Vitamin Information Center

The Ear, Nose, Mouth, and Throat
Volume 1’s first section is the “The Ear, Nose,
Mouth, and Throat.” Through these structures the
body receives auditory, olfactory, and gustatory
sensory information—sounds, smells, and tastes.
The throat does double duty as the conduit to
carry both air and nutrition, essential sustenance
for the body, and also makes possible the uniquely
human form of communication—speech.
The functions of these sensory organs and
structures overlap and integrate with each other
in ways such that the loss of one sensory system
affects others. Speech is difficult without the ability
to hear, for example, and the sensory pathways
for smell and taste are so intertwined that
both networks become impaired when one or the
other does not function properly. Olfactory nerve
fibers are capable of detecting thousands of odors,
enhancing the brain’s ability to interpret hundreds
of flavors with input from only four basic taste
qualities (sweet, sour, salt, and bitter).
The sense of touch resides in specialized nerves
that populate the surface of the skin in varying
concentrations to provide different levels of tactile
response. The lips and fingertips, for example, are
exquisitely sensitive, while the surfaces of the
arms and legs are less responsive to touch. The
structures of the inner ear also regulate the body’s
balance, integrating with the nervous system as
well as the musculoskeletal system (as anyone
who has found it challenging to walk after spinning
in circles well knows).

Eric Madrid, MD
Physicians and scientists are starting to realize the numerous health benefits of sunshine exposure and vitamin D supplementation. Most doctors know severe vitamin D deficiency causes rickets. Since rickets is rarely seen today, it is incorrectly assumed that vitamin D deficiency is nonexistent.

Fallbrook and Temecula medical providers have diagnosed hundreds of patients with vitamin D deficiency, or about 90 percent of all patients tested. Nine out of 10 people reading this story likely suffer from vitamin D deficiency.

Why should you have your vitamin D level checked? Studies have shown that those with lower levels of vitamin D in their blood have a higher risk of developing breast cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, prostate cancer, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis and heart disease. One study showed greater than a 60-percent reduction in breast cancer in those with the highest levels of vitamin D in their blood.

In addition, senior citizens who have lower levels of vitamin D in their blood are at higher risk of falls, osteoporosis and bone fractures. Those who suffer from chronic pain and fibromyalgia also have lower levels of vitamin D.

Vitamin D levels are checked by a simple blood test. Treatment usually requires supplementation with vitamin D3 as opposed to the more commonly sold over the counter vitamin D.

Vitamin D is also made from moderate daily sun exposure to the arms and legs. Caution must be taken to prevent sun burning. Many sunscreens will block out UVB, which is the type of sunlight needed for skin to make vitamin D. Those with darker pigment are higher risk of deficiency, which may explain the higher incidence of diseases in certain ethnic populations.

To check your vitamin D level, contact your physician or call (951) 676-4193 for an appointment.

Eric Madrid MD is a family physician with Rancho Family Medical Group, which has offices in Fallbrook and Temecula. See www.ranchofamilymed.com.

By Helen ChickeringNBC News Channel

Debate is raging over how much sun you should get. For years, we’ve been warned that sunscreen is a must, but now some health professionals are saying some exposure to the sun’s rays is necessary. An American Academy of Dermatology survey finds that ten percent of Americans in their 40s, 50s, 60s and even 70s hit the tanning bed.

Sunlight, even artificial is a prime source of Vitamin D, a nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium and one a growing body of research suggests may also help prevent diseases from cancer to diabetes. Unfortunately, up to half of the population is not getting enough, according to the Duke Diet Center’s Elisabetta Polilti.

“Vitamin D sources are not very common,” she explained.

Oily fish like salmon and fortified milk are among the few dietary sources of Vitamin D. That leaves supplements and sunshine, unless you wear sunscreen.

“The skin lotion is preventing vitamin D from being absorbed,” Politi said.

While it’s doubtful we’ll ever say ’so long’ to sunscreen, the Vitamin D dilemma does have the scientific and medical communities taking a closer look at the safe sun message.

Boston University’s Dr. Michael Holick calls it “sensible sun exposure.”

“Typically maybe five to ten minutes of arms and legs, two to three times a week, followed by good sun protection is a good recommendation,” he said.

It’s a recommendation that has gotten heat from major skin and cancer organizations who’ve noted the rise in skin cancer. All parties do agree people aren’t getting enough of the sunshine vitamin.

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