The Excitement about Vitamin D

A good source of vitamin D.

According to health writer Jane Brody, “Vitamin D promises to be the most talked about, and written-about, supplement of the decade.” [1] As more and more references arrive on my desk, I agree with her 100%. Much has been written about the potentially wide spread deficiency of this vitamin, the promises of the benefits of getting enough of it, and the dangers of taking too much.

I think this awareness has a positive potential for helping those who can benefit from this supplement; however determining the appropriate amount is not just a matter of finding the magic number that is listed on the container in the health food store or even on the amoung recommended by the government.

Before deciding to experiment on the recommendations of a sales person or an internet ad, or just your symptoms, it is wise to be an informed consumer. An excellent source of reliable information is the National Institute of Health (NIH) website [2]

Studies of Vitamin D

Based on figures from ClinicalTrials.gov, there are currently more than 1,000 ongoing studies examining the benefits of vitamin D.

Yet, according to JoAnn E. Manson, MD, DrPH, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, and the principal investigator of VITAL (one of the leading studies), “Vitamin D is a promising but as yet unproven nutrient for prevention of cancer, CVD, diabetes, autoimmune diseases and other outcomes. Therefore we should be cautious not to jump on the bandwagon and recommend megadoses of this supplement before these trials can rigorously test both the efficacy and safety of vitamin D.” 

Vitamin D Can Be Harmful

Both of the references listed below include signs of toxicity (taking too much of the supplement) as these including nausea, vomiting, disorientation, problems with heart rhythm, and possible kidney damage. There are also the dangers of having a vitamin D supplement interact with other medications.

What to Do?

Making a decision about taking a supplement is much larger than just “popping a pill.” You need to be as well informed, cautious, and consult with your healthcare provider for blood tests that show your current vitamin D level – and the level at which your physician would recommend for you. (Don’t forget to discuss with your doctor the health conditions you have and the prescription drugs you are taking.) 

References

[1] “What Do You Lack? Probably Vitamin D” by Jane E. Brody. The New York Times, July 27, 2010.

[2] “NIH Office of Dietary Supplements Fact Sheets: Vitamin D, Calcium, and Magnesium.”  Available from http://ods.od.nih.gov/Health_Information/Vitamin_and_Mineral_Supplement_Fact_Sheets.aspx.

[3] http://www.endocrinetoday.com/view.aspx?rid=66516

© LymphNotes.com 2010.This information does not replace the advice of a qualified health care professional.

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Category: Living With Lymphedema Updated: 2010-08-11