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Vitamin D A Superhero ?
By
Dr. Javier Cardenas, Hospitalist,
AVH Surgical Associates
and
Dean Stockwell,
AVH Nutrition Professional
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Vitamin D Metabolism
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What May Vitamin D Improve?
-Improved bone health
-Increased absorption of calcium
-Reduced risk of falls and bone fractures
-Reduced coronary artery disease
-Improved muscular function
-Lowering of high blood pressure
-Improved blood sugar tolerance
-Improved nerve function
-Improved kidney function
-Reduced risk of 17 cancers
-Reduced influenza, cold infections, tuberculosis
-Reduced risk of some types of dementia
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Low Vitamin D Risks
Increased blood pressure - 2.4 times
High blood sugar - 2.5 times
Metabolic syndrome – 4.0 times
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Vitamin D and Bones
Rickets prevention requires the least 20 ng/ml of
storage version, 25(OH)D.
Calcium absorption increases from 10-15% at low
25(OH)D levels to 30-40% at 32 ng/ml to 40
ng/ml. Optimum level was 40 ng/ml or higher.
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Vitamin D and the Heart
Low levels of vitamin D associated with increased risk
of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
One study: Low vitamin D risk increase of
Coronary Artery Disease - 45%
Stroke - 78%
Heart attack - 50%
Death – 77-100%
25-57% USA adults may be deficient
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Vitamin D and Critical Illness
For critically ill patients in the hospital, low vitamin D
levels have been found to be related to
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Organ malfunction
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Length of stay
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Infection rates
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Vitamin D and MS
Multiple Sclerosis: Vitamin D levels of 40 ng/ml
or higher may confer some protection against
MS.
Patients receiving Magnesium, Calcium and
5000 IU vitamin D significantly reduced MS
exacerbations (14 vs 32).
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Vitamin D and MS: Is there any connection?
Is there any proof that vitamin D supplements can prevent MS or keep
symptoms of MS from worsening?
Several studies have suggested that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D may have a
protective effect and lower the risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS). Other studies suggest
that for people who already have MS, vitamin D may lessen the frequency and severity of their
symptoms. More research is needed to assess these findings.
When a person has MS, his or her immune system attacks the coating that protects the nerve
cells. Research suggests that a connection between vitamin D and MS could be tied to the
positive effects vitamin D has on the immune system.
The link between vitamin D and MS is strengthened by the association between sunlight and
the risk of MS. The farther away from the equator a person lives, the higher the risk of MS.
Sunlight is the body's most efficient source for vitamin D — suggesting that exposure to
sunlight may offer protection from MS.
The Institute of Medicine recommends 600 international units (IUs) of vitamin D a day for
adults ages 19 to 70. The recommendation increases to 800 IUs a day for adults age 71 and
older.
Some doctors question whether these levels are adequate and think that getting more vitamin
D would benefit many people. However, the Institute of Medicine recommends that adults
avoid taking more than 4,000 IUs a day.
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Vitamin D and Falls
Low vitamin D may result in more falls and
fractures since muscles contain vitamin D
receptors.
Vitamin D activation increases protein synthesis
in muscles.
13 studies using 800-1000 IU consistently
demonstrated beneficial effects on muscle
strength and balance with aged 60 or older.
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Vitamin D and Cancer
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Inverse correlation between incidence, mortality and or
survival rates for many cancers including breast,
colorectal, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
Emerging evidence that more than 17 cancers are likely
to be vitamin D sensitive.
1000 IU/day could reduce cancers 7% for men, 9% for
women in US.
25(OH)D level of 52 ng/ml reduced breast cancer by
50%
60-80 ng/ml may be optimal for most individuals
25(OH)D level increase from 29 to 39 reduced cancer
risk by 60% after 4 years.
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Vitamin D and the Lungs
Asthma: Early studies indicate may reduce severe
exacerbations, exercise induced bronchoconstriction
Lower respiratory tract infections are more frequent in
those with low 25(OH)D levels.
2000 IU Vitamin D abolished the seasonality of influenza
and dramatically reduced the self-reported incidence.
Vitamin D reduces inflammation and viral pathogens.
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Vitamin D and the Lungs
One Vitamin D Influenza study showed:
334 children 6-15 years
50% -1200 D3 4 months vs placebo
Flu: 10.8% (with D) vs 18.6%
Asthma children – 93% reduced attacks
Low vitamin D adults: double risk of viral infections
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Vitamin D and Dementia
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Vitamin D may be primarily associated with cognitive
domains other than memory , such as executive cognitive
functions, depression, bipolar disorders, and
schizophrenia.
Low 25(OH)D may be a risk factor for cognitive
impairment (41-60%).
Receptors for Vitamin D are present in brain cells.
Increased Vitamin D may improve cognitive function in
patients with Alzheimer's
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Vitamin D Controls Genes
Gene direct or indirect control by vitamin D
200 – 2000 genes which regulate:
Regulate cell growth and prevent malignancy
Enhance immune system (multiple mechanisms)
Improve insulin production and sensitivity
Heart contraction
Maximize bone health
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Vitamin D From the SUN
Sun exposure pros and cons:
5-6 times more deaths from internal cancers
related to low vitamin D levels than skin
cancers
Regular moderate outdoor UV exposure
increases survival of melanoma patients
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Current Vitamin D
Recommendations
Institute of Medicine recommendations:
400 IU: infants 0 to 12 months
600 IU: age 1 – 70 years
800 IU: age above 70
4000 IU upper limit
Endocrine Society's Clinical guidelines
400 IU - 1000 IU: infants 0 to 12 months
600 IU – 1000 IU: age 1 – 18 years
600 IU – 2000 IU: 19 - 70 years
800 IU – 2000 IU: above 70
1000 IU to 6 mo, 4000 IU over 8 yrs upper limit
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Malabsorption Drug Interactions
and Storage
Patients who may require more vitamin D
intake include those with:
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Intestinal fat-malabsorption syndromes
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Anticonvulsive medications
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Glucocorticoids and related medications
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Less ability to absorb sunlight (elderly)
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Excess fat (vitamin D stored in fat is not
available)
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Vitamin D Sources
The Sunshine Vitamin
Fortified foods:
Typically supply 150 IU per day, but highly
variable (100 - 400 IU per day).
Supplements:
-Over-the-counter usually vitamin D3
-Prescription versions are usually vitamin D2
(synthetic).
-Vitamin D3 is more than three times
powerful than D2.
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Vitamin D Sources
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How Much Vitamin D
is Needed?
Estimated body requirements per day are 3000-5000
IU.
Obese and elderly may need the higher levels.
10,000 IU per day may be the new recommended upper
limit.(10)
The only way to know how much is needed is to test
25(OH)D.
Everyone should be tested!
Goal: 25(OH)D between 60-80 ng/ml after a consistent
intake level over 2 months.
100 IU of vitamin D raises 25(OH)D about 1 ng/ml.
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Who is at risk to overdose on
Vitamin D?
Anyone who takes Vitamin D supplements CAN take too much Vitamin D.
But the majority of documented overdose on vitamin D are from:
• Children whose parents accidentally give them massive doses of vitamin D
• Elderly people who incorrectly take massive vitamin D dosages
• Adults who take more than 10,000 IU's per day for long periods of time.
• 'Industrial Accidents' where massive quantities of vitamin D are put into
fortified foods in error
These categories comprise nearly all people who have had an overdose on
Vitamin D.
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Any Questions?