Low vitamin D levels 'linked to Parkinson's disease'

BBC ^ | 12 July 2010 | NA

[neverdem]

Having low vitamin D levels may increase a person's risk of developing Parkinson's disease later in life, say Finnish researchers.

Their study of 3,000 people, published in Archives of Neurology, found people with the lowest levels of the sunshine vitamin had a three-fold higher risk.

Vitamin D could be helping to protect the nerve cells gradually lost by people with the disease, experts say.

The charity Parkinson's UK said further research was required.

Parkinson's disease affects several parts of the brain, leading to symptoms like tremor and slow movements.

30-year study

The researchers from Finland's National Institute for Health and Welfare measured vitamin D levels from the study group between 1978 and 1980, using blood samples.

They then followed these people over 30 years to see whether they developed Parkinson's disease.

They found that people with the lowest levels of vitamin D were three times more likely to develop Parkinson's, compared with the group with the highest levels of vitamin D.

Most vitamin D is made by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight, although some comes from foods like oily fish, milk or cereals.

As people age, however, their skin becomes less able to produce vitamin D.

Doctors have known for many years that vitamin D helps calcium uptake and bone formation.

But research is now showing that it also plays a role in regulating the immune system, as well as in the development of the nervous system.

Vitamin target

Writing in an editorial in the US journal Archives of Neurology, Marian Evatt, assistant professor of neurology at Emory University School of Medicine, says that health authorities should consider raising the target vitamin D level.

"At this point, 30 nanograms per millilitre of blood or more appears optimal for bone health in humans...

[Patriotic1]

My dr. put me on 50K once a week (prescription level). Can’t recall my original testing numbers, but it was under 20. I also take 1K OTC daily. Should be restesting in a couple of months...

[Norseman]

>>My dr. put me on 50K once a week (prescription level).<<

Just out of curiosity, does he have you on D3? or on D2?

Regarding African-Americans, Somali populations in northern climates are experiencing epidemic rates (even above our own now-epidemic rates) of autism amongst their young, a disease unfamiliar to them in their homeland.

People recommending that blacks keep their D3 levels under 15 ng/ml might want to reconsider their position in light of that.