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Matti Narkia

The Vitamin D-Antimicrobial Peptide Pathway and Its Role in Protection Against Infectio... - 0 views

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    The vitamin D-antimicrobial peptide pathway and its role in protection against infection. Gombart AF. Future Microbiol. 2009 Nov;4:1151-65. PMID: 19895218 Vitamin D deficiency has been correlated with increased rates of infection. Since the early 19th century, both environmental (i.e., sunlight) and dietary sources (cod liver) of vitamin D have been identified as treatments for TB. The recent discovery that vitamin D induces antimicrobial peptide gene expression explains, in part, the 'antibiotic' effect of vitamin D and has greatly renewed interest in the ability of vitamin D to improve immune function. Subsequent work indicates that this regulation is biologically important for the response of the innate immune system to wounds and infection and that deficiency may lead to suboptimal responses toward bacterial and viral infections. The regulation of the cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide gene is a human/primate-specific adaptation and is not conserved in other mammals. The capacity of the vitamin D receptor to act as a high-affinity receptor for vitamin D and a low-affinity receptor for secondary bile acids and potentially other novel nutritional compounds suggests that the evolutionary selection to place the cathelicidin gene under control of the vitamin D receptor allows for its regulation under both endocrine and xenobiotic response systems. Future studies in both humans and humanized mouse models will elucidate the importance of this regulation and lead to the development of potential therapeutic applications
Matti Narkia

Cod liver oil, vitamin A toxicity, frequent respiratory infections, and the vitamin D d... - 0 views

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    Cod liver oil, vitamin A toxicity, frequent respiratory infections, and the vitamin D deficiency epidemic. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Willett W, Zasloff M, Hathcock JN, White JH, Tanumihardjo SA, Larson-Meyer DE, Bischoff-Ferrari HA, Lamberg-Allardt CJ, Lappe JM, Norman AW, Zittermann A, Whiting SJ, Grant WB, Hollis BW, Giovannucci E. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008 Nov;117(11):864-70. Review. PMID: 19102134 Until we have better information on doses of vitamin D that will reliably provide adequate blood levels of 25(OH)D without toxicity, treatment of vitamin D deficiency in otherwise healthy children should be individualized according to the numerous factors that affect 25(OH)D levels, such as body weight, percent body fat, skin melanin, latitude, season of the year, and sun exposure.2 The doses of sunshine or oral vitamin D3 used in healthy children should be designed to maintain 25(OH)D levels above 50 ng/mL. As a rule, in the absence of significant sun exposure, we believe that most healthy children need about 1,000 IU of vitamin D3 daily per 11 kg (25 lb) of body weight to obtain levels greater than 50 ng/mL. Some will need more, and others less. In our opinion, children with chronic illnesses such as autism, diabetes, and/or frequent infections should be supplemented with higher doses of sunshine or vitamin D3, doses adequate to maintain their 25(OH)D levels in the mid-normal of the reference range (65 ng/mL) - and should be so supplemented year round. Otolaryngologists treating children are in a good position to both diagnose and treat vitamin D deficiency.
Matti Narkia

What To Do If You Contract Influenza: Including H1N1 (Swine) Flu or the Common Cold - L... - 0 views

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    "With daily news reports warning of a swine flu pandemic, members have besieged our health advisors with questions about what they should do to protect themselves against the H1N1 (swine flu) virus. The good news is that Life Extension® members obtain a considerable amount of immune support via the supplements they already use, especially those taking high-dose vitamin D. An important question, however, is what one should do if they develop symptoms of a viral infection? As the days grow colder, the risks of contracting common flu and cold viruses increase. Each year, flu virus infections kill around 36,000 Americans and cause miseries for millions.1 An outbreak of the swine flu virus is expected this winter. While certain supplements (and drugs) purport to shorten the duration of a viral infection, most of them fail to provide significant relief. Over the past 28 years, Life Extension® personnel have experimented with various nutrients, hormones, and drugs in order to minimize the impact of the common cold and typical flu viruses. In this article, I will reveal what has worked for me personally to ward off common cold/flu viruses and what has been validated in the scientific literature to be effective. I will also elaborate on some aggressive prescription drug strategies to consider in the event that you contract a severe form of swine flu or other type of influenza."
Matti Narkia

A randomized controlled trial of vitamin D3 supplementation for the prevention of sympt... - 0 views

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    A randomized controlled trial of vitamin D3 supplementation for the prevention of symptomatic upper respiratory tract infections. Li-Ng M, Aloia JF, Pollack S, Cunha BA, Mikhail M, Yeh J, Berbari N. Epidemiol Infect. 2009 Mar 19:1-9. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 19296870
Matti Narkia

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infecti... - 0 views

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    Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and upper respiratory tract infection in the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Ginde AA, Mansbach JM, Camargo CA Jr. Arch Intern Med. 2009 Feb 23;169(4):384-90. PMID: 19237723 Conclusions Serum 25(OH)D levels are inversely associated with recent URTI. This association may be stronger in those with respiratory tract diseases. Randomized controlled trials are warranted to explore the effects of vitamin D supplementation on RTI.
Matti Narkia

Vitamin D, respiratory infections, and asthma. [Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2009] - PubMed... - 0 views

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    Vitamin D, respiratory infections, and asthma. Ginde AA, Mansbach JM, Camargo CA Jr. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2009 Jan;9(1):81-7. Review. PMID: 19063829
Matti Narkia

Oral vitamin D may help prevent some skin infections - 0 views

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    October 6th, 2008 A study led by researchers at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine suggests that use of oral Vitamin D supplements bolsters production of a protective chemical normally found in the skin, and may help prevent skin infections that are a common result of atopic dermatitis, the most common form of eczema.
Matti Narkia

Vitamin D supplementation to prevent infections: a sub-study of a randomised placebo-co... - 0 views

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    Vitamin D supplementation to prevent infections: a sub-study of a randomised placebo-controlled trial in older people (RECORD trial, ISRCTN 51647438).\nAvenell A, Cook JA, Maclennan GS, Macpherson GC.\nAge Ageing. 2007 Sep;36(5):574-7. Epub 2007 Aug 15. No abstract available.\nPMID: 17702768 \ndoi:10.1093/ageing/afm091
Matti Narkia

An association of serum vitamin D concentrations < 40 nmol/L with acute respiratory tra... - 0 views

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    An association of serum vitamin D concentrations < 40 nmol/L with acute respiratory tract infection in young Finnish men.\nLaaksi I, Ruohola JP, Tuohimaa P, Auvinen A, Haataja R, Pihlajamäki H, Ylikomi T.\nAm J Clin Nutr. 2007 Sep;86(3):714-7.\nPMID: 17823437
Matti Narkia

The vitamin D-antimicrobial peptide pathway and its role in protection against infectio... - 0 views

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    The vitamin D-antimicrobial peptide pathway and its role in protection against infection. Gombart AF. Future Microbiol. 2009 Nov;4:1151-65. PMID: 19895218 doi:10.2217/fmb.09.87
Matti Narkia

Breastfeeding Does Not Protect Against Urinary Tract Infection in the First 3 Months of... - 0 views

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    Breastfeeding does not protect against urinary tract infection in the first 3 months of life, but vitamin D supplementation increases the risk by 76%. Katikaneni R, Ponnapakkam T, Ponnapakkam A, Gensure R. Clin Pediatr (Phila). 2009 Sep;48(7):750-5. Epub 2009 Mar 4. PMID: 19264720 DOI: 10.1177/0009922809332588 The relative risk of UTI with breastfeeding versus formula feeding was 1.03 (0.58-1.82), and any breastfeeding versus no breastfeeding was 0.92 (0.58-1.45). Vitamin D supplementation increased the UTI risk, with a relative risk of 1.76 (1.07-2.91, P < .05). However, only formula-fed infants showed an increased risk of UTI after vitamin D supplementation.
Matti Narkia

Animal Pharm: Hearts of Stone, Arteries of Glass - 0 views

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    A recent Wall Street Journal article "Defending Against Disease -- With Vitamin D New Studies Suggest It Isn't Just Bones That Might Benefit" by the wonderful Melinda Beck highlights benefits of Vitamin D3. In TYP, we've known the benefits for years :) but it's nice to see the rest of the world catching up. The benefits of Vitamin D3 are potent, powerful immunomodulation -- to the point where autoimmune diseases, viral and bacterial infections and cancer are effectively reduced. What is the value for heart disease and diabetes prevention? In hemodialysis patients, great lessons are can be learned. Nephrologists often describe patients with severe (stage 5) chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients on hemodialysis as having 'hearts of stone, blood vessels of glass.' Unfortunately over 70% of chronic hemodialysis patients have coronary artery disease (and Lp(a)). What medical science shows is that Agatston coronary calcification scores can be dramatically reduced when vitamin D is replenished and calcium is restricted. Sevelamer (Renagel) is a calcium-free, metal-free polymer phosphate binder. In 52-weeks, calcium restriction, a phosphate-binder and vitamin D resulted in one individual in a 21% reduction in Agatston CAC score (from 968 to 756; see Figure 2).
Matti Narkia

Vitamin D signaling, infectious diseases, and regulation of innate immunity. - Infect I... - 0 views

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    Vitamin D signaling, infectious diseases, and regulation of innate immunity. White JH. Infect Immun. 2008 Sep;76(9):3837-43. Epub 2008 May 27. Review. PMID: 18505808 doi:10.1128/IAI.00353-08
Matti Narkia

One dose of vitamin D boosts TB immunity - New Zealand's source for health news on Stuf... - 0 views

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    In healthy people who have been exposed to tuberculosis, a single oral dose of vitamin D enhances their immunity against this bacterial infection.
Matti Narkia

Vitamin D Deficiency Lead to Disease - Dr. Weil's Weekly Bulletin - 0 views

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    "If you're running low on vitamin D - as an estimated 70 percent of the U.S. population is - your immune system may not be functioning as well as it should. As a result, you may be more vulnerable to infectious diseases than you would if your vitamin D levels were optimal. Worse, you could be at higher than normal risk of a long list of diseases including heart disease and several kinds of cancer. A report recently published journal, Future Microbiology, highlighted research at the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University, which has shown that vitamin D induces expression of an antimicrobial peptide gene called cathelicidin that is the "first line of defense" in the immune system's response to minor wounds, cuts and bacterial and viral infections. The regulation of cathelicidin by vitamin D could help explain its vital role in immune function. The report noted that vitamin D is a key cofactor in reducing inflammation, in blood pressure control and helping to protect against heart disease. Author Adrian Gombart explains that there is still much to explore about D's mechanisms of action, the potential use of synthetic analogs of it in new treatments, and its duty in fighting infection."
Matti Narkia

JNNP -- eLetters for Soilu-Hänninen et al., 79 (2) 152-157 - 0 views

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    Vitamin D may suppress infections which lead to development of Multiple Sclerosis Steven R Brenner, None (16 August 2007) J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2008 I read the article with reference to the inverse relationship between multiple sclerosis clinical activity and deficiency of vitamin D by Soilu-Hannienen (1) with interest, and was considering what mechanism could be in play to cause such a relationship. 25-hydroxylated metabolites of vitamin D act as intracellular regulators of the synthesis and action of defensin (2) molecules against bacterial antigens, defensin being an endogenously synthesized antimicrobial substance (2). Human cathelicidin antimicrobial peptide gene is a target of vitamin D receptor and is strongly up-regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3, indicating vitamin D receptor and the 1,25-dihydroxyvitaminD3 regulate primate innate immunity (3)
Matti Narkia

Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. - Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40. (full t... - 0 views

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    Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Cannell JJ, Vieth R, Umhau JC, Holick MF, Grant WB, Madronich S, Garland CF, Giovannucci E. Epidemiol Infect. 2006 Dec;134(6):1129-40. Epub 2006 Sep 7. Review. PMID: 16959053
Matti Narkia

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infecti... - 0 views

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    Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. \nAdit A. Ginde, MD, MPH; Jonathan M. Mansbach, MD; Carlos A. Camargo Jr, MD, DrPH . \nArch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):384-390\n
Matti Narkia

Vitamin D in the Spotlight - Health For Life - MSNBC.com - 0 views

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    This critical nutrient builds bones, helps fight infection and may protect against some cancers. Do we get enough?
Matti Narkia

Incidence of reported cold/influenza symptoms according to season - 0 views

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    Incidence of reported cold/influenza symptoms according to season. The 104 subjects in the placebo group (light shade) reported cold and flu symptoms year around with the most symptoms in the winter. While on 800 IU per day (intermediate shade) the 104 test subjects were as likely to get sick in the summer as the winter. Only one of the 104 test subjects had cold/influenza symptoms during the final year of the trial, when they took 2,000 IU of vitamin D per day (dark shading). Adapted from: Aloia JF, Li-Ng M: Epidemic influenza and vitamin D. Epidemiol Infect 2007; 135: 1095-1096
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