SPREAD THE WORD    SPREAD THE WORD

Vitamin D Can Help Improve Our Health

What we know now:

v      Today, scientists have found that vitamin D deficiency is a major epidemic for children and adults in the United States. Specifically, it has been estimated that 30-40% of children and 40-50% of adults in the United States are at risk for vitamin D deficiency.

v      In 1900, about 80% of the children in the US had rickets, a disease in which the legs bowed outward or inward (in “bowleggedness” or “knock knees”) due to poor calcification of the bones. A teaspoon of cod liver oil daily [containing 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D] was found to prevent the disease which is known to be due to vitamin D deficiency.  However, more recent studies have shown that 400 IU is not enough to prevent other manifestations of vitamin D deficiency.

v      Vitamin D functions as a hormone that is produced by the skin when it is stimulated by rays (ultraviolet radiation) from the sun. Mattapan Community Health Center likes to call it the “Sunshine Hormone.” 

v      Vitamin D has long been understood to be crucial to the growth and maintenance of strong bones and of calcium regulation in the body. Now scientists have found that vitamin D is important for overall health and well-being. 

v      Studies show that the populations that are at the highest risk of not producing enough vitamin D to maintain overall good health, include: 

§         African Americans and other Persons of Color

§         The Elderly

§         Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women

§         Infants. 

v      Humans get vitamin D through three sources: adequate sun exposure, foods such as oily fish, and by supplement through food such as certain brands of orange juice and milk, and dietary supplements in tablet or capsule form. 

v      It has been shown that an adequate supply of vitamin D from sun exposure and food sources in much of the United States is not reliable. Therefore, the literature points out that: 

§         There is a need to assess the vitamin D levels of individuals in the United States to be sure that they are getting an adequate amount.

§         The burden of chronic disease in our society can be significantly decreased by addressing this widespread deficiency. 

v      Research shows that insufficient amount of vitamin D in the body has been found to be associated with low birthweight babies and many chronic diseases such as: 

§         Diabetes

§         High Blood Pressure

§         Muscle Stiffness, Pain and Weakness

§         Most Cancers (especially prostate, breast, lung, colon, pancreatic, and ovarian)

§         Multiple Sclerosis

§         Rheumatoid Arthritis

§         Falls in the Elderly

§         Chronic Fatigue 

v      Symptoms of Vitamin D deficiency include: 

§         Unexplained chronic bone and muscle pain

§         Muscle weakness

§         Chronic fatigue, low energy

§         Light sleeping 

v      Dr. Michael Holick, a pioneering researcher of Vitamin D, states that the best method for treating Vitamin D deficiency is an oral dose of 50,000 IU per week of vitamin D2 for 8 weeks, then re-checking 25 (OH) levels. In some cases, this regimen is recommended for another 8-week course to boost the 25 (OH) D levels into the desired range of more than 30 to 50 ng/ml. Alternatively, 1000 IU of Vitamin D3 intake should be maintained after the first 8-week course of vitamin D. 

v      Most experts recommend a daily intake of 1000 IU or greater to maintain an adequate level of vitamin D in the range of 30-100 ng/ml. 

v      Vitamin D intoxication is rare and usually occurs when the blood level reaches 150 ng/ml. To reach a blood level of this magnitude, it world require doses of 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 (made through the skin) per day for six months or more. 

v      Further Steps to Spreading the Word: 

§         Learn about the science and benefits of vitamin D for our overall health and well being.

§         Support experts in research on vitamin D and in putting a public health awareness campaign in place.

§          At the same time, provide support for health education programs for physicians and public health officials who are not aware of the vitamin D epidemic that we currently face and the extent of its health consequences. 

v      For more information, please contact Mattapan Community Health Center at 617/898-9020 or email kelleyj@matchc.org. 

Some Key References:

1.                 Calvo, M., Whiting, S., Barton, C. Vitamin D Intake:  A Global Perspective of Current Status. J. Nutr. 2005; 135: 310-316.

2.                 Holick, M. F. Resurrection of Vitamin D and Rickets. J. Clin. Invest. 2006; 116:  2062-2072.

3.                Garland, C., Garland, F., Gorham, E., et al. The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention. Am J Public Health. 2006; 96: 252–261.

4.                Holick,M.F. Vitamin D: Importance in the Prevention of Cancers, Type 1 Diabetes, Heart Disease and Osteoporosis.  Am J Clin Nutr.  2004; 79: 362–71.

5.                Kristiansen, Cathy (Editor). Vitamin D Shortfall in Pregnancy and Lactation. EndocrineNews. 2007 (January), 18.

6.                Mahomed, K., Gulmezoglu, A.M., Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group, Vitamin D supplementation in pregnancy. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2007; 1.