Browsed by
Tag: Vitamin D

A large study links vitamin D to the severity of psoriasis.

A large study links vitamin D to the severity of psoriasis.

Comments 0 Comment

An inflammatory skin condition called psoriasis is characterized by elevated, irritated, scaly areas of skin that can also be unpleasant and itchy.

From person to person, psoriasis severity varies widely. According to recent studies, having more severe psoriasis may be linked to having low vitamin D levels.

In the US, psoriasis is a disorder that affects more than 7.5 million people. Low vitamin D levels may be linked to more severe psoriasis, according to recent research from the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University.

Scientists believe that psoriasis is an autoimmune illness, which means that it results from the immune system mistakenly attacking your body instead of protecting it. The specific etiology of psoriasis is still unknown. In psoriasis, this immunological activity speeds up the production of new skin cells, which leads to the development of thick, scaly patches on the skin’s surface.

Psoriasis symptoms can range from minor to severe. The National Psoriasis Foundation reports:

  • Less than 3% of the body is affected with moderate psoriasis.
  • 3–10% of the body is affected by mild psoriasis.
  • More than 10% of the body is affected by severe psoriasis.

The connection between psoriasis and vitamin D

Experts enquired as to the biological relationship between vitamin D and psoriasis from Eunyoung Cho, ScD, research team head and associate professor of dermatology and epidemiology at Brown University.

Your skin’s keratinocytes, which are cells, have vitamin D receptors. Currently, topical vitamin D analogs are used to treat psoriasis because they bind to vitamin D receptors on keratinocytes and stop their proliferation. These analogs replicate the effects of vitamin D. Dr. Eunyoung Cho explained that this multiplication causes the thick plaques that are typical of psoriasis.

Italian, Brazilian, and Nepalese researchers found that psoriasis patients have significantly lower serum levels of vitamin D, and that these levels are correlated with the severity of the condition.

Dr. Cho and her associates wanted to determine whether this association would hold true in a sizable, nationally representative US population because the majority of earlier investigations have been carried out outside of the US.

Vitamin D deficiency associated with more severe psoriasis

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were utilised by Dr. Cho’s team to determine the number of psoriasis cases between 2003 and 2006 and between 2011 and 2014. Out of the 40,401 people that were evaluated, they discovered 491 cases, including 162 from 2003 to 2006 and 329 from 2011 to 2014.

The amount of vitamin D in the blood, the body surface area affected by psoriasis (a measurement of the severity of psoriasis on the body), and other details including age, gender, race, body mass index, and smoking habits were also recorded.

The researchers employed a mathematical technique known as “multivariate linear regression” to evaluate the connection between low vitamin D levels and the severity of psoriasis.

They discovered that the severity of psoriasis increased as blood levels of vitamin D declined. The mean serum vitamin D levels of those with the least amount of psoriasis-affected body surface area were highest (67 nmol/L), whereas those with the most amount of psoriasis-affected body surface area had the lowest levels (56 nmol/L).

When they separated the population into groups based on the body surface area affected by psoriasis and examined the proportion of individuals with vitamin D deficiency in each group, the researchers observed a similar trend. Vitamin D deficiency affected 39% of the group with the most severe psoriasis compared to 25% of the group with the least severe psoriasis.

The new study adds to our understanding of psoriasis.

Lim was reported in a press release as saying, “Only one prior study, published in 2013, used NHANES data to analyse the relationship between vitamin D and psoriasis.” Our results are more current and statistically significant than those obtained from previously accessible data because we were able to include more recent data, which more than tripled the number of psoriasis cases analysed.

The University of California, San Francisco’s Dr. Tina Bhutani, an associate professor of dermatology, co-director of the Psoriasis and Skin Treatment Centre, and head of the dermatology clinical research unit, noted that these findings are not new because “similar associations have been reported in the past.”

Nevertheless, “the advantage of NHANES is that it is likely to be more representative of the US population vs. other prior studies,” Dr. Bhutani noted.

The University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine’s James J. Leyden Professor of Dermatology and Epidemiology, Dr. Joel M. Gelfand, stated that the study “shows a modest association between vitamin D levels and psoriasis severity” but cautioned that it cannot be used to establish a causal relationship.

According to this study, “We cannot say whether slightly lower vitamin D levels cause more severe psoriasis or whether slightly higher vitamin D levels cause less severe psoriasis,” stated Dr. Gelfand.

What does this signify for those who have psoriasis?

Dr. Cho stated that even though “topical vitamin D analogs are already used to treat psoriasis, further research, such as large randomized clinical trials of oral vitamin D supplementation, is warranted before any firm medical recommendations are made on the use of oral vitamin D supplementation among psoriasis patients.”

Despite this, Dr. Cho advised that persons with psoriasis and vitamin D insufficiency “discuss this with their clinicians and treat the deficiency.”

Despite the correlation between vitamin D levels and the severity of psoriasis revealed by these data, Dr. Bhutani concurred that “we do not have enough information here to recommend the use of vitamin D supplementation in our psoriasis patients.”

Dr. Gelfand further stated that monitoring or augmenting vitamin D levels in psoriasis patients to treat or prevent psoriatic illness is not currently supported by sufficient levels or quality of data.

Drs. Bhutani and Gelfand both emphasised in their remarks that there have been conflicting outcomes from earlier research testing vitamin D supplementation for psoriasis.

According to Dr. Gelfand, a clinical trial that was conducted in 2022 “showed some evidence that vitamin D supplementation may marginally prevent the development of autoimmune diseases, with some evidence, though not statistically significant, that this includes prevention of psoriasis.”

However, a clinical trial that was released in 2023 revealed that vitamin D supplementation had no impact on the severity of psoriasis.

“A cautionary tale is the experience of vitamin D and prevention of cancer and cardiovascular disease – after many years of intense investigation, large RCTs involving >25,000 patients showed no benefit of Vitamin D supplementation for preventing these major health outcomes,” noted Dr. Gelfand.

REFERENCES:

For Skin disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?therapy=27

Can you prevent heart attack with monthly Vitamin D dose?

Can you prevent heart attack with monthly Vitamin D dose?

Comments 0 Comment

A crucial fat-soluble vitamin for supporting the immune system and bone health is vitamin D. Australian researchers monitored a group of elderly individuals. This is to determine whether vitamin D supplements could lower the incidence of serious heart disease events.

For five years, the test group received a monthly vitamin D supplement from the researchers.

The participants who took vitamin D supplements did have a slight risk decrease for several major cardiovascular events, even though it was not as significant as the researchers had hoped.

According to a study that was recently published in the BMJ, an Australian research team conducted a clinical trial. This was to see if vitamin D may help prevent major heart disease events like heart attacks and strokes.

The older persons were tracked by the researchers between the ages of 60 and 84. Heart disease is thought to be more likely to strike people in this age bracket.

When comparing the control and test groups, the researchers found that vitamin D had no effect on strokes. However, they did discover that the rate of major cardiovascular events was 9% lower in the vitamin D supplement group.

What is Vitamin D?

In addition to supporting the immune system and other processes, vitamin D is crucial for strong bones. The human body responds to sun exposure by producing vitamin D. A person can increase their vitamin D intake by eating particular foods or taking supplements.

For strong bones and teeth, vitamin D is necessary. In addition, it performs a variety of other crucial functions in the body, including controlling immunological response and inflammation.

Despite its name, vitamin D is actually a hormone or prohormone rather than a vitamin.

Detailed research on vitamin D

The leading cause of death in the United States is cardiovascular disease (CVD). Although CVD can affect adults of any age, those 65 and beyond have the highest illness rates.

CVD can be dangerous and may be and the potential strain it may have on the healthcare system. Researchers have been exploring strategies to both treat and prevent the illness.

The authors of the study noted that earlier studies had limitations and did not demonstrate a link between vitamin D and lowering the risk of CVD. Because of the author’s observation, vitamin D has biological effects which suggest it could influence cardiovascular disease. Therefore, they conducted a more thorough investigation.

21,315 participants in the study ranged in age from 60 to 84. Participants who were already taking vitamin D supplements or had a history of diseases like sarcoidosis and hypercalcemia were excluded from the study.

A 60,000 IU vitamin D-3 pill was given to the test group once a month for five years. The control group consumed a sugar pill.

In order to understand the individuals’ socioeconomic level, way of life, and eating habits, the researchers gathered baseline data. They collected surveys, tested blood samples, and kept an eye out for adverse events throughout the trial. This is to ensure sure the participants were taking their supplements as prescribed.

The individuals also allowed researchers access to their medical records. So that they could gather data on mortality, prescribed drugs, and cardiovascular events.

Does vitamin D aid the heart?

A few previous observational studies have hinted at a potential link between reduced incidence of CVD and higher blood levels of vitamin D.

This new study suggests that vitamin D supplementation may have some advantages, even if clinical studies have not yet conclusively shown that it improves heart health.

When compared to the placebo group, the number of heart attack events among people taking vitamin D was 19% lower. Additionally, the vitamin D group had decreased rates of coronary revascularization, which might involve treatments like a heart bypass or a coronary artery bypass graft.

Although the rate of major cardiovascular events was 9% lower overall in the groups receiving vitamin D, the study’s results did not indicate a lower rate among minor cardiovascular events.

The scientists cautioned about the 9% decline, saying it’s likely that users of statins or other cardiovascular medications may have contributed to it.

“For total major cardiovascular events, there was some indication of a stronger effect in those who were using statins or other cardiovascular drugs at baseline,” the authors wrote.

Because of this, the authors state that additional research is necessary before they can state with certainty that vitamin D alone prevents CVD.

The authors conclude that their research “indicates that supplementation with vitamin D may reduce the incidence of major cardiovascular events, particularly myocardial infarction, and coronary revascularization.”

“Those who were taking statins or other cardiovascular medications at the outset may have noticed this beneficial impact more clearly. The authors write, “Subgroup studies in other major trials might assist to explain this issue.

Does vitamin D suffice to lower the risk of CVD?

We had a discussion about the study with Dr. Yu-Ming Ni, a cardiologist from MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Centre in Fountain Valley, California. Dr. Ni did not believe that the study’s findings were yet significant enough to demonstrate that vitamin D supplementation can lower rates of CVD.

“After reading this study, it is tempting to draw the conclusion that there may be a trend towards a benefit for vitamin D supplementation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease, especially as it relates to the prevention of heart attacks myocardial infarction,” he stated.

According to Dr. Ni, the new study “did not demonstrate a significant benefit of Vitamin D supplementation, even if there was a small benefit” when compared to previous studies on vitamin D and CVD.

Dr. Ni stated that vitamin D is still an essential supplement for bone health even though she did not believe the study offered hope for using it to lower the incidence of CVD.

When we discussed the report with Dr. Dmitriy Nevelev, associate director of cardiology at Staten Island University Hospital in New York, he had a somewhat different perspective on it.

Dr. Nevelev added that although earlier sizable studies on vitamin D and CVD had not revealed a “significant effect,” “many of these studies had limitations such as suboptimal adherence with daily therapy, an insufficient dose of vitamin D, or an overall lower risk population.”

REFERENCES:

For Heart disease medications that have been suggested by doctors worldwide are available here https://mygenericpharmacy.com/index.php?cPath=77_99

Do certain Vitamins affect a person’s Sexual function?

Do certain Vitamins affect a person’s Sexual function?

Comments 0 Comment

The term “erectile dysfunction” (ED) refers to a symptom, not a medical disease. Despite the fact that there are numerous potential reasons of ED, the most prevalent ones are illnesses like diabetes, sleep issues, and heart disease as well as lifestyle choices like smoking and alcohol abuse.

Some of the causes of ED, like ageing, are unavoidable. A healthy lifestyle, according to study, can reduce the risk of ED. For instance, ED rates have been linked to lower levels of physical activity and keeping a healthy body weight. 322 million males worldwide are anticipated to experience erectile dysfunction by 2025.

There is currently relatively little study on how vitamins and vitamin deficits affect sexual health. However, as vitamins are organic substances that are necessary for healthy development and for maintaining biological processes, it follows that a person’s vitamin levels may also have an impact on their sexual function. What is now known about vitamins and their possible effect on sexual function is as follows.

Vitamin D

Perhaps the most thoroughly studied vitamin in terms of sexual health is vitamin D, which is created by exposure to sunlight and is present in fatty fish and fortified milk. Vitamin D seems to assist healthy endothelium function and testosterone synthesis in men. (The endothelium is a thin layer of cells that line the inside of the heart and blood vessels and is essential for managing blood clots, relaxing and constricting blood vessels, and aiding in the body’s immune response.)

Researchers have discovered that vitamin D decreases inflammatory disorders that might harm a person’s vascular function by stimulating nitric oxide and antioxidants in the endothelium. In turn, this might enhance vascular health, which is crucial for erectile performance.

Studies in the past have discovered links between adequate vitamin D levels and enhanced male sexual function. Males who were vitamin D deficient had significantly poorer International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) ratings than men in the control group, according to one such study.

It has been demonstrated that vitamin D benefits females by promoting oestrogen release and the maturation of vaginal cells. When it comes to female sexual function, oestrogen is a crucial hormone because it supports healthy vaginal tissues and adequate lubrication, which makes sex more pleasurable and pleasant for women. In reality, when compared to a placebo, intravaginal vitamin D suppositories have demonstrated positive outcomes in reducing the symptoms of painful sex and vaginal atrophy in postmenopausal women.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C has been demonstrated to be protective against endothelial dysfunction, much like vitamin D. Nitric oxide availability is aided by vitamin C, a potent antioxidant, which also improves endothelial and vascular function, all of which are necessary for healthy sexual performance. Oranges, lemons, and tomatoes are examples of citrus fruits that contain this vitamin.

Vitamin E

Leydig cells, the main source of testosterone in males, appear to be correlated with vitamin E levels in animal studies. Compared to healthy animals, those with vitamin E deficiency had fewer Leydig cells, smaller testicles, and more testicular injury. While it seems that vitamin E may support the synthesis of testosterone and, consequently, sexual function, it is crucial to ascertain whether these results apply to people. Nuts, seeds, avocados, mangos, and plant-based oils all contain vitamin E.

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

Dark green vegetables, beans, peanuts, complete grains, and peanut butter all contain folate. Similar to other vitamins, it supports normal endothelium function. Additionally, it is crucial for the metabolism of serotonin, which is crucial for controlling ejaculation. A 2014 Chinese study discovered that men’s premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction were both correlated with folate insufficiency. However, more investigation is required to determine how this vitamin might affect human sexual functioning in general.

Conclusion

However, sexual health is made up of many distinct factors, such as neurological processes, vascular function, mental health, and even interpersonal dynamics. Vitamins may enhance good sexual functioning. Therefore, it is unrealistic to believe that taking a multivitamin will help with any sexual health issues. Nevertheless, these findings imply that eating a healthy, balanced diet and taking supplements to make up for any vitamin deficits you might have may be beneficial for your sexual health.

REFERENCES:

For more details, kindly visit below.

Improve your Heart’s health from Vitamin D3 Naturally.

Improve your Heart’s health from Vitamin D3 Naturally.

Comments 2 comments

Vitamin D3 is a fat soluble secosteroid nutrient and one of the two forms of vitamin D that has a primary responsibility of boosting the absorption rate of the intestine for minerals such as magnesium, calcium, phosphate, along with a number of important biological tasks and effects on your body such as maintaining bone strength. Vitamin D3 also works as a dietary supplement by increasing or boosting the level of vitamin D absorption rate that keeps your body healthy. 

Natural sources of Vitamin D3

Vitamin D3 is a kind of nutrient that has an impact on around 2000 different types of genes of your body. The easiest way to get vitamin D sources is sunlight. When your body is exposed to sunlight, vitamin D is automatically produced in your body through skin. Your body cannot create vitamin D3 on its own but production takes place by conversion of sunlight inside your body. Another easy way of consuming vitamin D3 is intake of a number of food products such as seafood, fatty fish such as:

  • salmon,
  • canned tuna,
  • herring,
  • sardines,
  • egg yolks,
  • mushrooms,
  • fortified food products,
  • cereals,
  • cod liver oil,
  • cheese,
  • butter,
  • beef liver, etc. 

Benefits of Vitamin D3 in your body

There are a number of benefits associated with vitamin D3 such as:

  • Prevents serious health conditions such as heart attack, stroke, unusual blood pressure,
  • Reduced risk of heart conditions.
  • Raises the level of vitamin D higher than D2.
  • Works with calcium to support the health of bones.
  • Maintains muscle strength, lean muscle, and mass.
  • Boosts immunity to fight against several bacteria and fungal infections.
  • Prevents mental mood changes such as depression which depends upon vitamin D level.
  • Impactful against several inflammatory diseases and conditions such as asthma, Eczema, Atopy, etc.
  • Stimulates the insulin production that maintains the blood sugar level of your body.

REFERENCES:

For more details, kindly visit below: