Vitamin D
Pay Attention to Vitamin D Levels
Medical News: HFSA: Vitamin D Marker for HF Deaths – in Meeting Coverage, HFSA from MedPage Today
Heart failure death occurred two to three times more often in people with vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency compared with those who had normal levels of the vitamin, according to data from a government survey.
Low Vitamin D = Cognitive Decline
Low levels of vitamin D appear to be associated with an increased risk of cognitive decline among older people, according to researchers.
In an observational study conducted among more than 800 Italians ages 65 and older, severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with a 60% increase in the risk of substantial cognitive decline (by a standard measure), according to David Llewellyn, PhD, of the University of Exeter in Exeter, England, and colleagues.
The findings — if confirmed by further studies and randomized clinical trials — “open up important new possibilities for treatment and prevention,” Llewellyn and colleagues wrote in the July 12 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.
Vitamins D & E = Healthy Brains
Vitamins D, E Might Help Maintain Brain Health
In one trial, British researchers tied low levels of vitamin D to higher odds of developing dementia, while a Dutch study found that people with diets rich in vitamin E had a lower risk of developing dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
Finally, a study released by Finnish researchers linked high blood levels of vitamin D to a lower risk of Parkinson’s disease.
Exercise + Tea + Vitamin D = Lower Dementia Risk
Study: Exercise, tea and vitamin D to ward off dementia – USATODAY.com
The researchers found that participants who had moderate to heavy levels of physical activity had about a 40% lower risk of developing any type of dementia. Those who reported the least amount of activity were 45% more likely to develop dementia compared with those who logged higher levels of activity.
In a second study, including data on more than 4,800 men and women ages 65 and older, participants were followed for up to 14 years. Tea drinkers had less mental decline than non-tea drinkers. Those who drank tea one to four times a week had average annual rates of decline 37% lower than people who didn’t drink tea.
Coffee didn’t show any influence except at the highest levels of consumption, researchers say. Author Lenore Arab of UCLA says, “Interestingly, the observed associations are unlikely to be related to caffeine, which is present in coffee at levels two to three times higher than in tea.”
In a third study, British researchers looked at vitamin D’s effect on brain health. They examined data from 3,325 U.S. adults ages 65 and older from the NHANES III study. Vitamin D levels were measured by blood test, and cognitive tests were administered. Odds of cognitive impairment were about 42% higher in those deficient in vitamin D, and 394% higher in people severely deficient.
Vitamin D News – Kids Need More D
Medical News: U.S. Children Lack Vitamin D – in Pediatrics, General Pediatrics from MedPage Today
Come on people! A cup of fortified cow’s milk or soy milk provides 25-30% of your daily D needs. How hard is that? Get out and take a walk when the sun is shining. How hard is that? Eat some salmon. How hard is that?
Give your children a daily multi-vitamin.
How hard is that?
Slower Information Processing Speeds and Vitamin D
These study findings do not prove causality but are interesting nonetheless. Additionally, this study found no significant association between Vitamin D levels and memory.
Low Vitamin D Linked to Asthma Severity
Vitamin D Linked to Chronic Pain Relief
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis
The more we learn about Vitamin D, the more interesting it gets.
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