Vitamin D in the News Common Vitamin May Have Uncommon Uses
Vitamin D has been associated with bone health and most people are aware that
we need both calcium and vitamin D to keep our bones strong. But new
studies indicate that this seemingly common vitamin may have a big
impact on your overall health.
Bone Health and Vitality
Although osteoporosis is usually considered a function of calcium deficiency,
lack of vitamin D also increases the risk because it reduces calcium
absorption. Supplementing with the vitamin helps maintain bone strength
and preserve an active lifestyle. Supporting healthy bones and muscles
is imperative in older adults to prevent falls and injuries, which
thereby increase the risk of mental decline.
New
research is exploring the role of vitamin D in the human brain. Several
of the key areas used for memory and cognition appear to have vitamin D
receptors. These are the same areas affected by age-related neural
disorders. One study linked an increase in nerve growth to the vitamin.
More research is clearly needed to examine the cognitive uses of
vitamin D. www.mayoclinic.com
"D" for Diabetes
Insulin
production in the pancreas can be impaired by vitamin D deficiency,
which leads many scientists to link deficiency to an increased risk of
type 2 diabetes. Further research will be needed to confirm these
findings, but studies have already linked higher intakes of both
calcium and vitamin D to lower diabetes rates. One study
suggests the right combination of these nutrients may lower the risk of
diabetes in women by as much as 33% compared to lower intakes.
Heart Disease
Research done by the American Heart Association has shown a relationship between vitamin D intake and reduced risk of death by heart disease.
The
risk of heart disease is higher in people with deficiencies in Vitamin
D, particularly those with high blood pressure. New research
indicates that those with a deficiency run twice the risk of suffering
a stroke, heart attack, or other heart disease than individuals with
higher levels of the vitamin.
There is evidence
to suggest that calcification in the arteries may be related lower
blood levels of vitamin D. Other studies show that vitamin D may lower blood pressure,
and may increase blood levels of anti-inflammatory substances. It has
been studied for its effect in the heart's pumping ability and cell
structure.
Eye Health Protection
Vitamin D has been shown to help promote eye health
and may exert preventative measures against age-related macular
degeneration (AMD). Researchers speculate this may be due to the
vitamin's anti-inflammatory effect or its ability to affect blood
vessel growth in the eye. The benefits were detected in both early and
later stages of AMD, which can lead to blindness.
Vitamin D May Reduce Risk of Cancer
Lately
there's been a lot of talk about vitamin D and its relationship to
lower cancer rates. Many scientists feel that public health
recommendations should be increased as an economical tool to help decrease cancer rates.
An analysis of years of research associated higher intakes of calcium and vitamin D with lower incidences of breast cancer in premenopausal women. Higher vitamin D intake was also linked to a lower risk of both colon and ovarian cancers.
Another large study comparing cancer rates and levels of Vitamin D noted a connection between lower instances of colon cancer
and higher levels of the vitamin. Researchers found a 72-percent
decrease in deaths by colon cancer and a potential reduction in breast
cancer deaths in people with higher levels of Vitamin D. Longer studies
are needed to determine if other cancers are affected in the same way.
The
vitamin appears to help decrease the cellular stress that leads to
cancer. By inducing a specific gene to increase expression of a key
enzyme, vitamin D protects healthy prostate cells from the damage and injuries that can lead to cancer, University of Rochester Medical Center researchers report.
These
findings suggest that most people could benefit from a higher intake of
this essential nutrient. Researchers believe that daily doses of 1,000
IU could offer many health benefits.
Overall Wellness
Low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of weakening many parts of the body,
including bones and muscles, immune function, and the cardiovascular
system. Many scientists recommend a minimum intake of 800 IU per day.
Higher doses may be linked to additional benefits, with no negative
effects established for doses of up to 10,000 IU.
Vitamin
D may also have an affect on lifespan. One study found that women with
higher levels of the vitamin in their bodies also had longer telomeres
(the portion of chromosomes that shorten with age). Many scientists
agree that the RDA for vitamin D is too low. http://www.nutraingredients.com
Sources of Vitamin D
Our
bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to the UV rays in sunshine, so
the intake varies greatly. It is not easy to find a good food source of
this essential vitamin, as few foods are natural providers of the
nutrient. Fatty fish, such as wild salmon, contain comparatively high
levels of Vitamin D, as well as the healthy omega-3 fats reported to
have numerous additional health benefits.
Wild
salmon is also full of the essential fatty acids EPA and DHA, and makes
a sensible addition to everyone's diet. Farmed salmon contains lower
amounts of Vitamin D, according to recent reports, so we continue to
recommend wild salmon. An excellent source of reliable and sustainable
salmon is Vital Choice.
In addition to dietary intake, Ray & Terry suggest supplementing with D3 to maintain an optimal level of the vitamin.
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