Vitamin D was named the “Vitamin of the year” a couple of years ago by the nutrition journals.  There are new articles coming out every month about the impact this vitamin/hormone and its amazing amount of physiological functions.  There have been several studies that show Vitamin D’s role in modulating the immune system  including this one just published last week.  What this study tells us is that if you often gets upper respiratory infections then you may have low vitamin D levels.   So do ask your PCP to order you a Vitamin D panel.  Read the rest of this entry

In a placebo-controlled study of 180 healthy Thai schoolchildren, results indicate that supplementation with fish oil may reduce the frequency and duration of illness, particularly those involving the upper respiratory tract. The children received fish oil (200 mg EPA and 1 g DHA per day) or placebo, five days per week for a period of 6 months. At intervention end, children in the fish oil-supplemented group showed fewer episodes and shorter duration of illness (mainly upper respiratory tract) than the placebo group. Additionally, plasma transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta1 concentrations were lower in the fish oil group, compared with the placebo group. Thus, the authors of this study conclude, “Very long-chain omega-3 PUFAs reduce illness, mainly infections, in healthy Thai schoolchildren.”

“Fish Oil N-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Selectively Affect Plasma Cytokines and Decrease Illness in Thai Schoolchildren: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Intervention Trial,” Thienprasert A, Calder PC, et al, J Pediatr, 2008 Oct;

Source: http://www.vitasearch.com/get-clp-summary/37818

There is an increasing awareness how a large percentage of the population is vitamin D deficient and the ill health effects caused by inadequate Vitamin D levels. If someones blood work comes back as below 30ng/ml I usually dose them with at least 10,000IU/day for 3 weeks then cut down to 5000IU/day for a couple of weeks then wait a week of no supplementation and retest. I usually hear comments about vitamin D toxicity, but as BU researcher Michael Holick has stated – “doctors have never seen a vitamin D toxicity – it is all theory”. Read the rest of this entry

I do believe that it is important to take a multivitamin/mineral for good health. Our food supply isn’t what it was even 50 years ago and our requirements for nutrients have increased because of pollution and other stress factors.   In women of childbearing age nutrient supplementation is even more imperative. There is plenty of research that points to a few supplements that are very important during pregnancy:  Read the rest of this entry

In a study involving data from 18,883 subjects 12 years of age and older, low vitamin D status was associated with increased odds of recent upper respiratory tract infection (URTI). While 24% of subjects with 25(OH)D levels less than 10 ng/mL were found to have had a recent URTI, 20% of those with 25(OH)D levels between 10 and less than 30 ng/mL were found to have a recent URTI, compared to only 17% of those with 25(OH)D levels of 30 ng/mL or greater. The
median serum 25(OH)D for subjects with a recent URTI was 29 ng/mL. After adjusting for potential confounders, low 25(OH)D levels were still found to be associated with recent URTI (OR=1.36), with a greater association found in persons with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (OR=5.67; OR=2.26, respectively). The authors
conclude, “Randomized controlled trials are warranted to explore the effects of vitamin D supplementation on RTI.”

“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; 169(4): 384-90. (Address: Emergency Medicine Network, Massachusetts General Hospital, 326 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA).

Source Vitasearch.com 37818