vItamin D and heart and health

medscape.com/viewarticle/98...

Medscape article on the recent large trials of vitamin D supplementation concluded there is no evidence that supplements help most health issues unless you are in a compromised group ie care home resident or very immune compromised such as Chrohns disease, but there is some evidence supplements may be helpful for serious rheumatoid arthritis and some cancer. If you want to take some as insurance, 1000-2000 iu is enough and a safe level. The results on a big Covid trial are not out yet.

[CDreamer]

There are studies that the only common factor found in all types of dementia was a high percentage of people with low VitD. The problems come with absorbtion of VitD supplements. All I can say is most doctors now advise VitD with VitK for older people & immune compromised, osteoporosis & a range of other conditions.

[mav7]

All I can say is most doctors now advise VitD with VitK for older people & immune compromised, osteoporosis & a range of other conditions. (CDreamer)

Very true.

Good to have a blood test to determine your level of Vit D and K for proper dosage.

Though that is a very fair study from Harvard, take all these studies with a grain of salt and confer with your medical professional based on your health history.

Recently there was a study questioning the need/value of colonoscopies which is ridiculous.

[Auriculaire in reply to mav7]

The study has the major flaw of many vit D studies. A fixed amount of vit D (2000iu) was given rather than supplementing to a particular blood level. Given the enormous variations in absorption of vit D between individuals using a fixed amount is no good. Some people on this dose will reach a desirable blood level - others ( myself included) will not. Very few if any people will be able to attain a level of 50-60 ng / mL (125-150nmol/l)

[ozziebob]

Thanks for posting.

Sadly it says nothing about my concerns which are a diagnosed Vitamin D deficiency and how this might affect the development of arrythmias.

And remember recommended minimum vitamin D levels are vastly different in different countries, all of which have "experts" interpreting the same research results.

And you have to have much lower Vitamin D levels in UK to even be considered as "deficient" and needing supplementation, compared to say, France.

More research is always welcome and my interest in links between Vitamin D and AF continues.

bob

[pusillanimous in reply to ozziebob]

I'm surprised to read that there are different values in various countries, whenever I get my complete blood report. it says in each category 'In accordance with International recommendation' and shows your reading against these figures,

[ozziebob in reply to pusillanimous]

Hi,

My level was 22 mmol/L, with <25 deficient in UK.

In France <50 is deficient, although, with conflicting advice on this, it might be <75. I will take more advice on this if others know better.

Anyway UK Vitamin D recommendations seem hopelessly out of date.

Who knows what damage I've caused myself by years of untested and unresolved Vitamin D deficiency?

Hope this helps,

bob

[Dippy22 in reply to ozziebob]

Hi. My understanding of Vit D levels is that they should be between 50 and 250. With a quality (fish oil based) Vit D + K2 supplement my mine’s now around 200. Unfortunately U.K. doctors think anything over 50 is “adequate”, which is a load of rubbish!

I’m not a conspiracy theorist by any means, but have heard that big pharma regularly quash any mention of health issues related to Vit D deficiency as they’re more interested in plying their drugs to the public.

[ozziebob in reply to Dippy22]

Thanks for your contribution and mention of your current and desired level. Very helpful.

Sadly my GP wouldn't do anything even if I was at the lowest acceptable UK level of 25, never mind the dizzy heights of 50.

After 6 months delay because of restrictions on retesting, I'm going to the Surgery today to ask for the Vitamin D retest which I am due.

Hopefully my level will be a bit higher now, but I believe improvement does take time.

bob

[pusillanimous in reply to ozziebob]

Thanks Bob - have just pulled out my report before I was put on Vit D for Osteopenia (I live in South Africa). It states Vit D deficiency below 12ng/ml, Vit D insufficiency 12- 20ng/ml. Sufficiency over 20ng/ml. Safe upper limit 50-60ng/ml. I had been deficient and was prescribed a Calciferal tablet ,one per week, once I was in the mid 20s I was reduced to 1 tablet per month, as my doctor considered that it was important to stay below the safe upper limit. Maybe things are different for osteopenia/osteoporosis. Although we have plenty of sun here and I love the warmth, I avoid sitting in it as the instances of malignant melanoma are high. As you say, the values in various countries vary considerably.

[ozziebob in reply to pusillanimous]

Thanks for your contribution.

Remember the units you quote are different to the ones I quoted. I believe you need to multiply your ng/mL by 2.5 to get the same nmol/L number.

So your insufficiently level of 12-20 ng/mL is actually 30-50 in my nmol/L. I was 22 mmol/L, a miserably dangerous deficiency in any language or country.

And remember, as Stephen Carr reports, older people's absorption of Vitamin D through the skin diminishes greatly with age. And diet too.

bob

[pusillanimous in reply to ozziebob]

Thanks for explaining the science !

[Auriculaire in reply to pusillanimous]

Here in France sufficiency is over 30ng/mL. Recently the UK has put it's level for sufficiency up to bring it in line with the rest of Europe.

[Auriculaire in reply to ozziebob]

In France 75 nmols is sufficient.

[saulger]

The article indicates that vitamin D may help to reduce inflammation, which could contribute to AFib?

"The reduction in autoimmune diseases suggests that vitamin D may play a role in tamping down inflammation. "

The article does not mention the OH-25 test level that we should be aiming for.

[ozziebob in reply to saulger]

Yes, inflammation would do it (AF). Extra stress!

Had my OH-25 level finally retested today. Results in 10 days. Can't wait to see if my first ever supplementation has turned my appalling deficiency (22 nmol/L) into something more in line with current recommendations re AF issues.

bob

[saulger in reply to ozziebob]

Bravo, Bob. I was 31, which is just on the borderline and took supplements to get up to 54 nmol/L. Good luck.

[Auriculaire in reply to saulger]

That is because the study did not supplement to obtain a stated blood level but just gave everybody 2000iu - flawed methodology.

[saulger in reply to Auriculaire]

I agree !

[GuyDora]

I was at 15, and was diagnosed with heart failure, due to Cardiomypathy. I was prescribed high dose Vit D3, once a week, for three months. I am now at a 1,500 maintenance dose, and test veteeen 31-41.

[ozziebob in reply to GuyDora]

Are you saying your level was15 nmol/L? That really is dangerously low.

Can I ask at what age your Vitamin D deficiency was discovered?

Did you or your specialists relate any of your medical issues with your Vitamin D deficiency?

Do you consider your medical issues have improved with your currrent higher Vitamin D levels? or other benefits?

bob

[GuyDora]

My primary definitely felt my low D3 level contributed to how badly the virus affected me, especially, my heart. My EF was at a 17, at that time, and it has increased to a 53, without heart failure, for the last 6 years. I was 59, when I was diagnosed with all of it, including the low D3 level. I had no idea that a Vitamin level could affect my overall health. My Immune system has to stay ramped up, now. It is amazing that they didn’t test everyone’s Vit D levels, when Covid first hit. I was telling my clients, family, and friend to get their levels tested.

[GuyDora in reply to GuyDora]

I have to add that my heart disorders appear to be hereditary, and that I already had elevated BP and a Left bundle branch block, that was diagnosed, 4 years, earlier, without incident nor problems. It was the viral myopathy that caused the heart failure.