Vitamin D Deficiency and Osteoporosis

By Bonnie Jenkins, Advanced Natural Medicine

Ok guys, listen up! You know I talk a lot about the importance of vitamin D – especially when it comes to healthy bones and as a way to prevent a variety of cancers, including breast, colon and prostate cancer. And it looks like the women reading my newsletter have been paying attention. But now it’s your turn, fellas.

It turns out that men with a vitamin D deficiency have a greater risk of having a heart attack than those with adequate levels. At least that’s what Harvard researchers reported in a recent issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Study, Buddy

The Harvard scientists evaluated blood samples from men, aged 40 to 75, who took part in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study. The samples, which were collected from 1993 to 1995, were analyzed for vitamin D levels. The researchers also looked at lipoprotein and triglyceride levels. Then they factored in the diet and lifestyle habits of each of the participants.

During the 10-year follow-up, 454 of the participants suffered a heart attack. These men were then matched for age, smoking status and the time of blood collection with 900 men who didn’t suffer from heart disease.

The researchers found that the men with low vitamin D blood levels had more than twice the risk of having a heart attack compared with those whose levels were sufficient. And these men in the low vitamin D group were more likely to live in northern states, less likely to be white and less likely to take a daily multivitamin.

Why is the sunshine vitamin so heart healthy? Vitamin D has a beneficial effect on smooth muscle cell proliferation, inflammation, vascular calcification and blood pressure. Put together, these factors offer potent protection against a heart attack.

Sins of the Father

These findings were no surprise to another group of researchers at Harvard. In an earlier study, they also found that a vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. And it was most pronounced in those with high blood pressure.

In a study of 1,739 adult children of the people who had participated in the Framingham Heart Study, researchers found that those with vitamin D blood levels below 15 ng/mL also had twice the risk of a cardiovascular event like a heart attack, heart failure or stroke in the next five years, compared to those with higher levels of vitamin D.

When the researchers took into account traditional cardiovascular risk factors like high cholesterol, diabetes and high blood pressure, the risk was still significant with a 62 percent higher risk in those with low levels of vitamin D, compared to those with higher levels.

This deficiency was mostly attributed to a lack of sun exposure, pigmented skin that prevents penetration of the sun’s rays, and an inadequate dietary intake of vitamin D-enriched foods. But the researchers speculated that boosting vitamin D levels through supplementation and lifestyle changes could slash the risk of these cardiovascular problems.

Dosing Details

The American Heart Association recommends that healthy people get adequate D by eating a variety of foods – milk, fatty fish, cod liver oil and some fortified cereals – instead of taking supplements. And if you get enough from the sun, that’s a great strategy. But if you don’t spend hours in the sun sans sunscreen, it’s smart to supplement.

How much should you take? Forget about the recommended daily values established by the government – unless you simply want to prevent rickets. To get all of the heart-healthy benefits vitamin D supplements offer, take 1,000 to 1,500 IU each day.

One Last Thing ...

Ok, so most of us women think of bone health when we think of vitamin D. But it’s still important, even if you’re a man. Women aren’t the only ones at risk for osteoporosis. Men can develop brittle bones, too. And that’s especially true if you suffer from prostate problems. But supplementing with both vitamin D and 1,200 mg. of calcium can help protect both bone mass and bone mineral density.

Need extra incentive to take your daily D? Vitamin D appears to improve virility. Conception peaks in the summer, when vitamin D levels are highest, and ebbs in the winter, when vitamin D stores are low. A vitamin D deficiency has profound effects on rat testicles, including dramatically reducing spermatogenesis. But, adding vitamin D restored virility to deficient male rats and should do the same for vitamin D deficient male humans.

But wait, there’s more! Vitamin D just might help you keep a full head of hair, thanks to the large number of vitamin D receptors in hair. Although there aren’t any human studies showing that vitamin D will grow men a new head of hair, vitamin D like drugs do grow hair in mice. So, while there isn’t any definitive proof yet, vitamin D has so many other health benefits that taking it for your hair can lead to better health all around!

This Just In ...

It’s a sad fact that the older you get, the longer it takes to get in shape. But, according to a new study from Arizona State University, enjoying a protein shake containing whey after your workout can help you build muscle.

Whey is a naturally occurring protein found in cow’s milk. Whey isolate is the highest quality form of whey that is extracted and purified during the cheese-making process. Rich in amino acids, whey is easily digested and utilized by the body, making it a favorite among body builders. And now, a new study shows that whey can be an effective addition to an exercise program for seniors, too.

The participants in this study, who were all over 65, were given a formula containing either 15 grams of whey protein, essential amino acids or non-essential amino acids. Phenylalanine – a substance that indicates muscle protein – was measured over the next three-and-a-half hours. Only the people in the whey group experienced a boost in their phenylalanine levels – which means that they were the only ones building muscle.

One of the easiest ways to get muscle-building whey is in a protein shake or smoothie. There are a number of good whey powders on the market, and you can choose from unflavored, chocolate, vanilla or even berry flavors. Add one to two scoops to 8 ounces of water, soy milk or rice milk and blend. To make a thicker “shake,” add ice cubes and blend again. For extra nutrition, you can also add half a banana or a handful or strawberries, blueberries or cherries. There’s nothing more refreshing after a hard workout. Enjoy!

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References:

Giovannucci E, Liu Y, Hollis BW, et al. “25-hydroxyvitamin D and risk of myocardial infarction in men: a prospective study.” Archives of Internal Medicine. 2008;168: 1174-1180.

Katsanos CS, Chinkes DL, Paddon-Jones D, et al. “Whey protein ingestion in elderly persons results in greater muscle protein accrual than ingestion of its constituent essential amino acid content.” Nutrition Research. 2008;28:651-658.

Sood S, Marya RK, Reghunandanan R, et al. “Effect of vitamin D deficiency on testicular function in the rat.” Annals of Nutrition Metabolism. 1992;36:203-208.

Wang TJ, Pencina MJ, Booth SL, et al. “Vitamin D deficiency and risk of cardiovascular disease.” Circulation. 2008;117:503-511.