Posted on 11/30/2010 5:49:14 PM PST by neverdem
Megadoses of 'sunshine vitamin' don't prevent disease, may be harmful
WASHINGTON — For the past few years vitamin D has been the "it" vitamin, with studies wildly trumpeting the supplement's role in strengthening bones, reducing the risk of some cancers, heart disease, along with fighting autoimmune diseases and diabetes. But long-awaited new dietary guidelines say there's no proof that megadoses of the "sunshine vitamin" prevent cancer, diabetes or other conditions.
While some people will need a bit more vitamin D than they're already getting, some studies suggest that too much could actually cause some kinds of cancer, according to the panel of experts at the prestigious Institute of Medicine, the health arm of the National Academy of Sciences.
"More is not necessarily better," cautioned Dr. Joann Manson of Harvard Medical School, who co-authored the Institute of Medicine's report being released Tuesday...
(Excerpt) Read more at msnbc.msn.com ...
I don't recall.
Didn't another report come out today praising Vit D?
Agreed.
Harvard studies laying groundwork for government shenanigans?
I would believe that.
RE: “Didn’t an NIH study about 10 years ago prove that 2,000 IU / day resulted in a marked decline in cancer rates?”
**************
Probably; that would explain why the brand I’m buying has capsules with 2000 IU each of “D” -—
Recommendations change all the time. Soy was good.......until it wasn’t — Vitamin E — same thing — take this, no, don’t take it — MAKE UP YOUR MINDS, EXPERTS!
I’m so sick of this I could spit nails!
It is not how much you choose to take; it is how much your circulating blood level is. If you are seriously below the norm, you DO need supplements.
I question this study until I read more. I know people who take Vitamin D and can’t get their levels anywhere near normal. That means they are using what they are ingesting.
Since Vitamin D is stored in fat, it is not until the fat stores are saturated that one can get into trouble; the circulating blood level can then rise and dramatically. That’s why I’d never recommend messing with taking fat soluble vitamins—like D—unless they are being measured and yes, by a good lab.
F
Roger that...gotta hide our gardens now!
How crazy is this? And HOW freakin stupid are our Senators?
Sorryy..
rhetorical question!
What about 5000 mg. ?
My wife has been a primary school teacher for 30+ years. Until last school year she has always gotten her flu shot and has brought home every flu and cold that the kids have brought to school. Last year when school started she commenced to taking 10k iu a day of D-3 and did not get any flu shot. She did not bring home any respiratory maladies though her classroom was full of it for at least a third of the school year. She repeated for this year and has brought no illnesses home so far. I take the stuff, too. I work at night and see little sun, even in the summer. I have had none of these maladies, either but then never did get them much, anyway.
The wonder drug.
My Nephrologist actually measures my level once a year and I have come up from below normal to mid-range on 4000 - 5000iu a day and I live where we have sunshine 300 days a year... yet I was below normal.
So I don't care about their stupid studies - it worked for me.
HA..if you took “a whole bottle of vitamin c”...you’d be spending a lot of time in the bathroom...
Glad to hear you have it tested. I am not surprised by your comments. I believe that studies showed that a good portion of Minnesotans had levels close to half normal (long winters; low sun; shortened summer). By contrast, we are now all indoctrinated to slather on SPF sunblock 4 million if we go into the sun. Since UV irradiation is needed to convert the precursor to the active vitamin, people are getting deficient even in sunny climes.
I know docs who now prescribe Vitamin D supplements routinely to every woman over 60 (plus calcium). I believe the evidence shows that it helps stem later osteoporosis.
Point is, if you know your circulating level, and a doctor is advising, I believe it is of great benefit. The old standard value was 400 IU per day and that is what was derived from fortified milk. I believe that is too low personally and am glad the article has upped the level to at least 800. I am still big on having people tested to see if their levels are too low.
Yes (and the very example is ludicrous, but government would “protect” us from ourselves you know) but it would not kill me. Whole bottle of tylenol would.
I can tell a significant difference in how I don’t catch stuff since I have been tested and brought the levels up in my blood stream. You mentioned osteo, I had my bone density testing done last year and my bones are equivalent of a woman about half my age, as a non-drinker, non-smoker and I don’t drink carbonated drinks (high in phosphorus as you probably know) it seems I am doing something right with my supplement regimen.
This is poor advice. What is needed is for anyone concerned to go in and have your vitamin D levels tested. Sometimes it is hard to get vitamin D from either sun or supplements, and under 40 (units?) means you are far more likely to get sick.
I was taking around 2000 units a day, plus it was warm fall and I was getting outside a little every day. I got tested and my level was 20. That is unacceptable. I now am taking 10,000 units a day and will go back for another test.
Seriously, telling people how much to take is a bit ridiculous, if a normal healthy woman is taking 2000 units a day and still deficient per a blood test. If that “prestigious” institute wanted to be truly conscientious it would ask people to be tested to know their proper dose of supplementation.
FWIW, I have been very healthy lately, even after being around a sick grandchild.....daily visits to dad in hospital..... assisted living & rehab facilities...and the public in general with coughs and sneezes....
....just saying
I also take 2 tsp of fish oil per day.
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