Vitamins

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• Vitamin A
• Vitamin B
• Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
• Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
• Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
• Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)
• Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
• Vitamins C and E
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin K

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Vitamins

NIH - Vitamins (Medical Encyclopedia) “Vitamins are grouped into two categories: • Fat-soluble vitamins are stored in the body's fatty tissue. • Water-soluble vitamins must be used by the body right away. Any left over water-soluble vitamins leave the body through the urine. Vitamin B12 is the only water-soluble vitamin that can be stored in the liver for many years. Function Return to top Each vitamin has specific functions. You can develop health problems (deficiency disease) if you do not get enough of a particular vitamin. Vitamin A helps in the formation and maintenance of healthy teeth, bones, soft tissue, mucous membranes, and skin. Vitamin B6 is also known as pyridoxine. The more protein a person eats, the more vitamin B6 is needed to help the body use the protein. Vitamin B6 helps form red blood cells and maintain brain function, among other things. Vitamin B12, like the other B vitamins, is important for metabolism. It also helps form red blood cells and maintain the central nervous system. Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid, is an antioxidant that promotes healthy teeth and gums. It helps the body absorb iron and maintain healthy tissue. It also promotes wound healing. Vitamin D is also known as the "sunshine vitamin," since it is made by the body after being in the sun. Ten to 15 minutes of sunshine three times per week is enough to produce the body's requirement of vitamin D. This vitamin promotes the body's absorption of calcium, which is essential for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. It also helps maintain proper blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Vitamin E is an antioxidant also known as tocopherol. It plays a role in the formation of red blood cells and helps the body use vitamin K. Vitamin K is not listed among the essential vitamins, but without it blood would not stick together (coagulate). Some studies suggest that it helps promote strong bones in the elderly. Biotin is essential for the metabolism of proteins and carbohydrates, and in the production of hormones and cholesterol. Niacin is a B vitamin that helps maintain healthy skin and nerves. It is also has cholesterol-lowering effects. Folate works with vitamin B12 to help form red blood cells. It is necessary for the production of DNA, which controls tissue growth and cell function. Any woman who is pregnant should be sure to get enough folate. Low levels of folate are linked to birth defects such as spina bifida. Many foods are now fortified with folic acid. Pantothenic acid is essential for the metabolism of food. It is also plays a role in the production of hormones and cholesterol. Riboflavin (B2) works with the other B vitamins. It is important for body growth and the production of red blood cells. Thiamine (B1) helps the body cells change carbohydrates into energy. It is also essential for heart function and healthy nerve cells. Food Sources Return to top FAT-SOLUBLE VITAMINS Vitamin A: • Eggs • Meat • Milk • Cheese • Cream • Liver • Kidney • Cod • Halibut fish oil Vitamin D: • Cheese • Butter • Margarine • Cream • Fortified milk • Fish • Oysters • Cereals Vitamin E: • Wheat germ • Corn • Nuts • Seeds • Olives • Spinach and other green leafy vegetables • Asparagus • Vegetable oils and products made from vegetable oils, such as margarine Vitamin K: • Cabbage • Cauliflower • Spinach • Soybeans • Cereals WATER-SOLUBLE VITAMINS Folate: • Green, leafy vegetables • Fortified foods Niacin (B3): • Dairy products • Poultry • Fish • Lean meats • Nuts • Eggs • Legumes • Enriched breads and cereals Pantothenic acid and biotin • Eggs • Fish • Dairy products • Whole-grain cereals • Legumes • Yeast • Broccoli and other vegetables in the cabbage family • White and sweet potatoes • Lean beef Thiamine (B1): • Fortified breads, cereals, and pasta • Whole grains • Lean meats • Fish • Dried beans • Peas • Soybeans • Dairy products • Fruits and vegetables Vitamin B12: • Meat • Eggs • Poultry • Shellfish • Milk and milk products Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) • Citrus fruits and juices • Strawberries • Tomatoes • Broccoli • Turnip and other greens • Sweet and white potatoes • Cantaloupe Most other fruits and vegetables contain some vitamin C; fish and milk contain small amounts. “

Highlighted Articles

Supplement Your Knowledge of Vitamin D (2008) “How much vitamin D do I need? The current recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 200 IU for people up to age 50, 400 IU for people aged 51 to 70, and 600 IU for people over age 70. That's not enough, Boston University vitamin D expert Michael Holick, MD, PhD, tells WebMD. Holick recommends a dose of 1,000 IU a day of vitamin D for both infants and adults -- unless they're getting plenty of safe sun exposure. In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that breastfed infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D every day until they are weaned and drink at least 1 liter of vitamin D-fortified formula or whole milk each day. The AAP also recommends 400 IU/day of vitamin D for children and teens who drink less than a liter of vitamin D-fortified milk per day. The Vitamin D Council recommends that healthy adults take 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily -- more if they get little or no sun exposure.”

Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis. (J Cell Biochem. 2008) “Vitamin D is a principal regulator of calcium homeostasis. However, recent evidence has indicated that vitamin D can have numerous other physiological functions including inhibition of proliferation of a number of malignant cells including breast and prostate cancer cells and protection against certain immune mediated disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS). The geographic incidence of MS indicates an increase in MS with a decrease in sunlight exposure. Since vitamin D is produced in the skin by solar or UV irradiation and high serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) have been reported to correlate with a reduced risk of MS, a protective role of vitamin D is suggested.”

Greater intake of vitamins B6 and B12 spares gray matter in healthy elderly: A voxel-based morphometry study. (Brain Res. 2008) “In the VBM analysis, we found that adults with greater vitamin B6 intake had greater gray matter volume along the medial wall, anterior cingulate cortex, medial parietal cortex, middle temporal gyrus, and superior frontal gyrus, whereas people with greater B12 intake had greater volume in the left and right superior parietal sulcus. These effects were driven by vitamin supplementation and were negated when only examining vitamin intake from diet. Folate had no effect on brain volume. Furthermore, there was no relationship between vitamins B6, B12, or folate intake on global brain volume measures, indicating that VBM methods are more sensitive for detecting localized differences in gray matter volume than global measures. These results are discussed in relation to a growing literature on vitamin intake on age-related neurocognitive deterioration.”

Inflammation in the vascular bed: Importance of vitamin C. (Pharmacol Ther. 2008) “For endothelial cells, ascorbate helps to prevent endothelial dysfunction, stimulates type IV collagen synthesis, and enhances cell proliferation. For vascular smooth muscle cells, ascorbate inhibits dedifferentiation, recruitment, and proliferation in areas of vascular damage. For macrophages, ascorbate decreases oxidant stress related to their activation, decreases uptake and degradation of oxidized LDL in some studies, and enhances several aspects of their function. Although further studies of ascorbate function in these cell types and in novel animal models are needed, available evidence generally supports a salutary role for this vitamin in ameliorating the earliest stages of atherosclerosis.”

Vitamin B12 deficiency in the aged: a population-based study (Age and Ageing 2007) "Conclusion: undiagnosed vitamin B12 deficiency is remarkably common in the aged, but no specific risk group for screening can be identified. Thus, biochemical screening of unselected aged population is justified. General practitioners play a key role in diagnosing early vitamin B12 deficiency."

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Vitamins

Vitamin D

NEWS:

Further Evidence Supports Vitamin-D-Deficiency Link to CHD “Hypovitaminosis D, especially at levels less than 30 ng/mL, is associated with an increased risk for MI in men. • Vitamin D is likely to exert its effect on the risk for cardiovascular disease via vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, inflammation, vascular calcification, the renin-angiotensin system, and blood pressure.”

Key Gaps Remain in Understanding Health Effects of Vitamin D “Despite considerable progress in research to understand the health effects of vitamin D, experts convened by the NIH to review the available data found major gaps in the evidence. The data are strongest in the area of bone health among elderly men and post-menopausal women, suggesting that increased vitamin D intake can improve bone health and prevent falls. For other age groups and health issues, though, it is too early to say conclusively whether more vitamin D might be beneficial.”

Kids May Need 10 Times More Vitamin D: Study: Kids Need 2,000 IU of Vitamin D, Not 200 IU Now Recommended

Lack Of Vitamin D Causes Weight Gain And Stunts Growth In Girls

Lack of vitamin D may cause juvenile diabetes

Low vitamin D tied to back pain in older women “For men, there was no relationship between vitamin D levels and pain. Women with vitamin D deficiency, on the other hand, were nearly twice as likely to have back pain that was moderate or worse, but vitamin D status wasn't related to pain in other parts of the body. The gender- and back-specific effects of vitamin D found in the study could be because lack of the vitamin can cause osteomalacia, or bone softening, which is more common in women and often manifests itself as low back pain, the researchers say. But before vitamin D supplementation can be widely recommended for treating back pain, they add, randomized controlled trials should be undertaken to determine if giving people the vitamin is indeed helpful.”

Low Vitamin D Levels Independent Predictor of Fatal Stroke “Low levels of vitamin D appear to be an independent predictor of fatal stroke — a finding that suggests supplementation may be a promising approach for stroke prevention. Investigators at the University of Heidelberg, in Germany, found that among individuals referred for coronary angiography, low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were more likely to suffer fatal stroke even after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, physical activity level, and calcium and parathyroid hormone levels. "Vitamin D supplementation in stroke patients has already been shown to reduce osteopenia, fractures, and falls while improving muscle strength. Apart from these beneficial effects, our results suggest that vitamin D might also directly protect against stroke," the authors write. “

Low vitamin D linked to sudden cardiac death “Vitamin D deficiency is associated with heart dysfunction, sudden cardiac death, and death due to heart failure, German researchers report. An association between vitamin D deficiency and heart trouble is physiologically plausible, the researchers note. For example, vitamin D is known to affect contractility of the heart.“

Most Kids With Type 1 Diabetes Lack Vitamin D “Almost 75 percent of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes have insufficient levels of vitamin D, researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston report. A deficit in vitamin D can lead to bone problems later in life, especially among those with type 1 diabetes. While vitamin D is usually gotten from exposure to sunlight or from the diet, researchers suggest that supplements are needed to boost vitamin D levels. … Whether or not supplementing vitamin D would prevent all diabetes-related bone disease in diabetic children, the practice makes sense, particularly in light of a recent American Academy of Pediatrics recommendation doubling the intake of vitamin D for all children, Katz said. "All children should get ample vitamin D, at least 400 IU daily, from some combination of sun exposure, dairy products, and/or supplements," Katz said. "Those at high risk of deficiency, but not all children, should have levels monitored."”

Mother's Vitamin D Status During Pregnancy Will Affect Her Baby's Dental Health

Oral Vitamin D May Help Prevent Some Skin Infections “A study led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine suggests that use of oral Vitamin D supplements bolsters production of a protective chemical normally found in the skin, and may help prevent skin infections that are a common result of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema.”

Pain 'linked with low vitamin D' “Low levels of the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, may contribute to chronic pain among women, scientists believe. The link does not apply to men, suggesting hormones may be involved, according to a study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases said. The team from the Institute of Child Health in London said studies were now needed to see if vitamin D supplements can guard against chronic pain. About one in 10 people are affected by chronic pain at any one time in the UK. “

Some Seek Guidelines to Reflect Vitamin D's Benefits “A flurry of recent research indicating that Vitamin D may have a dizzying array of health benefits has reignited an intense debate over whether federal guidelines for the "sunshine vitamin" are outdated, leaving millions unnecessarily vulnerable to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other ailments. The studies have produced evidence that low levels of Vitamin D make men more likely to have heart attacks, breast and colon cancer victims less likely to survive, kidney disease victims more likely to die, and children more likely to develop diabetes. Two other studies suggested that higher Vitamin D levels reduce the risk of dying prematurely from any cause. … But many leading experts caution that it remains premature for people to start taking large doses of Vitamin D. While the new research is provocative, experts argue that the benefits remain far from proven. Vitamin D can be toxic at high doses, and some studies suggest it could increase the risk for some health problems, experts say. No one knows what consequences might emerge from exposing millions of people to megadoses of the vitamin for long periods. … Physicians should routinely test their patients for Vitamin D deficiencies, and more people -- especially African Americans -- should take supplements and increase their exposure to the sun, they say. … The Canadian Cancer Society upped its recommendation to 1,000 units a day last year. Hollis and others believe Americans should routinely consume at least 2,000 international units a day. … Holick urges people to take 1,000 international units a day along with a multivitamin with 400 international units, as well as exposing their arms and legs to the sun for about 15 minutes several times a week. … But others have reservations. Dermatologists worry that encouraging people to get unprotected sun exposure or use tanning salons may increase the rate of skin cancer. "We're in the middle of a skin cancer epidemic," said C. William Hanke, president of the American Academy of Dermatology. "Tanning is risky and dangerous behavior. Ultraviolet light is classified as a carcinogen. We need to protect our skin. … "We call it a vitamin, but it's really a steroid," said Trevor G. Marshall, a molecular biologist at Murdoch University in Australia. "It's not something we should be playing with."

Too Little Vitamin D May Soften Baby's Skull “Vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy may be linked to a softening of bones in a baby's skull, Japanese researchers report. They also found that breast-feeding without vitamin D supplementation could prolong the deficiency, which might lead to a risk of serious health problems later in life, including decreased bone density and type 1 diabetes.“

Too Little Vitamin D Puts Heart at Risk “Getting too little vitamin D may be an underappreciated heart disease risk factor that's actually easy to fix. Researchers say a growing body of evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of heart disease and is linked to other, well-known heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes. For example, several large studies have shown that people with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have a heart attack, stroke, or other heart-related event during follow-up, compared with those with higher vitamin D levels. “

Vitamin D A Surprising Champion Of Back Pain Relief, Report Says “According to Stewart B. Leavitt, MA, PhD, editor of Pain Treatment Topics and author of the report, "our examination of the research, which included 22 clinical investigations of patients with pain, found that those with chronic back pain almost always had inadequate levels of vitamin D. When sufficient vitamin D supplementation was provided, their pain either vanished or was at least helped to a significant extent." … -- Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption and bone health. Inadequate vitamin D intake can result in a softening of bone surfaces, or osteomalacia, that causes pain. The lower back seems to be particularly vulnerable to this effect. -- In one study of 360 patients with back pain, all of them were found to have inadequate levels of vitamin D. After taking vitamin D supplements for 3 months, symptoms were improved in 95% of the patients. All of them with the most severe vitamin D deficiencies experienced back-pain relief. -- The currently recommended adequate intake of vitamin D up to 600 IU per day is outdated and too low. According to the research, most children and adults need at least 1000 IU per day, and persons with chronic back pain would benefit from 2000 IU or more per day of supplemental vitamin D3 (also called cholecalciferol). … In conclusion, Leavitt stresses that vitamin D should not be viewed as a cure for all back pain and in all patients. It also is not necessarily a replacement for other pain treatments. "While further research would be helpful," he says, "current best evidence indicates that recommending supplemental vitamin D for patients with chronic back pain would do no harm and could do much good at little cost."”

Vitamin D and Musculoskeletal Health “Vitamin D is critical for calcium homeostasis. Following cutaneous synthesis or ingestion, vitamin D is metabolized to 25(OH)D and then to the active form 1,25(OH)2D. Low serum vitamin D levels are common in the general population and cause a decline in calcium absorption, leading to low serum levels of ionized calcium, which in turn trigger the release of parathyroid hormone, promoting skeletal resorption and, eventually, bone loss or osteomalacia.”

Vitamin D deficiency makes bowel disease worse “A vitamin D deficiency can make inflammatory bowel disease more severe and worsen the quality of life for affected individuals, according to a study presented this week at the 73rd annual scientific meeting of the American College of Gastroenterology. Inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, refers to a group of conditions, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, marked by chronic inflammation in the intestines, leading to symptoms like abdominal pain and diarrhea. A number of medications are effective for IBD, but surgical removal of a portion of the intestines is often required. People with IBD are also known to be at increased risk of developing colon cancer. Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with IBD, but whether vitamin D deficiency parallels disease severity or adversely impacts quality of life is not known, Dr. Alex Ulitsky and colleagues at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Milwaukee point out in a meeting abstract. “

Vitamin D Deficit in Pregnancy Tied to Caesarean Risk: Women with deficiency at time of delivery had almost 4 times the odds, study says “He noted that previous research has linked vitamin D deficiency with proximal muscle weakness and suboptimal muscle performance and strength, which may help explain the findings.“

Vitamin D Insufficiency Linked to Increased Body Fat

Vitamin D: Builds Bones And Much More

Vitamin D Deficiency Common in Patients With Chronic Migraine “New research showing that vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with chronic migraine suggests that this patient group, like other vitamin D–deficient populations, is at increased risk for cardiovascular disease, malignancy, and other serious illnesses that have been linked to low levels of this "good-health" vitamin. … "Clinicians generally don't recognize the importance of vitamin D deficiency, and so they don't screen for it — not just in migraineurs, but in all of their patients. But it is a condition that is easily treated and may confer major, wide-ranging health benefits," he said.”

Vitamin D Deficiency Linked To Tuberculosis

Vitamin D Deficiency May Be Common in Infants and Toddlers

Vitamin D deficiency tied to higher blood pressure “Low blood concentrations of vitamin D may be associated with higher blood pressure in whites, indicating a risk of developing hypertension, or high blood that requires medical treatment, researchers report. However, this relationship was not noted among blacks. "Though easily corrected by taking a vitamin D supplement or having causal sunlight exposure, vitamin D insufficiency is highly prevalent in the United States," Dr. Vin Tangpricha told Reuters Health.“

Vitamin D for Babies May Prevent Type 1 Diabetes

Vitamin D Important In Brain Development And Function “Vitamin D has long been known to promote healthy bones by regulating calcium levels in the body. Lack of sufficient vitamin D in very young children results in rickets, which can be easily prevented by vitamin D supplements. Only recently the scientific community has become aware of a much broader role for vitamin D. For example, we now know that, in addition to its role in maintaining bone health, vitamin D is involved in differentiation of tissues during development and in proper functioning of the immune system. … Vitamin D is present in only a few foods (e.g., fatty fish), and is also added to fortified milk, but our supply typically comes mostly from exposure to ultraviolet rays (UV) in sunlight. UV from the sun converts a biochemical in the skin to vitamin D, which is then metabolized to calcitriol, its active form and an important hormone. Formation of vitamin D by UV can be 6 times more efficient in light skin than dark skin, which is an important cause of the known widespread vitamin D deficiency among African Americans living in northern latitudes. Dark skin has been selected during evolution because it protects against the burning UV rays of the sun in the tropics. … Many vitamin D experts advise that the currently recommended level of vitamin D intake is much too low and should be raised to protect against bone fractures and possibly cancer in addition to rickets (2). Indeed, even using present guidelines, too many Americans have low vitamin D blood levels. McCann & Ames propose that, despite uncertainty regarding all of the deleterious effects of vitamin D inadequacy, the evidence overall indicates that supplementation, which is both inexpensive and prudent, is warranted for groups whose vitamin D status is exceptionally low, particularly nursing infants, the elderly, and African Americans (e.g., see (3)).”

Vitamin D intake to attain a desired serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration (Am J Clin Nutr 2008)

Vitamin D Linked To Reduced Mortality Rate In Chronic Kidney Disease

Vitamin D protects cells from stress that can lead 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.”

ARTICLES:

Position statement on vitamin D “The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that an adequate amount of vitamin D should be obtained from a healthy diet that includes foods naturally rich in vitamin D, foods/beverages fortified with vitamin D, and/or vitamin D supplements; it should not be obtained from unprotected exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.”

Supplement Your Knowledge of Vitamin D “How much vitamin D do I need? The current recommended daily dose of vitamin D is 200 IU for people up to age 50, 400 IU for people aged 51 to 70, and 600 IU for people over age 70. That's not enough, Boston University vitamin D expert Michael Holick, MD, PhD, tells WebMD. Holick recommends a dose of 1,000 IU a day of vitamin D for both infants and adults -- unless they're getting plenty of safe sun exposure. In 2008, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that breastfed infants receive 400 IU of vitamin D every day until they are weaned and drink at least 1 liter of vitamin D-fortified formula or whole milk each day. The AAP also recommends 400 IU/day of vitamin D for children and teens who drink less than a liter of vitamin D-fortified milk per day. The Vitamin D Council recommends that healthy adults take 2,000 IU of vitamin D daily -- more if they get little or no sun exposure.”

The virtues of vitamin D “What’s special about vitamin D? This fat-soluble vitamin is exceptional among vitamins in three ways. First, it has a unique mechanism of action in the body. Second, you can’t get very much of it naturally through your diet. And third, many Americans are deficient in this vital nutrient. That final point is keenly important, in light of burgeoning evidence that vitamin D’s health benefits extend far beyond its reputation for building healthy bones. Over the past decade, studies suggest that adequate amounts of vitamin D may lessen the risk of several types of cancer and may also play a role in preventing high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, and even schizophrenia. And a 2007 meta-analysis of 18 randomized controlled trials showed that vitamin D supplementation may even help people to live longer.“

The Vitamin That Could Add Years to Your Life “D seems to be particularly relevant to a cellular yardstick of aging called a telomere. These "end caps" on your chromosomes get shorter and shorter with age, but having high blood levels of vitamin D seems to help ensure longer telomeres. That's a good thing, because when telomeres get really short and disappear, cells stop dividing and start to die. Translation: You age and become more vulnerable to disease.”

Vitamin D Deficiency and Related Disorders

Vitamin D3 for 1 Year Is Safe in Adolescents “Vitamin D3 at doses equivalent to 2000 IU/day for 1 year is safe in adolescents and results in desirable vitamin D levels … Current recommendations indicate that a daily intake of at least 200 IU of vitamin D among children is adequate. In the current study, the use of 14,000 IU of vitamin D3 weekly improved 25-OHD levels at 1 year among children. Vitamin D supplementation did not affect levels of calcium or 1,25-OHD, and there were no reported cases of vitamin D intoxication.”

Vitamin D Deficiency: Implications Across the Lifespan “The role of vitamin D and calcium absorption in the eldery with osteoporosis has been well documented. However, as more evidence is developed, it is becoming clear that vitamin D deficiency is not only affecting the elderly population, it has negative effects across the lifespan. It is estimated that 1 billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency.[1] Review of research in medical, nursing, and nutritional literature reveals the need for vitamin D education, supplementation, and follow-up in all ages and treatment settings.”

Vitamin D: New Guidelines for Children: American Academy of Pediatricians Doubles Its Minimum Daily Amount of Vitamin D for Babies, Children, and Teens “The American Academy of Pediatrics has doubled its recommendation for the minimum amount of vitamin D that infants, children, and teens should get daily. The new recommendation is to get at least 400 international units (IU), according to guidelines published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in November's edition of Pediatrics. "We know that 400 international units a day is safe and it will prevent rickets," Frank R. Greer, MD, chairman of the AAP's committee on nutrition, tells WebMD. The new guidelines are especially important for breastfed babies, since breast milk isn't rich in vitamin D, notes Greer, who recommends supplements to ensure adequate vitamin D intake. Some vitamin D experts say the AAP's new vitamin D guidelines don't go far enough.“

JOURNAL ARTICLES:

25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Risk of Myocardial Infarction in Men ( Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusion Low levels of 25(OH)D are associated with higher risk of myocardial infarction in a graded manner, even after controlling for factors known to be associated with coronary artery disease.”

25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and the Risk of Mortality in the General Population (Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusion The lowest quartile of 25(OH)D level (<17.8 ng/mL) is independently associated with all-cause mortality in the general population.“

Assessing the vitamin D status of the US population1 (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008)

Associations Between Vitamin D Status and Pain in Older Adults: The Invecchiare in Chianti Study (Journal of the American Geriatrics Society 2008) “CONCLUSION: Lower concentrations of 25(OH)D are associated with significant back pain in older women but not men. Because vitamin D deficiency and chronic pain are fairly prevalent in older adults, these findings suggest it may be worthwhile to query older adults about their pain and screen older women with significant back pain for vitamin D deficiency.”

Comparison of Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Vitamin D3 in Ethanol Dosing Protocols for Two Months in Elderly Hip Fracture Patients (The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 2008) “Conclusions: Supplementation with vitamin D can be achieved equally well with daily, weekly, or monthly dosing frequencies. Therefore, the choice of dose frequency can be based on whichever approach will optimize an individual’s adherence with long-term vitamin D supplementation.”

Depression Is Associated With Decreased 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Increased Parathyroid Hormone Levels in Older Adults (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008) “Conclusion The results of this large population-based study show an association of depression status and severity with decreased serum 25(OH)D levels and increased serum PTH levels in older individuals.”

Estimation of the dietary requirement for vitamin D in healthy adults (Am J Clin Nutr 2008)

Higher Serum Vitamin D(3) Levels Are Associated with Better Cognitive Test Performance in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease. (Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2008) “Conclusions: These data support the idea that a relationship exists between vitamin D status and cognition in patients with probable AD. However, given the cross-sectional design of this study, no causality can be concluded. Further prospective studies are needed to specify the contribution of vitamin D status to the onset and course of cognitive decline and AD.”

Hypovitaminosis D among rheumatology outpatients in clinical practice. (Rheumatology (Oxford). 2008)

Hypovitaminosis D: a stealthy epidemic that requires treatment. (Geriatrics. 2008) “Increasing evidence strongly supports the benefits of vitamin D supplementation and also reveals that present recommendations are inadequate, especially for older individuals. Although additional studies are still needed to further optimize diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, physicians should consider prescribing cholecalciferol - at least 2000 international units (IU) per day - to all elderly patients. Oral cholecalciferol supplementation at that level is inexpensive, safe, and effective, and has great potential to improve the quality of life of the elderly.”

Importance of calcium, vitamin D and vitamin K for osteoporosis prevention and treatment. (Proc Nutr Soc. 2008)

Independent Association of Low Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D Levels With All-Cause and Cardiovascular Mortality (Arch Intern Med. 2008) “Conclusions Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels are independently associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. A causal relationship has yet to be proved by intervention trials using vitamin D.”

Intake of vitamin D and risk of breast cancer-A meta-analysis. (J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2008)

Low serum vitamin D levels and tuberculosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. (Int J Epidemiol. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Low serum vitamin D levels are associated with higher risk of active tuberculosis. Although more prospectively designed studies are needed to firmly establish the direction of this association, it is more likely that low body vitamin D levels increase the risk of active tuberculosis. In view of this, the potential role of vitamin D supplementation in people with tuberculosis and hypovitaminosis D-associated conditions like chronic kidney disease should be evaluated.”

Optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels for multiple health outcomes. (Adv Exp Med Biol. 2008) “An intake of no less than 1000 IU (25 mcg) of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) per day for all adults may bring at least 50% of the population up to 75 nmol/l. Thus, higher doses of vitamin D are needed to bring most individuals into the desired range. While estimates suggest that 2000 IU vitamin D3 per day may successfully and safely achieve this goal, the implications of 2000 IU or higher doses for the total adult population need to be addressed in future studies.”

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Among Healthy Infants and Toddlers (Arch Pediatr Adolesc Med. 2008) “Conclusions Suboptimal vitamin D status is common among otherwise healthy young children. Predictors of vitamin D status vary in infants vs toddlers, information that is important to consider in the care of these young patients. One-third of vitamin D–deficient participants exhibited demineralization, highlighting the deleterious skeletal effects of this condition.”

Prevalence of Vitamin D Insufficiency in Patients With Parkinson Disease and Alzheimer Disease (Arch Neurol. 2008) “Conclusions This report of 25(OH)D concentrations in a predominantly white PD cohort demonstrates a significantly higher prevalence of hypovitaminosis in PD vs both healthy controls and patients with AD. These data support a possible role of vitamin D insufficiency in PD. Further studies are needed to determine the factors contributing to these differences and elucidate the potential role of vitamin D in pathogenesis and clinical course of PD.”

Prevalence & potential significance of vitamin D deficiency in Asian Indians. (Indian J Med Res. 2008)

Progression of malignant melanoma is associated with reduced 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels. (Exp Dermatol. 2008) “In conclusion, our findings add to the growing body of evidence that 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels may be of importance for pathogenesis and progression of malignant melanoma.”

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and functional outcomes in the elderly (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Many elderly persons in the United States and elsewhere have serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations below these levels. For this reason, supplementation is likely to provide significant benefit to this segment of the population.”

Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations and Risk for Hip Fractures (Annals 2008) “Conclusion: Low serum 25(OH) vitamin D concentrations are associated with a higher risk for hip fracture. “

Serum Vitamin D and Subsequent Occurrence of Type 2 Diabetes. (Epidemiology. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS:: The results support the hypothesis that high vitamin D status provides protection against type 2 diabetes. Residual confounding may contribute to this association.”

SHORT-TERM AND LONG-TERM SAFETY OF WEEKLY HIGH-DOSE VITAMIN D3 SUPPLEMENTATION IN SCHOOL CHILDREN. (J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008) “Conclusion: Vitamin D3 at doses equivalent to 2,000 IU/day for one year is safe in adolescents and results in desirable vitamin D levels.”

Summary of evidence-based review on vitamin D efficacy and safety in relation to bone health. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2008 ) “The evidence of an association between serum 25(OH)D concentration and some clinical outcomes (fractures, performance measures) in postmenopausal women and older men was inconsistent, and the evidence of an association with falls was fair. We found good evidence of a positive effect of consuming vitamin D-fortified foods on 25(OH)D concentrations. The evidence for a benefit of vitamin D on falls and fractures varied. We found fair evidence that adults tolerated vitamin D at doses above current dietary reference intake levels, but we had no data on the association between long-term harms and higher doses of vitamin D.”

Sun exposure and vitamin D sufficiency. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2008)

The association between ultraviolet B irradiance, vitamin D status and incidence rates of type 1 diabetes in 51 regions worldwide. (Diabetologia. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: An association was found between low UVB irradiance and high incidence rates of type 1 childhood diabetes after controlling for per capita health expenditure. Incidence rates of type 1 diabetes approached zero in regions worldwide with high UVB irradiance, adding new support to the concept of a role of vitamin D in reducing the risk of the disease.”

The resurgence of the importance of vitamin D in bone health. (Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008)

Vitamin D and chronic widespread pain in a white middle-aged British population: evidence from a cross-sectional population survey. (Ann Rheum Dis. 2008)

Vitamin D and fracture reduction: an evaluation of the existing research. (Altern Med Rev. 2008)

Vitamin D and living in northern latitudes--an endemic risk area for vitamin D deficiency. (Int J Circumpolar Health. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D plays a fundamental role in calcium and phosphate homeostasis. A deficiency of vitamin D has been attributed to several diseases. Since its production in the skin depends on exposure to UVB-radiation via the sunlight, the level of vitamin D is of crucial importance for the health of inhabitants who live in the Nordic latitudes where there is diminished exposure to sunlight during the winter season. Therefore, fortification or supplementation of vitamin D is necessary for most of the people living in the northern latitudes during the winter season to maintain adequate levels of circulating 25(OH)D3 to maintain optimal body function and prevent diseases.”

Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis. (J Cell Biochem. 2008) “Vitamin D is a principal regulator of calcium homeostasis. However, recent evidence has indicated that vitamin D can have numerous other physiological functions including inhibition of proliferation of a number of malignant cells including breast and prostate cancer cells and protection against certain immune mediated disorders including multiple sclerosis (MS). The geographic incidence of MS indicates an increase in MS with a decrease in sunlight exposure. Since vitamin D is produced in the skin by solar or UV irradiation and high serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) have been reported to correlate with a reduced risk of MS, a protective role of vitamin D is suggested.”

Vitamin D and neurocognitive dysfunction: Preventing "D"ecline? (Mol Aspects Med. 2008) “Vitamin D exhibits functional attributes that may prove neuroprotective through antioxidative mechanisms, neuronal calcium regulation, immunomodulation, enhanced nerve conduction and detoxification mechanisms. Compelling evidence supports a beneficial role for the active form of vitamin D in the developing brain as well as in adult brain function.”

Vitamin D and Prevention of Colorectal Adenoma: A Meta-analysis (Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 2008) “Conclusions: Both circulating 25(OH)D and vitamin D intake were inversely associated with colorectal adenoma incidence and recurrent adenomas. These results further support a role of vitamin D in prevention of colorectal adenoma incidence and recurrence.”

Vitamin D and Sunlight: Strategies for Cancer Prevention and Other Health Benefits. (Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008) “Lack of sun exposure and vitamin D deficiency have been linked to many serious chronic diseases, including autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular disease, and deadly cancers. It is estimated that there is a 30 to 50% reduction in risk for developing colorectal, breast, and prostate cancer by either increasing vitamin D intake to least 1000 IU/d vitamin D or increasing sun exposure to raise blood levels of 25(OH)D >30 ng/ml. Most tissues in the body have a vitamin D receptor. The active form of vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, is made in many different tissues, including colon, prostate, and breast. It is believed that the local production of 1,25(OH)2D may be responsible for the anticancer benefit of vitamin D. Recent studies suggested that women who are vitamin D deficient have a 253% increased risk for developing colorectal cancer, and women who ingested 1500 mg/d calcium and 1100 IU/d vitamin D3 for 4 yr reduced risk for developing cancer by >60%.”

Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease (Circulation 2008)

Vitamin D deficiency in patients with active systemic lupus erythematosus. (Osteoporos Int. 2008)

Vitamin D deficiency: a worldwide problem with health consequences (Am J Clin Nutr 2008) “Vitamin D deficiency causes rickets in children and will precipitate and exacerbate osteopenia, osteoporosis, and fractures in adults. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk of common cancers, autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and infectious diseases. A circulating level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D of >75 nmol/L, or 30 ng/mL, is required to maximize vitamin D's beneficial effects for health. In the absence of adequate sun exposure, at least 800–1000 IU vitamin D3/d may be needed to achieve this in children and adults.”

Vitamin D improves endothelial function in patients with Type 2 diabetes mellitus and low vitamin D levels (Diabetic Medicine 2008) “Conclusions Vitamin D insufficiency is common in patients with Type 2 diabetes during winter in Scotland. A single large dose of oral vitamin D2 improves endothelial function in patients with Type 2 diabetes and vitamin D insufficiency.”

Vitamin D in Health and Disease. (Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2008)

Vitamin D in pregnancy and lactation: maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes from human and animal studies. (Am J Clin Nutr. 2008)

Vitamin D inadequacy in French osteoporotic and osteopenic women. (Joint Bone Spine. 2008) “CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common among postmenopausal women with osteoporosis or osteopenia in France.”

Vitamin D insufficiency in a multiethnic cohort of breast cancer survivors (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 2008) “Conclusions: In these breast cancer survivors, the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was high. Clinicians might consider monitoring vitamin D status in breast cancer patients, together with appropriate treatments, if necessary.”

Vitamin D intake and breast cancer risk: a case-control study in Italy. (Ann Oncol. 2008) “CONCLUSIONS: This study adds to the existing evidence that vitamin D intake in inversely associated with breast cancer risk.”

Vitamin D levels and patient outcome in chronic kidney disease. (Kidney Int. 2008)

Vitamin d status of females in an elite gymnastics program. (Clin J Sport Med. 2008)

Vitamin D status in gastrointestinal and liver disease. (Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2008)

Vitamin D Status: Measurement, Interpretation, and Clinical Application. (Ann Epidemiol. 2008)

INTERNET SITES:

NIH - Fact Sheet: Vitamin D

NIH - Medical Encyclopedia 25-hydroxy vitamin D

NIH - Medical Encyclopedia Rickets

NIH - Medical Encyclopedia Vitamin D

NIH - Medical Encyclopedia Vitamin D benefit

NIH - Medical Encyclopedia Vitamin D source

NIH - Vitamin D and Related Compounds (Systemic)

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