Ann's Herbal Blog

A study published recently in the British Medical Journal has found that a vitamin-mineral combination of vitamin D and calcium significantly reduced fractures by 8%, and hip fractures by 16%. The study involved almost 70,000 people across Europe and the US and the reduction in risk was for everyone, regardless of age or gender.

Source:

British Medical Journal
2010; 340: b5463 Published online, doi: 10.1136/bmj.b5463
Abrahamsen.  Patient level pooled analysis of 68 500 patients from seven major vitamin D fracture trials in US and Europe

All the huge amount of research coming up about Vitamin D has made me realise how little sun exposure we get these days – especially women. Almost all face creams and foundations contain SPF at some level – usually 15 – so even on normal days we are not exposed to the sun. And when we actually sunbathe even higher factors seem to be de rigeur.

I have recently been diagnosed with coeliac disease and during all the tests they discovered that my Vitamin D levels were 40% of what they should be. As a result I am having to supplement with calcium as well as Vitamin D. There is no question in my mind that I feel better, sleep better, have more energy and less aching joints.

Anyone know of any nice tinted moisturisers which do not contain SPF?

Yet more on Vitamin D……………

A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism has found that low vitamin D levels may be associated with the accumulation of fat in muscle tissue, leading to lower muscle strength.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism
Published online ahead of print, doi: doi: 10.121o/jc. 2009-2309
Gilsanz, Kremer et al.  Vitamin D Status and Its Relation to Muscle Mass and Muscle Fat in Young Women

A systematic research review in the UK has found that high levels of vitamin D among middle-age and elderly populations are associated with a substantial decrease in cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Furthermore, the decreased risk could even be as high as 43%.

This review adds to a fast growing body of research on the importance of vitamin D and the many health benefits now linked to it.  It is now no longer just important for bone health, but vitamin D deficiency is also linked to a large range of health problems from heart disease and stroke to autoimmune problems and Alzheimer’s Disease.

Vitamin D is not present in many food sources but is primarily manufactured in the skin following contact with sunlight. Compared to our evolutionary ancestors, we now spend very little time in the sun, which has been compounded recently by concerns over skin cancer risk.

In order to ensure optimal daily intake of vitamin D, experts now recommend that supplementation with vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol) is advisable.

References:

Parker, Hashmi et al. Levels of vitamin D and cardiometabolic disorders: systematic review and meta-analysis. Maturitas 2010 Mar; 65 (3): 225-36 Epub 2009 Dec 23

Evidence that coffee isn’t always a villain

Researchers have demonstrated that an increased intake of coffee may reduce the risk of lethal and advanced prostate cancers by 60%.

Kathryn Wilson, PhD, from Harvard Medical School and the Harvard School of Public Health said,“Coffee has effects on insulin and glucose metabolism as well as sex hormone levels, all of which play a role in prostate cancer.  It was plausible that there may be an association between coffee and prostate cancer”.

We all know that we feel happier in the sunshine and now a new study has confirmed that low levels of Vitamin D are linked to an increased risk of depression. This link is stronger in women than in men.

Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism
Published online ahead of print, doi: 10.1210/jc.2010-0347
Milaneschi, Shardell et al. “Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D and Depressive Symptoms in Older Women and Men”

It’s only a small study but a researchers from the University of Cincinatti have shown that a group of 18 people in their 70s with memory loss who drunk two cups of blueberry juice per day for 12 weeks had improved memory and less depression. They attribute this effect to the blue pigment in blueberries which contains potent antioxidants called anthocyanins.

Bilberries have been traditionally used as a remedy for ailments ranging from diarrhoea and poor night vision to blood sugar control, but improvement of mental function is a promising new finding.

Krikorian R et al. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry 2010 (Jan 4)

Vitamin D Reduces Colorectal Cancer Risk

A new study published in the British Medical Journal, said to be the largest of its kind to date, has found that increased blood levels of vitamin D may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by as much as 40%.

In the study, researchers used dietary and lifestyle data and collected blood samples from over half a million people participating in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer Study (EPIC).

The researchers found that blood levels below 50 – 75 nanomoles per litre were associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer. The association was stronger for colon cancer than rectal cancer.

The researchers also found that,

“Additionally, higher consumption of dietary calcium, but not dietary vitamin D, was found to be associated with a reduced risk of colorectal cancer”.

They concluded,
“However, before any public health recommendations can be made for vitamin D supplementation, new randomised trials are needed to test the hypothesis that increases in circulating 25-(OH)D concentration are effective in reducing colorectal cancer risk without inducing serious adverse events”.

Colorectal cancer accounts for 9% of new cancer cases every year and remains one of the most curable cancers if an early diagnosis is made.

Source:
British Medical Journal
2010; 340: b5500, doi:10.1136/bmj.b5500
Jenab, Bueno-de-Mesquita et al. “Association between pre-diagnostic circulating vitamin D concentration and risk of colorectal cancer in European populations: a nested case-control study.”

Herbal Medicine under threat

If we want to preserve access to medicines which have an unbroken history going back thousands of years we need to ACT NOW. In spite of 10 years of negotiation and a 2008 Steering Group report which recommended that Statutory Regulation should go ahead, the Government has issued yet another unnecessary consultation document:

http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_103567

I am asking visitors to my site to write to the Department of Health
immediately with a response to this Consultation Document. Replies must be received by the end of October to be valid. They should be sent to:-

AHMTCM Consultation Team
Department of Health
Room 2N09
Quarry House
Quarry Hill
Leeds LS2 7UE

Alternatively you may wish to respond to the document directly online via the automated response system. When you click on the link above, you will see a link to the automated response system at the very bottom of the page.

Many of the questions you may find difficult or impossible to answer. That’s fine – just say so. If you would prefer some guidance on how to complete the consultation, go to www.nimh.org.uk and click on the green square on the home page. You will find specimen answers to the questions as well as specimen letters for your MP.

You may find it easier to send an email to your MP – you will find this facility at http://findyourmp.parliament.uk/

If you would like more guidance in formulating your responses or your letters, go to http://actnow.nimh.org.uk/2009/10/act-for-choice-of-herbal-medicine-in.html and click on the green square on the home page. This will take you to a selection of specimen answers and letters.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP!