Vitamin Information Center

CHEVY CHASE, Md.—Diets high in protein and cereal grains produce an excess of acid in the body which may increase calcium excretion and weaken bones, according to a new study accepted for publication in The Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism (JCEM). The study found increasing the alkali content of the diet, with a pill or through a diet rich in fruits and vegetables has the opposite effect and strengthens skeletal health.
“Heredity, diet and other lifestyle factors contribute to the problem of bone loss and fractures,” said Bess Dawson-Hughes, M.D., of Tufts University, Boston and lead author of the study. “When it comes to dietary concerns regarding bone health, calcium and vitamin D have received the most attention, but there is increasing evidence that the acid/base balance of the diet is also important.”
Average older adults consume diets that, when metabolized, add acid to the body, said Dr. Dawson-Hughes. With aging, we become less able to excrete the acid. One way the body may counteract the acid from our diets is through bone resorption, a process by which bones are broken down to release minerals such as calcium, phosphates and alkaline (basic) salts into the blood. Unfortunately, increased bone resorption leads to declines in bone mass and increases in fracture risk.
“When fruits and vegetables are metabolized they add bicarbonate, an alkaline compound, to the body,” said Dr. Dawson Hughes. “Our study found that bicarbonate had a favorable effect on bone resorption and calcium excretion. This suggests that increasing the alkali content of the diet may attenuate bone loss in healthy older adults.”
In this study, 171 men and women aged 50 and older were randomized to receive placebo or doses of either: potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium chloride for three months. Researchers found subjects taking bicarbonate had significant reductions in calcium excretion, signaling a decrease in bone resorption.
“In this study, we demonstrated that adding alkali in pill form reduced bone resorption and reduced the losses of calcium in the urine over a three month period,” said Dr. Dawson-Hughes. “This intervention warrants further investigation as a safe and well tolerated supplement to reduce bone loss and fracture risk in older men and women.”
Other researchers working on the study include Susan Harris, Nancy Palermo, Helen Rasmussen, and Gerard Dallal of Tufts University in Boston and Carmen Castaneda-Sceppa of Northeastern University in Boston.
The article “Treatment with Potassium Bicarbonate Lowers Calcium Excretion and Bone Resorption in Older Men and Women,” will appear in the January issue of JCEM.

Vitamin D is known as the “sunshine vitamin” because the human body naturally produces vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. A report in the Archives of General Psychiatry gives new meaning to the term. New research has shown that your risk for depression could be high if your blood is low in vitamin D and high in serum parathyroid hormones, says a report in . (Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2008;65[5]:508-512.)

More specifically, poor vitamin D consumption can cause an increase in serum parathyroid levels, which are frequently accompanied by symptoms of depression. And considering that nearly 15% of older individuals suffer from the blues this could be the relief that they’ve been seeking.

The findings may be important to patients because both low blood vitamin D levels and high parathyroid hormone levels can be treated with higher dietary intake of vitamin D or calcium and increased sunlight exposure. “Moreover, the clinical relevance of the present study is underscored by our finding that 38.8% of men and 56.9% of women in our community-based cohort had an insufficient vitamin D status,” researchers conclude. Additional studies are needed to determine whether changes in levels of vitamin D and parathyroid hormone precede depression or follow it.

The Anti-Aging Bottom Line: Almost 15% of older Americans suffer from depression, which can substantially decrease your quality of life. if you feel like you may be depressed, get your vitamin D levels checked. Recent research has found that vitamin D deficiency is much more common that was previously thought, and that most people need higher amounts of D than the current government mandated recommendations. Vitamin D supplementation has been proven very effective at correcting deficiency. Make sure you are getting at least 1,000 IU of supplemental vitamin D daily.

Exclusive breastfeeding can increase a child’s risk of developing rickets because breast milk alone does not provide adequate levels of vitamin D, a critical ingredient that helps to absorb calcium and build strong bones, the New York Times reports. Rickets develops when a child’s vitamin D levels are too low and is characterized by the curving of a child’s legs and the softening of other bones. Some children are asymptomatic.

Darker-skinned children have a greater risk of vitamin D deficiency than other children because they do not absorb vitamin D as easily through the skin. Sunlight enables the skin to synthesize vitamin D.

Cases of nutritional rickets among infants and young children in the U.S. have been “accumulating over the last decade or so,” and children with the condition are more likely to be black or dark-skinned and have been breastfed exclusively for an extended period of time without vitamin supplementation, according to the Times. Some experts say that an increase in infants being exclusively breastfed, more children drinking soda or juice and less milk, and children spending less time in the sun could contribute to rickets re-emerging as a public health problem, the Times reports.

According to the Times, while physicians have known for years that exclusive breastfeeding is associated with vitamin D deficiency in infants and rickets, many are “reluctant to say anything that might discourage breastfeeding.” The American Academy of Pediatrics in 2003 recommended that infants who are exclusively breastfed receive vitamin D drops daily.

According to one study on rickets and vitamin D that included mostly black and Hispanic infants and toddlers, 40% of the participants had low levels of vitamin D, 12% were vitamin D deficient, 13 children showed evidence of bone loss and three children had signs of rickets. The study, published in the June issue Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, also found that breastfeeding without vitamin supplementation was a significant risk factor for rickets.

Study author Catherine Gordon, director of Children’s Hospital Boston’s bone health program, said, “I completely support breastfeeding, and I think breast milk is the perfect food, and the healthiest way to nourish an infant. However, we’re finding so many mothers are vitamin D deficient themselves that the milk is therefore deficient, so many babies can’t keep their levels up.” She added, “They may start their lives vitamin D deficient, and then all they’re getting is vitamin D deficient breast milk” (Rabin, New York Times, 8/26).

ISLAMABAD: Vitamin D injections can greatly improve survival for most kidney failure patients on dialysis, according to a new study.

Currently, vitamin D injections are recommended only for dialysis patients with elevated levels of parathyroid hormone — which represents about 50 percent of kidney failure patients. But this Massachusetts General Hospital study found that vitamin D injections may help extend the lives of most kidney dialysis patients.

“We�ve been administering vitamin D injections for decades, but the potential benefit on survival has never been studied. This finding was a surprise and should force us to think more broadly about who should be treated,” study senior author Dr. Ravi Thadhani, director of clinical research in MGH nephrology, said in a prepared statement.

Reporting in the April issue of the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology, Thadhani�s team analyzed data on more than 50,000 U.S. kidney patients who began dialysis between 1996 and 1999 and were tracked until 2002. More than 37,000 of the patients in the study received vitamin D injections.

At the end of the two-year study, 76 percent of the patients receiving vitamin D injections were still alive, compared with 59 percent of patients who didn�t receive vitamin D. That difference was evident across all categories of patients, the researchers said. Even kidney dialysis patients with elevated calcium and phosphorous levels — which often lead to discontinuation of treatment with vitamin D — lived longer if they received the vitamin D injections.

The study authors said their findings must be confirmed by follow-up studies before more precise recommendations for vitamin D therapy can be made.

“While these results need to be verified, we at least need to be more aggressive in treating people that meet the current criteria. Thereafter we need to investigate what is the mechanism conferring this survival benefit. We are actively pursuing that with a focus on the effects of cardiovascular disease,” said Thadhani, who is also an assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School The National Kidney Foundation.

By Charles Stuart Platkin

When you’re thinking about what to eat, you need to ask yourself, “Will it keep me satisfied, or will I be hungry again in 30 minutes?” “Am I getting the vitamins and minerals I need, or am I just entertaining my mouth (and mind)?” The best food choices are the most nutrient-dense — foods that contain a large number of nutrients (e.g., vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc.) for relatively few calories. Here are a few food comparisons that will help you focus a bit more on the total profile of the foods you eat, instead of just the calories.

McDonald’s Hamburger vs. Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken

The burger (at 100 grams) is only 250 calories, but it isn’t as filling as the Premium Caesar Salad with Grilled Chicken (311 grams) at 220 calories. Pair the salad with Newman’s Own Low Fat Balsamic Vinaigrette and you have a total of 260 calories. Now keep in mind, this is really not a Caesar salad because you’re using a different dressing, but it’s a good choice. You get more than three times the volume for only 10 extra calories. And, believe it or not, the salad packs more protein: It has 30 grams versus only 12 grams for the burger — wow. The salad also offers 130 percent of the daily recommended value for vitamin A (0 for the burger), 50 percent for vitamin C (2 percent for the burger), and 20 percent of your recommended calcium allowance (compared with 10 percent for the burger). Plus, a burger typically comes with other unhealthy friends, such as fries and a soda. The only problem with the salad and the dressing is the sodium — it’s off the charts. The burger is also high, but the salad and dressing have more than twice as much.

Post Shredded Wheat vs. Wheaties

Post Shredded Wheat is 170 calories for one serving (1.75 ounces), and it’s just plain whole-grain wheat — nothing else. One serving of Wheaties (about an ounce) is 100 calories; however, it has only 3 grams of fiber, compared with 6 grams in Shredded Wheat. The Shredded Wheat also has twice the protein (6 grams), and the Wheaties has 4 grams of added sugar. Keep in mind, if you compare the cereals gram for gram, they are similar in calories (in one serving you get ¾ of an ounce more of the Shredded Wheat). However, if you look at the ingredients, the Shredded Wheat is much “cleaner.” Wheaties’ ingredients: whole wheat, sugar, salt, corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, brown sugar syrup, natural flavor, trisodium phosphate — not exactly a wholesome cereal when compared with the Shredded Wheat.

Hummus vs. Kraft French Onion Dip

One tablespoon of the French Onion dip is about 30 calories, whereas hummus — a Middle Eastern spread made from chickpeas, tahini (ground sesame seeds), roasted garlic and olive oil — has about 35 calories per tablespoon (1/2 ounce). However, the chickpeas (garbanzo beans) are high in fiber, folate, manganese (a trace mineral that helps energy production from proteins) and protein. Chickpeas also have phosphorous, vitamin C and iron.

If you want to make your own hummus, here is a great recipe that yields 10 ounces:

1 (15-ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained

4 cloves garlic, sliced

1 tablespoon tahini

Juice of 1 large lemon

¼ teaspoon sea salt or kosher salt

1 tablespoon water

1 tablespoon olive oil

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth, and you’re done.

1 tablespoon = 34.2 calories, 1.3g fat, 4.5g carbs, 1g fiber, 1.5g protein.

Olive Oil and Balsamic Vinegar vs. Wish-Bone Fat Free Italian Salad Dressing

The Wish-Bone Fat Free dressing is only 20 calories for 2 tablespoons. If you were to use 2 teaspoons of olive oil (however, try using a salad mister, not a spoon) that would be 80 calories, plus 14 more calories for a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar for 94 calories total. So, yes, it’s more, but you also get the benefits of the oil’s monounsaturated fats, which (in limited quantities) have been shown to help reduce your risk of heart disease. Plus, take a look at all the added ingredients and sugar in the low-fat dressing: water, high-fructose corn syrup, distilled vinegar, salt, garlic, soybean oil, onion, xanthan gum, red peppers, (ascorbic acid, sodium benzoate, calcium disodium EDTA), spices, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E), lemon juice concentrate, caramel color.

Brown Rice vs. White Rice

I’ve seen brown rice that is slightly higher in calories than white rice, but for the most part they’re close. For instance, 1 cup of cooked long-grain brown rice is about 216 calories, whereas 1 cup of cooked long-grain white rice is 205. However, that’s where the similarities end. The best place to start is the fiber: The brown rice has 3.5 grams of dietary fiber (14 percent of the recommended daily value) versus only 0.6 percent for the white rice. Fiber is helpful in a number of ways, but one key benefit is that it slows the digestion of food and prevents insulin spikes. Brown rice also has 87 micrograms or 22 percent of your recommended daily value for folic acid and 84 milligrams or 21 percent of your daily value for magnesium, which is helpful for energy and muscle relaxation. Finally, the brown rice has nearly double the amount of natural selenium (19.1 micrograms versus 11.8 micrograms), which research has shown to be helpful for those who are at high risk for prostate cancer or heart disease.

100 Percent Whole-Grain Bread vs. White Bread

Unless you’ve totally ignored the news, you already know that whole grains are better. But I’ve noticed that when people are at the market comparing food labels, they’re shocked that the whole-grain breads are often higher in calories. For instance, one slice of Pepperidge Farm 100% Natural 100% Whole Wheat Bread is 100 calories, whereas Pepperidge Farm Original White Bread is only 70 calories per slice. However, the whole-grain bread has more than triple the fiber, more iron, more calcium and double the protein. Also, keep in mind (just in case you have been a bit out of touch) that when grains are refined, other nutrients, such as vitamin E, vitamin B6 and magnesium, are removed. As a very important side note, make sure you buy only 100 percent whole-grain breads with no added ingredients. Many whole-grain breads have added sugars and other ingredients that you can certainly live without. As an example, look at Arnold Natural 100% Whole Wheat. I’m not sure what the “natural” means here, because even though all the ingredients — including added sugar, soybean oil, calcium sulfate, salt, yeast, cultured wheat starch, sugar cane fiber, molasses, etc. — are “natural” as opposed to “fake,” that doesn’t mean they ought to be in bread. And, yes, it’s only 90 calories per slice, and 100 percent whole grain, but it’s still not what you should be looking for.

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CHARLES STUART PLATKIN is a nutrition and public health advocate, founder and editor of DietDetective.com, the health and fitness network and author of The Diet Detective’s Calorie Bargain Bible (Simon & Schuster, 2007). Copyright 2008 by Charles Stuart Platkin. All rights reserved. Sign up for the free Diet Detective newsletter and iTunes podcast at www.DietDetective.com.

Lisa Bell, Know Your Numbers

Vitamin D is the only vitamin you don’t have to get from food, because it is also a hormone.

You need at least 200 IUs of vitamin D each day.

You can eat it, take a supplement, or let your body manufacture it when you are in the sun, but however you get it, you need vitamin D for strong muscles, bones, and teeth.

Doctors say it is just as important as calcium, because without D, your body can’t absorb the calcium.

If you are under 50 years old, you need 200 IU’s every day — 400 if you’re 50 to 70 years old and 600 if you’re over 70.

A little bit of sun or fortified dairy products are the easiest ways to get your vitamin D.

Life normally includes anxiety at different points. However, if you are constantly anxious for no reason you can figure out, and if your anxiety is difficult to control and long-lasting, you may have an anxiety disorder. The components in this natural treatment formula are designed to relieve anxiety as well as general nervousness. Included are powerful botanicals which have been proven to ease tension and facilitate peaceful sleep. St. John’s Wort Extract, Hops Extract, and Valerian Extract are some of the botanicals included in this formula.

Anxiety has many related unpleasant symptoms and associations. These include restlessness (as well as fatigue); trouble concentrating; irritability; muscle tension and sleep problems. St. John’s Wort Extract helps to maintain a steady mood and supports mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension.

When people reach middle age, the gel-like vitreous begins to liquefy and contract. The vitreous gel pulls away from the back wall of the eye, causing a posterior vitreous detachment. It is a common cause of floaters, and it is more common for people who are nearsighted, have undergone eye surgery, have had laser surgery of the eye, or have had inflammation inside the eye.

Anxiety has many related unpleasant symptoms and associations. Some of the symptoms of anxiety include restlessness, and also, contrarily, fatigue. Other symptoms are difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep problems. St. John’s Wort can facilitate a steady mood and support mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension.

St. John’s Wort Extract helps to maintain a steady mood and supports mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract can act as sedatives, inducing sleep and relieving anxiety and tension. Valerian Extract should be taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Skullcap Extract has historically been used as a sedative for people with nervous tension and insomnia, and may therefore be helpful in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder. Chamomile Extract contains active constituents that contribute to smooth-muscle relaxing action. People with anxiety disorder (also known as Nervousness or Panic Attacks) are often deficient in essential nutrients, including Calcium, Magnesium, and B Vitamins. Zinc is an essential mineral that is a component of enzymes that protect against free radicals caused by anxiety, and may be important in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder.

The ingredients in this formula include St. John’s Wort Extract. St. John’s Wort has a positive effect on mood and mental health. Hops Extract and Valerian Extract act as sedatives and can serve to induce sleep and relieve anxiety and tension. Valerian Extract should be taken 30 minutes before going to sleep. Historically, Skullcap extract has been used to calm those with nervous tension and insomnia. Therefore it is likely to be helpful in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder. Chamomile Extract contains active constituents that contribute to smooth-muscle relaxing action. Anxiety is sometimes exacerbated when the body is lacking essential nutrients. Lack of such nutrients as Calcium, Magnesium, and B Vitamins may contribute to anxiety. Enzymes that protect against free radicals contain Zinc, which may be important in the natural treatment of anxiety disorder.

I love greens for so many reasons, but mainly because they TASTE GREAT!!! In salad, sautéed in olive oil with a bit of garlic or stir fry in a festive mix, greens are my favorite food. However I know that many of you will only be coaxed into trying greens with a list of all of the great nutritional properties of these most wonderful vegetables, so here goes. Continue Reading…

Many dog owners wonder if using a canine supplement is a good idea. If you have a healthy dog or puppy, many experts caution against supplements. However, there can be benefits to supplements, especially if your dog is sick or has a health problem. Read on to learn tips to keeping your canine healthy. Continue Reading…

Sugar. What is it Good For? Absolutely… Nothing? I wouldn’t go that far.

It’s been a great contributor to some of the most debilitating diseases known to man. Diabetes, heart disorders of all types, adrenal disorders, allergy, endocrine disturbances, obesity, and brain chemistry disturbances. Continue Reading…