The latest research: Vitamin D for prevention of respiratory infections
March 23, 2013 -- John Cannell, MD
Respiratory tract infection involves a large number of infectious diseases in the respiratory tract. They are split into upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) or lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). LRTI, such as pneumonia, tend to be far more serious conditions than URTI, such as the common cold.
Typical symptoms of URTI include tonsillitis, sore throat, laryngitis, sinusitis, ear infections, and the common cold. Symptoms of URTI can include cough, sore throat, runny nose, nasal congestion, headache, low grade fever, facial pain or pressure and sneezing.
LRTI are much more serious and are the leading cause of death among all infectious diseases. The two most common types are bronchitis and pneumonia. Cough, chest pain and fever are the common symptoms. Influenza infections affects both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, but the much more dangerous strains, such as H1N1, infects deep into the lower lungs causing severe symptoms. Besides cough and fever, prostration (having to lie down) is a prominent symptom of a true influenza infection. An H1N1 influenza strain killed up to 50,000,000 people in 1918 and 1919, and, for unknown reasons, was especially fatal for young people in the prime of life.
Recently, Dr Jaykaran Charan and colleagues of the Indian Institute of Public Health published a meta-analysis of all randomized controlled trials of vitamin D and respiratory tract infections. Continue reading → (no membership required) Gene expression and vitamin D: What's the link?
March 19, 2013 -- John Cannell, MD
Anywhere form 3% to 10% of the active human genome is directly or indirectly signaled by vitamin D. Some of these genes are well known, such as the tyrosine hydroxylase gene, which seems to have a role in depression, and the renin gene that has a role in hypertension. Continue reading → (membership required) Heart failure following heart attack: Can vitamin D help?
March 22, 2013 -- John Cannell, MD
The development of heart failure after a heart attack is determined by the size of the injured area caused by the attack, the wound healing response, and the healing of the scar. Recently, researchers at Tel Aviv University decided to see if vitamin D affected the heart scaring process. Continue reading → (membership required) Does vitamin D influence our genes?
March 21, 2013 -- John Cannell, MD
Researchers recently studied the genes of 11 children with vitamin D deficiency comparing them to 11 age-matched controls. Dr Cannell discusses the differences they found between the two groups. Continue reading → (membership required) Can some time in the sun decrease your risk of rheumatoid arthritis?
March 25, 2013 -- Kate Saley
If you get casual sun exposure you may be decreasing your risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to research published in Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. Continue reading → (membership required)
Is inflammation during pregnancy linked to autism?
March 20, 2013 -- Dr William Grant
Drs Cannell and Grant outline the evidence that maternal vitamin D Deficiency may explain increased inflammation, maternal infections, and autism. Continue reading → (no membership required)
Potential immune benefits of strong vitamin D status, says randomized controlled trial
March 20, 2013 -- Vitamin D Council News
Improvement in vitamin D levels will significantly affect expression of genes that have a wide variety of important functions linked to cancer, autoimmune diseases and cardiovascular disease, according to research published today in the journal PLOS ONE. Continue reading → Low vitamin D may increase risk of tobacco-related cancers
March 19, 2013 -- Vitamin D Council News
Research published last week in Clinical Chemistry reports that low vitamin D levels may increase smokers’ risk for developing tobacco-related cancers. Continue reading → NICE calling for evidence for public health guidance on vitamin D
March 22, 2013 -- Vitamin D Council News
The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) in the United Kingdom is calling for evidence to help implement guidance to prevent vitamin D deficiency. Continue reading → Living in a sunny climate does not improve vitamin D levels in hip fracture patients
March 20, 2013 -- Vitamin D Council News
Living in a sunny climate does not improve vitamin D levels in hip fracture patients, according to a new study presented last week at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The authors also report that vitamin D levels are lower in hip fracture patients compared with hip and knee replacement patients. Continue reading → Vitamin D and prostate cancer
March 26, 2013 -- Vitamin D Event
This week's free Grassroots Health webinar features Dr Reinhold Vieth discussing how "vitamin D reduces prostate cancer-associated lesions."
Register here for today's webinar, which starts at 10am PST! Have a vitamin D question? You can submit your questions for Dr Vieth when you register. Let's talk vitamin D
March 26, 2013 -- Vitamin D Event
Ever wonder how to voice your opinion on vitamin D online to influence public health?
Take a look at this presentation made by Andre Tomlin at the Cochrane UK & Ireland 21st Anniversary Symposium discussing social media and disseminating helpful conversation to influence practice. Help the Council Today Like Tweet Forward to Friend Copyright © 2013 The Vitamin D Council,