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americans controversy vitamin D
Notes by bellapria: For most of us, vitamins are synonymous with good health. Yet most Americans do not take vitamins. (See Research Update along side this article.) Changing diet affects the need for vitamins, as does age, since older bodies don't absorb vitamins as well as
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| volume 2 number 6 june 2003 | ||||||||||||
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For most of us, vitamins are synonymous with good health. Yet most Americans do not take vitamins. (See Research Update along side this article.) Changing diet affects the need for vitamins, as does age, since older bodies don't absorb vitamins as well as younger ones. Vitamin D is a good example of the controversy surrounding vitamins. Vitamin D seems like a familiar friend. It's been added to milk and listed on our milk cartons for as long as many of us can remember. But if you think that Vitamin D has long been well understood, think again! The Truth About Vitamin DThe "facts" surrounding vitamin D are in a state of flux. Strictly speaking, vitamin D is not a vitamin at all. By definition, a vitamin is a substance we require but cannot make in sufficient quantity for maximum health. Recently, scientists have come to understand that our bodies can synthesize all the D we require for full health, but only when conditions are right. Our bodies synthesize a precursor form of the vitamin. It requires UV irradiation from the sun for conversion to vitamin D2. This reaction occurs in our skin. Vitamin D2 spontaneously rearranges its structure to produce vitamin D3, the form present in our vitamin pill. Vitamin D3 is modified to additional active forms by the liver, kidney and various tissues of the body, resulting in a range of biological activities.
Vitamin D Deficiency and Disease
Rickets was the first of many discoveries linking vitamin D deficiency with disease. Preliminary research has now implicated this vitamin in a host of common diseases, including osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, muscle weakness, high blood pressure, diabetes, multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Crohn's disease, and cancer. Several of these diseases are attributed to vitamin D's regulatory action on the immune system. In animal models of autoimmune disease, especially MS, vitamin D has been demonstrated to virtually stop the progression of the disease. This effect is attributed to vitamin D's capacity to "reboot" the immune system and consequently to decrease inflammation by lowering the level of inflammatory cytokines and elevating the level of anti-inflammatory cytokines. The story is not yet complete, however. The actual mechanism is sure to be more complex, since this vitamin is involved in the regulation of numerous genes. No fewer than 21 different types of tissues contain the vitamin D receptor and thus are somehow affected by vitamin D. The vitamin may also have a role in prevention of prostate, colorectal and breast cancer. Studies have demonstrated a significant correlation between low plasma levels of D and increased incidence of cancer. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an inverse correlation between the amount of exposure to sunlight and the incidence of MS, RA, prostate, and colorectal cancer. MS is virtually nonexistent in the equatorial regions of the world, and the incidence of this disease increases with latitude. The Eskimos, however, offer an exception. They have a low incidence of MS, but their diet is rich in fish and, therefore, vitamin D. Significant evidence indicates the average American does not have an adequate amount of vitamin D (as determined by measuring plasma levels) for maximum health and prevention of disease. This is especially true of those over 50, as older skin does not function as well in the conversion of inactive to active vitamin D. Others who have impaired D synthesis are those with dark skin, and many women who live in cultures in which clothing and veils cover their skin. Epidemiological data also show an increased incidence of prostate cancer in dark-skinned men. To produce an equivalent level of vitamin D, very black skin requires 6 times longer exposure to the sun than does very light skin.
How Much Is Optimal?
Interestingly, the amount of vitamin D synthesized by white human skin under intensive UV exposure (a level commonly produced by our outdoor ancestors) is equivalent to 4,000 IU/day, ten times the amount currently recommended. Recent investigations indicate that oral intake of this amount/day does not cause adverse effects. However, the upper limit for adults, as recommended by the US Standing Committee on the Scientific Evaluation of Dietary Reference Intakes (1997), is in the range of 2000 IU/day. This is a controversial number! So how much should we take/day, if any? This question has no definitive answer just yet. The current recommended adult adequate intake level (400 IU/day) was set before we knew about the intricate details of vitamin D metabolism. Furthermore, the early recommendations were directed toward preventing the childhood disease of rickets, and not the numerous D-associated diseases, mentioned above, which at that time were largely thought to be unrelated to vitamin D. The major danger from taking too much of the vitamin is developing hypercalcemia (elevated serum calcium), which can cause kidney stones and harm kidney tissue. However, this can be monitored by routine blood or urine analysis. The evidence indicates that the recommended 400 IU/day is probably too conservative for people over 50, and two to three times that amount may be closer to the target level. |
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Although the need for vitamins and minerals is widely recognized, most Americans don't bother to take supplements that would ensure adequate vitamin intake. A national survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produced data indicating that 60% of the U.S. population had not taken at least 1 vitamin or mineral in the past month. Vitamin C is the most commonly consumed vitamin, followed by several B vitamins. Vitamin E is 7th, A is 8th and D is 9th on the list of the top ten most common ingredients. Folic acid, well known for its importance during pregnancy, is 10th. Vitamin consumption correlates with age, education, gender and geography. The groups with the highest vitamin supplementation are those who are non-Hispanic whites, women, 50 and over, have 13+ years of education, and live in the West. For further information, click here. This Research Update column highlights articles related to recent scientific inquiry into the process of human aging. It is not intended to promote any specific ingredient, regimen, or use and should not be construed as evidence of the safety, effectiveness, or intended uses of the Juvenon product. The Juvenon label should be consulted for intended uses and appropriate directions for use of the product. |
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QUESTION:
I take the Juvenon
energy pill and love it, but how do I know which are the right
vitamins to take along with it?
ANSWER:
Most people do not
consume the required amount of fruits and vegetables per day to
meet the daily vitamin requirement. In addition, the elderly and
those with genetic errors require more than the recommended daily
intake.
Send your questions to
AskBen@juvenon.com. Benjamin V. Treadwell, Ph.D., is a former Harvard Medical School associate professor and member of Juvenon's Scientific Advisory Board. |
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. |
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