Supplementation measured against sun exposure!
Oral supplementation of vitamin D remains the safest way to get adequate levels, researchers have concluded in a study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. The study compared the sun exposure required to achieve serum vitamin D3 concentrations equivalent to 400iu.
Looking at Boston, America between April and October, it was found that an individual on average would need 8 minutes in the sun to synthesise 400iu, but in Miami, Florida it would only take about 4 minutes. Concluding the research, the team noted that although sun exposure is a good way to obtain vitamin D, there are too many well-known detrimental side effects related to ultraviolet irradiation. Therefore, oral supplementation remains the safest way for increasing vitamin D status.
Low Vitamin D levels ‘linked to Parkinson’s disease’
In a Finnish study of 3000 people, published in Archives of Neurology, found that people with the lowest levels of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, had a three-fold higher risk of developing Parkinson’s disease. It was suggested that vitamin D could help protect the nerve cells gradually lost by people with the disease. The study was conducted over 30 years and also concluded that as we age our bodies ability to produce vitamin D through the action of sunlight on the skin diminishes.
Further research is required to find out whether taking a dietary supplement, or increased sun exposure may have an effect on Parkinson’s, and at what quantity and stage these would be most beneficial.
Sources:
Health Food Business: August 2010, Volume 23, Issue 10, Page 10.
BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/10601091.stm
For many years vitamin D has been promoted as the must have vitamin to improve calcium uptake in people who have bone and joint problems, but it really does so much more, and I think now is the time to tell you just what a few of those things are!
Anti-Ageing
A recent study at King’s College London, found that from a group of more than 2000 women, aged between 18 and 79, those with higher levels of vitamin D, showed fewer ageing-related changes to their DNA. Professor Tim Spector, speculated “It’s possible that the same sunshine which may increase our risk of skin cancer, may also have a healthy effect on the ageing process in general.”
Whilst very excited the authors of the study did say that further research is now needed to determine just how vitamin D has this protective, anti-ageing role.
Easing of Parkinson’s Disease
A US team have found that 55% of Parkinson’s patients have insufficient levels of vitamin D, compared to 36% of healthy elderly people. It is not yet fully known if the deficiency is the cause or the result of having the disease, but a good source of vitamin D may be important for the normal functions of these cells.
Vitamin D is found in the diet, but is primarily formed in the skin by exposure to sunlight. However our ability to produce the vitamin decreases with age. One theory is that people with Parkinson’s may be more vulnerable because their condition limits the amount of time they spend outside.
So I think the general advice here would be, get outside, enjoy the sun responsibly and use a vitamin D supplement or multivitamin as an insurance policy.
Healthy Heart
Too little vitamin D has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. The Harvard Medical School team said the risk was particularly high for people who also had high blood pressure. The study looked at 1700 people, who had their vitamin D levels tested at the start of the study and were then monitored for several years. Those with low vitamin D levels in their blood had twice the risk of heart attack, heart failure or a stroke compared to those with higher levels.
“Vitamins are easy to administer and in general have few toxic effects” claimed Dr Thomas Wang.
Conclusions
So there you have it, the simple taking of a little vitamin D daily can help protect you against so much more than the customary joint and bone health related problems, helping you combat ageing, heart disease and maybe even slowing down cognitive decline!
Source: Various articles BBC News
