The Daily Dose- 12/25/08

If you have a medical problem, or something is bothering you or a member of your family, The Jackson County Times now has a local physician, Dr. John Spence, of the Panhandle Family Care Associates available to respond to your questions via e-mail.
I have written previously on the subject of vitamin D supplementation in the general population. I think the importance of vitamin D deserves another look – perhaps with more enlightening statistics (as everyone knows, I am a tremendous fan of statistics).
Between 40-90% of elderly individuals have defined vitamin D deficiency (levels less than 30 ng/ml). Even in Florida where the average is 64%. Replacement with standard doses (400 IU) is ineffective at raising levels appreciably, and it does nothing to enhance bone mass, prevent falls, or fractures. Most people believe the sun or milk consumption provides us with all of our inherent vitamin D needs. Unfortunately, it would mean getting a mild sunburn to the arms and legs at least four days a week to get the minimum amount that may be required. Further, it would take twenty glasses of milk or orange juice per day to achieve the same effect.
Two studies from 2007 have elucidated the benefits of vitamin D. The first, from the American Journal of Nutrition, evaluated 1180 post-menopausal women after four years of vitamin D supplementation (1000 IU/day). The risk of contracting any cancer was 60% lower in the vitamin D group as compared to those on nothing. Risk reductions with individual cancers included breast (50%), colon (50%), prostate (49%) and ovary (36%).
The second study published in the reputable New England Journal of Medicine suggested that anywhere from 40-100% of all elderly patients in the United States and Europe have insufficient or deficient vitamin D levels. The authors calculated the rates of various diseases affected by vitamin D status and have churned out the following numbers:
● 200% increase in Type I diabetes mellitus in vitamin D deficient children
● 37% reduction in Type 2 diabetes in those taking 800 IU of vitamin D plus calcium
● 72% reduction in falls
● 30-50% more cancer in vitamin D deficient people
● 42% reduction in risk of multiple sclerosis if taking greater than 400 IU/day
They go further to suggest that inadequate vitamin D levels increase the likelihood of hypertension, depression, osteoarthritis, schizophrenia, autoimmune disease and pulmonary disease.
Recently, the recommended amount of daily supplementation has increased from 400 IU to 800 IU per day. This may not even be enough! A dose of 1000 IU/day will increase blood levels 11.6 ng/ml – experts suggest patients shoot for levels greater than 60 ng/ml, which far exceeds what is now considered standard.
Dr. William Faloon notes that our shortsightedness in globally recommending higher vitamin D doses and higher blood levels has taken twelve times as many American lives as were killed in World War II. I suggest all middle age adults start now and supplement with at least 800-1000 IU per day. Vitamin D is extremely safe up to doses of 10,000 IU per day and it is dirt-cheap. I see no great excuse at not jumping on the vitamin D bandwagon – your body will thank you.
Do you have any medical questions or concerns that you would like addressed? You can contact Dr. Spence by email at panhandledailydose@hotmail.com or by mailing your question to Daily Dose, P.O. Box 6107, Marianna, FL 32446.