease, depression, breast cancer…
May 7, 2008
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Older people with low blood levels of vitamin D and high blood levels of parathyroid hormone are more likely to be depressed, Dutch researchers report.
But it remains unclear whether these abnormalities are a cause or a consequence of depression, Dr. Witte J. G. Hoogendijk and colleagues from Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam say.
Past studies have linked altered levels of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone with depression, but the relationship "has never been studied systematically," Hoogendijk and colleagues note.
Among the 169 people found by self-report and diagnostic interviews to be suffering from minor depression, as well as the 26 with major depressive disorder, vitamin D levels were 14 percent lower than for people who were free from depression, the researchers found.
And blood levels of parathyroid hormone, which increase with vitamin D deficiency, were 5 percent higher in people with minor depression and 33 percent higher in those with major depression, relative to levels seen in seniors without depression.
There are a number of plausible ways that low vitamin D levels could influence mood, the researchers note, given that the vitamin plays a role in several neurological and hormonal processes.
- Source: Reuters, May 5, 2008 — Summarized for you by Doctors Say…
Other benefits of Vitamin D
An avalanche of research over the past few years suggests vitamin D might play a role in preventing other diseases, independent of calcium:
- A Harvard study of more than 30,000 women published in May found premenopausal women with the highest vitamin D intake had 35 percent less breast cancer than those getting the least vitamin D.
- Another Harvard study in 2006 found white people with the highest levels of vitamin D had a 62 percent lower risk of developing multiple sclerosis.
- In a study published earlier this month, researchers in Nebraska found women who got 1,100 international units of vitamin D every day lowered their risk of any cancer by 77 percent. This study was small - just 1,179 women - but it was the most rigorous yet to examine vitamin D’s impact on health.
Other studies point to a protective effect against cancers of the colon, prostate, ovaries, pancreas and kidney, as well as heart disease, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, arthritis and other illnesses.
“The more we study this, the longer the list gets,” said Cedric Garland, a prominent vitamin D researcher at the University of California-San Diego.
The clincher: Many of us aren’t getting enough. Vitamin D researchers say the current recommendations for 200 to 600 international units a day are too low to protect against cancer and other diseases.
- Source: Susan Stevens, Packing a Punch Vitamin D May Play a Role in Preventing Cancer, Heart Disease and Other Ailments., Daily Herald, June 25, 2007
How much Vitamin D do you need?
As usual, there is much disagreement on just how much Vitamin D people need. Susan Stevens writes that “Federal guidelines recommend 200 to 600 units of vitamin D a day, depending on age. But most studies have found that higher doses are needed to protect against cancer and other illnesses.”
Doctors talk about anywhere from 1,000 to 2,000 units a day. Discuss your own Vitamin D need with your doctor. According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, “Excessive vitamin D consumption can result in toxicity. Symptoms include nausea, loss of appetite, kidney damage, and deposits of insoluble calcium salts in certain tissues.”
Sources of Vitamin D
Sunshine — on the bare skin — helps your body to produce its own Vitamin D. Depending on your skin type, anywhere from 5-15 minutes should be enough.
If you decide to take Vitamin D supplements instead, look for vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol. Vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol is less potent.
Good sources of Vitamin D are cod liver oil, salmon, tuna, and Vitamin D fortified milk.
Vitamin D Factlet
According to the Columbia Encyclopedia, “Vitamin D is a name given to two fat-soluble compounds; calciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). They are now known to be hormones, but continue to be grouped with vitamins because of historical misclassification.”
The Vitamin D Cure
Groundbreaking new research has traced the source of a wide array of to a single common factor-—vitamin D deficiency. Leading rheumatologist and researcher Dr. James Dowd reveals the causes of vitamin D deficiency and offers a simple, easy-to-follow five-step program that can eliminate or alleviate a host of seemingly incurable conditions, such as arthritis, in as little as six weeks. Better yet, by staying on the program, you can enjoy robust health and improved fitness for the rest of your life.
It may sound too good to be true, but it’s actually solid medicine based on real science: groundbreaking new research has traced the source of a wide array of disorders that afflict up to 200 million Americans to a single common factor-—vitamin D deficiency. Increasing the amount of vitamin D in your body can cure or help treat a remarkable number of ailments—from obesity to arthritis, from high blood pressure to back pain, from diabetes to muscle cramps. If you suffer from these or many other chronic health problems, you may wonder whether you are getting enough vitamin D and what to do about it.In The Vitamin D Cure, leading rheumatologist and researcher Dr. James Dowd reveals the causes of vitamin D deficiency and explains why North Americans are particularly vulnerable to it. He then offers a simple, easy-to-follow five-step program that can eliminate or alleviate a host of seemingly incurable conditions, such as arthritis, in as little as six weeks. Better yet, by staying on the program, you can enjoy robust health and improved fitness for the rest of your life.
Citing numerous scientific studies, a wealth of clinical data, and case stories from his practice, Dr. Dowd shows how lifestyle and diet have combined to reduce the vitamin D intake of most of us who live north of the equator. Eating the wrong foods, not getting enough exercise, and spending too much time indoors have produced a major health crisis.
The good news is that you can greatly improve your health with the five easy steps in this life-changing guide.
More than you ever realized, the future of your health is in your hands. You can harness the power of the “sunshine vitamin” to transform your life, end your pain, and return to active, vigorous well-being now and for decades to come. Read The Vitamin D Cure and start lettingthe sun shine on your health and your life.
- Source: James E. Dowd M.D., The Vitamin D Cure
Where to buy Vitamin D Supplements
You can conveniently order Vitamin D by mail at Amazon.com’s Health & Personal Care store, which carries a good selection of Vitamin D3 supplements.
