Vitamin D

Vitamin D lack differs in blacks, whites

Black and white children with vitamin D deficiency both had higher fat levels but blacks were more likely to have fat under their skin, U.S. researchers say.

White children were more likely to have higher levels of fat between their internal organs, however.

Lead author Dr. Silva Arslanian of the University of Pittsburgh and colleagues examined the racial differences in the relationship between vitamin D status, body mass index, fat levels, fat distribution and lipid levels in healthy obese and non-obese black and white children ages 8-18.

"Vitamin D deficiency is rampant in American youth, and there is some suggestion in adults that low levels of vitamin D may be playing a role in the increasing rates of type 2 diabetes. It is possible the same may be true for youth with type 2 diabetes," Arslanian said in a statement. "Our study found that vitamin D was associated with higher fat levels and lower levels of high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol, in both black and white children."

The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, found the majority of the 237 children examined were vitamin D deficient. Plasma vitamin D levels were associated inversely with body mass index and fat levels and positively with HDL cholesterol in all subjects.

The benefits of vitamin D optimization on fat levels, lipid profile and risk of type 2 diabetes need to be explored, Arslanian said.

Read more: http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2011/04/27/Vitamin-D-lack-differs-in-blacks-whites/UPI-59141303953515/#ixzz1KuXICwPW
 
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Vitamin D To Conquer Your Cold

New research indicates vitamin D may be effective at reducing infections and colds. In this new study, researchers found that a group of young military men who supplemented with 400 IU’s (international units) daily for 6 months versus those who supplemented with a placebo experienced a significantly higher likelihood of having no days missed from work due to a respiratory illness. Moreover, of those taking the vitamin D supplement half remained healthy during the 6-month study as compared with approximately just one third of those taking the placebo. While more studies are needed, this new research does appear to indicate some benefits of vitamin D in reducing sickness or at least, the severity of sickness. It should be noted that vitamin D when taken in higher dosages is toxic and negative side effects can and do occur beyond 2,000 IU’s per day

Author: ChiroPlanet.com

Source: Journal of Infectious Diseases Online. July 15, 2010
 
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70% Fall Short of Meeting Vitamin D

70% of Americans Fail to Meet Vitamin D Recommendations

Well-known for its role in keeping bones strong, vitamin D is now being hailed for much more—from normal muscle function to a healthy immune system. Yet despite the growing research on the power of vitamin D, seven out of 10 Americans still fall short of recommended amounts in their diets, according to the recent Dietary Guidelines Committee Advisory report.

In fact, vitamin D is one of the four nutrients of concern identified in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which means low intake is a public health concern for children and adults.

Even with warmer spring weather on the horizon and more time outdoors soaking up the sun’s rays, the sun can't be counted on to supply all the vitamin D Americans need, especially if sunscreen blocks the ultraviolet rays that our bodies use to make vitamin D. Doctor of public health, registered dietitian and well-known author Dr. Wendy Bazilian ("The SuperFoodsRx Diet") encourages Americans to look to their diets for vitamin D.

"Vitamin D is a true super nutrient and Americans can help close the vitamin D gap by taking simple steps like pouring one more serving of low-fat or fat-free milk each day for their families," said Dr. Bazilian. "Milk is the leading source of vitamin D in our diets, supplying more than half of the nation's vitamin D, along with a unique combination of key vitamins and minerals we all need each day. And, of course, it tastes great."

Despite the "super" status for vitamin D, Americans of all ages still appear to be coming up short. A new research report called "What America's Missing," which analyzed government food consumption survey data, identifies a total of 11 "gap nutrients," including vitamin D, along with calcium and potassium, which make up three of the "nutrients of concern" identified in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee's report.

Nearly 70% of Americans ages 2 and older fall short of the recommended vitamin D in their diets. The problem could be even worse as Americans get older. And with diet alone, less than 10% of men and women older than 50 years meet the recommendation, according to the recent 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee report. Experts even suggest the chronic low intake of vitamin D has been behind the resurgence of rickets—a severe vitamin D deficiency that results in bone deformities.

With the average American falling short of the recommended three 8-oz. servings of low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products, it's no wonder there is a significant vitamin D gap. The recommended three glasses of low-fat or fat-free milk a day provide 75% of the Daily Value of vitamin D. In fact, milk is the single greatest contributor of vitamin D in the American diet—no other food contributes more of this essential nutrient.

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Multivitamin Trends

Use of vitamin D was up in 2010 at 56.2 percent of those surveyed, up from 47.9 percent in 2009 and 36.9 percent in 2008–a 52 percent increase over the two-year period.

Fish oil continued its rise in popularity, used by 75 percent of those surveyed, up from 74 percent in 2009. Meanwhile, multivitamin use declined to 70.1 percent last year from 72.0 percent in 2009 and 73.8 percent in 2008.

Calcium was the fourth most popular supplement, used by 55.3 percent of respondents, up from 51.2 percent last year, and use of CoQ10, the fifth most popular supplement, fell in use from 55 percent to 53 percent of respondents.

The survey found women were more likely than men to have taken vitamin D, calcium or probiotics. Men were more likely than women to have taken CoQ10, herbs and extracts, glucosamine/chondroitin, vitamin E, resveratrol, amino acids, nutrition drinks and powders.

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