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Pain linked with low vitamin D
Low levels of the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, may contribute to chronic pain among women, scientists believe.
The link does not apply to men, suggesting hormones may be involved, according to a study published in the Annals of Rheumatic Diseases said. The team from the Institute of Child Health in London said studies were now needed to see if vitamin D supplements can guard against chronic pain. About one in 10 people are affected by chronic pain at any one time in the UK. The causes are not well understood and much of the focus to date has been on emotional factors. Dr Elina Hyppönen and colleagues believe, at least in women, vitamin D levels could play a role in some cases of chronic pain.
The nutrient, essential for healthy bones, is produced in the body when exposed to sunlight and is also found in oily fish, egg yolks and margarine. Among the 7,000 men and women aged 45 from across England, Scotland and Wales that they studied, those who were smokers, non-drinkers, the overweight and the underweight all reported higher rates of chronic pain. Among the women, vitamin D levels also appeared to be important. This finding was not explained by gender differences in lifestyle or social factors, such as levels of physical activity and time spent outdoors, say the authors.
(continued at link) Low levels of the sunshine vitamin, vitamin D, may contribute to chronic pain among women, scientists believe. ... more -
Exposure to sunlight may be key to weight loss
A lack of sunshine could help explain high levels of obesity, researchers have found.
Studies showed that levels of vitamin D - of which sunlight is the most natural source - tend to be lower in the bodies of overweight people.
Insufficient vitamin D in the blood interferes with the hormone leptin, which signals to the brain when the stomach is full.
The research into vitamin D levels was carried out by Aberdeen University and is published in the scientific journal Bone. Between 1998 and 2000, data was gathered on 3,100 women living in the north east of Scotland.
Estimates were taken of how long they had been exposed to sunlight the previous year and the amount of vitamin D they obtained from food such as eggs and oily fish.
Researchers found that those with an average body mass index (BMI) of 34 - which is above the BMI measure of clinical obesity - produced 10% less vitamin D than those of average weight.
Dr Helen Macdonald, of Aberdeen University's department of medicine and therapeutics, said: "The link between low vitamin D levels and obesity is significant... We think that obese people are not getting enough sunshine, or that what vitamin D they do have is going into fat stores and is not accessible.
"The fact that obese people are prone to low vitamin D levels is a concern in terms of heart disease, the functioning of the immune system and other diseases such as cancer.
"Lifestyle is also a huge factor. Even when there is beautiful sunshine, we are concerned that people are not getting out there and enjoying it."
Dr Macdonald, who led the study, said that comparisons would be made with similar research in Surrey to establish how specific the problem is to Scotland.
Is this something that you've experienced directly? I know loads of women who've lost weight or simply lost interest in when they've been in hot countries with plenty of sunshine for long periods, so it seems very relevant. Could it be that a healthy outdoor lifestyle could do even more good to our bodies than we realised? And if so, shouldn't our bosses be compelled to send us outside right this minute! A lack of sunshine could help explain high levels of obesity, researchers have found. ... more -
Those lacking sun are twice as likely to die
Low vitamin D levels could reflect age, lack of physical activity and other lifestyle factors that also affect health, said American Heart Association spokeswoman Alice Lichtenstein, director of the Cardiovascular Nutrition Laboratory at Tufts University. Low vitamin D levels could reflect age, lack of physical activity and other lifestyle factors that also affect health, said American H... more
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15 minutes of Sunlight to Prevent Breast Cancer
"Taking a daily 10 to 15 minute walk in the sun not only clears your head, relieves stress and increases circulation – it could also cut your risk of breast cancer in half. At least that's what Esther John, an epidemiologist at the Northern California Cancer Center, recommends. And there's plenty of proof to back her up.
One study found that sunlight exposure lowered the risk of breast cancer by 30 to 40 percent. In The Breast Cancer Prevention Diet, Dr. Robert Arnot claims that national rates of breast cancer inversely correlate to solar radiation exposure.
In other words, breast cancer occurs at a much higher rate in colder, cloudier northern regions than in sunnier southern regions. Johns Hopkins University Medical School conducted a ten-year epidemiological study that showed exposure to full-spectrum light (including the ultraviolet frequencies) is positively related to the prevention of breast, colon and rectal cancers." "Taking a daily 10 to 15 minute walk in the sun not only clears your head, relieves stress and increases circulation – it could a... more -
Sunlight for Preventing Melanoma
As reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). A study evaluated the hypothesis that UV radiation increases your risk of developing lymphoma.
But after studying about 7,000 subjects, the researchers concluded that the opposite is actually true: increased sun exposure reduces the risk of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.
The authors said, "Evidence is beginning to emerge that sunlight exposure, particularly as it relates to vitamin D synthesized in the skin under the influence of solar radiation, might have a beneficial influence for certain cancers."
Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer. It's malignant, and it can spread to your internal organs, often leading to death.
But 90 percent of skin cancers are non-melanoma cancers. The most common forms are basal and squamous cell carcinomas, which are much less serious. They're benign and are easily cured by simple outpatient surgery. These are the ones caused by solar radiation. Melanomas, on the other hand, are most likely caused by lack of sunlight and excess artificial light. As reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (JNCI). A study evaluated the hypothesis that UV radiation increases your ... more -
Sunscreen health risks?
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a new study showing that nearly all Americans are contaminated with oxybenzone, a widely-used sunscreen ingredient. This chemical so far has been linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage, as well as low birth weight in baby girls whose mothers are exposed during pregnancy. Oxybenzone is also a penetration enhancer, a chemical that helps other chemicals penetrate the skin. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) released a new study showing that nearly all Americans are contaminated with oxybenzone, a widely... more
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Red Bull Big Tune Beat Battle
Red Bull Big Tune is a program created to showcase the talents of established and emerging producers and sound providers. The producers battle head to head through rounds of single elimination competition.
The last producer standing will be the producer with the "BIG TUNE"... And crowned champion of the evening. For RSVP, go to: www.redbullbigtune.com
Hosted by
Vitamin D and J.Moore
with
DJ DV One on the Wheels
@ Historic Sweet's Ballroom, 1933 Broadway, Oakland, CA
Doors open at 7:30pm
All Ages w/ ID
Cover: FREE
Suggested donation $5 Red Bull Big Tune is a program created to showcase the talents of established and emerging producers and sound providers. The producer... more
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