Preventing Colon Cancer with vitamins

Vitamin D might help prevent colon cancer. A new study finds high levels of vitamin D in the blood are linked to lower risks of colorectal cancer. But researchers say it's not clear if higher intake of the vitamin actually prevents the disease.

The finding is based on a study of more than 500,000 people from ten countries in Europe.

The research is published online in the British Medical Journal.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to long list of health concerns

You can add Crohn's disease to the growing list of conditions that vitamin D may treat, improve, or prevent. Some of the other benefits of vitamin D are reductions in breast cancer, colon cancer, and prostate cancer. Vitamin D deficiency can worsen asthma symptoms, and some experts even suggest that higher levels of vitamin D can help prevent influenza, including the H1N1 virus.

More new evidence suggests that ability to lose weight  improves with an increase of vitamin D and the sunshine vitamin is essential for proper brain function and heart health. Researchers also believe that proper levels of vitamin D can reduce your risk of multiple sclerosis and even macular degeneration. At one time, scientists believed the only function of vitamin D was to protect our bones.

You can get vitamin D from food, from supplements, and from the controversial; exposure to the sun. One might assume that deficiency would be less of a concern in San Diego, where this free nutrient is abundantly available, but deficiency is still an issue, even in the southern United States.

While relatively rare in the United States, severe deficiency in some places continues to cause rickets, even though British scientist; T. A. Palm discovered that lack of sunshine in some areas correlated with an increase in rickets way back in 1892. Doctors originally treated rickets with cod liver oil, which contains vitamin D.

With some experts claiming there is an epidemic of Vitamin D deficiency, it is worth getting a blood draw to determine if supplementation is necessary. Experts disagree about  what level is optimal but most agree that a 25(OH)D (or vitamin D) level of at least 30 to 32 ng/mL is a good number.

Recommended daily dose is also a topic of much debate; some experts suggest 400 IU is plenty while others suggest as much as 10,000 IU or more, per day. Regular discussion between doctors and their patients regarding vitamin D would be advisable.

Vitamin D is only naturally found in a few foods such as oily fish, fish liver oils, certain eggs, and  possibly, in some mushrooms. Milk contains added vitamin D, and some breads and cereals are fortified. Responsible exposure to the sun is also an option worth researching to help maintain optimal vitamin D levels.

This new information shows how poorly scientists understood this important nutrient just 20 years ago. It raises some additional questions. How much do scientists know about how other vitamins and nutrients work? Is all of the nutrition research causing people to pick foods based on specific nutrients, rather than evaluating the nutritional value of the food as a whole? Will Coke or Pepsi be the first to start fortifying their products with vitamin D?

Multivitamins Lower Risk of Death from Heart Disease

Long-term regular consumption of a multivitamin may reduce the risk of dying from heart disease by 16%, according to recent findings published in the American Journal of Epidemiology. In addition, an intake of vitamin E over 215 mg per day over the course of ten years may result in a 28% reduction in the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD). This flies in the face of a well-publicized study about the ineffectiveness of these supplements on heart disease in particular.

University of Washington researchers reported that multivitamins did not decrease the risk of either total mortality, or cancer mortality. On the other hand, vitamin C and vitamin E were associated with small decreases in risk of total mortality. Specifically, the use of multivitamins and vitamin E decreased risk of death from CVD by 16% and 28%, respectively. These results after analyzing the 10-year use of multivitamin, vitamins C and E supplements of 77,719 Washington State residents aged between 50 and 76 that was obtained by questionnaire. (Pocobelli, G. et al. Am J Epidem. Published online ahead of print, doi:10.1093/aje/kwp167.)

This research contradicts conclusions from a controversial meta-analysis published originally in the Journal of the American Medical Association (2007, Vol. 297, pp. 842-857.), which reported that supplements of vitamin E, vitamin A and beta-carotene may increase mortality risk by up to 16%.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with 1 in 3 people dying from complications attributable to it. Prevention is key, and it makes sense to do all you can to reduce your risk. Take a comprehensive daily multivitamin to protect your cardiovascular health.

Pregnant Women Lack Vitamin D

9/25/2009 8:47:00 AM

BELFAST, Northern Ireland—Pregnant women, even those who use supplements, have insufficient levels of vitamin D, according to a new study

Researchers at Queen's University compared vitamin D levels in 99 Caucasian pregnant women at 12, 20 and 35 weeks of gestation to 38 non-pregnant women. Vitamin D levels were lower in the pregnant women with 96 percent classified as insufficient at 12 and 20 weeks, and 75 percent classified insufficient at 35 weeks.

Women who took multivitamins had higher levels of vitamin D than those who did not take a supplement, but levels were still classified as too low.

The researchers recommend pregnant women take higher dose vitamin D supplements in order to avoid rickets, schizophrenia and type 1 diabetes in their children.

Vitamin D Recommendations for Kids

By Peggy L. Manuel, MD, FAAP

Contributing Writer - Integrative Health Expert
About the Author
August 6, 2009


1. Newborns

The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends 400 IU vitamin D3 daily starting from birth. Liquid vitamin D drops containing 400 IU per drop can be used.

2. Children Over 1 Year Old

Research suggests that about 1,000 IU vitamin D3 per 25 lb. may be needed in addition to any multivitamins or vitamin D milk, even in sunny areas like Southern California. For a child one year or older, 1,000 IU vitamin D3 daily may be reasonable (especially in winter or when sick). 1,000 IU daily or 2,000 IU every other day (M/W/F) works fine.

3. Anyone Over 12 Years Old

Research suggests that about 2,000 IU vitamin D3 daily (in addition to multivitamins, milk or sunshine) may be needed. After 2 - 3 months of supplementation, persons with dark skin, health concerns and those who are overweight may wish to request a blood test for 25OHvitaminD level to see if more supplementation would be helpful.

4. Pregnant or Breast-Feeding Women

Research suggests women need 3,000 - 5,000 IU daily while pregnant, and 4,000 - 6,000 IU vitamin D3 daily while breast-feeding for optimum health. These recommendations are not yet endorsed by the American College of OB-GYN, although they are considering revising upward the current recommendations.

Note on Sunshine: Those preferring to use sunshine to obtain sufficient vitamin D levels should be aware that sun exposure would need to be between 10 am and 2 pm without sunblock, and does not work through windows. The ideal amount of time would be about one-fourth the amount of time before burning. (Sunburns are strongly discouraged.) These recommendations are not presently endorsed by most dermatologists due to concerns about photoaging and skin cancer. For more information, visit the Vitamin D Council or GrassrootsHealth. (See especially the video with Dr. Michael Holick and the Disease Prevention Incidence Chart.)

Vitamin D Benefits: Researchers recommend a goal of 40-60ng/ml 25-OH vitamin D levels (60-75ng/ml for cancer patients per cancer researcher Donald Trump, MD). The benefits of sufficient 25-OH vitamin D levels include preventing rickets, strengthening muscles, bones and teeth, lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of falling, diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease and death from all causes, as well as boosting the immune system against viruses (including influenza), bacteria, and tuberculosis. Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of depression, preeclampsia in pregnancy and perhaps even autism.