Health Benefits from Vitamin D?

By Jennie, Sophie, and Zoe

Original Article Here

Some scientists believe that vitamin D could be used to build bones, strengthen the immune system, and lower the risk of illnesses such as diabetes, heart and kidney disease, high blood pressure, and cancer. They think that people can achieve this by consuming more vitamin D that the body makes from sunlight, fish, and fortified milk. Vitamin D is found throughout the body and it is used to turn cells on and off.People’s vitamin D levels are influenced by whether they have light or dark skin, where they live, how much time they spend outdoors and by fish and milk consumption. To raise one's vitamin D level without taking an actual supplement, you could increase the time you get sun for 15 extra minuets. People who are older, have diabetes, kidney disease, or stay indoors are at risk of Vitamin D deficiency.The recommended amount of consumption is 400 international units a day. but for many that could be too low. Although many people don't get the recommended amount of vitamin D. The 2008 on an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that 10% of children are very deficient of Vitamin D. Now many doctors check their patients to see if they are getting a recomended amount of vitamins and prescribe them medicine if they aren't. Although some scientists are skeptical about the idea that vitamin D can b used to help so many problems. They are not positive that it will help improve health for everyone or if it could even have negative effects on some people. Also they are afraid of people consuming high doses and having bad side effects. The type of experiment scientists would have to do to be able to test Vitamin D would involve using humans as test subjects which is morally wrong if they humans have bad side effects. Dr. Manson says that it is possible for people to have high levels of vitamin D if they exercise or stay outdoors a lot of if they have a healthy diet and don't smoke. The nationwide clinical trial is taking 2,000 adults such as men 60 years older and women 65 and older to study if high doses and amounts of vitamin D and omega 3 fatty acids from things such as fish oil can help lower the probability of heart diseases and cancer. Dr. Manson's experiment is to take the participants and divide them into four separate. 1 group will take vitamin D and fish oil pills, 1 will just take vitamin D, 1 will just take fish oil pills and the 1 will take placebo pills. the participants will take vitamin D3 and will use one-gram supplements of omega-3 fish oil. They will take it about 5-10 times of the average daily intake.

The Women's Health Initiative study tracked women taking 400 units of Vitamin D and 100 units of calcium. Although they didn't find many benefits to taking the supplements except a lower risk of hip fracture. Also many people believe that 400 units isn't enough but every person varies. Another study was for 1,200 women who took 1,500 milligrams of calcium and 1,000 units of vitamin D and they showed a lower risk of breast cancer. Although vitamin D and calcium might have a positive effect, some scientists even say that increasing the supplements can cause heart problems, diabetes, and cancer. Other scientists say its hard to predict the potential effects a person could have.

Acknowledgments:

Wilson's Biology Lab

The New York Times

Vitamin D by Jennie Nadel, Sophie Biber, and Zoe Lee-Mcdermott

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