Download our slide show presentation information in word format, in case you missed something.
Statin drugs lower Vitamin D levels!
In the study, researchers found a clear connection between vitamin D deficiency and muscle pain. Over 64 percent of patients with muscle pain who were taking statin drugs were also deficient in vitamin D. Those with muscle pain in general were found to be deficient in vitamin D.
When study participants who reported muscle pain were given 50,000 IU of vitamin D a week for 12 weeks, more than 92 percent of them were completely relieved of all muscle pain. The prescribed supplementation also raised blood levels of vitamin D to normal levels.
It is also known that statin drugs are responsible for depleting CoQ10 levels, a vital substance that metabolizes energy in the body. Both CoQ10 and vitamin D supplementation are recommended for anyone who takes statin drugs. A minimum of 2,000 IU of vitamin D and between 100 and 200 mg of CoQ10 daily are appropriate doses.
What is the real importance of Vitamin D?
Vitamin D has both vitamin and hormone-like activities. It is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes the body’s absorption of calcium, which is essential for the normal development and maintenance of healthy teeth and bones. Calcium is also important to nerve cells, including the brain. Vitamin D helps maintain adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphorus. Common knowledge tells us the importance of Vitamin D in bone health but what else is it good for, how about heart disease, hypertension, several types of cancer, angiogenesis (blood vessel growth), emotional well-being, autoimmune issues, and Metabolic Syndrome. Most people are unaware that individuals in the northern latitudes become deficient of Vitamin D due to lack of UVB ray’s in the winter. You can check out the attached web address to view the incidences of several different types of cancer and the relationship between northern latitudes. http://www.sunarc.org/index.htm
Sunshine is not the only answer as seen in some studies. One in particular study, tested Vitamin D status in Florida. At the end of winter men and women were tested with the averages being 24 and 22ng/ml respectively, much below the sufficient level of 40ng/ml. At the end of summer participants returned for testing with men averaging 31ng/ml and the women 25ng/ml many were still under an acceptable limit. The levels increased but were still under the recommended ranges. What could explain this scenario? Maybe the levels were too low to begin with or the body can only absorb so much and the rest needs to be supplemented or absorbed through diet.
Given all of the potential benefits of Vitamin D and the enormous deficiency in winter months everyone should know their levels of Vitamin D. Who has the highest risk of deficiency; individuals with malabsorption issues, including Crohn’s, colitis, gastric bypass, and celiac disease. Older adults generally have less efficient skin production of vitamin D. A simple lab test can give you your levels for only $40.
The new ranges for blood levels of Vitamin D are as follows:
Deficiency – 0-5ng/ml
Insufficiency – 5-50ng/ml
Hypovitaminosis – 20-40ng/ml
Sufficiency – 40-100ng/ml
Toxicity - >100ng/ml
How can we increase Vitamin D levels? The body manufactures the vitamin after being exposed to sunshine, 10-15 minutes of sunshine 3 times weekly. Eat a balanced diet that contains a variety of foods from the food guide pyramid (which we will discuss in the future). Food sources include: fish, oysters, cheese, butter, cream, fortified foods (milk, cereal, juices). You can also supplement by taking a vitamin about 1,000-5,000 I.U.’s is recommended the preferred form of Vitamin D is D3 – cholecalciferol.
I hope this is an enlightening topic. Next topic will discuss osteoporosis.