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Vitamin D - Is it safe?

February, 2008 -Here is a bit of controversy sent by a reader. "I found this article (dated Jan. 27, 2008) from the Science Daily...'new research demonstrates that ingested vitamin D is immunosuppressive and that low blood levels of vitamin D may be actually a result of the disease process. Supplementation may make the disease worse...Marshall's research has demonstrated how ingested vitamin D can actually block the Vitamin D Receptor [VDR] activation, the opposite effect to that of Sunshine.' The link is here; http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080125223302.htm" The article prompting this story was pubished in Bioessays. 2008 Feb;30(2):173-82. NUTRITION INVESTIGATOR COMMENTS: VDR is a gene that has different forms in different groups, and in this linked study, the level of VDR activity and vitamin D were unrelated. In another study, [Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Nov;54(11):3719-20] the autoimmune disease rheumatoid arthritis was found to be inversely related to vitamin D intake from food and supplements. That means those who got less vitamin D were more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis. So getting more vitamin D prevents the immune system from malfunctioning. The evidence shows that vitamin D and VDR are connected with the immune response, but how they coordinate to aid the system is unclear. Given the overwhelming evidence currently favoring vitamin D presented by Holick who chairs the Federal panel of vitamin D, high dosage vitamin D remains the consensus to maintain bone strength, build a healthy immune system, reduce the risk of cancer, and have a successful pregnancy.

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