[iko (OP)]

Closer and closer...


...
Nutrition

Only fish is naturally rich in vitamin D, so much vitamin D intake in the industrialized world is from fortified products including milk, soy milk and breakfast cereals or supplements.[1]

A blood calcidiol (25-hydroxy-vitamin D) level is the accepted way to determine vitamin D nutritional status. The optimal level of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is 35–55 ng/mL; with some debate among medical scientists for the slightly higher value. Supplementation of 100 IU (2.5 mcg) vitamin D3 raises circulating 25(OH)D by 2.5 nmol/l (1 ng/ml).[17]

The 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that older adults, people with dark skin, and those exposed to insufficient ultraviolet radiation (i.e., sunlight) consume extra vitamin D from vitamin D-fortified foods and/or supplements. Individuals in these high-risk groups should consume 25 μg (1000 IU) of vitamin D daily to maintain adequate blood concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the biomarker for vitamin D status.

 
Milk and cereal grains are often fortified with vitamin D.
The Canadian Pediatric Society recommends 2,000 IU daily for pregnant and breastfeeding women.[18]

from:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D

wiki wiki wiki wiki wiki wiki wiki wiki wiki wiki wiki!!!

http://www.cps.ca/english/statements/ii/fnim07-01.htm

http://28330.vws.magma.ca/en/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/vitamindspot.jpg

[iko (OP)]

News, news, news...   

The Vitamin D Connection to Pediatric Infections and Immune Function.

Walker VP, Modlin RL.
Department of Pediatrics [V.P.W.], Department of Microbiology [R.L.M.], Department of Medicine [R.L.M.], David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA Los Angeles, CA 90095.

Over the past twenty years, a resurgence in vitamin D deficiency and nutritional rickets has been reported throughout the world, including the United States. Inadequate serum vitamin D concentrations have also been associated with complications from other health problems, including tuberculosis, cancer (prostate, breast and colon), multiple sclerosis and diabetes. These findings support the concept of vitamin D possessing important pleiotropic actions outside of calcium homeostasis and bone metabolism.
In children, an association between nutritional rickets with respiratory compromise has long been recognized. Recent epidemiological studies clearly demonstrate the link between vitamin D deficiency and the increased incidence of respiratory infections. Further research has also elucidated the contribution of vitamin D in the host defense response to infection. However, the mechanism(s) by which vitamin D levels contribute to pediatric infections and immune function has yet to be determined. This knowledge is particularly relevant and timely, because infants and children appear more susceptible to viral rather than bacterial infections in the face of vitamin D deficiency.
The connection between vitamin D, infections and immune function in the pediatric population indicates a possible role for vitamin D supplementation in potential interventions and adjuvant therapies.

Pediatr Res. 2009 Jan 28. [Epub ahead of print]

[iko (OP)]

Vitamins 'could shorten lifespan'...
...may be they don't!
I'll try to read the complete report, then
I might be able to comment on this.
For now I just note that vitamin C didn't
do bad things and vitamin D is not mentioned.

ikod

...I'm not sure, really, that vitamin supplements could 'shorten' lifespan...
at least at the very beginning of life!
Canada rules.

Prenatal multivitamin supplementation and rates of pediatric cancers: a meta-analysis.

Goh YI, Bollano E, Einarson TR, Koren G.
Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Toronto, and The Motherisk Program, Division of Clinical Pharmacology/Toxicology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Prenatal supplementation of folic acid has been shown to decrease the risk of several congenital malformations. Several studies have recently suggested a potential protective effect of folic acid on certain pediatric cancers. The protective role of prenatal multivitamins has not been elucidated. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the potential protective effect of prenatal multivitamins on several pediatric cancers. Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, Toxline, Healthstar, and Cochrane databases were searched for studies published in all languages from 1960 to July 2005 on multivitamin supplementation and pediatric cancers. References from all articles collected were reviewed for additional articles. Two blinded independent reviewers assessed the articles for inclusion and exclusion. Rates of cancers in women supplemented with multivitamins were compared with unsupplemented women using a random effects model. Sixty-one articles were identified in the initial search, of which, seven articles met the inclusion criteria. There was an apparent protective effect for leukemia (odds ratio (OR)=0.61, 95% confidence interval (CI)=0.50-0.74), pediatric brain tumors (OR=0.73, 95% CI=0.60-0.88) and neuroblastoma (OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.42-0.68).
In conclusion, maternal ingestion of prenatal multivitamins is associated with a decreased risk for pediatric brain tumors, neuroblastoma, and leukemia. Presently, it is not known which constituent(s) among the multivitamins confer this protective effect.

Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2007 May;81(5):685-91.

[iko (OP)]

...and here we go, BACK to the beginning of this endless thread!

Maternal Dietary Risk Factors in Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (United States)
Jensen CD, Block G, Buffler P, Ma X, Selvin S, Month S.

...
Abstract

Objective:   Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is the most common childhood cancer, and the second most common cause of mortality in children aged 1–14 years. Recent research has established that the disease can originate in utero, and thus maternal diet may be an important risk factor for ALL.

Cancer Causes Control. 2004 Aug;15(6):559-70.    http://www.springerlink.com/content/t87661x864l14368/fulltext.pdf

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=4987.0

Is vitamin D deficiency in childhood leukemia an underestimated reality?
Could cod liver oil - the old remedy, a relic from the past - help in the
empirically arranged but clinically effective today's treatment protocols?

...

[iko (OP)]

Thank you Zoey,
for asking about my favourite quote.  Well, to explain it properly, in a short 'essay' in english... it will take me more than a few minutes!  But translating it is the easiest thing:

"The sun gives life, the sun takes it back"

These words concluded one of the best lectures I attended in my life. At the 3rd year of Medical school, General Pathology course, more than thirty years ago. Professor Mario Umberto Dianzani was our teacher, Dean of the Medical Faculty and a distinguished scientist, totally dedicated to his students.  Later on he has been Rector of the University of Turin for several years before retiring.
In those days biochemistry was 'the' thing: new cofactors and vitamins were deeply explored by medical research.
I'm sure I owe to his excellent lectures my following research interest in cofactors.


"Aging of cells and living organisms" was the subject of the lecture.

In less than one hour we went from the origin of life on our Planet to the present time.
Volcanoes and oceans plus UV light to catalyze the synthesis of organic compounds (Miller's experiment), then nucleic acid formation after million years of random combinations.
Primitive organisms, bacteria and algae.  Again the sunlight creates energy through photosynthetic processes and here come trees and forests! Different species of primitive life, unicellular, multicellular towards more and more complex organisms, thanks to spontaneous mutations, natural selection and evolution. For the whole 'biosphere' survival is always tightly bound to its origin, to the sunlight.
Sunlight and ultraviolet rays give energy and feed the whole system, nevertheless they are responsible -in the end- for lipid peroxidation and DNA damage.  A series of biochemical reactions lead to senescence in multicellular organisms too.
Complex systems are progressively deranged: skin, bones, muscles, nerves, glands and immune cells get older...diseases follow.
The sun itself puts an end to our lives.

Magic
... 

http://blogs.bootsnall.com/Chuck/uploads/_Beautiful%20Sunrise.jpg

"Il sole dona la vita, il sole se la riprende"

Mario Umberto Dianzani, 1975.

[Karen W.]

I got two hours of that beautiful sunshine today and it makes me feel so much better!!

[iko (OP)]

Long time, no see... []
No discussion anymore, >70k viewers in over 3 years, ≈100 a day.

Is vitamin D3 good for the bone(marrow)?

Vitamin D Metabolism and Action in Human Bone Marrow Stromal Cells.

Zhou S, Leboff MS, Glowacki J.

Departments of Orthopedic Surgery (S.Z., J.G.) and Medicine (M.S.L.), Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.

Vitamin D metabolites are important effectors of bone and mineral homeostasis. Extrarenal conversion of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) to the biologically active form of vitamin D, 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] is catalyzed in several cell types by the 1alpha-hydroxylase (CYP27B1), but little is known about the expression or regulation of CYP27B1 in human bones. We examined whether human bone marrow stromal cells (hMSCs, also known as mesenchymal stem cells) participate in vitamin D metabolism and whether vitamin D hydroxylases in hMSCs are influenced by the vitamin D status of the individual from whom the hMSCs were obtained. We also investigated the effects of vitamin D metabolites on osteoblast differentiation and the role of IGF-I in the regulation of CYP27B1. In a series of 27 subjects, vitamin D hydroxylases in hMSCs were expressed at different levels and were correlated with serum 25OHD, 1,25(OH)2D, and PTH. In vitro treatment with 25OHD up-regulated CYP27B1 and IGF-I in hMSCs; IGF-I also up-regulated CY27B1 expression and stimulated osteoblast differentiation. When hydroxylation of 25OHD was blocked by ketoconazole, a cytochrome P450 inhibitor, 25OHD was no longer able to induce CYP27B1 expression.

 In summary, these findings show that human bone marrow stromal cells have the molecular machinery both to metabolize and respond to vitamin D. We propose that circulating 25OHD, by virtue of its local conversion to 1,25(OH)2D catalyzed by basal CYP27B1 in hMSCs, amplifies vitamin D signaling through IGF-I up-regulation, which in turn induces CYP27B1 in a feed-forward mechanism to potentiate osteoblast differentiation initiated by IGF-I.

Endocrinology. 2009 Dec 4. [Epub ahead of print]

[Karen W.]

 Iko what is osteoblast differentiation?

[Chemistry4me]

An osteoblast is a cell from which bone develops, differentiation here means to specialise and form different types of cells with different functions, for example, some specialise to become the periosteum on the outside of the bone and others the marrow on the inside.

[iko (OP)]

Thank you Chem4me,

...I have been looking for some pic&link to post for Karen:

http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/etc/medialib/life-science/stem-cell-biology/mesenchymal-stem-cell.Par.0001.Image.457.gif

...and here is the text:  http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/life-science/stem-cell-biology/mesenchymal-stem-cells.html

Bone marrow is a complex 'system', and to fix its defects and failures even more difficult sometime!
I'll look for other nice pictures and links in a while.

ikod

...Location of active bone marrow in an adult:

link:   http://www.aurorahealthcare.org/yourhealth/healthgate/getcontent.asp?URLhealthgate=96475.html

[Karen W.]

Say someone is diagnosed as being severely deficient in vitamin D. Would that person Possibly be suffering, extreme exhaustion, weakness in the legs, arms etc. Maybe general feelings of un-wellness, or perhaps heaviness of limbs, degenerating bones, fractures,and unusual wear and tear on bones? Maybe even aches in the joints and such problems..etc? Perhaps short stabbing pains in toes and bottom of feet and legs also? Could a deficiency of"D" cause any of these symptoms...?
What concerns should one have when having severe deficiencies of "D".

[iko (OP)]

Say someone is diagnosed as being severely deficient in vitamin D. Would that person Possibly be suffering, extreme exhaustion, weakness in the legs, arms etc. Maybe general feelings of un-wellness, or perhaps heaviness of limbs, degenerating bones, fractures,and unusual wear and tear on bones? Maybe even aches in the joints and such problems..etc? Perhaps short stabbing pains in toes and bottom of feet and legs also? Could a deficiency of"D" cause any of these symptoms...?
What concerns should one have when having severe deficiencies of "D".

Hi Karen,

Today vitamin D deficiency is diagnosed by testing 25OHvitamin D levels in a blood sample.
Levels <20 ng/mL are defined as 'vitamin D deficiency'. Symptoms may be totally absent or many and severe. We are all different, with different capabilities to cope with a temporary condition of deficiency (lack of sun exposure during winter months).
Treatment is easy: 50,000 I.U vitamin D3 per week, orally for 6 weeks (300,000 I.U total), then 50,000 I.U. per month. Blood levels may be rechecked after 6-12 months.
Half-life of vitamin D should be around 90 days.
Improvement in symptoms of deficiency (bone pain, weakness etc.) may be expected not before 10-15days.  See Professor Michael Holick's videos for details! ...and for the fun of it: he is treating zoo's patients...waiting for his turn in the Nobel Prize race!

http://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/index.php?topic=21270.msg260424#msg260424

What my mind is made up about is the assertion that "vitamins can do magic" is crap.

Vitamin D is unique amongst vitamins because it's a pre-hormone and is part of the endocrine system.  Genetic research from the last 10-20 years has revealed that vitamin D (as calcitriol) regulates many important functions throughout the body, including immunity, inflammation and cell propagation.  These functions are linked to a number of morbidities.

Ecological studies link latitude and skin colour to 'vitamin D' morbidities; cohort studies link low vitamin D levels with 'vitamin D' morbidities; epidemiological studies show high levels of vitamin D deficiency by latitude and by skin colour; the few RCTs involving large dose supplementation show that vitamin D significantly reduces 'vitamin D' morbidities.

Not "vitamins", just vitamin D; not magic, just science.

You are exactly right Kevan,

but we have to tell the whole story:
why such a simple and cheap remedy is coming so late in modern medicine?
I can give you some good reasons to 'justify' such a delay:
- Vitamin D is not a vitamin, but a steroid hormone acting on specific cell receptors.
- The dosage in serum is tricky and expensive: large studies are coming out only now.
- Normal levels are expressed in ng/mL or nmol/ml, just for the fun of it...
- The active form, calcitriol, has been improperly used instead of replenishing 25-OHvitD pool.
- Toxicity has been overestimated: 400U/day failed where 2000U/day are making the trick.
- Cholecalciferol or vitamin D3 is a 'generic' drug, too cheap to support clinical trials.

Do you want to play the doctor?
Just read this amazing case report, free-fulltext from Canada:

http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/reprint/22/1/69

Now look for a chronic-back-pain patient, get a history of lack of sunlight exposure, no cod liver oil or vitamin D supplements and suggest her/him to have 25-OHvitaminD tested.
If the result is below 20 ng/ml...Bingo!  Send her/him to a doctor for a 50kU/week x 8weeks prescription.  A clinician will exclude any condition of vitD toxicity or intolerance and monitor calcium levels if necessary.
The following two-three weeks might be really magic for that patient...
Unbelievable? On my part, I don't think so anymore!  []

Improvement of chronic back pain or failed back surgery with vitamin D repletion: a case series.

Schwalfenberg G.

Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Canada. gschwalf@telus.net

This article reviews 6 selected cases of improvement/resolution of chronic back pain or failed back surgery after vitamin D repletion in a Canadian family practice setting. Pub Med was searched for articles on chronic back pain, failed back surgery, and vitamin D deficiency. Chronic low back pain and failed back surgery may improve with repletion of vitamin D from a state of deficiency/insufficiency to sufficiency. Vitamin D insufficiency is common; repletion of vitamin D to normal levels in patients who have chronic low back pain or have had failed back surgery may improve quality of life or, in some cases, result in complete resolution of symptoms.

J Am Board Fam Med.2009 Jan-Feb;22(1):69-74.

[Karen W.]

ok Iko.. My blood tests=vitamin "D" test came back at 12 WHICH she said was very very low.. supplements have been added 1 a week at 1.25mg for a 12 weeks. Only she said it shouldn't be that low while I am taking huge doses of omega 3, Vitamin "D," and my thyroid screwed up, so I am  now taking 175mcg levoxyl instead 150.Feel like crap and hurt everywhere especially in my bones etc...

[iko (OP)]

ok Iko.. My tests vitamin "D" test came back at 12 and she said it was very very low.. supplements have been added 1 a week at 1.25mg for a 12 weeks. Only she said it shouldn't be that low while I am taking huge doses of omega 3 Vitamin. "D" and my thyroid screwed up now taking 175mcg levoxyl instead 150.Feel like crap and hurt everywhere specially in my bones etc...

1 a week at 1.25mg...

...of WHAT? D2, D3, Dx?
Ergocalciferol, Cholecalciferol, Calcitriol, Whateverol?  []

1.25mg per week of D2(ergocalciferol) or D3(cholecalciferol) are 50,000 I.U.(International Units).
Just fine for a good replenishing of the sunshine hormone avoiding toxicity.
Improvement expected in 10-15 days: sometimes referred as magic, all of a sudden.
Fingers crossed.

How low were your very very low low values...in digits?

20-30min. of proper sunlight exposure,
the so called "suberythemal dose"
should give us 10-20,000 I.U. of Vit.D!!!

I got two hours of that beautiful sunshine today and it makes me feel so much better!!

http://photomed.files.wordpress.com/2007/07/frau-strand-sonnenschirm.jpg

[Karen W.]

in digits....12

She said she wants to get me back up to around 50 or 60 can't recall which one.

[Karen W.]

The bottle says: TAKE ONE CAPSULE WEEKLY
                 
                 VITAMIN D 1.25MG
                 
                 GREEN OVAL PA140

THEY ARE GREEN OVAL LIQUID FILLED CAPSULES.

[iko (OP)]

Yap! Got it!

http://www.medicineonline.com/drugs/V/1355/VITAMIN-D-ERGOCALCIFEROL-Capsules-USP-1-25-mg-SOFTGELS-Soft-Gelatin-Capsules-50000-USP-Units-R-only.html

It is vitamin D2(ergocalciferol)...It seems that you don't have D3 in the States, poor things  [].
But you have prof. Michael Holick!
It is the right stuff and the proper dosage.
See you in 10days (after the second pill!).
Wish you all the best,

ikod

[iko (OP)]

in digits....12
 

...I'm so sorry! and ignorant: I thought 'back at 12' was the TIME!!!  []

You seem to be in the right range to benefit from this type of treatment.
Today values <20 nanograms/milliliter are considered as vitamin D deficiency.
In the few patients I heard of, from relatives and friends (I don't practice):
a 6ng/mL, over 80yrs was in very bad shape and got better quickly,
a 9ng/mL, around 70yrs had chronic back pain and  bony aches(mostly hips): fine after 10days.
a 17ng/mL, 60yrs with back pains in the morning got better in weeks.
It's called osteomalacia from vitamin D deficiency...and it has been neglected for long.
Vitamin D dosages started to be commonly available only in the '90s.
For fear of toxicity, vitamin supplements usually have 200 I.U. only (1400 per week!).
I hope this is your case and you'll find other 'deficient' patients in your neighbourhood to tell your happy end...in just two weeks!

http://www.jabfm.org/cgi/reprint/22/1/69

[Karen W.]

Thank you IKO I

Yap! Got it!

http://www.medicineonline.com/drugs/V/1355/VITAMIN-D-ERGOCALCIFEROL-Capsules-USP-1-25-mg-SOFTGELS-Soft-Gelatin-Capsules-50000-USP-Units-R-only.html

It is vitamin D2(ergocalciferol)...It seems that you don't have D3 in the States, poor things  [].
But you have prof. Michael Holick!
It is the right stuff and the proper dosage.
See you in 10days (after the second pill!).
Wish you all the best,

ikod

LOL...LOL..I sure hope it works well. Will be good to feel better!

[Karen W.]

Thanks IKO..

Yap! Got it!

http://www.medicineonline.com/drugs/V/1355/VITAMIN-D-ERGOCALCIFEROL-Capsules-USP-1-25-mg-SOFTGELS-Soft-Gelatin-Capsules-50000-USP-Units-R-only.html

It is vitamin D2(ergocalciferol)...It seems that you don't have D3 in the States, poor things  [].
But you have prof. Michael Holick!
It is the right stuff and the proper dosage.
See you in 10days (after the second pill!).
Wish you all the best,

ikod

Ten days from thursday day before yesterday! YAYYYYYYYYY!!!!