_ I was informed of this article by a friend of mine. Thanks Larry! So, when you start reading this article do not be put off by references to fibromyalgia. Symptoms of anxiety and muscle spasms can be a matter of degree. Just enough to make your life miserable, but not enough to get a Doctors attention. More conditions brought about by civilization in which our life style and diet play a very big part. The more I learn the more I realize that a condition of health is brought about by a balance of a whole bunch of nutrients and life style. Civilization comes at a price. Sorry about that.
Now the article.


The Role of Magnesium in Fibromyalgia An investigatory paper by Mark London I am no longer updating this web page, or responding to questions regarding it. I also will not give any permission to any company to quote or use this web page. This web page was the result of my research regarding magnesium, and why it's important not only for the average person, but especially for people with fibromyalgia.  If you aren't interested in reading lots of studies, and are already convinced of magnesium's importance, then just click here to get to my recommendations.  Please note, magnesium is only one of many possible treatments that can help fibromyalgia.  It, by itself, cannot effectively treat it.

Magnesium deficiency is very common in the general US population.  Not only is our daily intake low, but we eat a diet which increases the demand for magnesium.  And unfortunately, urinary magnesium loss can be increased by many factors, both physical and emotional.  Magnesium loss increases in the presence of certain hormones.  Stress can greatly increase magnesium loss. Even loud noises can cause magnesium loss.  One article on the web goes so far as to say that that almost everyone is the United States is at least marginally deficient in magnesium.  So there is an excellent chance that a person with fibromyalgia has a magnesium deficiency.  But since people with fibromyalgia often have high levels of stress, and a disrupted hormonal system, they are more likely to be candidates for magnesium deficiency.  Magnesium utilization is also increased by the presence of estrogen, and this might explain why many women are diagnosed with fibromyalgia after menopause, when estrogen levels would decrease.  Additionally, the sleep disruption which occurs in fibromyalgia might also affect magnesium utilization, as sleep deprivation has been shown to cause lower magnesium levels.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9068914&dopt=Abstract

The reason lack of sleep causes a magnesium deficiency is probably due to the lower amounts of growth hormone secretion which occurs due to a sleep disturbance, especially the type that is found in people with fibromyalgia.  Growth hormone is responsible for creating a substance known as IGF-1, or insulin growth factor.  IGF-1 has been found to have many uses by the body.  It's especially known for tissue repair.  However, it can influence intracellular levels of magnesium, as the following studies show:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9851785&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9828151&dopt=Abstract

Also, IGF-1 affects excretion of magnesium by the kidneys:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10381152&dopt=Abstract

Magnesium deficiency is therefore one of many problems in people with fibromyalgia which is due to or influenced by the sleep disturbance.  So while it's possible to attain some benefit from taking magnesium, treating any sleep disorder is just as helpful, if not more so.

Magnesium is extremely important to many functions in the body, which is why a deficiency can cause many different symptoms.  It is most widely known for being needed for proper bone formation.  With a deficiency, bones will be soft, and it can play a role in osteoporosis   However, magnesium is also the activating mineral for at least 350 different enzymes in the body, more than any other mineral, so it is crucial for many of the metabolic functions in the body.  Magnesium is necessary for almost all the enzymes that allow the glycolytic and Krebs cycles to turn the sugar and fat we eat into ATP.  Low levels of ATP have commonly been found in people with fibromyalgia, and it is believed that this plays an important role in many of the fibromyalgia symptoms.  Thus, a magnesium deficiency would definitely be a factor in worsening those symptoms.

Magnesium is extremely necessary for proper ATP synthesis, because ATP is stored in the body as a combination of magnesium and ATP, which is known as MgATP.  ATP requires magnesium in order to be stable.  Without magnesium, ATP would easily break down into other components, ADP and inorganic phosphate.

The brain heavily relies ATP for many functions.  In fact, 20% of total body ATP is located in the brain.  Thus, low levels of ATP can diminish brain cognitive functions, a common problem in people with fibromyalgia.

Adequate magnesium is necessary for proper muscle functioning.  Magnesium deficiency promotes excessive muscle tension, leading to muscle spasms, tics, restlessness, and twitches.  This is due to an imbalance of the ratio of calcium to magnesium, as calcium controls contraction, while magnesium controls relaxation.  Plus, in fibromyalgia, changes are seen in the muscles, such as "significantly lower than normal phosphocreatine and ATP levels" and "values for phosphorylation potential ... also were significantly reduced":

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9506567&dopt=Abstract

But all of these same changes are found also in magnesium deficiencies:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8988330&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7847586&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8399369&dopt=Abstract

Magnesium may also help Myofascial Pain Syndrome.  According to Devin Starlanyl's web page "Myofascial trigger points can be identified and documented electrophysiologically by characteristic spontaneous electrical activity (SEA).  They may also be identified histologically (which means that the structure of the cells have changed) by contraction knots-- the lumps and bumps we know only too well.  Both of these phenomenon seem to result from excessive release of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) from the nerve terminal of the motor endplate (the complex end formation of the nerve)."  But magnesium is well known for being able to inhibit ACh release:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2812517&dopt=Abstract

And in fact, intravenous magnesium sulfate is used in emergency situations because of this effect on acetylcholine:

Magnesium is known to regulate or inhibit many nerve receptors, such as NMDA or 5-HT3, which have been considered as sources of certain types of fibromyalgia pain.  Neurontin, for example, is used because inhibits NMDA activity.  Since magnesium also blocks NMDA receptors, studies have used intravenous magnesium therapy to try and treat similar types of neuropathic pain:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10687324&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9785788&dopt=Abstract

And it's because of magnesium's ability to regulate nerve functions that other fibromyalgia symptoms occur.  Migraine headaches, mitral valve prolapse, and Raynaud's phenomenon, all problems commonly found in people with fibromyalgia, are also problems that have been associated with a magnesium deficiency.  Without enough magnesium, nerves fire too easily from even minor stimuli.  Noises will sound excessively loud, lights will seem too bright, emotional reactions will be exaggerated, and the brain will be too stimulated to sleep, all symptoms commonly found in fibromyalgia.  And if the oversensitivity to light and noise reminds you of someone suffering from a hangover, they are one and the same problem, as alcohol is known for decreasing magnesium levels, and magnesium supplementation has been found to relieve hangover symptoms.

Another commonly found condition in fibromyalgia which has nervous related symptoms is reactive hypoglycemia.  Anxiety related symptoms occur after carbohydrate intake, and this is believed to be due to either an excess release of adrenaline, or a higher sensitivity to adrenaline.   In either case, a deficiency of magnesium could be a factor, as magnesium deficiency appears to associated with anxiety and high levels of adrenaline.

Not only that, but magnesium also affects carbohydrate metabolism in a different manner, as a magnesium deficiency appears to create resistance to insulin,  Insulin resistance increases levels of insulin, which may result in  a form of diabetes.  Additionally, insulin resistance by itself can distrupt intracellular magnesium levels, as the following web page explains.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8861135&dopt=Abstract

Thus, "insulin resistance and magnesium depletion may result in a vicious cycle of worsening insulin resistance and decrease in intracellular Mg(2+) which may limit the role of magnesium in vital cellular processes."

Magnesium also appears to be able to also affect the nervous system by regulating the release of hormones, which occurs due to many different forms of stress.  However, this hormonal activity is disrupted in fibromyalgia.  Often there is an exaggerated release or high levels of noradrenaline (also known as norepinephrine), as the following studies show:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=2532682&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10765933&dopt=Abstract

However, magnesium appears to play a role in regulating noradrenaline levels.  For example, in the following study on mitral valve prolapse, magnesium supplementation not only relieved symptoms, but also reduced the high level of urinary noradrenaline excretion:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9070556&dopt=Abstract

And genetically bred mice with low magnesium levels have also been found to have high noradrenaline levels:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&llst_uids=7545412&dopt=Abstract

And ,as was previously mentioned, sleep deprivation appears to lower magnesium levels.   However, in another study, sleep deprivation was found to raise noradrenaline levels:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10372697&dopt=Abstract

Thus, there appears to be a strong link between high noradrenaline levels, and low magnesium levels.  And this imbalance of hormones could play a role in exercise tolerance in fibromyalgia.  High noradrenaline levels are associated with low exercise tolerance.  This might be due to the fact that noradrenaline causes constriction in blood vessels, and this could reduce oxygen flow during exercise.  This is made worse by the lower than normal adrenaline levels in fibromyalgia,  as adrenaline is able to dilate blood vessels in the skeletal muscles and the liver.   However, magnesium is able to relax smooth muscles around blood vessels, and thus has a strong vasodilatory effect, which could counteract the vasoconstriction effect of the hormones.

Related to this is the previously mentioned study of patients that were sleep deprived which resulted in low magnesium levels.  They were also found to have lower levels of exercise tolerance.  But in a subsequeent study, it was found that magnesium supplementation was able to raise that tolerance:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9626901&dopt=Abstract

Respiratory problems such as asthma have also been associated with high levels of noradrenaline, and thus magnesium might be of help for those conditions.

A magnesium deficiency also increases levels of substance P, a chemical which has been implicated as being responsible for increased pain levells in FMS.  Several studies, such as the following, show this:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=1384353&dopt=Abstract

However, even just as important is the fact that this study also shows a rise in inflammatory cytokines.  Cytokines are part of the immune system.  However, raised levels of certain cytokines have been implicated in many health problems and diseases, and some researchers feel that they may be responsible for many of the symptoms of FMS and CFS, as these cytokines play a role in metabolic and many other functions. Sleep deprivation studies also show an increase these cytokines, not surprising since we have shown that sleep deprivation can cause a magnesium deficiency.  The following study showed a significant increase in one of these cytokines, interleukin-6.  This cytokine appears to play a role in the fatigue and other health symptoms that directly result from lack of sleep:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10443646&dopt=Abstract

Since a sleep disturbance could cause a rise in these cytokines, and since this study also postulates that these cytokines themselves play a role in regulating sleep, a spiraling effect could occur, as the high levels of these cytokines could cause sleep to be constantly disturbed  Such a circular effect has been proposed for the cause of FMS.

Magnesium is thus involved in many functions in the body, and so it's no wonder that the chemical brain imbalances in fibromyalgia somehow seem connected to processes involving magnesium.  Surprisingly, little is known about magnesium, as compared to other minerals in the body.  So it could be that magnesium even has more effects that we are not yet aware of.  And it's because magnesium is involved in so many processes in the body, that a deficiency has a spiraling effect.  Low magnesium levels causes metabolic functions to decrease, causing further stress on the body, reducing the body's ability to absorb and retain magnesium.  A marginal deficiency could easily be transformed into a more significant problem.  Any stressful event could trigger magnesium loss. So one could postulate that stressful events which trigger fibromyalgia are doing so by creating a high loss of magnesium.  Perhaps people in a fibromyalgia flare could be helped by additional magnesium.

Unfortunately, magnesium deficiency is not easily detected, as serum levels do not reflect the levels of magnesium in tissues.  This is the reason why it is so overlooked and ignored, both by doctors and by studies.  And unfortunately, oral magnesium supplementation can be difficult because of absorption problems.  Digestion and diet play a key role in absorption.  People with fibromyalgia often have conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome, gluten intolerance, or other problems that might limit absorption.   Excess amounts of certain substances, such as fructose, may interfere with magnesium absorption.  Phosphate can bind to magnesium in the gut, creating magnesium phosphate, an insoluble salt that can't be utilized.  Many forms of oral magnesium supplements are hard to assimilate.  The most common, magnesium oxide and citrate, happen to be the worst to assimilate, which is why both have a strong laxative effect.  If you suffer from that effect when you take magnesium, it is often not because you are taking too much, but because you are not assimilating it well.  And it may take long term use of supplements before magnesium levels are raised in all the tissues, and for damaged cell functions to be restored.

A magnesium deficiency increases cell membrane permeability, and this condition is believed to lead to a decrease in the intracellular antioxidant system, shown in the following study, one of several in MEDLINE:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=10192096&dopt=Abstract

Changes in cell membranes and subsequent intracellular imbalance in cells reduces the body's defenses against toxins such as heavy metals.  A long term magnesium deficiency may lead to many other secondary problems that have their own host of symptoms.

A magnesium deficiency causes an increase in intracellular calcium levels, which may lead to calcification and cell death.  And a few more studies for those interested on the effects of a magnesium deficiency on cell disturbances and mitochondria damage:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9529585&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=9641824&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=7738680&dopt=Abstract
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov:80/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&list_uids=8988330&dopt=Abstract

And if you are still skeptical of the importance of magnesium, I suggest you read the following: http://www.mgwater.com/dur30.shtml  While most symptoms which are directly due to a magnesium deficiency are reversible, magnesium deficiency indirectly causes problems that may not be reversible.  "With a high aluminum diet alone, aluminum content in the nervous system in rats showed no difference with a control group aluminum serum aluminum was high.  However, with an insufficient intake of magnesium the same aluminum load induced an increase in aluminum and calcium concentrations in the nervous system and neurodegeneration with precipitation of insoluble hydroxyapatites."  Combined aluminum intoxication with calcium-magnesium deficiencies is not reversible through physiological oral magnesium supplementation.  And also from that web page: "nervous consequences of magnesium deficiency" ... "are completely reversible since they can be restored to normal with simple oral physiological magnesium supplementation but it should also be pointed out that a prolongation of untreated chronic magnesium deficiency can produce irreversible lesions with histological changes.

Magnesium Supplement Suggestions If you are considering taking magnesium, I would suggest looking for a form that allows to you start with a low amount, and then slowly increase that dose.  Unabsorbed magnesium will cause a laxative effect, so the amount that you can tolerate will be limited by this effect.  This effect often isn’t seen until a day later, which is why you should only slowly increase the dose.  The RDA for magnesium is 400mg.  If this amount helps any of your symptoms, then you may be helped by taking more than that.  Magnesium is often better absorbed when taken with food.  Also, you can absorb more magnesium, if you take it in small doses, such as some with each meal. This is what I do.  And if possible, you might also want to avoid taking magnesium with foods that are high in phytic acid, such as whole wheat, as this might bind to the magnesium.

Taking magnesium with calcium is often suggested, because the 2 minerals work together in buildling bones.  Another good reason for taking the calcium, is that calcium (especially calcium carbonate) can offset some of the laxative effect from the magnesium.  Traditionally, it's been recommended to take calcium and magnesium in a ratio of 2/1, as that is the ratio of the RDA of calcium and magnesium.  However, magnesium is often poorly absorbed, so many doctors believe the ratio should be closer to 1/1.

Please note that not all forms are the same.  Magnesium oxide is one of the most common, but studies have shown it to be poorly absorbed, due to low solubility.  Studies show that other common forms, such as citrate, chloride, aspartate, are all better absorbed.  However, some people instead recommend chelated forms, believing that they are the best absorbed..  Although in theory this might be true, surprisingly there are no published studies to back up this claim. .

If one brand of magnesium does not work for you, or if you experience a side effect, consider switching to a different brand, as the substance which is combined with the magnesium may be the cause of the side effect.  Many people have found that liquid forms of magnesium help when pills do not help..  This is probably due to increased solubility.  There are various forms of liquid magnesium, i.e. magnesium chloride, gluconate, and citrate.  Magnesium chloride is well absorbed, although the liquid form has to be kept refrigerated.  Liquid gluocate (magonate) contains not only a lot of glucose, but several additives to make it taste better, and also a perservative to keep it from spoiling.  Liquid magnesium citrate is the most common liquid form..  Some people believe that magnesium citrate is not well absorbed, and point to the fact that magnesium citrate is marketed as a laxative.  On the other hand, almost any form of magnesium, taken in excess, will cause a laxative effect.  Magnesium citrate is probably used as a laxative, simply because it's an inexpensive form, and very soluable.

Another form which some people find very useful is the time released version.  Having a steady source of magnesium has been found to help in cases where plain magnesium did not help.  One can do this by taking lots of small doses, especially if one uses a liquid form, but this is inconvenient.  Time released supposedly is absorbed over a 8-10 hour period.  There are 2 available forms, magnesium chloride and magnesium lactate  Two brands are available which contain magnesium chloride, Slow Mag and Pro-Mag.  Slow Mag contains several additives that Pro-Mag does not.  Plus, Slow Mag is enteric coated, which is done to avoid a stomach upset..  However, one study suggests that this may prevent proper absorption.  Pro-Mag is made by Douglas Laboratories, and I personally have had good results with it.  Another good alternative is Mag-Tab.  It contains magnesium lactate, and has been reported by some people to be even better absorbed than the magnesium chloride, possibly because it is released over a longer period of time.  Time released forms are more expensive, so many people recommend a combination of pills and time released, and it may be more effective to combine a slow acting form with a quickly acting form.

Also note that B vitamins are necessary for proper utilization of magnesium.  Some people with fibromyalgia might have B vitamin deficiencies, especially B12.  One study, has shown that homocysteine levels are high in the cerebrospinal fluid, and this indicates low levels of B12 in the brain.  Additionally, homocysteine causes a depletion of intracellular free magnesium:, and according to the following study, only a combination of B6, B12, and folate acid can stop this depletion of magnesium.  Thus, some people with fibromyalgia might benefit from B vitamin supplementation.  (However, certain B12 deficiencies require B12 shots, as some people are unable to orally absorb enough B12.)

In some people, the problem might not be enough magnesium, but instead might be not enough vitamin D, which has an effect on magnesium absorption.  Up until recently, doctors only associated a vitamin D deficiency with weak bones, and they believed that a vitamin D deficiency in young people was rare in countries like the US.  However, both of these beliefs have been proven false.  Not only does it occur in young people, but sometimes a vitamin D deficiency can manifest itself mainly as pain.  Initial symptoms in adults can often appear as vague musculoskeletal pains, muscle weakness, and fatigue, symptoms commonly found in fibromyalgia.   Also, studies on the muscles of vitamin D deficient patients, show a reduction of ATP levels, similar to that of fibromyalgia patients.

In some cases, the deficiency leads to myopathy, with quite severe muscle weakness, especially affecting the legs and ability to walk.  On the other hand, sometimes the symptoms are less severe, in which case it could be easily overlooked in fibromyalgia patients.  In fact, several small studies have shown that at least 40% of patients with fibromyalgia have a vitamin D deficiency.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12810939
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11708429

And while some blood tests can possibly indicate a vitamin D deficiency, often a deficiency can exist without any other biochemical changes.   Thus, the only definite way to tell if you have this problem, is by testing vitamin D levels.  Unfortunately, very few doctors do this.  So It's quite possible that some people who have fibromyalgia, might also have a vitamin D deficiency.  Or perhaps they never had fibromyalgia to begin with.  In the following study from Canada, only 12% of patients referred to rheumatologists with the diagnosis of fibromyalgia, actually had fibromyalgia:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12595620

I personally started taking magnesium for spasms and facial tics, only doing so on my own after neurologists simply told me to either get better sleep or take a prescription drug.  The magnesium helped almost immediately, and I then slowly increased the dose to about 225% the RDA (balanced with 100% calcium RDA) At that point, all spasms and tics stopped completely, and they have not returned since starting that dose several years ago.  I doubt any traditional doctor would have been willing to prescribe that much magnesium. The RDA is 400mg, but many people believe this is too low.  Traditionally, it's been recommended to take calcium and magnesium in a ratio of 2/1.  But magnesium is less easily absorbed than calcium, so this ratio may not be valid for a lot of people, and in fact many cal-mag combinations found in health food stores often have additional magnesium.

Magnesium is just one of many helpful remedies and/or supplements for that might be helpful for fibromyalgia.  It's not a cure, but it may be helpful in relieving some of the symptoms. For more information about magnesium, click here to read Sandy Simmons's web page on magnesium.

Copyright (c) 2007
Contents of this article are the property of Mark R. London, MRL@PSFC.MIT.EDU  Contents can be forwarded to other people and posted on the internet, as long as it is forwarded in full.  Contents cannot be used in any way in any other media, without permission of the author.

Mark London  MRL@PSFC.MIT.EDU




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The following came from England and Vitamin D Council website. What I am seeing is a progression of thought in the medical community from, "you only need to be in the sun three times a week and expose your face and hands for fifteen minutes", to something that is closer to what I advocate for supplementation. Some studies are being done which have measured blood values in aboriginal people in Africa. They are seeing levels in the 50 to 60 ng/ml level. They suggest this is what we should aim for. I respect these studies, but respectfully disagree. They readily admit in the study that these people wear clothes which covers a significant portion of their bodies. I suspect that a more accurate aboriginal level would be with out any clothes. I think the technology of clothes did not exist for millions of years, before we obtained it, and thus this study does not represents a aboriginal level. So what do we "know"? We know that their is no toxicity until the level gets above 200 ng/ml. Also we know the Calcium level has to rise before their is any problem with toxicity occurring. This does not happen until 100 ng/ml. It is also a fact that raising your vitamin D level reduces pain and a level of 70 to 100 ng has significantly more pain relief than a lower level. So I am not about to drop my level of vitamin D supplementation. You are. of course, entitled to come to your own conclusion and I welcome that. One more thing. The report that the best way to supplement is by going into the sun. Have you been to England. Not much sun and it is significantly higher in latitude than any part of the USA. Definitely a bad idea to supplement in the sun as it is inadequate in the extreme. As I said, it is a progression. Now the report.



Vitamin D news Government steps up campaign for vitamin D supplementation 25 January 2012

The Government has asked experts to review the dietary advice it gives on vitamin D supplementation and intends to write to all GPs to remind them that they should be advising all people in at-risk groups to take vitamin D supplements.

The move follows a survey late last year that found over a quarter of under-fives do not have enough vitamin D, and are at risk of bone problems.



Current Department of Health guidelines say all patients under five years, over 65 years and those who are pregnant, breast-feeding or are not exposed the sun, should be advised to take vitamin D supplements.

People from ethnic minorities with darker skin are also advised to take vitamin D supplements.

Chief medical officer Professor Dame Sally Davies is set to write a letter to all GPs to ensure that they are recommending vitamin D supplements to all at-risk groups.

Professor Davies said: ‘A significant proportion of people in the UK probably have inadequate levels of vitamin D in their blood.'

‘Our experts are clear - low levels of vitamin D can increase the risk of poor bone health, including rickets in young children.'

‘Many health professionals such as midwives, GPs and nurses give advice on supplements, and it is crucial they continue to offer this advice as part of routine consultations and ensure disadvantaged families have access to free vitamin supplements through our Healthy Start scheme.'

Professor Davies also said the Department of Health had asked the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition to review their advice on dietary recommendations for vitamin D.

A recent Cochrane review looking at 45 trials on vitamin D supplementation found the supplement alone is unlikely to prevent fractures, although taking vitamin D with calcium supplements did appear to reduce risk of hip fractures in people living in institutional care.

Dr Louise Warburton, a GPSI in musculoskeletal medicine in Shrewsbury and president of the Primary Care Rheumatology Society, said she supported the focus on vitamin D deficiency, but said supplements may not be the only solution.

She said: ‘We do have quite a lot of people who are deficient in vitamin D in the clinic that I do - people with non-specific aches and pains.'

‘It is a problem out there, but going out on a sunny day is definitely the best way to supplement it.

At risk groups

• All pregnant and breastfeeding women, especially teenagers and young women
• Young children under 5 years of age
• All people aged 65 years and over.
• People who are not exposed to much sun, for example those who cover their skin for cultural reasons, who are housebound or confined indoors for long periods.
• People from ethnic minorities who have darker skin, because their bodies are not able to produce as much vitamin D. Clinical deficiency has been most reported among children of African-Caribbean and South Asian origin.

Source: Department of Health

_We keep seeing the same thing over and over again. Vitamin D makes a difference in this disease or that disease. Should anyone be surprised that a vitamin ( really a pro hormone) that goes to over 3,000 different genes has such profound results. The thing to keep in mind is that if a person who was to stand in the sun for 20 min at high noon, in the summer, with minimal clothes he or she would she would receive 10,000 iu of vitamin D. (50,000 iu if they receive a slight reddening of the skin. Something to be avoided)! But for that to happen he or she would have to be less than fifty, white, and not tanned. All these things promote the amount of vitamin D available. Other than those conditions decrease utilization.
The ignorance by the medical community continues. Please keep in mind that nutrition is not taught to our Medical Doctors. What they know is what they learn on their own from reading or taking a course independent of medical school. Those that are knowledgeable are very knowledgeable and I quote and refer to them often in my blogs by links. I respect these people because they have applied their vast knowledge to prevention!
Yet again I have run across a person quoting a health provider that proved the ignorance that is out there. A person I was telling about vitamin D said, my health provider said there is no use taking so much vitamin D as you will just pee out the excess. To make a statement like that is to show a complete ignorance of vitamins and vitamin D. Only a water soluble vitamin can be eliminated by urination if it is not needed. Vitamin D ( again it is a pro hormone) is fat soluble and therefore does not get eliminated in urine. I do not have a clue on how to educated educated people who should know their limitations, except to say knowledgeable patients can do it.
So now the study which is in rats. Is it proof? No it is not, but it is yet another indicator, of many, the benefits that are very very likely to follow optimizing your vitamin D level. Those who worry about cirrhosis or liver disease will find this especially interesting.
http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/researchers-find-vitamin-d-protects-against-liver-diseases/

_ Vitamin D Newsletter
January 17, 2012
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View it in your browser. Response to CRP and vitamin D association finding
January 11, 2012 -- Dr John Cannell

In a paper critical of higher levels of vitamin D for allegedly increasing a marker of inflammation, c-reactive protein (CRP), Drs. Muhammad Amer and Rehan Qayyum of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, began their paper by saying:

“The cardiovascular protection offered by vitamin D and its analogues is probably mediated by modulation of inflammatory cytokines.”

Amer M, Qayyum R. Relation Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and C-Reactive Protein in Asymptomatic Adults (From the Continuous National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001 to 2006). Am J Cardiol. 2011 Oct 12.

If you will notice, both physicians know that vitamin D offers “cardiovascular protection.” However, they are concerned 25(OH)D levels higher than 20 ng/ml will increase inflammation as measured by CRP and thus worsen cardiovascular protection. CRP is a protein in the blood which tends to rise in response to inflammation or injury. Its physiologic role is to take part in the “complement system.”

The authors arrived at this conclusion by adjusting their data for up to 9 variables and finding that a 25(OH)D of 20 ng/ml is associated with a CRP (range 0-5) of approximately 1.7 while a 25(OH)D of 50 ng/ml is associated with a CRP of 1.9. Their raw findings contradict their adjusted data in that the raw data showed what we have known for some time and that is that in the lower ranges of 25(OH)D, vitamin D reduces CRP. As with most biomarkers of vitamin D, the big improvement is in people who get their 25(OH)D up  from 5 ng/ml up to 20 ng/ml. We know that in most cases, the biggest bang for the buck is in treating severe deficiency in people with such low levels.

So if you have natural levels of vitamin D, say a 25(OH)D of 50 ng/ml, and you want to decrease your CRP by 0.2, then stop your vitamin D and stay out of the sun, get your levels to 20 ng/ml, and see if all the corrections and adjustments the doctors performed were correct. I certainly am not going to do such a silly thing.

Dozens of studies now exist showing supplemental vitamin D3 reduces mortality rates, in part due to its cardiovascular protection. The majority of these studies show that improvement in mortality continues through 30 ng/ml and even up to 40 ng/ml. Not enough people have levels of 50 ng/ml for scientists to see if such levels offer further protection. However, cardiovascular disease is rare in native peoples around the equator where vitamin D levels of 50 ng/ml are not uncommon.

The takeaway message from this paper is that scientists will need to recalculate lots of different “normals,” using vitamin D sufficient subjects. It’s not just that normal CRP may be a bit higher in vitamin D sufficient people, their red blood count and the protein albumin may be a bit lower, for example. The point is that pathologists and epidemiologists will need to redo much of their work. We don’t know the normal range of CRP in 65-year-old men; we know the range of CRP in 65-year-old vitamin D deficient men. Likewise, we don’t know the incidence of heart disease in 65-year-old men; we know the incidence of heart disease in vitamin D deficient 65 year-old men. We have lots of work to do.

Aspects in autism
January 9, 2012 -- Dr John Cannell

Dr. Cannell comments on the Los Angeles Time’s series on autism and a subsequent blog by Dr. Irva Hertz-Picciotto. Continue reading →
Study released on heart health and vitamin D levels
January 3, 2012 -- Dr John Cannell

Study from the University of Kansas found that vitamin D deficient patients were much more likely to have coronary artery disease, diabetes, swollen heart muscle (cardiomyopathy) and hypertension. Continue reading →
Vitamin D and DNA repair
January 16, 2012 -- Dr John Cannell
  Dr. Cannell reviews a paper discussing DNA repair as one of vitamin D’s mechanisms of action in cancer. Continue reading →
Vitamin D and the 'Scottish Paradox'
January 12, 2012 -- Dr John Cannell

Dr. Cannell Discusses the high disease rates in Scotland compared to the rest of Great Britain and the possible links to .

_ Vitamin D Newsletter
January 5, 2012
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View it in your browser. Controversy continues in rickets vs. child abuse cases in England
January 5, 2012 -- Dr John Cannell

How would you like to be the British pathologist, Dr. Irene Scheimberg? First, she rendered a politically incorrect autopsy report on a couple’s infant, reporting the infant died from vitamin D deficiency, not from child abuse. The state freed the couple only because the baby died, thus making an autopsy possible where Dr. Scheimberg discovered the rickets. If the infant had lived, the state would have taken the infant away, given it formula (with vitamin D) thus destroying the evidence of vitamin D deficiency and jailed the couple for felony child abuse. Only the infant’s death kept the parents out of prison.

Coghlan A.  Murder trial highlights return of Dickensian killer. 05 January 2012 New Scientist

Dr. Scheimberg is exceptionally honest, intellectually I mean. After she found vitamin D deficiency in the couple’s infant and exonerated the couple, she realized that she may have missed vitamin D deficiency as the cause of death in 27 other infants that she has autopsied over the last few years. I don’t know if she plans on redoing the autopsies, only to tell 27 grieving couples that their infant died a completely preventable death; a death directly out of the dark ages.

As readers know, I have written about false allegations of child abuse before:

• Child abuse? Or vitamin D deficiency rickets?
• Vitamin D Deficiency Rickets: Another Tragedy
• Another shattered family

However, things are worse in England. According to a source I have, the British police are filing complaints against British experts who dare to oppose the cop’s “child abuse” specialists. Recently, the police were successful in removing a respected physician from the expert medical panel, a physician who has written about the misdiagnoses of child abuse/rickets for more than 10 years. The police are now going after other experts who dare to question child abuse charges. I wonder if Dr. Scheimberg is on their list?
Vitamin D status during pregnancy and type 1 diabetes risk in offspring
December 30, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell

Dr. Cannell shares a personal story and reviews a paper on vitamin D status during pregnancy and type-1 diabetes outcomes in offspring... continue reading
Vitamin D levels and pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis
December 22, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell

Dr. Cannell reviews a meta-analysis on vitamin D levels associated with pancreatic cancer... continue reading
Strong evidence exists for a beneficial role of vitamin D in reducing risk of cardiovascular disease
December 31, 2011 -- Dr William Grant

As published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Dr. William Grant discusses cardiovascular disease and vitamin D... continue reading
Vitamin D receptor sites on the human genome
December 20, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell

Dr. Cannell reviews a paper on vitamin D receptor sites on the human genome... continue reading
Follow-up period affects results of observational studies of cancer incidence
December 23, 2011 -- Dr William Grant

As published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, Dr. William Grant reviews the recent Chung et al. meta-analysis on vitamin D’s role in cancer prevention... continue reading
A deeper look at the RECORD Trial
January 2, 2012 -- James Larsen

A look at the recently published paper, “Long-Term Follow-Up for Mortality and Cancer in a Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial of Vitamin D3 and/or Calcium (RECORD Trial)” from the Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism... continue reading
Association of hypogonadism with vitamin D status
December 26, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell

Dr. Cannell reviews another paper that associates vitamin D levels with testosterone levels... continue reading
Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews releases issue on vitamin D
December 16, 2011 -- Dr John Cannell

The journal Current Respiratory Medicine Reviews releases an entire issue on vitamin D this December... continue reading
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