ReportWire

Tag: Vitamin D

  • Vitamin D Supplementation & Sunshine Went Head To Head In This Study

    Vitamin D Supplementation & Sunshine Went Head To Head In This Study

    [ad_1]

    A 2021 study conducted in Korea put these two methods of getting vitamin D to the test. Vitamin-D-deficient participants were given the choice between sunlight exposure and a modest level of oral vitamin D supplementation (1,000 I.U. of D3 taken daily, to be exact). 

    Serum 25(OH)D levels (i.e., the blood biomarker for vitamin D status) were evaluated at the beginning and end of the three-month study to document changes. The sunlight exposure group had no significant increase in average serum 25(OH)D levels, while the oral supplementation group saw an average serum increase of 11 ng/ml at the end of the three months. 

    In other words, vitamin D levels increased in participants that took 1,000 I.U. of vitamin D3, while those exposed to the sun experienced no significant changes. This confirmed what mindbodygreen has known all along: Vitamin D supplementation is the most effective and efficient method of raising vitamin D to levels of sufficiency.* 

    Nutrition scientist Ashley Jordan Ferira, Ph.D., RDN, shared these additional insights: “This study is valuable for two reasons. First, it demonstrates the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in positively affecting vitamin D status. Second, it confirms the pharmacokinetic research-backed phenomenon that predicts 1,000 I.U. of vitamin D3 will move the 25(OH)D “needle” by about 10 ng/ml in normal-weight adults. That predictable math is the reason why we actually need much more vitamin D, around 5,000 I.U. or more, to achieve and maintain vitamin D sufficiency throughout life.”*

    [ad_2]

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • How The Antioxidant Power Of Vitamin D Promotes Healthy Aging*

    How The Antioxidant Power Of Vitamin D Promotes Healthy Aging*

    [ad_1]

    Vitamin D signaling pathways are a key player in directly protecting cells from the overaccumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS).* Specifically, vitamin D helps protect proteins (e.g., hormones, antibodies, collagen, etc.), fatty acids (aka lipids, like those in cell membranes throughout the body), and DNA from oxidation by combating oxidative stress.* 

    Additionally, sufficient levels of vitamin D support mitochondrial resilience (you know, that energy powerhouse organelle in our cells) and endocrine functions.* This, in turn, promotes healthy energy metabolism, hormone activity and balance, and longevity.* 

    Beyond the functions that foster antioxidant activity on a cellular level, here are some additional physiological systems that vitamin D supports to promote our overall well-being as we age:*

    [ad_2]

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • Vitamin D Status & Body Composition Influence Your Risk Of Cancer

    Vitamin D Status & Body Composition Influence Your Risk Of Cancer

    [ad_1]

    The cohort study analyzed a subset of 16,515 participants from the VITAL study and found that vitamin D levels increased less over a two year period in participants with higher BMI. Researchers hypothesize that this is due to a blunted metabolism and lowered amount of circulating (i.e., active) vitamin D in the blood in individuals with overweight or obesity. 

    Evidence shows a clear inverse relationship between adipose tissue and vitamin D status2, and this correlation subsequently impacts the likelihood that individuals with higher BMIs may reap the proactive health benefits demonstrated in previous studies (e.g., reduced cancer risk, cancer mortality, and autoimmune disease prevalence).

    Does evidence show that maintaining healthy vitamin D levels can help reduce the likelihood of developing cancer or an autoimmune disease? Yes. However, current research also indicates that your body composition plays a massive role in how much vitamin D is stored in your adipose tissue (i.e., your body fat) versus the amount available for your cells to use. 

    [ad_2]

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • Vitamin D Sufficiency Can Decrease Diabetes Risk By Up To 76%

    Vitamin D Sufficiency Can Decrease Diabetes Risk By Up To 76%

    [ad_1]

    Vitamin D plays a key role in glucose metabolism and insulin secretion. As such, evidence suggests that this essential fat-soluble vitamin—or, more specifically, the amount you have in your body—impacts your likelihood of developing diabetes.

    Considering 29% of U.S. adults2 are deficient in vitamin D and another 41% are insufficient, it’s entirely possible the link between vitamin D and diabetes is stronger than we fully understand. 

    In this review, researchers analyzed three different randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to see whether increasing vitamin D intake for an individual with prediabetes can effectively lower their risk of developing diabetes. Two of the RCTs tested vitamin D3 (aka cholecalciferol) intake—specifically, 20,000 IU weekly and 4,000 IU daily—while the third tested eldecalcitol (a vitamin D analog).

    Their findings highlighted yet another health benefit of vitamin D. Overall, vitamin D intake was found to reduce the risk of diabetes by 15% in individuals with prediabetes. Additionally, it increased the likelihood of regressing to normal (i.e., healthy) glucose regulation by 30%. 

    [ad_2]

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • Vitamin D Could Be Weapon Against Type 2 Diabetes

    Vitamin D Could Be Weapon Against Type 2 Diabetes

    [ad_1]

    By Amy Norton 

    HealthDay Reporter

    TUESDAY, Feb. 7, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin D supplements are typically used to guard against bone loss and fractures, but new research offers up another possibility: For folks with pre-diabetes, they may help lower the chances of a full diabetes diagnosis.

    Across three clinical trials, investigators found that vitamin D supplements were modestly effective in curbing the risk of pre-diabetes progressing to type 2 diabetes. Over three years, just under 23% of study patients using vitamin D developed diabetes, versus 25% of those given placebo pills.

    On average, the study found, supplements lowered the risk of progressing to type 2 diabetes by 15%.

    “It’s pretty clear vitamin D has a moderate effect on reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes, if you’re at high risk,” said lead researcher Dr. Anastassios Pittas, of Tufts Medical Center, in Boston.

    The findings do not apply to people at average risk of the disease, he stressed, and it’s still unclear what the optimal dose of vitamin D is for people with pre-diabetes.

    Plus, Pittas said, no supplement would be a replacement for lifestyle changes, including a healthy diet and regular exercise.

    “We don’t want the message to be, take a pill and you won’t need to do the hard work of changing your diet and exercising,” Pittas said.

    Type 2 diabetes arises when the body’s cells no longer properly respond to the hormone insulin, which helps shuttle sugars from food into cells to be used as energy. As a result, blood sugar levels remain chronically high, which over time can damage the blood vessels and lead to heart, kidney and eye disease, among other complications.

    Pre-diabetes is a state where blood sugar is abnormally high, but not yet high enough to diagnose type 2 diabetes. In the United States alone, about 96 million adults have pre-diabetes, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    The vitamin D study started with the observation that diabetes prevalence is typically greater in places farther from the equator. That, Pittas said, hinted that sunlight exposure — which spurs the body to naturally produce vitamin D — might play a role in diabetes risk.

    Subsequent studies found a link between people’s blood levels of vitamin D and their risk of type 2 diabetes. Meanwhile, lab research pointed to some potential reasons: vitamin D can, for instance, restore normal insulin production in animals.

    So far, there have been three clinical trials that directly tested whether vitamin D supplements can lower the odds of pre-diabetes progressing to type 2. Each found that participants given vitamin D did have a somewhat lower risk, versus those given a placebo. But the difference was not significant in statistical terms, meaning the supplement could not be declared effective.

    So Pittas and his colleagues conducted a “meta-analysis” that pulled together the data from all three trials. The idea is that, with a larger number of patients, it will be easier to detect a moderate effect of vitamin D.

    The analysis, published online Feb. 6 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, included just over 4,000 adults with pre-diabetes. Half were randomly assigned to take vitamin D. In two trials, participants took vitamin D3, at a dose of either 4,000 IU a day, or 20,000 IU per week. The third trial used eldecalcitol, a vitamin D “analogue” prescribed for osteoporosis.

    Over three years, just under 23% of supplement users developed type 2 diabetes, versus 25% of placebo users.

    That’s a modest difference, but the researchers pointed to the bigger picture: There are 374 million people worldwide with pre-diabetes, and these findings suggest that vitamin D can at least delay diabetes in 10 million of them.

    “I’d say that’s pretty significant,” said Dr. Isaac Dapkins, chief medical officer of NYU Langone’s Family Health Centers, in New York City.
     

    Dapkins, who was not involved in the study, said it gives him incentive to measure blood vitamin D levels in his patients with pre-diabetes. There were indications that supplements were more effective for participants who started off with vitamin D deficiency (below 12 ng/mL).

    Like Pittas, Dapkins stressed the importance of overall lifestyle in halting the progression of pre-diabetes.

    “If you were to start an exercise program, it would be more effective [than vitamin D],” he pointed out.

    But, Dapkins said, adding a vitamin D supplement could be an easy, low-cost way to get further protection. His advice was for people with pre-diabetes to talk to their doctor, and get a blood vitamin D measurement if they haven’t already.

    Pittas said more work is needed to figure out the optimal dose of vitamin D for people with pre-diabetes.

    In general, 4,000 IU per day — the dose used in one trial — is considered the upper limit for vitamin D intake. Vitamin D is stored in body fat, Dapkins noted, and there is the potential for very high levels to cause problems, such as kidney stones.

    Across the three trials, just over 1% of participants developed kidney stones, and supplement users were not at greater risk.

    More information

    The U.S. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements has more on vitamin D.

     

     

    SOURCES: Anastassios Pittas, MD, MS, chief, division of endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism, Tufts Medical Center, Boston; Isaac Dapkins, MD, chief medical officer, Family Health Centers, NYU Langone, New York City; Annals of Internal Medicine, Feb. 6, 2023, online

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • New Research Shows Vitamin D Status Influences Depression Risk

    New Research Shows Vitamin D Status Influences Depression Risk

    [ad_1]

    Scientists included ten meta-analyses in their review. They looked at studies published up until March 2022 that explored the link between depression and vitamin D. In total, the review looked at the results of 24,510 participants from 49 randomized control trials.  

    Four of the meta-analyses revealed that people with lower levels of vitamin D were at increased risk of depression than those with higher levels of vitamin D. In particular, participants over the age of 50 with lower vitamin D levels had the greatest risk of depression.

    The researchers concluded that, where depression is concerned, vitamin D has a protective effect, explaining that it’s involved in the synthesis of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which affect mood.

    In addition, they found that achieving healthy vitamin D status through daily supplementation may lower the risk of developing depression: Ten of the meta-analyses revealed enhanced mood support for individuals taking vitamin D supplements compared to those on a placebo. 

    Studies in which participants consumed more than 5,000 IU of vitamin D daily or the intervention lasted less than or equal to 20 weeks saw the greatest effect in reducing symptoms of depression.

    Given that more than 264 million people3 are affected by depression globally, according to a 2018 Lancet review, and that rates of depression rose during (and in the wake of) the COVID-19 pandemic, this study is an important step forward in our understanding of the condition.

    Social connection, regular exercise, and stress management are often touted as powerful tools in the prevention of mental health challenges. This analysis shows that achieving and maintaining a healthy vitamin D status may be beneficial, too.

    However, more research is needed. The researchers note that the study did not specifically look at certain types or severities of depression e.g., mild, moderate, or postpartum). What’s more, the effect of environmental factors on vitamin D levels—such as sunlight, latitude, and time outside—was not considered.

    [ad_2]

    Victoria Stokes

    Source link

  • Healthy Vitamin D Levels Linked To Lower Risk Of Melanoma

    Healthy Vitamin D Levels Linked To Lower Risk Of Melanoma

    [ad_1]

    Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that supports a number of critical physiological functions in the body—including supporting thyroid health, improving immunity, and building strong bones. A deficiency in vitamin D can result in a long list of less-than-ideal physical and mental symptoms—such as poor bone health, brain fog, a weakened immune system, and a negative mood. 

    Although it’s arguably one of the most important vitamins for whole-body health, most people don’t get enough of it. In fact, 29% of U.S. adults2 are deficient in vitamin D and an additional 41% are insufficient, even though we can get the vital nutrient through multiple sources (namely: sunlight, food, and supplements).

    Of course, the fact that our bodies can absorb vitamin D through the sun may contribute to why so many people are deficient. Most people do not get enough sunlight throughout the day to reach optimal vitamin D levels, especially those who live in northern climates. Wearing sunscreen also inhibits this process (but you should definitely still wear sunscreen to reduce your risk of developing skin cancer), so even if you get outside every day, you probably aren’t getting enough vitamin D from the sun alone. 

    [ad_2]

    Anne Taylor

    Source link

  • New Research Shows Vitamin D May Help Folks With Diabetes

    New Research Shows Vitamin D May Help Folks With Diabetes

    [ad_1]

    The problem? Reaching and sustaining sufficient vitamin D status is much easier said than done. In fact, 29% of U.S. adults3 are deficient in vitamin D.

    You see, foods with vitamin D don’t have large enough amounts to make a dent in vitamin D levels—especially in individuals that are already deficient. “What about sunshine?” you may ask. Unfortunately, sunlight isn’t a reliable source of vitamin D production for most people either, as it’s influenced by a number of factors (e.g., age, biological sex, latitude, climate, time of year, skin tone, sunscreen use, and how much skin is exposed to sun). 

    The optimal manner to effectively reach and sustain healthy vitamin D status (which leading wellness experts agree is a blood serum measurement of 50 ng/ml or higher) is through daily vitamin D supplementation. 

    That said, not any vitamin D supplement will do—many deliver sub-efficacious doses, feature inferior forms, or fail to prioritize bioavailability. (To see the products mindbodygreen trusts to sustain optimal D levels, check out our guide to the best vitamin D supplements.)

    [ad_2]

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • Your Weight Could Alter Vitamin D’s Effect on Health

    Your Weight Could Alter Vitamin D’s Effect on Health

    [ad_1]

    By Steven Reinberg 

    HealthDay Reporter

    TUESDAY, Jan. 24, 2023 (HealthDay News) — Vitamin D is widely promoted for better health, but if you’re overweight, you might not reap the benefits.

    In a new study, researchers found a 30% to 40% reduction in cancer, cancer deaths and autoimmune diseases among people with a lower body mass index (BMI) who took vitamin D supplements, but only a small benefit among those with higher BMIs.
     

    “Patients with obesity, despite taking the same amount of supplement, had a lower response,” said lead researcher Deirdre Tobias, an assistant professor in the department of nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, in Boston.

    The cutoff was a BMI of less than 25, which is considered a healthy weight, the study authors noted.

    It’s not known why being overweight or obese affects levels of the so-called “sunshine vitamin,” but low absorption of vitamin D could be widespread, given that more than 40% of Americans are obese, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

    “It’s not clear whether it’s due to their body weight, per se, or maybe some other factor related to an individual’s body weight. It may be due to adiposity itself. Having a lower body weight may lead to a higher internal dose of vitamin D,” Tobias said. Adiposity is having too much fatty tissue in the body.

    The next step in the research is to try and tease out just what it is about weight that affects the metabolism of vitamin D, she noted.

    Tobias also said it’s not clear if overweight and obese people can counter the lower effect of vitamin D supplements by taking higher doses.

    “This is not the type of vitamin where you can take unlimited amounts. You mostly excrete it in your urine if you take too much,” she said. “So taking a higher dose just to be on the safe side is not something this study is suggesting or would recommend.”

    For the study, Tobias and her colleagues used data from the Vitamin D and Omega-3 Trial (VITAL), which randomly assigned nearly 26,000 older adults to vitamin D supplements or placebo. Although the trial showed little benefit in taking vitamin D supplements to prevent cancer, heart attack or stroke, there appeared to be a correlation between body weight and the risk for cancer, cancer deaths and autoimmune disease.

    The researchers decided to dig a little deeper into the data. They looked at about 16,500 participants who provided blood samples at the start of the trial and nearly 3,000 who gave follow-up blood samples two years later.

    The investigators found that signs of vitamin D metabolism were seen in all the participants regardless of weight, but were much less in overweight or obese people.

    “Vitamin D has been shown to reduce the risk of osteoporosis and other chronic diseases,” said Emma Laing, director of dietetics at the University of Georgia and a national spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

    Scientists have suggested a few ways that might make vitamin D supplementation less effective among people with larger bodies, Laing noted. “As vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it’s possible that people with higher levels of adipose tissue store more vitamin D in these tissues so less is detectable in the blood. Another hypothesis is that adipose tissue suppresses enzymes and receptors that are responsible for vitamin D’s effectiveness in the body,” she said.

    Laing doesn’t advise taking vitamin D supplements without consulting with your doctor first as supplements can have side effects. “Adverse events, ranging from less serious to life-threatening, could occur if you take more than the suggested dose, if you take a combination of supplements, or if you are taking a supplement that interacts negatively with your medications,” she said.
     

    Still, supplements are helpful in certain instances, Laing noted.

    Taking a vitamin D supplement might be appropriate if you can’t get the necessary amount through your diet or if sunlight exposure is limited due to climate, skin color or sunscreen use, she said.

    “A supplement may be warranted if a person eliminates food groups from their eating pattern, has a diagnosed vitamin or mineral deficiency, or takes medications that affect appetite or interfere with nutrient digestion and absorption,” Laing said. In those cases, it might be necessary to get vitamins and minerals from supplements, she suggested.
     

    Also, when food choices are strictly limited due to food allergies or intolerance, strict diets or health conditions like celiac disease, supplementation is usually recommended to prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies, Laing explained.

    In addition, people who have had weight-loss surgery may require supplements. “Competitive athletes and individuals serving in the military are also among those who might need supplements if their physical performance demands make it difficult to meet their nutrition needs from food alone,” Laing said.

    The report was published online Jan. 17 in JAMA Network Open.

    More information

    For more on vitamin D, head to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

     

    SOURCES: Deirdre Tobias, ScD, assistant professor, department of nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, Boston; Emma Laing, PhD, RDN, director, dietetics, University of Georgia, Athens, national spokesperson, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; JAMA Network Open, Jan. 17, 2023, online
     

     

    [ad_2]

    Source link

  • How To Tell If You’re Vitamin D Deficient + What To Do About It

    How To Tell If You’re Vitamin D Deficient + What To Do About It

    [ad_1]

    While vitamin D deficiency can cause a variety of symptoms, the biggest sign that you are deficient in this vitamin is tiredness and the general feeling of being unwell. “Low vitamin D levels contribute to fatigue,” functional practitioner B.J. Hardick, D.C. previously wrote in a mindbodygreen article. “But getting sufficient amounts can correct this problem.” 

    Research has identified a link between fatigue and low vitamin D levels. In a 2019 study published in EPMA Journal, 90% of multiple sclerosis patients2 were also found to be vitamin D deficient. After improving their vitamin D status, their quality of life improved and their fatigue subsided.

    Achiness and a general feeling of being unwell are often connected to fatigue. These symptoms, along with other signs of low vitamin D (e.g., low mood or getting sick often) can add up—especially in winter when everything already feels kind of depressing and “blah.” 

    Maybe you stayed up late this week catching up on White Lotus and you’re blaming your sleepiness on that. Or, you’ve recently started traveling again, and you’re blaming your feeling of being unwell and general struggle to get back into your work schedule on jetlag. 

    While these symptoms can easily be attributed to other factors (illness, chronic stress, poor sleep health, etc.), experiencing them together almost 24/7 indicates it might be time to get your vitamin D levels checked. 

    [ad_2]

    Josey Murray

    Source link

  • Vitamin D Helps Modulate Blood Sugar & Promotes Metabolic Health*

    Vitamin D Helps Modulate Blood Sugar & Promotes Metabolic Health*

    [ad_1]

    Cells use glucose (aka from blood sugar) to make energy to carry out their functions throughout the body. Glucose is especially important in the brain, where blood sugar is in high demand, as it’s used to produce neurotransmitters that enable the central nervous system to communicate with the rest of the body.

    But it’s not only cognitive functions that require adequate amounts of glucose—healthy blood sugar levels have an impact on mood regulation, energy, sleep, metabolic health, and more. The key to healthy blood sugar, or glycemia, is maintaining balanced levels—we need sufficient blood glucose to help our cells and organ systems carry out their daily activities, but too much blood sugar and suboptimal insulin sensitivity can result in health concerns.

    [ad_2]

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • How Healthy Vitamin D Levels Support Sex Drive Through The Winter

    How Healthy Vitamin D Levels Support Sex Drive Through The Winter

    [ad_1]

    According to a 2016 study from the European Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, healthy vitamin D levels are associated with higher scores in sexual desire, orgasm, and satisfaction in healthy women.

    In a 2018 study published by the International Journal of Impotence Research, the same researchers found similar results in men: Participants with healthy vitamin D levels were found to have better scores in erectile function1, orgasmic function, and sexual desire than men with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. 

    Translation? Maintaining truly optimal levels of vitamin D can help support a healthy libido—even in the winter! Daily vitamin D supplementation, specifically, has been found to improve testosterone levels2 in men and result in healthier levels of estrogen and progesterone3 in menstruating women. 

    Considering testosterone, estrogen, and progesterone all play a role in sexual desire and arousal, it may be time to consider a high-quality vitamin D supplement if your sex drive is hurting this winter (read mbg’s guide to finding the best vitamin D supplement here).

    [ad_2]

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link

  • Muscle Strength Loss Increases 70% If You’re Deficient In This Vitamin

    Muscle Strength Loss Increases 70% If You’re Deficient In This Vitamin

    [ad_1]

    Researchers found that the risk of incidence of dynapenia increased by 70% for individuals with vitamin D levels under 12 ng/ml. They also found that great vitamin D deficiency (under 12 ng/ml) and deficiency (under 20 ng/ml) were risk factors for muscle strength loss for older adults without osteoporosis who also didn’t take a vitamin D supplement. This indicates that deficient vitamin D levels could compromise muscle strength. 

    This finding becomes even more salient when considering the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the growing aging population: You see, 29% 3of U.S. adults are already vitamin D deficient, and one in six people will be over 60 by 2030, according to the World Health Organization4.

    The results of this study suggest that vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for the loss of muscle strength in older adults. In order to avoid the worst effects of vitamin D deficiency, it’s crucial to check your vitamin D levels, either at home or at your doctor’s office. In fact, you may want to recommend anyone in your life over 50 to do the same. To get ahead of it, consider taking a vitamin D supplement. You can find our favorites here.

    Keeping your muscles strong becomes even more important as you age, as muscle mass and strength are massively beneficial in preventing falls and injuries. (It’s so important that mindbodygreen even flagged strength training for longevity as a 2023 wellness trend.) 

    [ad_2]

    Josey Murray

    Source link

  • Is It Seasonal Depression Or Just The Winter Blues? How To Tell

    Is It Seasonal Depression Or Just The Winter Blues? How To Tell

    [ad_1]

    Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), aka seasonal depression, occurs in areas that experience lower levels of sunlight during certain times of the year. 

    In the United States, it’s most prevalent in the northern regions of the country—i.e., Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the Northeast. The further north you live1 (i.e., the further you are from the equator), the more susceptible you are. 

    According to a 2015 article from Depression Research and Treatment, SAD is four times more common in women than men and cases typically begin between the ages of 18 and 30. 

    While seasonal depression is a clinical diagnosis, a subsyndromal type of SAD with milder symptoms called S-SAD, or “the winter blues,” is more common. For example, 15% of the Canadian population and 20% of the U.K. population experiences the winter blues, while only 2%-6% and 2% experience SAD in Canada and the U.K., respectively.

    [ad_2]

    Morgan Chamberlain

    Source link