A few snippets. Discussing findings from a recent cross-sectional study involving 340 African Americans with type 2 diabetes, Dr. Buckley said that serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were positively associated with increased calcified atherosclerotic plaque in the aorta and carotid arteries (J.Clin.Endo.Metab. Jan. 8, 2010; Epub ahead of print PMID:20061416). Recently, a large prospective randomized trial assessed the effects of using calcium supplements on vascular event rates, but it did not involve African Americans. The trial involved 1,471 healthy postmenopausal New Zealand women who were randomized to receive either supplemental calcium or placebo. By 5 years of follow up, there were a total of 101 myocardial infarctions, strokes, and sudden deaths in 69 women in the supplemental calcium group compared to 54 such events in 42 control subjects (Br. Med. J. 2008;336:262-66). 50,000 IU weekly for 8 weeks – mainly for vitamin D-deficient elderly patients at high risk for fracture or fall. That’s where there is supporting evidence of benefit. Like many others, Dr. Buckley eagerly awaits fresh guidance in the form of updated recommendations on vitamin D from the U.S. Institute of Medicine. Rumor has it that the IOM report, due this spring, will recommend an increase in the currently recommended supplemental 400 IU/day for 50- to 70-year-olds not getting sufficient vitamin D from the sun. Source
Ian Reid who did the second study spoke to us about the CVS signal from calcium supplementation a couple of years ago and so many of my patients are now off calcium.
I remember that article (CVS and Calcium). I've also never been that impressed with Calcium and fracture prevention. I was telling people about the possible heart attack risks and calcium for a few weeks after that study. I found it frustrating as it confused patients ( ... you mean I should stop my Calcium pills ??? .... no one else is telling me this ... ) so I gave up. I still tell a few people here and there.
Vitamin D and Rheumatoid arthritis. [article]. Hydroxychloroquine, or Plaquenil, and corticosteroids, which both can be prescribed for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, can interfere with Vitamin D. 15 Minutes of Sun Exposure Gives You 20,000 IU of Vitamin D
Vitamin D3 needed for innate immune system in skin - protects against microbes. http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life...vitamin-d-is-saving-your-skin/article1929938/
I've seen several articles recently citing new studies correlating levels of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 to elevated CRP if D3 was under 21 ugm, and elevating with each 10 ugm over 21. So the implication is that correcting D3 deficiency lowers CRP, but overcorrecting it (i.e., correction past low normal) elevates CRP. Have any further ideas about that?
1,25 levels are highly variable. When 25OHD3 is low, then 1,25 rises .... so true measures of deficiency require 25OHD3 levels. Do you have your references for us?
Vitamin D 'improves eye sight of elderly' British researchers found that supplements were potentially a "simple and effective" way to combat age-related eye diseases, such as macular degeneration. Effects in mice were seen in as little as six weeks. Scientists believe many people in developed countries lack vitamin D, which they think is essential to keeping a good blood supply flowing to the retinas. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/9018354/Vitamin-D-improves-eye-sight-of-elderly.html
Vitamin D is measured by a 25(OH)D test. The results are usually presented in the USA as ng/ml or in the UK and Canada as nmol/l Average UK 40yr old adult 25(OH)D status goes from around 30 nmol/l (12 ng/ml) March to 75nmol/l (30ng/ml) September. So the chance of UK doctors finding patients with levels above 100 ng/dl. or 250nmol/l would be extremely remote. I take 5000iu/daily vitamin D3, and I get as much full body sun exposure as possible and in winter use a uvb rich tanning bed 2/3 times week doing so keeps my levels around 60ng/ml 150nmol/l. In Europe the unit used is nanomoles per litre (nmol/L). The conversion factor from nanograms per 100ml (ng/dl) the US unit to nmol/L is approximately 2.5 so that vitamin D levels above 100 nanograms per 100ml, is equivalent to >250 nmol/L, pretty high and well above the max cited in the article and would require very large doses to achieve. In fact the NHS provides thousands of 300,000 IU doses vitamin D as infusion (intravenous) to patients with chronic low levels of vitamin D every year. They found those with vitamin D levels above 100 nanograms per 100ml, were 2.5 times more likely to have AF as those with normal levels (41-80ng/100ml). http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...-D-pills-can-double-heart-condition-risk.html =================== Graham: Is that red likely true ? I do all my vitamin D testing in February / March.
I don't know what UK levels are, but they look high, and likely higher than here. As for the AF risk, I'm guessing it's due to concurrent Ca supplements.
