Vitamin D

Mushrooms Are Unlikely Source of Vitamin D

WASHINGTON - Mushrooms may soon emerge from the dark as an unlikely but significant source of vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin that helps keep bones strong and fights disease.

Low vitamin D tied to cancer risk in men

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In men, low levels of vitamin D appear to be associated with increased cancer incidence and mortality -- particularly cancers of the digestive system -- researchers report in the April 5th issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Colonoscopy Still Best Defense Against Colorectal Cancer

He urges all his patients to reduce their alcohol intake if they are heavy drinkers, exercise at least several times a week, lower the amount of animal fat in their diet, and take a multivitamin to make sure they're getting the right amounts of calcium and vitamin D, folic acid and other important vitamins and micronutrients.

Food Antioxidants, Vitamin D Fight Breast Cancer

Researchers presenting data this week at the American Association for Cancer Research's annual meeting, in Washington, D.C., also found that vitamin D lowers risks for these cancer.

Vitamin D May Cut Breast Cancer Risk

WASHINGTON - Women who get lots of vitamin D are less likely to develop breast cancer, suggests a pair of studies that add to the already strong evidence that the "sunshine vitamin" helps prevent many types of cancer.

Kids' Asthma Linked to Maternal Nutrition

One study found that expectant mothers who take higher amounts of vitamin D may decrease their child's risk for asthma.

Fosamax cuts bone loss in men with prostate cancer

In the ongoing study -- now in its second year -- 112 men are receiving calcium and vitamin D supplementation and half of them are also taking weekly Fosamax. Greenspan presented 1-year data from a planned interim analysis.

Confusing Study Results Don't Alter Advice

The WHI's latest findings, published this month, also made startling headlines: A low-fat diet didn't seem to prevent cancer or heart disease. Taking calcium and vitamin D tablets to protect aging bones provided only limited benefit. And a second look at estrogen-only users suggested those who took it in their 50s may not face the heart risks of older hormone users.

Calcium+vit D doesn't curb colorectal cancer risk

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - In a large study of postmenopausal women, daily supplementation of calcium with vitamin D for 7 years did not reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, doctors report in The New England Journal of Medicine this week. However, a beneficial effect may be become apparent with longer follow-up, the authors note.

Study Shows Limited Benefits From Calcium

BOSTON - The biggest study ever of calcium and vitamin D supplements for older women showed they offered only limited protection against broken bones, raising questions over what has been an article of faith among doctors and nutritionists.

Calcium, Exercise Vital for Kids' Bones

The report includes sample questions and recommendations for daily calcium intake at various ages. It comes three years after the academy issued guidelines for vitamin D, which is needed to help the body absorb calcium. The 2003 guidelines recommend vitamin D supplements for babies who only get breast-milk and older children at risk for deficiency.

Blood Thinner Boosts Elderly Fracture Risk

"The results of the study have important implications for treatment of atrial fibrillation," Gage said. "To maintain bone strength, elderly patients taking warfarin should exercise regularly and have adequate intakes of calcium and vitamin D. Those who are prone to falling could use walking aids and proper footwear. Smokers should quit, which will decrease their risk of osteoporosis and other diseases."

Vitamin D deficiency can increase cancer risk

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Correcting vitamin D deficiency could significantly lower the risk of several types of cancer, investigators report. "The cost of a daily dose of vitamin D3 (1000 IU) is less than 5 cents, which could be balanced against the high human and economic costs of treating cancer attributable to insufficiency of vitamin D," they point out.

Vitamin D could help pregnant women: study

LONDON (Reuters) - Vitamin D supplements for pregnant women could reduce osteoporosis in their children, according to research published on Friday.

Nutritional Supplements Aid Hospitalized Elderly

"There are certainly some supplements -- calcium along with vitamin D -- which the elderly should be consuming in greater quantities than younger people

Vitamin D lowers cancer risk: study

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Cancer researchers urged people on Wednesday to take more vitamin D to lower their risk of colon, breast and ovarian cancer, saying studies showed a clear link.

Vitamin D May Prevent Some Cancers

WEDNESDAY, Dec. 28 (HealthDay News) -- Forget the fiber. You may be able to fend off colon, breast or ovarian cancer by simply getting enough vitamin D, a new analysis of previous research suggests.

Daily dose of vitamin D cuts colon cancer risk: study

LOS ANGELES (AFP) - The risk of colon cancer can be slashed by 50 percent by taking a daily supplement of vitamin D, researchers at a California cancer institute said.

Researchers link vitamin D to healthier lungs

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Higher amounts of vitamin D could help make it easier to breathe, according to new findings released on Monday, offering possible good news for smokers, asthmatics and other people with respiratory problems.

Calcium from food better than from supplements

For two years, Cheng and her colleagues followed a group of 195 healthy girls, ages 10 to 12, whose calcium intake was under the National Nutrition Council recommended levels (less than 900 mg a day.) They randomly assigned the children to receive 1000 mg calcium tablets, 1000 mg calcium plus 200 IU vitamin D tablets, low-fat cheese (1000 mg of calcium), or placebo tablets.

Vitamin D may reduce risk of falls in the elderly

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Taking vitamin D supplements may reduce the risk of falls in elderly people in residential care facilities, results of a study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society suggest.

Older people need more vitamin D, U.S. group says

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Older Americans need more vitamin D to help strengthen bones than what current guidelines recommend, a U.S. medical group said on Thursday.

Extra calcium unnecessary with adequate vitamin D

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - For maintaining calcium metabolism, intake of calcium levels above 800 milligrams daily is probably unnecessary provided that vitamin D status is adequate, according to a report in the Journal of the American Medical Association this week.

Exercise can ward off osteoporosis: report

"Physicians once thought that reaching this peak depended primarily on diet, including sufficient calcium intake and exposure to vitamin D in the skin," the report said.

More vitamin D may mean healthier gums

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - People with higher blood levels of vitamin D may be less likely to develop gum disease, a new study suggests.

Soy protein cuts bone fracture risk -study

Other ways for menopausal women to retard bone loss suggested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are to exercise more and increase consumption of calcium and vitamin D.

Vitamin D low in nearly all elderly who break hip

LONDON (Agence de Presse Medicale) - Vitamin D deficiency is nearly universal in cases of hip fractures, researchers in Scotland reported online in Current Medical Research and Opinion on Monday.

Vitamin D doesn't slow bone loss in black women

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - The use of vitamin D supplements does not appear to slow bone loss in healthy, postmenopausal black women, according to the results of a new study.

Brittle Bones Can Affect Older Men As Well

The current recommended daily allowance for another bone-strengthener, vitamin D, is 400 International Units (IU) per day for older men, but Weber said that level is currently under review and will no doubt be revised.

Calcium, vitamin D combat premenstrual ills-study

CHICAGO (Reuters) - A diet high in calcium and vitamin D could reduce the risk of getting premenstrual syndrome, according to a report published on Monday.

Appetite Loss for Elderly Not a Good Sign

Because many older adults are deficient in calcium and Vitamin D, she recommends adding a tablespoon or two of nonfat dry milk powder to yogurt, cottage cheese, creamed soup, hot cereals, and even a glass of milk. It adds protein and makes food creamier and easier to swallow. The trick is to blend it well to prevent graininess.

Osteoporosis care skimpy for African Americans

African American women were also less likely than Caucasians to have been given calcium and/or vitamin D supplements, the report indicates.

Adult lifestyle predicts bone health

In light of the findings, Francis advises that parents ensure that children get enough calcium and vitamin D "to optimize skeletal growth."

Clarification: 'Sunshine & Cancer' Story

In a May 22 story about vitamin D, sunshine and cancer, The Associated Press reported that the American Cancer Society's review of its sun protection guidelines was prompted by research presented at a recent medical meeting. The story should have specified that the guidelines review had been under way for more than a year. A cancer society official said the new research would almost certainly affect the review.

Scientists Say Sunshine May Prevent Cancer

The vitamin is D, nicknamed the "sunshine vitamin" because the skin makes it from ultraviolet rays. Sunscreen blocks its production, but dermatologists and health agencies have long preached that such lotions are needed to prevent skin cancer. Now some scientists are questioning that advice. The reason is that vitamin D increasingly seems important for preventing and even treating many types of cancer.

Osteoporosis risk high for breast cancer survivors

"However, those on tamoxifen probably don't need aggressive repeat DXAs unless their bone mineral density is markedly low and they require more than calcium, vitamin D, and exercise," he advised.

Calcium and Vitamin D Fail to Reduce Fracture Risk

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Calcium and vitamin D supplements given to elderly, community-dwelling women at high risk of fracture does not appear to reduce their risk, according to the results of a new study published in the British Medical Journal

Vitamin D, Calcium Supplements Don't Cut Fracture Risk for Elderly

WEDNESDAY, April 27 (HealthDayNews) -- Vitamin D and calcium supplements appear to have no effect in preventing elderly people from getting fractures, according to the results of two major studies released Wednesday night.

Vitamin D Does Not Stop Elderly Fractures -Study

LONDON (Reuters) - Giving vitamin D and calcium supplements to elderly patients who suffer from osteoporosis does not prevent them breaking bones, researchers said on Thursday.

Vitamin D and calcium supplements no help with brittle bone fractures: Lancet

PARIS (AFP) - Giving calcium and vitamin D dietary supplements to elderly people with brittle bones does not prevent them suffering fractures, a study by the British medical journal The Lancet said in a report.