Disease Proof : Disease Proof : Health & Nutrition News & Commentary : Dr. Joel Fuhrman

A new study in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease claims low blood levels of vitamin D may heighten the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Scientists point out numerous studies have linked vitamin D deficiency with conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, depression and gum disease, and that all of these have been associated with increased risk of dementia. The cost of Alzheimer’s care in the U.S. tops $100 billion each year; via Nutra Ingredients.

Vitamin D deficiency is an epidemic, with c-sections, high blood pressure and heart attacks all linked to inadequate vitamin D. Vitamin D helps your body build strong bones and stave off osteoporosis and helps to prevent cancer, such as colon, breast and prostate cancer.

Many multivitamins do not contain sufficient vitamin D. That’s why Dr. Fuhrman’s Osteo-Sun is specifically designed to provide enough vitamin D, both in its vegan and non-vegan forms.

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Vitamin D is more effective than calcium for protecting and building bone, plus it powerfully protects against cancer. Too much calcium can actually interfere with the conversion of vitamin D into its biologically active form, but some extra calcium taken with the Vitamin D has been shown in studies to aid bone health. The main issue is that most people still take too much calcium and do not have adequate levels of vitamin D in their tissues and this places them at a dramatic increased risk of osteoporosis and other diseases. A multivitamin containing the RDA for D is simply not sufficient to bring blood levels up to the ideal range, especially as we age.

My recommended dosage of Vitamin D varies based on individual need, but my supplement Osteo-Sun is designed so most people will be in the ideal range from the intake of 3 per day, in addition to one's multivitamin. Some may require more and some may not need as much as 3, however, the amount that is right for you can best be determined by a blood test screening for vitamin D 25 hydroxy. Most people, over 80 percent, taking a typical multivitamin that contains 400 IUs of vitamin D are still deficient when tested.

I recommend that people take 2 of my Gentle Care Formula daily supplement, with 800 IUs of vitamin D, plus 3 of the Osteo-Sun. Then at some point, just to make sure the standard recommendation is right for you, have your vitamin D levels checked with a blood test. Then the supplement dose can be adjusted up or down depending on the results. Take one extra if your level is below 35 and take one less if your level is above 50.

My vitamin D supplement is designed to have most people fall in this ideal range, not too much and not too little. For those getting more daily sun exposure, generally, taking only 2 daily is adequate. Plus, it has silica for stronger bones, hair and nails! Osteo-Sun gives you the extra vitamin D you need and just the right levels of calcium and magnesium to maximize bone health. It comes in two formulas:

Osteo-Sun: Contains vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol, derived from sheep wool and is the most potent and efficient form of vitamin D.

Osteo-Sun Vegan: Utilizes vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, a form of the vitamin which is obtained only from plant sources. Higher levels of vitamin D2 are used in this product to adjust for its lower hormonal activity. Even though it may have a shorter half life, in daily use, this higher dose, taken regularly, is just as effective.

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Expectant mothers need more sun. Presented at the Pediatric Academic Societies annual meeting, scientists recommend women of childbearing age spend more time in the sun in order to get sufficient vitamin D. Researchers found over one-third of mothers and 58% of their infants have vitamin D deficiency at birth. Blood samples from 433 women and 376 newborns, within 72 hours of birth, revealed low vitamin D was present in 36% of mothers, with deficiency was considered severe in roughly two-thirds of cases; Reuters reports.

The sun is important to our health. We convert ultraviolet rays into vitamin D, which tells our bodies to absorb calcium and phosphorus. Other studies show mom’s getting enough sun exposure strengths their children’s bones. Now, Dr. Fuhrman sells a vitamin D supplement, in vegan and non-vegan formulations.

In related news, insufficient vitamin D has been linked sudden cardiac death, such as heart failure and cardiac muscle performance, and rickets in young children.

UPDATE: Dr. Fuhrman had some thoughts on this report:

Mothers should be taking Vitamin D supplements and document the adequacy of their Vitamin D with a blood test and also babies and mom’s in northern climates, not getting sufficient sunshine, should use a baby Vitamin D supplement or they can twist open half a capsule of my OsteoSun and sprinkle some of the tasteless white powder into the babies food, water or breast milk.

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• Paulie walnuts was onto something. Presented at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting, a new study in claims women eating a handful for walnuts each day have a significantly lower risk of breast cancer. Experts link the walnuts omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and phytosterols for slower cancer growth; Reuters reports.

• Speaking of breast cancer, upcoming research in the International Journal of Cancer suggests lifetime exercise reduces death risk from breast cancer. Data on over 1,200 women with breast cancer exercising 4 hours per week over 8.3 years were 44% less likely to die from breast cancer; from Reuters.

• Lifestyle is also being tied to diabetes. New research in the Archives of Internal Medicine reveals lifestyle factors such as physical activity, diet, smoking and alcohol consumption are independently linked with the incidence of diabetes. For the study, 4,883 men and women, ages 65 and older, eating a good diet and exercising had 46% less risk of diabetes and not smoking and drinking contributed to an 82% lower risk; HealthDay News explains.

• And earlier this year, a study published in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism claims stronger quadriceps, i.e. your thigh muscles, protects against cartilage loss in the knee, contributing to arthritis. The study involved 265 patients with knee osteoarthritis and those with the highest quadriceps strength had less knee pain and better physical function than people with weaker quads; Med Page Today reports.

• As for asthma, findings in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine show inadequate levels of vitamin D maybe associated with asthma severity and allergies. Scientists examined 616 children, ages 6 to 14 years, discovering sufficient vitamin D was inversely related to inflammation leading to asthma; via Booster Shots.

• Here’s an unsightly side effect of obesity. Discussed during the Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Urological Association, experts link morbid obesity with higher risk of urinary tract infections (UTI). After evaluated nearly 100,000 insurance claims over a 5 year period, analysts learned greater BMI boasted the odds of being diagnosed with UTI; News Wise investigates.

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