Effects Of Vitamin D And Skin's Physiology Examined

ScienceDaily (Feb. 24, 2008) — Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that previtamin D3 production varies depending on several factors including skin type and weather conditions. Excessive exposure to sunlight does not result in Vitamin D intoxification because previtamin D3 and vitamin D3 are photolyzed to several photoproducts. During the winter at latitudes above ~35 degrees, there is minimal if any previtamin D3 production in the skin.

Increased skin pigmentation, application of a sunscreen, aging and clothing have a dramatic effect on previtamin D3 production in the skin. It has been speculated that people living at higher latitudes may be able to more efficiently produce vitamin D3 in their skin because there is less ozone to absorb the UVB photons.

Forty-five nursing home residents who were taking a multivitamin that contained 400 IU of vitamin D2 showed a dramatic decline in their 25(OH)D levels from the end of summer to the beginning of the following summer. Forty-nine percent, 67 percent, 74 percent, and 78 percent of the nursing home residents were vitamin D deficient in August, November, February, and May respectively.

Fifteen healthy adults aged 20-53 received exposure three times per week from a commercial tanning bed that emitted five percent of its UV energy in the UVB range 290-320 nm to most of their body while in a bathing suit. 25(OH)D levels were determined weekly for a total of seven weeks.

Exposure of 7-dehydrocholesterol to tanning bed irradiation revealed -1 percent production of previtamin D after one minute and a linear increase to -10 percent at 10 minutes. After one week, there was a 50 percent increase in 25 (OH)D levels that continued to increase over a period of five weeks to -150 percent above baseline levels. The blood levels of 25 (OH)D plateaued after five weeks and were sustained out to seven weeks.

"Vitamin D deficiency is common in both children and adults worldwide," said Michael Holick, PhD, MD, director of the General Clinical Research Center and professor of medicine, physiology and biophysics at BUSM and senior author of this study. "Exposure to lamps that emit UVB radiation is an excellent source for producing vitamin D3 in the skin and is especially efficacious in patients with fat malabsortion syndromes."

It has been observed that living at higher latitudes and being more prone to vitamin D deficiency markedly increases risk of many deadly cancers including cancer of the colon, prostate, breast, and esophagus, according to Holick, who is also director of the Bone Healthcare Clinic and the vitamin D, Skin and Bone Research Laboratory at Boston University Medical Center. Living at higher latitudes also increase the risk of having hypertension, type I diabetes, multiple sclerosis and other autoimmune diseases, and infectious diseases including tuberculosis and influenza.

According to researchers, most experts now agree that a minimum of 1000 IU of vitamin D3 per day is necessary to maintain circulating concentrations of 25(OH)D.

The study will appear in the March 2008 issue of the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

This study was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health and the Ultraviolet Light Foundation.

Adapted from materials provided by Boston University.

GINSENG

The best known varieties of ginseng are Korean or Chinese ginseng (Panax ginseng) and Siberian ginseng (Eleutherococcus senticosus). Korean ginseng is considered to be more stimulating than Siberian ginseng. Ginseng has long been used in Chinese medicine as a tonic. The enhance to body’s ability to cope with stress, improve energy metabolism, lower blood sugar, blood immunity, enhance liver function, and regulate cell growth. Chemicals that are found in ginseng are arabinose, camphor, ginsenosides, mucilage, panaxosides, resin, saponin, and starch.

How This Mineral Works in Your Body:
Stimulates brain, heart, and blood vessels
Reduces stress and fatigue
Increases secretion of histamine
Improves appetite and digestion
Acts as a stimulant
Acts as an antioxidant
Treat rheumatic pain in the elderly
Used as an aphrodisiac
May increase mental and physical stamina
May treat symptoms of menopausejavascript:void(0)
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May reduce effects of radiation exposure
May reduce blood glucose in diabetics
May alleviate insomnia

Royal Jelly

Royal jelly is a milky-white, gelatinous substance secreted by the salivary glands of worker bees to stimulate growth and development of queen bees.

How This Supplement Works in Your Body:
No effects on the body have been proven.
May lengthen life span
May treat bone and joint disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis
May protect against leukemia
May contain antibiotic properties
May treat bronchial asthma
May treat insomnia
May treat liver and kidney disease

Warning :

• People with asthma or allergies to bee stings should be very careful when using bee products; they should avoid royal jelly entirely.
• Reminder: If you have a medical condition, talk to your doctor before taking supplements.

Immune System Support and Aging

Old age isn't so bad...when you consider the alternative. Right. In youth-oriented societies, the alternative is plastic surgery and, for men, finding trophy girlfriends. Relax. You can still date (Sherry Halperin humorously explores this in RESCUE ME, HE'S WEARING A MOOSE HAT AND FORTY OTHER DATES AFTER FIFTY) and exercise and eat right to look good. Some of our not-so-bad alternatives to putting on your mom's granny dress:

• Cinnamon will spice up your immune system and keep your heart healthy.
• Vitamin C and E--'nuff said.
• Acidophilus, so varicose veins and the portrayal of older women on TV don't turn your stomach.
• Luo Han Kuo from China, where they respect aging -- you're adventurous enough to try new things, right?
• Beta-carotene so you can eliminate free radicals like the ex-hippie you dated last night.

Old age isn't so bad...when nutrition smarts come with it. Immune system vitamins will keep you glowing and growing!

Heidi Splete