Vitamin D, the "sunshine vitamin"
We've all been inundated with information about protecting ourselves from the damage of the sun's rays, and the importance of using sunblock (make it safe one!), but are we going overboard?
A recent Washington Post article outlined the current debate over Vitamin D guidelines, otherwise known as the "sunshine vitamin." Studies have shown that low levels of vitamin D make men more likely to have heart attacks, breast and colon cancer victims less likely to live, and children more likely to develop diabetes, as well as increasing the risk of dying prematurely from any cause. Vitamin D deficiency may be common, with up to half of adults and children getting inadequate levels. The question is, how do we raise Vitamin D levels?
Experts say it is too early to start popping large amounts of vitamin D supplements. According to Dr. Vieth at the University of Toronto, physicians should test patients for vitamin D deficiency, and more people, especially African Americans, should take supplements and increase their sun exposure.
With people spending so much time indoors and using sunblock when they are outside, the vitamin D that people create in their bodies has been falling. Dr. Michael F. Holick, at Boston University, recommends that people take 1,000 international units a day of Vitamin D along with a multivitamin with 400 i.u. and that people expose their arms and legs to the sun for about 15 minutes several times a week.
[Via Healthy Child, Healthy World blog]
_thumbnail.jpg)
In Oregon: A Gym Powered By Exercise
Blankets & Coats Re-Purposed for Pets
Obama Poses with Three Legged Baby
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-15-2008 @ 9:35AM
jeffrey dach md said...
John Cannell and Vitamin D
I have noticed that, thanks to the efforts of Dr John Cannell, many mainstream docs in my area have begun to order Vitamin D tests and supplement when found to be low.
Satellite Maps of the Earth
Satellite maps of the earth showing UV Sunlight exposure correlate with serum Vitamin D levels, and the farther north, the lower the Vitamin D, and the higher the incidence of Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis in our population.
These NASA space satellite photos of North America color coded for UV sun exposure can be seen on Dr. Grant's Vitamin D Web Site. Here, you will see a pattern remarkably similar to the incidence of cancer and multiple sclerosis. This is thought to be due to differences in Vitamin D levels. The farther north with less sun exposure and lower Vitamin D levels, there is an increased incidence of cancer and multiple sclerosis.
Diseases Caused by, or Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency:
Again here is the list: Osteoporosis, Hypertension, Cardiovascular disease, Cancer, Depression, Epilepsy, Type One Diabetes, Insulin resistance, Autoimmune Diseases, Migraine Headache, PolyCystic Ovary Disease (PCOS), Musculoskeletal and bone pain, Psoriasis.
Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in 57% of 290 medical inpatients in Massachusetts, 93% of 150 patients with overt musculoskeletal pain in Minnesota, 48% of patients with Multiple Sclerosis, 50% of patients with lupus and fibromyalgia, 42% of healthy adolescents, 40% of African American Women, and 62 % of the morbidly obese, 83% of 360 patients with low back pain in Saudi Arabia, 73% of Austrian patients with Ankylosisng Spondylitis, 58% of Japanese girls with Graves’s Disease, 40% of Chinese adolescent girls, 40-70% of all Finnish medical patients. (the above is from Dr Cannell newsletter)
Low Vitamin D in Florida?
Surprisingly, we have been seeing low vitamin D levels even here in sunny Florida demonstrated by serum 25-OH Vit D blood testing. These people avoid the sun for fear of skin cancer.
To read a synopsis of Dr John Cannell's excellent work...
http://jeffreydach.com/2007/06/10/vitamin-d-deficiency–by-jeffrey-dach-md.aspx
Vitamin D Deficiency by Jeffrey Dach MD
Jeffrey Dach MD
4700 Sheridan Suite T
Hollywood Fl 33021
954-983-1443
http://www.naturalmedicine101.com
Reply