Fosamax Jaw Part 1: D reduces inflammation and pain after osteoporosis treatment
September 24, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
This is part one of a three part blog series discussing bone cell death of the jaw following osteoporosis treatments. Look for parts two and three later this week.
Fosamax jaw (osteonecrosis of the jaw) is the death of bone cells in the upper and/or lower jaw and is a feared but rare complication of drugs called bisphosphonates. Examples include alendronate (Fosamax), pamidronate (Aredia), zoledronate (Zometa), risedronate (Actonel), ibandronate (Boniva), and Zoledronic acid or zoledronate (Zometa, Zomera, Aclasta and Reclast). Physicians use these drugs for multiple reasons, usually to prevent osteoporosis as well as to prevent complications in patients with cancers. Administration of one of them, Zoledronic acid, is by intravenous infusion.
Side effects of bisphosphonates include inflammation such as pain, fatigue, muscle aches, fever, and/or swelling in the feet or legs. Flu-like symptoms are common after the intravenous one (Zoledronic acid). These are inflammatory side effects and they suggest uncontrolled inflammation is the root cause of the side effects of bisphosphonates, perhaps even the cause of osteonecrosis of the jaw.
The management of osteonecrosis of the jaw is a dilemma. No effective treatment exists, although stopping the drug (if clinically possible) may stabilize the disorder and reduce symptoms. Continue reading → (no membership required)
RCT: Treating vitamin D deficiency in HIV positive youth
September 20, 2012 -- Rebecca Oshiro
A study in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism investigated the efficacy of monthly vitamin D supplementation to treat vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in HIV positive young adults. Continue reading → (membership required)
Vitamin D and sun exposure: Eczema update
September 22, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
Researchers at the University of California at San Francisco reviewed all the evidence examining vitamin D status and severity of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. Continue reading → (membership required)
A closer look: D3 has no effect on cardiovascular risk factors
September 19, 2012 -- Jim Larsen
Researchers from the University of Aberdeen recently reported that vitamin D has no effect on conventional cardiovascular risk factors. Jim Larsen explains the media-hyped study. Continue reading → (no membership required)
Meta-analysis: Vitamin D levels and risk of heart disease, early death
September 18, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
Recently, researchers from the Copenhagen University Hospital in Denmark studied more than 10,000 men and women, following the patients for 29 years to see who developed heart disease, a heart attack or died. Continue reading → (membership required)
RCT: Vitamin D supplementation and TB in Mongolian children
September 21, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
In a double blind randomized controlled trial, researchers at Harvard gave Mongolian schoolchildren 800 IU of vitamin D/day for six months and tested for tuberculosis. Dr Cannell discusses the results. Continue reading → (membership required)
Vitamin D: Possible cure for baldness?
September 19, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
Researchers investigating what causes hair follicles to go dormant are helping lead us toward a potential cure for baldness. Continue reading → (news)
Gestational exposure to air pollution linked to vitamin D deficiency in newborns
September 20, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism reports that gestational exposure to air pollution, especially in the third trimester, may contribute to lower vitamin D levels in infants. Continue reading → (news)
September is national prostate cancer awareness month
September 18, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
Prostate Cancer Awareness Month is a time for men and health care providers to increase awareness about the disease and discuss prostate cancer screening options. Continue reading → (news)
Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk of heart disease
September 24, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
Research published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology reports that vitamin D deficiency is associated with an increased risk of heart attack and early death. Continue reading → (news)
Donate your old tablets to VDC!
September 25, 2012
Do you have an old tablet around the house that you aren't using? Donate it to the Council! We are looking for tablets with internet access that we will use at the upcoming American Public Health Association conference next month. We'll have a booth set up to talk with health professionals, layman, and other conference attendees about the vitamin D deficiency pandemic. We'll use the tablets to feature our updated website design and useful health information.
If you would like to donate your old tablet or have questions, contact our Community Coordinator Kate Saley for details: ksaley@vitamindcouncil.org.
VDC Indiegogo campaign
September 25, 2012
Check in to see how the VDC indiegogo campaign is going! Click here to see recent updates and contributor comments about the campaign.