In a study involving data from 18,883 subjects 12 years of age and older, low vitamin D status was associated with increased odds of recent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). While 24% of subjects with 25(OH)D levels less than 10 ng/mL were found to have had a recent URTI, 20% of those with 25(OH)D levels between 10 and less than 30 ng/mL were found to have a recent URTI, compared to only 17% of those with 25(OH)D levels of 30 ng/mL or greater. The
median serum 25(OH)D for subjects with a recent URTI was 29 ng/mL. After adjusting for potential confounders, low 25(OH)D levels were still found to be associated with recent URTI (OR=1.36), with a greater association found in persons with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=5.67; OR=2.26, respectively). The authors
conclude, “Randomized controlled trials are warranted to explore the effects of vitamin D supplementation on RTI.”

“Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and upper respiratory tract infection in the
Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey,” Ginde AA, Mansbach JM, Camargo CA Jr, Arch Intern Med, 2009; 169(4): 384-90. (Address: Emergency Medicine Network, Massachusetts General Hospital, 326 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA).

Source Vitasearch.com 37818

The news has been loaded with a plethora of articles touting the benefits of vitamin D reported in nutrition journals. Based on research of the past few years it appears that Vitamin D plays a large role in regulating the immune system. Most recently the American Academy of Pediatrics have doubled its recommended daily dosage of Vitamin D for kids. Read the rest of this entry

Yet another study showing that low levels of Vitamin D are detrimental to health. Amazingly though this research was published in a major psychiatric journal and suggesting that depression may not be caused because of a Paxil deficiency. (OK so I’m being cynical here, but suggesting that nutrition may play a role in depression is fabulous, because so often it is the cause.). Read the rest of this entry

Here is another study showing that low vitamin D is associated with some common disease. Amazing. Soon we’ll find out that global warming is caused by low vitamin D levels.
The clinical status of patients with knee OA is primarily predicated by their level of pain and their muscle function. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D influences both musculoskeletal health and neuromuscular function. Vitamin D deficiency is common among elders and those with comorbidities. This suggests that vitamin D may especially influence the clinical status of patients with knee OA. This study examined whether serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level was associated with pain and physical function in patients with symptomatic knee OA. Read the rest of this entry

According to an article published in the Journal of Nutrition black and white pregnant women and neonates residing in the northern US are at high risk of vitamin D insufficiency, even when mothers are compliant with prenatal vitamins. Read the rest of this entry

In yet another study showing the importance of the vitamin of the year, Vitamin D, lower maternal intake is linked to an increase in wheezing among 5 year olds. The study was done here in New England (in Boston at the Brigham and Beth Israel) where the prevalence of asthma is the highest in the nation. Read the rest of this entry

An interesting study was released this week that made headlines stating Vitamin D can help prevent breast cancer. But reading the study what it really stated is that girls with the highest intake of Vitamin D during puberty/adolescents had the lowest incidence of breast cancer. Those with the highest amount of sun exposure had the lowest rates of breast cancer. This is very similar to my meta-analysis paper on soy phytoestrogen and breast cancer protection. Read the rest of this entry

Well another study showing that vitamin D supplementation may save your ass. Literally. It concluded that 1-2 grams of Vitamin D can reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer by over 50%! This is up to five times the RDA for Vitamin D. No doubt plasma vitamin D levels will soon be part of a standard blood screen as it is an inexpensive test. I uploaded the entire research article in pdf here: Colorectal cancer and vitamin D

It is recommended that folks should supplement with vitamin D from Nov – April in the Northeast. There are many supplements available through Emerson Ecologics as well as your local health food store. Make sure you take the active form Vitamin D3, cholecalciferol!

George Mandler
Licensed Acupuncturist & Nutritionist Dietitian
Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, & Nutrition
Boston, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Massachusetts

A recent research publication concluded that low UVB exposure and high animal protein intake are associated with an increase in renal cancer. The researchers conclude that the low UVB causes low Vitamin D levels. Here we are again with another study showing that low Vitamin D has a hand in many illnesses. Sunshine is our friend. Read the rest of this entry

It seems that almost every week in the past 2 years there has been a publication showing that Vitamin D deficiency may play a role in many major diseases. Here is another one showing that newly diagnosed type 1 diabetics have lower plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations than controls. We’ve learned enough to know that the best way to get vitamin D is from sunshine. From Nov – April in the Boston area we should be supplementing with cholecalciferol (Vitamin D-3) probably at least 1000IU/day. However it is easy to measure 25OHD concentrations in the plasma. So if you have insurance ask your MD to run a Vitamin D panel for you, if you don’t have insurance I can run a panel for you at cost.

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George Mandler
Licensed Acupuncturist & Nutritionist Dietitian
Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, & Nutrition
Boston, Jamaica Plain, Brookline, Massachusetts