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Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in vitamin D-insufficient hip fracture patients after supplementation with ergocalciferol and cholecalciferol. Glendenning P, Chew GT, Seymour HM, Gillett MJ, Goldswain PR, Inderjeeth CA, Vasikaran SD, Taranto M, Musk AA, Fraser WD. Bone. 2009 Nov;45(5):870-5. Epub 2009 Jul 23. PMID: 19631774 doi:10.1016/j.bone.2009.07.015 Cholecalciferol supplementation resulted in a 31% greater increase in total HPLC-measured 25OHD (p=0.010) and 52% greater rise in RIA-measured 25OHD (p0.05). In vitamin D-insufficient hip fracture patients, supplementation with cholecalciferol 1000 IU/day for three months was more effective in increasing serum 25OHD than an equivalent dose of ergocalciferol. However, the lack of difference in PTH lowering between calciferol treatments raises questions about the biological importance of this observation.

Rise in prostate-specific antigen in men with untreated low-grade prostate cancer is slower during spring-summer. Vieth R, Choo R, Deboer L, Danjoux C, Morton GC, Klotz L. Am J Ther. 2006 Sep-Oct;13(5):394-9. PMID: 16988533 doi: 10.1097/01.mjt.0000174346.36307.02

"I discussed in my last post how Dr Vieth has a model of tissue 1,25(OH)2D synthesis and degradation in which the level of active substance is pretty well independent of blood vitamin D level, provided the level is either rising or stable. I think it is also worth pointing out that he is talking, hypothetically, about tissue 1,25(OH)2D, not plasma level... As we know, almost nothing is known about tissue 1,25(OH)2D control. By Vieth's hypothesis tissue 1,25(OH)2D is OK so long as there is at least SOME vitamin D present in plasma and the level dose not vary too much. Obviously there is a level below which you can have as much of the enzyme for converting vitamin D to the active form as you like, if there is no vitamin D in your blood you can't make any 1,25(OH)2D in your tissues, or in your kidneys for export to your blood to control calcium levels. At the lower extremes we have rickets and osteomalacia. These are clear cut, unarguable markers of vitamin D deficiency, in the absence of confounding factors (there are a few)."

Not enough vitamin D: health consequences for Canadians. Schwalfenberg G. Can Fam Physician. 2007 May;53(5):841-54. Review PMID: 17872747 Conclusion Low levels of VTD are considered a major public health problem in Canada, especially during the winter. Those with risk factors should be screened for low 25(OH)D levels and repletion therapy instituted if needed. Researchers have estimated that the oral dose of vitamin D3 to attain and maintain 25(OH)D levels >80 nmol/L is 2200 IU/d if baseline levels are 20 to 40 nmol/L, 1800 IU/d if levels are 40 to 60 nmol/L, and 1160 IU/d if levels are between 60 and 80 nmol/L.64 We need to ensure that patients have healthy blood levels of 25(OH)D to prevent levels of parathyroid hormone from rising and to maximize absorption of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate. Positive effects on bone are marginal at best unless patients consume at least 800 IU/d of VTD. The emerging and exciting role of the VTD receptor and the actions of VTD in maintaining health in other cell types have become more apparent during the last decade.

Vieth R, Choo R, Deboer L, Danjoux C, Morton GC, Klotz L. \nRise in prostate-specific antigen in men with untreated low-grade prostate cancer is slower during spring-summer.\nAm J Ther. 2006 Sep-Oct;13(5):394-9.\nPMID: 16988533 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLI

The vitamin D craze has been building over the last few years, with low levels of the supplement being the blamed as a source of many of our ills. Depression? D can ease it. Chronic pain? Take D. It is said to prevent kidney disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, colon and breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, or even the common cold. Recently, a study linked low vitamin D levels to the rise in Caesarean births.

Plasma calcidiol, season, and serum parathyroid hormone concentrations in healthy elderly men and women. Dawson-Hughes B, Harris SS, Dallal GE. Am J Clin Nutr. 1997 Jan;65(1):67-71. PMID: 8988915 Plasma calcidiol and serum PTH concentrations were inversely related, with PTH rising slowly as calcidiol concentrations declined below 110 nmol/L (95 CI: 60, 168 nmol/L). More than 90% of the men and women had calcidiol concentrations below this value in the wintertime. The high prevalence of lower wintertime calcidiol values may increase risk of bone loss in elderly men and women.