High Doses of Vitamin E Lengthen Lives of Alzheimer's Patients

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.”

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

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

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.”

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array of health benefits has reignited an intense debate over whether federal guidelines for the "sunshine vitamin" are outdated, leaving millions unnecessarily vulnerable to cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other ailments.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."

Vitamin A and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Vitamin C Intake Linked to Lower Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

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

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.”