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Vitamin D deficiency early in pregnancy is associated with a five-fold increased risk of preeclampsia, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
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In newly published research, scientists evaluated data and blood samples taken from women and newborns between 1997 and 2001 enrolled in a study designed to examine risk factors for preeclampsia. This serious complication of pregnancy is marked by elevated blood pressure and edema (swelling) of the hands and feet, and is a leading cause of premature delivery and maternal and neonatal complications including death.
The results of the study show that a maternal vitamin D deficiency early in pregnancy is a strong, independent risk factor for preeclampsia. This increase risk continued even after adjusting for other known risk factors such as race, ethnicity and pre-pregnancy body weight. Another concern was the fact that many of the women were taking prenatal vitamins, which typically contain 200 to 400 IU of vitamin D.
“Even a small decline in vitamin D concentration more than doubled the risk of preeclampsia,” noted James M. Roberts, M.D., senior author of the study. “And since newborn’s vitamin D stores are completely reliant on vitamin D from the mother, low vitamin levels also were observed in the umbilical cord blood of newborns from mothers with preeclampsia.”
The researchers concluded that maternal vitamin D deficiency may be an independent risk factor for preeclampsia and vitamin D supplementation in early pregnancy should be explored for preventing preeclampsia and promoting neonatal well-being.
Journal of Clinical Endrocrinology & Metabolism September 2007, Vol 92, No.9:3517-22.
September 27, 2007
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Researchers have found that doses of 700 to 800 IU of vitamin D3 per day may reduce the risk of hip fracture by 26 percent and nonvertebral fracture by 23 percent.
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The May 11 2005 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association published the results of a meta-analysis of 12 clinical trials involving vitamin D supplementation in the prevention of fracture. The analysis concluded that supplementation with higher than the commonly recommended 400 international unit (IU) doses of vitamin D reduces the risk of hip and nonvertebral fractures in older individuals.
The vitamin D studies included a total of 19,114 men and women aged 60 and older. The trials used the form of the vitamin known as cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3, which, according to studies cited in the current review, may be much more effective than the dietary form of the vitamin.
The researchers found that doses of 700 to 800 IU of vitamin D3 per day reduced the risk of hip fracture by 26 percent and nonvertebral fracture by 23 percent. Studies that used 400 IU vitamin D3 or less found no significant benefit for either type of fracture. The role of additional calcium supplementation could not clearly be defined from the studies, but it appears that at least 700 milligrams calcium per day may also be necessary for nonvertebral fracture prevention.
View the #1 Rated Nutritional Supplement in North America, recipient of the “NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement” award at www.vibranthealthandprosperity.usana.com today!
To your vibrant health,
Mary Wozny
September 21, 2007
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Two studies published in the May 2007 Archives of Ophthalmology have shown that vitamin D and the omega-3 fatty acids from fish may help lower the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration.
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Age-related macular degeneration, also known as AMD, is a progressive eye disease of the retina that affects the light-sensing cells in the central area of vision and dims contrast sensitivity and color perception. The condition is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and is most common in people who are age sixty and over. AMD is the leading cause of visual impairment in senior citizens.
In the first study, researchers evaluated habitual nutrient intake through food frequency questionnaires of over 4,500 people between ages 60 and 80 who participated in a study by the National Institute of Health’s National Eye Institute. Researchers found that higher dietary intakes of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, mainly from fatty fish, reduced the risk of age- related macular degeneration. The researchers speculate that these fatty acids may help promote cell health and survival as well as improve blood vessel function.
In the second study, researchers evaluated serum vitamin D and early and advanced macular degeneration in over 7,752 individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III (NHANES III). Researchers noted that vitamin D intake was associated with a reduced risk of developing poor visual health that can lead to blindness. Participants were split into five groups based on the level of vitamin D in their blood. Those with the highest level had a 40% reduced risk of developing poor visual health compared with those with the lowest amount of vitamin D in their blood. These results support the idea that lower serum vitamin D levels may lead to progression of chronic diseases, specifically those associated with inflammation. This may be important to the health of older Americans who have a higher risk of insufficient vitamin D intake, the researchers said.
While these results are promising, researchers caution that at this time there is insufficient epidemiologic evidence of the relationship between vitamin D and age-related macular degeneration to make recommendations regarding optimum vitamin D levels and fish intake to protect against the eye disease or its progression. These results warrant additional investigation to further confirm the role of omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin D in AMD.
View the #1 Rated Nutritional Supplement in North America, recipient of the “NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement” award at www.vibranthealthandprosperity.usana.com today!
To your vibrant health,
Mary Wozny
September 20, 2007
Take time to eat and enjoy your meals. Chew your food 20 to 30 times each bite. Rushing through meals causes suppression of hydrochloric acid, making digestion difficult and leading to antacid use, bloating, gas and constipation or diarrhea.
View the #1 Rated Nutritional Supplement in North America, recipient of the “NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement” award
at www.vibranthealthandprosperity.usana.com today!
To your vibrant health,
Mary Wozny
September 19, 2007
I received a short video clip today that I want to share with you all. It helps to keep things in perspective.
I am a firm believer in choice. I believe that we as individuals, have a choice how we react to any given situation and that lifes small and big challenges are opportunites for us to grow. It simply comes down to how we choose to react to each thing that happens to us along the way.
You may sit back and say, yeah but…… this bad thing happened to me, or ….. he said/she said, he did/she did this to me. That’s all about blame and not accepting responsibility and what “is”. Accept and let go, choose to reframe your thoughts into positive actions and see all the wondrous blessings that life has for you.
I want you to watch this video http://www.aish.com/movies/blinkofeye.asp and then think hard about what YOU believe you can’t do. Don’t let your thoughts and choices stop you from achieving your wishes and dreams!
If this man can do what he has, what is stopping you?
Click here to view this now http://www.aish.com/movies/blinkofeye.asp
Warmly,
Mary Wozny
September 13, 2007
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The incidence of type-2 diabetes is lower among women who get adequate calcium and supplement with vitamin D. Researchers used data from the Nurses Health Study, which includes over 83,000 women, to study the relationship of calcium and vitamin D intake to type-2 diabetes.
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After 20 years of follow-up, it was concluded that a combined daily intake of over 1,200 mg of calcium and more than 800 IU of vitamin D was associated with a 33 percent lower risk of type-2 diabetes. Interestingly, dietary vitamin D intake did not appear to provide any statistically significant benefit. But the women who supplemented with at least 400 IU of vitamin D had a 13% lower risk of diabetes when compared to those who took less than 100 IU per day. Both dietary and supplemental calcium resulted in decreased risk of type-2 diabetes, and those with overall intakes above 1,200 mg had a 21% lower risk than those who got less than 600 mg per day.
Elevated intakes of calcium and vitamin D, especially from supplements, are significantly associated with lower incidence of type-2 diabetes.
View the #1 Rated Nutritional Supplement in North America, recipient of the “NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement” award at www.vibranthealthandprosperity.usana.com today!
To your vibrant health,
Mary Wozny
September 12, 2007
A meta-analysis published in the most recent issue of The Lancet concluded that supplementing with the B vitamin folic acid can reduce stroke risk by at least 18 percent.
Researchers analyzed eight randomized trials involving folic acid and stroke. Participants supplementing with folic acid lowered their risk of stroke by an average of 18 percent compared to those who did not use folic acid supplements. Trials involving folic acid supplementation longer than 3 years showed an even greater reduction in stroke risk (29%). Folic acid supplementation was also more significant in people with reduced homocysteine levels, those with no prior stroke risk, or those who lived in area without folic acid fortification of foods.
It is believed that folic acid’s ability to reduce homocysteine, an amino acid found in the blood that is toxic in excess, may be the reason for the lower incidence of strokes.
View the #1 Rated Nutritional Supplement in North America, recipient of the “NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement” award at www.vibranthealthandprosperity.usana.com today!
To your vibrant health,
Mary Wozny
September 9, 2007
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Despite efforts to increase knowledge and emphasis on osteoporosis prevention and treatment, research indicates that many women treated for osteoporosis have low levels of vitamin D, a nutrient necessary for adequate bone mineralization.
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A recent study involved 1,536 postmenopausal women from 61 study sites who had been taking medications for the treatment of osteoporosis for a minimum of three months. Participants were allowed to have used vitamin D supplements as long as the dosage had remained consistent.
Overall, 52 percent of the women had vitamin D levels considered inadequate. Sixty-three percent of women who reported a supplemental intake of 400 IU’s or less had inadequate vitamin D levels compared to 45 percent of those whose intake was 400 IU’s or greater. Lower levels were also associated with the lack of physician counseling regarding the importance of vitamin D in bone health.
The results of this study emphasize the need for greater education of the public and physicians regarding the significance of vitamin D status in the care of postmenopausal women with osteoporosis.
View the #1 Rated Nutritional Supplement in North America, recipient of the “NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement” award at www.vibranthealthandprosperity.usana.com today!
To your vibrant health,
Mary Wozny
September 6, 2007
“Happiness isn’t a state, it’s a skill. It’s the skill of knowing how to take what life throws your way and make the most of it.”
View the #1 Rated Nutritional Supplement in North America, recipient of the “NutriSearch GOLD Medal of Achievement” award
at www.vibranthealthandprosperity.usana.com today!
To your vibrant health,
Mary Wozny
September 3, 2007
