Don’t Take Vitamin D Says New Study by Jeffrey Dach MD

A study proclaining Vitamin D is useless and you should just stop taking it was published in Lancet this week and “went viral”.  The news story was picked up and amplified by the media Here it is:

“The take-away message is that there is little justification currently for prescribing vitamin D to prevent heart attack, stroke, cancer, or fractures in otherwise-healthy people living in the community,”   says lead study author Dr. Mark Bolland, a researcher at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.

Randomized Controlled Trials vs Other types of Studies

A common gimmick used by Drug Company sponsored studies is to claim that only RCT (randomized trials) are to be included as “evidence”.  The Bolland study selected 40 or so RCT studies to come to its conclusions, excluding all the basic science and observational studies. The problem with this is that there are thousands of observational studies that show health benefits for Vitamin D.  A search for Vitamin D in Google Scholar yields 2.2 million published articles.  Mark Bolland has excluded 99.9% of the available information on vitamin D to arrive at his conclusion that Vitamin D has no health benefits.

Michael Holick MD

Dr. Michael F Holick, a vitamin D expert and author of the Vitamin D Solution book, says this is just “silly”.  He points out that many of the studies in Bolland’s Lancet paper used does of vitamin D that were too low to be effective.

Dr Mark Bolland is a New Zealand professor and expert on Vitamin D, Calcium and bone density.  He has published many previous papers.  One of his previous papers reported that women who take calcium tablets have an increase in cardiovascular risk, and heart attacks.  Apparently the calcium can be deposited in the arterial walls causes atherosclerotic vascular disease and increased calcium score.  I have written about this previously.

Another of his previous papers dealt with the deleterious effects of Vitamin D in patients with Sarcoidiosis, a form of lung disease in which non-caseating granulomas in the lung tissue manufacture excessive amounts of vitamin D resulting in hypercalcemia (high serum calcium), which if severe, may cause renal failure.

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Vitamin D Deficiency, the Ignored Epidemic of the Developed World

Is it a New Drug, or is it Vitamin D?

What if I told you I discovered a new drug that could reduce the number of cancer deaths in the US by 43,000 annually, reduce colon cancer by 50%, and breast and ovarian cancer by 30%. Would you be impressed?

What if I then told you this same drug could safely prevent or alleviate the following medical conditions:(5a)

Osteoporosis,
Hypertension,
Cardiovascular disease,
Cancer,
Depression,
Epilepsy,
Type One Diabetes,
Insulin resistance,
Autoimmune Diseases,
Migraine Headache,
Polycystic Ovary Disease (PCOS),
Musculoskeletal and bone pain,
Psoriasis,
Rheumatoid Arthritis,
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn’s),
chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)(15),

Improve calcium absorption and
Reduce hip fractures.(5A)

All of these health benefits can be obtained with Vitamin D3, an inexpensive vitamin, also obtained with sun exposure.

Vitamin D Deficiency in Florida, Surely You must Be Joking:

Everyone in Florida gets plenty of Vitamin D from sun exposure. This would be true except that as Floridians, we are all told to avoid the sun to prevent solar skin damage (brown wrinkling) and to avoid skin cancer.

So the question remains, do we get enough Vitamin D from sun exposure? To answer this question, we actually measured blood Vitamin D levels, and we were surprised to discover that the majority showed Vitamin D deficiency (less than 20 ng/ml), or insufficiency (less than 40 ng/ml).

What if you are not fortunate to live in sunny Florida and you live up north above the Mason Dixon Line, in Boston, New York, Chicago, Canada or Scandinavia? Northern latitudes have an even more serious vitamin D deficiency because of the lack of UV sunlight during the winter months. The angle of the sun through the atmosphere closes off the UltraViolet Light from reaching the earth.

An Epidemic of Vitamin D Deficiency

Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in 57% of 290 medical inpatients in Massachusetts, 93% of 150 patients with overt musculoskeletal pain in Minnesota, 48% of patients with Multiple Sclerosis, 50% of patients with lupus and fibromyalgia, 42% of healthy adolescents, 40% of African American Women, and 62 % of the morbidly obese, 83% of 360 patients with low back pain in Saudi Arabia, 73% of Austrian patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis, 58% of Japanese girls with Graves’s Disease, 40% of Chinese adolescent girls, 40-70% of all Finnish medical patients. (5a)

Vitamin D Toxicity

Vitamin D excess and toxicity requires daily dosage in excess of 40,000 units over a period of months, so 5,000 units a day is safe and far below the level needed to develop vitamin D toxicity. Remember Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin, so toxicity is possible with massive doses over long periods of time. Vitamin D toxicity causes elevated calcium levels. That’s why Vitamin D supplementation should done only under your physician’s supervision with monitoring of serum 25-Hydroxy Vitamin D levels.

Space Satellite Maps Maps of UV Sunlight

Space Satellite Maps Maps of UV Sunlight exposure correlate with incidence of Cancer and Multiple Sclerosis. If you take NASA space satellite photos of North America and color code the UV sunlight exposure as Dr. Grant has done on his web site, Sunarc.org (3), you will see a pattern remarkably similar to the incidence of cancer and multiple sclerosis. This is thought to be due to differences in Vitamin D levels. The farther north with less sun exposure and lower Vitamin D levels, there is an increased incidence of cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Diseases Caused By, or Associated With Vitamin D Deficiency:

Osteoporosis,
Hypertension,
Cardiovascular disease,
Cancer,
Depression, Epilepsy,
Type One Diabetes,
Insulin resistance,
Autoimmune Diseases,
Migraine Headache,
PolyCystic Ovary Disease (PCOS),
Musculoskeletal and bone pain,
Psoriasis, and
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)(15).

The current recommendation for Vitamin D deficiency in those people who must avoid the sun is 5,000 IU of Vitamin D per day which costs 5 cents a day.. Vitamin D is not really a Vitamin, it is a Hormone. Like all other steroidal hormones, vitamin D is made from a cholesterol precursor, converted in the skin by sunlight. Like all other hormones, Vitamin D enters the nucleus of the cell and binds to the DNA where it gives a message to the DNA to manufacture proteins.

Image left: Vitamin D Chemical Structure Courtesy Wikipedia

Vitamin D And Multiple Sclerosis.

A review by Dr. Brown reported that Vitamin D supplementation prevented the development and progression of experimental autoimmune encephalitis, an animal model of MS, in mice. A large, prospective, cohort study found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with a 40% reduction in the risk of developing MS. Four small, noncontrolled studies suggested that vitamin D supplementation may decrease exacerbation of MS symptoms. (20) MRI studies of multiple sclerosis lesions show improvement during summer months and worsening during winter months suggesting a Vitamin D link. (36)

Vitamin D and Cancer

A four-year clinical trial, involving 1,200 women found those taking the vitamin had about a 60-per-cent reduction in cancer incidence, compared with those who didn’t take it, a drop so large — twice the impact on cancer attributed to smoking — it almost looks like a typographical error. The study was done by professor of medicine Robert Heaney of Creighton University in Nebraska and was published in June 2007. (36A)(36)

Vitamin D and Total Mortality

A 2007 meta-analysis review of 18 studies showed a reduction in all cause mortality of about 10% in people supplementing with commonly used doses of Vitamin D.(39)

Vitamin D Supplementation for Adults

The RDA in America is only 400 IU per day, yet current research suggests that our daily Vitamin D requirement is closer to 4,000 to 5,000 IU. Twenty minutes of Sun exposure will give us ten to twenty thousand IU of Vitamin D. Adult Supplementation with Carlson’s Cod Liver Oil can provide Vitamin D along with Vitamin A . However, for an intake of 5,000 IU vitamin D per day, inexpensive Vitamin D3 capsules are widely available for about 5 cents a day. We provide these as a convenience to our office patients. Vitamin D Testing at the Lab Optimal serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D values are 45-50 ng/ml. Below 40 ng/ml is called Vitamin D insufficiency, and below 20 ng/ml is deficiency.

Conclusion

Our health care system is in crisis. We are spending billions on expensive procedures like coronary artery bypass and organ transplantation, yet measurements of health are lower than other countries that spend less. In terms of getting more bang for your health care buck, Vitamin D testing and supplementation for the population is one solution which is guaranteed to improve overall health of the population at a ridiculously low cost. The cost saving in reduced cancer rates, and lower osteoporotic fracture rates would be enormous, and we would all enjoy improved health. My goal as a physician in our community is to improve the health of of our community, and Vitamin D testing and supplementation is one way to achieve that goal with no adverse side effects and enormous cost savings.

Articles with Related Interest:

Vitamin D Prevents Common Cold, Flu

Vitamin D Prevents Hip Fracture and Breast Cancer

Vitamin D Now Mainstream

Jeffrey Dach MD
7450 Griffin Road Suite 180/190
Davie, Florida 33316
954-792-4663
www.drdach.com
www.jeffreydach.com
www.naturalmedicine101.com
www.truemedmd.com

References (1) http://www.vitamind-veith.ms-diet.org/
Prospects for Vitamin D Nutrition. Vitamin D and Human Evolution Clinical relevance of higher vitamin D intakes, Toxicology of Vitamin D Reinhold Vieth,   Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, and Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto Calgary AB, Oct 13 2005.
Highly recommended Web Cast video presentation on Vitamin D by Dr. Vieth

(1A) http://wildhorse.insinc.com/directms13oct2005/ another link to this same video presentation on Vitamin D by Dr. Vieth

(2) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/04/03/vitamin-d-grant.aspx Valuable Insights Into the Importance of Vitamin D and Sun on Mercola.com, Interview with William B. Grant, Ph.D.

(3) http://www.sunarc.org/ Satellite Maps, Cancer mortality rates and multiple sclerosis prevalence rates for U.S. states compared to UVB doses for July, William B. Grant, Ph.D.

(4) http://www.sunarc.org/embryms1.htm Vitamin D Supplementation in the Fight Against Multiple Sclerosis, Ashton F. Embry, Ph.D. 2004, Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine, v.19, p. 27-38.

(5)Vitamin_D_Clinical_Practice_John_Cannell_Bruce_Hollis_Alt_Med_Rev_2008
Use of Vitamin D in Clinical Practice John Cannell Alternative Medicine Review 2008

(5a) VITAMIN D PARADIGM SHIFT lex Vasquez John Cannell ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES 2004 Full Text PDF
THE CLINICAL IMPORTANCE OF VITAMIN D (CHOLECALCIFEROL): A PARADIGM SHIFT WITH IMPLICATIONS FOR ALL HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS  lex Vasquez, DC, ND, Gilbert Manso, MD, John Cannell, MD  ALTERNATIVE THERAPIES, sept/oct 2004, VOL. 10, NO. 5 33

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/ Vitamin D Council, John Cannell MD Web Site: Understanding Cholecalciferol Vitamin D

(6) http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/bestNewsArticles.shtml Listing of the best Vitamin D articles on the internet posted by John Cannell Vitamin D Council.

(7) http://www.knowledgeofhealth.com/
Cancer Defeated: Vitamin D Pill For All. Economical Pill Would Cut Cancer Rates In Half. Bill Sardi Knowledge of Health Blog

(8) http://www.lewrockwell.com/sardi/sardi70.html
Just One Pill Away, by Bill Sardi, review of Vitamin D on Lew Rockwell.

(9) http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/24941.php Medical News Today. Healthcare Professionals Ignore Vitamin D Deficiency Epidemic by John Cannell MD

(10) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2006/10/26/beware-of-most-prescription-vitamin-d-supplements.aspx Beware of prescription Vitamin D supplements, info from Mercola

(11) http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2004/02/28/vitamin-d-part-twenty.aspx Vitamin D Lowers inlfammation by John Cannell MD on Mercola.com

(12) http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminD/index.html Linus Paulng Institute on Vitamin D

(13) http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/infocenter/vitamins/vitaminD/drefs.html Linus Pauling Institute Vit D References with Links.

(15) http://www.clltopics.org/VitaminD3/EssentialforHealth.htm

Vitamin D3 — Essential for Health June 15, 2004 by Chaya Venkat
The Flip Side of Sun Avoidance — Vitamin D Insufficiency

15a) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12446453
Blood. 2003 Apr 1;101(7):2454-60. Epub 2002 Nov 21.
The vitamin D3 analog EB1089 induces apoptosis via a p53-independent mechanism involving p38 MAP kinase activation and suppression of ERK activity in B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia cells in vitro.
Pepper C, Thomas A, Hoy T, Milligan D, Bentley P, Fegan C.
Department of Haematology, Llandough Hospital, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, United Kingdom.
EB1089, a novel vitamin D3 analog, has been shown to have cytotoxic and antiproliferative properties in a variety of malignant cells. However, its potential as a treatment for B-cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) has not been evaluated. EB1089 induced apoptosis in all of the 102 B-CLL samples tested with a mean LD(50) (the concentration of EB1089 required to kill 50% of cells) value (+/- SD) of 2.1 x 10(-8) M (+/- 1.4 x 10(-8) M). Furthermore, no significant difference was found in the cytotoxicity of EB1089 in B-CLL samples from previously treated and untreated patients (P =.1637). Induction of apoptosis was associated with a reduction in Bcl-2 and Mcl-1 protein expression, but this was evident only in the apoptotic cells. In contrast, the expression of Bax, p21, and p53 was not altered in the viable or apoptotic cells from either B- or T-lymphocyte lineages. EB1089-induced apoptosis was preceded by activation of p38 mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase and suppression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) activity, and this was associated with downstream activation of caspase-3. The pancaspase inhibitor (Z-VAD-FMK) and the caspase-9 inhibitor (Z-LEHD-FMK) were able to partially abrogate the apoptotic effects of EB1089 but did not affect the phosphorylation of p38 MAP kinase or the suppression of ERK. The B-CLL cells in the study were shown to highly express vitamin D receptor, but an additional receptor-independent mechanism of cell killing cannot be ruled out at this stage. These findings show that EB1089 is a potent apoptosis-inducing agent in B-CLL cells and may be useful in the treatment of B-CLL patients, particularly those with p53 mutations or drug-resistant disease.

(16) http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/69/5/842 Vieth, Reinhold. Vitamin D supplementation, 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and safety. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 69, No. 5, 842-856, May 1999

(17) http://cebp.aacrjournals.org/cgi/content/abstract/16/3/422 Vieth, Reinhold, Vitamin D and Reduced Risk of Breast Cancer: A Population-Based Case-Control Study. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention 16, 422-429, March 1, 2007.

(18) http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/73/2/288 Veith R, Chan P-C R, MacFarlane G D. “Efficacy and safety of vitamin D3 intake exceeding the lowest adverse effect level.” Am J Clin Nutr 2001; 71: 288-294

(19) http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/296/23/2832 Munger, Levin,. Hollis, PhD Howard, Ascherio, Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels and Risk of Multiple Sclerosis JAMA. 2006;296:2832-2838 Epidemiological and experimental evidence suggests that high levels of vitamin D, a potent immunomodulator, may decrease the risk of multiple sclerosis.

(20) http://www.theannals.com/cgi/content/abstract/40/6/1158 Brown, Sherrill J, The Role of Vitamin D in Multiple Sclerosis , DRUG INFORMATION ROUNDS, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 40, No. 6, pp. 1158-1161. DOI 10.1345/aph.1G513

(21) http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/reprint/76/1/3.pdf Michael F Holick, Editorial: Too little vitamin D in premenopausal women: why should we care? Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:3–4.

(22) http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/79/3/362 Michael F Holick, Vitamin D: importance in the prevention of cancers, type 1 diabetes, heart disease, and osteoporosis American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 79, No. 3, 362-371, March 2004

(23) http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/80/6/1678S Holick , Michael F VITAMIN D AND HEALTH IN THE 21ST CENTURY: BONE AND BEYOND, Sunlight and vitamin D for bone health and prevention of autoimmune diseases, cancers, and cardiovascular disease American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 80, No. 6, 1678S-1688S, December 2004. Excellent full text article review.

(24) http://books.google.com/books?id=FvH7ySek6yAC&pg=PA3&lpg=PA3&dq=michael+f+holick+vitamin+d&source=web&ots= 4OzEEZCiX2&sig=pkZAqXRlKtNB-YtwdXxt2HfSXWI#PPR6,M1 Vitamin D Analogs in Cancer Prevention and Therapy  By Jorg Reichrath, M. Friedrich,Chapter by Michael Holick Vitamin D in Book Online:

(25) http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/130/11/2648 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol Prevents and Ameliorates Symptoms of Experimental Murine Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Journal of Nutrition. 2000;130:2648-2652. Margherita T. Cantorna, Carey Munsick, Candace Bemiss and Brett D. Mahon

(26) http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/full/135/11/2739S Holick, Michael F, The Influence of Vitamin D on Bone Health Across the Life Cycle, The Vitamin D Epidemic and its Health Consequences J. Nutr. 135:2739S-2748S, November 2005

(27) http://www.westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/vitamindmiracle.html The Miracle of Vitamin D by By Krispin Sullivan, CN on Weston Price Web Site.

(28) http://app2.capitalreach.com/esp1204/servlet/tc?cn=asbmr&c=10169&s=20343&e=6950 Webcasts : Contemporary Diagnosis and Treatment of Vitamin D-Related Disorders, American Society for Bone and Mineral Disorders.

(29) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2572900 Garland CF, Comstock GW, et al. “Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and colon cancer: eight-year prospective study,” Lancet 1989; 2(8,673: 1,176-1,178

(30) http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=151071 http://jn.nutrition.org/cgi/content/abstract/130/11/2648 Regulation of renin expression and blood pressure by vitamin D3 Curt D. Sigmund, J Clin Invest. 2002 July 15; 110(2): 155–156.

(31) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11705562 Intake of vitamin D and risk of type 1 diabetes: a birth-cohort study. Lancet 2001; 358(9,292): 1,500-1,5003. Hypponen E, Laara E, Reunanen A, Jarvelin MR, Virtanen SM.

(32) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12800453 The effect of vitamin D3 on insulin secretion and peripheral insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic patients. Int J Clin Pract 2003; 57(4): 258-61. Borissova AM, Tankova T, Kirilov G, Dakovska L, Kovacheva R.

(33) http://jcem.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/86/4/1633 Pfeifer M et al. “Effects of a short-term vitamin D3 and calcium supplementation on blood pressure and parathyroid hormone levels in elderly women.” J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2001; 86: 1,633-1,637

(34) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2643969 Lind L et al. “Reduction of blood pressure during long-term treatment with active vitamin D (alphacalcidol) is dependent on plasma renin activity and calcium status. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study.” Am J Hypertens 1989; 2: 20-25

(35) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8541004 Lind L et al. “Vitamin D is related to blood pressure and other cardiovascular risk factors in middle-aged men.” Am J Hypertens 1995; 2: 20-25

(36) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10939587 Embry AF, Snowdon LR, Vieth R.Ann Neurol. 2000 Aug;48(2):271-2. Vitamin D and seasonal fluctuations of gadolinium-enhancing magnetic resonance imaging lesions in multiple sclerosis.

(36A) http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/ RTGAM.20070428.wxvitamin28/BNStory/specialScienceandHealth/home Vitamin D casts cancer prevention in new light by MARTIN MITTELSTAEDT, From Saturday’s Globe and Mail, April 28, 2007

(37)  http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/85/6/1586 Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 6, 1586-1591, June 2007 Joan M Lappe, Dianne Travers-Gustafson, K Michael Davies, Robert R Recker and Robert P Heaney.

(38) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vitamin_D Wikipedia Vitamin D Page with Links

(39) http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/full/167/16/1730 Vitamin D Supplementation and Total Mortality A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Philippe Autier, MD; Sara Gandini, PhD Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:1730-1737. Conclusions  Intake of ordinary doses of vitamin D supplements seems to be associated with decreases in total mortality rates.

(40) www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/abstract/85/6/1586 Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 6, 1586-1591, June 2007 Joan M Lappe, Dianne Travers-Gustafson, K Michael Davies, Robert R Recker and Robert P Heaney.

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Additional references

41) http://www.thelancet.com/journals/landia/article/PIIS2213-8587%2813%2970212-2/abstract The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology, Early Online Publication, 24 January 2014.  The effect of vitamin D supplementation on skeletal, vascular, or cancer outcomes: a trial sequential meta-analysis. Dr Mark Bolland, Bone and Joint Research Group, Department of Medicine, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand Vitamin D insufficiency is associated with many disorders, leading to calls for widespread supplementation. Some investigators suggest that more clinical trials to test the effect of vitamin D on disorders are needed. Methods  We did a trial sequential meta-analysis of existing randomised controlled trials of vitamin D supplements, with or without calcium, to investigate the possible effect of future trials on current knowledge. We estimated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on myocardial infarction or ischaemic heart disease, stroke or cerebrovascular disease, cancer, total fracture, hip fracture, and mortality in trial sequential analyses using a risk reduction threshold of 5% for mortality and 15% for other endpoints. Findings  The effect estimate for vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium for myocardial infarction or ischaemic heart disease (nine trials, 48 647 patients), stroke or cerebrovascular disease (eight trials 46 431 patients), cancer (seven trials, 48 167 patients), and total fracture (22 trials, 76 497 patients) lay within the futility boundary, indicating that vitamin D supplementation does not alter the relative risk of any of these endpoints by 15% or more. Vitamin D supplementation alone did not reduce hip fracture by 15% or more (12 trials, 27 834 patients). Vitamin D co-administered with calcium reduced hip fracture in institutionalised individuals (two trials, 3853 patients) but did not alter the relative risk of hip fracture by 15% or more in community-dwelling individuals (seven trials, 46 237 patients). There is uncertainty as to whether vitamin D with or without calcium reduces the risk of death (38 trials, 81 173). Interpretation Our findings suggest that vitamin D supplementation with or without calcium does not reduce skeletal or non-skeletal outcomes in unselected community-dwelling individuals by more than 15%. Future trials with similar designs are unlikely to alter these conclusions.  Funding  health Research Council of New Zealand.

42) http://www.cbsnews.com/news/vitamin-d-supplements-wont-protect-against-disease-in-healthy-adults-review-finds/

Vitamin D supplements won’t protect against disease in healthy adults, review says . By Ryan Jaslow CBS News January 24, 2014, 3: 31 PM “The take-away message is that there is little justification currently for prescribing vitamin D to prevent heart attack, stroke, cancer, or fractures in otherwise-healthy people living in the community,” lead study author Dr. Mark Bolland, a researcher at the University of Auckland, New Zealand.  Researchers reviewed 40 scientifically rigorous studies that looked at whether taking vitamin D in supplement form would bring health benefits. The studies were called randomized controlled trials, which are considered the “gold standard” in research “The scientific term for it is ‘silly,'” ays Michael Holick, a professor of medicine at Boston University, told the paper. “There’s nothing new here.” Holick, who has written books promoting vitamin D use, says the analysis is flawed by the fact that most previous studies have used vitamin D doses that were too low, often 200 to 400 international units (IU) a day. Holick says there’s reason to believe higher doses, such as the 2,000 IU a day now being tested in one large U.S. trial, are needed to produce benefits.

43) http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/01/23/vitamin-d-research/4803613/ Review of vitamin D studies finds little health benefit Kim Painter, Special for USA TODAY 6:30 p.m. EST January 23, 2014 Experts differ on whether it’s worthwhile to keep studying the popular vitamin supplement.

44) http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/news/20140124/vitamin-d-supplements-dont-help-your-health-review Vitamin D Supplements Don’t Help Your Health: Review Except in people with a vitamin deficiency, supplements may cause harm, doctor says.  By Robert Preidt HealthDay Reporter Vitamin D supplements are taken by nearly half of American adults, according to the researchers. The review authors analyzed the findings of 40 studies and determined that taking vitamin D supplements does not reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke, cancer or bone fractures in the general population by more than 15 percent.

45) http://www.inquisitr.com/1108893/vitamin-d-study-suggests-use-may-not-be-beneficial-in-healthy-adults/ Vitamin D Study Suggests Use May Not Be Beneficial In Healthy Adults

46) http://guardianlv.com/2014/01/vitamin-d-no-health-benefits-hoax/ http://guardianlv.com/2014/01/vitamin-d-supplements-do-not-improve-health/ Vitamin D Supplements Do Not Improve Health by Jean-Paul Gauthier on January 24, 2014.

47) http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1113054904/vitamin-d-supplements-have-no-impact-on-healthy-individuals-012514/ Researchers Find No Significant Health Benefits From Vitamin D Supplements January 25, 2014

48) http://natmonitor.com/2014/01/24/vitamin-d-supplements-may-be-unnecessary-study-shows/ Vitamin D supplements may be unnecessary, study finds Very few foods have vitamin D, but the best sources are fatty fish. National Monitor, Rina Shah | January 24, 2014

49) http://www.techtimes.com/articles/2932/20140125/vitamin-d-supplements-not-very-effective-in-preventing-or-curing-diseases-and-illnesses-new-study-claims.htm Vitamin D supplements not very effective in preventing or curing diseases and illnesses, new study claims By Maryanne Moll, Tech Times | January 25, 8:54 AM

50) http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2014-01-23/vitamin-d-role-in-reducing-risk-of-hip-fractures-may-be-limited.html Vitamin D Role in Reducing Risk of Hip Fractures May Be Limited By Makiko Kitamura Jan 23, 2014

51) http://www.medpagetoday.com/Endocrinology/GeneralEndocrinology/43966 Top News in Endocrinology: Vitamin D Benefit Questioned Published: Jan 24, 2014 | Updated: Jan 24, 2014 By Kristina Fiore, Staff Writer, MedPage Today —————————

Pro

 

52) http://chronicfatigue.about.com/b/2014/01/23/importance-of-vitamin-d-for-fibromyalgia-chronic-fatigue-syndrome.htm Importance of Vitamin D for Fibromyalgia & Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. By Adrienne DellwoJanuary 23, 2014

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Sarcoidosis Articles by Bolland

53) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3808783/  http://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/3/10/e003562.long BMJ Open. 2013 Oct 23;3(10)Randomised controlled trial of vitamin D supplementation in sarcoidosis. Bolland MJ, Wilsher ML, Grey A, Horne AM, Fenwick S, Gamble GD, Reid IR. The role vitamin D intake/production plays in sarcoidosis-associated hypercalcaemia is uncertain. However, authoritative reviews have recommended avoiding sunlight exposure and vitamin D supplements, which might lead to adverse skeletal outcomes from vitamin D insufficiency. We investigated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on surrogate measures of skeletal health in patients with sarcoidosis and vitamin D insufficiency. DESIGN:Randomised, placebo-controlled trial. SETTING:Clinical research centre. PARTICIPANTS:27 normocalcaemic patients with sarcoidosis and 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) <50 nmol/L. INTERVENTION:50 000 IU weekly cholecalciferol for 4 weeks, then 50 000 IU monthly for 11 months or placebo. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES:The primary endpoint was the change in serum calcium over 12 months, and secondary endpoints included measurements of calcitropic hormones, bone turnover markers and bone mineral density (BMD). RESULTS:The mean age of participants was 57 years and 70% were women. The mean (SD) screening 25OHD was 35 (12) and 38 (9) nmol/L in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Vitamin D supplementation increased 25OHD to 94 nmol/L after 4 weeks, 84 nmol/L at 6 months and 78 nmol/L at 12 months, while levels remained stable in the control group. 1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D levels were significantly different between the groups at 4 weeks, but not at 6 or 12 months. There were no between-groups differences in albumin-adjusted serum calcium, 24 h urine calcium, markers of bone turnover, parathyroid hormone or BMD over the trial. One participant developed significant hypercalcaemia after 6 weeks (total cholecalciferol dose 250 000 IU). CONCLUSIONS:In patients with sarcoidosis and 25OHD <50 nmol/L, vitamin D supplements did not alter average serum calcium or urine calcium, but had no benefit on surrogate markers of skeletal health and caused one case of significant hypercalcaemia.

54) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18198394

BMJ. 2008 Feb 2;336(7638):262-6. Epub 2008 Jan 15. Vascular events in healthy older women receiving calcium supplementation: randomised controlled trial. Bolland MJ, Barber PA, Doughty RN, Mason B, Horne A, Ames R, Gamble GD, Grey A, Reid IR. To determine the effect of calcium supplementation on myocardial infarction, stroke, and sudden death in healthy postmenopausal women. DESIGN:Randomised, placebo controlled trial. SETTING:Academic medical centre in an urban setting in New Zealand. PARTICIPANTS:1471 postmenopausal women (mean age 74): 732 were randomised to calcium supplementation and 739 to placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Adverse cardiovascular events over five years: death, sudden death, myocardial infarction, angina, other chest pain, stroke, transient ischaemic attack, and a composite end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or sudden death. RESULTS: Myocardial infarction was more commonly reported in the calcium group than in the placebo group (45 events in 31 women v 19 events in 14 women, P=0.01). The composite end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or sudden death was also more common in the calcium group (101 events in 69 women v 54 events in 42 women, P=0.008). After adjudication myocardial infarction remained more common in the calcium group (24 events in 21 women v 10 events in 10 women, relative risk 2.12, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 4.47). For the composite end point 61 events were verified in 51 women in the calcium group and 36 events in 35 women in the placebo group (relative risk 1.47, 0.97 to 2.23). When unreported events were added from the national database of hospital admissions in New Zealand the relative risk of myocardial infarction was 1.49 (0.86 to 2.57) and that of the composite end point was 1.21 (0.84 to 1.74). The respective rate ratios were 1.67 (95% confidence intervals 0.98 to 2.87) and 1.43 (1.01 to 2.04); event rates: placebo 16.3/1000 person years, calcium 23.3/1000 person years. For stroke (including unreported events) the relative risk was 1.37 (0.83 to 2.28) and the rate ratio was 1.45 (0.88 to 2.49). CONCLUSION:  Calcium supplementation in healthy postmenopausal women is associated with upward trends in cardiovascular event rates. This potentially detrimental effect should be balanced against the likely benefits of calcium on bone.

Vitamin D and Heart Attacks in Women

55) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21505219 BMJ. 2011 Apr 19;342:d2040. doi: 10.1136/bmj.d2040. Calcium supplements with or without vitamin D and risk of cardiovascular events: reanalysis of the Women’s Health Initiative limited access dataset and meta-analysis. Bolland MJ, Grey A, Avenell A, Gamble GD, Reid IR. To investigate the effects of personal calcium supplement use on cardiovascular risk in the Women’s Health Initiative Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation Study (WHI CaD Study), using the WHI dataset, and to update the recent meta-analysis of calcium supplements and cardiovascular risk. Reanalysis of WHI CaD Study limited access dataset and incorporation in meta-analysis with eight other studies. Data source WHI CaD Study, a seven year, randomised, placebo controlled trial of calcium and vitamin D (1g calcium and 400 IU vitamin D daily) in 36,282 community dwelling postmenopausal women. Main outcome measures Incidence of four cardiovascular events and their combinations (myocardial infarction, coronary revascularisation, death from coronary heart disease, and stroke) assessed with patient-level data and trial-level data. RESULTS: In the WHI CaD Study there was an interaction between personal use of calcium supplements and allocated calcium and vitamin D for cardiovascular events. In the 16,718 women (46%) who were not taking personal calcium supplements at randomisation the hazard ratios for cardiovascular events with calcium and vitamin D ranged from 1.13 to 1.22 (P = 0.05 for clinical myocardial infarction or stroke, P = 0.04 for clinical myocardial infarction or revascularisation), whereas in the women taking personal calcium supplements cardiovascular risk did not alter with allocation to calcium and vitamin D. In meta-analyses of three placebo controlled trials, calcium and vitamin D increased the risk of myocardial infarction (relative risk 1.21 (95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.44), P = 0.04), stroke (1.20 (1.00 to 1.43), P = 0.05), and the composite of myocardial infarction or stroke (1.16 (1.02 to 1.32), P = 0.02). In meta-analyses of placebo controlled trials of calcium or calcium and vitamin D, complete trial-level data were available for 28,072 participants from eight trials of calcium supplements and the WHI CaD participants not taking personal calcium supplements. In total 1384 individuals had an incident myocardial infarction or stroke. Calcium or calcium and vitamin D increased the risk of myocardial infarction (relative risk 1.24 (1.07 to 1.45), P = 0.004) and the composite of myocardial infarction or stroke (1.15 (1.03 to 1.27), P = 0.009). CONCLUSIONS: Calcium supplements with or without vitamin D modestly increase the risk of cardiovascular events, especially myocardial infarction, a finding obscured in the WHI CaD Study by the widespread use of personal calcium supplements. A reassessment of the role of calcium supplements in osteoporosis management is warranted.

56) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22373722 Heart. 2012 Apr;98(8):609-14. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2011-301356. Epub 2012 Feb 28. Role of vitamin D deficiency in cardiovascular disease. Reid IR, Bolland MJ. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble secosteroid produced in the skin as a result of sunlight exposure, and its circulating levels are reduced in a wide variety of chronic illnesses and obesity. Observational studies clearly demonstrate a higher incidence of cardiovascular events in individuals with low circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. This relationship can potentially be explained by confounding, because individuals with low 25(OH)D are generally older, frailer, heavier, and have more comorbidities and higher estimated cardiovascular risk than individuals with higher 25(OH)D. The vitamin D receptor appears to be widely distributed, including in cardiovascular tissue, although this has recently been contested. Despite these epidemiological and laboratory findings, meta-analyses of clinical trials have not shown evidence of beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation on cardiovascular endpoints. Trials are underway to assess these possibilities further. At present, there is insufficient evidence to support vitamin D supplementation for improving cardiovascular outcomes.

Sarcoidosis- Hypercalcemia from Vitamin D

57) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24049278 Indian J Nephrol. 2013 Sep;23(5):375-7. doi: 10.4103/0971-4065.116325. Severe hypercalcemia unmasked by Vitamin D in a patient with sarcoidosis. Nayak-Rao S. Severe hypercalcemia is uncommon in clinical practice and is usually due to primary hperparathyroidism or malignancy. We present a patient who presented with severe hypercalcemia with renal failure; further evaluation of which revealed the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. This case is presented in view of the rarity of presentation of sarcoidosis with hypercalcemic crisis.

58) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16276266 Eur J Emerg Med. 2005 Dec;12(6):320-1. A case of severe hypercalcemia with acute renal failure in sarcoidosis: a diagnostic challenge for the emergency department. Volpicelli G, Mussa A, Frascisco M. We present and discuss the case of a man admitted to our emergency room because of severe hypercalcemia and renal failure with maintained diuresis. We diagnosed a relapse of sarcoidosis, manifesting as hypercalcemia and renal failure, based on a history of lung sarcoidosis. This is a rare complication of sarcoidosis, due to granulomatous production of vitamin D. This mechanism may have been exacerbated by exposure of sunlight. The initial treatment of the patient was directed towards lowering the circulating calcium level through hyperhydration and forced diuresis, with secondary control of granulomatous activity using corticosteroid therapy. The patient was discharged after 7 days with normal levels of serum calcium, urinary calcium excretion and serum creatinine. Recognition of this rare cause of hypercalcemia is a challenge for the emergency physician.

59) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21209801 Case Rep Med. 2010;2010:423659. doi: 10.1155/2010/423659. Epub 2010 Dec 16. Severe hypercalcemia and acute renal failure: an unusual presentation of sarcoidosis. Karnchanasorn R, Sarikonda M, Aldasouqi S, Gossain VV. Although hypercalcemia is a known metabolic complication of sarcoidosis, it is rarely a presenting manifestation. Long-standing hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria can cause nephrocalcinosis and chronic renal failure. Acute renal failure, although described, is also a rare presentation of patients with sarcoidosis. We describe two patients with sarcoidosis, who presented with severe hypercalcemia and worsening renal function. Parathyroid hormone levels were appropriately suppressed. This led to an extensive search for the cause of hypercalcemia. Finally, after a lymph node biopsy in both cases, a diagnosis of sarcoidosis was established, hypercalcemia resolved, and renal function improved in both cases after administration of prednisone.

60) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15255428 South Med J. 2004 Jun;97(6):590-2. Renal failure and hypercalcemia as initial manifestations of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis.Ponce C, Gujral JS. Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous, multisystem disease. Rarely, sarcoidosis may present with both renal failure and hypercalcemia. A 27-year-old black man presented with severe abdominal pain and renal failure. A kidney biopsy demonstrated features of both interstitial nephritis and membranous glomerulopathy thought to be secondary to nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. His renal function and symptoms improved with short-term prednisone therapy. Discontinuation of steroids led to a recurrence of renal failure and severe hypercalcemia. On the basis of an elevated angiotensin-converting enzyme level of 160 U/L and anemia, a bone marrow biopsy was performed. Acid-fast bacillus-negative, noncaseating granulomas suggested the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The patient recovered after restarting prednisone. Sarcoidosis may cause both interstitial and membranous nephritis from direct infiltration. Hypercalcemia results from increased calcium absorption secondary to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D production by sarcoid granulomas. Sarcoidosis must be considered in the differential diagnosis of renal failure in black patients. Serum calcium and angiotensin-converting enzyme levels may aid the diagnosis.

61) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17685088 Ther Umsch. 2007 May;64(5):281-6. [Hypercalcemia in sarcoidosis–case report, prevalence, pathophysiology and therapeutic options].Ackermann D. Hypercalcemia is a highly prevalent complication of sarcoidosis. A medical history of a patient with sarcoidosis is shown as case report. Depending on the population studied about 2-63% of sarcoidosis patients show hypercalcemia. The major difference in the prevalence of hypercalcemia may be in part due to the undulating course of subacute sarcoidosis, so hypercalcemia may be missed when serum calcium is not frequently measured. Hypercalciuria appears to be twice as prevalent then hypercalcemia and should be looked for in every sarcoidosis patient. Hypercalcemia in sarcoidosis is due to the uncontrolled synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 by macrophages. 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 leads to an increased absorption of calcium in the intestine and to an increased resorption of calcium in the bone. Immunoregulatory properties have been ascribed to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3. It is an important inhibitor of interleukin-2 and of interferon-gamma-synthesis, two cytokines that are important in granuloma formation in sarcoidosis. It is thought that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 counterregulates uncontrolled granuloma formation. Treatment of hypercalcemia depends on the serum level of hypercalcemia and its persistence. Generally sarcoidotic patients should be advised to avoid sun exposition to reduce vitamin D3 synthesis in the skin, to omit fish oils that are rich of vitamin D and to produce more than two liters urine a day by adapting fluid intake. Although severe hypercalcemia seems to be rare, glucocorticosteroid treatment should be started if corrected total calcium level rises beyond 3 mmol/l. If hypercalcemia is symptomatic, treatment should be started even at lower levels. Glucocorticosteroids act by inhibition of the overly 1alpha-hydroxylase activity of macrophages. Alternatively, treatment with chloroquine or ketoconazole can be established. If isolated hypercalciuria without hypercalcemia is present with evidence for recurrent nephrolithiasis, patients can be treated with a thiazide diuretic.

62) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8620732 Chest. 1996 Feb;109(2):535-9. Vitamin D, calcium, and sarcoidosis.Sharma OP. Hypercalcemia occurs in about 10% of the patients with sarcoidosis; hypercalciuria is about three times more frequent. These abnormalities of calcium metabolism are due to dysregulated production of 1,25-(OH)2-D3 (calcitriol) by activated macrophages trapped in pulmonary alveoli and granulomatous inflammation. Undetected hypercalcemia and hypercalciuria can cause nephrocalcinosis, renal stones, and renal failure. Corticosteroids cause prompt reversal of the metabolic defect. Chloroquine, hydroxychloroqune, and ketoconazole are the drugs that should be used if the patient fails to respond or develops dangerous side effects to corticosteroid therapy.

63) http://rheumatology.oxfordjournals.org/content/39/7/707.full Rheumatology (2000) 39 (7): 707-713. Calcium metabolism in sarcoidosis and its clinical implications Most patients present with the management problem of asymptomatic low‐grade hypercalcaemia, the treatment of which aims to prevent long‐term renal and bone complications. It is accepted practice that all patients be advised to minimize their exposure to sunlight, avoid fish oils rich in vitamin D and maintain a fluid intake of >2 l per day [51, 56]. Although many centres advise avoiding dairy products and calcium‐containing antacids [51], it is not our practice to recommend a low‐calcium diet as there is little evidence that it affects calcium balance and it may increase the risk of nephrolithiasis. A moderate dose of prednisolone (15–25 mg/day) is an effective treatment for hypercalcaemia and, if there is an alternative indication for corticosteroids, is the logical first‐line therapy. Because corticosteroids may exacerbate hypercalcuria [57], it is our practice to repeat the 24‐h measurement of urinary calcium excretion soon after commencing therapy.

64) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20665397

Semin Respir Crit Care Med. 2010 Aug;31(4):474-84. doi: 10.1055/s-0030-1262215. Epub 2010 Jul 27. Calcium and vitamin D in sarcoidosis: how to assess and manage. Burke RR, Rybicki BA, Rao DS. The synthesis of vitamin D is altered by the granulomatous inflammation of sarcoidosis leading to increased production of 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Mounting evidence suggests that vitamin D is an immunomodulating hormone that inhibits both antigen presentation by cells of the innate immune system, and the cytokine release and proliferation of Th1 cells. These and other extraskeletal health benefits have led to an increase in vitamin D assessment and pharmacological supplementation in the general population. This review highlights the altered synthesis and general immunomodulating properties of vitamin D with a special emphasis on known interactions with sarcoidosis. In addition, the assessment of vitamin D nutritional status, its pharmacological supplementation, and the management of bone health in patients with sarcoidosis are reviewed.

65) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3627473/

free full text.  Drug Des Devel Ther. 2013 Apr 12;7:325-38. Current and emerging pharmacological treatments for sarcoidosis: a review.Beegle SH, Barba K, Gobunsuy R, Judson MA. Author information      Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Albany Medical College, Albany, NY 12208, USA.

http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2014/01/25/vitamin-d-supplements-benefits_n_4662710.html
Vitamin D Supplements’ Benefits Panned In Review Of Studies
CBC   01/24/2014

http://vitamindhealth.org/
VitaminDHealth.org
Dr. Michael F. Holick on Vitamin D

http://guardianlv.com/2014/01/vitamin-d-not-all-its-cracked-up-to-be/
Michael Holick, a professor of medicine at Boston University and advocate of vitamin D, disagrees with Bolland’s findings, saying that the studies on which Bolland based his study gave participants too low doses of vitamin D, about 200 to 400 international units (IU) per day. Holick says he believes a higher dose, such as 2,000 IU currently being administered in a major U.S. trial, would yield benefit. The vitamin D promoter also points out that Bolland neglects to explain the connection between low vitamin D levels in persons with chronic diseases (such as MS and colon cancer) and living in areas with little sun exposure.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20140125/LIFE02/301250032/Review-vitamin-D-studies-finds-little-health-benefit
Review of vitamin D studies finds little health benefit Jan. 24, 2014
The new review focuses only on randomized trials, in which people were assigned to take vitamin D or placebos and then followed to see if their health differed as a result. It did not include observational studies, in which researchers simply asked people about vitamin D intake or measured levels in their blood and then looked at their health differences.
Those observational studies have found a link between low vitamin D levels and diseases ranging from cancer to heart disease and diabetes.

http://experiencelife.com/article/the-vitamin-d-debate/
The Vitamin D Debate, There’s been a lot of controversy lately about vitamin D recommendations. If you’re confused about how much you should be taking, you’re not alone.

 

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