Vitamin D may prevent clogged arteries in diabetics
November 14, 2012 -- Vitamin D Council
People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing clogged arteries, often leading to heart disease; vitamin D deficiency may play a role.
The research published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry reports that blood vessels are less likely to clog in diabetic patients who have adequate vitamin D levels. In patients with vitamin D deficiency, immune cells bind to blood vessels near the heart, and trap cholesterol to block the blood vessels.
According to the American Diabetes Association, about 8.3% (26 million) of the American population has diabetes.
“As obesity rates rise, we expect even more people will develop diabetes. Those patients are more likely to experience heart problems due to an increase in vascular inflammation, so we have been investigating why this occurs,” says contributing author Carlos Bernal-Mizrachi, MD.
The researchers measured vitamin D levels in 43 participants with type 2 diabetes, and 25 age, sex, and weight matched controls. They found that in diabetes patients with vitamin D levels less than 30 ng/mL, macrophage cells were more likely to attach to the walls of blood vessels, causing cholesterol buildup, and ultimately causing the vessels to stiffen and block blood flow.
“We looked at blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes control, body weight and race. But only vitamin D levels correlated to whether these cells stuck to the blood vessel wall,” lead author Amy E Riek, MD, explained. Continue reading → (news)
What's the story with the recent news on vitamin D supplements?
November 16, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
We recently blogged about a Finnish study that found only a third of the vitamin D supplements in Finland were within 20% of what was claimed on the bottle. We also reported on the fact that the University was later asked to retest the results for accuracy. This past week the same Finnish University publicly apologized for the study, stating the testing method they used was unreliable. Follow the story → (news)
Extrasceletal health in children: The impact of vitamin D during pregnancy
November 16, 2012 -- Rebecca Oshiro
A recent systematic review examined the evidence for maternal vitamin D status and a variety of health conditions, including birthweight, infections, wheezing and asthma, and type 1 diabetes (T1D). Continue reading → (membership required)
RCT: Vitamin D improves musculoskeletal pain in non-Western immigrants
November 15, 2012 -- Kate Saley
A randomized controlled trial published in the Annals of Internal Medicine reports that vitamin D improves nonspecific musculoskeletal pain in non-Western immigrants. Continue reading → (no membership required)
Dear Dr Cannell: Sleep disorders linked to vitamin D deficiency
November 13, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
Dr Cannell discusses research on vitamin D deficiency and sleep disorders. A reader asks about a possible link between sleep disorders and autism. Continue reading → (no membership required)
Winter in the UK: D supplementation of professional athletes
November 16, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
Dr Cannell discusses a randomized controlled trial examining the outcomes of vitamin D supplementation in professional UK football players. Continue reading → (membership required)
Dear Dr Cannell: Sun exposure, vitamin D, and eczema
November 17, 2012 -- Dr William Grant
Dr Cannell talks with a reader about dishydrosis, also known as vesiculobullous hand eczema, which causes sudden onset of many itchy clear small blisters in the skin. Continue reading → (no membership required)
Birth month associated with MS risk
November 15, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
Research published yesterday in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry suggest that birth month has a significant association with multiple sclerosis (MS), with as much as a 12% difference in risk. Continue reading → (news)
Vitamin D deficiency linked to type 1 diabetes risk
November 16, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
A study led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine reports a correlation between vitamin D status and risk of type 1 diabetes. Continue reading → (news)
Thank you!
November 20, 2012
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Last chance to vote!
November 24, 2012
This is your last reminder to vote for VDC in the FedEx small business grant contest! Voting closes Saturday, November 24th! Help the council stay in the running! Click here to vote.