A letter from Dr McManus, Chairman of Medical Affairs, Health Sciences & Education
New Calcium and Vitamin D Intake Recommendations – What You Need to Know
Hello Shaklee Family,
The Institute of Medicine (IOM) just released the report "Dietary Reference Intakes for Calcium and Vitamin D" that establishes higher recommended intake levels for vitamin D. The new Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for children and adults ages 1-70 has been increased to 600 IU/day and the RDA for those aged 71+ has also been raised to 800 IU/day. The Tolerable Upper Intake Level was raised from 2,000 to 4,000 IU/day for adults. Calcium intake RDAs remained essentially the same with a range of 700 – 1,300 mg per day depending on age and sex. The full report can be accessed at http://www.iom.edu/Reports/2010/Dietary-Reference-Intakes-for-Calcium-and-Vitamin-D/Report-Brief.aspx .
We recognize that the goals of the IOM are to make broad-based recommendations for the entire population, and develop reference values that serve to guide nutrient guidelines for the US and Canada. We applaud the IOM for updating the vitamin D and calcium nutritional reference values established in 1997, for the potential far-reaching benefits to public health, but we also believe that such modest adjustments in recommended intakes may under-serve the many population groups who are at potential risk for low intakes of calcium and/or vitamin D..
We also want to take this opportunity to reiterate that Shaklee’s mission is to support optimal health for everyone, and in this case, we believe the potential benefits of calcium and vitamin D supplementation go well beyond simple nutritional adequacy and bone health. Scientific research links vitamin D inadequacy to an increased risk for certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes, and higher intakes of vitamin D may help reduce the risk of these diseases. These are precisely the reasons we conducted our own extensive review of the scientific literature and sponsored two independent vitamin D research studies. We also recently adjusted our individual vitamin D intake recommendations based on an individual’s risk factors for vitamin D insufficiency.
It has been estimated that as many as 80% of Americans may have “insufficient” blood levels of vitamin D and there are many reasons why low vitamin D levels seem to be commonplace today. The season or calendar month is a major risk factor for vitamin D insufficiency because sunlight is less efficient during winter months at triggering vitamin D production in the skin. The risk for vitamin D insufficiency rises as sunscreen use and time spent indoors increases. The latitude of your residence is another determinant of sun exposure and those with darker skin are less efficient at converting sunlight to vitamin D. Other factors that can increase risk for vitamin D inadequacy include increasing age, increasing body mass index, lack of exercise, and low intake of fish and other vitamin D rich foods in the diet.
While we support the IOM for the long-awaited adjustments to the calcium RDAs, increases to the vitamin D RDAs, and the increased Safe Upper Levels of Intake (UL) for vitamin D, we also remain committed to individualized and potentially higher vitamin D intake recommendations based on an individual’s unique vitamin D risk factor profile.
For more information about calcium, vitamin D, and your health, talk with your doctor or healthcare professional to discuss the steps you should take to achieve optimal calcium and vitamin D intakes. To obtain an individual vitamin D intake recommendation from Shaklee Health Sciences, based on your own risk factor profile, take the Vitamin D-Ology questionnaire at http://www.shaklee.net/members/articles/top_news/VitaminD_quiz
Give Your Immune System a Natural Super-Boost - Vitamin D, Colds the Flu and You
Would you rather choose the natural solution to Immune Heath, or do you prefer the government flu shot?
We do FREE nutritional counseling:
Sam and Bunny Sewell
239/591-4565
Best Self Clinic
Warmest Regards,
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Vitamin D is essential to the modern indoor lifestyle
Vitamin D is essential to the modern indoor lifestyle
By Michael Holick
Every cell in the body has a vitamin D receptor protein. It's estimated that upwards of 2,000 genes are directly or indirectly regulated by vitamin D.It’s known that vitamin D is necessary for proper bone formation and maintenance. But recent decades have seen a torrent of studies suggesting that vitamin D can also affect many other aspects of health; some scientists have come to consider the daily recommended intake of 400 international units of vitamin D far too low. Michael Holick is a biochemist and endocrinologist at Boston University who has spent a career researching the effects of vitamin D (which is actually not a vitamin but a hormone precursor). His new book is The Vitamin D Solution (Hudson Street Press, 2010). Holick recently spoke with Science News biomedicine writer Nathan Seppa.
How much vitamin D do we need?
Children should be taking at least 400 to 1,000 international units of vitamin D as a supplement every day, and adults should take 1,500 to 2,000 IU.
What about pregnant or breast-feeding women?
We tested pregnant women who were taking a prenatal vitamin containing 400 IU of vitamin D each day and drinking two glasses of fortified milk, and found that 76 percent of them — and 81 percent of their newborns — were still vitamin D deficient at the time of giving birth. We also estimate that most breast-feeding women are vitamin D deficient, and they pass along deficient milk to their infants.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased risks of infectious diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, cognitive decline, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, mood disorders and even diabetes. Is there biological evidence to show how vitamin D could influence so many conditions?
Sure. For example, we know that immune cells called macrophages activate vitamin D, which causes cells to make defensin proteins that specifically kill infective agents like tuberculosis bacteria. A Japanese study recently found that children receiving 1,200 IU of vitamin D each day reduced their risk of getting the flu by almost 50 percent. Every tissue and every cell in the body has a vitamin D receptor protein. It’s estimated that upwards of 2,000 genes are directly or indirectly regulated by vitamin D.
Have there been clinical trials showing the utility of vitamin D?
Absolutely. For instance, a trial of postmenopausal women showed that taking vitamin D over four years reduced their risk of cancer by 60 percent.
Since we make vitamin D from sun exposure, don’t our levels fluctuate with the seasons?
Only to a small degree, because most people avoid the sun. And sunblock reduces your ability to make vitamin D through your skin. The average levels we found ranged from 22 nanograms per milliliter of blood at the end of winter to about 28 ng/ml by the end of summer, unless you’re a tennis player. Blacks start out at 13 to 15 ng/ml during the winter and go up to 22 ng/ml. Less than 30 ng/ml is insufficient vitamin D, and less than 20 ng/ml is considered a deficiency.
But don’t dermatologists counsel people to limit their sun exposure?
Moderation in all things. Humans evolved in sunlight. Our hunter-gatherer forebears were making thousands of units of vitamin D every day, and our body has adapted to that need. That’s why we think vitamin D research will have sustainability and won’t go up in flames like vitamins C and E.
How do you see vitamin D use changing in the future?
It’s likely that the [National Academies’] Institute of Medicine will come out with recommendations of at least 800 to 1,000 IU a day for adults and also substantially increase the tolerable upper limits. That’s what influences what manufacturers can put in foods. Right now the upper limit is 2,000 IU a day. I would predict that within a couple of years many more foods [besides milk] such as pasta and bread will be fortified with vitamin D. I’ve estimated that across the board you could reduce health care costs by 25 percent by food fortification. Supplements are great, but nobody remembers to take them every day. As for sun exposure, a little bit is great for you, but you can only do it spring, summer and fall. So you really need vitamin D in a place where everyone would be able to get it, and that’s the diet.
To what extent does the medical community agree with you on vitamin D?
I recently gave a talk in Toronto to internal medicine doctors and asked how many of them were “believers,” like it was a religious revival. And 90 percent raised their hands. The test for vitamin D levels is now the most ordered assay by doctors in the United States.
________________________
http://bestself.myshaklee.com/us/en/pop_VitaminD_Quiz.s.html
Free nutritional counseling - Sam and Bunny Sewell - 239/591-4565
bunnysam@bestselfusa.com
By Michael Holick
Every cell in the body has a vitamin D receptor protein. It's estimated that upwards of 2,000 genes are directly or indirectly regulated by vitamin D.It’s known that vitamin D is necessary for proper bone formation and maintenance. But recent decades have seen a torrent of studies suggesting that vitamin D can also affect many other aspects of health; some scientists have come to consider the daily recommended intake of 400 international units of vitamin D far too low. Michael Holick is a biochemist and endocrinologist at Boston University who has spent a career researching the effects of vitamin D (which is actually not a vitamin but a hormone precursor). His new book is The Vitamin D Solution (Hudson Street Press, 2010). Holick recently spoke with Science News biomedicine writer Nathan Seppa.
How much vitamin D do we need?
Children should be taking at least 400 to 1,000 international units of vitamin D as a supplement every day, and adults should take 1,500 to 2,000 IU.
What about pregnant or breast-feeding women?
We tested pregnant women who were taking a prenatal vitamin containing 400 IU of vitamin D each day and drinking two glasses of fortified milk, and found that 76 percent of them — and 81 percent of their newborns — were still vitamin D deficient at the time of giving birth. We also estimate that most breast-feeding women are vitamin D deficient, and they pass along deficient milk to their infants.
Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased risks of infectious diseases, cancer, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, cognitive decline, Parkinson’s disease, asthma, mood disorders and even diabetes. Is there biological evidence to show how vitamin D could influence so many conditions?
Sure. For example, we know that immune cells called macrophages activate vitamin D, which causes cells to make defensin proteins that specifically kill infective agents like tuberculosis bacteria. A Japanese study recently found that children receiving 1,200 IU of vitamin D each day reduced their risk of getting the flu by almost 50 percent. Every tissue and every cell in the body has a vitamin D receptor protein. It’s estimated that upwards of 2,000 genes are directly or indirectly regulated by vitamin D.
Have there been clinical trials showing the utility of vitamin D?
Absolutely. For instance, a trial of postmenopausal women showed that taking vitamin D over four years reduced their risk of cancer by 60 percent.
Since we make vitamin D from sun exposure, don’t our levels fluctuate with the seasons?
Only to a small degree, because most people avoid the sun. And sunblock reduces your ability to make vitamin D through your skin. The average levels we found ranged from 22 nanograms per milliliter of blood at the end of winter to about 28 ng/ml by the end of summer, unless you’re a tennis player. Blacks start out at 13 to 15 ng/ml during the winter and go up to 22 ng/ml. Less than 30 ng/ml is insufficient vitamin D, and less than 20 ng/ml is considered a deficiency.
But don’t dermatologists counsel people to limit their sun exposure?
Moderation in all things. Humans evolved in sunlight. Our hunter-gatherer forebears were making thousands of units of vitamin D every day, and our body has adapted to that need. That’s why we think vitamin D research will have sustainability and won’t go up in flames like vitamins C and E.
How do you see vitamin D use changing in the future?
It’s likely that the [National Academies’] Institute of Medicine will come out with recommendations of at least 800 to 1,000 IU a day for adults and also substantially increase the tolerable upper limits. That’s what influences what manufacturers can put in foods. Right now the upper limit is 2,000 IU a day. I would predict that within a couple of years many more foods [besides milk] such as pasta and bread will be fortified with vitamin D. I’ve estimated that across the board you could reduce health care costs by 25 percent by food fortification. Supplements are great, but nobody remembers to take them every day. As for sun exposure, a little bit is great for you, but you can only do it spring, summer and fall. So you really need vitamin D in a place where everyone would be able to get it, and that’s the diet.
To what extent does the medical community agree with you on vitamin D?
I recently gave a talk in Toronto to internal medicine doctors and asked how many of them were “believers,” like it was a religious revival. And 90 percent raised their hands. The test for vitamin D levels is now the most ordered assay by doctors in the United States.
________________________
http://bestself.myshaklee.com/us/en/pop_VitaminD_Quiz.s.html
Free nutritional counseling - Sam and Bunny Sewell - 239/591-4565
bunnysam@bestselfusa.com
Monday, October 25, 2010
Saturday, October 16, 2010
Give Your Immune System a Natural Super-Boost
Give Your Immune System a Natural Super-Boost
Vitamin D, Colds the Flu and You
Relief from Allergies & Asthma, and
How to Stay Healthy During Cold & Flu Season
Monday, October 18th 7 PM
PLEASE RSVP 591-4565 Seating limited!
10202 Vanderbilt Dr (NE Corner at 102nd Ave) Naples, Fl 34108
Open to the public. MENSA membership not required
We will discuss the research and shed some light on such questions as:
What is the difference between a cold & the flu?
Bronchitis?
What about flu shots?
What about Asthma & Allergies?
Is stress a factor in my health? (What can I do to reduce my stress?)
What role to household cleaners play in compromising my immune system?
What is the difference between cell cleaners, cell builders & cell protectors?
What can I do to stay strong & avoid getting sick (again) this season?
Already feeling good? Learn how to stay that way longer!
Bring your friends to this Health Sciences Seminar.
We will get down to the scientific truth about how we can live a longer, richer life!
http://thenaturaladvocate.blogspot.com/2009/12/give-your-immune-system-super-boost.html
Vitamin D, Colds the Flu and You
Relief from Allergies & Asthma, and
How to Stay Healthy During Cold & Flu Season
Monday, October 18th 7 PM
PLEASE RSVP 591-4565 Seating limited!
10202 Vanderbilt Dr (NE Corner at 102nd Ave) Naples, Fl 34108
Open to the public. MENSA membership not required
We will discuss the research and shed some light on such questions as:
What is the difference between a cold & the flu?
Bronchitis?
What about flu shots?
What about Asthma & Allergies?
Is stress a factor in my health? (What can I do to reduce my stress?)
What role to household cleaners play in compromising my immune system?
What is the difference between cell cleaners, cell builders & cell protectors?
What can I do to stay strong & avoid getting sick (again) this season?
Already feeling good? Learn how to stay that way longer!
Bring your friends to this Health Sciences Seminar.
We will get down to the scientific truth about how we can live a longer, richer life!
http://thenaturaladvocate.blogspot.com/2009/12/give-your-immune-system-super-boost.html
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Make the Dream Happen - This Young Widow Did!
Bzuzsztzezmznztze @ Yahoo! Video
Click here if video doesn't play: http://video.yahoo.com/watch/8164557?fr=yvmtf
Contact Sam nd Bunny Sewell at bunnysam@bestselfusa.com
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