Yesterday I received a brief physical exam and medical history, a fasting blood and urine sample, body fat measurement, a muscular strength test, a DEXA scan and an optional biopsy of breast and abdominal fat tissue. I opted out of the biopsy because if there are any cancerous cells in my breast, I do not want to trigger or aggravate the tissue.

These results will remain undisclosed until the end of the study.

The researchers said that they would freeze the samples from the beginning, middle and end of the study and send them in all together at the end of the year.

I am very curious and NEED to know. So I am planning on going to my physician and get a blood test done. I also plan to do a little research on my own to change only

Few variables in my diet for a month or two and repeat the blood test to see if there are any changes.

"I know that I am not taking a placebo, but I have been chosen to take the Vitamin D pill. My appetite has greatly decreased and I have suffered from a skin rash"' my rowing partner toldme
Sunlight is a major source of Vitamin D, but in places like Alaska and the norhtern states, supplementation is necessary.
Vitamin D has been proven to help prevent breast, aggressive prostate and colon cancer.

1000IU is a safe usage

At 10 000 IU there have been some side effects

Sunlight is a major source of Vitamin D,

There are only two ways to receive vitamin D in the amounts necessary for proper health: Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure and vitamin D supplementation. Diet should not be considered a satisfactory source of vitamin D. The few foods which do contain vitamin D, contain too little to be of any noticeable benefit. ¹ ²

Ultraviolet B (UVB) exposure - Sun exposure should be your method of choice for getting vitamin D. Learn about the factors which influence vitamin D production from sunlight and how to make the most of your time in the sun.
Vitamin D supplementation - Information supplementing with vitamin D3. Learn why the amount recommended by the US government is not enough to receive the full health benefits of vitamin D.

Vitamin D cofactors

Magnesium - Vitamin D's most important cofactor
Vitamin K - Helps keep calcium on the right track
Vitamin A (coming soon) - Only a tiny bit is needed to help vitamin D
Zinc - Helps vitamin D bind to its receptor
Boron - Helps alleviate symptoms of vitamin D deficiency

· Ann Epidemiol. 2009 Jul;19(7):468-83.

19523595?dopt=Citation

Vitamin D for cancer prevention: global perspective.

· Garland CF, Gorham ED, Mohr SB, Garland FC.

· Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.

· Abstract

· Higher serum levels of the main circulating form of vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), are associated with substantially lower incidence rates of colon, breast, ovarian, renal, pancreatic, aggressive prostate and other cancers.

· METHODS:

· Epidemiological findings combined with newly discovered mechanisms suggest a new model of cancer etiology that accounts for these actions of 25(OH)D and calcium. Its seven phases are disjunction, initiation, natural selection, overgrowth, metastasis, involution, and transition (abbreviated DINOMIT). Vitamin D metabolites prevent disjunction of cells and are beneficial in other phases.

· RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS:

· It is projected that raising the minimum year-around serum 25(OH)D level to 40 to 60 ng/mL (100-150 nmol/L) would prevent approximately 58,000 new cases of breast cancer and 49,000 new cases of colorectal cancer each year, and three fourths of deaths from these diseases in the United States and Canada, based on observational studies combined with a randomized trial. Such intakes also are expected to reduce case-fatality rates of patients who have breast, colorectal, or prostate cancer by half. There are no unreasonable risks from intake of 2000 IU per day of vitamin D(3), or from a population serum 25(OH)D level of 40 to 60 ng/mL. The time has arrived for nationally coordinated action to substantially increase intake of vitamin D and calcium.

Quote http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/

The Amazing Power of Sunlight and Vitamin D

Vitamin D is not really a vitamin at all - it is a pre-hormone that's produced in your skin in response to sunlight exposure. As such, it is an integral part of human health and longevity.
http://vitamind.ucr.edu/milk.html
Technically the molecule called vitamin D₃ is not really a vitamin because it can be produced by exposure of the skin (higher animals and humans) to ultraviolet light or sunlight. The skin of many animals and man has a high concentration of the sterol cholesterol which is converted by enzymes in the skin to the sterol 7-dehydrocholesterol. Exposure of skin (including human skin) to sunlight for regular intervals results in the photochemical conversion of 7-dehydrocholesterol into vitamin D₃. This sunlight- generated vitamin D₃ is a precursor of the steroid hormone 1a,25(OH)₂D₃. Under these circumstances vitamin D₃ is not a vitamin because it has been produced by the body (with the assistance of sunlight). However, if the animal or man lives in the absence of sunlight (e.g., Alaska in the winter) or exclusively indoors, then there is indeed an absolute regular requirement for the fat soluble vitamin D, that must be met through proper dietary intake.

http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/health-conditions/mental-health-and-learning-disorders/depression/

Depression Patient friendly summary

Solar ultraviolet-B (UVB) light may reduce the risk of depression.
Vitamin D may reduce the risk of depression.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is known by many names. It is most commonly called depression. This is a mental disorder and is different from the feelings of sadness that we all feel from time to time.
People who are depressed have an extremely low mood and low self-esteem. They lose interest in normally enjoyable activities.

Risk factors

The causes of MDD are not well understood, but seem to involve both genetics and environment.
Those who are obese have a higher risk for MDD.
Those diagnosed with diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis may develop MDD.

Sunlight exposure and risk of depression

There are no reported studies linking ultraviolet-B (UVB) light to MDD risk. However, people with MDD may have increased depression during the winter.

Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is not discussed in this document. SAD probably is not linked to vitamin D. SAD may be related more to regulation of the body’s natural 24-hour cycle. This is called the circadian system. SAD may also be affected by seasonal light changes.

Vitamin D and depression

Low vitamin D levels may be related to depression rather than contributing to the disorder.
A number of studies report some connection between vitamin D levels and the risk of depression. Low vitamin D levels may be related to depression rather than contributing to the disorder. In addition, an increased risk of MDD may be related to several vitamin D–sensitive diseases. Some of the studies are summarized here:

Elderly Dutch community residents with minor or major depression had vitamin D blood levels that were 14% lower than residents without depression.
Italian women with lower vitamin D levels (less than 20 ng/mL [50 nmol/L]) had twice the risk of developing depression. For Italian men, the risk was increased 60%.
Postmenopausal women with one vertebrae fracture had 20% more depressive symptoms than women without a fracture. Women with at least three vertebrae fractures had three-fold the rate of depression compared to women without multiple fractures. Low vitamin D levels are an important risk factor for vertebral fracture.
Syrian women with heart disease, high blood pressure, or kidney disease were three times more likely to have depression. Syrian men with rheumatism and respiratory disease had an even greater risk of depression. There is good evidence that low vitamin D levels are a risk factor for all of these diseases.
A lifetime history of MDD may be a risk factor for later development of Alzheimer's disease. Depression may increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment that turns into Alzheimer's. Patients with Alzheimer’s and MDD have more pronounced hallmarks of the Alzheimer’s brain than patients with Alzheimer’s and no MDD. Vitamin D may be a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease.
In the United States, vitamin D deficiency occurred more often in certain people. These people were African-Americans, living in cities, obese, and depressed. People with vitamin D levels below 20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L) had an 85% increased risk of depression compared to those with vitamin D levels greater than 30 ng/mL (75 nmol/L).

How vitamin D works

Vitamin D may lower the risk of MDD in several ways:

Reduce the risk of diseases that may trigger depression. Such diseases include cancer, cardiovascular disease, and multiple sclerosis.
Reduce the production of cytokines. Cytokines are proteins that increase inflammation. They may also be a risk factor for depression.

Prevention

There are no reported studies showing that vitamin D supplements reduce the risk of depression. However, given the evidence, it seems likely that vitamin D has a positive effect on depression.

Based on studies of cancer, cardiovascular disease, and influenza, vitamin D levels above 40 ng/mL (100 nmol/L) may reduce the risk of MDD. To achieve these levels, most people need to take 1000-5000 international units (IU)/day of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol).
However, there is considerable variation from person-to-person. Vitamin D blood levels should be measured both before and several months after taking vitamin D3 supplements or increasing UVB exposure to determine proper dosage.

Treatment

Treating inadequate vitamin D levels in people with depression or other mental disorders may improve long-term health and quality of life.
According to a recent review, treating inadequate vitamin D levels in people with depression or other mental disorders may improve long-term health and quality of life. Reports confirm that vitamin D has a positive affect on MDD:

Women in Washington State increased their vitamin D levels to 47 ng/mL (118 nmol/L) by taking 5000 IU/day of vitamin D during the winter. In some of these women, depressive symptoms changed. Their scores were also lower on a depression test.
Overweight and obese Norwegian women took 20,000 or 40,000 IU/week of vitamin D. As a result, symptoms of MDD decreased. Their scores were also lower on a depression test.
Based on studies of other diseases, vitamin D blood levels of 40–50 ng/mL (100–125 nmol/L) appeared to reduce the severity of MDD.

Find out more...

Do you want to find out more and see the research upon which this summary is based? Read our detailed evidence summary on depression.

http://www.preventcancer.com/consumers/general/milk.htm

Why is American Milk Banned in Europe?

American dairy milk is genetically-modified unless it’s labeled “NO rBGH”
Genetically-engineered bovine growth hormone (rBGH) in milk increases cancer risks.

American dairy farmers inject rBGH to dairy cows to increase milk production.

European nations and Canada have banned rBGH to protect citizens from IGF-1 hazards.

Monsanto Co., the manufacturer of rBGH, has influenced U. S. product safety laws permitting the sale of unlabeled rBGH milk. (Monsanto would lose billions of dollars if rBGH were banned in America.)

Q. Is there any milk not contaminated with rBGH and IGF-1?
A. Yes. Milk that is clearly labeled “NO rBGH” is free of rBGH and does not contain excess levels of IGF-1.

Q. What about cheeses?
A. American-made cheeses are contaminated with rBGH and excess levels of IGF-1 unless they’re labeled “NO rBGH”. Imported European cheeses are safe since Europe has banned rBGH.

http://www.cspinet.

Vitamin D study

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Day 3 Vitamin D