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

Value Of Vitamins Overstated?

Scientific studies are casting doubts about vitamins serving as the cure-all for a variety of human ailments. Especially at issue is the benefit of mega-doses.

About a week ago, a clinical trial study concluded vitamins E and C had no effect on cancer rates for men. Another study found no effect on heart disease.

And further, a trial last month on vitamin E and selenium’s impact on prostate cancer was postponed because of concern about harmful effects. Doctors also recently reported that vitamin C protects both cancerous and healthy cells.

Vitamins, such as B12, supplement the elderly; folic acid helps women; and calcium and Vitamin D for women over 65 are beneficial.

But more than a decade of research is concluding that taking large doses of vitamins provides no general benefit.

Good & Bad Points of Vitamins

Scientists in March concluded children who take vitamin D may reduce the effect of Type 1 diabetes when they reach adulthood by as much as 30 percent.

Health expert, Dr. John Briffa, says the study is “another piece in the ever-growing body of evidence linking vitamin D and sunlight with benefits for health and disease-protection in both adults and children.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics in October recommended that young children and babies get more vitamin D to help prevent Parkinson’s disease and other disorders. The AAP recommends infants take double the amount of vitamin D previously recommended.

But other recent studies have suggested vitamins and supplements are ineffective, or even possibly harmful. The makers of the popular multivitamin supplement Airborne agreed to a $23.3 million class-action settlement for claiming the product cures and prevents colds.

An April review by the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark of 67 health studies found that ingesting vitamins A and E and the supplement beta-carotene might actually raise the risk of premature death.

The Guardian, a UK newspaper, reports “vitamin A was linked to a 16 percent increased risk of dying, beta-carotene to a 7 percent increased risk, and vitamin E to a 4 percent increased risk.”

The New York Times notes researchers have been reporting on the negative effects of vitamins for more than a decade.

A 1994 study in Finland found that beta-carotene increased the incidence of lung cancer in smokers, and vitamin users among workers exposed to asbestos demonstrated an increase for lung cancer and death from heart disease.

Find Facts Before Dosing

In response to the latest news about vitamins E and C, Ginger Marks of The National Ledger concludes that people who are confused about the health benefits of supplements should consult a medical professional.

“Many believe that vitamins are a cure-all and help protect against lousy eating and exercise habits,’’ Marks says. “Consult your doctor; find out how much you should be eating, what particular vitamins you should be taking, and exercise. Don’t spend your money on anything without doing the research.”

If you are wondering how to maintain your health without taking supplements, Fran Berkoff of the Toronto Sun recommends to readers that the vitamins found naturally in foods are always best.

“While some of the studies question the value of taking supplements, none so far question the value of eating foods rich in these antioxidants,’’ Berkoff says. “The benefit of a rich diet in these compounds may be that they act in combination with other ingredients that are naturally found in foods.”

For instance, it may include other vitamins, minerals, natural plant chemicals and fiber. And, it may be this synergistic effect that provides you with the positive antioxidant benefit, Berkoff says.

We at WMB believe many people may want to give up taking vitamins altogether because of the conflicting information over effectiveness.

By referencing Web guides to dietary supplements and consulting with your physician, you should be able to sort fact from fiction and come up with a dietary plan that boosts your chances at achieving optimal health.

This post is by TechMan, WMB co-author who blogs about trends, ideas, issues affecting business, industry, technology and consumers.