New light shed on 'sunshine vitamin'

eileen · 04-01-2008, 10:38 AM

Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008
New light shed on 'sunshine vitamin'

In a laboratory at Stanford University, researchers are confidently pursuing evidence that vitamin D plays an important role in breast and prostate cancer prevention.
At Children's Hospital in Oakland, Calif., a famed nutritionist is convinced that widespread deficiency of vitamin D in the U.S. population leads to poor immune system and brain functioning, among other conditions.
For decades, most people paid little attention to vitamin D - called the "sunshine vitamin," since sunrays absorbed by the skin synthesize the nutrient.
Vitamin D's historic claim to fame has been its role in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth by regulating calcium levels.
But to their surprise, scientists in recent years discovered that vitamin D appears to play an underappreciated role in preventing just about every major disease afflicting Western societies, from cancer and cardiovascular disease to multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes.
"There are so many things that vitamin D may do that are beneficial," said Dr. David Feldman, a professor at Stanford University's School of Medicine, who has studied the health effects of the nutrient for 25 years as well as edited a $500 academic tome on vitamin D, now in its second printing.
"I'm afraid if it's hyped too much, people are going to think nothing can be this good, that it works on all these diseases," Feldman added.
Feldman is among the many vitamin D researchers who advocate that people take vitamin D supplements to make up the shortfall.
These researchers also suggest taking 1,000 IU (international units) daily, although the federal government advises those up to age 50 to consume 200 IUs daily. Because the vitamin is metabolized less efficiently with age, the levels are upped to 400 IUs for those 51 to 70, and 600 IUs for those 71 and older. Feldman cautions, however, that those prone to kidney stones should take lower levels, since vitamin D increases calcium absorption.
But most vitamin D researchers think current recommended levels are too low, and federal officials have indicated they agree. Many expect in coming years that the guidelines will increase to between 800 to 1,000 IUs per day.

SOURCE LINK: http://www.bradenton.com/health/story/501634.html

04-01-2008, 10:38 AM	#1 (permalink)
eileen kiss me I'm Derf Join Date: Feb 10 2005 Posts: 6,819 Rep Power: 17	New light shed on 'sunshine vitamin' Posted on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 New light shed on 'sunshine vitamin' In a laboratory at Stanford University, researchers are confidently pursuing evidence that vitamin D plays an important role in breast and prostate cancer prevention. At Children's Hospital in Oakland, Calif., a famed nutritionist is convinced that widespread deficiency of vitamin D in the U.S. population leads to poor immune system and brain functioning, among other conditions. For decades, most people paid little attention to vitamin D - called the "sunshine vitamin," since sunrays absorbed by the skin synthesize the nutrient. Vitamin D's historic claim to fame has been its role in building and maintaining strong bones and teeth by regulating calcium levels. But to their surprise, scientists in recent years discovered that vitamin D appears to play an underappreciated role in preventing just about every major disease afflicting Western societies, from cancer and cardiovascular disease to multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes. "There are so many things that vitamin D may do that are beneficial," said Dr. David Feldman, a professor at Stanford University's School of Medicine, who has studied the health effects of the nutrient for 25 years as well as edited a $500 academic tome on vitamin D, now in its second printing. "I'm afraid if it's hyped too much, people are going to think nothing can be this good, that it works on all these diseases," Feldman added. Feldman is among the many vitamin D researchers who advocate that people take vitamin D supplements to make up the shortfall. These researchers also suggest taking 1,000 IU (international units) daily, although the federal government advises those up to age 50 to consume 200 IUs daily. Because the vitamin is metabolized less efficiently with age, the levels are upped to 400 IUs for those 51 to 70, and 600 IUs for those 71 and older. Feldman cautions, however, that those prone to kidney stones should take lower levels, since vitamin D increases calcium absorption. But most vitamin D researchers think current recommended levels are too low, and federal officials have indicated they agree. Many expect in coming years that the guidelines will increase to between 800 to 1,000 IUs per day. SOURCE LINK: http://www.bradenton.com/health/story/501634.html __________________ under-exposure to uv rays is as dangerous as over-exposure...This is "D" life! (eileen)

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