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Vitamin D A Superhero ?

ByDr. Javier Cardenas, Hospitalist,

AVH Surgical Associatesand

Dean Stockwell,AVH Nutrition Professional

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Vitamin D Metabolism

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What May Vitamin D Improve?

-Improved bone health-Increased absorption of calcium-Reduced risk of falls and bone fractures-Reduced coronary artery disease-Improved muscular function-Lowering of high blood pressure-Improved blood sugar tolerance-Improved nerve function-Improved kidney function-Reduced risk of 17 cancers-Reduced influenza, cold infections, tuberculosis-Reduced risk of some types of dementia

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Low Vitamin D Risks

Increased blood pressure - 2.4 times

High blood sugar - 2.5 times

Metabolic syndrome – 4.0 times

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Vitamin D and Bones

Rickets prevention requires the least 20 ng/ml of storage version, 25(OH)D.

Calcium absorption increases from 10-15% at low 25(OH)D levels to 30-40% at 32 ng/ml to 40 ng/ml. Optimum level was 40 ng/ml or higher.

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Vitamin D and the Heart

Low levels of vitamin D associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.

One study: Low vitamin D risk increase of Coronary Artery Disease - 45%

Stroke - 78%Heart attack - 50%Death – 77-100%

25-57% USA adults may be deficient

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Vitamin D and Critical Illness

For critically ill patients in the hospital, low vitamin D levels have been found to be related to

● Organ malfunction

● Length of stay

● Infection rates

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Vitamin D and MS

Multiple Sclerosis: Vitamin D levels of 40 ng/ml or higher may confer some protection against MS.

Patients receiving Magnesium, Calcium and 5000 IU vitamin D significantly reduced MS

exacerbations (14 vs 32).

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Vitamin D and MS: Is there any connection?Is there any proof that vitamin D supplements can prevent MS or keep symptoms of MS from worsening?

Several studies have suggested that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D may have a protective effect and lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Other studies suggest that for people who already have MS, vitamin D may lessen the frequency and severity of their symptoms. More research is needed to assess these findings.When a person has MS, his or her immune system attacks the coating that protects the nerve cells. Research suggests that a connection between vitamin D and MS could be tied to the positive effects vitamin D has on the immune system.The link between vitamin D and MS is strengthened by the association between sunlight and the risk of MS. The farther away from the equator a person lives, the higher the risk of MS. Sunlight is the body's most efficient source for vitamin D — suggesting that exposure to sunlight may offer protection from MS.The Institute of Medicine recommends 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D a day for adults ages 19 to 70. The recommendation increases to 800 IUs a day for adults age 71 and older.Some doctors question whether these levels are adequate and think that getting more vitamin D would benefit many people. However, the Institute of Medicine recommends that adults avoid taking more than 4,000 IUs a day.

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Vitamin D and Falls

Low vitamin D may result in more falls and fractures since muscles contain vitamin D receptors.

Vitamin D activation increases protein synthesis in muscles.

13 studies using 800-1000 IU consistently demonstrated beneficial effects on muscle strength and balance with aged 60 or older.

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Vitamin D and Cancer

● Inverse correlation between incidence, mortality and or survival rates for many cancers including breast, colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancers.

● Emerging evidence that more than 17 cancers are likely to be vitamin D sensitive.

● 1000 IU/day could reduce cancers 7% for men, 9% for women in US.

● 25(OH)D level of 52 ng/ml reduced breast cancer by 50%● 60-80 ng/ml may be optimal for most individuals● 25(OH)D level increase from 29 to 39 reduced cancer risk by

60% after 4 years.

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Vitamin D and the Lungs

Asthma: Early studies indicate may reduce severe exacerbations, exercise induced bronchoconstriction

Lower respiratory tract infections are more frequent in those with low 25(OH)D levels.

2000 IU Vitamin D abolished the seasonality of influenza and dramatically reduced the self-reported incidence.

Vitamin D reduces inflammation and viral pathogens.

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Vitamin D and the Lungs

One Vitamin D Influenza study showed:

334 children 6-15 years50% -1200 D3 4 months vs placeboFlu: 10.8% (with D) vs 18.6%Asthma children – 93% reduced attacksLow vitamin D adults: double risk of viral infections

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Vitamin D and Dementia● Vitamin D may be primarily associated with cognitive

domains other than memory , such as executive cognitive functions, depression, bipolar disorders, and schizophrenia.

● Low 25(OH)D may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment (41-60%).

● Receptors for Vitamin D are present in brain cells. Increased Vitamin D may improve cognitive function

in patients with Alzheimer's

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Vitamin D Controls Genes

Gene direct or indirect control by vitamin D200 – 2000 genes which regulate:

Regulate cell growth and prevent malignancy

Enhance immune system (multiple mechanisms)

Improve insulin production and sensitivity

Heart contraction

Maximize bone health

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Vitamin D From the SUN

Sun exposure pros and cons:

5-6 times more deaths from internal cancers related to low vitamin D levels than skin cancers

Regular moderate outdoor UV exposure increases survival of melanoma patients

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Current Vitamin D Recommendations

Institute of Medicine recommendations:400 IU: infants 0 to 12 months600 IU: age 1 – 70 years800 IU: age above 704000 IU upper limit

Endocrine Society's Clinical guidelines400 IU - 1000 IU: infants 0 to 12 months600 IU – 1000 IU: age 1 – 18 years600 IU – 2000 IU: 19 - 70 years800 IU – 2000 IU: above 701000 IU to 6 mo, 4000 IU over 8 yrs upper limit

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Malabsorption Drug Interactions and Storage

Patients who may require more vitamin D intake include those with:

● Intestinal fat-malabsorption syndromes● Anticonvulsive medications● Glucocorticoids and related medications● Less ability to absorb sunlight (elderly)● Excess fat (vitamin D stored in fat is not

available)

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Vitamin D Sources

The Sunshine VitaminFortified foods:

Typically supply 150 IU per day, but highly variable (100 - 400 IU per day).

Supplements:-Over-the-counter usually vitamin D3-Prescription versions are usually vitamin D2 (synthetic).-Vitamin D3 is more than three times powerful than D2.

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Vitamin D Sources

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How Much Vitamin D is Needed?Estimated body requirements per day are 3000-5000 IU.

Obese and elderly may need the higher levels.

10,000 IU per day may be the new recommended upper limit.(10)

The only way to know how much is needed is to test 25(OH)D.

Everyone should be tested!

Goal: 25(OH)D between 60-80 ng/ml after a consistent intake

level over 2 months.

100 IU of vitamin D raises 25(OH)D about 1 ng/ml.

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Who is at risk to overdose on Vitamin D?Anyone who takes Vitamin D supplements CAN take too much Vitamin D. But the majority of documented overdose on vitamin D are from:

• Children whose parents accidentally give them massive doses of vitamin D• Elderly people who incorrectly take massive vitamin D dosages• Adults who take more than 10,000 IU's per day for long periods of time.• 'Industrial Accidents' where massive quantities of vitamin D are put into fortified foods in error

These categories comprise nearly all people who have had an overdose on Vitamin D.

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Any Questions?