Marc Joseph Nutrition - Blog

More recent evidence of the importance of vitamin D in this study that shows higher intakes of the vitamin are associated with significantly lower risk of pancreatic cancer in both men and women. Although the large-scale study is one of the first to closely look at that relationship, the results shouldn’t be too surprising.

Sunshine is the primary source of vitamin D for most people. The sun’s UVB rays hit the exposed skin and convert a molecule there into a different molecule (cholecalciferol, or vitamin D3), which is then converted in a couple of steps in the body into the active form of vitamin D.

Here’s an interesting site discussing the effects of sunlight and vitamin D deficiency on chronic disease:

http://www.sunarc.org

The site includes some neat maps that show cancer mortality maps and average UVB exposure. Cancer rates clearly increase the farther north one lives. The evidence is strongest for breast, colon, ovarian, and prostate cancer. (Multiple sclerosis, hypertension, type 1 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, too).

The site also has a good position paper overview:

http://www.sunarc.org/evidencevitd.htm

With the change in seasons and the inability in the winter time to get sunshine in latitudes above 40 degrees (basically, anywhere north of San Francisco, Denver, Washington DC, etc.) strong enough to produce vitamin D, the importance of supplementation increases. Cholecalciferol is the form of vitamin D supplement you want to look for. It’s very inexpensive and widely available.

Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, it can be toxic at high levels. However, leading nutrition researchers agree that the current suggested intake levels from all sources (diet and sunshine) of 400 to 600 IU per day for adults are likely far below optimal. Recent research suggests that a total daily intake level of closer to 2000 IU is probably much more desired for otherwise healthy people.

(For comparison sake, someone at the beach in a swimsuit in mid-day summer sun generates about 10,000 IU of cholecalciferol in 15 minutes.)

A recent study of 56 countries in the leading British journal Lancet found that the rate of allergies, asthma, and related conditions is large and growing, especially in younger children.

For example, in Britain, asthma occurs in nearly 21% of children, hay fever in 10%, and eczema in 16%, each up significantly from 1991.

And the numbers don’t look any better in the U.S.

What’s causing these increases? From the Lancet study:

Experts say a host of factors including air pollution, diet, lifestyle and exposure to bacteria in early life are likely to be linked to the rise in asthma and other allergies, but the reasons are likely to vary from place to place.

These factors may well play a role.

It’s interesting, though, that all of these conditions (asthma, allergies, hay fever, eczema, etc.) are immune-related, and yet there is little discussion of the potential role of the greatly expanded vaccination schedule over the last 15 years in the increasing rate of these illnesses. Could this be a factor, too? Could the vaccines (and/or the mercury-containing preservative thimerosal used in some of them) be upsetting the ability of the immune system to develop correctly and remain in proper balance?

It’s worth researching — certainly more than it has been to-date.

An interesting study published in a recent issue of the Intl Journal of Obesity discussed several of the less covered potential contributing factors to obesity, including:

1. Sleep debt - deprivation increases hunger
2. Environmental toxins - hormone disrupters may affect signals to the brain that help to control appetite
3. Temperature regulation - when hot, people eat less; greater use of air conditioning offsets this effect
4. Decreased smoking - smokers tend to weigh less
5. Prescription drugs - some may promote weight gain
6. Societal changes in age and ethnicity - more people between ages 35-54 and also of Hispanic and black ethnicity have greater rates of obesity
7. Women having children later - children born to older mothers more likely to be overweight
8. Genetics - e.g., children of diabetics more likely to be diabetic
9. Natural selection - body fat may be related to reproductive ability
10. Partner choice - people tend to mate with people of similar body type

Poor food selection, oversized portions, and inactivity are still the primary causes of obesity, but it’s also worth looking at the factors above to see what role they may be playing.

In August 2006, the FDA ruled that ADHD drugs, including Dexedrine and Ritalin, must carry new warnings about the risk of heart problems and psychotic behavior. These warnings join existing ones for Strattera (suicidal thoughts) and Adderall (heart problems).

An estimated 2.5 million children under 19 now take such drugs. Why are so many more children being diagnosed with ADHD? It’s unclear, but the increase appears to be real and not just a result of better diagnosis. Greater exposure to environmental toxins through diet, vaccines, and other sources may play a role.

Are these stimulant drugs really the best way to deal with the situation? The drugs may improve symptoms in some people, but are the potential underlying problems being addressed? Are the potential risks worth it?

There is a better approach that includes dietary changes and safe toxin removal.

A recent University of Michigan study projected the cost of strokes in the U.S. to be $2.2 trillion over the next 45 years. The study factored in everything from hospital care to medications to home health care.

And that’s a conservative estimate, as it’s based on the current rates of primary risk factors such as diabetes, heart disease , obesity, and high blood pressure. With rates of obesity and Type 2 diabetes rapidly increasing in younger populations, the eventual costs could be much greater.

Fortunately, these risk factor conditions are largely preventable, with nutrition playing a significant role.