The Vitamin D Cure Blog

The Vitamin D Cure is a breakthrough self-help book that takes the most recent scientific ideas and provides a practical program to promote the reader’s health. Here is some of what the Vitamin D Cure provides:

• Explains how vitamin D works in health and how deficiency causes disease.
• Recommends routine measurement of vitamin D levels for health screening.
• Tables help calculate accurate vitamin D replacement using your weight.
• Provides a single table to estimate safe unprotected sun exposure using the UV index.
• Promotes a Paleolithic diet that balances acid-base by emphasizing adequate lean protein from animals and fish combined with generous vegetable matter. (Tables and worksheets)
• Targets supplementation of vitamin D, omega 3 fats, and magnesium.
• Describes exercises to optimize vitamin D metabolism, weight loss, and quality of life.

The Vitamin D Cure introduces the importance of vitamin D and diet as EPIGENETIC influences on the risk for disease as an older child and adult.

The Vitamin D Cure is the first book that emphasizes the importance of vitamin D and diet in altering the development of our MICROBIOTA. These are the bacteria in our colon that shape our growth and development.

I encourage the reader to explore all the nooks and crannies in this book. Take out your highlighter and mark it up and write in the margins. That’s what paper books are for. You will find that this book is packed with information. The references online are organized by chapter and many are linked to full text through PubMed. Take advantage of these links, they are your tax dollars at work.

Recipe of the Month
Remember our recipes are courtesy of Chef Kelly (kellychez@gmail.com). If you have recipes you would like to share or convert to follow the rules of The Vitamin D Cure send them to contact@thevitamindcure.com or post them as comments on the blog.

Mixed Herb Greens with Grilled Chicken, Fresh Raspberries, Pistachios and Balsamic Vinaigrette
Serves 4

4 chicken breasts (about 4 oz. each)
Fresh lemon slices & Pepper
8 cups mixed greens with herbs
1 cup fresh raspberries
1/2 cup pistachios, chopped
1 small red onion, sliced thin
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
2 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1 tsp. honey
3/4 cup olive or canola oil

Preheat grill to medium-high heat. Season chicken breasts with fresh squeezed lemon juice and pepper and grill about 4 minutes a side or until juices run clear. Let the chicken rest for 10 minutes then slice.

In a large serving bowl put the mixed greens. Next evenly sprinkle the raspberries, pistachios, and red onion. Top salad with sliced chicken.

In a small food processor place the balsamic vinegar, garlic, Dijon and honey; pulse a few times. With the machine running, slowly drizzle in the olive or canola oil until it has all been incorporated. Season with lemon juice and pepper. Drizzle over salad and serve.

Vitamin D in the News

Is casual exposure to summer sunlight effective at maintaining adequate vitamin D
status? No

A study from the UK shows that current advice about modest sun exposure during the summer months does little in the way of boosting overall 25(OH)D levels. Moreover, they comment that failure to understand the nature of human exposure to sunlight leads to misguided advice concerning the sun exposure necessary for an adequate vitamin D status. See the sun exposure tool on The Vitamin D Cure website to calculate accurate exposure times based on real time UV index data.

Photodermatol Photoimmunol Photomed. 2010 Aug;26(4):172-6.

A study published last month verified this by exposing volunteers to 1.3 erythemal dose of simulated sun apparently only 13 minutes of exposure three times a week during the winter at 53 degrees north latitude. After 6 weeks of this exposure 74% of the volunteers were still deficient. Only 26% of the volunteers had vitamin D levels above 32 ng/mL, which is the cut off for normal.

This tells us that 13 minutes of sun wearing T-shirt and shorts 3 times a week is not enough sun exposure to raise vitamin D levels into the normal range. As we recommend in the Vitamin D Cure, 50% of skin exposure or more is necessary and now more than 3 exposures a week appear to be necessary for sunlight to normalize vitamin D levels in the short summer of the UK. Over exposure becomes a concern with longer times and more frequent exposures. The Vitamin D Cure provides an alternative to struggling for enough sun exposure. Supplementation is an easy and safe way to normalize your vitamin D levels. When combined with dietary and exercise recommendations in the Vitamin D Cure, your vitamin D system is sure to be optimized.

J Invest Dermatol. 2010 May;130(5):1411-8. Epub 2010 Jan 14. Photobiology Unit, Dermatological Sciences, School of Translational Medicine, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Hospital, Manchester, UK.

Vitamin D Success Story
Please share your successes at success@thevitamindcure.com or online at Amazon.
Your success story has a powerful impact on motivating others to change their lifestyle.

See my recent interview in the Detroit News.

This blog focuses on the heart and soul of health. The Vitamin D Cure emphasizes nutrition, targeted supplements, and exercise. Omega 3 fats and exercise were all over the science news in the last week. Remember in the book we recommend about 15 mg/lb of body weight daily of omega 3 fats from diet and supplement. We also recommend at least 30 minutes of exercise a day and aerobic exercise at least 3 times a week.

And this month for the palate, we have a vitamin D rich recipe of Salmon with asparagus and mushrooms. For Valentines Day you might chase this with some dark chocolate and a glass of port. Yuuuumy!

Recipe of the Month
Remember our recipes are courtesy of Chef Kelly (kellychez@gmail.com). If you have recipes you would like to share or convert to follow the rules of The Vitamin D Cure send them to contact@thevitamindcure.com.

Seared Salmon with Asparagus & Mushrooms

Ingredients:
• 4 Fresh skinless wild salmon fillets (about 1 pound)
• Salt & Pepper
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 2 cups sliced assorted mushrooms (such as button, cremini, shittake)
• 1 cup onion, chopped
• 6 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme, chopped
• 1 cup dry white wine
• 1 cup clam juice, fish stock, chicken stock or broth (whatever you have)
• 2 cups asparagus, cut into 1 1/2 in. long pieces
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 Tbsp. fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tsp. lemon juice

Directions:
• Pat fish dry and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Add onion, garlic and thyme; cook until mushrooms are tender. Add the wine and bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes or until liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup.
• Add clam juice (or stock) and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for another 15 minutes or until the liquid is reduced to 3/4 cup.
• Add the asparagus and cover; cook for about 3 minutes or until al dente (crisp-tender.) Stir in the tomatoes, parsley and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to a serving platter; keep warm.
• In the same skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the salmon and cook for 4-6 minutes per 1/2 inch thickness, or until fish flakes easily with a fork, turning once.
• Serve salmon over vegetable mixture and garnish with lemon wedges and fresh thyme.
Makes: 4 Servings

Vitamin D, Diet, and Exercise in the News

Association of marine omega-3 fatty acid levels with telomeric aging in patients with coronary heart disease.
JAMA. 2010 Jan 20;303(3):250-7.
Division of Cardiology, Room 5G1, San Francisco General Hospital, 1001 Potrero Ave, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.

CONTEXT: Increased dietary intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids is associated
with prolonged survival in patients with coronary heart disease. However, the
mechanisms underlying this protective effect are poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To
investigate the association of omega-3 fatty acid blood levels with temporal changes in telomere length, an emerging marker of biological age. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: 608 ambulatory outpatients in California with stable coronary artery disease recruited from the Heart and Soul Study RESULTS: Individuals in the lowest quartile of DHA+EPA experienced the fastest rate of telomere shortening, whereas those in the highest quartile experienced the slowest rate of telomere shortening (P < .001 for linear trend across quartiles). Levels of DHA+EPA were associated with less telomere shortening before and after sequential adjustment for established risk factors and potential confounders. Each 1-SD increase in DHA+EPA levels was associated with a 32% reduction in the odds of telomere shortening. CONCLUSION: Among this cohort of patients with coronary artery disease, there was an inverse relationship between baseline blood levels of marine omega-3 fatty acids and the rate of telomere shortening over 5 years.

Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Indicated Prevention of Psychotic Disorders:A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.
Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2010 Feb;67(2):146-54.
Orygen Youth Health Research Centre, 35 Poplar Rd. Vienna, Austria

CONTEXT: The use of antipsychotic medication for the prevention of psychotic disorders is controversial. Long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be beneficial in a range of psychiatric conditions, including schizophrenia. Given that omega-3 PUFAs are generally beneficial to health and without clinically relevant adverse effects, their preventive use in psychosis merits investigation. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether omega-3 PUFAs reduce the rate of progression to first-episode psychotic disorder in adolescents and young adults aged 13 to 25 years with subthreshold psychosis. DESIGN: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted between 2004 and 2007. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-one individuals at ultra-high risk of psychotic disorder. INTERVENTIONS: A 12-week intervention period of 1.2-g/d omega-3 PUFA or placebo was followed by a 40-week monitoring period; the total study period was 12 months. RESULTS: 93.8% completed the intervention. By 12 months, 2 of 41 individuals (4.9%) in the omega-3 group and 11 of 40 (27.5%) in the placebo group had transitioned to psychotic disorder (P = .007). The difference between the groups in the cumulative risk of progression to full-threshold psychosis was 22.6% (95% confidence interval, 4.8-40.4). Omega-3 Polyunsaturated fatty acids also significantly reduced positive symptoms (P = .01), negative symptoms (P = .02), and general symptoms (P = .01) and improved functioning (P = .002) compared with placebo. The incidence of adverse effects did not differ between the treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Long-chain omega-3 PUFAs reduce the risk of progression to psychotic disorder and may offer a safe and efficacious strategy for indicated prevention in young people with sub-threshold psychotic states.

COMMENT: Higher omega 3 blood levels in heart patients appear to be associated with slower shortening of telomeres in white blood cells. Remember, the lengths of telomeres are associated with longevity or survival. In data edited from the book, the use of cod-liver oil to prevent rickets in Finland appeared to reduce the risk for schizophrenia in men 30 years later by as much as 78 percent. But, was this benefit from the vitamin D, the vitamin A or the omega 3 fats found in cod liver oil? This second study shows us that the omega-3 fats are playing an important role in this protection, and perhaps at any age preceding the onset of psychosis. It would break my heart if you didn’t take your omega 3 supplements.

Resistance training and executive functions: a 12-month randomized controlled trial.
Arch Intern Med. 2010 Jan 25;170(2):170-8.
Brain Research Centre, Centre for Hip Health and Mobility, Vancouver Coastal Research Institute, Department of Physical Therapy, University of British Columbia. 357-2647 Willow St, Vancouver, BC V5Z 3P1, Canada.

According the authors, among community-dwelling women aged 65 to 75 years, 12 months of progressive resistance training once or twice weekly improved selective attention and conflict resolution relative to twice-weekly balance and toning exercises. They also found that resistance training twice weekly improved peak quadriceps muscle power. This is the first study to demonstrate that engaging in progressive resistance training as infrequently as once a week can significantly benefit executive cognitive function in community-dwelling senior women.

In the same issue were two additional corroborating studies…

Physical activity and incident cognitive impairment in elderly persons: the INVADE study.
Arch Intern Med. 2010 Jan 25;170(2):186-93. Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany. Conclusion: Moderate or high physical activity is associated with a reduced incidence of cognitive impairment after 2 years in a large population-based cohort of elderly subjects.

Physical activity at midlife in relation to successful survival in women at age 70 years or older. Arch Intern Med. 2010 Jan 25;170(2):194-201. Department of Nutrition, Harvard School of Public Health, 655 Huntington Ave, Boston, MA 02115, USA. Conclusion: These data provide evidence that higher levels of midlife physical activity are associated with exceptional health status among women who survive to older ages and corroborate the potential role of physical activity in improving overall health.

These data validate the Jack Lalanne phenomenon and the message in the Vitamin D Cure. Eat healthy, exercise hard, take some targeted supplements like vitamin D, omega 3 and magnesium, and you will live a long, healthy and vigorous life.

Vitamin D Success Story
Please share your successes at success@thevitamindcure.com or online at Amazon. Your success story has a powerful impact on motivating others to change their lifestyle.

Hi Dr Dowd,

… I have been suffering with joint pain, muscle weakness, bone pain for 3 years. I am a 52 year old female. It was hard moving, getting up from a chair, holding heavy objects in my hands and so on. I have gone to physical therapist, with not much change. I have seen rheumatologists and also an endocrinologist…with no relief. I was given Lortab and steroids. They help for a little while. Last May my vitamin D was measured and was 20 or insufficient. My then rheumatologist told me to just supplement with D 3. Recently I bought a chewable D 3 1000 from GNC for my son and took one myself. The next day when I woke up, it was like I had gotten a huge steroid shot. It was unbelievable. I felt relieved. My pain was very minimal. My low back pain was gone. My back has been a problem for more than 3 years. … I bought your book last night and read it from beginning to end. …

Thank you,
Judy, from MI

Should I eat my vegetables raw or cooked? If I am taking an acid suppressing drug for my stomach, how does this affect digestion? These are some recurring questions I have been asked over the last year.

Let’s ask Mother Nature. Ruminant or grazing animals have lots of large flat teeth for chewing and grinding vegetable matter. Humans on the other hand have relatively few large teeth for grinding. Ruminant animals also have very large guts to process all the cellulose from vegetable matter like grasses. They have 3-4 compartments that make up their stomach as opposed to the human stomach which is a single compartment. Unlike the human stomach, ruminants ferment the food bolus with micro-organisms in their stomach. Their stomach is a bioreactor that produces the volatile organic acids (similar to vinegar) from which they obtain nutrition. The human stomach secretes acid to begin digestion primarily of protein.

Since our gut does not process our vegetables as in cattle, it helps to provide some of this processing before consumption. Cooking is only one of these methods of pre-processing vegetable matter for consumption. Chopping vegetables into small pieces enhances nutrient acquisition. Pureeing vegetable matter takes this one step further. Mixing vegetable matter with volatile organic acids such as vinegar will not only help kill unwanted bacterial but will enhance nutrient acquisition. Similarly the addition of oil to dressings increases the amounts of fat soluble nutrients available for absorption such as vitamins A, E, K and D.

Cooking vegetables increases some nutrients and decreases other nutrients. Fat soluble vitamins and minerals like magnesium are more available from cooked vegetables than from raw vegetables. Anti-oxidants and some water soluble nutrients like vitamin C decay the longer they are exposed to heat and the higher the heat applied. So ideally you should eat both cooked and raw vegetables. Steaming, programmed microwaving, and lightly sautéing in oil are the preferred methods of cooking. You can make raw purees with oil and vinegar and use as dressing on lightly cooked vegetables and cooked meats, thus combining these methods.

The addition of vinegar or citrus acids like lemon juice will enhance the absorption of minerals such as calcium, iron, and magnesium from food. This is a particularly useful technique for individuals who have had gastric bypass, or gastric surgery that reduces the capacity of their stomach to produce acid. Patients taking acid suppressing drugs due to heart burn should eliminate grain and dairy from their diet. This may allow them to discontinue their acid suppressing agent. Starches from grain and potatoes are prime culprits in producing reflux and heart burn.

Recipe of the Month
Remember our recipes are courtesy of Chef Kelly (kellychez@gmail.com). If you have recipes you would like to share or convert to follow the rules of The Vitamin D Cure send them to contact@thevitamindcure.com .

Cilantro and Chile stuffed Jumbo Shrimp
Serves 4

Ingredients:• 8 jumbo shrimp, in the shell (about 1 1/4 pounds)
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves stripped
• Juice of 2 limes (about 1/4 cup)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt, plus additional for seasoning
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 clove garlic, chopped
• 1/2 large jalapeno, with seeds
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Directions:
Prepare the grill to medium-high. Without removing the shells, slit about 3/4 of the way through the shrimp down the ridged back and remove the vein that runs down the center. Rinse and pat the shrimp dry.

Next, whisk the thyme leaves, lime juice, 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt and black pepper, to taste, in a shallow bowl. Lay the shrimp cut side down in the lime mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

In a food processor, pulse the garlic, jalapeno, scallions, remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt to make a coarse paste. Add the cilantro and pulse just enough to incorporate into the mixture. Spoon the mixture into the opening in the shrimp and close the shrimp.

Grill the shrimp shell side down (to keep filling from falling out) for 3 minutes. Turn to the other shell side, cover, and grill another 2 minutes or until the shrimp turn pink and are slightly firm to the touch. Sprinkle with salt and serve.

*Great served over a spinach salad with red onions, heirloom tomatoes, toasted pinenuts and a cilantro-lime vinaigrette.

Vitamin D Success Story
Please share your successes at success@thevitamindcure.com or online at Amazon. Your success story has a powerful impact on motivating others to change their lifestyle.

Dear Dr Dowd,

Congratulations on your book, one of only a few written by physicians using vitamin D in their practice. I have been taking vitamin D for about three years and my 25OHD3 level was 71ng/ml the last time it was tested, using the local Labcorp facility, thru services provided by Life Extension. I have gradually increased by daily dosage over the last few years, starting at a level of about 50 and gradually increasing it to where it is today by taking 8000 IU per day. I am 89 years old and play tennis twice a week. I am sure that the vitamin D is responsible for my ability to keep going. I also would like to mention that I have been using only potassium chloride as a table salt for the last three years and my K levels have always stayed within limits over the three years. Keep up the good work!

M Ferguson
Indio, Ca

July 2009

Just a comment on health policy: There is no better time than now to write your congress persons about healthcare reform. The key word is healthcare, note; it does not say health insurance reform. Giving more money in the form of premiums to health insurance companies does not make anybody healthier, it simply costs money. Insurances are in the business of holding on to their money (actually your money). We need HEALTHCARE reform. This would imply making Americans healthier. How much do you think flood insurance costs in Scottsdale, Arizona? You probably can’t sell it to anybody because it never floods. But, I’ll bet it’s really inexpensive. Now, if everybody were as healthy as Jack LaLanne is at 95 how expensive would health insurance be? It would be really inexpensive. How much of the health care system do you think Jack has used over the years? Almost none. Healthcare crisis solved. We all need to do our part to live a healthy lifestyle through diet, exercise, and some targeted supplements. Anything that can incentivize this behavior and penalize unhealthy behavior will lower costs and improve the health of Americans. The taxes and public health campaigns against cigarette smoking are a testament to the success of this approach. Prevention is the only affordable solution to this healthcare crisis. The Vitamin D Cure is a step in that direction.

Don’t forget to use the UV Calculator on the website this summer for safe sun exposure http://www.thevitamindcure.com/calculator/

Recipe of the Month
Remember our recipes are courtesy of Chef Kelly (kellychez@gmail.com). If you have recipes you would like to share or convert to follow the rules of The Vitamin D Cure send them to contact@thevitamindcure.com .

Roasted Salmon & Bok Choy with Roasted Red Pepper Puree
Yield: 4 Servings

Ingredients:
• 3 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1-1 ½ lbs. Salmon Fillet, cut into 4 portions
• Salt & Pepper, to taste
• 1 ½ lb. Bok Choy, cut cross grain in ¼- ½ inch pieces
• ½ tsp. lemon zest, grated
• 6 oz. roasted red peppers, drained
• 2 Tbsp. Olive Oil
• 1 clove garlic
• Dash of Tabasco
• Salt & Pepper, to taste

Procedure
• Heat oven to 475 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Heat olive oil in a skillet large enough to hold fish in a single layer.
• Season fish with salt and pepper and place fish, flesh-side down, in skillet and place in oven to roast for about 10 minutes, turning carefully once halfway through cooking time, until just cooked through.
• Remove salmon from the skillet; tent with foil.
• Add bok choy and lemon zest to skillet, stir to coat with pan’s oil. Place in oven 1 to 2 minutes, until leaves are wilted and stems are warmed through.
• To make puree, blend peppers, olive oil, garlic and Tabasco in a blender until smooth; season with salt and pepper to taste.
• To serve, divide greens on four plates; top each with a piece of fish. Finish with the puree over the fish.

Vitamin D in the News

Effect of vitamin D on blood pressure’ a systematic review and meta-analysis.
J Hypertens. 2009 Jul 7.
Section of Ageing and Health, Scotland Department of Clinical Pharmacology, Centre for Cardiovascular and Lung Biology, Division of Medical Sciences, University of Dundee, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee, Scotland.

Vitamin D insufficiency has been linked to hypertension and cardiovascular events in observational studies. It is unclear whether vitamin D supplementation can reduce blood pressure, and, if so, by how much. METHODS: Researchers performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to examine whether vitamin D reduces blood pressure. Interventions included activated vitamin D, unactivated vitamin D2 and D3 and ultraviolet B radiation. RESULTS: Eleven randomized, controlled trials fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Studies were small and of variable methodological quality. Mean baseline blood pressure was more than 140/90 mmHg in eight studies. Meta-analysis of these eight studies showed a non-significant reduction in systolic blood pressure in the vitamin D group compared with placebo [-3.6 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) -8.0 to 0.7]. A small, statistically significant reduction was seen in diastolic blood pressure (-3.1 mmHg, 95% CI -5.5 to -0.6). Subgroup analysis suggested that unactivated vitamin D produced a greater fall in systolic blood pressure than activated vitamin D (-6.2 mmHg, 95% CI -12.32 to -0.04, vs. +0.7 mmHg, 95% CI
-4.8 to 6.2). No reduction in blood pressure was seen in studies examining patients whose blood pressure was normal at baseline. CONCLUSION: The researchers found weak evidence to support a small effect of vitamin D on blood pressure in studies of hypertensive patients.

Chronic Tension-Type Headache With Vitamin D Deficiency: Casual or Causal Association?
Headache. 2009 Jul 8.
From the Department of Neurology, Medical College, Baroda, Gujarat, India; Department of Psychiatry, Medical College, Baroda, Gujarat, India

The prevalence of tension-type headache and vitamin D deficiency are both very high in the general population. The inter-relations between the two have not been explored in the literature. These researchers report 8 patients with chronic tension-type headache and vitamin D deficiency severe enough to cause osteomalacia (a bone disease caused by severe vitamin D deficiency). All the patients responded poorly to conventional therapy for tension headache. The headache and osteomalacia of each of the 8 patients responded to vitamin D and calcium supplementation. The improvement in the headache was much earlier than the improvements in the symptom complex of osteomalacia.

This phenomenon is not common in European Americans but in peoples of color with much lower vitamin D levels headache is likely a common symptom of vitamin D deficiency.

Replete vitamin D stores predict reproductive success following in vitro fertilization.
Kocaeli University, School of Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Kocaeli, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE: The researchers wanted to determine whether 25OH-D levels in the follicular fluid (FF) of infertile women undergoing in-vitro fertilization (IVF) were related with IVF cycle parameters or outcome, hypothesizing that vitamin D in body fluids are reflective of vitamin repletion status. PATIENT(S): Eighty-four infertile women undergoing IVF. INTERVENTION(S): Follicular fluid from follicles >/=14mm; serum (n = 10) and FF levels of 25OH-D. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Clinical pregnancy (CP), defined as evidence of intrauterine gestation sac on ultrasound, following IVF; IVF cycle parameters. RESULT(S): Serum and FF levels of 25OH-D were highly correlated (r = 0.94). In a predominantly Caucasian population (66%), significantly lower FF 25OH-D levels were noted in Black versus non-Black patients. Significant inverse correlations were seen between FF 25OH-D levels and body mass index (r = -0.25). Significantly higher cycle parameters (CP) and implantation rates were observed across 25th percentiles of FF 25OH-D; patients achieving CP following IVF (n = 26) exhibited significantly higher FF levels of 25OH-D. Multivariable logistic regression analysis confirmed FF 25OH-D levels as an independent predictor to success of an IVF cycle; adjusting for age, body mass index, ethnicity, and number of embryos transferred, each ng/mL increase in FF 25OH-D increased the likelihood for achieving CP by 6%. CONCLUSION(S): Our findings that women with higher vitamin D level in their serum and FF are significantly more likely to achieve CP following IVF-embryo transfer are novel. A potential for benefit of vitamin D supplementation on treatment success in infertile patients undergoing IVF is suggested and merits further investigation.

This is consistent with a similar smaller study that identified high rates of vitamin D deficiency in infertile women with polycystic ovarian disease. And, that replacement of vitamin D increased the rate of successful pregnancy in this same population.

Vitamin D Success Story
Please share your successes at success@thevitamindcure.com or online at Amazon. Your success story has a powerful impact on motivating others to change their lifestyle.

The mother of a patient of mine shared this with me and also posted it on Amazon. Don’t forget your children when thinking about vitamin D.

“My son was lucky to be referred to Dr. Dowd when he was 13 years old. Dr. Dowd discovered he didn’t have rheumatoid arthritis (like his MD has suspected) or even “growing pains” like I suspected, but had low levels of vitamin D. After 4-6 weeks of vitamin D supplements, all his joint pain was gone! In addition, he stays much healthier (colds, flu, etc.) and much to our surprise, the warts on his feet finally went away…after three different doctors and three different methods of treatment for the warts! “

“Having the opportunity to meet Dr. Dowd is amazing. He is so smart and able to explain the immune system and the role of vitamin D in language even my 13 year old son could understand. Three years later, and my son is still symptom free as long as he keeps taking the vitamin D.”

Remember the type of suns rays that are necessary for vitamin D production (UVB) are only available between spring blossoms and fall colors. This season is long in the Southern United States but here in Michigan late April to May marks the beginning of the vitamin D season. Allergies come with springtime as well. In this issue you will see that severity of asthma and allergies is related to low vitamin D levels. And, when you bend down to pick those flowers or weeds, your knee pain may be associated with low vitamin D levels. So take your vitamin D and get some sun for your arthritis and allergies.

Recipe of the Month
Remember our recipes are courtesy of Chef Kelly (kellychez@gmail.com). If you have recipes you would like to share or convert to follow the rules of The Vitamin D Cure send them to contact@thevitamindcure.com .

Lemon-Honey Roasted Chicken
with Warm Cucumber, Fennel and Fingerling Potato Salad

For the chicken:
• 1/4 cup lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chicken broth
• 2 T. Honey
• 3.5-4 lb. chicken, cut into pieces
• 1 T. olive oil
• 1 t. salt
• 4 sprigs of thyme
1. Heat oven to 450 degrees
2. In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, chicken broth and honey.
3. Rub the chicken pieces with oil and sprinkle with salt.
4. Place the chicken, skin-side down, in a roast pan just large enough to make a single, snug layer of chicken. Pour the seasoned broth over the chicken and tuck the thyme sprigs among the chicken pieces.
5. Roast for 10 minutes. Turn the chicken skin-side up and roast for another 20 minutes or until chicken reaches 160 degrees.

For the Salad:
• 1.5 lbs. fingerling potatoes, halved (larger ones cut in quarters)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 lb. haricot verts, steamed
• 3 medium stalks celery, trimmed and sliced
• 1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced
• 1 medium bulb fennel, trimmed, cored and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1 T. fresh lemon juice
1. Heat oven to 400 degrees and place potatoes on a rimmed baking sheet; toss with 1 T. olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
2. Roast until tender, about 25-30 minutes and let cool slightly.
3. To serve combine all ingredients in a large bowl and toss to coat evenly with olive oil and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Serve with roasted chicken.

Vitamin D in the News

Serum levels of vitamin D, sunlight exposure, and knee cartilage loss in older adults: The Tasmanian older adult cohort study.
Arthritis Rheumatism. 2009 Apr 29;60(5):1381-1389
University of Tasmania, Hobart, Tasmania, and Monash University Medical School, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

In the vitamin D Cure we talk about optimizing vitamin D to prevent osteoarthritis or loss of cartilage. This study is confirmation of its importance over time. A total of 880 randomly selected subjects (average age 61 years, 50% women) were studied at baseline, and 353 of these subjects were studied 2.9 years later. Serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) were assessed, and sunlight exposure was assessed by questionnaire. MRI of the right knee was performed to determine knee cartilage volume and defects. Knee x-rays and knee pain were also assessed. RESULTS: The mean 25(OH)D serum level was 21.1 ng/mL (52.8 nmoles/liter) at baseline. Winter sunlight exposure and serum 25(OH)D level were both positively associated with medial and lateral tibial cartilage volume (the lower the D level the less the cartilage volume), and a serum 25(OH)D level <20 ng/mL was associated with more medial joint space narrowing (all P < 0.05). Over time, baseline serum 25(OH)D level predicted change in cartilage volume (P < 0.05), and change in serum 25(OH)D level was positively associated with change in medial tibial cartilage volume. These associations were consistent in subjects with radiographic OA and knee pain and/or in women, but not in men or in subjects without radiographic OA or knee pain. CONCLUSION: Less sunlight exposure and lower serum 25(OH)D levels are both associated with loss of knee cartilage (assessed by radiograph or MRI). This implies that achieving vitamin D sufficiency may prevent and/or retard cartilage loss in knee OA.

Serum vitamin D levels and markers of severity of childhood asthma in costa rica.
Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009 May 1;179(9):765-71.
Channing Laboratory, 181 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, USA.

Higher vitamin D intake during pregnancy has been associated with a lower likelihood of asthma symptoms in early childhood. This study looks at vitamin D levels as a marker of asthma severity in childhood. The researchers examined 616 Costa Rican children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. RESULTS: Of the 616 children with asthma, 175 (28%) had insufficient levels of vitamin D (<30 ng/ml). Vitamin D levels were significantly and inversely associated with total IgE and eosinophil count (the higher the D level the lower the IgE and eosinophil count). Statistics showed that a higher vitamin D level was associated with reduced odds of any hospitalization in the previous year (P = 0.03), any use of antiinflammatory medications in the previous year (P = 0.01), and increased airway responsiveness (P = 0.05]). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that vitamin D insufficiency is relatively frequent in an equatorial population of children with asthma. In these children, lower vitamin D levels are associated with greater allergy and asthma severity.

Maternal Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Bacterial Vaginosis in the First Trimester of Pregnancy.
J Nutr. 2009 Apr 8.
Department of Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health, Pittsburgh, PA 15261.

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a highly prevalent vaginal infection that is associated with complications of pregnancy. Vitamin D exerts an influence on the immune system and may play a role in BV. This study examined the association between maternal vitamin D and the prevalence of BV in early pregnancy. Women (n = 469) enrolled in a pregnancy study at <16 wk of pregnancy underwent a pelvic examination and provided a blood sample for determination of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. RESULTS: Approximately 41% of women had BV and 52% had a serum 25(OH)D concentration <15 ng/mL. The average serum 25(OH)D concentration was lower among BV cases compared with women with normal vaginal bacteria (P < 0.001). There was less BV as vitamin D levels increased (P < 0.001). Approximately 57% of the women with a serum 25(OH)D concentration <8 ng/mL had BV compared with 23% of women with a serum 25(OH)D concentration >32 ng/mL. There was a dose-response association between 25(OH)D and the prevalence of BV. The prevalence declined as 25(OH)D increased to 80 nmol/L, then reached a plateau. Remember from the Vitamin D Cure that you want your level to be at or above 35 ng/mL. Compared with a serum 25(OH)D concentration of 30 ng/mL, there were 1.65-fold and 1.26-fold increases in the prevalence of BV associated with a serum 25(OH)D concentration of 8 and 20 ng/mL, respectively, after adjustment for race and sexually transmitted diseases. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is associated with BV and may contribute to the strong racial disparity in the prevalence of BV.

Vitamin D Success Story
Please share your successes at success@thevitamindcure.com or online at Amazon. Your success story has a powerful impact on motivating others to change their lifestyle.

This months success story comes from Angel at …..@arosurf.com

I would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Dowd and his book/blog/efforts! Hoo RA!

After a lifetime of trials and challenges I was finally diagnosed with celiac disease at the age of 44. My doctor had the right mind to check my vitamin D level (21ng/mL) and gave me an Rx. This led me out of my lifelong depression. Much body pain subsided; daily pain was nonexistent, yet pains were great and hard to recover when I went to the gym to work off my 100 excess pounds with a trainer 3x/week. (I didn’t know what fibromyalgia was though had experienced it for years).

After I thought my gut healed with a gluten-free diet, I decided to stop supplements. By the next winter my vitamin D had gone down to 17ng/mL, and I was a depressed mess and in pain again.

After reading a few websites, listening to a fibro sufferer on You Tube and reading your book, I finally realized how important the supplements were to my diet. I started taking them earnestly since May of last year, got one to two hours daily sunshine, and my November tests last year was 64 ng/mL. My pain is gone and when I exercise I am sore for one day, which is normal and reasonable!

I weighed around 250 lbs at the time of my celiac diagnosis, gained 22 pounds trying all the gluten-free grained products and/or when I didn’t know what to eat, I’d eat Yoplait, sometimes up to 5 a day (can you say HFCS?!) before figuring out what pre-diabetes was. I’ve lost 50 lbs now, and being able to exercise routinely has changed my life. THANK YOU SO MUCH for being part of my life! I try to tell everyone about your book, and what a difference it has made to me….

…I had my immediate family members vitamin D levels tested and my husband’s vitamin D was 13!!!!! My daughter’s was 23. My hubby has gout, high blood pressure, stiffness, and metabolic syndrome. Talk about a heart attack waiting to happen! HE resisted my efforts for heaven’s sake. “We” likely saved his life. No doctor ever thought to do this simple test. Both family members are taking supplements now. (BTW, I’ve also read Loren Cordain’s, Daniel Amen’s, and Jack Challem’s books! and also Carolyn Dean’s The Magnesium Miracle + many more — your book was a great compilation of much of the info I’ve read elsewhere!)

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU etc. I eat up your blog! (no calories!)