Tag Archives: vitamin D
Some supplements associated with increased risk of death in older women
More than half of American adults take dietary supplements. Now a major new study finds that supplements either do no good or increase the risk of dying from cancer or heart disease.
Posted in Alternative Medicine, General Health, Nutritional Health, Woman's Health
Tagged calcium, dietary supplements, iron, multivitamins, selenium, supplements, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E
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Vitamin D3 may improve survival among women
Vitamin D3 may improve survival among older women, particularly those who are institutionalized, according to a meta-analysis published in the Cochrane Review.
Which vitamin D supplement boosts levels best — D2 or D3?
It turns out that vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) has the edge.
Posted in Alternative Medicine, General Health, Nutritional Health
Tagged vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements, vitamin D2, vitamin D3, vitamins
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Problems discovered with vitamin D supplements
Many consumers do not realize that natural medications (herbs, vitamins, and supplements) are essentially unregulated in the U.S. Without the wonderful work of several independent quality testing labs, professionals and consumers would be up the proverbial creek without a paddle. … Continue reading
Posted in Alternative Medicine, Nutritional Health
Tagged consumerlab, vitamin D, vitamin D supplements
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Vitamin D Insufficiency: Is there enough evidence for clinical recommendations?
Readers of this blog over the last year, have seen many of my posts on the plethora of studies and recommendations about vitamin D. Now there’s some new data I think you’ll be interested in.
Posted in Alternative Medicine, Cancer, General Health, Nutritional Health
Tagged breast cancer, calcium, colon cancer, preventing cancer, preventing cardiovascular disease, preventing falls, preventing fractures, preventing heart disease, preventing osteoporosis, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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What to do with the two vitamin D guidelines?
As we’ve discussed in a number of past blogs, many adults are deficient in vitamin D, placing them at elevated risk for fracture, frequent falls, and a slew of other medical problems including several types of cancer. But what is … Continue reading
Posted in Nutritional Health
Tagged vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements, vitamin D toxicity
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My Take on the new Vitamin D and Calcium Recommendations
You’re likely hearing a fair bit of controversy over the Institute of Medicine’s (IOM’s) new recommendations (RDA) for vitamin D and calcium. I first reported on this in my blog, “Institute of Medicine says megadoses of vitamin D, calcium unnecessary.” … Continue reading
Institute of Medicine says megadoses of vitamin D, calcium unnecessary
In a front-page article, the New York Times says, “The very high levels of vitamin D and calcium that are often recommended by doctors and testing laboratories – and can be achieved only by taking supplements – are unnecessary and … Continue reading
Posted in General Health, Nutritional Health
Tagged calcium, preventing cancer, preventing osteoporosis, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements, vitamin D toxicity
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Vitamin D Supplements Reduce the Risk of Flu – Especially in Children
The doctors of pharmacology at the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database are reminding us healthcare professions to inform our patients that vitamin D supplements may reduce the chance of getting influenza. Vitamin D levels decrease during the winter months, during the … Continue reading
Posted in Children's Health, Parenting
Tagged flu, influenza, preventing influenza, preventing the flu, vitamin D, vitamin D supplements
1 Comment
Can Calcium Supplements Cause Heart Attacks?
Calcium supplements are coming under scrutiny due to concerns that they might increase heart attacks. A new study shows that patients over 40 who take 500 mg/day or more of calcium have an increased risk of heart attack. And, the … Continue reading
Posted in Heart Health, Nutritional Health
Tagged calcium, heart attack, heart attack prevention, preventing heart attack, vitamin D
1 Comment
Recommendations for Adult Doses of Vitamin D Increasing
According to the experts at the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Vitamin D doses recommended for routine supplementation in adults will continue to move higher. Many experts, including me, have long been calling for higher doses. Now new guidelines from Osteoporosis … Continue reading
Posted in Children's Health, Men's Health, Nutritional Health, Woman's Health
Tagged vitamin D, vitamin D supplements
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How Much Sunlight Is Equivalent to Vitamin D Supplementation?
Readers of this blog are well aware than many (if not most) Americans have insufficient to deficient levels of vitamin D. Other than prescribing oral vitamin D or vitamin D-containing foods, we doctors were left with prescribing a little sunshine. … Continue reading
Posted in Cancer, Mental Health
Tagged preventing cancer, preventing cardiovascular disease, preventing falls, preventing heart attack, preventing heart disease, preventing osteoporosis, preventing the flu, skin cancer, sunlight, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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How much vitamin D is too much?
Now that so many more people are taking vitamin D, some are asking how much vitamin D is too much. And, it’s important to note that vitamin D doses vary widely and toxicity is rare. Here are some guidelines recommended … Continue reading
Adults may need up to twice the amount of vitamin D than is typically recommended
Here’s news about a new guideline that will change something I do in practice. The Los Angeles Times “Booster Shots” blog reported, “Older adults need up to twice the amount of vitamin D than is typically recommended, according to guidelines … Continue reading
Posted in Men's Health, Nutritional Health, Woman's Health
Tagged vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Take Vitamin D With Largest Meal
Taking your vitamin D supplement with the largest meal of the day may boost its absorption substantially, according to a new study from researchers at the Cleveland Clinic. Here are details from WebMD: The researchers instructed 17 men and women, … Continue reading
Posted in Nutritional Health
Tagged vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Is OJ as good a source of vitamin D as supplements?
A glass of orange juice may not only help the vitamin pill go down. A new study suggests that fortified varieties can also help the body’s vitamin D levels go up – just as effectively as the supplement itself. The finding … Continue reading
Posted in Nutritional Health
Tagged orange juice, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Vitamin D Supplementation and Cancer Prevention
Readers of this blog know that, in general, I’m in favor of healthcare professionals checking vitamin D levels as part of routine exams. I do this on all adolescents and adults. And, I’ve blogged more on the topic of vitamin … Continue reading
Vitamin D helps fend off flu and asthma attacks
In a recent study of Japanese schoolchildren, vitamin D supplements taken during the winter and early spring helped prevent seasonal flu and asthma attacks. Here’s more on the study from Reuters Health: The idea for the study, study chief Dr. … Continue reading
Posted in Children's Health, Parenting
Tagged asthma, flu, influenza, preventing the flu, vitamin D, vitamin D supplements
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Increasing vitamin D levels may cut heart disease risk
I may have blogged more on vitamin D this year than any other topic. And, now, the Los Angeles Times is reporting, “Raising the amount of vitamin D in the blood appears to help some people — at least those deficient … Continue reading
Babies should take vitamin D supplement
Frequent readers to this blog are aware of the growing incidence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in all age groups in the US. Now, according to a new study published online in the journal Pediatrics, “most babies should take … Continue reading
Posted in Children's Health, Parenting
Tagged vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Vitamin D Supplementation Helps Prevent Falls in Older Adults
Each year, one third of adults 65 years and older have at least one fall. And, 9% of those falls require an emergency department visit and up to 6%result in a fracture. Consequently, strategies to prevent falls have become an … Continue reading
Posted in Nutritional Health
Tagged falls, preventing falls, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Vitamin D Linked to Lower Heart Risk
According to new research, vitamin D supplements may not only help your bones, they may help protect your heart. A new review of research on vitamin D and calcium supplements shows that people who take moderate to high doses of vitamin … Continue reading
Posted in Heart Health, Nutritional Health
Tagged heart disease, preventing heart disease, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Can Vitamin D Ease Fibromyalgia Pain?
Vitamin D is known as the sunshine vitamin because when sunlight hits skin, the body produces this vitamin, essential for strong, healthy bones. However, a mountain of new evidence suggests that the vitamin may have a more versatile role than previously … Continue reading
Posted in Men's Health, Nutritional Health, Woman's Health
Tagged fibromyalgia, FMS, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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In Lab Tests Vitamin D Shrinks Breast Cancer Cells
I’ve posted a number of blogs about the fact that vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency (low levels of serum vitamin D) is associated with a number of types of cancer, as well as diabetes and asthma, but now new research also … Continue reading
Posted in Cancer, Nutritional Health
Tagged breast cancer, Cancer, preventing cancer, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Vitamin D May Lower Colon Cancer Risk
Soaking in more sunlight and drinking more dairy may help you ward off colon cancer according to a report in Medscape. Researchers in Europe have found that people with abundant levels of vitamin D — the so-called sunshine vitamin — … Continue reading
Posted in Nutritional Health
Tagged colon cancer, colon cancer prevention, vitamin D, vitamin D supplements
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Daily Calcium Plus Vitamin D Supplements May Reduce Fracture Risk
MedScape reports that daily supplements of calcium plus vitamin D, but not of vitamin D alone, are associated with significantly reduced fracture risk, according to the results of a patient level-pooled analysis reported in the January 12 issue of the … Continue reading
Posted in Nutritional Health
Tagged bone fracture, calcium, calcium supplements, preventing diabetes, vitamin D, vitamin D supplements
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Low levels of vitamin D may be linked to greater asthma severity
Study suggests 70 percent of children, young adults do not get enough vitamin D More reasons to consider having your vitamin D level checked – you may think better and have less arthritis Specific vitamins and a supplement (B vitamins, … Continue reading
Posted in Nutritional Health
Tagged asthma, vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Vitamin D deficiency in kids is getting more attention
A recent cross country study sample suggests that MOST children in the U.S. have suboptimal vitamin D levels. Healthy blood levels of vitamin D are at least 30 ng/mL; but 2 out of 3 kids have levels below this, and … Continue reading
Posted in Children's Health, Nutritional Health
Tagged vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplements
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Suplements for Colds or the Flu. What works? What does not?
Demand continues to rise for supplements for colds and flu … despite the lack of hard evidence for most of them. However, some may work. Find out more about them here. Nasal saline irrigation can reduce nasal congestion, sore throat, … Continue reading
Posted in Alternative Medicine
Tagged American ginseng, colds, common cold, common cold prevention, common cold treatment, Echinacea, elderberry, flu, ginseng, influenza, Lactobacillus, nasal saline, OTC cold medications, preventing influenza, preventing the flu, probiotics, vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, zinc lozenges
2 Comments
Vegans may have low calcium intake which could impact bone health
If you’re a vegan, you likely know the necessity of taking B12 supplements. Now, you may need to add a calcium supplement to your regimen. More Information:
Posted in Alternative Medicine, Nutritional Health
Tagged calcium, vegan, vegetarian, vitamin D
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