Vitamin D – latest thinking

Total Health | September 14th, 2009

Principal Clinical Scientist, John Christofides in a couple of plain English articles explains the latest scientific evidence supporting the role of vitaminEssential substances that cannot be produced by the body and so must be acquired from the diet. D and how, if we are worried, we can request a test to measure our own levels.Most people in the UK are vitamin D deficient in the winter and should ensure that their diet includes dairy products like milk and yoghurt or vitamin D supplements. If you are elderly or not Caucasian it is recommended that you speak to your GP about bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. tests to check that you are getting enough vitamin D for good health.

Principal Clinical Scientist, John Christofides in a couple of plain English articles explains the latest scientific evidence supporting the role of vitamin D and how, if we are worried, we can request a test to measure our own levels.

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Expert articles

Health implications for moving North… do you need more sunshine?

By Mr John Christofides, Principal Clinical ScientistContact
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

Vitamin D status in Europe shows surprisingly wide variation; for example the 1997 SUVIMAX study in French adult men and women aged 35-65 years showed an average of 43nmol/L in the North, which is classified as insufficient by modern standards, and 94 nmol/L in the South West of France, (classified optimal by modern standards as it was >80nmol/L). This is as might be expected with the known variation of vitaminEssential substances that cannot be produced by the body and so must be acquired from the diet. D status against latitude. In contrast the 1995 Euronaut-Seneca study on independent elderly people showed a greater vitamin D level in the North of Europe compared to southern Europe, however, both latitudes were classified sub optimal by modern standards and may have simply reflected the generally poor Vitamin D status of elderly house-bound people irrespective of latitude. 

Vitamin D promotes good health and it’s free

By Mr John Christofides, Principal Clinical ScientistContact
Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust

This article reviews the prevalence of chronicA disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. vitaminEssential substances that cannot be produced by the body and so must be acquired from the diet. D deficiency in the UK population and the growing interest in its protective effects against various diseases. The UK government policy of sun avoidance claims to have slowed down the increase in melanomaA malignant tumour arising from pigmented cells or melanocytes, most often in the skin but has had a deleterious effect on the simple and natural means of skin production of vitamin D. The review shows that an alternative to oral supplementation is sensible sun exposure, taking care not to burn, is all that is required to maintain adequate bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. levels and avoid the winter drop in vitamin D. The elderly and immobile in particular should be targeted for vitamin D blood screeningA way to identify people who may have a certain condition, among a group of people who may or may not seem to and appropriate oral supplementation.

If you are worried about your vitamin status order a lab request.

Vitamin D: Essential Intake

By Dr Nigel Plummer, Microbiologist

A surge of new scientific studies have provided unchallenged evidence of the profound effects that vitaminEssential substances that cannot be produced by the body and so must be acquired from the diet. D has on a whole range of chronicA disease of long duration generally involving slow changes. diseases. Moreover, this research also indicates that the general population is chronically deficient in Vitamin D and that recommended intakes have been woefully inadequate to provide optimum status.

Evaluation of all types of epidemiological and intervention-based studies now provides unequivocal evidence for the role of vitamin D in helping to lower the risk of developing virtually all types of chronic disease. 

Recent news

Rates of vitamin D deficiency on the rise

Total Health | January 25th, 2012

Thanks to the Clean Air Act of 1956 and the availability of supplements such as cod liverA large abdominal organ that has many important roles including the production of bile and clotting factors, detoxification, and the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. oil, rates of ricketsA disease caused by nutritional deficiency that causes bone deformities in childhood. The most common cause is vitamin D deficiency. began to decline in the UK from the 1950s but doctors are now finding that this trend has stopped. Dr Benjamin Jacobs, a Consultant at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, has informed the BBC that severe cases of rickets are treated at the hospital approximately once a month.

Good diet protects brain and promotes mental performance

Total Health | January 3rd, 2012

According to research conducted by neurologists we should all avoid junk and eat food that is rich in vitamins, such as fish, in order to protect the brain. The research shows that elderly people with high bloodA fluid that transports oxygen and other substances through the body, made up of blood cells suspended in a liquid. levels of vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids (commonly found in fish) had less brain shrinkage and better mental performance.

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