[A Friendly Geek]

I routinely listen to a podcast about computer security called Security Now. Steve Gibson is the host of the show and performs a very diligent investigation for each topic before recording each show. (Steve also coined the term "spyware").

On a recent show, I was amazed to find that the topic was not related to computer security at all, but rather Vitamin D. In his regular fashion, Steve appears to have left "no stone unturned" in his research of the subject. I was very surprised to learn that increasing the amount of vitamin D way above the recommended daily allowance appears to have substantial health benefits.

Here is a link to Steve's page about Vitamin D. On this page, he has many links to additional resources including video presentations by Doctors. (The first video has been removed). The one video that I found the most interesting was the one titled "Vitamin D and the prevention of chronic diseases" by Dr. Michael Holic who is a professor of medicine at Boston University.

I would be very interested in the feedback from any medical professionals as well as anyone who has increased their intake of vitamin D.

[mrshoward]

Nutrition was one of my many majors in college...

Vitamin D is the most important nutrient.

High levels of Vitamin D have been shown to prevent most
chronic age related diseases due to the effect of reducing inflammation...

[bmoregrl]

Not only for the disease prevention, but to boost your immunity during flu season. I am giving it to my entire family. Health food store has it in the liquid form.

[oceanblue]

I have heard several medical professionals speculate that the RDA may be increased on Vitamin D in the near future .... but, this is still just speculation.

Personally, I would feel comfortable taking extra Vitamin D supplements based on the research articles that I have read recently ... but, again I think that this is something that everyone should research on their own and make an informed decision.

Very large doses of vitamin D have been known to cause dehydration & constipation (this is a fat soluable vitamin, not a water soluable one ... the difference being that in a water soluable vitamin, like vitamin C for example, if you take too much, more than your body needs, it will be excreted in your urine {exceptions have been noted in dehydrated persons and in those with certain medical conditions and with massive doses}) ... sometimes leading to impaired kidney function.

[A Friendly Geek]

Something for the ladies:

Women with breast cancer should be given high doses of vitamin D because a majority of them are likely to have low levels of vitamin D, which could contribute to decreased bone mass and greater risk of fractures, according to scientists at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

In a study of 166 women undergoing treatment for breast cancer, nearly 70 percent had low levels of vitamin D in their blood, according to a study presented Oct. 8 at the American Society of Clinical Oncology's Breast Cancer Symposium in San Francisco. The analysis showed women with late-stage disease and non-Caucasian women had even lower levels.

"Vitamin D is essential to maintaining bone health and women with breast cancer have accelerated bone loss due to the nature of hormone therapy and chemotherapy. It's important for women and their doctors to work together to boost their vitamin D intake," said Luke Peppone, Ph.D., research assistant professor of Radiation Oncology, at Rochester's James P. Wilmot Cancer Center. He is a member of the National Cancer Institute's Community Clinical Oncology Program research base in Rochester.

More here.


And something for the guys:

Vitamin D can inhibit the spread of prostate cancer cells by limiting the activity of two specific enzymes, University of Rochester Medical Center scientists report.

The finding means that vitamin D could provide beneficial treatment to prostate cancer patients with high levels of the enzymes, the scientists said.

"We wanted to know the targets of vitamin D so we would know which patients would respond better," said Yi-Fen Lee, Ph.D., an assistant professor of Urology at the Medical Center who led the research.

The journal Carcinogenesis published the findings by Lee and her fellow researchers in its January issue. The research was conducted in test tubes using human prostate cancer cells lines.

Research evidence increasingly has indicated that vitamin D suppresses the progression of cancer. Medical Center scientists discovered that vitamin D significantly limits the ability of prostate cancer cells to invade healthy cells by reducing the activity of two enzymes – proteases called matrix metalloproteinase and cathepsin. Vitamin D also increases the level of counterpart enzymes that inhibit matrix metalloproteinase and cathepsin, the Rochester scientists found.

More here.

[Lady Raider]

Interesting... I think the sun is also a good source of vitiam D

[PauldingMom]

As a woman undergoing treatment for Breast Cancer, I have done some research into Vitamin D. During Chemotherapy I took a high dose of Vit. D due to the inability to be in the sun for very long. It is my understanding that you do not actually get vitamin D from the sun but the sun makes you body better absorb the vitamin.

[Oh No Its Me]

I recently had a complete physical done with full blood work etc. The only thing they found wrong with me was that my vitamin D levels were low. Low vitamin D can cause all sorts of things that people usually chalk up to something else....how many times have people said cavities are caused from too much sugar and lack of good dental care? Turns out vitamin D or lack of plays a role. Or so I was told by the DR.

Anywho she said to start taking a 400 IU supplement and that I can slowly increase it over time.

Just kinda interesting, I knew you needed that stuff but never realized that it was actually something important.

[A Friendly Geek]

Two more interesting articles about Vitamin D:


Fight Off Back Aches & Pains This Winter With Extra Vitamin D


Children Face Vitamin D Deficiency

[Teatime]

I always make sure I get plenty of D. I take supplements, eat right and spend as much time in the sun as I can. It helps me fight depression. I notice a big difference in my mood levels if I neglect my vitamin D. Which is " one " reason why people are more prone to depression during the holidays / winter .. lack of sunshine. It is a vital nutrient and should never be neglected.

[A Friendly Geek]

I have been taking 5000 I.U. per day for about a month now and feel great.

[Teatime]

Ironically, one of the reasons for the increase in lack of vitamin D, is the use of sunblock. I don't use sunblock, nor do my kids. I wear a hat and light clothing. Except on days where that isn't possible. Such as swimming in a pool outdoors. I believe that the media suggesting that people wear sunblock everyday, has indeed created this problem. Everything in life good or bad, has it's consequences. I believe everything should be taken in moderation. Too much of anything, is a bad thing.