Vitamin D’s Crucial Role in Cardiovascular Protection

[Guest guest]

Vitamin D’s Crucial Role in Cardiovascular Protection

By , MD

http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/sep2007_report_vitamind_01.htm

A couple of key points and several paragraphs of this long article are

included below. References available at end of article. The lowering

of C-Reactive Protein benefit of supplementing vitamin D mentioned in

the article was demonstrated in my wife who started with a c-RP of 6.7

which stubbornly would not change with other options but dropped below 2

after starting D supplementation at 4000 IU/day:

--

" Noticing that people who live in northern climates experience more

heart attacks, scientists began investigating the relationship between

vitamin D and heart disease. Growing evidence now suggests that low

levels of vitamin D may represent a significant but little-known

contributor to heart disease. "

" Vitamin D has far-reaching implications that extend far beyond

promoting bone health. Over the past 40 years, research has shed light

on the intersecting pathways of vitamin D and many other aspects of

health. Among vitamin D’s crucial functions in the body are: "

Normalizing blood pressure

Anti-inflammatory effects

Anti-diabetic effects

Chemoprevention

Osteoporosis prevention

Prevention of stress fractures

Prevention of multiple sclerosis

Immune Enhancement

" Lastly, we raise blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 50 ng/mL (125

nmol/L) using vitamin D supplementation. Most people (in the northern

Midwest) require 2000–4000 IU per day in winter, and half that dose in

summer. Some require as much as 8000 IU per day, while a rare person

requires only 1000 IU per day. Using this approach, we now have an

impressive track record of reducing CT heart scan scores. Reductions of

20-30% in the first year are not uncommon. "

" Given the vast benefits of vitamin D for cardiovascular and whole-body

health, ensuring optimal vitamin D status is an essential part of every

wellness program. The best way to know your vitamin D status is to have

your doctor measure the blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (not to be

confused with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). The minimum level of

25-hydroxyvitamin D required for health is controversial, and can also

vary by the method used for measurement. However, most authorities have

argued that a rock-bottom minimum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 30 ng/mL,

or 75 nmol/L, is the point at which phenomena associated with deficiency

begin to be corrected.40 Noted vitamin D authority Dr. Reinhold Vieth of

the University of Toronto has argued that a blood level of 40 ng/mL (100

nmol/L) should be achieved.7 Dr. Holick of the University of

Boston proposes that serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is in the range

of 30-50 ng/mL (75-125 nmol/L).34 Another study showed that elderly men

and women were at an increased risk of bone loss when their levels of

25-hydroxyvitamin D fell below 45 ng/mL (110 nmol/L), suggesting that

maintaining 25-hydroxyvitamin D above 45 ng/mL may be crucial for all

aging adults.41 "

--

Steve - dudescholar4@...

Take World's Smallest Political Quiz at

http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html

" If a thousand old beliefs were ruined on our march

to truth we must still march on. " --Stopford

[Guest guest]

I am not aware of any studies that show that Vit D supplementation

decrease BP or stroke or other HTN complications.

c-RP is also called CRAP in my lingo as we dont really know that what

it is telling us or if you are healthier by doing things that change it.

On Sep 10, 2008, at 11:29 PM, Steve wrote:

> Vitamin D’s Crucial Role in Cardiovascular Protection

> By , MD

> http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2007/sep2007_report_vitamind_01.htm

>

> A couple of key points and several paragraphs of this long article are

> included below. References available at end of article. The lowering

> of C-Reactive Protein benefit of supplementing vitamin D mentioned in

> the article was demonstrated in my wife who started with a c-RP of 6.7

> which stubbornly would not change with other options but dropped

> below 2

> after starting D supplementation at 4000 IU/day:

>

> --

>

> " Noticing that people who live in northern climates experience more

> heart attacks, scientists began investigating the relationship between

> vitamin D and heart disease. Growing evidence now suggests that low

> levels of vitamin D may represent a significant but little-known

> contributor to heart disease. "

Maybe cold causes heart attacks??

Association is not causation.

>

> " Vitamin D has far-reaching implications that extend far beyond

> promoting bone health. Over the past 40 years, research has shed light

> on the intersecting pathways of vitamin D and many other aspects of

> health. Among vitamin D’s crucial functions in the body are: "

>

> Normalizing blood pressure

> Anti-inflammatory effects

> Anti-diabetic effects

> Chemoprevention

> Osteoporosis prevention

> Prevention of stress fractures

> Prevention of multiple sclerosis

> Immune Enhancement

>

> " Lastly, we raise blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D to 50 ng/mL (125

> nmol/L) using vitamin D supplementation. Most people (in the northern

> Midwest) require 2000–4000 IU per day in winter, and half that

> dose in

> summer. Some require as much as 8000 IU per day, while a rare person

> requires only 1000 IU per day. Using this approach, we now have an

> impressive track record of reducing CT heart scan scores.

> Reductions of

> 20-30% in the first year are not uncommon. "

>

> " Given the vast benefits of vitamin D for cardiovascular and whole-

> body

> health, ensuring optimal vitamin D status is an essential part of

> every

> wellness program. The best way to know your vitamin D status is to

> have

> your doctor measure the blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (not to be

> confused with 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D). The minimum level of

> 25-hydroxyvitamin D required for health is controversial, and can also

> vary by the method used for measurement. However, most authorities

> have

> argued that a rock-bottom minimum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level of 30

> ng/mL,

> or 75 nmol/L, is the point at which phenomena associated with

> deficiency

> begin to be corrected.40 Noted vitamin D authority Dr. Reinhold

> Vieth of

> the University of Toronto has argued that a blood level of 40 ng/mL

> (100

> nmol/L) should be achieved.7 Dr. Holick of the University of

> Boston proposes that serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D is in the

> range

> of 30-50 ng/mL (75-125 nmol/L).34 Another study showed that elderly

> men

> and women were at an increased risk of bone loss when their levels of

> 25-hydroxyvitamin D fell below 45 ng/mL (110 nmol/L), suggesting that

> maintaining 25-hydroxyvitamin D above 45 ng/mL may be crucial for all

> aging adults.41 "

We don't rely on recommendations or arugments unless backed up by

good long term trials.

Similar reasoning suggested that giving estrogens to women would

prevent heart disease but when tested in increased CV problems.

Similar reasoning suggested that giving estrogens to men would lower

heart disease-it did not.

Similar reasoning suggested that very strict blood sugar control

would improve health. It worsened it.

Similar reasoning suggested that giving Vit A to CA of lung would

help. It make it worse.

Curr Atheroscler Rep. 2007 Dec;9(6):508-14.

Related Articles, Links

Vitamin intake and risk of coronary disease: observation versus

intervention.

Moats C, Rimm EB.

Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 665

Huntington Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

The evidence that specific vitamins may be beneficial in the

prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is supported by

mechanistic models of atherogenesis. We and others have published

observational epidemiologic studies in support of vitamins in the

primary prevention of CVD, but the results from intervention studies

are mixed. This article summarizes the recent results for vitamin E,

vitamin D, and the B vitamins, comparing study populations, study

designs, and potential methodologic reasons for differences in

findings. For vitamin E, observational data suggest benefit at doses

of 100 to 400 IU/d. Results from recent large-scale trials are mixed,

with some showing modest benefit but others suggesting no benefit,

especially for secondary prevention. Results for B vitamins are also

mixed and further complicated by the recent folate fortification of

the flour supply. If greater B vitamin intake does reduce CVD, the

benefits are likely to be greatest for primary prevention and in

populations with intake below dietary reference standards. Research

on vitamin D and CVD is just beginning to emerge, but current data

suggest that if there is benefit it likely needs to be at intake

levels much higher than the current reference intakes of 200 to 600

IU/d for American adults.

>

> --

>

> Steve - dudescholar4@...

>

> Take World's Smallest Political Quiz at

> http://www.theadvocates.org/quiz.html

>

> " If a thousand old beliefs were ruined on our march

> to truth we must still march on. " --Stopford

>

>

> ------------------------------------

>

>