In a newly peer-review study, researchers say that Vitamin D has a very strong impact on disease severity, so much so that they can accurately predict how people would fare based on nothing more than their age and the Vitamin D intake. The team stated that Vitamin D deficiency can greatly increase your risk of developing severe symptoms if you were to contract COVID-19.

Researchers came to this conclusion after carefully studying Israel’s two waves of the virus, before the vaccines was readily available. Vitamin D deficiency is especially problematic in Israel, where nearly 80 percent of individuals have low Vitamin D intake. And while Vitamin D supplementation was no substitute for the vaccine, researchers found that increasing Vitamin D intake could help patients avoid the worst effects of the disease.

“We found it remarkable, and striking, to see the difference in the chances of becoming a severe patient when you are lacking in Vitamin D compared to when you’re not,” said Dr. Amiel Dror, a Galilee Medical Center physician and Bar Ilan researcher who was part of the team behind the study.

Increase Your Vitamin D Intake

Although the study was conducted prior to the Omicron wave, researchers said that at a basic level, the virus doesn’t chance fundamentally enough between variants to negate the effectiveness of Vitamin D.

“What we’re seeing when Vitamin D helps people with COVID infections is a result of its effectiveness in bolstering the immune systems to deal with viral pathogens that attack the respiratory system,” Dr. Dror told The Times of Israel. “This is equally relevant for Omicron as it was for previous variants.”

This research falls in line with a previous publication that found that 26 percent of coronavirus patients died if they were Vitamin D deficient soon before hospitalization, compared to just three percent who had normal levels of Vitamin D. In all, researchers found that patients who were hospitalized with COVID-19 who were also Vitamin D deficient were 14 times more likely, on average, to end up in severe or critical condition than others.

“People should learn from this that studies pointing to the importance of taking vitamin D are very reliable, and aren’t based on skewed data,” Dr. Dror added. “And it emphasizes the value of everyone taking a vitamin D supplement during the pandemic, which, consumed in sensible amounts in accordance with official advice, doesn’t have any downside.”

Vitamin D is important for so many bodily functions, and it’s clear that it can also be helpful for our immune system in fighting off foreign invaders. Always make sure to mind your Vitamin D intake, especially if you could be susceptible to severe symptoms in the event you are infected with COVID-19.

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Vitamin D is important for individuals at all ages, but a new study suggests that it’s even more important for athletes. According to the research, not only can Vitamin D reduce your risk of suffering an injury during sports, but it can also improve sports performance.

Athletes and Vitamin D

The study, which was published in the Journal of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, reviewed countless articles and previous studies on the effects of Vitamin D. When it came time to analyze Vitamin D intake and athletic performance, researchers were particularly interested in one study involving football players. They found that there was a statistically significant correlation between lower Vitamin D levels and being released from the team (due to poor performance or injury) prior to the start of the regular season. In other words, athletes with appropriate levels of Vitamin D were more likely to perform better on the field or stay healthier.

Another study showed similar results involving women. Participants were randomly placed into two different groups, with one group receiving Vitamin D supplements while the other group received a placebo. After testing vertical jump heights of both groups before and after administering the pills, researchers found that women in the Vitamin D group substantially increased their jumping and movement efficiency compared to the control group.

Finally, in one last study, researchers looked at the Vitamin D levels of more than 2,500 military recruits. 92 recruits suffered stress fractures in their legs at some point during training, and when their Vitamin D levels were assessed, researchers found the Vitamin D deficient recruits were 60 percent more likely to suffer a stress fracture compared to recruits with adequate levels of Vitamin D. Considering that many of the same movements and actions are used during basic training and athletic activity, it stands to reason that athletes would also be less likely to suffer a stress fracture if they had normal levels of Vitamin D in their system.

So if you are trying out for the team this summer or just want to increase your chances of staying healthy during athletic activity, make sure you increase your Vitamin D intake. Vitamin D can be found in foods like fish, cheese, soybeans, cereal, milk and dark leafy green vegetables like spinach and kale.

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Vitamin D screenings are important for two main reasons. First, Vitamin D deficiency increases a person’s risk of bone fractures, and it can also lead to kidney and other organ issues. Secondly, screenings are important because most people don’t get enough Vitamin D on a regular basis. That said, Vitamin D tests aren’t always necessary, so today we look at the pros and cons of Vitamin D tests.

Why You Should Get Screened

Vitamin D deficiency weakens the body’s bones and internal organs, so people with the following conditions should consider getting screened.

• If you’re at-risk or have developed osteoporosis, as that condition further weakens bones and may leave you very susceptible to fractures.

• If you have a condition that affects your internal organs or your body’s ability to use Vitamin D, like bowel disease, celiac disease, kidney disease, liver disease or pancreatitis.

Additionally, if you are curious about your Vitamin D levels or are experiencing symptoms that could be attributed to Vitamin D deficiency, talk to your doctor. If your doctor suggests a Vitamin D test, it’s probably worth your while.

Why You’d Skip The Test

The tests are important for some, but for others they just add extra cost. Here are some reasons why you can consider skipping a Vitamin D screening:

• If you feel healthy. This isn’t to say that as long as you feel healthy, your Vitamin D levels are perfect, but few people actually have seriously low levels of Vitamin D. Simply being cognizant of your intake or reaching for healthier food options can boost your levels without the need for an extra test.

• Vitamin D tests won’t show anything new if you’re at risk for conditions like diabetes or heart disease. Instead, following your doctor’s advice, eating right and maintaining an active lifestyle are your best bets.

• Overtreatment. Again, unless your levels are at a dangerously low point, simple lifestyle changes can get you back to an appropriate level. Sometimes supplements and natural Vitamin D intake can lead to too much Vitamin D, which can also be damaging to the body.

We’ve talked about the importance of Vitamin D on the blog numerous times before, so use the above criteria to determine if you should have your levels tested. Or better yet, make positive lifestyle changes to naturally increase your Vitamin D intake.

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The first study linked low levels of Vitamin D to an increased risk of dementia. According to researchers, older patients who have low levels of Vitamin D intake are about 122 percent more likely to develop mental health complications, like memory loss and dementia.

Dr. David Llewellyn said similar links have been shown in previous studies, but this research provides more accurate findings.

“We were able with much greater accuracy to sort of chart the level of Vitamin D that seems to be relevant to a dementia risk,” said Dr. Llewellyn. “It gives us valuable clues as to the kind of trials we should be doing next, and who we should be treating and with how much Vitamin D.”

For their study, researchers analyzed blood samples from 1,658 patients in 1992 and 1993, then again in 2008. The samples were tested for Vitamin D levels, specifically measuring for serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Patients were sorted into three groups based on their levels.

• Less than 25 nmol/L were severely deficient.

• Between 25 nmol/L and 50 nmol/L were deficient.

• Above 50 nmol/L were considered sufficient.

A follow-up analysis of medical records found that patients classified with severely deficient Vitamin D levels were 122 percent more likely to have developed dementia, while those who were classified as deficient were 51 percent more likely to have developed the disease than those with adequate Vitamin D levels.

Heart Health and Vitamin D

Another study found that Vitamin D can help keep a person’s ticker running smoothly.

This study comes from the United Kingdom, and it asked 5,292 subjects to ingest a daily supplement for three years. The participants either received a Vitamin D supplement, a calcium pill, a Vitamin D and calcium pill, or a placebo. Researchers then charted the health of each participant for three years.

After analyzing the data, researchers found that the group who took the Vitamin D supplement saw their risk of heart failure drop by 25 percent compared to groups that did not receive a Vitamin D pill.

The authors concluded, “Vitamin D supplementation might protect against cardiac failure in older people.”

Dr. Silverman comments

We’ve discussed Vitamin D so much on this blog I’m amazed people still fail to get their recommended amount. Whether you get it from food or in the form of a pill, make sure you are conscious about your Vitamin D intake, especially as you get older.

Related sources: Medscape, WorldHealth.net

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With Vitamin D deficiency, a person is likely to develop some bone density issues. There are two main bone density problems I deal with on a daily basis:

Weak Bones Leading to Fractures – As bone density shrinks, the likelihood that someone will suffer a fracture increases. Eventually, tasks that were once routine could lead to fractures. Oftentimes I’m tasked with fixing and stabilizing these breaks, which leads me to the other issue.

Weak Bones Unable to Stabilize – When I’m preforming an operation, especially when I’m inserting screws or other hardware, it’s imperative I attach the piece to a strong and stable bone. Without a good, strong bone it’s very difficult to obtain fixation. Vitamin D deficient patients will have noticeable diminished strength in their foot and they’ll heal slower.

I have many examples of patients who have been referred to me who failed to heal after a primary fusion operation who were able to heal without surgery with a simple addition of Vitamin D. When discussing surgery with a patient I always stress the importance of adding Vitamin D to their diet in the days and weeks leading up to an operation. As an orthopedic surgeon who routinely identifies vitamin D deficiency, I can tell you right now that a short period of sufficiency makes my life a lot easier.

The study in the Southern Medical Journal suggests adding routine Vitamin D screenings to reduce the number of deficient patients, but that will likely be too costly an option to seriously consider. Instead, older adults and anyone who suffers an injury should make it a point to consume the daily recommended amount of Vitamin D. It doesn’t matter whether your daily Vitamin D comes from a big glass of milk or a supplement. What matters is that you are building strong and healthy bones.

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In the story documented on Medscape, a 57-year-old patient who recently visited her doctor found out that her Vitamin D levels were low. The doctor prescribed a Vitamin D supplement to address the issue, but the patient informed her physician that she was currently in a study that asked participants to refrain from taking supplements as they could affect the integrity of the ongoing research. Her doctor believes the woman was in the control group in the study, and therefore she was receiving a placebo.

Dr. JoAnn Manson, an organizer of the Vitamin D study, said testing a participant’s Vitamins D levels “wouldn’t necessarily reveal to the participants whether they’re in the placebo group or active treatment group. It is true that if their blood is tested and it turns out that they’re deficient that it’s more likely they’re in the placebo group than the active treatment group, but it does not appear to be happening often.”

Many doctors believe these types of studies can put a patient in danger, but the team of researchers leading the Vitamin D study said they have taken steps to alleviate risk.

“We keep [the participants] really well informed about what the research is showing and that these questions are still unanswered — still inconclusive — and that the trial is still critically important to answering these clinical and public health questions,” said Manson.

Prevalence of Out-Of-Study Medication

One of the main difficulties researchers face during long-term studies is ensuring participants adhere to the set guidelines. Most studies ask participants to take an active role in the research, and oftentimes this involves regular exercise, or adherence to a dietary and supplementation guidelines. Manson said out-of-study medication is “a very real concern” for researchers, as it could limit the accuracy of the clinical trials. Despite the concern, data suggests than fewer than 5 percent of individuals take high-dose supplementation outside of research protocol.

While out-of-study supplementation may not be too grave of an issue, Dr. Silverman believes studies like the above trial can negatively affect a person’s health.

“I actually met a patient who was in this study, and I left the encounter with conflicted feelings.

My patient’s Vitamin D levels were significantly below normal, and she required supplementation before I could safely consider surgery. She was hesitant, as she had been instructed not to take any supplemental Vitamin D.

The conflict of interest occurs in this study when we know that certain levels of Vitamin D are below those for normal health, and preventing patients from achieving a normal healthy level seems troublesome. Some of these patients were given placebo pills instead of true Vitamin D. Examining their long-term cardiovascular risks by putting their bone health and other metabolic systems at risk from a lack of normal Vitamin D doesn’t seem like a truly well-done study. I wonder how they got this past their Institutional Review Board?

It’s one thing to do a study demonstrating a difference between healthy and other forms of treatment, but to do a study that puts people in the control group at risk, especially when we already know the dangers of Vitamin D deficiency, bothers me to the core.”

Related source: Medscape

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Numerous studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency can halt bone growth following bunion surgery.

Bunion surgeries can be challenging to perform and after you spend so much time in the OR getting it perfect, it is frustrating when a patient doesn’t heal rapidly.  A deficiency in Vitamin D is one of the nutritional deficits that can seriously slow osteotomy healing.

In our office, every patient scheduling surgery gets a pre-operative nutritional supplementation recommendation. We recommend Vitamin A in the water-soluble formation, Vitamin C, and Zinc to help wound healing. I also recommend Vitamin D for bone healing and a routine multi-vitamin.

We are considering encouraging protein supplementation as I have identified protein malnutrition as a source of healing failure in some patients.

Related Sources:

Podiatrytoday.com

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The study was done by doctors at the University Hospital in Zurich. Researchers examined 12 previous studies that tracked vitamin D rates and fractures in more than 30,000 patients aged 65 or older. Previous meta-analyses have only looked at how much vitamin D patients were prescribed to take. This study examined how much patients actually took.

“The question of how much vitamin D is enough is likely to remain muddled as long as meta-analyses focus on trial methodology rather than on biology,” said Robert Heaney, MD, one of the primary researchers.

The results show that regular doses of vitamin D can significantly decrease the risk of fractures.

“For the last several years I have been recommending higher doses of vitamin D to my patients,” says Orthopedic Specialist, Dr. Lance Silverman. These findings are welcome. The previously established RDA only describes what is needed to prevent overt manifestation of disease, not best overall function. While vitamin D can be made by sun exposure, many of my patients spend several months indoors during the winter. The time they spend outdoors as the get older is limited by work and by justified fears of skin cancer. Oral supplements are inexpensive and easy to find. I recommend nearly every patient to start them. It’s never too early or too late to start maximizing bone density.”

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Researchers studied over 6,700 girls from the ages of 9 to 15. They documented dairy, calcium, and vitamin D intake as well as the occurrence of stress fractures among the test group. The results found that dairy and calcium had no relation to the occurrence of stress fractures, but that vitamin D intake lowered the risk of stress fractures.

Stress fractures result from placing intense prolonged pressure on a bone. They can develop over time and are especially common in athletes and girls.

Dr. Silverman Comments

Vitamin D is such an important co-factor and is finally receiving the attention it deserves. The study demonstrates that many of the long held truisms of medical advice are false. Higher levels of calcium intake are not protective of stress fractures. Instead, vitamin D intake is inversely related to stress fractures. Low levels of vitamin D have already been identified as a risk factor for osteoporotic fractures.

Medical recommendations need to change. We need to evaluate vitamin D levels more routinely. As an orthopedic surgeon, I have been evaluating and treating my patients for vitamin D insufficiency for the last few years. All my patients receive prophylactic vitamin D, in addition to other vitamins, before surgery. To my pleasant surprise I have discovered that some patients sent to me for a second opinion to treat a non-union that required only vitamin D to heal. One of my favorite stories of treatment is the unexpected side effect of treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression usually treated with UV light therapy.

Related Sources:

Naturalnews.com

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