Anything About Internal Medicine: Vitamin D

Home » All Posts Under Category Vitamin D

Showing posts with label Vitamin D. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Gold Standard Diagnostics' and DIAsource ImmunoAssays' 25

Gold Standard Diagnostics, Corp. (GSD, www.gsdx.us), a leading manufacturer and marketer of clinical laboratory instrumentation and assays for the in vitro diagnostics market, announced 510k FDA Clearance of its 25-OH Vitamin D, Total ELISA. The competitive assay strongly correlates with established LC/MS, EIA and Chemiluminescence methods, and offers high sensitivity and specificity over a wide dynamic range. The assay can be automated on a variety of instruments, providing a cost-effective Vitamin D testing option, even at lower volumes.

"As Vitamin D levels have become an important indicator of overall health, testing volume has risen but assay choices have remained limited. Especially for labs or physicians with smaller volumes, the prohibitive cost and volume requirements of a high-throughput system can make running Vitamin D in-house difficult to justify financially. GSD has created an ELISA that can be fully-automated and cost-effective even if a lab only runs a few samples a week," says Gerrit Mueller, Product Manager for Gold Standard Diagnostics.

DIAsource Collaboration

The Vitamin D assay was developed by Belgium-based DIAsource ImmunoAssays S.A. Gold Standard Diagnostics and DIAsource have enjoyed a successful relationship for many years. GSD is the exclusive distributor of the Vitamin D assay in the U.S. market. In turn, DIAsource also distributes the GSD ThunderBolt® automated instrument worldwide.

"This approval is a milestone for our company. It not only proves the quality of our assay but it also allows us via GSD to enter into the US market with this exciting product that has been highly appreciated by our customers and made the assay a huge success in Europe and Asia immediately after launching in 2012," says Dr. Jef Vangenechten, CEO of DIAsource.

Automation Options

The GSD Vitamin D assay features a unique pre-treatment step that allows for complete automation on virtually any open ELISA processor. Because of the simple pre-treatment step and automation capability, GSD's 25-OH Vitamin D provides fast and consistent results. All assay protocol steps are completed in a standard microtiter plate, without the need for labor-intensive, time-consuming and complicated pre-treatment done manually outside of the analyzer.

Clinical Significance of Vitamin D Testing

Vitamin D testing offers important information for general physicians and specialists alike. Long-established as an important factor for bone metabolism, new research indicates Vitamin D also plays an important role in immune function, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, diabetes, depression and cancer prevention. Many reports estimate that up to 75% of the U.S. population has a deficiency of 25-Hyrdoxyvitamin D.

For more information on GSD's Vitamin D assay visit our website: http://www.gsdx.us/

Simplify Your Laboratory Experience

Contact Gold Standard Diagnostics for more information:Email: info@gsdx.us | Phone: (530) 759-8000 | Web: http://www.gsdx.us/

About Gold Standard Diagnostics:

Gold Standard Diagnostics (GSD) provides comprehensive diagnostic solutions that improve lab efficiency and minimize overall costs. Through an extensive product menu, automated instrument platforms, and outstanding customer service, GSD solves real laboratory problems. The result is a seamless laboratory experience achieved through an integrated approach.

More information is available at http://www.gsdx.us/

About DIAsource ImmunoAssays S.A.

DIAsource ImmunoAssays ( www.diasource.be) develops, manufactures and markets clinical diagnostic assays and antibodies in the field of endocrinology and infectious diseases. DIAsource has specific development and manufacturing programs for Vitamin D, Renin, Calcitonin and other specialty markers. DIAsource provides selected instrumentation Elisa reader, washer and shaker, along with open and closed fully automated Elisa platforms helping customers to automate their tests.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Low vitamin D again linked to mobility issues for older people

Vitamin D deficiency may increase a senior citizen's risk of physical limitations like walking up and down stairs, and being able to dress and undress, says a new study from The Netherlands.

Researchers from the VU University Medical Center reported that vitamin D deficiency doubled the risk of an increase in functional limitations.

"The results of the present study are in line with the results of most studies on vitamin D status and physical performance, in which low vitamin D status was associated with low physical performance and its decline in individuals aged 65 years and older," wrote the researchers in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

"Because functional limitations are a predictor of adverse outcomes, further research is necessary to explore underlying mechanisms and the potential benefits of vitamin D supplements on functional status." The sunshine vitamin

Vitamin D refers to two biologically inactive precursors - D3, also known as cholecalciferol, and D2, also known as ergocalciferol.

Both D3 and D2 precursors are transformed in the liver and kidneys into 25- hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), the non-active 'storage' form, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), the biologically active form that is tightly controlled by the body.

Vitamin D deficiency, which is defined as a status of less than 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL) of 25-(OH)D, can cause a number of health issues, including rickets and other musculoskeletal diseases.

While previous studies have reported a link between vitamin D status and functional limitations, the data to date has been 'contradictory', wrote the authors, led by Evelien Sohl.

For the new study, Sohl and her co-workers analyzed data from 1,237 people aged 65 to 88, and 725 people aged 55 to 65. Functional limitations were classed as problems walking up and down stairs, problems dressing or undressing, difficulty getting into and out of a chair, difficulty cutting toenails, being unable to walk outside for five minutes without rest, and whether the subject could use transportation.

Long term effects

The results indicated that, for the older and younger groups, 56 and 30% of people, respectively, had at least one limitation. Vitamin D deficiency in the older group was related to significant increases in functional limitations after three years. For the younger group, vitamin D deficiency was linked to an increase in limitations after six years, they wrote.

"The mechanism of action in our study may be the positive influence of vitamin D on muscles, and a poor vitamin D status may cause functional limitations," they said. "However, the previously found associations may be caused by, for example, less sunshine exposure due to mobility limitations."

Sohl and her co-workers added that the vitamin may exert its effects via genomic and non-genomic pathways. Muscle cells have vitamin D receptors on their surface, and these can activate over 300 genes.

It has been known that vitamin D receptors exist on muscle cells. By binding to this receptor more than 300 genes can be activated.

"Although the current study is not designed to determine the direction of the relationship, the results of the longitudinal analyses, the known presence of vitamin D receptors on muscle cells, and the positive effects of vitamin D supplementation on muscle function at least suggest a potential positive effect of vitamin D on functional performance."

Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1210/jc.2013-1698"Vitamin D Status Is Associated With Functional Limitations and Functional Decline in Older Individuals"Authors: E. Sohl, N. M. van Schoor, R. T. de Jongh, M. Visser, D. J. H. Deeg and P. Lips

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Vitamin D Crucial During Pregnancy to Avoid Autism Risks

A deficiency of vitamin D during pregnancy may increase the risks of giving birth to a baby with autism, researchers warn expecting mothers.

The findings come at a time when about one in every 88 children in the United States is affected by autism, a developmental disorder that leads to significant social, communication and behavioral changes.

Previous studies have found an association between autism and maternal vitamin D deficiency. Findings of the current study published in Research in Developmental Disabilities recently re-confirm the claims.

Like Us on Facebook

Vitamin D is essential during pregnancy. A severe vitamin D deficiency can lead to infantile rickets, and sufficient intake can reduce childhood wheezing and type 1 diabetes in children.

For the current study, Eva Kocovskaa of the Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow in Yorkhill, UK, carefully analyzed previous studies. They found areas of brain and gene regulation affected by vitamin D deficiency during pregnancy, leading to the development of autism, website Foodconsumer reported.

"Vitamin D deficiency-either during pregnancy or early childhood-may be an environmental trigger for ASD in individuals genetically predisposed for the broad phenotype of autism. On the basis of the results of the present review, we argue for the recognition of this possibly important role of vitamin D in ASD, and for urgent research in the field," Foodconsumer quoted the authors as writing.

Following a diet rich with vitamin D - milk, juice, cereal, orange juice, yogurt and margarine can, to an extent, help in solving this problem. Foods like shiitake and button mushrooms, oily fish (tuna, mackerel, trout, herring, sardines, kipper, carp, anchovies and orange roughy), beef liver, cheese and egg yolks are some of the natural sources of vitamin D apart from sunshine.

Early diagnosis of autism offers better treatment, so efforts have been made from a long time to identify the risk factors and provide a method of early intervention. A study published in Journal of Neuroinflammation found an association between exposure to preservative propionic acid (PA) and autism.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Monday, July 22, 2013

Vitamin d deficiency impacts on expression of toll

Vitamin d deficiency impacts on expression of toll-like receptor-2 and cytokine profile: a pilot study

Vitamin D is believed to play an important role outside the endocrine system in the regulation of the immune system, and in cellular proliferation and differentiation. The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of vitamin D levels on innate immunity.Methods: Participants for this prospective, longitudinal study were recruited amongst otherwise healthy staff of a large hospital in Victoria, Australia. Those fulfilling the inclusion criteria, including a vitamin D level of Additonally, PBMCs at each timepoint were stimulated with specific TLR ligands and resultant supernatants were assayed for the cytokines TNFalpha, IL-6, IFN-alpha and IP-10.Results: In participants whose vitamin D level was >100 nmol/L post supplementation (n=11), TLR2 expression on PBMCs increased significantly, with no change noted in TLR4 or CD86 expression. Stimulation of vitamin D deficient samples with TLR ligands produced a number of proinflammatory cytokines, which were significantly reduced upon vitamin D normalisation. In patients whose levels returned to a deficient level at 3 months despite ongoing low-level supplementation, an increase in the pro-inflamamtory state returned. This suggests that vitamin D may play an important role in ensuring an appropriate baseline pro-inflammatory state.Conclusions: This ex-vivo pilot study adds clinical evidence supporting a possibly important role for vitamin D in innate immunity. If confirmed, this unique clinical study has potentially significant implications for the treatment of a variety of inflammatory conditions, where achieving optimal vitamin D levels may help reduce inflammation.Author: Samar OjaimiNarelle A SkinnerBoyd JG StraussVijaya SundararajanIan WoolleyKumar VisvanathanCredits/Source: Journal of Translational Medicine 2013, 11:176 Published on: 2013-07-22

Copyright by the authors listed above - made available via BioMedCentral (Open Access). Please make sure to read ourdisclaimer prior to contacting 7thSpace Interactive. To contact our editors, visit our online helpdesk. If you wish submit your own press release, click here.

There are no comments available. Be the first to write a comment.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Low Vitamin D Linked to Limited Function in Aging Adults

(HealthDay News) - Among individuals aged 55-65 years, and ≥65 years, vitamin D deficiency is associated with the presence of functional limitations and functional decline, according to a study published online July 17 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Evelien Sohl, of the VU University Amsterdam, and colleagues conducted a study using two independent cohorts from the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam, an older cohort of 1,237 individuals aged 65-88 years and a younger cohort of 725 individuals aged 55-65 years. Questionnaires were used to assess the ability and the degree of difficulty in performing six functions of daily living. The association between vitamin D status and functional limitations was examined.

The researchers found that at least one functional limitation was present in 56% of participants in the older cohort and in 30% of participants in the younger cohort. The presence of functional limitation at baseline was more likely in those with vitamin D deficiency (defined as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] of <20ng/mL) than in the reference group (serum 25[OH]D >30ng/mL) for the older cohort (odds ratio [OR], 1.7) and the younger cohort (OR, 2.2). Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increase in limitations of function at three years in the older cohort (OR, 2) and at six years in the younger cohort (OR, 3.3).

"Seniors who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have mobility limitations and to see their physical functioning decline over time," Sohl said in a statement.

The study was partially funded by a grant from Merck.

AbstractFull Text (subscription or payment may be required)

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Sunday, July 21, 2013

How Vitamin D Can Help You Avoid Injuries

By Published February 18, 2010 Updated February 19, 2010 at 10:44 am Latest Headlines

New studies find that Vitamin D may be more important than previously thought when it comes to the health of endurance athletes.

Written by: Nathan Koch

As an avid cyclist and runner, I am always looking for ways to improve performance while avoiding forced time off due to injury or illness. While attending the American College of Sports Medicine meeting in Seattle last year, I heard a lecture from a well-known researcher on the benefits of vitamin D supplementation, which included increased athletic performance. I even learned about a study in which Russian and German athletes used ultraviolet sunlamps to improve performance. Four Russian sprinters used UV light and another group didn't. The two groups trained identically for the 100-meter sprint. The control group lowered its time by 1.7 percent and the UV group improved 7.4 percent.

A more recent study from the University of Wyoming's family and consumer science department revealed a direct correlation between vertical leap height (think power) and vitamin D levels.

So, of course, at my next physical, I asked my physician to order a vitamin D blood test (serum 25[OH]D concentration) along with the other standard tests. As a healthy endurance athlete residing in sunny Arizona and training outside on a daily basis, I was shocked by my results, which were 25nmol/L. My physician said that if my levels were any lower I would qualify for aggressive treatment. For the record, maintaining blood concentrations above 80nmol/L is currently considered ideal by most of the literature, although more research is needed.

Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic in the U.S. and throughout the world. The deficiency causes rickets in children, osteoporosis in adults and stress fractures in athletes and has been linked to cancer, cardiovascular disease, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, type-1 diabetes mellitus and even influenza.

Vitamin D (calciferol) is really a combination of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) and ergocalciferol (D2). D3 is produced by the action of ultraviolet B light on the skin of humans and is found in oily fish. D2 is formed when ultraviolet light irradiates the fungal steroid ergosterol, and very little is found in our food. With few exceptions (see table 1) there is little or no vitamin D in the food people normally eat. In other words, vitamin D deficiency is less a nutritional issue and more an environmental deficit due to inadequate ultraviolet exposure. In the past, most experts thought we could get enough vitamin D from fortified milk, but today there is increasing agreement among researchers that this measure does not even come close to doing the job.

Vitamin D absorption from the sun also has limitations and is affected by latitude, season of the year, time of day, skin pigmentation, use of sun block, age and clothing. Optimal sun exposure typically occurs between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and at lower latitudes. Therefore, those of us who live in the northern half of the U.S. or anywhere in Canada or Europe are at risk of being deficient. Whereas our ancestors were exposed to the sun almost daily, today we allow less than 5 percent of our skin to be exposed to sunlight. We work, play and live under artificial light, and when we get the time to soak up some rays, we either block the beneficial rays with high-powered sunscreen or totally overexpose ourselves, turning ourselves into tomatoes.

In athletes, a vitamin D deficiency can cause the dreaded down time resulting from a cold, the flu, stress fractures and joint inflammation. In a 2006 Finnish study on military recruits, Ruohola, et al., concluded that a lower level of serum 25(OH)D concentration may be a predisposing factor for bone stress fractures. Another study, from the University of Wyoming, found that 40 percent of a group of distance runners in Baton Rouge, La., were vitamin D deficient. For those of you who haven't been to Baton Rouge, it is sunny and closer to ideal latitude for vitamin D absorption via skin than most other cities in the U.S. A recent and encouraging study by Lappe, et al., out of Creighton University, found a 21 percent lower incidence of stress fractures in female Naval recruits in a supplemented (vitamin D and calcium) group versus the control group.

So should we increase our sun exposure to guarantee vitamin D sufficiency and subsequently increase our risk of skin cancer? Or should we take supplements and hope that doing so is enough to prevent fractures and illness? As athletes, we know that life is a balancing act. Sometimes we can be extreme and have an all-or-nothing attitude, but this is one challenge that will take a comprehensive approach and require careful moderation.

My everything in moderation theory for optimizing vitamin D efficiency:

1. Monitor your serum 24(OH)D levels with help from your physician. Test in the summer and in the winter.

2. Increase dietary and supplemental vitamin D2 and D3. Again, consult your physician for the specific amount. Remember the recommended daily allowance is low (400 IU) and not up to current research standards. At least 1,000-2,000 IU vitamin D3 per day is considered the new minimum. Recent research demonstrates these levels are safe and effective.

3. Get direct sun exposure for 10 to 30 minutes a couple of times per week. Sensible sun exposure is the most natural and effective way to increase vitamin D levels.

4. If all the above fail, move closer to the equator, surf some waves, eat some fish and do some shots of cod liver oil.

Here's a list of Vitamin D-rich foods from the National Institutes of Health:

Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon

Mushrooms, enriched with vitamin D, 3 ounces

Salmon, cooked, 3.5 ounces

Mackerel, cooked, 3.5 ounces

Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 1.75 ounces

Tuna, canned in oil, 3 ounces

Orange juice fortified with vitamin D, 1 cup (check product labels, as amount of added vitamin D varies)

Milk, nonfat, reduced fat, and whole, vitamin D-fortified, 1 cup

Yogurt, fortified with 20 percent of the daily value for vitamin D, 6 ounces (more heavily fortified yogurts provide more of the daily value)

Margarine, fortified, 1 tablespoon

Ready-to-eat cereal, fortified with 10 percent of the daily value for vitamin D, 0.75-1 cup (more heavily fortified cereals might provide more of the daily value)

Egg, 1 whole (vitamin D is found in yolk)

Liver, beef, cooked, 3.5 ounces

Swiss Cheese, 1 ounce

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Saturday, July 20, 2013

Women Over 50 Should Not Mix Vitamin D and Calcium, New Recommendation

Healthy postmenopausal women who want to ensure healthy bones by taking 400 international units (IU) of vitamin D and up to 1,000 milligrams of calcium might not actually be doing anything to help prevent broken bones, but may instead increase the risk of kidney stones, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force said Monday.

According to a statement published online Feb. 26 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, the authors said there is no evidence that the supplements at that dose could prevent bone fractures.

Using data from two reviews and a meta-analysis, Virginia A. Moye, M.D., M.P.H., and colleagues on behalf of the USPSTF in Rockville, Md., examined the effects of vitamin D supplementation, with or without calcium, on bone health outcomes in community-dwelling adults. Adverse effects of supplementation were also considered.

"We know that vitamin D and calcium are essential to bone health," says task force member Jessica Herzstein, a public-health specialist who is global medical director at Air Products in Allentown, Pa.

The study showed that low-dose supplements don't prevent fractures in healthy older women, the task force says. Research also suggests that about one in 273 women taking the supplements will develop kidney stones. It's a small risk but worth considering, Herzstein says.

The US Preventive Services Task Force ( USPSTF) found that, regarding premenopausal women and men, the current evidence was insufficient to support an evaluation of the benefits and harms of combined vitamin D and calcium supplementation on the primary prevention of fractures, according to the report.

For non-institutionalized postmenopausal women, insufficient evidence was available to examine the balance of benefits and harms for supplementation with >400 IU of vitamin D3 and >1,000 mg of calcium for primary prevention of fractures. For non-institutionalized postmenopausal women, the USPSTF recommends against daily supplementation with ≤400 IU of vitamin D3 and ≤1,000 mg of calcium.

More than half of U.S. women over age 60 now take the supplements at various doses, according to the task force. Across the age groups, 20 percent of American adults take vitamin D supplements and 17 percent take calcium supplements, according to the 2012 Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements by the Council on Responsible Nutrition, a supplement industry trade group.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Friday, July 19, 2013

Low Vitamin D Levels Can Create Physical Limitations in Older Adults

In fact, according to a recent study, older people with vitamin deficiencies may even struggle with daily physical activities, such as dressing or climbing stairs.

Researchers studied more than 1,300 individuals, aged 55 to 88, in the Netherlands who were followed for a six year period. Each participant's vitamin D level was tracked throughout the period, as well as their daily routine and their ability to function while doing certain physical tasks.

Like Us on Facebook

The study results showed that participants aged 65 to 88 with the lowest vitamin D levels were 1.7 times as likely to have at least one physical limitation as those with the highest vitamin D levels. And worse yet, participants aged 55 to 65 that had the lowest levels of vitamin D were twice as likely to have at least one physical limitation as those with the highest vitamin D levels.

In the oldest group of participants, approximately 70 percent of those with the lowest vitamin D levels had at least one physical limitation, while most of those with moderate or high vitamin D levels had no physical limitations.

The researchers also found that over time, those with vitamin D deficiencies were more likely to develop additional physical limitations. This often occurred over three years among those in the older age group and over six years for those in the younger age group.

"Seniors who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have mobility limitations and to see their physical functioning decline over time," study author Evelien Sohl, of VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, said in a journal news release. "Older individuals with these limitations are more likely to be admitted to nursing homes and face a higher risk of mortality."

These findings seem to indicate that low levels of vitamin D in older individuals may contribute to the declining ability to live independently, according to Sohl.

While the study found an association between low vitamin D levels and limited mobility, researchers must conduct further studies in order to know if they can establish a cause-effect relationship.

More information regarding the study can be found in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & amp; Metabolism.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Low Vitamin D in 50s Linked to Disability

For individuals 55 and older, vitamin D deficiency may increase the likelihood of having difficulty performing daily activities, a Dutch study showed.

In a cross-sectional analysis, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels below 20 ng/mL -- compared with levels greater than 30 ng/mL -- were significantly associated with the presence of at least one limitation in individuals ages 55 to 65 (OR 2.1) and ages 65 to 88 (OR 1.7), according to Natasja van Schoor, PhD, of VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, and colleagues.

And in a longitudinal analysis, vitamin D deficiency at baseline was also significantly associated with an increase of at least two limitations at 3 years for the older cohort (OR 2.0) and at 6 years for the younger cohort (OR 3.3), the researchers reported online in the Journal of Endocrinology & Metabolism.

In an interview, Michael Holick, PhD, MD, of Boston University, highlighted the need to find out whether vitamin D supplementation has an impact on function.

"It would be very nice to have a vitamin D intervention study so that you could actually demonstrate that those that were vitamin D deficient, if you made their blood level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D above 30 ng/mL, which is what is in fact recommended by the Endocrine Society practice guidelines, ... that you could improve neurocognitive function, as well as muscle function, and improve overall health and welfare of people as they're aging," he said.

Although vitamin D has been associated with positive effects on muscle mass and strength, as well as physical performance, few studies have looked at the relationship between vitamin D and self-reported physical functioning. But those that have been completed have yielded mixed results.

In the current study, van Schoor and colleagues analyzed data from two cohorts of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (LASA), an ongoing study of Dutch individuals. The analysis included 725 individuals from the younger cohort (mean age 60) and 1,237 individuals from the older cohort (mean age 75.3).

The participants were asked about their ability to perform six functions of daily living:

Walking up and down 15 stairs without resting Dressing and undressing Sitting down in and standing up from a chair Cutting their toenails Walking outside for 5 minutes without resting Using personal or public transportation

More than half of the older cohort (56%) and 30% of the younger cohort reported at least one limitation at baseline. The percentage of individuals who reported an increase of at least two additional limitations during follow-up was 15% in the older cohort and 6% in the younger cohort at 3 years, and 20% and 8%, respectively, at 6 years.

The Netherlands sets the minimum serum level of 25(OH)D at 20 ng/mL for older persons, as does the Institutes of Medicine, while The Endocrine Society calls for 30 ng/mL as the minimum level.

The average serum 25(OH)D levels were 21.6 ng/mL in the older cohort and 22.7 ng/mL in the younger cohort. Deficient levels were seen in 48% of the older cohort and 41% of the younger cohort.

Vitamin D deficiency was associated with an increased likelihood of having a functional limitation (in a cross-sectional analysis) or having an increase in the number of limitations (in the longitudinal analysis) after adjustment for age, gender, body mass index, chronic diseases, education, and level of urbanization.

The association with an increase of at least two additional limitations was significant at 3 -- but not 6 -- years for the older cohort and at 6 -- but not 3 -- years for the younger cohort.

In the older cohort, other factors -- like normal aging and chronic disease -- have effects on functional decline over time, and with longer follow-up "vitamin D alone might not be discriminative anymore," according to the researchers.

On the other hand, they wrote, "Participants of the younger cohort were younger, and therefore they may have had more skills to compensate for an increase in the number of limitations due to a low vitamin D status in the first 3 years."

The authors acknowledged that the study was limited by the measurement of vitamin D at only one time point for most participants, the lack of information on diet and use of vitamin D supplements, and the uncertain generalizability to frailer populations.

LASA is largely supported by a grant from the Netherlands Ministry of Health, Welfare, and Sports, Directorate of Long-Term Care. An unconditional grant from Merck was received for part of the vitamin D measurements. The Netherlands Organization for Health Research and Development (ZonMw) provided grant support for writing the paper.

The authors reported that they had no conflicts of interest.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Too Little Vitamin D May Hasten Disability as You Age

Older people with vitamin D deficiency may struggle with daily physical activities such as dressing or climbing stairs, a new study shows.

It's estimated that as many as 90 percent of older people are vitamin D-deficient. The vitamin, usually absorbed through sunlight or diet, plays a key role in bone and muscle health, and a deficiency can lead to reduced bone density, muscle weakness, osteoporosis...

Content Preview This content is exclusive for Newsday digital access and 7-day home delivery subscribers and Optimum Online customers.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Seniors Who Don't Take Vitamin D Have Trouble With Routine Tasks

AMSTERDAM - Seniors who don't get enough vitamin D are more likely to struggle with routine tasks.

A study in Amsterdam found elderly people with a vitamin d deficiency had more trouble with movements like climbing stairs or getting dressed.

The vitamin comes from sunlight or dietary supplements. up to 90 percent of seniors are believed to be deficient.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Too Little Vitamin D Hastens Disability as You Age?

Stair-climbing, other everyday tasks were harder for those with deficiency, researchers found

WebMD News from HealthDay

By Robert Preidt

HealthDay Reporter

WEDNESDAY, July 17 (HealthDay News) -- Older people with vitamin D deficiency may struggle with daily physical activities such as dressing or climbing stairs, a new study shows.

The study included more than 1,300 people, aged 55 to 88, in the Netherlands who were followed for six years. Participants' vitamin D levels were checked and they were asked about their ability to do routine tasks, such as sitting down and standing up from a chair or walking outside for five minutes without resting.

Among participants aged 65 to 88, those with the lowest vitamin D levels were 1.7 times as likely to have at least one physical limitation as those with the highest vitamin D levels. Among participants aged 55 to 65, those with the lowest vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have at least one physical limitation as those with the highest vitamin D levels.

In the older age group, 70 percent of those with the lowest vitamin D levels had at least one physical limitation, while most of those with moderate or high vitamin D levels had no physical limitations, according to the study, published July 17 in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

The researchers also found that people with vitamin D deficiency were more likely to develop additional physical limitations over time. This occurred over three years among people in the older age group and over six years among those in the younger age group.

The findings indicate low vitamin D levels in older individuals may contribute to the declining ability to live independently, Sohl said. "Vitamin D supplementation could provide a way to prevent physical decline, but the idea needs to be explored further with additional studies," she said.

While the study found an association between low vitamin D levels and limited mobility, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Balancing Too Much Sun Time With Getting Enough Vitamin D

JavaScript is used to provide enhanced functionality for much of KELOLAND.com. For the best experience on this site, please enable JavaScript.

SIOUX FALLS, SD -

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Too Little Vitamin D May Hasten Disability as You Age

WEDNESDAY, July 17 (HealthDay News) -- Older people with vitamin D deficiency may struggle with daily physical activities such as dressing or climbing stairs, a new study shows.

While the study found an association between low vitamin D levels and limited mobility, it did not establish a cause-and-effect relationship.

More information

The Harvard School of Public Health has more about vitamin D and health.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Routine tasks pose problems for older individuals with vitamin D deficiency

Chevy Chase, MD-Vitamin D-deficient older individuals are more likely to struggle with everyday tasks such as dressing or climbing stairs, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Scientists estimate many as 90 percent of older individuals are vitamin D deficient. The vitamin - typically absorbed from sunlight or on a supplementary basis through diet - plays a key role in bone and muscle health. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a decline in bone density, muscle weakness, osteoporosis or broken bones.

"Seniors who have low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have mobility limitations and to see their physical functioning decline over time," said the study's lead author, Evelien Sohl, MSc, of VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. "Older individuals with these limitations are more likely to be admitted to nursing homes and face a higher risk of mortality."

Using data from an ongoing Dutch cohort study (The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam), the researchers examined among two groups - 762 people between the ages of 65 and 88, and 597 people between the ages of 55 and 65 - over the course of six years. Using blood test results, the subjects were split into groups with the highest, moderate and lowest vitamin D levels. To assess mobility limitations, participants were asked about their ability to perform routine tasks, including sitting down and standing up from a chair or walking outside for 5 minutes without resting.

Among the older group of participants, people with the lowest vitamin D levels were 1.7 times more likely to have at least one functional limitation compared to those with the highest vitamin D levels. In the younger cohort, individuals with low vitamin D levels were twice as likely to have at least one physical limitation.

While the majority of the people in the older cohort's top two vitamin D groups did not report any physical limitations, 70 percent of the people with the lowest vitamin D levels had at least one limitation.

In addition, the study found vitamin D-deficient individuals were more likely to develop additional limitations over time. The older cohort reported more mobility issues after three years, while the younger cohort developed additional limitations over the course of six years.

"The findings indicate low vitamin D levels in older individuals may contribute to the declining ability to perform daily activities and live independently," Sohl said. "Vitamin D supplementation could provide a way to prevent physical decline, but the idea needs to be explored further with additional studies."

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Routine tasks pose problems for older individuals with vitamin D deficiency

Public release date: 17-Jul-2013 [ |E-mail |

Share ] Contact: Jenni Glenn Gingeryjgingery@endocrine.org 301-941-0240The Endocrine SocietyStudy suggests vitamin D supplements could help prevent mobility problems

Chevy Chase, MD—Vitamin D-deficient older individuals are more likely to struggle with everyday tasks such as dressing or climbing stairs, according to a recent study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM).

Scientists estimate many as 90 percent of older individuals are vitamin D deficient. The vitamin – typically absorbed from sunlight or on a supplementary basis through diet – plays a key role in bone and muscle health. Vitamin D deficiency can lead to a decline in bone density, muscle weakness, osteoporosis or broken bones.

Using data from an ongoing Dutch cohort study (The Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam), the researchers examined among two groups – 762 people between the ages of 65 and 88, and 597 people between the ages of 55 and 65 – over the course of six years. Using blood test results, the subjects were split into groups with the highest, moderate and lowest vitamin D levels. To assess mobility limitations, participants were asked about their ability to perform routine tasks, including sitting down and standing up from a chair or walking outside for 5 minutes without resting.

Other researchers working on the study include: N. van Schoor, R. de Jongh, M. Visser, D. Deeg and P. Lips of the VU University Medical Center.

The article, "Vitamin D Status is Associated with Functional Limitations and Functional Decline in Older Individuals," was published online July 17.

Founded in 1916, The Endocrine Society is the world's oldest, largest and most active organization devoted to research on hormones and the clinical practice of endocrinology. Today, The Endocrine Society's membership consists of over 16,000 scientists, physicians, educators, nurses and students in more than 100 countries. Society members represent all basic, applied and clinical interests in endocrinology. The Endocrine Society is based in Chevy Chase, Maryland. To learn more about the Society and the field of endocrinology, visit our site at http://www.endocrine.org. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/#!/EndoMedia.

[ |E-mail |

Share ]AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

American diet, lifestyle may lead to vitamin D deficit

An increasing number of Americans have insufficient levels of vitamin D, according to a report.

Scientists from the University of Colorado have found that the average blood levels of vitamin D appear to have decreased in the U.S. last years. They suggest that in addition to poor diet, a decline in outdoor physical activities and more successful campaigns to reduce sun exposure may have contributed to this phenomenon.

They also believe the currently recommended doses - 200 international units per day from birth to age 50, 400 IUD from age 51 to 70 and 600 IUD for adults age 71 and older - focus mainly on improving bone health.

"Current recommendations for dosage of vitamin D supplements are inadequate to address this growing epidemic," the researchers say. "Increased intake of vitamin D (1,000 IUD or more) particularly during the winter months and at higher latitudes would improve vitamin D status and likely improve the overall health of the U.S. population."

Clinicians now believe that insufficient levels of vitamin D are not only associated with rickets and other bone problems in children, but they have also been linked to mature-age disorders such as heart disease and certain types of cancer.

Those who are concerned that they do not get a sufficient amount of vitamin D from their diet may consider turning to nutritional supplements.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

UC Berkeley researchers link vitamin D deficiency with bone aging

Research & IdeasUC Berkeley researchers link vitamin D deficiency with bone aging

Scientists at UC Berkeley and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory published research last Wednesday showing that a deficiency in vitamin D can accelerate premature bone aging by increasing the risk of fracture.

By examining bone structure and toughness, researchers concluded that a lack of vitamin D causes bones to prematurely age, as they are more brittle. The results of the research may lead to adapted treatment options for individuals with cases of vitamin D deficiency.

The body produces vitamin D when directly exposed to the sun, which is needed for bone growth and remodeling. Vitamin D can also be found in certain foods, such as fatty fish, beef liver, cheese and egg yolk.

The results of the research were published in an article entitled "Vitamin D Deficiency Induces Early Signs of Aging in Human Bone, Increasing the Risk of Fracture." The research was conducted by scientists at UC Berkeley and scientists from the department of osteology and biomechanics at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Germany.

Robert Ritchie, a professor of materials science and engineering at UC Berkeley and a faculty senior scientist at the Berkeley lab, headed the Berkeley portion of the collaboration, while Bjorn Busse headed the German portion.

"We were able to show that biomechanical properties do not only change through a reduction of bone mass but also that the remaining bone shows effects of aging with losses of its quality and fracture resistance," Busse wrote in an email.

The research team discovered that vitamin D deficiency increases the proneness to cracks from 22 to 31 percent. According to Ritchie, one in four men and two in four women over the age of 50 will experience a bone fracture in their remaining lifetime.

The risk of bone fracture - which can be fatal - increases dramatically as people age, especially in menopausal women.

Ritchie was able to discover bones deficient in vitamin D resembled bones of the elderly through his unique access to an extensive collection of bone sections taken from living and deceased persons.

"We were able to use our past experience in high resolution 3D to visualize the crack and were able to clearly observe the differences in interactions of the crack and microstructure," said Hrishikesh Bale, who worked closely with Ritchie in the research, in an email.

Bale said that the research was conducted in the hope of eventually finding a treatment for affected bones and preventing fractures among older people.

Contact Lydia Tuan at [email protected]

According to Ritchie, the research was interdisciplinary in approach and utilized both engineering and medical knowledge.

"This kind of work represents a boundary between the physical and biological sciences," Ritchie said. "There's a lot to be gained by engineers getting involved in medicine."

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Monday, July 15, 2013

Vitamin D Deficiency Speeds Up Aging Of Bones

Editor's Choice Academic Journal Main Category: Bones / Orthopedics Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet; Seniors / Aging; Endocrinology Article Date: 15 Jul 2013 - 0:00 PDT

Patient / Public:

Healthcare Prof:

The bones of people with vitamin D deficiency tend to age faster compared to those with healthy levels of "the sunshine vitamin", American and German scientists found. The researchers also showed that low levels of vitamin D undermine bone quality.

The study has been published in the journal Science Translational Medicine, and is titled "Vitamin D Deficiency Induces Early Signs of Aging in Human Bone, Increasing the Risk of Fracture."

Leader of the US team, Robert Ritchie, who works at Berkeley Lab's Materials Sciences Division and the University of California Berkeley's Materials Science and Engineering Department, said

"The assumption has been that the main problem with vitamin D deficiency is reduced mineralization for the creation of new bone mass, but we've shown that low levels of vitamin D also induces premature aging of existing bone."

Leader of the German team, Björn Busse, of the Department of Osteology and Biomechanics at the University Medical Center in Hamburg, said "Unraveling the complexity of human bone structure may provide some insight into more effective ways to prevent or treat fractures in patients with vitamin D deficiency."

Vitamin D plays a major role in the absorption of calcium. Human skin manufactures vitamin D when it is exposed to sunlight, that is why it is known as "the sunshine vitamin".

Vitamin D deficiency, rickets, osteomalacia and osteoporosis

If vitamin D levels drop too much, the human body replenishes calcium blood levels by removing some from bone. This undermines the mineralization process required for the formation of new bone. Children who are deficient in vitamin D are much more likely to develop rickets.

Adults with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop osteomalacia, the adult version of rickets. Osteomalacia refers to the softening of bones, which are much more likely to bow and fracture. Osteomalacia is different from osteoporosis. Osteomalacia is a defect in the bone-building process, while osteoporosis refers to the weakening of already-constructed bone. The main symptoms of osteomalacia are bone pain and muscle weakness.

Treatment for osteomalacia includes calcium and vitamin D supplements. However, in the best of cases only modest improvements in bone mineral density are achieved. This suggests there are other factors that reduce fracture risk.

Ritchie said "We hypothesized that restoring the normal level of vitamin D not only corrects the imbalance of mineralized and non-mineralized bone quantities, but also initiates simultaneous multiscale alterations in bone structure that affects both the intrinsic and extrinsic fracture mechanisms."

The researchers tested this hypothesis by gathering samples of liliac crest bone cores from 30 volunteers, half of them were vitamin-D deficient and had early signs and symptoms of osteomalacia.

The authors defined normal vitamin D levels as having a serum concentration of at least 20 micrograms per liter. The mean serum concentration in the vitamin D deficient group was 10 micrograms per liter.

The scientists analyzed the bone samples using FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy and X-ray computed microtomography.

Ritchie said "We were interested in spatially resolved data that would help us to follow the formation of cracks under mechanical loading. The ALS beamlines enabled us to measure the structure/composition and mechanical properties of the bone samples at different size-scales, ranging from nanometers to micrometers. We measured the resistance to crack growth and by following crack growth in real-time were able to observe how cracks and structure interact. This enabled us to relate mechanical properties to specific structural changes."

The team found that the participants who were vitamin-D deficient:

Had less overall mineralization due to a decline of mineralized bone Under the new non-mineralized surfaces, the bone displayed the structural characteristics of more brittle and older bone. It was more heavily mineralized underneath.

Busse said:

"These islands of mineralized bone were surrounded by a collagenous boundary that prevented them from being properly remodeled. Cut off from a supply of osteoclasts, the cells that normally remodel the bone, these isolated sections of mineralized bone begin to age, even as overall bone mineralization decreases from a lack of calcium."

Ritchie said " In situ fracture mechanics measurements and CT-scanning of the crack path indicated that vitamin D deficiency increases both the initiation and propagation of cracks by 22- to 31-percent."

The authors say that at risk patients should have their vitamin D levels monitored and maintained at healthy levels in order to protect the structural integrity of bones and "avoid mineralization defects and aging issues that can lead to a risk of fractures."

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force announced earlier this year in Annals of Internal Medicine that vitamin D and calcium supplements do not prevent fractures.

Many vitamin D supplements less potent than manufacturers claim - a study conducted by a team at Kaiser Permanente and published in JAMA Internal Medicine (February 2013 issue) discovered that over-the-counter vitamin D supplements can have between 9% and 146% of what their labels claim.

Lead author, Erin S. LeBlanc, MD, MPH, said "We were surprised by the variation in potency among these vitamin D pills. The biggest worry is for someone who has low levels of vitamin D in their blood. If they are consistently taking a supplement with little vitamin D in it, they could face health risks."

Vitamin D deficiency a growing problem in the USA and UK

UK doctors report seeing a growing number of patients with serious vitamin D deficiencies - Dr Benjamin Jacobs of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH) in Middlesex, England, said in an interview with the BBC "research indicates that in many parts of the country the majority of children have a low level of vitamin D".

Vitamin D deficiency common in all age groups in the USA - the Endocrine Society published their Clinical Practice Guidelines on vitamin D in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (July, 2011 issue). The authors explained that vitamin D deficiency is not only a problem in the USA, but throughout the whole world.

Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD, of the Boston University School of Medicine and chair of the task force that authored the clinical guidelines, said "Vitamin D deficiency is very common in all age groups and it is important that physicians and health care providers have the best evidence-based recommendations for evaluating, treating and preventing vitamin D deficiency in patients at highest risk. The Society's new Clinical Practice Guideline was developed by experts in the field who carefully reviewed the current literature and features the latest and most comprehensive recommendations available on the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency."

Written by Christian Nordqvist Copyright: Medical News TodayNot to be reproduced without permission of Medical News Today

Visit our bones / orthopedics section for the latest news on this subject.

"Vitamin D Deficiency Induces Early Signs of Aging in Human Bone, Increasing the Risk of Fracture" Björn Busse, Robert O. Ritchie et alSci Transl Med 10 July 2013 5:193ra88. [DOI:10.1126/scitranslmed.3006286]

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

Please note: If no author information is provided, the source is cited instead.

Add Your Opinion On This Article

'Vitamin D Deficiency Speeds Up Aging Of Bones'

Please note that we publish your name, but we do not publish your email address. It is only used to let you know when your message is published. We do not use it for any other purpose. Please see our privacy policy for more information.

If you write about specific medications or operations, please do not name health care professionals by name.

All opinions are moderated before being included (to stop spam)

Contact Our News Editors

For any corrections of factual information, or to contact the editors please use our feedback form. Please send any medical news or health news press releases to:

Note: Any medical information published on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. For more information, please read our terms and conditions.

Most Popular Articles Follow Our Bones News On Twitter

Get the latest news for this category delivered straight to your Twitter account. Simply visit our Bones / Orthopedics Twitter account and select the 'follow' option.

Add Comment

Vitamin D

Study says lack of Vitamin D, B12 taking toll of older bones

PUNE: A recently concluded health study of people aged between 25 and 55 years has found that an alarming 68% of them were suffering from Vitamin D and B12 deficiency. Doctors attributed the deficiencies to incorrect or insufficient diet and inadequate exposure to the sun. The study was conducted at Deenanath Mangeshkar hospital over a period of two years and 500 people were tested for deficiencies. Doctors said that at least 15% of the sample studied was detected with a severe Vitamin D deficiency, which puts them at a heightened risk of not just early-osteoporosis, but also difficulty in performing everyday tasks such as walking for long distances, climbing stairs and even sitting on the floor. "A lot of young patients come to us with fractures and complaints of pain in their joints, difficulty in walking and exercising etc. We analysed if their blood samples were lacking in particular micro-nutrients," said biochemist Sadanand S Naik, explaining that it was the deficiency of Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 which causes bone degeneration and problems in their formation, thus leading to everyday health complications. Naik, who studied the samples, said people should not ignore any injury or joint pains, as it could be rooted in the body's deficiency of Vitamin D or Vitamin B12 and consult an orthopaedic immediately. The study used advanced chemiluminescence immuno acid methodology and was initiated in 2011 to understand the reasons behind an increase in the number of cases of bone-related problems and orthopaedic injuries among the younger population. Orthopaedic Vivek Gupta said the prevalence of the deficiency is increasing, especially among younger people. "Defying the long-held belief of joint-related problems affecting only the elderly, a lot of youngsters come to me these days with complaints of unexplained body aches. We make them undergo specific tests for these micro-nutrients if they don't respond to normal treatment," he said. Changing lifestyles, especially in urban areas, are a major factor behind the deficiency, doctors say. "More people have desk-bound jobs these days. Physical exercise and exposure to the sun is limited. Combined with an insufficient consumption of milk and its products, the body gradually becomes deficient in its levels of Vitamin D and B12," Naik said. "Vegetarians are more prone to a deficiency of Vitamin B12 as much of it is derived only from animal protein. However, eating junk foods, sedentary lifestyle and less exposure to the sun are also crucial factors for the deficiency," Gupta said. Doctors say it's a paradox that the number of people suffering from this form of deficiency is rising in India, which is regarded as being sunlight-abundant. "Absorption of Vitamin D requires a stimulus. However, in the absence of adequate amount of calcium, this gets affected," says Gupta. While supplements of Vitamin D and B12 are freely available in the market, doctors say they cannot replace the body's natural system of generating the micro-nutrients.Box 500 men and women from Pune in the 25-55 age group were studied 68-70% of them were found to be suffering from Vitamin D deficiency The deficiency was severe in nearly 15% of the sample Vitamin B12 deficiency was identified in nearly 60% of the sample Doctors attribute deficiencies to changed lifestyles and diets insufficient in milk, its products and/or non-vegetarian foods Vitamin D deficiency refers to its blood levels less than 20 ng/dL. Levels less than 15 ng/dL are regarded as severely deficient. Vitamin B12 deficiency refers to its blood levels less than 148 pmol/L According to the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, close to two-third of the Indian population is deficient in Vitamin B12 Early indicators of deficiency Body aches and pains that don't respond to normal treatment Difficulty in walking long distances Not being able to run and exercise Pain in climbing staircases, lifting heavy objects and sitting on the floor Major reasons for growing deficiency Diet lacking in milk and milk products. Less or no intake of animal proteins available in fish, chicken Reduced exposure to sunlight Sedentary lifestyle and lack of physical exercise Eom/ Tarini

Follow the Times of India - City section

Anything About Internal Medicine

Iklan

Gold Standard Diagnostics' and DIAsource ImmunoAssays' 25

Low vitamin D again linked to mobility issues for older people

Vitamin D Crucial During Pregnancy to Avoid Autism Risks

Vitamin d deficiency impacts on expression of toll

Low Vitamin D Linked to Limited Function in Aging Adults

How Vitamin D Can Help You Avoid Injuries

Women Over 50 Should Not Mix Vitamin D and Calcium, New Recommendation

Low Vitamin D Levels Can Create Physical Limitations in Older Adults

Low Vitamin D in 50s Linked to Disability

Too Little Vitamin D May Hasten Disability as You Age

Seniors Who Don't Take Vitamin D Have Trouble With Routine Tasks

Too Little Vitamin D Hastens Disability as You Age?

Balancing Too Much Sun Time With Getting Enough Vitamin D

Too Little Vitamin D May Hasten Disability as You Age

Routine tasks pose problems for older individuals with vitamin D deficiency

Routine tasks pose problems for older individuals with vitamin D deficiency

American diet, lifestyle may lead to vitamin D deficit

UC Berkeley researchers link vitamin D deficiency with bone aging

Vitamin D Deficiency Speeds Up Aging Of Bones

Study says lack of Vitamin D, B12 taking toll of older bones

Blog List

Popular Articles

Categories

Archives