Vitamin D Shows Promise

It seems like every other day we hear about how this vitamin or that vitamin can work wonders for certain folks, either as a preventative or to assist in recovery. Vitamin D therapy, however, is showing real results.

A British study has found that middle-aged and elderly people with high levels of vitamin D reduce their risk of developing heart disease or diabetes by 43 percent.

Vitamin D also is associated with additional health benefits, including reduced risk of developing several types of cancer (breast, prostate) and promoting bone and joint health.

While our bodies manufacture vitamin D on exposure to sunshine, the levels in some northern countries are so weak during the winter months that our bodies make no vitamin D at all, meaning dietary supplements and fortified foods, such as salmon and tuna, are key.

“We found that high levels of vitamin D among middle-age and elderly populations are associated with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome,” says study co-leader Dr. Oscar Franco, assistant professor of public health at Warwick Medical School, United Kingdom.

“Targeting vitamin D deficiency in adult populations could potentially slow the current epidemics of cardiometabolic disorders,” Franco says.

By The Numbers

Researchers at Warwick reviewed 28 studies which examined vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders, which include cardiovascular disease, Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. The 99,795 participants included men and women from many of ethnic groups.

Participants with the highest levels of vitamin D lowered their risk of developing cardiovascular disease by 33 percent, their risk of Type 2 diabetes by 55 percent, and their chances of metabolic syndrome by 51 percent when compared to those with low levels of the vitamin.

The National Institute of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements recommends adults under the age of 50 get 200 IU of vitamin D daily. Adults 50-70 should get 400 IU daily, and adults ages 71 and above should have an intake of 600 IU each day.

Closer To Home

I can say vitamin D therapy worked for me. In fact, the results were rather amazing, totally unexpected.

The first sign of something amiss was when I noticed my energy levels were not what they would normally be; I could not do household maintenance at my usual comfort level. It took me hours more to do basic physical chores, such as mowing the lawn.

After routine blood tests ordered by my doctor, it was apparent my vitamin D level was on the low side. The doctor ordered the following: one vitamin D tablet (5000 IU) a week for five weeks and a daily tablet of 1000 IU.

Within days of starting this dosing, I felt my energy levels rushing back. And, within two weeks, my normal stamina was restored. I continue to take a daily vitamin D tablet of 1000 IU with dinner and still feel fine, no side effects.

Mind over matter, or just coincidence? Will it work for everyone? I think not.

I followed up with my doctor who said he found a certain percentage of his patients were showing favorable results from vitamin D therapy. He theorized in my case that, for whatever reason, my body could no longer absorb enough vitamin D from natural sources, including sunlight.

Because of concern over skin cancer, many folks (including me) have avoided long exposure time to the sun. In addition, one’s body chemistry can change with age, so nutrients and vitamins you once absorbed easily are no longer done so.

“When we are older we may need to spend more time outdoors to stimulate the same levels of vitamin D we had when we were younger,’’ Franco says.

For me, vitamin D therapy was an interesting mix of learning and relief. Bottom line: It was an easy fix for something, I feared, was far worse. And it reminded me that sometimes the answers to problems are right in front of us!

Ken Cocuzzo