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Can Parkinson's and Alzheimer's Disease be Prevented? 10-14-08
by:
Well, hypothetically, yes. This month in the Archives of Neurology a research
study indicates that over half (55%) of the patients with Parkinson's disease, a
neurological degenerative disease, were vitamin D deficient. Similarly, 41% of
Alzheimer's patients were also deficient. The authors of this study suggest a
possible association between lack of vitamin D and the development of these
dreaded neurological disease. If you recall, last year we spoke about the
association of vitamin D deficiency with osteoporosis, cancer, and autism.
Since Autumn is now upon us in the Northern hemisphere, I thought it would again
be time to reinforce the importance of getting enough vitamin D in our day. It
is now more and more clear that we must all revisit the idea that sunshine is
bad and rethink the recommendation of putting sunblock in every make-up,
moisturizer, lotion and skin care product we put on ourselves. I am trying to
reeducate more parents of the children I see to let them know that each child
must have adequate amounts of regular sunshine every day. This becomes harder to
do if you live in a more northern area, especially above the 45th parallel, like
I did when I lived in Seattle. I also remember when I was in naturopathic
medical school that the incidence of multiple sclerosis and breast cancer both
were more prevalent in more northern latitudes than at the equator. This too can
be related to the exposure level of vitamin D and sunshine.
Of course, these neurological diseases are very complex in origin and like
cancer there is no one single cause of Parkinson's or Alzheimer's disease. This
post is just here to bring awareness of the importance of sunshine and vitamin D
supplementation during the fall and winter months or if you live in more
northern latitudes. I truly believe that if our diets are more varied, exercise
(especially outdoor exercise) were more prevalent and we are more conscientious
of the chemicals we are exposed to on a day to day basis we would find ourselves
healthier and living more vibrant lives. If you aren't clear what your risk of
low vitamin D levels are, ask your doctor to measure your 25OH vitamin D levels.
This is a simple blood test and should always be done if you have osteoporosis
or osteopenia and in many other cases in order to optimize your long term
health.
Comment:
Remember 30 mins. of full sun with skin contact equals on average 200 IU of Vitamin D. With the current preventative recommendations at 4000-100,000 IU a day you have to get allot of sun daily to meet your requirement. Liver or kidney disease, obesity, osteopenia and osteoporosis, arthritis, parathyroid or thyroid removal, thyroid disease, darker skin, and intestinal malabsorption are all conditions that may require larger doses.
Vitamin D malnutrition may also be linked to an increased susceptibility to several chronic diseases such as high blood pressure, tuberculosis, cancer, periodontal disease, multiple sclerosis, chronic pain, depression, schizophrenia, seasonal affective disorder, peripheral artery disease and several autoimmune diseases including type 1 diabetes.
Much is said about vitamin D in winter; ironically summer is often overlooked. The use of sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 8 inhibits more than 95% of vitamin D production in the skin. Recent studies showed that, following the successful "Slip-Slop-Slap" health campaign encouraging Australians to cover up when exposed to sunlight to prevent skin cancer, an increased number of Australians and New Zealanders became vitamin D deficient. Ironically, there are indications that vitamin D deficiency may lead to skin cancer. To avoid vitamin D deficiency dermatologists recommend supplementation along with sunscreen use.
You may need to have your blood calcidiol (25-hydroxy-vitamin D) test done to evaluate your intake and current levels. It takes about 25-29 days to change those levels.