Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Disease in Two Big Studies.

[elleng]

People with low vitamin D levels are more likely to die from cancer and heart disease and to suffer from other illnesses, scientists reported in two large studies published on Tuesday.

The new research suggests strongly that blood levels of vitamin D are a good barometer of overall health. But it does not resolve the question of whether low levels are a cause of disease or simply an indicator of behaviors that contribute to poor health, like a sedentary lifestyle, smoking and a diet heavy in processed and unhealthful foods.

Nicknamed the sunshine nutrient, vitamin D is produced in the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight. It can be obtained from a small assortment of foods, including fish, eggs, fortified dairy products and organ meats, and vegetables like mushrooms and kale. And blood levels of it can be lowered by smoking, obesity and inflammation.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and is an important part of the immune system. Receptors for the vitamin and related enzymes are found throughout cells and tissues of the body, suggesting it may be vital to many physiological functions, said Dr. Oscar H. Franco, a professor of preventive medicine at Erasmus Medical Center in the Netherlands and an author of one of the new studies, which appeared in the journal BMJ.

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/04/01/low-vitamin-d-levels-linked-to-disease-in-two-big-studies/?hp

[Sarah Ibarruri]

1. I read that some people don't get well taking vitamin D because they are taking only vitamin D and

not taking it with K2. Apparently D needs K2 to work. There are formulas that come D with K2 already in it.

I also read that even kids are being found deficient in vit. D!

[tridim]

6. Magnesium is also vital for vitamin D production and utilization.

And almost everyone is deficient. Hello? FDA?

I get Vitamin K in excess from my daily greens.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

8. I'm not a greens person. I know that's not a good thing, but I really dislike them :(

I like them when they're cooked. For example (get ready for this), if lettuce is boiled, I find it more palatable. Does that destroy the vitamin K? I don't know. Maybe?

Well, I don't know that everyone is deficient. Some people do still spend time outside. When I was a kid, I was out all day long. We had a whole tribe of kids to play with because we lived in an area where homes were close together, not distant, as today's suburbs. I drive through neighborhoods around 4, 5 and 6, and don't see kids outside because there are few kids outside to play with. Same with the weekends. They end up attached to their computers, Iphones, Wiis, and driven to their (often indoor) activities.

[tridim]

9. Most people are deficient in ~Magnesium~

For various reasons, soil depletion on factory farms, processed food (with the nutrition processed out, and then "enriched" with fake nutrition) and the fact that we don't eat animal organs (which tend to be very high in Mg) like our ancestors did.

I mostly blend my greens into smoothies, but lately have been eating lots of salads with no lettuce, just super-greens (and vinegar, olive oil, S&P and lemon juice). Mmmmmmm!

I know cooked spinach maintains its vitamin K, but I prefer it raw.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

10. How do you get the 'greens' bitterness out of the drink though?

I hate that bitter or whatever it is taste.

[tridim]

11. FRUIT! Especially dates and raspberries.

I also add a dash of vanilla and salt which probably helps make the green taste better.

[Sarah Ibarruri]

12. Ok, I'll try it. Thanks! nt

[flygal]

2. for fair skinned (like me) 10 mins direct sun (11am-3pm) daily between April-October

provides enough Vit D for the year. Also you should have skin exposed - tank top and shorts.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Summerhealth/Pages/vitamin-D-sunlight.aspx

[tridim]

7. And don't use sunscreen that blocks UV-B radiation

Because it halts the body's ability to make vitamin D.

[MFM008]

3. I live in WA

My Vitimin D came back way low, so now I use a supplement and try to get more in foods. Winter is hell around here.

[SheilaT]

4. The study does point out that it's not certain

if the low Vitamin D is a cause or simply linked to bad life style things, like smoking, obesity, and so on.

It also said that taking supplements was not necessarily indicated.

As always, living a reasonably healthy life style, eating a variety of foods, getting some exercise, not being too overweight, and not smoking are by far the most important things to being healthy.

[Notafraidtoo]

5. If you take a Vit D3 supplement watch taking it with Calcium supplements

Consumer reports test on Vit D3 with Cal show all have high traces of lead. I take Vit D3 only and get everything else from food.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/05/most-vitamin-d-pills-measure-up-our-tests-find/index.htm

[flamingdem]

13. Found out my D levels weren't great

a few years ago. I started supplementing and eating more salmon and they are up quite nicely and I feel better. 25 is acceptable but I'm at 45 which is good I believe. Tell your friends to take this supplement even if they don't take anything else, in my opinion.

[Bartleby73]

14. i

I have vit D deficiency and doc put me on prescription grade D3 for 10 weeks(1 pill a week). Then a year goes up and I'll test deficient again.

Not sure why. I get plenty of sun. I don't drink much milk though.

[RagAss]

15. I take 10,000 iu a day...keeps me at 70 ng year round.