Townsend Letter The Examiner of Alternative Medicine
Alternative Medicine Conference Calendar
Check recent tables of contents

 

From the Townsend Letter
June 2009


Book Review
Vitamin D – Superstar
review by Irene Alleger

Search this site
   

Sunshine and Vitamin D – A Comprehensive Guide to the Benefits of the 'Sunshine Vitamin'
by Frank Murray, foreword by Ronald L. Hoffman, MD
Basic Health Publications Inc.
28812 Top of the World Drive, Laguna Beach, California 96251
949-715-7327
www.basichealthpub.com
Softcover; ©2008; $18.95; 234 pp.

The buzz is everywhere – a new star has appeared on the horizon and is the talk of the town. Even mainstream docs are urging their patients to take this supplement. The recognition of vitamin D's many benefits has been a long time coming. One reason – the usual lack of interest in nonpharmaceuticals; and even now, some researchers believe D is a hormone rather than a vitamin. Whichever it is, we now know that D is essential for bone health, among other things; and the book cites many studies, especially on postmenopausal women, reporting widespread deficiencies. The more recent use of sunscreen has purportedly been to prevent skin cancer; it was originally intended to prevent wrinkles or premature aging of the skin from the sun. Since the ubiquitous use of sunscreen, osteoporosis has become epidemic.

Low vitamin D status has now been linked to diseases such as breast cancer, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, and diabetes. However, the studies are so recent that outdated and misleading dosages are still given in media reports to the public. In one study, randomized trials using the currently recommended intakes of 400 IU/day of vitamin D showed no appreciable reduction in fracture risk. By contrast, trials using 700–800 IU/day of the vitamin found less fracture incidence, with and without supplemental calcium. So dosage is crucial.

For people living in the southern latitudes, there's no lack of vitamin D exposure. However, for those of us living in northern climes, supplementation is essential – here in the Pacific Northwest, I see more rain than sunshine most of the year.

Low vitamin D status seems to especially affect women and seniors. Chapters on vitamin D and women's health, and vitamin D and seniors, reflect the large amount of research accumulating on this essential nutrient. Study after study shows the almost universal deficiency in these populations. In one study, blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations and risk factors were evaluated in men and women, ranging in age from 67 to 95, who were in the famous Framingham Heart Study cohort. In the women, concentrations were inversely associated with age and positively associated with supplemental vitamin D intake and residence in Florida, California, and Arizona; in men they were positively associated with serum creatinine concentrations. The researchers noted that results from the population-based sample of elderly people suggest that inadequate vitamin D status is an important public health problem.

The chapter on cardiovascular disease reports that patients with severe congestive heart failure had significantly lower vitamin D metabolites and higher bone turnover. Another research team evaluated the association between blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and various cardiovascular disease risk factors. Their conclusion that blood levels of vitamin D are associated with important cardiovascular disease risk factors in American adults was published in Archives of Internal Medicine in 2007.

There are additional chapters on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, cancer, celiac disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis – all with an abundance of studies showing the importance of vitamin D status in many serious diseases and the widespread deficiencies in Northern populations.

There's an important chapter on sunscreens and vitamin D, showing that age-adjusted incidence and mortality rates from melanoma have actually increased since sunscreens were introduced in the 1960s. Aside from prolonged exposure to UV radiation, another potential adverse effect of sunscreen is interference with the cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D. Obviously, we still do not know enough about the sunscreens. It would seem prudent to restrict our sun exposure to the short time needed for vitamin D synthesis and no more, eliminating the sunscreen. And don't forget the wide-brimmed hat.

Because vitamin D is potentially toxic, recommended intake has been very low. Researchers now suggest that 5,000 IU/day is a safe and adequate dosage for most people. Reinhold Vieth, PhD, of the University of Toronto, reports: "Total body sun exposure easily provides the equivalent of 10,000 IU/day of vitamin D, suggesting that this is a physiologic limit."

Frank Murray is a well-known health writer, with many helpful books for consumers; and
Sunshine and Vitamin D is no exception. Packed with research studies, and exploring areas of controversy, this book will help consumers evaluate their need for a vitamin D supplement, which may turn out to be a very important health decision.

 

Consult your doctor before using any of the treatments found within this site.

Subscriptions are available for Townsend Letter, the Examiner of Alternative Medicine magazine, which is published 10 times each year.

Search our pre-2001 archives for further information. Older issues of the printed magazine are also indexed for your convenience.
1983-2001 indices ; recent indices

Once you find the magazines you'd like to order, please use our convenient form, e-mail subscriptions@townsendletter.com, or call 360.385.6021 (PST).

 

Who are we? | New articles | Featured topics |
Tables of contents
| Subscriptions | Contact us | Links | Classifieds | Advertise | Alternative Medicine Conference Calendar | Search site | Archives |
EDTA Chelation Therapy | Home

 

© 1983-2009 Townsend Letter for Doctors & Patients
All rights reserved.
Website by Sandy Hershelman Designs
August 28, 2010

Order back issues
Advertise with TLDP!

Visit our pre-2001 archives