Vitamin D: Most Americans Aren't Getting Enough

July 26, 2007 - In the spotlight once again, vitamin D continues to show health benefits beyond supporting healthy bones. A recent review article in the New England Journal of Medicine notes that in addition to bone health, vitamin D may play a part in immune health, muscle health and more. Unfortunately, most Americans aren't getting enough of this important nutrient. In fact, it's estimated that one billion people worldwide are deficient in vitamin D. Find out how much you should be getting, as well as the proper form to take. Please read more here >>>

There is a wonderful review article published last week in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine regarding vitamin D and vitamin D deficiency1. I'd like to spend a good part of this newsletter discussing some of the highlights of this article. It was written by Michael Holick, M.D., Ph.D. from the Department of Medicine at Boston University Medical Center.

Dr. Holick indicates that although the occurrence of rickets induced from vitamin D deficiency has been resolved, vitamin D deficiency remains extremely common in both children and adults. Based on serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, it's estimated that one billion people worldwide have vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency. He notes that according to several studies, 40% to 100% of U.S. and European elderly men and women are deficient in vitamin D, with more than 50% of post-menopausal women taking medication for osteoporosis also having vitamin D deficiency.

An incredible study he cites showed that 93% of people between ages 10 and 65 admitted to hospital emergency rooms with muscle aches and bone pain and then given a wide number of diagnoses including fibromyalgia, depression, etc. were actually deficient in vitamin D. There was study out of France he quotes where over 3,200 elderly women were given 1,200 mg of calcium and 800 units of vitamin D3 daily for three years, reducing risk of hip fracture by 43% and non-vertebral fracture by 32%.

On the other hand, Dr. Holick cites a meta-analysis of seven randomized clinical trials that evaluated risk of fracture in elderly individuals given only 400 units a day of vitamin D3. In these studies, 400 units provided little benefit with either reducing hip fracture or non-vertebral fracture. I'll point out 400 IU per day of vitamin D is the RDA/DV level set by the so-called health authorities on nutrition and the level most multi-vitamins alleging to be complete "A-to-Z" have in them.

Dr. Holick also discusses the non-bone-related health benefits of vitamin D. He indicates that vitamin D deficiency causes muscle weakness. He reports on a meta-analysis of five randomized clinical trials involving over 1,200 individuals, noting that increased intake of vitamin D reduced risk of falls by 23%. In the same meta-analysis, individuals only taking 400 units of vitamin D3 a day didn't see any effective decrease in incidence of falls. He notes that, directly or indirectly, vitamin 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D controls more than 200 genes, including genes involved with cell proliferation, etc. He notes that prospective and retrospective epidemiologic studies indicate that levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D below 20 ng per ml are associated with a 30% to 50% increased incidence of colon, prostate and breast cancer along with higher mortality from these cancers.

He also indicates that vitamin D appears to have something to do with auto-immune diseases, osteoarthritis and diabetes. He notes that among white men and women, risk of developing multiple sclerosis decreased by 41% for every increase of 20 ng per ml in 25-hydroxyvitamin D above approximately 24 ng per ml. He further quotes a study from Finland where over 10,000 children were given 2,000 units of vitamin D3 per day for the first year of their lives and were then followed for 31 years. Those children on this regimen reduced risk of developing Type I diabetes mellitus by an amazing 80%. He also indicates that vitamin D deficiency appears to be associated with congestive heart failure and hypertension.

In terms of requirements, he notes that vitamin D2 is only approximately 30% as effective as vitamin D3 in maintaining serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Toxicity with vitamin D is extremely rare. He indicates that 10,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day taken for up to five months did not cause toxicity. He concludes that undiagnosed vitamin D deficiency is not uncommon. He cites a study that I had recently noted published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition2. Post-menopausal women who increased vitamin D intake by 1,100 units of vitamin D3 reduced relative risk of cancer by 60% to 77%.

He concludes by noting that there is much evidence suggesting that the recommended adequate intake of vitamin D is actually inadequate and needs to be increased to at least 800 IU of vitamin D3 per day. Bear in mind that, although that sounds like a lot, in point of fact, it represents less than 1 mg of this life-enhancing and life-saving nutrient.

In a quick follow-up to this excellent review article, there was an article published in the July 2007 American Journal of Hypertension indicating that as blood levels of vitamin D dropped, blood pressure increased3. This information was gleaned from a national survey conducted in over 12,000 adults ages 20 and older in the U.S between 1988 and 1994.

There was another study recently published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology4. Researchers did a meta-analysis from 23 studies of over 41,000 patients on statin-lowering cholesterol drugs. They found that low cholesterol slightly increased the risk of cancer. Perhaps this is in some way related to the fact that cholesterol is involved in the synthesis of many important nutrients and hormones in the body, including vitamin D.

In regard to statin drugs such as Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol, etc. there's been a fair amount of literature indicating that this class of drugs can lower levels of coenzyme Q10, which is critically important in generating cellular energy and keeping cells healthy, in cells. In particular, the heart and brain require the most cellular energy. In a study just published July 2007 in the European Heart Journal, 38 people with poor heart health were placed on coenzyme Q10 at 100 mg three times a day, versus placebo5. At the end of one month, it was found that those given coenzyme Q10 had improvement of superoxide dismutase, which is a major antioxidant enzyme system in the blood vessel wall and also led to relaxation of the blood vessel wall leading to improvement of overall circulation.

Coenzyme Q10 provides excellent benefits for both cardiovascular and neurological health. Most studies have utilized 200 mg to 400 mg per day for cardiovascular health, and the most effective dosage for neurological health is believed to be 1,200 mg per day.

Vitamin D is truly an amazing nutrient. It does much more than fight bone loss. Unfortunately, most multi-vitamin formulations on the market use 400 IU of vitamin D and, even worse, use the wrong form of vitamin D. It must be vitamin D3. Look for multi-vitamins with vitamin D3 in the 700 IU to 2,000 IU per day, or take a vitamin D3 supplement in the 1,000 IU to 2,000 IU range per day.

In terms of nutrients that are safe and effective in helping to promote healthy cholesterol, red yeast rice stands at the forefront. If you read the product reviews by customers they are quite impressive. They have 5-out-of-5-star reviews with 100% of people saying they'd recommend the product to others. We have several excellent red yeast rice products in the Nutraceutical Sciences Institute® (NSI®) brand I recommend to patients, friends and family.

As with statin drugs, you should take coenzyme Q10 with red yeast rice for many benefits. I'm very proud to report because NSI® has become one of the largest buyers of natural Japanese pharmaceutical grade coenzyme Q10 in the world, we have been able to pass on deep discounts and lower prices again. You can now buy the 600 mg, 60-ct capsule product for under $38.00; a 200 mg, 240-ct capsule product for under $48.00; or a 100 mg, 240-ct capsule product for under $24.00. I recall when a 60 ct 100 mg was more than $24 just a year or two ago; in fact if you go to Whole Foods (AKA Whole Paycheck) it may still cost that much or more.

NSI® also has its flagship patent-pending, natural, Japanese, pharmaceutical-grade coenzyme Q10 product called TocoQ10™ in softgels enhanced with rice bran oil, Bioperine® (which dramatically enhances absorption), tocotrienols and other powerful antioxidants. These are included in the Synergy Advanced, Ultra, Max and Platinum multi-vitamins as part of a convenient packet. These ultra-low prices on the finest coenzyme Q10 available make taking effective dosages affordable for the entire family.

To review all multi-vitamins with supplement facts click here.