Low Vitamin D Levels Associated With An Increased Risk Of Peripheral Arterial Disease

Low levels of vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk for peripheral arterial disease ( PAD ) , researchers reported at American Heart Association's Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology Annual Conference 2008.

Results of study will also be simultaneously published in Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology: Journal of American Heart Association.

PAD occurs when arteries in legs become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits, reducing blood flow to legs. PAD affects about 8 million Americans and is associated with significant disease and death, according to the American Heart Association's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2008 Update.

Vitamin D, or 25-hydroxyl vitamin D, is converted by the body to a hormone that makes bones stronger. Severe vitamin D deficiency can cause diseases such as rickets in children. Scientists are only beginning to explore the relationship between 25-hydroxyl vitamin D and cardiovascular disease.

" In animals, vitamin D has anti-inflammatory activity, " said Michal Melamed, M. D. , M. H. S. , lead author of the study and assistant professor of Medicine and Epidemiology and Population Health at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City.

" In addition, in mice, vitamin D is a regulator of one of the hormone systems that affects blood pressure. The cells in the blood vessels in body have receptors for vitamin D, so vitamin D may have direct effects on vessels, although this has not been fully worked out. '

To study whether there's a relationship of vitamin D with PAD, Melamed and colleagues analyzed data from a national survey measuring vitamin D levels in 4, 839 U. S. adults. Researchers in that survey had also documented ankle-brachial index, a PAD screening tool that measures blood flow to legs.

" We also measured other risk factors for peripheral arterial disease such as cholesterol levels, diabetes, blood pressure and inflammatory markers such as C-reactive protein, " Melamed said.

The researchers found that higher levels of vitamin D correlated with a lower prevalence of PAD. In participants with highest vitamin D levels -- more than 29. 2 nanogram per milliliter ( ng/mL ) -- only 3. 7 percent had PAD. Among those with lowest levels -- less than 17. 8 ng/mL -- 8. 1 percent had PAD.

" After adjusting for age, sex, race and co-existing health problems, we found adults in lowest vitamin D group had a 64 percent higher prevalence of PAD compared to those with the highest vitamin D levels, " Melamed said. " For each 10 ng/mL lower vitamin D level, there was a 29 percent higher risk of peripheral arterial disease. '

This does not mean that vitamin D is having a protective effect itself, although this is one hypothesis. It's also possible that higher vitamin D levels may be a marker of other health practices, e. g. , eating a healthier diet or engaging in more physical activity - which could be related to sun exposure, though not necessarily, researchers said.

The findings need to be addressed in a large randomized clinical trial of vitamin D supplementation, Melamed said. This could be done with natural sources from food.

" Other vitamins have been thought to help prevent cardiovascular disease, such as vitamin E, which did not pan out after being tested in a randomized clinical trial, " Melamed said. " Therefore, we would not recommend people start taking vitamin D supplements without talking to their doctors. However, we recommend eating a balanced diet. People obtain vitamin D either through exposure to the sun or from foods, especially fish and fortified milk and other fortified foods. '

The American Heart Association currently recommends that healthy people get adequate nutrients by eating a variety of foods in moderation, rather than by taking supplements. Food sources of vitamin D include fortified milk, salmon, sardines, cod liver oil and some fortified cereals. Vitamin or mineral supplements aren't a substitute for a balanced, nutritious diet that limits excess calories, saturated fat, trans fat, sodium and dietary cholesterol. This dietary approach has been shown to reduce coronary heart disease risk in healthy people and those with coronary disease.

Statements and conclusions of abstract authors that are presented at American Heart Association/American Stroke Association scientific meetings are solely those of the abstract authors and do not necessarily reflect association policy or position. The associations make no representation or warranty as to their accuracy or reliability.

American Heart Association http: //www. americanheart. org

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Proscar in our life.

Proscar: uses

Proscar is used to shrink an enlarged prostate ( benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH ) in adult men. It may be used alone or taken in combination with other medications to reduce symptoms of BPH and may also reduce the need for surgery.

Proscar may improve symptoms of BPH and provide benefits such as decreased urge to urinate, better urine flow with less straining, less of a feeling that bladder isn't completely emptied, and decreased nighttime urination.

Proscar works by decreasing amount of a natural body hormone ( DHT ) that causes growth of the prostate.

Women and children shouldn't use this medication.

Proscar: how to use

Read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before we start taking Proscar and each time we get a refill. If you have any questions regarding information, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take Proscar by mouth, with or without food, usually once a day, or as directed by your doctor.

If the tablet is crushed or broken, it should not be handled by a woman who is pregnant or by a woman who may become pregnant ( see also Precautions section ) .

Use Proscar regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at same time each day. Don't stop taking Proscar without consulting your doctor.

It may take 6-12 months to notice a benefit.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Proscar: side effects

Decreased sexual ability/desire may occur while use Proscar. In some men, Proscar can decrease amount of semen released during sex. This is harmless. Proscar may also increase hair growth. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed Proscar because he or she has judged that the benefit to we is greater than risk of side effects. Many people using Proscar don't have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur:

A very serious allergic reaction to Proscar is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include:

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Proscar: precautions

Before taking Proscar, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if we have any other allergies.

Before using Proscar, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

Proscar should not be used in children.

The drug can be absorbed through the skin. If film coating of tablet has been broken or the tablet crushed, it shouldn't be handled by a woman who is pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Exposing a developing male infant to Proscar can result in abnormalities of the genitals.

Proscar is not recommended for use in women and mustn't be used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant or think we may be pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.

Because Proscar isn't intended for use in women, it's not known if Proscar passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Proscar: interactions

Your healthcare professionals ( e. g. , doctor or pharmacist ) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring we for it. Don't start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

Before using Proscar, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products we may use.

Proscar can affect results of blood test used to detect prostate cancer ( prostatic-specific antigen or PSA levels ) . Make sure laboratory personnel and your doctors know you use this drug.

This document doesn't contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using Proscar, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share list with your doctor and pharmacist.

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