Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Yet Another Disease

A team of anti-aging experts from Adonia Organics recently released the results of a clinical trial conducted at the AMA Laboratories in New York which concluded that the process by which dark circles and bags form around the eyes of young, middle-aged and older adults is actually caused in part by a lack of sunlight (or a lack of vitamin D). Insufficient sun exposure can result in a paler skin tone, which in turn enhances the appearance of dark circles and bags in the area of the face just below the eyes.

Researchers found that the dark bags are exacerbated by fatigue – particularly during the winter months – that is attributed to deficient levels of vitamin D, which is created in the body when skin is directly exposed to sunlight. The decreased sun exposure throughout the winter months also contributes to reduced levels of neurotransmitter serotonin, which is one of the chemicals produced within the brain that helps the human body “feel good”.

According to Dr. Mark Binette, “Lacking in Vitamins D and K has a considerable negative effect on the appearance of dark circles and puffy eyes and can age a woman by 4.7 years putting over ten per cent on a woman’s age of 40.”

In all, the study found that more than twice as many women (82%) between ages 27 and 60 experience dark circles and puffy eyes in the winter, while only 38% reported the same symptoms during the summer months.

Dark circles underneath the eyes are typically the result of minor blood leakage just beneath the skin’s surface. This minuscule bleeding is typically the result of tiny capillaries bursting or becoming porous and leaking small amounts of blood. Once outside of the capillaries, the blood begins a process known as oxidation, which is what turns it that dark, blackish-blue color similar to the appearance of a bruise or minor contusion.

Since the skin under the eyes is already thin to begin with, during the winter months when skin becomes more transparent due to the typical decrease in sun exposure, fluid builds up inside the thin skin beneath the eyes, causing the dark circles and puffy-looking eyes.

The problem is not as widespread in the warmer months for two reasons: First, people spend more time outdoors wearing less clothes, which translates into increased direct exposure to sunlight. Additionally, people are less fatigued, and the darker complexion of the skin that typically accompanies warmer months as people are outdoors more and have more sunbathing opportunities makes what’s left of the dark circles and bags very difficult to notice when compared with the cooler months. The increased vitamin D absorption that goes hand-in-hand with sunbathing also helps to negate this effect, further removing the unnaturally dark areas underneath the eyes.

Since the study seems to suggest (although without stating it point-blank) that a highly-bioavailable (readily absorbably), high-quality vitamin D3 supplement (the form of the nutrient absorbed through sunlight and in supplement form the one that is more readily absorbed for use by the body – also known as cholecalciferol) may be able to help prevent the conditions that lead to dark circles, bags and puffy eyes so that come wintertime, one can look every bit as good as during the summer months without necessarily having to spend hours each week sunbathing in the cold.

The Vitamin D3 Blog recommends that anyone experiencing unnaturally dark, puffy eyes during the winter months talk with their doctor or healthcare provider about vitamin D3 supplementation and any other treatment options the doctor may suggest to help rejuvenate the youthful appearance of the eyes and the area just below them.

Video on Vitamin D3, Health, Immunity, the Sun and Skin Cancer:

 
I strongly encourage anyone who is hesitant to go outside and absorb some of nature’s vitamin D on a bright, warm and sunny day due to longstanding fears based upon rumors that sunbathing is a surefire recipe for skin cancer to actually spend two minutes watching the above video. The video features a medical doctor who is far better than this author at articulating the medical facts pertaining to the value of naturally-obtained vitamin D towards a person’s overall health. The doctor also discusses possible financial motives potentially underlying the mass-scare of the public over skin cancer followed by the major push for everyone who steps outdoors to wear a coat of sunscreen.

Vitamin D3: A Misnamed But Vital Element for Good Health

Guest Post By:  Holly Miller

Vitamin D is a pair of complex, essential nutrients that the human body uses to grow and develop healthily. Ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol are the two forms of D vitamins and are known as vitamins D2 and D3 respectively. Both of these nutrients must be incorporated in the diet to prevent harmful deficiencies.

An interesting fact is that “vitamin” is a misnomer for D3. Vitamins are important nutrient that are produced by plants. Vitamin D2 is found in fungus species and plants, so it fits the definition of vitamin. Vitamin D2 can be ingested naturally through vitamin-fortified foods such as cereal, juice and milk. Vitamin D3 is actually a hormone that is produced naturally within animals when the skin’s surface is exposed to sunlight. Indeed, the human body produces vitamin D3, but most people do not synthesize healthy levels of the nutrient.

Because of the preoccupation with the harmful effects of too much sun, most people do not get enough of it. Similarly, foods rich in vitamin D3, including egg yolks, sardines, fortified whole milk, mackerel and beef liver are unpopular or demonized by popular diet plans. As a result of the reluctance of consumers, supplementing vitamin D3 is suggested for many adults; however, it is unwise to rush to the vitamin shelf in the drug store and grab the first bottle marked “D.” A generic vitamin D tablet is likely to contain high levels of vitamin D2. While D2 is healthy in small amounts, large quantities of the vitamin can be toxic to the body. In contrast, there is no risk of toxicity with vitamin D3. Foods are uncommonly enriched with vitamin D3, but it can be found on sale in pill or liquid form.

Vitamin D3 helps the body absorb calcium and works to control the immune system. A lack of sufficient vitamin D3 can leave your body more vulnerable to autoimmune diseases and cancer. Obesity, kidney stones, fibromyalgia, type two diabetes, psoriasis and chronic fatigue syndrome are all linked to vitamin D3 deficiency. Mental conditions may rise from a lack of vitamin D3, as well. Those with insufficient levels of vitamin D3 have suffered from mood swings, depression and even Alzheimer’s disease.

Vitamin D3 cannot be produced by exposure to fake ultra violet (UV) light, such as that found in tanning beds. Natural, nourishing sunlight is the only source of vitamin D3 synthesis in the human body. Consumers can save money on expensive supplements and avoid eating foods they may not enjoy by soaking in the sun’s free UV lamplight. Morning sun is the safest for the body. Head outside for at least 20 minutes each day and expose a minimum of 40 percent of your body to the sun for maximum D3 synthesis. During cold months, pill or liquid supplements may be necessary for many adults.

Guest Post by Holly Miller, a writer for CouponCroc.co.uk, the best resource for savings on health supplements, vitamins, and everything you need to stay healthy.
Editor’s Note:  The Vitamin D3 Blog would like to offer its most sincere thanks to Holly for this wonderful post!

Guest Post

By: David Munson

There has always been evidence that ingesting certain vitamins and minerals in sufficient amounts can have many positive health benefits.  Vitamin D specifically can play a significant role in preventing colon cancer, diabetes, and even help to relieve depression.  Many studies are performed to find out what types of infections and diseases can be helped with vitamin D.  The most recent study, performed by Gill Diamond of the New Jersey Dental School in Newark, has produced a significant finding and sparked debate about the usefulness of vitamin D.

Vitamin D May Help Prevent Gingivitis, Tooth Loss

The study found that vitamin D can help fight bacterial infections that attack the gums which can lead to gingivitis and tooth loss.  These findings were supported by an earlier study that found that vitamin D can cause the lungs to produce a natural antibiotic that can actually kill harmful bacteria.  This latest study also found that vitamin D is involved in expressing some genes that were not believed to be part of the vitamin D pathway, but now may help in fighting infection.  This research could develop specific therapies using vitamin D.

It was also discovered that gum cells can activate inactive forms of vitamin D, and according to Gill Diamond, “This means that we may even be able to use vitamin D therapy topically, if that proves true.”  This has the ability to create special drugs and ointments that can be applied to the gums and fight gingivitis which affects 75% of the one-third adults that suffer from untreated tooth decay.  Gingivitis is inflammation or infection of the gums.

Vitamin D is important to the health of people and must be given in correct dosages.  A debate lies in what the proper dosage amounts are.  The United States Food and Nutrition Board has established that children and adults age 70 and below need 600 IU of vitamin D while the elderly, age 70 and above, need 800 IU.  While the Vitamin D Council, without proper exposure to sunlight, recommends 1,000 IU for children over 1 year and 5,000 IU for healthy adolescents and adults.  People with illnesses may require more.

There is also something of a debate being had over which form of vitamin D offers the most health benefits. For years, supplement manufacturers preferred a form of the nutrient called ergocalciferol, or vitamin D2. However, in the past decade, scientists and health practitioners are finding that vitamin D3 is a superior form of the nutrient. This tends to be the prevailing viewpoint among those in the know.

The reason for this is that vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is the natural form of the vitamin obtained from the sun, and is more easily accessible for use by the human body than the synthetic, man-made D2. We here at the Vitamin D3 Blog strongly recommend that anyone considering vitamin D supplements consider purchasing vitamin D3 supplements as opposed to those containing D2.

Vitamin D is one the most well-known and yet still underrated of all the vitamins.  The health benefits are just starting to be understood by science, and the nutrient can easily be obtained through proper amounts of sunlight or in supplement form.  It also seems that science hasn’t even scratched the surface of what vitamin D can achieve in help to the body, but according to this most recent study, we know that it can provide a beneficial step for healthy gums and teeth.

Among the nation’s leading experts in the subject of clinical nutrition and in particular vitamin D benefits is a primary care Nurse Practitioner from Louisiana named Pamela Egan. It was Nurse Practitioner Egan who was the very first media figure in the entire country and indeed the world to distinguish between the two different forms of vitamin D that are commonly sold as supplements. The two are D2 and D3, respectively.

NP Egan, who is a world-renowned health columnist, was writing about the hands-down superiority of D3 relative to D2 a full four years before the terms D2 or D3 were even mentioned by a writer other than Pamela Egan in an actual print or broadcast media publication.

Mrs. Egan’s original article on the topic of vitamin D3 and the potential health ramifications that coincide with being deficient in the nutrient is still among the very first articles to appear in search results when someone queries the term “vitamin d3″ (with or without quotation marks). There is a reason for this. Even though several years have passed since the article was originally published, there are few if any health professionals in the United States and the world who have a better or more fundamental understanding of the subject and the intricacies involved with how it all works.

For example, a medical doctor named Susan Hill published an article about vitamin D in late May of this year (2011) for the Wheaton Franciscan Medical Group. Dr. Hill obviously hadn’t inconvenienced herself with research before writing the article, rehashing the standard lines that seem to appear in every news story about the topic.

Dr. Hill listed four benefits of vitamin D: calcium absorption, bone strength, muscle strength and balance. Interestingly enough, while she didn’t find it necessary to include a sentence or two about the other 32 or so diseases that have been found to occur in dramatically increased proportions in the presence of a vitamin D deficiency, she did make a point of citing decades-old information that has been inaccurate for at least five or six years now.

She incorrectly stated that research had not conclusively established a link between healthy vitamin D levels and a reduced risk of cancer and heart disease (see note at bottom of post). She also incorrectly stated that there is a lack of scientific evidence linking vitamin D deficiency to winter depression.

Last but not least, she engaged in a bit of unnecessary fear mongering by asserting that people who reside in areas with sunny climates and who also supplement with vitamin D are at risk of getting “too much” of the nutrient, a real condition known as vitamin D toxicity. While technically, this statement is not 100% inaccurate, she should have pointed out that in order for this to occur, a person would have to be either hypersensitive to the vitamin; take far more vitamin D supplements than directed by a physician or the instructions on the bottle; or ingest a contaminated supplement containing several times more of the active ingredient than is listed on the label.

While the above makes up all of the factually inaccurate statements made by Dr. Susan Hill in her May article for the Wheaton Group, she did make one onerous omission that in light of the factual inaccuracies, should come as no surprise to those qualified to write on the subject. Throughout the entire article, she failed to make any mention of the fact that there are two different forms of vitamin D that are sold as supplements in the United States, and that only one of those forms offers any meaningful health benefits to the human body.

For anyone not already familiar with the two forms of vitamin D, they are D2 (also known as ergocalciferol) and D3 (also known as cholecalciferol), respectively. Vitamin D3 is the form of the nutrient absorbed through sunlight and processed for use by the body. D2 is a synthetic chemical made largely of plant materials. The two forms of vitamin D were absolutely not created equal.

D2 is technically a form of vitamin D, but offers very little in terms of benefits to the human body due to the fact that it is lacking in bioavailability, or usability by the human body. D3 on the other hand is extremely bioavailable, and the body benefits substantially from both exposure of the skin to sunlight as well as from vitamin D3 supplements.

While the remainder of this article is largely a matter of opinion (note that it is being disclaimed as such), this author highly recommends that consumers who decide to buy vitamin D supplements not only go with D3 over D2, but also that they go with a very high-quality brand of D3. Vitamins, like anything else, are subject to the standards and quality control measures in place at the time and place of manufacture, and some brands are made to a higher standard than some others. How big a difference it makes is anybody’s guess, but this author gets the highest quality available for purchase when he buys D3 supplements.

The Facts About Vitamin D3, Cancer and Heart Disease:  “A study that appeared in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition conclusively established the preventive benefits of Vitamin D3 with regard to various forms of cancer, heart disease and numerous others ailments.”  Source: http://www.ajcn.org/content/79/3/362.abstract

There has been substantial scientific progress in recent years regarding the role of Vitamin D in the prevention of cancer. The research includes no less than 275 epidemiological studies, approximately 2500 laboratory studies and a confirmatory randomized placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial (Lappe et al.).

Most of these studies support a preventive role of vitamin D with cancer. These studies have have been published in such medical journals as the American Journal of Preventive Medicine, Lancet, Cancer Research, the International Journal of Epidemiology, and numerous other peer-reviewed biomedical journals.

The following CBS News video clip contains an interview with Dr. Jennifer Ashton in which she explains the significance behind new research suggesting that daily supplementation with Vitamin D may help to significantly reduce the risk of cancer.

The next video (appearing below), details how a study performed by researchers at the Moores Cancer Center and Department of Family and Preventive Medicine at the University of California at San Diego found that 75% of deaths from breast cancer and colorectal cancer could be prevented through adequate daily intake of both Vitamin D3 and calcium.

Related: Does Vitamin D3 Help Prevent Cancer?

A new study published in the February edition of Neurology appears to show a link between increased sun exposure and higher vitamin d levels and a reduced risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS).

The Australian study involving 611 people determined that those with the highest vitamin d levels in their blood were the least likely to develop multiple sclerosis. The study also found that those with the most evidence of skin damage from sun exposure were about 60% less likely to develop multiple sclerosis or MS-related symptoms.

Nicholas LaRocca, PhD, the U.S. National Multiple Sclerosis Society Vice President, made a point of emphasizing that the findings involving vitamin d did not determine whether or not vitamin d (vitamin d3 to be specific) was the reason for the reduced risk of MS or simply a side-effect of sun exposure.

Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, is the form of vitamin d manufactured within the body as a product of sun exposure. It has been found to be by far the most bioavailable (readily absorbable) or the various forms of the nutrient. It is safe to assume that those studied were ingesting cholecalciferol as opposed to other forms of the nutrient (like ergocalciferol, or vitamin d2), based on the fact that direct sun exposure was followed in addition to vitamin d levels.

The scientists representing the study made a point of emphasizing that they do not encourage people to spend unlimited amounts of time in the sun. Instead, they discussed the importance of being smart and getting sun in moderation.

It is not yet known at this point whether or not multiple sclerosis can be added to the list of diseases caused in part by vitamin d deficiency. However, based on the volumes of research to be conducted in recent years linking more than 20 different diseases and ailments to the nutritional deficiency, don’t be surprised if a definitive link is established scientifically in the upcoming years.

Research shows it is possible to drastically reduce the risk of Seasonal Flu and Swine Flu by supplementing regularly with Vitamin D3.

There has been a fear of a pandemic flu outbreak for the past several years. My own parish received 20,000 body bags last year in preparation for the flu pandemic. Research presented by John Cannell, MD of the Vitamin D Council showed that Vitamin D3 is protective against seasonal flu. Further research performed by Norris Glick, MD and Ellie Campbell, DO, showed that Vitamin D3 helps prevent H1N1 Flu. Further, Dr. John Cannell showed that Vitamin D3 deficiency activates the influenza virus (the Flu).

Currently, the U.S. Recommended Daily Allowance for Vitamin D3 is 400 iu/day. This dose was recommended to prevent rickets, which works well, but does nothing to give the far more important protection from cancer, heart disease and infections. Approximately 70% children in the US and 75% teens and adults have a Vitamin D3 deficiency. We now have overwhelming evidence that therapeutic levels of this miracle vitamin, not only boost our immune system, but protects us from cancer, including breast cancer and even H1N1 Swine Flu. Blood levels of D3 (OH-25) should be at least above 50, optimally 80. Most children and adults can be maintained on vitamin D3 5000iu – 10,000iu/day. At the first sign of flu or respiratory illness, take 50,000iu D3/day x 5 days.

This article was written exclusively for VitaminD3Blog.com by Nurse Practitioner Pam Egan, FNP-C, CDE.

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Cholecalciferol (aka: Vitamin D3)

Pam Egan, FNP-C, CDE, is a board-certified adult and family nurse practitioner, a certified diabetes educator, certified specialist in anti-aging medicine, and also a health columnist. Mrs. Egan has written extensively on the subject of Vitamin D3 and the wealth of both short and long-term health benefits associated with this incredible vitamin.

Vitamin D3, also known as cholecalciferol, is by far and without question the most bio-available form of Vitamin D.

Why is Vitamin D3 so important?

Vitamin D is essential for healthy-looking skin and strong bones. In addition, Vitamin D3 has been found to stimulate the immune system, providing your body with a powerful boost to help stave off illness.

If an individual has chronically low Vitamin D3 intake from food and/or sunlight, the deficiency can lead to numerous health ailments including Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Obesity, Diabetes, Cancer, Fibromyalgia, neuro-degenerative diseases, osteoporosis, and clinical depression. Scientists and researchers are now discovering that the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke may increase in people with a prolongued Vitamin D3 deficiency.

D3 can be obtained from a variety of foods, however perhaps the best way to ingest/absorb the nutrient is through sunlight making direct contact with skin. A handful of top health and nutrition experts have even recommended sunbathing in the nude for ten to fifteen minutes daily as a means of ingesting/manyfacturing sufficient amounts of this critically important vitamin in its most potent and bioavailable form.

In addition to foods and sunlight, perhaps the easiest way to ingest sufficient amounts of D3 is via supplementation. A number of high-quality Vitamin D3 Supplements exist to help one ingest enough of the nutrient on a regular basis, including when weather prohibits one from sunbathing.

Included are some links at the bottom of this post to some additional educational resources about Vitamin D3, authored by Nurse Practitioner Egan.

Pamela Egan’s Articles about Vitamin D3:

• Vitamin D3
• Vitamin D3 may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol
• Experts Call for Increased Dose of Vitamin D3
• What is Vitamin D3?
• Vitamin D3 Sources
• Side Effects of Vitamin D3 (D3 Toxicity)

Approximately 30 minute video providing an in-depth review of the claim that vitamin D and in particular vitamin D3 (also known as cholecalciferol) may aid in preventing some forms of cancer. The video references a study by researchers at the UCSD School of Medicine and Moores Cancer Center that involved a computer-projection model that estimated that intake of vitamin D3 and calcium would prevent 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer per year in the US and Canada

The computer model went on make a number of other predictions that are discussed within the film.

All in all, this is a fairly in depth look into the relationship between vitamin D3 and cancer prevention, and whether or not the claims being made by a variety of scientists and clinicians of late that vitamin D can indeed help prevent cancer hold any validity. To find out the answer, you’ll have to watch the video below.

Related: Vitamin D and Cancer

By:  Pamela Egan  (Nurse Practitioner and Health Columnist)

Due to our indoor lifestyles and fear of going in the sun due to the development of skin cancer, most Americans don’t get enough sunshine. Over the years, the lack of sunshine (Vitamin D3, or Cholecalciferol) is cumulative and has left most American deficient of this essential nutrient.

Supplementation with Vitamin D3 is safe, effective, and essential to health. Higher dosages of Vitamin D3 are needed to reap additional health benefits according to published Risk Assessments.

Four nutrition experts, including two Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) scientists and two of the world’s pre-eminent vitamin D researchers, are urging the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) to raise the vitamin D Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) five-fold, based on a safety evaluation of the latest scientific research. This research shows that vitamin D is safe at intake levels much higher than its current UL.

The paper, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) this month (Jan 2007; 85:6-18), concludes the safety profile of vitamin D should safely permit raising the UL for vitamin D to 250ug (10,000IU) per day from the current UL of 50 ug (2,000IU) per day.

The researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto and Creighton University report that the UL established by the Food & Nutrition Board is outdated. It is not based on current evidence and is viewed by many in the scientific community as being too restrictive-limiting research, commercial development, and optimization of nutritional policy. They provided an ample collection of human clinical trial data published since the 1997 recommendation which supports a significantly higher dosage.

There has been an increased consumer interest in the nutrient following a number of recent studies showing the benefits of Vitamin D3 associated with levels beyond what is typically provided in a multivitamin and most fortified food.
Pamela Egan, NP, ABAAHP Diplomat (American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioners), CDE is a board certified Adult & Family Nurse Practitioner, Fellow of the American Academy of Anti-Aging & Functional Medicine, and Certified Diabetes Educator. She is a health columnist from Covington, LA.

Pamela Egan, NP, CDE
ABAAHP Diplomat
(American Board of Anti-Aging Health Practitioner)
1116 West 21st Ave.
Covington, LA 70433
985-892-3031
Fax- 985-892-9504
Website:  http://www.pamelaegan.com