Vitamin D

Daily duration of vitamin D synthesis in human skin with relation to latitude, total ozone, altitude, ground cover, aerosols and cloud thickness. Engelsen O, Brustad M, Aksnes L, Lund E. Photochem Photobiol. 2005 Nov-Dec;81(6):1287-90. PMID: 16354110 Vitamin D production in human skin occurs only when incident UV radiation exceeds a certain threshold. From simulations of UV irradiances worldwide and throughout the year, we have studied the dependency of the extent and duration of cutaneous vitamin D production in terms of latitude, time, total ozone, clouds, aerosols, surface reflectivity and altitude. For clear atmospheric conditions, no cutaneous vitamin D production occurs at 51 degrees latitude and higher during some periods of the year. At 70 degrees latitude, vitamin D synthesis can be absent for 5 months. Clouds, aerosols and thick ozone events reduce the duration of vitamin D synthesis considerably, and can suppress vitamin D synthesis completely even at the equator. A web page allowing the computation of the duration of cutaneous vitamin D production worldwide throughout the year, for various atmospheric and surface conditions, is available on the Internet at http://zardoz.nilu.no/~olaeng/fastrt/VitD.html and http://zardoz.nilu.no/~olaeng/fastrt/VitD-ez.html. The computational methodology is outlined here.

"UV-related web tools maintained by Ola Engelsen * FastRT - Fast simulations of downward UV doses, indices and irradiances at the Earth's surface: http://nadir.nilu.no/~olaeng/fastrt/fastrt.html. * VitD_quartMED - Calculated Ultraviolet Exposure Levels for a Healthy Vitamin D Status: http://nadir.nilu.no/~olaeng/fastrt/VitD_quartMED.html. * VitD - Duration of Vitamin D Synthesis in Human Skin: http://nadir.nilu.no/~olaeng/fastrt/VitD.html. "

The high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency across Australian populations is only partly explained by season and latitude. van der Mei IA, Ponsonby AL, Engelsen O, Pasco JA, McGrath JJ, Eyles DW, Blizzard L, Dwyer T, Lucas R, Jones G. Environ Health Perspect. 2007 Aug;115(8):1132-9. PMID: 17687438 doi: 10.1289/ehp.9937. Conclusion Vitamin D insufficiency is common over a wide latitude range in Australia. Season appears to be more important than latitude, but both accounted for less than one-fifth of the variation in serum 25(OH)D levels, highlighting the importance of behavioral factors. Current sun exposure guidelines do not seem to fully prevent vitamin D insufficiency, and consideration should be given to their modification or to pursuing other means to achieve vitamin D adequacy.

Seasonality of UV-radiation and vitamin D status at 69 degrees north. Brustad M, Edvardsen K, Wilsgaard T, Engelsen O, Aksnes L, Lund E. Photochem Photobiol Sci. 2007 Aug;6(8):903-8. Epub 2007 Jun 27. PMID: 17668121 The generally high dietary intakes of vitamin D, especially in winter, mask largely the effect of seasonal variation in UV-exposure, causing an atypical seasonal variation in vitamin D status. The UV-hour variable significantly predicted 25(OH)D levels in blood when adjusted for intakes and artificial UV-radiation exposure and sun holidays abroad.

Ecological studies of ultraviolet B, vitamin D and cancer since 2000. Grant WB, Mohr SB. Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul;19(7):446-54. Epub 2009 Mar 9. Review. PMID: 19269856 CONCLUSION: These findings provide strong evidence that vitamin D status plays an important role in controlling the outcome of cancer. Support for the UVB-vitamin D-cancer theory is now scientifically strong enough to warrant use of vitamin D in cancer prevention, and as a component of treatment. More research studies would help to explore whether there are benefits beyond the substantial effects that have been observed.

Are statins analogues of vitamin D? Grimes DS. Lancet. 2006 Jul 1;368(9529):83-6. Review. PMID: 16815382 doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68971-X There are many reasons why the dietary-heart-cholesterol hypothesis should be questioned, and why statins might be acting in some other way to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Here, I propose that rather than being cholesterol-lowering drugs per se, statins act as vitamin D analogues, and explain why. This proposition is based on published observations that the unexpected and unexplained clinical benefits produced by statins have also been shown to be properties of vitamin D. It seems likely that statins activate vitamin D receptors.

Pentti Tuohimaan ja Heli Viljakaisen keskustelua D-vitamiinin saantisuosituksista

The role of Vitamin D3 metabolism in prostate cancer. Lou YR, Qiao S, Talonpoika R, Syvälä H, Tuohimaa P. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2004 Nov;92(4):317-25. Epub 2004 Dec 19. Review. PMID: 15663995 doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2004.10.007 In summary, the local metabolism of hormonal Vitamin D seems to play an important role in the development and progression of prostate cancer.

sunlightD.org Grassroots Health and ZRT Labs are working together to help us all make sure we have enough vitamin D. Participate in understanding vitamin D. Visit grassrootshealth.net and join the research project. You'll get your D tested twice a year for five years. The cost is just $40 a test, $80 a year, more than reasonable for accurate D testing, and you'll help provide real answers, for yourself and for us all, about how much D we get and how much we need. Join now. Do commit to the full 5 years if you decide to sign on. If not joining for the full test period please use the testing links below.

"Do Your Vitamin D Research Here Links to all the Latest Research Studies Welcome to the Vitamin D Research Library. Here you'll find links to all of the latest Vitamin D Facts and Research studies, clinical trials and other scholarly Vitamin D Facts. The Research Library is Open 24/7 and is always growing. I'll be adding more and more links all of the time. Can't find what you are looking for or just don't want to spend the time doing the research yourself? Chances are, I've already done the Vitamin D Research myself and can answer your question."

"Vitamiinilisissä kannattaa suosia D3-vitamiinia On ilmeistä, että suomalaiset eivät saa ruoasta ja auringonvalosta riittävästi D-vitamiinia, niinpä onkin turvauduttava D-vitamiinilisiin. Kannattaa huomioida, että D-vitamiineissa on eroja. D2-valmisteet ovat tehottomampia kuin D3-valmisteet. D-vitamiinitason nostaminen kannattaa. Useissa tutkimuksissa on osoitettu, että jo pelkällä D-vitamiinilla pystytään vähentämään murtumia, kun potilaan D-vitamiinitaso saadaan yli 75 nmol/l. Tärkeä syy D-vitamiinin käyttöön on myös se, että D-vitamiinilla voidaan vähentää kaatumisia. D-vitamiinin on todettu parantavan ikäihmisillä lihasvoimaa ja tasapainoa ja sitä kautta vaikuttavan kaatumisriskiä pienentävästi. Erityishuomiota vaativat myös potilaat, joilta on poistettu mahalaukku tai joilla on imeytymishäiriöitä aiheuttava suolistosairaus. Heillä, kuten myös kirroosi- ja keliakiapotilailla, vaste ravinnosta saatuun D-vitamiiniin on muita huonompi. D-vitamiinilisän annosta voidaan joutua heidän kohdallaan nostamaan huomattavasti."

"From 1955 to 1990, all infants in East Germany received 600,000 IU of Vitamin D every three months for a total of 3,600,000 IU at age 18 months. With the 400 IU/day recommendation of the American Pediatric Association in mind, I ran across this amazing paper while surfing Medline for Vitamin D. According to this paper, all infants in the German Democratic Republic (East Germany) received dangerously high doses of Vitamin D every three months in their doctors office. The policy was in place for 35 years. The first 600,000 IU dose was given at three months and then every three months until the child was 18 months of age. This works out to an average of 6,000 IU per day (actually, for several technical reasons it is not equivalent) for 18 months. The authors collected blood before the dose and then 2 weeks after the quarterly dose to obtain 25(OH)D, 1,25(OH)D, and calcium levels on a total of 43 infants. Before the first dose, at 3 months of age, the average infant was extremely deficient (median 25(OH)D of 7 ng/ml). Two weeks after the first dose the average 25(OH)D level was 120 ng/ml, the second dose 170 ng/ml, the third dose, 180 ng/ml, the fourth dose, 144 ng/ml, the fifth dose, 110 ng/ml and after the sixth and final dose, 3.6 million total units, at age 18 months, the children had mean levels of 100 ng/ml. That is, by the 15 and 18 month doses, the children were beginning to effectively handle these massive doses. The highest level recorded in any of the 43 infants was 408 ng/ml at age 9 months, two weeks after the third 600,000 IU dose. Thirty-four percent of the infants had at least one episode of hypercalcemia but only 3 had an elevated serum 1,25(OH)D. The authors reported that all the infants appeared healthy, even the infant with a level of 408 ng/ml, that is, no clinical toxicity was noted in any of these infants."

Reducing the Burden of Disease Through Adequate Intake of Vitamin D3. A presentation at University of California, San Diego, April 9, 2008 by William B. Grant, Ph.D

"Retinol-induced Intestinal Tumorigenesis in Min/+ Mice and Importance of Vitamin D Status. Hetland RB, Alexander J, Berg JP, Svendsen C, Paulsen JE. Anticancer Res. 2009 Nov;29(11):4353-60. PMID: 20032378 The effects of life-long dietary exposure, starting in utero, to high retinol, low vitamin D, or high retinol in combination with low vitamin D on intestinal tumorigenesis in Min/+ mice were investigated. In males, high retinol alone significantly increased the number (2.6-fold) and size (1.3-fold) of small intestinal tumours; in females no significant increase in tumour number or size was seen. In both genders, low vitamin D intake alone did not affect intestinal tumorigenesis. In males, intake of the combined high retinol/low vitamin D diet did not further increase the effects caused by high retinol alone. In females, however, the high retinol/low vitamin D-induced increase in tumour number (3.1-fold) and tumour size (1.5-fold) exceeded that of high retinol alone. In conclusion, a high dietary intake of retinol stimulated intestinal tumorigenesis in Min/+ mice. Furthermore, the results indicate a combined effect of high retinol and low vitamin D on tumorigenesis in females"

"American Journal of Clinical Nutrition lehden (AJCN) tammikuun 2007 numerossa julkaistussa laajassa kokoomatutkimuksessa kritisoidaan voimakkaasti nykyisiä alhaisia D-vitamiinin saantisuosituksia (1). Lehden tutkimuksessa päivittäinen turvallinen annostus terveille ihmisille nostetaan aivan uudelle tasolle. Tällä hetkellä yleisesti hyväksyttynä turvallisena ylärajana pidetään 50 mikrogrammaa päivässä, tämän seurauksena Suomessakin nostettiin vuonna 2006 päivittäinen saantisuositus 7 mikrogrammasta 10 mikrogrammaan. Tiedeyhteisö on jo pitkään kritisoinut liian alhaisia D-vitamiinisuosituksia. Useimmat D-vitamiini-asiantuntijat ovat sitä mieltä, että 25(OH)D:n veripitoisuus tulisi olla vähintään 80 nmol/l, jotta D-vitamiinista saavutettaisiin optimaalinen hyöty. Viitearvoalue 25(OH)D:lle on Suomessa määritetty 10 - 105 nmol/l (tavoitetaso 40-80 nmol/l). Jotta 97.5 % väestöstä pääsisi 80 nmol/l tasolle tulisi D3-vitamiinin saanti olla vähintään 75 ug (3000 ky)/pv (2)."

Meta-analysis of longitudinal studies: Serum vitamin D and prostate cancer risk. Yin L, Raum E, Haug U, Arndt V, Brenner H. Cancer Epidemiol. 2009 Dec;33(6):435-45. Epub 2009 Nov 25. PMID: 19939760 doi:10.1016/j.canep.2009.10.014 CONCLUSIONS: According to available evidence from longitudinal studies, serum 25(OH)D is not associated with PC incidence.

"Tällä sivulla mainitut lääkkeet voivat estää auringon valon UVB-säteitä muodostamasta ihossa D-vitamiinia ja D-vitamiinin imeytymistä ravinnosta ja ravintolisistä. Lääkkeiden käyttäjän D-vitamiinin pitoisuus seerumissa (S-D-25) voi olla pienempi kuin mikä on terveyden kannalta ihanteellista (75-250 nmol/l). Suomalaisten S-D-25 on muutoinkin keskimäärin vain noin 40 nmol/l, elleivät he käytä D-vitamiinilisiä. Lääkkeen säännöllinen käyttö voi siten vaatia tavallistakin suurempaa D-vitamiinin saantia ravintolisän muodossa. Orlistaatti (kauppanimiä Alli ja Xenical, laihdutuslääkkeitä, estävät rasvojen ja rasvaliukoisten vitamiinien imeytymistä suolesta vereen), barbituraatit (unilääkkeet), karbamatsepiini (epilepsialääke), kolestyramiini, simetidiini (Tagamet), kolestipoli, kortikosteroidit (kortisonit), famotidiini (käytetään liikahappoisuuteen), fosfenytoiini (epilepsialääke), isoniatsidi (tuberkuloosilääke, nitsatidiini (mahahaavalääke), fenobarbitaali (epilepsia- ja unilääke), fenytoiini (epilepsialääke), ranitidiini (mahahaavalääke), rifampiini eli fluvastatiini ja valproaatti (epilepsialääke)."

"For what reason I don't know, but this January 2009 editorial by William Faloon of the Life Extension Foundation is making the rounds. Perhaps it just came available on the web. It's a good read, particularly in light of the billions and trillions of dollars the thieves & thugs in DC are about to flush down the crapper on your behalf. Some notable excerpts. A large number of new vitamin D studies have appeared in the scientific literature since I wrote my plea to the federal government. These studies don't just confirm what we knew 16 months ago-they show that optimizing vitamin D intake will save even more lives than what we projected. For instance, a study published in June 2008 showed that men with low vitamin D levels suffer 2.42 times more heart attacks. Now look what this means in actual body counts. Each year, about 157,000 Americans die from coronary artery disease-related heart attacks. Based on this most recent study, if every American optimized their vitamin D status, the number of deaths prevented from this kind of heart attack would be 92,500. To put the number of lives saved in context, tens of millions of dollars are being spent to advertise that Lipitor® reduces heart attacks by 37%. This is certainly a decent number, but not when compared with how many lives could be saved by vitamin D. According to the latest study, men with the higher vitamin D levels had a 142% reduction in heart attacks."

After much consideration into this blog's new name in the light of my new direction, the decision has been made. "Free the Animal" Why? First, if you read that post linked above, you know that my health and fitness approach is perfectly in harmony with my philosophical approach; and hence, my approach to politics and all that. In other words, a big part of the reason I have discovered something that truly works; and moreover, is the simplest, most natural, downright fun way of living: that gets you lean and fit; gets you feeling and sleeping great; and gets you looking years and years younger is precisely because I don't believe in the gods of heaven or earth, we evolved over millions of years and are conditioned by survival pressures that in no way include all vegetable diets, gorging on bottled water all day, eating ground grass seeds (grains and derivatives) running on a treadmill or elliptical, or involving ourselves in social schemes and cons that leave us powerless, with no influence, and at the mercy of the crowd and collective (the cannibal pot). Some have a lot of the pieces and do good work. I have all of the major pieces, though acquiring all of the specifics is a lifelong and never-ending journey of discovery. I will focus on essentials and specifics that really matter to me and others living a normal life in pursuit of survival, prosperity and happiness. I will point to other sources that provide more depth in specific areas that are of interest to only some

25-Hydroxyvitamin D(3) is an agonistic vitamin D receptor ligand. Lou YR, Molnár F, Peräkylä M, Qiao S, Kalueff AV, St-Arnaud R, Carlberg C, Tuohimaa P. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2009 Nov 26. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 19944755 doi:10.1016/j.jsbmb.2009.11.011 In conclusion, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 is an agonistic vitamin D receptor ligand with gene regulatory and anti-proliferative properties.