We (esp. adult women) need more Vitamin D

[healthy11]

www.news-medical.net/news/20101201/CRN-says-increased-DRI-for-vitamin-D-a-step-in-right-direction-but-still-falls-short.aspx?page=2

“…the mountain of research demonstrating a need for vitamin D intake at levels possibly as high as 2,000 IU/day for adults," according to Andrew Shao, Ph.D., senior vice president, scientific and regulatory affairs, CRN. ..it is so important for consumers to talk with their doctors or other healthcare professionals, to get their vitamin D levels tested, and determine personalized recommendations that would enable them to increase blood levels of vitamin D as appropriate."

Large segments of the population have inadequate vitamin D status, according to analyses based on data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys (NHANES). Scientific research shows that vitamin D inadequacy has been linked to an increased risk for certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and other health-related issues and that intake of vitamin D at higher levels may help reduce the risk of these diseases.
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I know there was a recent Millermom thread about approaching menopause, and this seems like it should be a consideration for us "more mature" women, as well.

[snapplema]

Oh yes, adult woman here.

I started to take multivitamins with breakfast last week and I hope that will do ?

I have been having all sorts of weird health problems in the past few years that puzzle both me and my doctor. Now I begin to think it might be related to upcoming menopause. Or stress. One or the other. Either way, vitamins cannot hurt.

I am also a big believer in Chinese herbs as they have helped me a few times me when traditional medicine couldn't.

[healthy11]

Most multivitamins don't contain anything near 2,000 IU/day for Vitamin D, but it's better than nothing according to my doctor. She said it's virtually impossible for most people to get all they need from just dairy products, other foods, and sunlight, especially if they live in an area that experiences cooler weather (they're bundled up and not getting much sun exposure, anyway.)

[hsmom]

Healthy,

There are differences of opinions here. Over the last two days, I have been hearing that a new report came out on Tuesday which reports that people are taking too much Vitamin D and calcium and that it is not necessary.

Here is a link to The New York Times article:

www.nytimes.com/2010/11/30/health/30vitamin.html?_r=1&nl=health&emc=healthupdateema2

[healthy11]

I happened to have my "annual" physical yesterday, and my Dr. said the research she's investigated shows the Vitamin D benefits are many, but she concurred that extra calcium is not.

I have a great deal of respect for my ob/gyn, because she's one of the few Dr.'s who embraces both "conventional" and "holistic" approaches to medicine...She said she got to that point after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 20 years ago, and finding that "traditional" medicine alone didn't offer much reason for optimism in dealing with her condition. She still practices with a group of conventional doctors, so she also benefits from discussions with her colleagues, and they advocate more Vitamin D, so I thought I'd pass it on.

[Mayleng]

Be careful you don't take too much Vitamin D. My friends doctor told her to take Vitamin D which was too much for her, she got really sick. She felt better on a reduced dose.

[hsmom]

Healthy,

My doctor had my Vitamin D level tested and told me that it was low and that I needed 2000 IU's as well. I will, however, discuss this with her the next time I see her in light of the new report.

Mayleng,

Do you know how much Vitamin D your friend was taking?

[Mayleng]

I am not sure, but I think the doctor told her she was low in Vit D and told her to take a pretty high dose, 4000 IU comes to mind but I am not sure.

[snapplema]

That's funny how some unnamed "scientists" come up with all kinds of ideas, often contradictory. Poor coffee has been the target for many years, once they say it's good, another time it's bad.

I am not very consistent every day - but I "go healthy" at least twice a year. That means: no sugar, multivitamin at breakfast, not more than 2 slices of whole wheat organic bread, no butter, no white flour, no cakes, no sweets, less fruit, lots of vegetables and so on +PLUS I do some exercise.

I stick with it for a couple of months and then life steps, or it's holidays time, or someone I can't ignore has a birthday and I slip once and then go back to bad habits.

That being said, my habits are not that bad, but at a certain age one has to make an extra effort to make herself presentable ;D so I wish I was more consistent.

[dwolen]

The Intstitute of Medicine report a few days ago said that calcium with Vit D is not advised. Extra calcium, in the form of supplements, does not help bone health. Adequate amounts of vit. D helps with the metabolism of calcium. Calcium supplements can contribute to calcifications in the arteries, a factor in coronary artery disease.

Vit D research is growing, and the knowledge of the functions of Vit D is expanding. FOr example, when vitamins were discovered, around 1935, it was found that around 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D prevented rickets (bowing of the legs in children due to calcium deficient bones.) That is why Vit D is put into milk, since milk drinking is so common. The other functions of Vit D were largely unknown until recently, but it may play a role in mood disorders, immune function, etc. I coordinate a hepatitis clinic, and there are two small studies that supplement hepatitis C treatment with Vit D, and the success/cure rates of HCV treatment is greatly increased (at 2000 IU vit D). We are now checking our heaptitis C treatment candidate patients' vitamin D 25 OH levels prior to starting hepatitis C treatment. This is not part of the official guidelines, but the two small studies had dramatic results with vit D supplements (cure rates in the control group at 45%, and 95% in the vit D groups.)

So, contrary to YEARS of recommendations, cacium supplements (with or without vit D) may not be the best route to bone health in adult women. A diet rich in fruits and veggies, especially green leafies, and weight bearing exercise is the most evidence based way to bone health, and probably vitamin D.
If you have access to health care, a blood test for vitamin D 25 OH can be done. If you are deficient, a prescription dose of Vit D 50,000 IU once a week for 8 weeks can be prescribed. After the 8 weeks, vit D 1,000-2,000 IU once a day is advised.
Who gets vitamin D deficiency is interesting. One would think that only those in northern climates are prone to vitamin D deficiency. Yet, even darker skinned people who live around the equator have been found to be deficient. It appears that darker skin allows less sun induced vitamin D production in the skin. Darker skinned people in northern climates have high rates of Vit. D deficiency, too.

[healthy11]

Thanks for the extra details, dwolen! It backs up what my doctor said, and seems like good advice to me!

[jw]

Hi,

I had a problem with low Vit D for a while, and can attest to the fact that it caused no end of problems - lots of joint pain, especially, which is what sent me to the doctor. I would never have dreamed Vit D was the problem becuase I live in a sunny area and spend probably 10-20 hour a week in the sun, but ended up taking the high dose for 8 weeks and now can get by on the 2,000U dose. It's an easy blood test when you go in for your checkup, so worth checking out. jw

[healthy11]

A new study by The North American Menopause Society(NAMS) titled, "Calcium/vitamin D supplementation, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and cholesterol profiles in the Women's Health Initiative calcium/vitamin D randomized trial," will be published in the August 2014 print edition of Menopause. It shows calcium and vitamin D improve cholesterol in postmenopausal women.

www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-03/tnam-cav030514.php

health.yahoo.net/news/s/hsn/vitamin-d-deficiency-may-be-linked-to-heart-disease

In addition, this article says Vitamin D may help to boost breast cancer survival odds: www.cbsnews.com/news/vitamin-d-may-boost-breast-cancer-survival-odds/