Vitamin D Newsletter

Vitamin D Council October 9th, 2012 This newsletter is in part made possible by the support of our sponsors

A closer look: "Vitamin D no match for common cold"
October 4, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
Many of readers report a reduction (not absence) of colds and flu with 5,000 IU daily doses of vitamin D. However, hundreds of media outlets are reporting on a well-conducted JAMA study that showed no benefit for vitamin D in preventing the common cold.

• Vitamin D Won’t Save You From Common Cold, Latest Study Says
• Vitamin D may do nothing to prevent common colds
• Trying to Avoid a Cold? Skip the Vitamin D Supplements
• Vitamin D doesn’t fight off colds

The randomized controlled trial, led by Dr David R Murdock of the University of Otago in New Zealand, found that 200, 000 IU per month for two months followed by 100,000 IU per month of vitamin D for 16 months in 161 patients did not prevent either the diagnosis or complaint of the common cold. The study included viral cultures, rigorous efforts to capture all infections, vitamin D given during monthly doctor visits, and initial and follow up vitamin D levels. The average initial level in the treatment group was 29 ng/ml and 18 months later, the mean level was approximately 50 ng/ml, with no side effects.

However, only 13 of the 161 placebo patients had levels below 20 ng/ml and only 5 of the 322 total patients had levels less than 10 ng/ml to begin the study. That is, the placebo group had relatively high levels (mean of 28 ng/ml initially), compared to most populations, and all but 13 patients had levels above 20 ng/ml for most of the study, apparently from sun exposure. Continue reading → (no membership required)

Vitamin D deficiency in pregnant women: National cross-sectional study
October 5, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
Researchers at the Scientific Institute of Public Health in Belgium discovered vitamin D deficiency among Belgium women is alarmingly prevalent. Continue reading → (membership required)
  Meta-analysis and review: Low D increases risk of Alzheimer's
October 4, 2012 -- Kate Saley
A recent meta-analysis and review published in Neurology reports that lower vitamin D levels are associated with decreased cognitive function and an increased risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Continue reading → (no membership required)


What is Kaiser's protocol for treating vitamin D deficiency?
October 3, 2012 -- Brant Cebulla
Ever wonder how often vitamin D deficiency is being treated in a clinical setting? Doctors from Kaiser Permanente of Northern California have shared their practices in the most recent issue of the Journal of Managed Care Pharmacy. Continue reading → (membership required)

Dear Dr Cannell: Preventing autism?
October 2, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
A doctor from NY writes to the Council about his experience with vitamin D and autism in his private pediatric practice. Continue reading → (no membership required)



Vitamin D and the 'panacea' of the sun
October 6, 2012 -- John Cannell, MD
Dr Cannell discusses a scientist who was writing and researching about the non-calcitropic (heart, lung, brain, pancreas, stomach, muscle, immune, etc.) effects of vitamin D long before many. Continue reading → (no membership required)

RCT shows curious relationship between vitamin D and cholesterol
October 8, 2012 -- Brant Cebulla
A recent randomized controlled trial published in the journal Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology reports that vitamin D in the short term has no effect on cholesterol. Continue reading → (membership required)


October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October 2, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
It's that time again. We'll be seeing football teams dressed in pink and pink ribbons everywhere. Yep, it's National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM). Continue reading → (news)

RCT: Vitamin D reduced body fat mass in overweight women
October 5, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
A double-blind, randomized controlled trial published last month in Nutrition Journal reports that increasing vitamin D serum levels led to body fat mass reduction. Continue reading → (news)



Low D, high PTH associated with increased mortality in older adults
October 3, 2012 -- Vitamin D News
Research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism reports low vitamin D levels and high parathyroid hormone levels are associated with increased mortality among African American and Caucasian elderly. Continue reading → (news)