In honor of SmartyPants gummies now carrying 50% more vitamin D, this week’s post focuses on – you guessed it – vitamin D! As winter looms ahead, the benefits of having good vitamin D levels can’t be stressed enough. Let’s take a look at what others are saying this week on the web about this amazing vitamin.
Low Vitamin D Levels and HIV in Women
The Vitamin D Council reported on a study that shows that women who had the HIV virus who also had low vitamin D levels gained fewer of a certain type of immune-fighting white blood cells when they started their treatment late in the course of their illness. Those with good vitamin D levels gained almost 30% of these cells than those with low vitamin D levels.
Low Vitamin D Levels and Women’s Brain Health
AARP shares results of several studies on the link between low vitamin D levels and Alzheimer’s disease and other types of brain function decline. Researchers studied almost 500 women and found that those with low vitamin D levels were more likely to suffer from this illness. A review of over 6000 women showed that those with low vitamin D levels were more at risk for like issues.
Good Vitamin D Levels Boosts Mood?
Yep. That’s right. Don’t throw away your Prozac yet, but recent research supports a strong link between vitamin D levels and mood. In-house writer Diane Dean outlines the research on low vitamin D levels and depression. The research review includes noting the link between low vitamin D levels in teens, women and men. It also outlines one study of three women with severe mood symptoms that somewhat remitted when treated with vitamin D supplements for 8-12 weeks. This blog also stressed that vitamin D3 is the form of the vitamin that is best absorbed.
Will Having Good Vitamin D Levels Help Prevent Diabetes?
Kathie Bacon, in The Atlantic, discussed her and her husband’s guilt around perhaps having been able to prevent her daughter’s type I diabetes. Kathie describes research that links diabetes to low vitamin D levels, and regrets not having had her daughter’s vitamin D levels tested. Now? Her son takes 2000 mg of vitamin D per day. A poignant story that tugs at parents’ heart strings for certain.
Low Vitamin D Levels May Cause Tooth Decay
Yes, teeth are bones, yet we sometimes forget. Studies on vitamin D and its effect on dental decay and noted that those with increased vitamin D levels had 50 percent fewer cavities. The Dental Tribune reminds us why vitamin D rules, whether we get it through sunlight or vitamin D supplements. This is not exactly novel research, as an original research article on the subject was published in 1939!
Fight Colds This Winter—With Vitamin D Supplements
We usually think of vitamin C at year’s end when flu season prevails. But a recent study of vitamin D levels and lung health showed that taking a vitamin D supplements (in fortified foods or a vitamin) may help to reduce colds and the flu. In-house writer Ana Johnson reports on a study that showed that vitamin D supplements can boost the immune system, reducing colds and the flu by 50%, likely due to its effect on white blood cells.
SmartyPants Announces More Vitamin D is in Their Gummy Vitamins!
Writer and editor Owen Fertel highlights why there’s more vitamin D in SmartyPants gummy. He outlines the research on this vitamin and our widespread deficiency, as well as reassuring us that the added amount is not over the top. Owen reminds us of the need for this vitamin, as well as listing dietary sources, such as:
- fortified dairy products, cereals and orange juice
- eggs
- certain fish
References and Resources:
- http://www.vitamindcouncil.org/vitamin-d-may-increase-womens-ability-to-fight-hiv-/
- http://blog.aarp.org/2012/12/03/vitamin-d-tied-to-womens-brain-health/
- http://smartypantsvitamins.com/vitamin-d-may-reduce-depression-for-all-ages/
- http://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2012/12/if-we-had-been-giving-our-daughter-vitamin-d-would-she-still-have-developed-diabetes/266010/
- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2209467/
- http://smartypantsvitamins.com/vitamin-d-may-thwart-kids-winter-colds/
- http://smartypantsvitamins.com/smartypants-all-in-one-vitamins-now-with-more-vitamin-d/
- http://smartypantsvitamins.com/
- http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/content/id/10920/scope/news/region/americas
