The University of Texas Southwestern study, which monitored over 12,500 people for a period of four years, concluded that low vitamin D levels are definitely associated with increased risk of depressive disorder. The study, . . . → Read More: Major Large Scale Study Confirms Link between Vitamin D Deficiency And Depression]]>

A large long-term study recently published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings confirms that there is a definite link between vitamin D deficiency and depression.

The University of Texas Southwestern study, which monitored over 12,500 people for a period of four years, concluded that low vitamin D levels are definitely associated with increased risk of depressive disorder. The study, which is of the largest and most comprehensive studies ever conducted on the association between low vitamin D and depression, confirms the finding of many small studies conducted over the past decade.

The researchers monitored primary care patients at The Cooper Institute in Dallas. The subjects were divided into two groups based on whether or not they had a prior history of depression. Data from tests that measured both current vitamin D levels and the presence and intensity of depressive symptoms indicated that higher levels of the vitamin corresponded with lower incidence of depression, while those with the lowest levels of the vitamin were at greatest risk for depression.

The association between blood levels of Vitamin D and the incidence of depression were most significant among patients who had a prior history of depression. Among these patients, high blood levels of the vitamin reduced the odds of depressive symptoms by about 10 percent.

Which Came First – Depression or Deficiency?

The study authors said the exact nature of the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and depression remains unclear. Additional research is needed to determine whether deficiency leads to depression or depressive symptoms contribute to deficiency.

Previous research suggests that one of the roles Vitamin D plays in reducing the risk of depression is in its contribution to the healthy operation of neurotransmitters. In addition, maintaining adequate D vitamin levels is known to reduce the production of cytokines, proteins that increase inflammation. Previous research suggests that cytokines are a possible risk factor for depression.

Vitamin D Screening May Be Useful In Treatment Of Depressed Patients

The study results suggest that primary care patients who are currently depressed or have a history of depressive symptoms could benefit from screening for low blood levels of vitamin D.

Such screening is already commonly included in routine physical exams because low levels of the vitamin have been proven to be significant risk factors for a wide variety of medical problems, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, bone-related conditions such as osteoporosis, and neurological conditions including multiple sclerosis. Low vitamin D levels are also recognized as a risk factor for age-related conditions such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder in which the body produces insufficient insulin to properly process glucose or blood sugar, is among the most widespread conditions in the US.

According to the . . . → Read More: New Studies Confirm That High Vitamin D Levels Reduce Risk of Diabetes]]>

New international research confirms that keeping vitamin D levels high may help reduce the odds of developing diabetes, particularly among those who are already at risk.

Diabetes mellitus, a metabolic disorder in which the body produces insufficient insulin to properly process glucose or blood sugar, is among the most widespread conditions in the US.

According to the Americal Diabetes Association, 25.8 million people in the US have diabetes, and an estimated 79 million people have prediabetes.

As of 2010, an astounding 1.9 million new cases of diabetes are diagnosed in people aged 20 years and older each year.

Vitamin D Deficiency Identified As Important Factor In Diabetes Risk And Management

A growing body of research indicates that one of the most important but often overlooked risk factors for developing the disease is low levels of vitamin D, often referred to as the sunshine vitamin because exposure to sunlight triggers the body to produce its own supply of the vitamin.

It is believed that high levels of vitamin D improve secretion of insulin, which is necessary to allow cells to absorb and use glucose, as well as sensitivity to insulin. Low levels of the vitamin have also been found to increase insulin resistance, even among otherwise healthy individuals.

Two recent research projects confirm that keeping D vitamin levels high reduces risk of diabetes

A 2011 German study, conducted by the German Research Centre for Environmental Health in cooperation with the German Diabetes Center and the University of Ulm, showed that individuals with high blood levels of vitamin D have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes mellitus, while the risk for developing the disease is markedly higher among those with low levels of the vitamin.

According to the authors of the study, the anti-inflammatory effect of vitamin D could be among the most important factors in reducing the risk of diabetes. The researchers noted that more than six million people in Germany have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, adding that it is likely that an equal number of undiagnosed cases also exist.

Vitamin D deficiency is widespread in Germany, the researchers said, attributable in part to the nation’s geograpgical which makes it difficult to get adequate sun during the winter months and in part to modern, indoor-oriented lifestyles. The study authors said that if follow-up research confirms their findings, a targeted improvement in the supply of vitamin D to the general public could reduce the number of people at risk for developing diabetes.

The results of a new US study, conducted by Tufts New England Medical Center, echoed the findings of the German research. The Tufts study, which was recently presented at the American Diabetes Association 71st Scientific Sessions, monitored more than 2,000 patients with prediabetes over a period of three years.

The results showed that the risk for diabetes was lowest among those with the highest vitamin D levels, while risk for the disease was highest among those most deficient in the vitamin.

The most recent review of the ongoing research on the vitamin D/breast cancer connection, published in the September 2011 issue of . . . → Read More: Research Review Confirms Link Between Vitamin D and Breast Cancer]]>

New research confirms that the link between vitamin D and breast cancer is indeed a powerful one, suggesting that women with high levels of the vitamin could have a significantly lower risk of developing the disease.

The most recent review of the ongoing research on the vitamin D/breast cancer connection, published in the September 2011 issue of Anticancer Research, analyzed data from 11 case-control studies. The researchers combined the data from all of the studies to calculate the effect of vitamin D levels on the risk of breast cancer development.

The results of the data analysis indicate that high vitamin D levels definitely reduce the risk of breast cancer, with women whose blood levels were highest being at 50 to 70 percent lower risk for the disease than women whose levels of the vitamin were the lowest.

These findings confirm the results of a large number of epidemiological studies, including geographical correlation studies, randomized clinical trials, and observational and laboratory studies that show vitamin D has a measurable impact on the risk for cancer.

The vitamin D/cancer link was initially discovered through geographical correlation studies, which compared cancer frequency and death rate of populations in northern and southern latitudes. These studies indicated that southern latitude populations that got more sun exposure had a lower cancer incidence and death rate than northern latitude populations. Researchers hypotheisized that the the production of vitamin D, which is stimulated by exposure to sunlight, could be causal.

These studies were followed by further investigation into the connection between the vitamin and the risk and severity of cancer development. Observational studies appeared to support the findings of the geographical correlation research (though their conclusions cannot be considered entirely accurate because of difficulty collecting precise dietary data).

One of the most significant observational studies involved over 6,000 Canadian women between the ages of 25 and 74. The data from the study clearly indicated that women who spent the most time outdoors had a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who spent the least time outdoors.

In addition, a number of UK studies on the high mortality rate and poor health picture in Scotland (known as the “Scottish effect”) identified the country’s climate and lack of sun as an important factor. 2008 research correlates the generally low level of vitamin D among the population (roughly four times lower than that of the population in England) with the nation’s increased incidence of a number of diseases including cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Laboratory studies also support the vitamin D/cancer link, showing that the vitamin both promoted the death of cancer cells and slowed their proliferation. A 2010 State University of New York at Albany study, which included treating human breast cancer cells with a potent form of the vitamin, found that vitamin D has an effect similar to that of anti-cancer drugs such as Tamoxifen.

In the video below, Dr. Donald Trump of Buffalo’s Roswell Park Cancer Center discusses the scientific relationship between vitamin D levels and cancer, and how the vitamin could be incorporated in programs of cancer treatment and prevention.

The US Recommended Daily Intake of the vitamin is 200 IU for adults to 50 years of age 400 IU for older adults. Many scientists are calling for a steep increase in RDI, with some suggesting a daily intake of as much as 2000 IU. Canada’s Institute of Medicine recently recommended that the Adequate Intake of vitamin D should be set at 600 IU for people up to age 70 and 800 IU for those over 70. These recommendations triple the IOM’s previous suggested AI of 200 IU per day for adults.

The IOM report also raised the safe maximum intake of the vitamin to 4000 IU per day for adults, doubling the previous recommended maximum intake level of 2000 IU per day.

The study, performed by Cancer Care Ontario and funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance, involved more than 6,000 women from 25 to 74 years of . . . → Read More: Vitamin D Benefits For Breast Cancer: More Sun Exposure Equals Lower Risk]]>

A new Canadian study on vitamin D benefits suggests that women who get just a few hours of sunshine each day have a significantly lower risk of developing breast cancer.

The study, performed by Cancer Care Ontario and funded by the Canadian Breast Cancer Research Alliance, involved more than 6,000 women from 25 to 74 years of age. It focused primarily on the effects of vitamin D produced as a result of sun exposure rather than dietary vitamin D, with a goal of determining whether there is a significant association between sun exposure and breast cancer risk.

The participants included about 6,000 women, roughly half of whom had been diagnosed with breast cancer. The remaining women, who did not have the desease, formed a control group. Both groups completed questionnaires on breast cancer risk factors and dietary habits, and were asked to provide information about their amount of sun exposure during various periods of life (teens, 20s-30s, 40s-50s, and 60-75).

The analysis of the participant data indicated that women who spent the most time outdoors (more than 21 hours per week) had significantly lower risk of developing tumors than those who spent the least time outdoors (less than six hours per week). The results of the analysis were striking:

- Women who spent the most time outdoors during their teenage years had a 29% lower risk of breast cancer than those who spent the least time outdoors during the same period

- Women who spent the most time outside during their 20s and 30s had a 36% lower risk than those who spent the least time outdoors during the same two decades

- Women who spent the most time outdoors during their 40s and 50s demonstrated a 26% lower risk of breast cancer than those who spent the least time outside

- Women between 60 and 75 who spent the most time outdoors lowered their risk of breask cancer by an astounding 50% as compared to women of the same age who spent the least time outside.

The researchers noted that because most of the participants were Caucasian, further studies will be needed to determine if the results hold true for other ethnic groups.

In addition, the study did not take into account a number of other factors that could potentially effect the women’s risk for breast cancer. Noting that family history, general activity levels, and the onset ages for menstruation and menopause could all have some impact on breast cancer risk, the researchers said their influence would not chance the odds ratio by more than 10%.

A study by the Harvard School of Public Health, reported in the June issue of The . . . → Read More: More Vitamin D Benefits: Keeping Levels High May Prevent Cardiovascular Disease, Reduce Risk of Breast Cancer]]>

A pair of new studies highlight even more vitamin D benefits for both sexes, indicating that keeping blood levels of the sunshine vitamin high may help prevent cardiovascular disease in men and could reduce the risk of breast cancer in women.

A study by the Harvard School of Public Health, reported in the June issue of The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, concluded that men who had a high intake of D vitamin (600 IU per day or more) were 28 percent less likely to have cardiovascular disease than men whose intake was low (100 IU per day or less).

The study analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, which tracked over 74,000 women and more than 44,500 men from 1984 through 2006. All subjects were free of cardiovascular disease at the beginning of the studies and by the conclusion 9,886 cases of cardiovascular disease had been identified.

The Harvard researchers said that after making adjustments for other risk factors, there was a definite correlation between high intake of vitamin D and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease in men. Interestingly, though women with a high D vitamin intake were 16 percent less likely to develop cardiovascular disease, the research found the association not statistically significant.

Another new study reported in the June issue of the American Journal of Epidemiology suggests that vitamin D deficiency may play a role in risk for breast cancer.

The research, led by Laura N. Anderson of Prevention and Cancer Control, Cancer Care Ontario, tracked the number of hours women of various ages spent outdoors and correlated the exposure to sunlight with breast cancer risk. The women were analyzed in four age groups of ranging from adolescence through mid-70s.

Using 6 hours a week outdoors as a base comparison, it was found that adolescents who spent 21 hours or more outdoors per week were 29 percent less likely to develop breast cancer. Using the same comparison, women in the 20s-30s age group demonstrated a 26 percent risk reduction, while women in the 40s-50s group were at 39 percent less risk and women in the oldest age group showed an amazing 50 percent lower risk.

The study concluded that increased cutaneous production of vitamin D is associated with reduced breast cancer risk.

These studies are the latest of many indicating that D vitamin deficiency increases risk of a whole host of diseases and health conditions. In addition to cancer and cardiovascular disease, deficiency has been associated with increased risk of diabetes, autism, depression, multiple sclerosis, brain function problems, and autoimmune, kidney, periodontal, and hematologic diseases.

In a report published in the June 6 edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, a panel of Endocrine . . . → Read More: Expert Panel Recommends Major Increase In Vitamin D for HIV Positive Patients]]>

People who are HIV positive may require as much as three times the standard RDA for the sunshine vitamin in order to get maximum vitamin D benefits, according to an expert panel representing the Endocrine Society.

In a report published in the June 6 edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, a panel of Endocrine Society experts noted that because certain HIV medications including Sustiva and Atripla lower blood levels of D vitamin, the ideal intake for HIV positive people may be much higher than that of HIV negative people.

The panel recommended that the ideal vitamin D intake adults who are HIV positive or who are obese may be as high as 6,000 to 10,000 IU per day. The panel also suggested that the ideal intake for HIV negative adults may be as high as 1,500 to 2,000 IU per day.

These figures constitute a major increase over the 400 IU per day recently recommended by the Institute of Medicine.

The panel also recommended routine vitamin D deficiency screening for HIV positive people who are taking antiretroviral medication, as well as for people who are obese or are over 50 years of age.

The panel stressed that most people are not getting enough of the vitamin through traditional sources, including sun exposure. While exposure to sun triggers the body to product it’s own supplies of D vitamin, regular use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor of 30 or greater can reduce the amount of D vitamin produced by as much as 95 percent.

In addition, the panel said, the consumption of vitamin D fortified dairy products has dropped in recent years, as has the consumption of fatty fish and other foods that naturally contain the vitamin.

Vitamin D deficiency, which the panel defined as less than 20 nanograms per milligrams of serum, is a worldwide concern. People who live in northern climates and those who spend very little time outdoors are considered at higher risk for deficiency, as are those who have dark skin, are obese, or are over 50 years of age.

A growing body of research indicates that Vitamin D, long recognized as crucial to the development and maintenance of strong bones, is also key to effective immune system function. A 2010 Copenhagen study showed that without sufficient D vitamin levels in the blood, the “T” cells that protect the body by identifying and attacking pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, will not perform efficiently. According to the Dutch research, the T cells rely on vitamin D to activate.

A new Dutch study indicates that newborns with low levels of vitamin D are six times more likely to develop respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the primary cause of serious lung infections during the first months of life.

The study, conducted by the . . . → Read More: New Studies Show Vitamin D Benefits Crucial To Health From Conception Through Childhood]]>

Two recent studies confirm the importance of vitamin D benefits from conception through birth and childhood.

A new Dutch study indicates that newborns with low levels of vitamin D are six times more likely to develop respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the primary cause of serious lung infections during the first months of life.

The study, conducted by the Netherlands’ Utrecht University Medical Center and reported in the Journal of Pediatrics online, tracked 156 infants from birth through their first year. The researchers analyzed cord blood from the newborns to determine vitamin D levels and monitored the children to determine the incidence of lung and respiratory problems.

The initial results of the cord blood analysis confirmed the prevalence of low vitamin D levels at birth, with 54% of the infants showing deficiency of the vitamin. During the first year of life a total of 12% of the children who had low D vitamin levels developed RSV-related lung infections.

RSV, which causes inflammation of the small airways in the lungs, is the most common cause of bronchitis and pneumonia. It is extremely dangerous for infants and may even be fatal if complications arise.

Similar high rates of deficiency in newborns has been demonstrated in the US. A 2010 Boston hospital study showed that 58% of infants and 36% of mothers had insufficient levels of D vitamin, with about 38% of infants and 23% of mother testing at severely deficient levels.

Infants born of mothers who took vitamin D supplements during pregnancy were at greatly reduced risk of deficiency, the study said.

D Vitamin Deficiency Associated With Childhood Obesity

The negative implications of vitamin D deficiency don’t stop in infancy. A recent University of Pittsburgh study revealed that children who have the lowest levels of the vitamin are the most likely to be obese.

The study tracked more than 200 white, black, obese and non-obese youngsters between 8 and 18 years of age. A disturbing finding of the research confirmed the widespread prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in young people; most of the children tracked by the study had insufficient levels of the vitamin, the researchers said.

The results showed strong associations between D vitamin deficiency and higher body mass index, higher fat levels, and lower levels of “good” cholesterol. Among those who demonstrated D vitamin deficiency, the white children were found to be more at risk for excess visceral fat while the black children were are great risk of excess subcutaneous fat.

Vitamin D plays an essential role in the metabolic process, aiding . . . → Read More: Vitamin D Benefits for Everyone: More than Strong Bones]]>

Vitamin D is known for its crucial role in keeping bones strong and healthy. But ongoing research is proving that it benefits the brain as well as the bones, and may actually help prevent a host of illnesses including diabetes, asthma, heart disease, and even cancer.

Vitamin D plays an essential role in the metabolic process, aiding in the absorption of calcium and promoting bone strength. Without Vitamin D benefits, bones can become soft, brittle, or misshapen, and Vitamin D deficiency leads to devastating skeletal diseases like Rickets and osteomalacia.

Vitamin D’s bone building capability is important to people of all ages, but it’s particularly crucial for older people who have or are at risk of developing osteoporosis. Studies have shown that maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels can significantly reduce the risk of this debilitating disease, which is is characterized by bone loss and fragility.

Research expands the list of vitamin D benefits

Exciting new medical research is proving that vitamin D benefits go far beyond strong bones.

• Assists the body’s defense against certain cancers: Ongoing studies of vitamin D indicate that vitamin Dmay actually help the body protect itself against certain cancers. An increased intake of dairy foods, which are significant sources of vitamin D and calcium, appear to be associated with a lower risk of colon cancer.

• Important to brain health and cognitive ability: a January, 2009 study showed an unmistakable link between low levels of vitamin D and cognitive ability in older people. The study, which was conducted by the the UK’s Cambridge University in conjunction with the University of Michigan, tracked 2000 people aged 65 and older. The results clearly indicated that as vitamin D levels went down, rates of cognitive impairment went up.
• Critical to immune system efficiency: A recent Medical University of South Carolina report says vitamin D functions as a hormone and is crucial to regulating the immune system. The report says long-term vitamin D deficiency has been linked to immune disorders such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type I diabetes, and cancer.
• Strongly related to muscle power: A University of Manchester study of adolescent girls showed that participants with sufficient vitamin D levels outperformed those with vitamin D deficiencies on a broad spectrum of tests designed to measure muscle force and power.
• Fights placental infection: A 2008 UCLA study showed that vitamin D induces immune responses in placental tissue by stimulating the production of antimicrobial proteins.
• Crucial for heart health: A number of studies have linked vitamin Ddeficiency to heart disease. These studies found rates of severe disease or death may be 30 to 50 percent higher among sun-deprived individuals with heart disease.

People over 50 at greatest risk of vitamin D deficiency

Since the 1930s, when the US government mandated that milk be fortified with vitamin D, the risk of vitamin D deficiency in children has decreased markedly. Now people over the age of 50 are believed to have the greatest risk of developing vitamin D deficiency. As we age the skin’s ability to convert vitamin Dto its active form decreases, and older people are more likely to be housebound and get less exposure to sunshine. In addition the kidneys become less efficient at converting dietary sources of vitamin D to its active form.

Caution with supplementation a must

Though supplemental vitamin D may be important for many, it’s essential to use supplements carefully. There are health risks associated with consuming too much vitamin D; taking too much can lead to vitamin D toxicity, which can cause nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness, and weight loss. It can also raise blood levels of calcium , which can lead to heart rhythm abnormalities, mental confusion, and kidney problems.

The Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine considers an intake of 25 mcg (1,000 IU) for infants up to 12 months of age and 50 mcg (2,000 IU) for children, adults, pregnant, and lactating women to be the tolerable upper intake level (UL). A daily intake above the UL increases the risk of adverse health effects and is not advised.

An allergic reaction to pollen, a powdery material released by flowering plants, is the most common of all seasonal allergies and for millions of people, the spring blooming season means weeks of sneezing, coughing, itchy, runny eyes, and nasal . . . → Read More: Vitamin D Benefits Help Keep Seasonal Allergies At Bay]]>

If you suffer from seasonal allergies and asthma, vitamin Dbenefits could be particularly important during the summer months.

An allergic reaction to pollen, a powdery material released by flowering plants, is the most common of all seasonal allergies and for millions of people, the spring blooming season means weeks of sneezing, coughing, itchy, runny eyes, and nasal congestion.

Many types of pollen are carried in the wind and levels of pollen in the air vary from place to place and from day to day. For about 30% of the population, inhaling pollen can trigger the body’s immune system to procude chemicals called cytokines. These chemicals cause the inflammatory symptoms associated with allergic rhinitis (runny nose and nasal congestion), allergic conjunctivitis (itchy, watery eyes) and even allergic asthma (wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness).

In the early spring airborne levels of pollen from trees and some plants is typical, while during the late spring and summer months grass and weed pollen levels are generally highest. Some people have allergic reactions to only some pollens, while for other people exposure to any pollens triggers an uncomfortable allergic reacion.

Vitamin D Benefits For Allergy Sufferers

Medical research has shown that vitamin Dis important for immune system function and that a deficiency of vitamin D is strongly associated with increased inflammatory reactions. Even more importantly, a number of studies have shown that raising blood levels of the vitamin has worked to reduce inflammation, both in groups of generally healthy people and in critically ill patients.

These findings suggest that while low levels of D vitamin don’t necessarily lead to seasonal allergies, keeping levels high is an important part of avoiding or at least short-circuiting the miseries of seasonal allergies.

Vitamin D Benefits Particularly Important For Children With Allergies

A growing body of research, including studies by Harvard Medical School, Pittsburgh’s Allegheny General Hospital, and others, indicates that sufficiency of vitamin Dis particularly important for children. The studies, which monitored inner city children under 12 years of age, showed that youngsters with deficient levels of D vitamin were more than twice as likely to experience seasonal allergies, as well as allergies to specific foods.

Vitamin D Deficiency A Global Health Concern

Deficiency of vitamin D is a major concern in the US and all over the world. A 2004 US Federal Government National Health and Nutrition survey showed that more than three-fourths of the total population had insuffienent blood levels of the vitamin, and research by Cincinnati’s Children’s Medical Hospital indicated that more than half of all infants are born with vitamin D deficiency.

The American Academy of Pediatrics literally doubled its recommended daily intake of vitamin Dfor children, raising the amount from 200 IU to 400 IU starting with the day of birth.