A sea change in thinking about supplements

Published April 20, 2002 in the North Island Weekender

We used to think of Vitamin D as a bone related nutrient but now it is recognized to be a pro-hormone. It is a precursor to 1-25 dihydroxycholecalciferol, which is an immune regulator hormone that has effects on gene expression through
Vitamin A. It is especially important for the immune system in the elderly who may not be getting as much sun exposure and are losing some of their skin synthesizing of vitamin D so deficiencies are common. Sun exposure is not enough particularly during the winter months. In a recent paper from the Boston Hospital, 57% of those 60 years or older were clinically deficient in Vitamin D! In this paper they were not even talking about the subclinical effects of Vitamin D deficiency and its effect on the immune system. Vitamin D must be hydroxylated at the liver and kidney level with specific enzymes. If these organs are compromised then optimal Vitamin D synthesis does not occur in spite of adequate intake in the diet and or sun exposure.
Vitamin E does not have a deficiency disease that we can see in the human but it has a full ray of impact on the protection of the free radical damage of oxidants in the cell membrane. It may be seen as preventing cell death and aging and controls cell-to-cell communication. 400IU”s a day is a considered desirable amount to reduce the risk of coronary artery disease and other aspects of unhealthy aging.
Vitamin C was popularized by Linus Pauling for the treatment of colds and flus back in the 1970’s. Since then Vitamin C has been researched to be more than a nutrient to prevent scurvy. There are more than 3500 biochemical reactions in humans that depend on Vitamin C. It is concentrated in very high levels in the white blood cells and has an important role to play in the antioxidant pathways within the cell. Dr. Mark Levine of National Institute of Health, states that intakes of Vitamin C at the recommended daily allowance (RDA), are far less than that required for optimizing these 3500 reactions in the body.
The authors of this article I am presenting to you, “What Vitamins Should I Take Doctor” in the New England Journal of Medicine December 20^th, 2001 summarized by stating: “Substantial data suggest that higher intakes of folic acid, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D will benefit many people and a multivitamin will ensure adequate intake of other vitamins for which the evidence of benefit is indirect. A multivitamin is especially important for women who might become pregnant, for persons who regularly consume one or more alcohol drinks per day, for the elderly who tend to absorb B12 poorly and are often deficient in Vitamin B12, for vegans who require supplemental B12 and for poor urban residents who may be unable to afford adequate intake of fruit and vegetables.”
What we are seeing in such an article as this in a very prestigious medical journal is the transition from the old thinking of the last 30 years about medicine and nutritional supplements and the new thinking about how nutrition relates to the function of complex systems over decades of living.

Dr. Pincott has been practicing naturopathic medicine since 1985 and is currently practicing in Campbell River. She can be reached at (250) 286-3655 or www.DrPincott.com