Population studies describe an association between levels of vitamin D and disease ... low vitamin D seems to increase risk for heart disease, diabetes, some cancers, and other chronic illnesses. But does it? Supplementation with vitamin D, in intervention studies, does not improve health. What's going on? Autier et al. in this recent analysis say that low vitamin D may merely be a marker for ill health:
Vitamin D Status And Ill Health: A Systematic Review, The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology, Online 6 December 2013
"We did a systematic search of prospective and intervention studies that assessed the effect of 25(OH)D concentrations on non-skeletal health outcomes in individuals aged 18 years or older. We identified 290 prospective cohort studies (279 on disease occurrence or mortality, and 11 on cancer characteristics or survival), and 172 randomised trials of major health outcomes and of physiological parameters related to disease risk or inflammatory status.* 50 μg is 50 micrograms or about 2000 IUs
Investigators of most prospective studies reported moderate to strong inverse associations between 25(OH)D concentrations and cardiovascular diseases, serum lipid concentrations, inflammation, glucose metabolism disorders, weight gain, infectious diseases, multiple sclerosis, mood disorders, declining cognitive function, impaired physical functioning, and all-cause mortality. High 25(OH)D concentrations were not associated with a lower risk of cancer, except colorectal cancer.
Results from intervention studies did not show an effect of vitamin D supplementation on disease occurrence, including colorectal cancer. In 34 intervention studies including 2805 individuals with mean 25(OH)D concentration lower than 50 nmol/L at baseline supplementation with 50 μg* per day or more did not show better results. Supplementation in elderly people (mainly women) with 20 μg vitamin D per day seemed to slightly reduce all-cause mortality.
The discrepancy between observational and intervention studies suggests that low 25(OH)D is a marker of ill health. Inflammatory processes involved in disease occurrence and clinical course would reduce 25(OH)D, which would explain why low vitamin D status is reported in a wide range of disorders."
Vitamin D has become a darling in the supplement world. That reputation may not be founded. What's more likely is that low vitamin D levels, rather than being a cause of poor health, are a consequence.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Autier:1
"Ageing and inflammatory processes involved in disease occurrence... reduce vitamin D concentrations, which would explain why vitamin D deficiency is reported in a wide range of disorders."
My source of vitamin D - SUN , without sunscreen. And it has helped like a charm. It has helped in stimulating the growth receptor cells.
ReplyDeleteMy physician continues to dissuade me from sitting in the sun without sunscreen , but our physicians have been trained by an industry that perpetuates the drug and supplement industry.
Thank You
By the way, this analysis did not address vitamin D's effect on bone, which is not a minor effect.
ReplyDeleteVitamin D is an essential nutrient. Humans have to get it from somewhere - sun or food.
My source of vitamin D - SUN , without sunscreen. And it has helped like a charm. It has helped in stimulating the growth receptor cells.
ReplyDeleteMy physician continues to dissuade me from sitting in the sun without sunscreen , but our physicians have been trained by an industry that perpetuates the drug and supplement industry.
Thank You
"... but our physicians have been trained by an industry that perpetuates the drug and supplement industry."
ReplyDeleteI like how you said that. I agree.
ReplyDeleteCan we call the Physicians " Body mechanics ? " Their capacity to seek the correct information and use them in inundated with the business of the practise , then the patient. I am more scared to go to the hospital than the disease. Somebody said it well, be dilgent of the physician more than the disease !