All Posts Tagged With: "VitD"

Calcium Supplements & Cardiovascular Events

Please stop patients from using massive doses of calcium now. The patients all have too much calcium in vascular tissue and now we have data showing that giving calcium is increasing heart disease. And, if possible, try to always administer calcium supplementation with EQUAL AMOUNTS of MAGNESIUM, as I have been teaching for over 20 years now.

Also please realize I use calcium in well over 90 % of my patients. It is in BAM, my multiple called Beyond Any Multiple. I usually never use more than 500 mg of calcium a day for my long-term patients, as that is all most will need since that is the amount we need to offset the excess of phosphorus over calcium in the American diet. This amount will help lower the tendency for the body to develop secondary hyperparathyroidism, which is how the body responds to a chronic dietary intake of more phosphorus than calcium.

Garry F. Gordon MD,DO,MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
www.gordonresearch.com 

Excerpt:
Results 15 trials were eligible for inclusion, five with patient level data (8151 participants, median follow-up 3.6 years, interquartile range 2.7-4.3 years) and 11 with trial level data (11 921 participants, mean duration 4.0 years). In the five studies contributing patient level data, 143 people allocated to calcium had a myocardial infarction compared with 111 allocated to placebo (hazard ratio 1.31, 95% confidence interval 1.02 to 1.67, P=0.035). Non-significant increases occurred in the incidence of stroke (1.20, 0.96 to 1.50, P=0.11), the composite end point of myocardial infarction, stroke, or sudden death (1.18, 1.00 to 1.39, P=0.057), and death (1.09, 0.96 to 1.23, P=0.18). The meta-analysis of trial level data showed similar results: 296 people had a myocardial infarction (166 allocated to calcium, 130 to placebo), with an increased incidence of myocardial infarction in those allocated to calcium (pooled relative risk 1.27, 95% confidence interval 1.01 to 1.59, P=0.038). 

Conclusions Calcium supplements (without coadministered vitamin D) are associated with an increased risk of myocardial infarction. As calcium supplements are widely used these modest increases in risk of cardiovascular disease might translate into a large burden of disease in the population. A reassessment of the role of calcium supplements in the management of osteoporosis is warranted.

Hypothyrodism and endothelial dysfunction – a message from Dr. Gordon

This mainstream report found that one year of Levothyroxine treatment does not fully restore endothelial function. This is important for two reasons: 
1. Mainstream is beginning to acknowledge that low thyroid functioning contributes to heart disease.
2. Also I suggest that Heart Disease is multifactorial and, therefore, MONOTHERAPY will often fail. 

Many would feel that the type of thyroid replacement is a partial explanation but I feel that we would need to look at Iodine to have provided a better outcome. But all the elements of my FIGHT program are relevant for those seeking OPTIMAL improvement in cardiac or endothelial function. There is always low levels of some nutrients (F), take your pick from Vit D to Magnesium. There will always be the high probability of CMV infection (I). And, probably some Genetic issues with some epigenetic changes increasing the need for methylation support including the active forms of Folic Acid (G). Then there will always be some element of heavy metals (H: Lead, etc.) and there will be Toxins in everyone that include endocrine disruptors and neurotoxins (T)!

Thus this report should help prove the need for broadly based approaches in dealing with chronic illness such as endothelial dysfunction leading to atherosclerosis.

Garry F Gordon MD,DO,MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
www.gordonresearch.com  

Full article: http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cend/2009/00000070/00000006/art00017

Excerpt:

Abstract:
 Summary Objective 
Hypothyroidism is associated with elevated cardiovascular risk, not fully explained by classical risk factors. Instead, endothelial dysfunction may link hypothyroidism to atherosclerosis. The effect of levothyroxine substitution on endothelial function has been sparsely studied and the results are unclear. This study tested endothelial function as estimated by concomitant measurements of endothelial dependent vascular dilatory capacity and plasma concentration of von Willebrand factor antigen in patients with hypothyroidism and further examined  the impact of subsequent levothyroxine substitution.

Dr. Andrew Weil (and Dr. Gordon) on Vitamin D

Linda’s comments:  I would NEVER be without my D-3….This was part of the problems I had with so many Cancers…My D-3 levels were in the toilet….Just a wakeUP call, you don’t get enough VitD from the sun or the toxic MILK you drink either….I take 15 thousand units daily and sometimes more.  When in doubt have your doctor run a blood test on you…while you are add it get your B12 and Magnesium levels checked.

Vitamin D is now essential to lower colon and breast cancer. And short term high dose Vitamin A for infections saves lives. Dr Weil finds Vitamin D long-term use for adults is TOTALLY SAFE at 2000 units a day. The Counsel for Responsible Nutrition believes it is totally safe at 10,000 units a day for adults but what about short term use in massive amounts like 50-100,000 for acute infections. This knowledge has almost been ignored and could have become lost. 

My friend Dr Carl Reich MD in Canada was famous for treating ASTHMA and eliminating frequent hospitalizations in tough cases. He was using up to 50,000 units a week!  Of course they took his license but he changed the lives of nearly 10,000 patients! So it may be a long time until we fully appreciate the medical applications of aggressive Vitamin D therapy.

Vitamin A for treatment of most infections is safe and totally underutilized due to ignorance by medical profession. In the same vein as changing attitudes toward high dose vitamin D there is need to learn more about Vitamin A. The World Health Organization recommends the injections of children with 250,000 units of Vitamin A. This treatment is proven to save children’s lives daily around the world but long term use can affect bone growth so no one uses this fantastically effective therapy proving that a little knowledge is dangerous. No serious side effect of high dose for 5 days therapy up to 500,000 units a day for adults has been reported.

But with a few reports of relatively minor side effects related to long term use nothing serious with the 5 day use of high dose vitamin A is documented other than some increase in intracranial pressure leading to some headaches in perhaps 1-3% of patients but with dramatic recovery from infections. 

So hopefully one day we will realize that the “side effects” incurred with nutritional therapy are rather benign. There are no reported deaths in the USA in 2008 from nutritional supplements yet those who become knowledgeable in Orthomolecular Medicine, as I am, have to be prepared for criticism from less enlightened colleagues who do not understand benefit to risk calculations. They think nothing of their being at least the 4th leading cause of death in the US but are quick to criticize those who use therapies that they know nothing about but which have tremendous potential for really helping patients!!

Garry F. Gordon MD,DO,MD(H)
President, Gordon Research Institute
www.gordonresearch.com

Full article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/new-recommendation-why-yo_b_446580.html

Excerpt:

I am raising my recommendation of 1,000 IU of vitamin D per day to 2,000 IU per day. Since 2005, when I raised it from 400 to 1,000 IU, clinical evidence has been accumulating to suggest that a higher dose is more appropriate to help maintain optimum health.
We have known for many years that we need vitamin D to facilitate calcium absorption and promote bone mineralization. But newer research has shown that we also need it for protection against a number of serious diseases. In recent years, scientists have discovered that it may help to prevent several cancers, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disorders, psoriasis, diabetes, psychosis, and respiratory infections including colds and flu. 

To focus particularly on cancer prevention, two recent meta-analyses (in which data from multiple studies is combined) conducted by the Moores Cancer Center at the University of California at San Diego and colleagues suggested that raising blood levels of vitamin D could prevent one-half of the cases of breast cancer and two-thirds of the cases of colorectal cancer in the U.S. Discussing the breast cancer analysis, study author Cedric Garland, Dr.P.H., stated that “The serum level associated with a 50 percent reduction in risk could be maintained by taking 2,000 international units of vitamin D3 daily plus, when the weather permits, spending 10 to 15 minutes a day in the sun.” A 50 percent reduction in breast cancer deaths would have saved the lives of more than 20,000 American women in 2009.

Vit-D and coronary calcium

Excerpt:

The impact of intensive lipid management, omega-3 fatty acid, and vitamin D3 supplementation on atherosclerotic plaque was assessed through serial computed tomography coronary calcium scoring (CCS). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol reduction with statin therapy has not been shown to reduce or slow progression of serial CCS in several recent studies, casting doubt on the usefulness of this approach for tracking atherosclerotic progression. In an open-label study, 45 male and female subjects with CCS of > or = 50 without symptoms of heart disease were treated with statin therapy, niacin, and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation to achieve low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides < or = 60 mg/dL; high-density lipoprotein > or = 60 mg/dL; and vitamin D3 supplementation to achieve serum levels of > or = 50 ng/mL 25(OH) vitamin D, in addition to diet advice. Lipid profiles of subjects were significantly changed as follows: total cholesterol -24%, low-density lipoprotein -41%; triglycerides -42%, high-density lipoprotein +19%, and mean serum 25(OH) vitamin D levels +83%. After a mean of 18 months, 20 subjects experienced decrease in CCS with mean change of -14.5% (range 0% to -64%); 22 subjects experienced no change or slow annual rate of CCS increase of +12% (range 1%-29%). Only 3 subjects experienced annual CCS progression exceeding 29% (44%-71%). Despite wide variation in response, substantial reduction of CCS was achieved in 44% of subjects and slowed plaque growth in 49% of the subjects applying a broad treatment program.

 

Vitamin D dosing myths

Linda’s BRAVO to yet another conventional doctors who sees the light!! This excites me….Sorry but any doctor that tells you to restrict your VitD, I would say RUN FORREST RUN!! I have battled (5) Cancers, but at the time I wasn’t paying attention to my VitD levels….it finally bit me in the back….It has taken me a few years of massive amounts of D to get my levels in a safe margin. I now take 10,000 to 15,000 units daily. to maintain safe levels……

Doc Gurley is RIGHT ON….she lists 6 VitD myths….read and learn…..

Regards,
Linda

Full article: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/gurley/detail?entry_id=54957

Vitamin D dose myths – 6 fun factoids
As the mountain of vitamin D research (showing its importance) grows to Everest heights, you may be wondering about some statements that are thrown around as “truth.” Here are some fun vitamin D myths to pass along (by email, twitter or facebook) to friends, family and loved ones, because, when it comes to vitamin D, you want to get your dose (even of information) JUST RIGHT: Continued

IMVA Emergency Alert

This is an EXCELLENT newsletter to subscribe to.  Also the two (2) books listed
below by Mark Sircus Ac., OMD  are also first class.  Well worth the money, IMHO.

Make sure you stock up on your VitC, VitD, VitA, ACS200 silver and stop eating junk foods.  NO GMO foods, as this only makes a weakened immune worse.  Wash your hands and get plenty of sleep and exercise…..

Regards,
Linda

… from IMVA Medical News Commentaries list.

Yulia Tymoshenko, prime minister of Ukraine and a candidate in upcoming
national elections, visits a children’s hospital in western Ukraine.

Prime Minister Tymoshenko stated, “We cannot relax even for a moment because the World Health Organization (WHO) predicts two more waves of flu, including the bird flu, are expected in Ukraine. There is no alternative to vaccination. The entire world is going this way…” A day earlier she admitted she was not vaccinated and that she prefers “like all other people” plans to rely on garlic, onion and lemon as a way of preventing the flu. Commenting on what’s going on in Eastern Europe F. William Engdahl says, “The degree of fraud, deceit, official cover-up and outright criminal endangerment of the broad population by the current Swine Flu hysteria is seemingly without precedent.” Continued