Posts Tagged ‘vitamin d deficency’

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Confirmation of association between Multiple Sclerosis, CYP27B1 & Vitamin D

Sunday, July 25th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in External News Articles, Uncategorized

Confirmation of association between multiple sclerosis, CYP27B1 and vitamin D

Multiple sclerosis, MS (OMIM No. 126200), is a complex inflammatory disease that is characterized by lesions in the central nervous system.

Both genes and other environmental factors influence disease susceptibility. One of the environmental factors that has been implicated in MS and autoimmune disease, such as type 1 diabetes, is vitamin D deficiency, in which patients have lower levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OHD3) in blood than do controls.

Previtamin D3 is produced in the skin, and turned into 25-OHD3 in the liver. In the kidney, skin and immune cells, 25-OHD3 is turned into bioactive 1,25(OH)2D3 by the enzyme coded by CYP27B1 (cytochrome P450 family 27 subfamily B peptide 1) on chromosome 12q13.1–3. 1,25(OH)2D3 binds to the vitamin D receptor, expressed in T cells and antigen-presenting cells. 1,25(OH)2D3 has a suppressive role in the adaptive immune system, decreasing T-cell and dendritic cell maturation, proliferation and differentiation, shifting the balance between T-helper 1 (Th1) and Th2 cells in favor of Th2 cells and increasing the suppressive function of regulatory T cells. Rs703842 in the 12q13–14 region was associated with MS in a recent study by the Australian and New Zealand Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (ANZgene).

We show associations with three SNPs in this region in our Swedish materials (2158 cases, 1759 controls) rs4646536, rs10877012 and rs10877015 (P=0.01, 0.01 and 3.5 × 10−3, respectively). We imputed rs703842 SNP and performed a joint analysis with the ANZgene results, reaching a significant association for rs703842 (P=5.1 × 10−11; odds ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.79–0.88).

Owing to its close association with 25-OHD3, our results lend further support to the role of vitamin D in MS pathology.

  1. 1Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
  2. 2Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
  3. 3Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden

Correspondence: E Sundqvist, Neuroimmunology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Center for Molecular Medicine L8:04, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm 17176, Sweden. Tel: +46 85 177 6258; Fax: +46 85 177 6248; E-mail: Emilie.Sundqvist@ki.se

Received 4 December 2009; Revised 19 March 2010; Accepted 4 June 2010; Published online 21 July 2010.

http://www.nature.com/ejhg/journal/vaop/ncurrent/abs/ejhg2010113a.html

Public advice on suntanning may mean vitamin deficiency risk

Monday, July 5th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized

Concerns over the link between rising skin cancer rates and exposure to sunshine may have led to overly precautionary advice being given to the public about staying out of the sun at midday, according to a confidential “position statement” by leading health organisations.

The current advice to the public from the leading research charity on skin cancer, Cancer Research UK, states to spend between 11am and 3pm in the shade and to cover the skin with clothing, hats and sunscreen if out.

But a confidential position statement being prepared by the charity in collaboration with other health organisations – and seen by The Independent – acknowledges the changing evidence and emphasises the importance of exposing the skin to the midday sun without any protection in order to maximise production of vitamin D.

Many experts are concerned that past advice designed to protect against skin cancer may have resulted in an increased risk of other illnesses linked to a lack of vitamin D, which the body can only produce when skin in exposed to bright sunlight. New concerns about Britain’s policy on sun exposure led to this review of the evidence about the risks and benefits of staying in the shade and covering up during the sunniest part of the day.

The confidential document, seen by The Independent, says: “The time required to make sufficient vitamin D is typically short and less than the amount of time needed for skin to redden and burn. Regularly going outside for a matter of minutes around the middle of the day without sunscreen should be enough. When it comes to sun exposure, little and often is best. However, people should get to know their own skin to understand how long they can spend outside before risking sunburn under different conditions.”

The wording of the draft document is being seen by come commentators as a tacit admission by Cancer Research UK that it had got it wrong in the past about telling people to avoid the midday sun, to apply sunscreen and to stay in the shade in order to avoid exposure to the cancer-causing rays of the sun.

“Cancer Research UK is working on a new position statement on vitamin D and sunshine which it expects to agree with other health organisations,” said Oliver Gillie, a health writer who has championed the case for vitamin D. “Their new position is expected to break with 20 years of advice to seek the shade and is expected to suggest that people go out in the sun in the middle of the day for at least a few minutes. Several health bodies have agreed to the wording but others are still discussing the details.”

Organisations such as the British Heart Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Diabetes UK and the National Osteoporosis Society are discussing what their public position should be on sunshine and vitamin D in the light of several new studies suggesting a link between various illnesses and a chronic lack of the vitamin.

The draft position statement says: “Cancer Research UK’s SunSmart campaign encourages people to enjoy the sun safely and avoid exposures that lead to sunburn. However, for most people, sunlight is also the most important source of vitamin D, which is essential for good bone health.

“It is important to ensure that skin cancer prevention messages are balanced with the need to make enough vitamin D, and reflect the latest scientific evidence.” Sara Hiom, director of health information at the charity, said that the draft consensus statement has not yet been finalised, agreed or released. “It is not our advice to the public and should not be interpreted in that way,” Ms Hiom said.

“Even once we reach a consensus we will not be advising the public to go in the sun in the middle of the day without sunscreen. This is because, for some people – those most likely to be at risk of skin cancer – a few minutes in the middle of the day is enough for them to burn and cause serious and lasting skin damage.

“The very fact that messages around safe sun exposure times cannot be generalised to the population means that our advice needs to be general and is, and will remain, to enjoy the sun safely, spend time in the shade around midday and know your own skin type.”

Vitamin D deficiency cases in Scotland quadruple in seven years

Friday, July 2nd, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
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THE number of Scots children being treated for vitamin D deficiency complaints such as rickets has almost quadrupled in seven years.

And it’s not just poor children who are suffering – there are cases from middle class families, too.

The shock findings come in a study at Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Yorkhill.

It found 160 youngsters were admitted with vitamin D deficiency between 2002 and 2008.

A total of 42 cases were reported in 2008, compared to just 11 in 2002.

The researchers warned serious vitamin D deficiency in children is on the increase, leading to fractures and fits as well as bowed legs.

They say the figures are likely to be an underestimate of the true scale of the problem, which is present “across the community”.

Faisal Ahmed, lead author of the study, said the rise could be partly due to greater awareness of vitamin D deficiency.

The professor of developmental endocrinology at Glasgow University added: “The bottom line is we are seeing a lot of cases and it is most likely that these are not all the cases.”

The children were aged between two weeks to 14 years old and had bowed legs, fractures, limb pain, fits and even heart problems.

The majority of the children were admitted between the months of March and August and were from South Asian, Middle Eastern or sub-Saharan Africa ethnic backgrounds.

Professor Ahmed said there were “quite a lot” of Scots deficient in vitamin D, which is mainly created by the action of sunlight on the skin.

One plan would see vitamin D tablets handed out to families.

source

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/health-news/2010/07/02/vitamin-d-deficiency-cases-in-scotland-quadruple-in-seven-years-86908-22376764/

Humans evolved ability to tan ‘to cope with changes in amount of sunlight’

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010 | Tags: , ,
Posted in Uncategorized

By Daily Mail Reporter
Last updated at 5:22 PM on 22nd June 2010

Humans developed the ability to tan to cope with changes in the amount of UV radiation their bodies received during the year, scientists believe.

Researchers from Penn State University in the US studied the way the sun illuminates different parts of the Earth.  

They found that the amount of ultraviolet B light  – which produces vitamin D in human skin – was extremely variable further north due to atmospheric scattering of the light and absorption by oxygen.

The researchers believe that humans began to tan as a way of combatting the huge variations in the amount of ultraviolet light our skins were receiving throughout the year.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-1288569/Humans-evolved-ability-tan-cope-changes-sunlight.html?ITO=1490#ixzz0sF9Lu9Jc

Vitamin D on horizon for MS prevention?

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized

25.05.10

The Lancet Neurology contains a review of evidence on vitamin D deficiency as a possible risk factor for MS

The lancet

The worldwide prevalence and incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) are on the increase. The need for strategies to prevent this devastating disease is therefore greater than ever. As highlighted in a Review in this issue of The Lancet Neurology, vitamin D deficiency might be an important modifiable risk factor for MS.
This raises the question of whether population-wide supplementation programmes might be a reasonable prevention strategy.

Vitamin D deficiency is especially common in high latitude regions, such as northern USA, Canada, northern Europe, and New Zealand, where weaker ultraviolet B rays during winter months are insufficient for people to produce enough vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency has traditionally been linked to bone diseases such as rickets; in addition to MS, links with other diseases such as type 1 diabetes, heart disease, infectious diseases, and some types of cancer are now emerging.

Pregnant women, young children, and the elderly are at the greatest risk. Vitamin D deficiency might also adversely affect disease course in many disorders, including MS, although evidence for this is less robust.

The main sources of vitamin D are sunlight and diet, but many people do not get sufficient amounts, so dietary supplements are required.

The current recommended daily intake of vitamin D is typically 200—400 IU/day in Europe, and in the USA and Canada, where some foods are fortified with vitamin D, the recommendation is for 200—600 IU/day.

The US National Academy of Sciences’ Institute of Medicine is currently reviewing the dietary reference intakes for vitamin D and calcium and is due to report its recommendations at the end of summer 2010.

Expert recommendations for optimum serum vitamin D concentrations range from 50 nmol/L to 100 nmol/L; the total daily need for vitamin D, from sunshine, diet, and supplementation, to achieve this concentration is thought to be 1000—4000 IU/day, depending on factors such as age, geographical region, and health status. The risks of taking high doses of vitamin D are thought to be low, and the main concern of overdose is hypercalcaemia.

However, given that an adult who spends 20 min in summer sunshine can produce an oral intake equivalent of about 10 000 IU/day, the suggested dose of 1000—4000 IU/day is unlikely to be toxic.

Recent evidence suggests that prolonged intake of 10 000 IU/day (and even up to 40 000 IU/day) poses no risk for adults. So far, the evidence for a protective effect of vitamin D on MS largely comes from ecological and observational studies, although evidence is accumulating on possible mechanisms linking vitamin D deficiency and autoimmunity.

Large-scale, long-term randomised controlled trials on high-dose vitamin D supplementation would be needed to definitively establish a protective effect and to identify any unexpected long-term complications. But it could take decades before data on MS prevention become available.

In the meantime, because the risks seem to be low, is there already a case for widespread vitamin D supplementation?

Scotland is one such region where the prevalence and incidence of MS, and other diseases related to vitamin D deficiency, are already so high that the benefits of supplementation are likely to outweigh any potential side-effects. During an upcoming summit in Scotland, hosted by MS Society Scotland and resulting from the Shine on Scotland campaign, researchers will present the case to Scottish Government officials for vitamin D supplements to be made freely available for all young children and pregnant women.

As vitamin D is an inexpensive supplement, the potential cost savings of such a programme are enormous, and in addition to MS, might have implications for numerous diseases linked to vitamin D deficiency.

In Europe, if the predicted effects of raising serum vitamin D concentrations to 100 nmol/L are realised, the potential savings have been estimated to be €187 billion per year from the direct and indirect burden of disease, set against an expenditure of €10 billion on testing and public education.

As well as the possible health benefits, such a supplementation programme might provide important research opportunities to understand the long-term effects of vitamin D.

Trials are needed to address the numerous questions that remain to be answered about dosing levels, potential long-term complications, and causal mechanisms, among others. In the meantime, given the low costs, low toxicity, and possible beneficial effects of supplementation programmes, steps to tackle vitamin D deficiency in high-risk populations seem warranted.

Because any benefits for MS in particular will take decades to emerge, a long-term outlook is needed from policy makers, but future health and financial benefits have the potential to make this investment highly rewarding.

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I would like to thank the The lancet for its brilliant work undertaken for our future children health and to be done by a highly regarded institution – is just amazing .

I am honored and forever grateful.

Thankyou – Ryan McLaughlin
Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Limited. All rights reserved. The Lancet ® is a registered trademark of Elsevier Properties S.A. used under licence.

White House Task Force will look at vitamin D deficency in childhood obesity

Sunday, May 16th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Uncategorized
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The US First Lady Michelle Obama has recognised the risks of vitamin D deficiency in a official report to the US President Obama and ordered a task force will now tackle the issue head on for the Lets Move campaign!

15 year old Ryan McLaughlin from the ‘Shine on Scotland’ said its really great news and it will help in the fight against vitamin D deficency . Ryan also said:  that back in February this year he posted an amazing story on the First Lady and the emotion behind a new campaign that she was planning called Lets Move.

The First Lady’s story has touched me personally Ryan said ‘when I read the First Lady speak of her emotion that she felt in watching her fathers fight with MS now sadly gone I felt her pain. I have followed it now for months in hope that she would get involved in raising the massive vitamin D deficency problem in the US.

I have been long campaigning in the US to put pressure on the USDA to lift the recommended daily amount of vitamin D and of course raise awarenesss of vitamin D and the link with MS using social websites facebook and twitter. I watch for the latest news hoping for an announcement and when it came this week I was over the moon.

Now I hope to hear the USDA announce much awaited new RDA figures very shortly, it will help in my campaign for vitamin D for every Scottish child in the aim of preventing future cases of Multiple Sclerosis in Scotland.

The First Lady Michelle Obama and the US Government are taking this very seriously indeed and investing a $1 billion a year in federal funding to this campaign, in such financially hard times its a very big message they want action and results.

It’s a brilliant campaign and it will have a roll on effect for other diseases such as MS and I am sure that with amazing news like this hopefully it will highlight the problem in the UK and hope that a new focus will be placed on funding of further research studies and clinical trials into vitamin D.

In a recent study it was again show that vitamin D can help lessen symptoms in people with MS so its so even more important to me now that I get action taken to help my mum !

I am proud to say that the Scottish Government has took the problem seriously for many months and with a little more work i’ll continue to campaign and raise awareness for MS so we can get even more Governments to look at it. My campaign has managed to lead to some movement already from the Governments in Wales and Ireland earlier this year!

The Scottish Summit on vitamin D will happen in September, planning is underway by the great team at MS Society Scotland and the Scottish Government.

Please have a look at the amazing Lets Move campaign website and help spread the word by following link below

http://www.letsmove.gov/

Cardiff is centre of new war on rickets

Thursday, March 25th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , ,
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FREE vitamins will be given to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers and children up to the age of four in Cardiff in a drive to stamp out rickets.

The Assembly Government wants to make rickets and other vitamin-deficiency illnesses a thing of the past and will pilot the new scheme in the capital.

The vitamins have been available to low-income families but in this pilot scheme they will be given out at no cost to everyone who qualifies.

Vitamins will be given out by health visitors and in local health centres and clinics in the capital. The findings from the pilot will be reviewed after 12 months, and if successful it may be rolled out across the rest of Wales.

Conservative shadow health minister Andrew RT Davies said giving things away for free was not always the best way forward. “It is important to promote the health and well-being of mothers and young children,” he said. “We will monitor this programme closely to ensure it delivers value for money and is effective in promoting good public health.

“However, the Assembly Government is wrong to think the only answer to problems is to provide things for free.”

Welsh Liberal Democrat health spokesman Peter Black said: “I welcome this initiative and would hope that it can be rolled out to the rest of Wales as soon as possible.

“However, if we are to sustain support for this group we need to step up efforts to improve education about healthy eating and place more emphasis on the consumption of milk, fresh fruit and vegetables. If children are to grow up healthily then I would far rather ensure that they are in the habit of eating a healthy meal than relying on vitamin pills to supplement an otherwise unsuitable diet.”

But the First Minister, who will launch the scheme at Ely and Caerau Children’s centre, said: “The Healthy Start programme contributes to our ‘One Wales’ commitment to invest in the prevention of ill health and supports the wider provision of equal access to health for all across Wales. Every parent wants to give their child the best start in life, which is why it is important that pregnant mothers know they have the best possible chance to establish good health for mum and baby early on.”

Health Minister Edwina Hart said: “In the UK, half of all children under five are reported to have not enough vitamin A in their diet and there are reports of young children suffering from vitamin D deficiency. These vitamins are needed for normal healthy growth and development.

“The current Healthy Start Scheme and the new pilot project will together contribute to making it easier for people to improve their health, and to lead healthier lifestyles.”

Jan Williams, Chief Executive of Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, added: “Ensuring mothers and their young children get the right balance of vitamins for the best start in life is vital. This pilot demonstrates how we as a health board can target factors that can cause ill-health and promote a healthy lifestyle at the same time.”

Helen Nicholls, Community Dietetic Clinical Lead and spokesperson for the British Dietetic Association, said: “Bwrdd Cymru British Dietetic Association (BDA) is delighted to be involved with this innovative project. It is a great step forward ensuring that more people in Wales who need the vitamins will have access to them.”

The Healthy Start scheme was set up to give young children, new and expectant mothers the best possible start in life. Along with the vitamins, Healthy Start offers vouchers for free milk, fresh fruit and vegetables.

Israeli study: Pregnant women, infants and young athletes most at risk for Vitamin D deficiency

Thursday, February 4th, 2010 | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , ,
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An increasing deficiency of Vitamin D detected in babies could put their lives in danger, two recent Israeli studies show. Vitamin D deficiency has also been detected in young athletes and pregnant women.

The studies’ findings could lead the Health Ministry to change its policy and hold regular examinations measuring Vitamin D levels, especially in specific population groups.

A study presented yesterday at the annual gathering of the Israel Society for Clinical Pediatrics details the story of a baby born about a year ago at the hospital, weighing 3.98 kilograms, who developed convulsions seven days later.

He was diagnosed with a Vitamin D level of 9.4 nanograms per milliliter, about one third of the recommended level. During the pregnancy, the mother had complained of bone pains. Extremely low levels of Vitamin D were found in her blood after the birth.

Another baby also born around that time in Hadassah, weighing 2.92 kilograms, started convulsing at five days old. His level of Vitamin D was measured at 5.64 nanograms per milliliter; his mother was also found to have deficient levels.

Vitamin D is an essential vitamin naturally present in very few foods and obtained mainly from sun exposure. The two babies’ convulsions stopped and they recovered after receiving a Vitamin D additive of 2,000 international units a day, as well as calcium.

“Israel is a sunny country with a good health care system for pregnant women and babies, but Vitamin D is not usually offered during pregnancy,” the study says, warning that the findings are merely the tip of the iceberg. The study calls on the Health Ministry to observe the Vitamin D recommendations for pregnant women.

Another study headed by Dr. Gal Dubnov-Raz from Safra Children’s Hospital at the Sheba Medical Center, analyzed Vitamin D tests administered to 92 teenage athletes and dancers treated at Hadassah’s sports center.

The examinations revealed that the Vitamin D deficiency suffered by the athletes exposed them to bone and muscle development disorders, heart diseases and even cancer.

Three quarters of the teenagers were diagnosed as having a Vitamin D deficiency of 15-30 units, and 6.5 percent were diagnosed with less than 15 units. Some 80 percent of the teenagers training regularly indoors were found to have deficient levels, but that same was true for 43 percent of those training outdoors.

“Iron deficiency together with Vitamin D deficiency damages teenagers’ mental and physical function,” says Dubnov-Raz. “Before young athletes go for muscle-building protein and creatine powders, they should improve their nutrition and levels of iron and Vitamin D.”

Medical literature has reported a worldwide Vitamin D deficiency in recent years, even in sunny countries like Israel.

Studies conducted at the Rambam Medical Center found a Vitamin D deficiency among the ultra-Orthodox, who wear long heavy clothing, along with high-tech workers who spend most of the day indoors.

The Health Ministry is considering holding routine Vitamin D examinations, especially for specific groups, such as pregnant women, a ministry spokesman said. So far there is no such sweeping recommendation anywhere in the world today, he said.

At present, the ministry recommends merely “appropriate nutrition for pregnant women, who should consult a doctor and a dietician about food additives.”

The ministry already recommends giving babies Vitamin D and giving food additives to nursing home patients, and it is also updating regulations for food additives, the spokesman said.

In addition, a compulsory standard for Vitamin D enrichment will soon be introduced, which will apply to all milk beverages, no only low fat milk, as practiced today, he said.

story by Dan Evan

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