Zinc supplements decrease incidence of infections in the elderly

Elderly adults are increasingly susceptible to infections, oxidative stress and immune dysfunction. According to new research, supplementing with zinc for one year decreased the incidence of infections and lowered markers of oxidative stress in a group of adults aged 55-87 years.

Adults over the age of 55 years are more susceptible to infections, immune dysfunction, increased oxidative stress, and zinc deficiency. Since zinc has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, new research sought to determine the effect of zinc on the incidence of total infections in the elderly. Researchers also tested the effect of zinc on markers of oxidative stress.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of zinc supplementation was conducted in 50 healthy subjects of both sexes aged 55-87 years. The zinc- supplemented group received 45 mg of zinc orally for 12 months. Incidence of infections during the supplementation period was documented. Plasma zinc concentrations and markers of oxidative stress were measured at the beginning and after supplementation. After zinc supplementation, the incidence of infections was significantly lower, plasma zinc was significantly higher, and generation of oxidative stress markers was significantly lower in the zinc-supplemented than in the placebo group.

Source: Zinc supplementation decreases incidence of infections in the elderly: effect of zinc on generation of cytokines and oxidative stress, Ananda S Prasad1, Frances WJ Beck, Bin Bao, James T Fitzgerald, Diane C Snell, Joel D Steinberg and Lavoisier J Cardozo, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 3, 837- 844, March 2007

Source: USANA Health Sciences

New study finds the more supplements you take, the healthier you are

An authoritative study, published in the Nutrition Journal, finds that the more supplements a person takes, the healthier they are.

The study, conducted by Dr Gladys Block at the University of California, examined a number of health measures, including blood vitamin levels and disease risk, in three groups of people – those who took no supplements; those who took a multivitamin usually based on basic RDA levels; and those who took a combination of many supplements such as vitamins C, E, D, essential fats, lecithin, coenzyme Q10, glucosamine, B complex and others. Almost nine out of ten of the multiple-supplement users consumed 20 or more different kinds of supplements throughout the year.

Source: Usage patterns, health, and nutritional status of long-term multiple dietary supplement users: a cross-sectional study, Gladys Block et al, The Nutrition Journal, 6: 30, 2007

13.12.07 : reference to Patrick Holford deleted.

The health benefits of turmeric extract (curcumin)

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Researchers have long been aware of the health benefits of the curry spice turmeric, which is the source of curcumin (or turmeric extract). In fact, in India where turmeric is used daily Alzheimer's disease is nearly absent in a country (per the population size). Curcumin is the same thing as turmeric extract.

It is a powerful antioxidant and it has powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is one of the most destructive processes that damage our cells and organs, leading to disease and aging.

Researchers have long studied the turmeric extract's application in fighting cancer, arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and reversing the process underlying Alzheimer's disease.
One of the most important activities in the human body is turmeric extract's ability to inhibit chronic inflammation (by inhibiting activation of transcription factor, nuclear factor-kappa B, NF-kB). What's the big deal? Well, NF-kB activation has been implicated in ALL stages of the development and propagation of cancer; and switching off the NF-kB genes, which turmeric extract seems to do has been a huge subject of intense research.

The National Institutes of Health in Washington, D.C. has funded numerous studies on turmeric extract (curcumin) because of the diverse benefits of this antioxidant spice. It affects virtually every organ of the body. The applications include the treatment of cystic fibrosis (the most common genetic disorder in Caucasians), autoimmune diseases, such as sceleroderma, the prevention and treatment of cancer, the prevention and treatment of heart disease, reverse the damage associated with high blood sugar (diabetes), the prevention and treatment of both Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, and multiple sclerosis. It may help prevent cataracts; it shows promise as a treatment for skin disorders such as psoriasis; and it helps in the treatment of wounds.

Among other benefits, turmeric extract has antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal activities. This is not said lightly, and should not be overlooked as a minor benefit, particularly in wound healing.

Of all the benefits of curcumin or turmeric extract, it is the prevention and treatment of cancer that has most scientists in awe. One investigator wrote:

"Curcumin ...has emerged as one of the most powerful chemopreventative and
anticancer agents. It's biological effects range from antioxidant and anti-inflammatory to inhibition of angiogenesis, and is shown to possess
specific anti-tumoral activity."

Source: Curcumin, a dietary component, has anti-cancer, chemosensitization and radiosensitization effects by down-regulating the MDM2 oncogene through the PI3 kinase/mTOR/ETS2 pathway, Li M, Zhang Z, Hill DL, Wang H, Zhang R, Cancer Res 2007 Mar 1:67(5):1988

Although anti-cancer drugs weaken the immune system, turmeric extract strengthens the immune system as it fights cancer at every step of cancer development and propagation.

For cancer to develop, it has to initiate ...turmeric extract stops this. It has to propagate (progression and promotion), ...turmeric extract stops this. New blood vessels have to be formed to feed the new cancer cells so they can survive (angiogenesis), turmeric extract stops this, ... and turmeric extract induces apoptosis, the self-destruction of cancer cells. It does all this while protecting the rest of the body from other diseases and inflammation. Turmeric extract seems to be the perfect designer substance. It appears that man could not design or develop a more perfect substance ....but, that doesn't mean it wouldn't stop them from trying.

Interesting, but not surprising to me (Ladd McNamara), pharmaceutical companies are racing to try and come up with patentable compounds that mimic the actions of turmeric extract so they can make huge profits; when interesting enough the compound and benefits obviously already exist! Ah, the greed of mankind never ceases to amaze me. (But, we saw this with the benefits of the safety and effectiveness of grape seed extract and the eventual development of Vioxx and Celebrex, a Cox 2 inhibitor. How did that work out for Big Pharma? More importantly, how did it work out for the benefit of the patients?)

What specific cancers has turmeric extract (curcumin) been shown to benefit?

In 2007, scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham published at report in the Journal of Cancer Research showing how turmeric extract (curmumin) reduced prostate cancer cells' production of a protein MDM2, which is associated with the formation of malignant tumors. Simultaneously, curmumin prompted cells to produce another protein associated with apoptosis (programmed cell death).

It's interesting that India has has one of the lowest incidence of prostate cancer rates in the world. The annual prostate cancer incidence rate in India is ranges from 5.0 to 9.1 per 100,000/year. In contrast, among white males in the U.S., the incidence is 110.4 per 100,000/year! More than ten times higher. For black males in the U.S., it is even HIGHER! Could it be due to the consumption of turmeric? The average intake of turmeric spice in India is 2 - 2.5 grams per day. Thus, it is to our advantage to obtain turmeric extract that would surpass that in its equivalency by at least 3 to 6 fold.

Curcumin (turmeric extract) has been shown to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy agent, gemcitabine, in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. This chemotherapy agent loses it effectiveness as the cancer progresses, curmcumin (turmeric extract) helps prevent the tumors resistance to the drug.

Curcumin (turmeric extract) interferes with the proliferation of various types of colon cancer, and it enhances the efficacy of existing an existing chemotherapeutic agent, oxaliplatin in the fight against colon cancer.

Curcumin's effect against breast cancer is nothing short of amazing; both against a common variety of breast cancer cells, as well as a mutant line of breast cancer cells that have developed resistance to chemotherapy drugs. Turmeric extract exerts its effects on cell proliferation, cycling and death. Turmeric extract (or curcumin) seems able to adapt its anticancer activity according to need, including in multi-drug resitant tumors of the breast, prostate, and leukemia cell lines.

Lastly, turmeric extract is particularly beneficial in preventing cognitive decline, in the prevention or treatment of major disabling age-related neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and stroke.

Source: Neuroprotective effects of curcumin, Cole GM, Teter B, Frautschy SA, Adv Exp Med Biol. 2007;595:197-212

A few mechanism of action may account for such benefits. Turmeric extract appears to reduce lead toxicity by raising levels of the antioxidant glutathione, as well as bind to (chelate) heavy metals and remove them. Furthermore, turmeric extract is an antioxidant, protecting oxidative damage to neurons of the brain by promoting production of a protective enzyme hem oxygenase-1 (HO-1). This is a fundamental defense mechanism for neurons exposed to oxidation. (And, to think Pfizer wants us to use high-dose Lipitor to protect everyone from Alzheimer's disease.)

Memory loss begins by age 50, and by age 80, it predicted that half of us will advance to some form of dementia (Alzhemier's or not). Asian epidemiological studies found that those who consumed curry (with the turmeric spice) showed strong evidence of "better cognitive performance" and "less age-related dementia."

Source: Curry Consumption and Cognitive Function in the Elderly, Tze-Pin Ng, Peak-Chiang Chiam, Theresa Lee, Hong-Choon Chua, Leslie Lim and Ee-Heok Kua, Am J Epidemiol 2006 Nov 1;164(9):898

Okay, as always, "what about safety?"

Given that turmeric is a food that has been safely consumed for millennia (even by pregnant women), curcumin, or turmeric extract, would appear to be a perfect dietary supplement.

Source: Curcuma longa (turmeric), Monograph, no authors, Altern Med Rev. 2001 Sep'6 Suppl S62-6

In fact, one researcher wrote:

"Curcumin has an outstanding safety profile and a number of multifunctional actions ..." Phase I clinical trials, using massive doses of curcumin, or turmeric extract (up to 8 grams/day for four months "did not result in discernable toxicities."

Source: Clinical studies with curcumin, Hsu CH, Cheng AL, Adv Exp Med Biol 2007;595:471

Source: Ladd McNamara, M.D. - expert in nutraceutical and anti-aging medicine, Ladd McNamara blog, www.laddmcnamara.com

Is taking too much vitamin D dangerous?

This post is courtesy of Ladd McNamara, M.D. and is to emphasize the importance and safety of getting at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day.

That's well above the US RDA of 400 IU/day, but that is what you want if you understand the benefits.

Let's start out with some good information, and move on to some really great information:

1. Recent research has shown an association between low blood levels of vitamin D and increased cardiovascular disease risk factors (high blood pressure, diabetes, and high triglycerides).

Source: Prevalence of Cardiovascular Risk Factors and the Serum Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in the United States: Data From the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, David Martins; Myles Wolf; Deyu Pan; Ashraf Zadshir; Naureen Tareen; Ravi Thadhani; Arnold Felsenfeld; Barton Levine; Rajnish Mehrotra; Keith Norris, Arch of Intern Med. 2007, Jun 11;167(11):1159

2. There are well over 89 medical studies showing that greater vitamin D blood levels reduce cancers, including cancers of the colon, rectum, breast, and prostate (some cancers are reduced as much as 50%).

Sources:

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and colon cancer: eight-year prospective study, Garland CF, Comstock GW, Garland FC, Helsing KJ, Shaw EK, Gorham ED, Lancet 1989, Nov 18:2(8673):1176;

Can colon cancer incidence and death rates be reduced with calcium and vitamin D?, Garland CF, Garland FC, Gorham ED, Am J Clin Nutr 1991 Jul; 54(1 Suppl)193S;

Vitamin D and prevention of breast cancer: pooled analysis. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2007 Mar;103(3-5):708-11, Garland CF, Gorham ED, Mohr SB, et al, J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol 2007 Mar;103(3-5):708;

Vitamin D and prevention of colorectal cancer, Gorham ED, Garland CF, Garland FC, et al, J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2005 Oct;97(1-2):179-94;

Sun exposure, vitamin D receptor gene polymorphisms, and risk of advanced prostate cancer, John EM et al, Cancer Res 2005 Jun 15;65(12):5470;

The Role of Vitamin D in Cancer Prevention, Garland et al, Am J Public Health 2006 Feb;96(2):252;

Luminal and humoral influences on human rectal epithelial cytokinetics, Thomas MG, Ann R Coll Surg Engl 1995 Mar;77(2):85.

3. In fact, the studies are numerous and convincing that it is now undeniable to be able to say that the greater one's vitamin D levels the less risk of acquiring cancer of the breast, prostate, colon, esophagus, pancreas, ovary, rectum, bladder, kidney, lung, and uterus, as well as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma and multiple myeloma.

Sources:

Vitamin D status and breast cancer risk, Colston KW, Lowe LC, Mansi JL, Campbell MJ, Anticancer Res 2006 Jul;26(4A):2573;

Prohibitin is a novel target gene of vitamin D involved in its antiproliferative action in breast cancer cells, Xinjian Peng, Rajeshwari Mehta, Sheng Wang, Srikumar Chellappan and Rajendra G. Mehta, Cancer Res 2006 Jul 15:66(14);7361;

Growth inhibition of carcinogen-transformed MCF-12F breast epithelial cells and hormone-sensitive BT-474 breast cancer cells by 1-hydroxyvitamin D5, Erum A. Hussain-Hakimjee, Xinjian Peng, Rajeshwari R. Mehta, and Rajendra G. Mehta, Carcinogenesis 2006 Mar;27(3):551;

Intakes of Calcium and Vitamin D and Breast Cancer Risk in Women, Lin J, Manson JE, Lee IM, Cook NR, Buring JE, Zhang SM, Arch intern Med 2007 May 28;167(10)1050;

Prostate cancer risk and prediagnostic serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (Finland), Ahonen MH et al, Cancer Causes and Control 2000 Oct;11(9):847;

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation: association with susceptibility and age at presentation with prostate cancer, Luscombe et al, Lancet 2001 Aug 25;358(9282):641;

High-dose weekly oral calcitriol in patients with a rising PSA after prostatectomy or radiation for prostate carcinoma, Beer T, Lemmon D, Lowe B, Henner W, Cancer 2003 Mar 1:97(5):1217;

Effects of vitamin D (calcitriol) on transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder in vitro and in vivo, Konety BR, Lavelle JP, Pirtskalaishvili G, et al, J Urol 2001 Jan:165(1)253

(and about 85 other medical studies that I do not intend to make this the forum to cite).

4a. A ground-breaking double-blind placebo controlled study was published this year in the American Journal of Clnical Nutrition. In this study involving 1,180 postmenopausal women which studied the effects of administering 1,000 IU of vitamin D (with calcium) or a placebo, the researchers found that after ONLY 4 years of taking 1,000 IU of vitamin D the risk of contracting ANY CANCER was reduced by a 60% compared to the placebo group. This was astonishing enough, however, it was about to knock the socks off the researchers.

Source: Vitamin D and calcium supplementation reduces cancer risk: results of a randomized trial, Joan M Lappe, Dianne Travers-Gustafson, K Michael Davies, Robert R Recker and Robert P Heaney, Am J Clin Nutr 2007 Jun;85(6):1586

4b. When the researchers excluded the cancers that were diagnosed during the first year of the study, which made sense because that would have included cancers that were already present when the study began (as cancers take a while to grow), a more detailed analysis of the data revealed that 1,000 IU of vitamin D (plus calcium) reduced the risk of ALL CANCERS by a whopping 77% compared to the placebo group!

5. What does this mean? If we as a society were to take 1,000 IU of vitamin D each day (with calcium, let alone any other antioxidants and minerals), as many as three-quarters (or more) of all cancers could be prevented in just four years! The impact of this double-blind, placebo controlled study is so profound that EVERYONE should be taking at least 1,000 IU of vitamin D every day!

6. Even children can benefit from greater levels of vitamin D.

Sources:

Vitamin D Deficiency, Michael F. Holick, New Engl J Med 2007 Jul 19:357(3):266;

Risk factors for low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations in otherwise healthy children and adolescents, Francis L Weng, Justine Shults, Mary B Leonard, Virginia A Stallings and Babette S Zemel , Am J Clin Nutr 2007 Jul;86(1):150

7. Vitamin D has also been shown to suppress inflammation by reducing cytokines (inflammatory molecules). Thus, taking at least 1,000 of vitamin D or more per day would help protect against inflammatory conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, chronic muscle pain (fibromyalgia), congestive heart failure, diabetes, stroke, and mutliple sclerosis.

Sources:

Vitamin D: important for prevention of osteoporosis, cardiovascular heart disease, type 1 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and some cancers, Holick MF, South Med J 2005 Oct;98(10):1024;

Diet, nutrition, and rheumatoid arthritis, Miggiano GA, Gagliardi L, Clin Ter 2005 May;156(3):115;

Prevalence of severe hypovitaminosis D in patients with persistent, nonspecific musculoskeletal pain, Plotnikoff GA, Quigley JM, Mayo Clinic Proc 2003 Dec;78(12):1463;

Dietary Calcium, Vitamin D, and the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in Middle-Aged and Older U.S. Women , Simin Liu, Yiqing Song, Earl S. Ford, JoAnn E. Manson, Julie E. Buring, and Paul M. Ridker, Diabetes Care 2005 Dec;28(12):2926;

Vitamin D supplementation improves cytokine profiles in patients with congestive heart failure: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, Stefanie S Schleithoff, Armin Zittermann, Gero Tenderich, Heiner K Berthold, Peter Stehle, and Reiner Koerfer, Am J Clin Nutr 2006 Apr;83(4):754


8. What About Safety of Vitamin D?

How much is Too Much?

My Doctor Told Me NOT to go above the RDA of 400 IU of vitamin D.

Frankly, most doctors are not aware of the research over the last 20 years showing the 100 of thousands of lives that could be spared just in the U.S. alone if every American took just 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day... (and, we haven't even touched on a full spectrum of the other vitamins, minerals, or antioxidants ...which would naturally push that number up beyond measure.)

So, let's alleviate the safety concern. Is it possible to get too much vitamin D? The answer is YES! But, how much is too much?

Vitamin D status can be assessed by a blood test. BUT DON'T go by reference ranges, because they only compare you to the "normal population," who are DEFICIENT ... you don't want to be in that category. Optimal levels of vitamin D (25-hdroxyvitamin D) should be in the range of 30 - 50 ng/ml (or 75 - 125 nmol/L).

A study was performed to see how much oral vitamin D was required to increase one's vitamin D levels. Taking 1,000 of vitamin D only increases your blood level of vitamin D by 11.5 ng/ml (that's increases it by that much, not establishes it at that level). The bottom line is this: A daily oral intake between 1,000 to 4,000 IU of vitamin D (depending upon your baseline vitamin D blood levels) is ideal.

9. Vitamin D toxicity does not occur until blood levels reach 150 ng/ml or more; which would generally take an oral dose of 50,000 IU per day! Therefore, doses up to 10,000 IU of vitamin D per day would appear to be safe, and certainly half that much (5,000 IU per day) would absolutely be safe!

Source: Vitamin D Deficiency, Michael F. Holick, N Eng J Med 2007 Jul 19;357(3)266

To make it clear: In order to achieve an optimal serum blood level of vitamin D of approximately 60 ng/ml, a 154 pound (70 kg) person with a baseline vitamin D level of 20 ng/ml would have to take 5,000 of vitamin D to increase their blood levels to the desired levels of 60 ng/ml.

10. The authors of a review study in the July 19, 2007 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine calculate the rates of various diseases affected by vitamin D status and have come up with the following numbers:

a) 78% Reduction in Type I diabetes in children taking 2,000 IU/day of vitamin D in their FIRST YEAR of life.

b) 200% Increase in Type I diabetes in Vitamin D-deficient children

c) 33% reduction in Type II diabetes in those taking 800 IU/day plus calcium

d) 72% reduction in number of falls in elderly people taking high-dose vitamin D (that's well over 1,000 IU/day)

e) 30-50% more cancers in vitamin D-deficient people

f) 42% reduction in multiple sclerosis in women taking MORE than 400 IU/day of vitamin D

The article goes on to state:

1. Human diets do NOT provide sufficient vitamin D
2. Minimum vitamin D blood levels needed to reduce disease risk are 30 ng/ml (and as stated above optimal levels are 60 ng/ml).

The authors then go on to point out that the US government recommendations of 200 IU/day for children, 400 IU/day for adults, and 600 IU/day for those over 70 years old are horribly outdated.

Source: Vitamin D Deficiency, Michael F. Holick, N Eng J Med 2007 Jul 19;357(3)266

Conclusion

The evidence is clear. Vitamin D is both safe and effective in reducing the risk of many chronic degenerative diseases. The old governmental recommendations are outdated. Everyone should be getting at least 1,000 IU/day of vitamin D. Vitamin D, taken up to 5,000 IU/day is safe, and should be safe even up to 10,000 IU/day. However, if one is going to be taking more than 5,000 IU/day it would be prudent to follow blood tests to aim for the optimal blood level of 60 ng/ml. (Toxicity does not occur until blood levels reach 150 ng/ml ... so the range of safety is wide.)

There is much too much TRUE HEALTH to be obtained from taking optimal levels of vitamin D, along with a full spectrum of nutrients, along with a proper diet and a healthy lifestyle.

I hope this has been a help to those who have been worried, or told not to take more than 400 IU/day! Frankly, your health depends upon you being informed that you must take more than that!

Thanks and good health,

Ladd McNamara, M.D.

Source: Ladd McNamara, M.D. - expert in nutraceutical and anti-aging medicine, Ladd McNamara blog, www.laddmcnamara.com

Widespread Vitamin D deficiency drains billions of dollars from Canadian healthcare system

The Vitamin D society, a Canadian non-profit group organized to increase awareness of the many health conditions strongly linked to vitamin D, has calculated the cost of vitamin D deficiency on the Canadian health care system to be no less than $9 billion dollars annually.

Vitamin D has long been known only for its role in bone health and proper calcium absorption. However, the explosion of research over the past few years has revealed that vitamin D plays a key role in cell growth regulation in the body, and may be related to the prevention of 22 forms of cancer as well as heart disease, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, and many other disorders. Due to what is being considered a Canadian crisis and worldwide problem, the Vitamin D Society is recognizing the month of November as Vitamin D Awareness Month.

For the complete story and more information about the society and vitamin D research, go to the following link:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/October2007/31/c2359.html