Vitamin D deficiency may increase risk of metabolic syndrome
According to a study published in Diabetes Care, the risk of metabolic syndrome may
increase with low vitamin D levels.
Metabolic syndrome is a term used to describe a group of conditions that puts people at
higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and other heart-related
problems, says the Canadian Diabetes Association website.
The study looked at 3,262 Chinese people between the ages of 50 and 70. Forty-two
per cent of this sample group had metabolic syndrome and 94 per cent were vitamin D
deficient.
Lead researcher says, “Vitamin D deficiency is becoming a condition that is causing a
large burden of disease across the globe with particular deleterious impact among the
elderly.”
Full story at NutraIngredients.com
www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Low-vitamin-D-may-boost-metabolic-
syndrome-risk
Vitamin D offers hope for patients with multiple sclerosis
High dosages of vitamin D may provide a ray of sunshine for those suffering from
multiple sclerosis (MS), an autoimmune condition. This new Canadian research,
presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in April,
concludes high dosages of vitamin D3 may reduce the relapses a patient experiences.
University of Toronto researchers found that only 14 per cent of those taking the
high doses suffered relapses in their disease when given dosages averaging 14,000
international units (IU) of vitamin D3 a day for a year compared to 40 per cent who
were given 1,000 IU.
As well, those taking the high doses suffered 41 per cent fewer relapses than the
year before the study began, compared with 17 per cent of those taking smaller
doses.
The research team speculates that vitamin D reduces inflammation and stops the
immune system from attacking its own cells, thereby ensuring the gene functions
properly in the body.
Source: CTV News
www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20090522/ms_vitd_090524/
20090524?