Suboptimal vitamin D status during childhood may increase cardiovascular risk in adulthood

Not to outlive their parents? When we talk about this generaion being the first one in American history not expected to outlive their parents this is getting down to one of the specifics about what this means. Please read and share! - Ekayani

March 18, 2015 - Weekly Essentials of Health by Usana Health Sciences

Suboptimal vitamin D status during childhood may increase cardiovascular risk in adulthood

 At a Glance

A new study shows an association between low 25-OH vitamin D levels in childhood and increased occurrence of atherosclerosis in adulthood.

 Read more about this research below. 

 

Many previous studies have shown an association between inadequate vitamin D levels in adulthood and an increased risk for cardiovascular disease. One of the major risk factors for heart disease is atherosclerosis, or thickening and narrowing of the arteries.

In a recent study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, researchers investigated a potential link between childhood vitamin D deficiency and increased artery thickness and atherosclerosis in adulthood.
The study included 2,148 subjects aged 3-18 years from the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study, which began in 1980. Ultrasound studies of the left carotid artery were conducted in 2007, when the participants were then aged 30-45. Stored serum vitamin D samples taken at the beginning of the study were analyzed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D in 2010.
After adjusting for age, sex, and childhood risk factors, and independent of cardiovascular risk factors such as serum lipids, hypertension, smoking, diet, physical activity, BMI, and socioeconomic status, decreased levels of vitamin D in childhood were associated with a greater carotid artery thickness. Children with 25-OH vitamin D levels in the lowest 25% (
The results could possibly be explained by the fact that the biologically active form of vitamin D, calcitriol, plays a role in vascular proliferation and growth while inhibiting calcification. The authors also suggest that since vitamin D is important for a healthy immune system, it may help reduce infections early in life that could contribute to cardiovascular disease risk.
These findings suggest that insufficient vitamin D levels during childhood should be considered a possible risk factor for adult cardiovascular disease, and add support to the recommendation to supplement vitamin D during childhood.
Juonala M et al. Childhood 25-OH Vitamin D Levels and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Adulthood: The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2015 Feb 10:jc20143944. [Epub ahead of print]

Brenda appears on BBC Documentary Eat to Live Forever With Giles Coren: Preview - BBC Two

MULTIVITAMIN/MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION MAY IMPROVE ASPECTS OF BRAIN FUNCTION IN HEALTHY CHILDREN

 March 11, 2015
MULTIVITAMIN/MINERAL SUPPLEMENTATION MAY IMPROVE ASPECTS OF BRAIN FUNCTION IN HEALTHY CHILDREN The Weekly Essentials of Health , copyright Usana Health Sciences.

At a Glance

Twelve weeks of supplementation with vitamins and minerals was found to boost the attention scores of children, according to results published in the “British Journal of Nutrition.”

 Read more about this research below.
 

It is well known that adequate levels of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients are essential for optimal neural functioning. A significant percentage of individuals, including children, suffer from deficiencies in one or more vitamins or minerals. This study investigated whether daily supplementation with a multivitamin could alter cognitive performance and mood in healthy children.
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study included 81 healthy children aged 8-14. The children were reportedly all healthy and free from food allergies. None of the children used other dietary supplements during the three months prior to the study. Participants were randomly assigned to daily multivitamin and mineral supplements or placebo for 12 weeks.
The children underwent laboratory assessments of their cognitive performance and mood pre-dose and at 1 and 3 h post-dose on the first and last days of the trial.  Assessments were also completed at home after 4 and 8 weeks at 3 hours post-dose. Cognitive performance was measured using a battery of laboratory assessments, which included tasks assessing mood and the speed and accuracy of attention and aspects of memory. The children in the vitamin/mineral group performed more accurately on two tests of attention. No effects were observed on measures of the children’s mood.
Although the results of this study require further investigation, it suggests that vitamin/mineral supplementation has the potential to improve brain function in healthy children.
Haskell CF et al. Cognitive and mood effects in healthy children during 12 weeks' supplementation with multi-vitamin/minerals. Br J Nutr 2008 Nov;100(5):1086-96.

No LNG Port - Protecting the Sea Floor

On a New York beach  

Dear Legislative Body of Nassau County, Assemblymen (Long Island), Senators, Congressmen, City of Long Beach, Town of Hempstead and North Hempstead Governing Bodies;

My name is Ekayani Chamberlin. I am a native New Yorker and I live in Brooklyn. I am opposed to the Liberty Natural Gas project in Port Ambrose and offshore liquified natural gas facilities in general. I am opposed to this project for many reasons but for now I am  going to focus on the significant concern of the sea floor.

It is no secret that any form of ocean industrialization will negatively impact the sea floor. This project will impact up to 250 acres of the sea floor. This action will kill lobsters, crabs, clams, scallops, oysters and disturb the sea floor they rely upon. Some of these habitats require decades to form and they will be destroyed in just a few months of dredging for pipeline laying and the installation of anchoring devices. Once damaged it can take years to be restored to its original state and we should know as we have been trying for years to fix the damage that was already caused.  What about the whales who are near extinction that won't be able to pass let alone eat? Consider the fisherman who will lose their livelihood. What about the fragility of our shorelines and the people who lost homes barely getting a foot hold after Hurricane Sandy? The reasons as to why this project is a bad idea goes on forever but we don't have forever to play with Mother Nature recklessly. 

 As you can see from this photo of me , I have been enjoying the beaches of Long Island and Brooklyn since the age of  three. To this day I vacation regularly on Long Island. in an area that saw considerable damage from Hurricane Sandy.  Thank you for supporting a true "no action" alternative. Let's use wind instead that will fulfill the promise of New York as a leader in the energy of the future while protecting our communities for generations to come. There couldn't be a better or more needed time to make the switch.

Thank you!

Ekayani  Chamberlin
Brooklyn, NY 11222

Vitamin D deficiency common in US children - Weekly Essentials of Health by Usana Health Sciences

March 4, 2015 Vitamin D deficiency common in US children At a Glance Research indicates that the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among children in the United States is higher than previously thought. Although several small studies had found a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in specific populations of children, this study is the first to examine the issue nationwide. Read more about this research below.    A study in the journal Pediatrics reveals a troublesome prevalence of low levels of vitamin D among children in the U.S.   Researchers evaluated data from over 6,000 children aged 1 to 21 who participated in the National Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) between 2001 and 2004. Insufficient levels of vitamin D were defined as 15 to 29 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL), and deficient levels as less than 15 ng/mL. Over 60 percent of the children studied had vitamin D levels defined as insufficient. Outright deficiency occurred in nine percent of the subjects. If applied to the U.S. population, these percentages would be equivalent to nearly 51 million children with insufficient vitamin D levels, and 7.6 million children with vitamin D deficiency. Participants who consumed at least 400 IU of vitamin D per day were less likely to experience a deficiency, but just four percent of the children used vitamin D supplements. In addition to its consequences regarding bone health, vitamin D deficiency can potentially increase the risk of future heart disease and other health conditions. The researchers concluded that physicians should be screening children for vitamin D levels, especially in populations that are considered high risk. Kumar J.  Prevalence and associations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in US children: NHANES 2001-2004. Pediatrics. 2009 Sep;124(3):e362-70.

My Skin @ 50- Fifty and Fabulous! Anti Aging Skin Tips

Infographic: Blood Pressure is a Key to Heart Health

Infographic: Blood Pressure is a Key to Heart Health



Take care of your hearts Valentine's! This info graphic spells out with positive suggestions! hanks as always to Usana Health Sciences for bringing home the statistics in a cool format. I muse that it also being black history month and heart health month is a good intersection since so many in the communities of color most definitely suffer from lack of fresh foods and exercise. We can do better than that! - Ekayani