October 2011
Welcome to the monthly Ask Dr. Marty Newsletter. In response to several requests, I have decided to share some information based on questions that I frequently receive regarding natural health topics. I promise to keep the newsletter short. But if at any time you get overwhelmed with emails, please let me know and I’ll be glad to take you off of the mailing list. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the newsletter and hope that you will forward any questions you may have as well. All questions will be anonymous. Even if they don’t make it into the newsletter, I promise to answer all questions.
QUESTION: I hear so much about vitamin D in the news. The articles I’ve read make it sound like the cure-all for all that ails you. Is it all hype? How much do I need? Can I get all I need from the sun?
ANSWER: The active form of vitamin D (vitamin D3) is actually a hormone. Its most important job in the body is to help the body absorb calcium and phosphorus from our food and to help our bones absorbs those minerals. A lack of vitamin D results in stunted growth, delayed tooth development, weakness, bone deformities, like knock knees and bowlegs, osteoporosis (a reduction in bone mass), hypocalcemia (low blood levels of calcium), and osteomalacia (a general mineral deficiency in the bones). Or at least this has been conventional wisdom.
More recent studies indicate that vitamin D also plays a role in building the immune system and reducing the risk of cancer through stifling abnormal cell growth and preventing the formation of blood vessels that feed tumors. Vitamin D manufactures at least 200 peptides (proteins) that destroy bacteria, fungi, and viruses. A deficiency has also been associated with an increased risk of high blood pressure, skin problems (like psoriasis), poor lung function, colds, flu, respiratory infections, early onset of puberty, behavior and mood disorders, weak muscles, and impaired brain function.
-Studies at Boston University Medical Center found a strong link between Vitamin D deficiency and unexplained pain.
-Another study reported in the journal Circulation shows that Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of arterial plaque that leads to heart disease, especially in diabetics.
-The Journal of Clinical Oncology reports that Vitamin D substantially improves the response to docetaxel chemotherapy in cancer patients.
-A study at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, Canada indicated a significantly increased risk of breast cancer in women who are deficient in Vitamin D.
-According to a study published in the Archives of Neurology, low levels of vitamin D increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease.
-A study at the University of Pittsburg Cancer Institute showed that vitamin D supplements inhibited prostate cancer growth in animal trials.
-The State University of New York at Albany conducted research that showed an injection of concentrated vitamin D was as effective in killing cancer cells as Tamoxifen (for breast cancer), without the side effects and at a minute fraction of the cost.
Experts agree that food is a very poor source of vitamin D. A recent study indicated 70% of the children in our nation had insufficient or deficient levels of vitamin D. The American Academy of Pediatrics recently doubled the recommended number of daily IUs to 400 and recommend drops even to newborns. Some studies indicate that as many as 75% of Americans don’t get enough vitamin D. So let’s find out if you’re at risk for deficiency:
Do you spend less than 30 minutes in the sun daily, at peak sunshine hours, with arms and face exposed?
Do you have dark skin?
Do you live in the northern latitudes? (Above the 40th parallel, our bodies cannot produce vitamin D in the winter. That’s just north of Kansas City. Which doesn’t really matter since we probably won’t be exposing much skin there in the wintertime! And individuals living in territory south of that parallel certainly have substantially diminished ability to get vitamin D from the sun until you get WAY down south.)
Do you have any intestinal problems?
Do you have a family history of cancer, osteoporosis, or Parkinson’s Disease?
Do you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or high cholesterol?
Vitamin D should be taken with calcium and magnesium since they all work off of each other to form and maintain healthy bones. But vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, and as such, can build up to toxic levels in the body when taking supplements. But getting a sunburn puts us at greater risk for skin cancer, so you certainly can get too much sun. Experts generally agree that up to 1000 IUs a day are very safe. Some doctors recommend a blood level of 50-65 ng/ml. People with bowel disorders like Crohn’s disease or Celiac have problems absorbing supplements, so it’s especially important that they get their vitamin D from sunshine.
I consider the research to be very compelling. Reviewing these studies has caused me to up my sunshine time and take some insurance in the form of a supplement, especially since winter is right around the corner.
Hot Tip: Make sure you always get the active form of vitamin D – (D3) if you decide to use a supplement.
Next month…Gearing up for cold and flu season
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Maureen (Marty) Kernion is not a physician and does not diagnose nor prescribe. She received a bachelor’s degree in secondary education from Louisiana State University, and a Master of Science degree and Doctorate of Natural Health degree from Clayton College of Natural Health. She is the author of Going Natural with Herbs. Marty lectures on natural health topics across the country and has been featured at 78 Barnes and Noble book stores since her book was published. She is also a retired professor, specializing in courses in nutrition and herbal remedies.
It is always wise to advise your pharmacist or health care practitioner about any change in diet or supplements you plan to take, especially if you take any prescription medication.
“Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.” Ezekiel 47:12
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