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

More kudos for vitamin D! A new study in the journal Arthritis & Rheumatism claims insufficient vitamin D may cause cartilage loss in knee joints. For the study, involving 880 men and women, ages 51 to 79, scientists measured blood levels of vitamin D and knee cartilage volume. And 3 years later, retesting of 353 people revealed 58% had changes in knee cartilage and worsening osteoarthritis, both men and women with low vitamin D had less knee cartilage; Reuters reports.

Vitamin D is strong medicine and we get vitamin D from the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Vitamin D functions as a hormone, telling our intestines to absorb calcium and phosphorus, which builds strong bones and prevents things like rickets, depression and even difficulty thinking!

In his DVD Osteoporosis Protection for Life, Dr. Fuhrman explains why vitamin D is so critical, the importance of proper diet and he demonstrates a number of bone strengthening exercises.

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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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New research in the journal BMC Psychiatry claims constant sunlight may cause sleep disturbances, leading to insomnia and ultimately raising suicide risk. For the study, scientists analyzed suicides in Greenland between 1968 and 2002, finding a cluster of suicides during summer months when the days are longer. Experts speculate days of constant sunlight may cause an imbalance of brain chemicals linked to mood and when paired with lack of sleep, could be deadly; Reuters investigates.

I’d have to put tinfoil on the windows! Dr. Fuhrman told me it’s about balance. Sunlight is necessary, our bodies convert the sun’s ultraviolet rays into vitamin D, which improves bone health, but sleep is important too. When we sleep our body removes brain waste and this allows for normal function of the nervous and endocrine systems.

In related news, expectant mothers getting enough sun are more likely to have children with stronger bones and sunlight helps older people avoid depression.

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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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A new study in Journal of Inflammation claims polyphenols, plant nutrients that reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, contained in pomegranate extract inhibit the production of inflammatory compounds, potentially preventing chronic inflammation associated with heart disease, Alzheimer's, osteoporosis, diabetes and arthritis. For the study, scientists stimulated cells to prompt an inflammatory response and then incubated the cells with pomegranate. Results showed pomegranate extract decreased pro-inflammatory reaction; Bakery and Snacks investigates.

Pomegranates are the real deal. Dr. Fuhrman calls them potent disease-fighters, especially for prostate cancer. In 2006, a study revealed men drinking pomegranate juice had better PSA scores. And pomegranates have also been found to help prevent atherosclerosis and diabetes.

In related news, the term “antioxidants” is resonating with consumers and increasing their willingness to try products including them. Maybe that’s the why the pomegranate phone is so darn cool.

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New findings in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research reveal antioxidants, such as lycopene, carotenoids and lutein, reduce the likelihood of hip fractures. The 17-year long study, involving 946 individuals, 576 Caucasian women and 370 Caucasian men with an average age of 75, found participants with the highest average intakes of all carotenoids had significantly lower risk of hip fractures, lycopene linked to the lowest risk of hip fracture and non-vertebral fracture; NutraIngredients reports.

In the past, other antioxidants found in plants, such as flavonoids, have been associated with heart health and blueberries, which are packed with nutrients like tannins, anthocyanidins and polyphenols help to prolong mental health and prevent cancer.

But be careful with the vitamins you get outside of food. Recently, a 10-year analysis of 77,000 people showed high-dose beta carotene supplements increase risk of lung cancer. Eek!

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• Not all that surprising, but a new study claims U.S. middle school students are out of shape. Published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine scientists determined half of 5th and 7th graders in Georgia were unable to reach minimum standards for aerobic fitness, 30% of students were overweight and 22% did not get the recommended 60 minutes exercise a day; Reuters reports.

• On the flipside, kids who get plenty of exercise have less depression. In adults, exercise releases endorphins helping people feel more upbeat, same goes for children. A study printed in the Journal of Pediatric Psychology divided overweight, sedentary kids, ages 7 to 11, into two exercise groups, one for 20 minutes a day and the other for 40 minutes, revealing as exercise increased so did the psychological benefits; via Booster Shots.

• And for women, fast-paced walking may be extra good for weight-loss. Researchers discovered women who did three shorter, fast-paced walks a week lost 5 times more belly fat than women walking at a moderate pace 5 days a week, despite both groups burning the same number of calories per workout, without dieting; from Prevention.

• More love for vitamin D. New research in the Archives of Internal Medicine found daily supplements of vitamin D may reduce the risk of various bone breaks. The study, involving 42,279 adults, ages 65 and older, linked vitamin D with a 14% lower risk of non-vertebral fractures and 9% less risk of hip fractures. However, low-dose vitamin D supplements did not decrease the chance of fracture; via NutraIngredients.

• Now this is cool. The American Psychiatric Association will end drug industry-sponsored medical seminars and continuing medical education courses, as well as phasing out meals served at the meetings paid for by drug-makers. One representative of the association said they have decided to separate their professional education from industries involved with psychiatry; The New York Times reports.

• An update on last year’s milk-melamine scandal, a Chinese court will hear the first lawsuit from a family seeking damages for a child poisoned by drinking tainted milk. The parent is seeking 31,000 yuan, or $4,538, from the now bankrupt milk-producer at the center of the scandal. In China, nearly 300,000 children were sickened by contaminated milk, with 90% of affected families accepting state-backed compensation deals; Reuters investigates.

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New findings in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research suggest high-impact exercise, like running, helps keep bones strong in men. Scientists studied 42 athletic men, ages 19 to 45, and discovered running yielded bigger benefits for bone density than strengthen training, both runners and weight-lifters had higher bone density than road cyclists, weight-lifters had strong bones due to bigger muscles, but runners had even stronger bones, regardless of muscle size; Reuters reports.

In January, another study on cyclists showed despite having less body fat and more muscle, bike-riders had weaker bones and were 2.5 to 3 times more likely to develop osteoporosis. Researchers recommended adding running or weight-training. Not a bad idea, because in the U.S. the lifetime rate of bone fracture is 40% in 50-year-old women and over 13% in men, with 300,000 hip fractures each year.

Time for some shameless marketing! Strong bones need strong muscles. Muscles strength is directly related to bone density and in Dr. Fuhrman’s DVD Osteoporosis Protection for Life he demonstrates a bunch of bone-building exercises you can do at home and it’s a lot cheaper than a gym membership!

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New research in the Journal of Nutrition suggests quadrupling Vitamin D levels in the winter. For the study, scientists recruited 112 women, average age of 22.2, giving some a placebo between March 2005 and September 2005 and then given a placebo or a vitamin D supplement until February 2006. At the end of the experiment, women on the vitamin D supplement had higher serum levels 25-hydroxyvitamin D, 35.3 nanomoles per liter compared to only 10.9 nanomoles per liter. The body manufactures Vitamin D from ultra-violet light derived from the sun; NutraIngredients reports.

Dr. Fuhrman is a huge proponent of vitamin D, especially for bone health, more so than calcium. Vitamin D also helps reduce risk of hip fractures, multiple sclerosis and boosts physical strength in young girls. And it was not too long ago the American Academy of Pediatrics suggested doubling kids’ intake of vitamin D, citing evidence vitamin D helps prevent serious illness, like cancer and diabetes.

Vitamin D deficiency has drawn increased attention over the past few months. Previous studies have associated insufficient Vitamin D with stunted growth, hypertension and rickets. In the winter, when the days are shorter and sunlight is in short supply, therapeutic lights can keep the sunshine coming.

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You might not realize it, but osteoporosis is an epidemic, effecting 8 million American women and 2 million men, yes men can get it too, and causes 1.5 million bone fractures each year. Now, in his brand new DVD, Osteoporosis Protection for Life, Dr. Fuhrman discusses the causes of osteoporosis, offers prevention strategies, like nutrition and exercise, and dispels a lot of the misinformation about osteoporosis.

Like how drugs aren’t the answer. In January, a study came out linking the popular osteoporosis drug Fosamax with esophageal cancer. From October 2005 to May 2008, the FDA received 23 claims of patients being diagnosed with esophagus cancer and Fosamax is the suspect drug in 21 cases and the concomitant drug in 2. And previously, Fosamax and its generic alendronate were found to be associated with irregular heartbeat. Eek!

Then later in January, we learned not all exercise is created equal. Cyclists, despite being thin and fit, actually have more osteoporosis. That’s why researchers suggested bike-riders add running and weight-training to their workouts. Strong muscles mean strong bones and no hip fractures. Because just the other day a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association revealed mortality, i.e. death risk, after a hip fracture lasts for at least 10 years.

So, if broken hips, brittle bones and drug side effects aren’t your thing, give Osteoporosis Protection for Life a try. In it, Dr. Fuhrman also talks about how much calcium people need and the importance of getting vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, what foods are loaded with calcium, such as Bok-choy and spinach, and for you fitness nuts, like me, Dr. Fuhrman demonstrates some funky exercises, like squat jumps, lunge walks and superman swim. It’s a bird, it’s a plane!

Okay, not to be all salesy, but if you’re a man or woman, or just a smart-alecky twenty-something like me, Osteoporosis Protection for Life could be a launching pad on your way to strong, healthy bones. No one wants to be a hunchback when they’re older—right?

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