Vitamin D and fertility in men and women

Vitamin D and fertility in men and women
January 30, 2012 -- Dr John Cannell

Every year, billions are spent in fertility clinics; the result of which is often in vitro fertilization (IVF). About 5 years ago, I began receiving emails from a nurse practitioner in Indiana who works in a fertility clinic. Her experience was dramatic; 5,000 IU/day for both the man and woman frequently resulted in a healthy baby. However, her last email to me was quite sad, she was in danger of losing her job as her boss, a gynecologist, was losing money due to vitamin D. He ordered her to stop advocating it or lose her job.

Today, the Daily Mail and several other newspapers reviewed a lengthy article in The European Journal of Endocrinology that concluded, “Given the high prevalence of infertility as well as vitamin D insufficiency in otherwise healthy young women and men and the possible role of vitamin D in human reproduction, research might lead to new therapeutic approaches such as vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of female and male reproductive disorders.”

Critical to this carefully caged advice is the fact that men need help as frequently as the women do. “Population-based studies found that in 30-40% of infertile couples the underlying cause is the male factor. In this context it should be mentioned that the overall semen quality of men is decreasing, which might partly be explained by environmental factors. Indeed, as much as 20% of young men have sperm concentration below the WHO recommendation level and 40% present with sperm concentrations below a level that is considered optimal for fertility.” Pretty amazing, especially when you realize these men have normal testosterone levels but that vitamin D levels are steadily decreasing.

Elisabeth Lerchbaum and Barbara Obermayer-Pietsch Vitamin D and fertility-a systematic review. European Journal of Endocrinology January 30, 2012

The authors go onto say, “In northern countries, where a strong seasonal contrast in luminosity (sunshine intensity) exists, the conception rate is decreased during the dark winter months, whereas a peak in conception rate during summer leading to a maximum in birth rate in spring has been observed. Moreover, ovulation rates and endometrial receptivity seem to be reduced during long dark winters in northern countries.”

While no direct studies exist of vitamin D levels and fertility per se, the authors report, “In a study among 84 infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization, women with higher levels of 25(OH)D in serum and follicular fluid were significantly more likely to achieve clinical pregnancy following in vitro fertilization . . .”

If you don’t want to work your way through the entire 42 page paper, read the excellent synopsis in the Daily Mail below.

Carey T. Sunny break may be alternative to in vitro fertilization: How the sunshine vitamin can help boost fertility. Daily Mail Online, January 30, 2012.

The takeaway message is the same as always, a message so common I should just start saying “ditto.” If you want to get pregnant, make sure you and your partner take 5,000 IU/day. If you don’t want to get pregnant, make sure you and your partner are on 5,000 IU/day plus a reliable method of birth control. I take no responsibility for surprise pregnancies.

Learn About Isotonix®

The World’s Most Advanced Nutraceuticals

What does isotonic mean?

Broken down to its roots, iso means 'the same' and tonic means 'pressure or tone.' When used to describe solutions that are meant for consumption, isotonic means having the same fluid pressure as body fluids. Tears, blood plasma, lymph and other body fluids are all isotonic. When we ingest food, gastric (stomach) juice is secreted onto the food, and muscular contractions of the stomach mix the contents until a reasonably uniform solution is achieved. The solutions of food (chyme) that enter the small intestine for absorption are made isotonic by the action of the stomach in a time-consuming process. The fluid pressure of food or isotonic solutions across semipermeable membranes, such as the walls of the small intestine, is generally referred to as having a particular osmolality or tonicity. Osmolality is measured in units referred to as milliosmoles/kilogram of water (mOsm/kg). It can be said that when solutions on opposite sides of a membrane have the same osmolality, they are iso-osmotic or isotonic. Normal human blood serum (the fluid portion without cells and platelets) has an osmolality of 288 mOsm/kg, as do most other fluids in the body. Therefore, in physiological terms, when a solution's osmolality is the same, or nearly the same, as that of normal human blood serum, it is referred to as isotonic.

Concentration and absorption

Concentration and absorption are factors that go hand in hand for the proper use of nutritional supplements. Concentration - the amount of nutrient dissolved in a given amount of a solvent such as water or stomach fluid - is usually directly related to the efficiency of nutrient absorption. This is especially true in the process of passive diffusion. Passive diffusion works when the concentration of nutrients in the lumen of the small intestine is higher than the concentration inside the intestinal cells.

The nutrients "flow"down from the gradient from high to low concentration. Since Isotonix products experience little dilution in the gastrointestinal tract, they arrive at the absorption sites in high concentration and ensure efficient absorption.

Because of their physiological character, Isotonix solutions undergo very little dilution in the body before they reach the absorption sites. They are the ideal vehicle for rapid nutrient utilization. Isotonix are the world's most advanced nutraceuticals.

Why is gastric (stomach) emptying time so important?

The longer a supplement stays in the stomach, the longer the time before absorption can begin, because no appreciable absorption occurs from the stomach. Often the rate-limiting step in the absorption process is the time it takes for the tablet or capsule to disintegrate, and the nutrients to dissolve and equilibrate to the proper (isotonic) state to leave the stomach. When all this has been completed — up to 40 minutes after ingestion — the diluted, acid-attacked nutrients can enter the small intestine for absorption.

Why is gastric emptying time stressed when talking about Isotonix?

Nutrients that are already isotonic do not need to be broken down into an isotonic state. Therefore, gastric emptying occurs more rapidly. Biological sensors in the gastrointestinal tract detect that the ingested solution is isotonic and at a correct pH. This causes the pyloric valve at the lower end of the stomach to remain open, allowing the concentrated solution to be squirted into the small intestine by stomach contractions. Absorption of the nutrients by the intestinal mucosa then starts to occur.

Isotonix Delivery System

Isotonix products are formulated with the proper balance of fructose, d-glucose, citric acid, potassium bicarbonate and other key ingredients to assure that they are isotonic when properly prepared. This combination of ingredients is necessary to maintain the flavor, isotonic character, pH and delivery efficiency of these nutritional supplements. Normally, when you ingest a daily vitamin or nutritional supplement tablet, your body must work for up to four hours digesting and absorbing the vitamins and nutrients. During this lengthy breakdown process, a percentage of the nutritive value is lost. But because Isotonix products are powders, none of the fillers, binders, coatings and lubricants that are common to tablet manufacturing are necessary. There are no gelatin capsules or fillers. As a result, the amount of time and work necessary to absorb a supplement is greatly decreased.

If You Take Oral Vitamin D You MUST Avoid Making this Serious Mistake

By Dr. Mercola

Did you know there are two types of vitamin D, and they are NOT interchangeable?

In fact, taking the wrong one could do you more harm than good...

Drisdol is a synthetic form of vitamin D2—made by irradiating fungus and plant matter—and is the form of vitamin D typically prescribed by doctors.

This is not the type produced by your body in response to sun or safe tanning bed exposure, which is vitamin D3.

A recent meta-analysis by the Cochrane Database looked at mortality rates for people who supplemented their diets with D2 versus those who did so with D3, the form naturally produced by your body, highlighting the significant differences between the two.

The analysis of 50 randomized controlled trials, which included a total of 94,000 participants, showed:

• A six percent relative risk reduction among those who used vitamin D3, but
• A two percent relative risk increase among those who used D2

According to the Vitamin D Council:

"You would think a paper that took a look at tens of thousands of subjects and analyzed the efficacy of prescription vitamin D (D2) and over-the-counter vitamin D (D3) would warrant a news story or two.

To my knowledge, these papers are the first to paint such a clear picture about the efficacy between D3 and D2.

While there may be explanations for D3's superiority other than improved efficacy, for the time being, these papers send doctors a message: use D3, not D2."

The Difference Between Supplemental Vitamin D2 and D3

The notion that vitamin D2 and D3 were equivalent was based on decades-old studies of rickets prevention in infants. Today, we know a lot more about vitamin D, and the featured study offers compelling support for the recommendation to take vitamin D3 if you need to take an oral supplement—which is the same type of D vitamin created in your body when you expose your skin to sunlight.

Supplemental vitamin D comes in two forms:

1. Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2)
2. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3)

I personally recommend getting your vitamin D from sun exposure (or a safe tanning bed), as there's compelling reason to believe the vitamin D created in your skin in response to sun exposure has some slight but important differences that make it even more beneficial than supplemental vitamin D3. I will address this more in just a moment, but first, let's review the differences between the two types of supplemental vitamin D. Aside from the featured findings that supplemental vitamin D3 reduced the relative mortality risk by six percent, while D2 actually INCREASED mortality risk by two percent, the two types differ in the following ways:

• According to the latest research, D3 is approximately 87 percent more potent in raising and maintaining vitamin D concentrations and produces 2- to 3-fold greater storage of vitamin D than does D2.
• Regardless of which form you use, your body must convert it into a more active form, and vitamin D3 is converted 500 percent faster than vitamin D2.
• Vitamin D2 also has a shorter shelf life, and its metabolites bind poorly with proteins, further hampering its effectiveness.

What about Dietary Sources? Animal-Based versus Plant-Based Vitamin D

Aside from taking an oral vitamin D supplement, you can also obtain small amounts of vitamin D from your diet. Here too, it's important to realize that not all food sources provide the same kind of vitamin D. Plant sources provide you with D2. The more beneficial D3 can only be had through animal-based sources such as:

• Fish, such as salmon, mackerel, tuna and sardines
• Egg yolk
• Raw milk

Dairy processors producing pasteurized milk have also been fortifying milk with vitamin D since 1933. Today, about 98 percent of the milk supply in the US is fortified with approximately 400 International Units (IU) of vitamin D per quart. While dairies used to fortify their milk with vitamin D2, most have now switched over to D3. But, if you still drink pasteurized milk (which I don't recommend), check the label to see which form of vitamin D has been added. (If you drink raw milk, then you're getting the naturally-occurring vitamin D in the milk fat.) Keep in mind that although milk is fortified, other dairy products such as cheese and ice cream does typically not contain added vitamin D.

Vitamin D Can Make or Break Your Health, So Get the Right Kind!

There's overwhelming evidence that vitamin D is a key player in your overall health. This is understandable when you consider that it is not "just" a vitamin; it's actually a neuroregulatory steroidal hormone that influences nearly 3,000 different genes in your body. Receptors that respond to the vitamin have been found in almost every type of human cell, from your brain to your bones.

Just one example of an important gene that vitamin D up-regulates is your ability to fight infections, as well as chronic inflammation. It produces over 200 antimicrobial peptides, the most important of which is cathelicidin, a naturally occurring broad-spectrum antibiotic. This is one of the explanations for why it can be so effective against colds and influenza.

Optimizing your vitamin D levels should be at the top of the list for virtually everyone, regardless of your age, sex, color, or health status, as vitamin D deficiency has been linked to an astonishingly diverse array of common chronic diseases, such as:

Cancer	Hypertension	Heart disease
Autism	Obesity	Rheumatoid arthritis
Diabetes 1 and 2	Multiple Sclerosis	Crohn's disease
Cold & Flu	Inflammatory Bowel Disease	Tuberculosis
Septicemia	Signs of aging	Dementia
Eczema & Psoriasis	Insomnia	Hearing loss
Muscle pain	Cavities	Periodontal disease
Osteoporosis	Macular degeneration	Reduced C-section risk
Pre eclampsia	Seizures	Infertility
Asthma	Cystic fibrosis	Migraines
Depression	Alzheimer's disease	Schizophrenia

The IDEAL Way to Optimize Your Vitamin D Levels

While this article is focused on the two types of oral vitamin D supplementation, it's important to realize that the IDEAL way to optimize your vitamin D levels is through appropriate sun or safe tanning bed exposure. While your skin does create vitamin D3 in response to sun light, which is theoretically the same as the D3 you get from an oral supplement, there's cause to believe that the vitamin D created from sun exposure may have additional health benefits, and here's why:

• When you expose your skin to the sun, your skin also synthesizes high amounts of cholesterol sulfate, which is very important for heart- and cardiovascular health. In fact, according to research by Dr. Stephanie Seneff, high LDL and subsequent heart disease may in fact be a symptom of cholesterol sulfate deficiency. Sulfur deficiency also promotes obesity and related health problems like diabetes
• When exposed to sunshine, your skin also synthesizes vitamin D3 sulfate. This form of vitamin D is water soluble, unlike oral vitamin D3 supplements, which is unsulfated. The water-soluble form can travel freely in your bloodstream, whereas the unsulfated form needs LDL (the so-called "bad" cholesterol) as a vehicle of transport. According to Dr. Stephanie Seneff, there's reason to believe that many of the profound benefits of vitamin D are actually due to the vitamin D sulfate. As a result, she suspects that the oral non-sulfated form of vitamin D might not provide all of the same benefits, because it cannot be converted to vitamin D sulfate
• You cannot overdose when getting your vitamin D from sun exposure, as your body has the ability to self-regulate and only make what it needs

So essentially, getting regular sun exposure has much greater health ramifications than "just" raising your vitamin D levels and preventing infections. Sun exposure also appears to play a role in heart- and cardiovascular health, and much more!

If you cannot get your vitamin D requirements from sun exposure, I recommend using a safe tanning bed (one with electronic ballasts rather than magnetic ballasts, to avoid unnecessary exposure to EMF fields). Safe tanning beds also have less of the dangerous UVA than sunlight, while unsafe ones have more UVA than sunlight. If neither of these are feasible options, then you should take an oral vitamin D3 supplement. It will certainly be better than no vitamin D at all.

How Much Vitamin D Should You Take?

Some 40 leading vitamin D experts from around the world currently agree that there's no specific dosage level at which "magic" happens; rather the most important factor when it comes to vitamin D is your serum level (the level of vitamin D in your blood). So you really should be taking whatever dosage required to obtain a therapeutic level of vitamin D in your blood.

That said, based on the most recent research by GrassrootsHealth—an organization that has greatly contributed to the current knowledge on vitamin D through their D* Action Study—it appears as though most adults need about 8,000 IU's of vitamin D a day in order to raise their serum levels above 40 ng/ml. For children, many experts agree they need about 35 IU's of vitamin D per pound of body weight.

At the time GrassrootsHealth performed the studies that resulted in this dosage recommendation, the optimal serum level was believed to be between 40 to 60 ng/ml. Since then, the optimal vitamin D level has been raised to 50-70 ng/ml, and when treating cancer or heart disease, as high as 70-100 ng/ml, as illustrated in the chart above.

What this means is that even if you do not regularly monitor your vitamin D levels (which you should), your risk of overdosing is going to be fairly slim even if you take as much as 8,000 IU's a day. However, the only way to determine your optimal dose is to get your blood tested regularly, and adjust your dosage to maintain that goldilocks' zone.

This Mercola article is exactly why I strongly recommend Isotonix® Vitamin D with K2. It may be the most cost effective supplement you can add to your daily regimen. For about $1 a day, you can add 5,000 IU of Isotonic Vitamin D3.

Isotonix® Vitamin D with K2

Key Ingredients found in Isotonix® Vitamin D with K2:

Vitamin D3 (Cholecalciferol): 5000 IU

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is found in some foods and endogenously produced when sunlight strikes the skin and activates vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D promotes the efficient intestinal absorption of calcium, primarily in the duodenum and jejunum by supporting the synthesis of calcium-binding proteins to promote normal calcium absorption and retention. Vitamin D also promotes the normal formation of bone and normal bone growth and bone remodeling by osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Vitamin D deficiency can be caused by factors such as lack of exposure to sunlight, reduced skin synthesis of vitamin D, lower dietary intake, impaired intestinal absorption, and reduced metabolism to active forms of vitamin D by the kidneys, all of which increase with aging. Deficiency has been linked to numerous health concerns, and insufficient levels of this vitamin are associated with weak bones and muscle weakness. In addition to promoting strong bones, vitamin D also has other roles in health, including supporting the body’s normal modulation of neuromuscular function and immune function. Vitamin D has been shown to support immune-modulation, and it is thought that supplementation promotes immune health by promoting the body’s normal regulation of T-cell function. In reference to cellular health, Vitamin D supports the modulation of many genes that are responsible for encoding proteins that regulate normal cell cycle activity. Vitamin D levels have been strongly correlated to healthy cells. Lastly, through its interaction with VDR (vitamin D receptor), vitamin D supports the healthy expression of the gene encoding renin, thus helping to maintain healthy blood pressure.*

Vitamin K2: 45 mcg

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin found meat, eggs, dairy and natto. Although a fat-soluble vitamin, the body stores very little K2, and its stores are rapidly depleted without regular dietary intake. Natural vitamin K2, also known as menaquinone-7 (MK-7), is the most bioavailable form of K2 and has the longest half-life in the blood of any form of vitamin K. The Japanese soy food natto is particularly rich in menaquinone-7 (MK-7). Studies of natto consumption in Japan have linked menaquinone-7 to bone and cardiovascular health. The correlation of vitamin K to cardiovascular and bone health directly focuses on supporting proper calcium utilization, whereby adequate metabolism of calcium supports arterial and bone health. This is often referred to as the calcium paradox. The calcium paradox is explained simply as getting calcium in the right place (i.e., into the bone structures instead of the arterial vessel walls). These events are dependent upon the synthesis of the vitamin K-dependent proteins osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein in a process called carboxylation. The carboxylation of these proteins is a post-translational step; that is, osteocalcin and matrix Gla protein are translated from their respective messenger RNA and then modified by enzymes to the active forms. These carboxylated forms support the healthy binding and releasing of calcium. This reaction is essential for optimal and healthy utilization of calcium. Vitamin K2 promotes the synthesis of proteins involved with calcium utilization, thereby supporting bone retention and arterial health. While vitamin D supports the healthy regulation and synthesis of osteocalcin, the mineral-binding capacity of this protein requires vitamin K-dependent carboxylation and is thought to be related to bone mineralization. Gas6 is a vitamin K-dependent protein found throughout the nervous system, as well in the heart, lungs, stomach, kidneys and cartilage. Although the exact mechanism of its action has not been determined, Gas6 appears to be a cellular growth regulator involved in cellular activities such as cell adhesion, cell proliferation and protection against apoptosis.*

Scientific Studies Which Support Isotonix® Vitamin D with K2:

· Knapen M et al. Vitamin K2 supplementation improves hip bone geometry and bone strength indices in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis International. 18(7):963-72, 2007.

· Shiraki, M., et al. Vitamin K2 (menatetrenone) effectively prevents fractures and sustains lumbar bone mineral density in osteoporosis. Journal of Bone & Mineral Research. 15:515-522, 2000.

· Hiruma Y et al. Vitamin K(2) and geranylgeraniol, its side chain component, inhibited osteoclast formation in a different manner. Biochemical Biophysical Research Communications. 314(1):24-30, 2004.

· Plaza S and Lamson D. Vitamin K2 in bone metabolism and osteoporosis. Alternative Medicine Reviews. 10(1):24-35, 2005. Review.

· Kameda T et al. Vitamin K2 inhibits osteoclastic bone resorption by inducing osteoclast apoptosis. Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications. 220(3):515-519, 1996.

· Taira H et al. Menatetrenone (vitamin K2) acts directly on circulating human osteoclast precursors. Calcified Tissue International. 73(1):78-85, 2003.
Hidaka T et al. Treatment for patients with postmenopausal osteoporosis who have been placed on HRT and show a decrease in bone mineral density: effects of concomitant administration of vitamin K(2). Journal of Bone and Mineral Metabolism. 20(4):235-239, 2002.

· Iwamoto J et al. Effects of vitamin K2 on osteoporosis. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 10(21):2557-2576, 2004.

· Iwamoto J et al. Treatment with vitamin D3 and/or vitamin K2 for postmenopausal osteoporosis. The Keio Journal of Medicine. 2003 Sep;52(3):147-50. Review.

· Neogi, T., et al. Low vitamin K status is associated with osteoarthritis in the hand and knee. Arthritis and Rheumatism. 54(4):1255-1261, 2006.
Price P. Role of vitamin K-dependent proteins in bone metabolism. Annual Review of Nutrition. 8:565-583, 1988.

· Bekner K. The vitamin K-dependent carboxylase. Journal of Nutrition. 130(8):1877-1880, 2000.

· Nelsestuen G et al. Vitamin K-dependent proteins. Vitamins and Hormones. 58:355-389, 2000.

· Shearer M. Role of vitamin K and Gla proteins in the pathophysiology of osteoporosis and vascular calcification. Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care. 3(6):433-438, 2000.

· Gundberg C et al. Vitamin K status and bone health: an analysis of methods for determination under carboxylated osteocalcin. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 83(9):3258-3266, 1998.

· Weber P. Management of osteoporosis: is there a role for vitamin K? International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. 67(5):350-6, 1997.

· Garber, A. K., et al. Comparison of phylloquinone bioavailability from food sources or a supplement in human subjects. Journal of Nutrition. 129(6):1201-1203, 1999.

· Binkley N et al. Vitamin K nutrition and osteoporosis. Journal of Nutrition. 125(7):1812-1821, 1995.

· Bischoff-Ferrari Het al. Fracture prevention with vitamin D supplementation: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JAMA. 293(18):2257-2264, 2005.

· Guirguis-Blake J et al. Oral vitamin D3 decreases fracture risk in the elderly. Journal of Family Practice. 52(6):431-435, 2003.

· Schaafsma, A., et al. Vitamin D3 and vitamin K1 supplementation of Dutch postmenopausal women with normal and low bone mineral densities: effects on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and carboxylated osteocalcin. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 54:626-631, 2000.

· Trivedi Det al. Effect of four monthly oral vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) supplementation on fractures and mortality in men and women living in the community: randomised double blind controlled trial. British Medical Journal. 326(7387):469, 2003.

· Van den Berghe G et al. Bone turnover in prolonged critical illness: effect of vitamin D. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 88(10):4623-4632, 2003.

· Chapuy M et al. Vitamin D3 and calcium to prevent hip fractures in the elderly women. New England Journal of Medicine. 327(23):1637-1642, 1992.

· Grant W and Holick M. Benefits and requirements of vitamin D for optimal health. Alternative Medicine Review. 10:94-111, 2005.

· Plaza S and Lamson D. Vitamin K2 in bone metabolism and osteoporosis. Alternative Medicine Reviews. 10(1):24-35, 2005. Review.

· Zitterman A et al. Low vitamin D status: a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of congestive heart failure? Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 41(1):105-112, 2003.

· Schleithoff S et al. Vitamin D supplementation improves cytokine profiles in patients with congestive heart failure: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 83(4):754-759, 2006.
Argiles A et al. Blood pressure is correlated with vitamin D(3) serum levels in dialysis patients. Blood Purification. 20(4):370-375, 2002.

· Kristal-Boneh E et al. Association of calcitriol and blood pressure in normotensive men. Hypertension. 30(5):1289-1294, 1997.

· Li Y et al. 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D(3) is a negative endocrine regulator of the renin-angiotensin system. Journal of Clinical Investigation. 110(2):229-238, 2002.

· Li Y et al. Vitamin D regulation of the renin-angiotensin system. Journal of Cell Biochemistry. 88(2):327-331, 2003.

· Li Y et al. Vitamin D: a negative endocrine regulator of the renin-angiotensin system and blood pressure. Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 89-90(1-5):387-392, 2004.

· Pfeifer M et al. Effects of a short-term vitamin D(3) and calcium supplementation on blood pressure and parathyroid hormone levels in elderly women. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. 86(4):1633-1637, 2001.

· Sigmund C. Regulation of renin expression and blood pressure by vitamin D(3). Journal of Clinical Investigation. 110(2):155-156, 2002.
Vasquez A et al. The clinical importance of vitamin D (cholecalciferol): a paradigm shift with implications for all healthcare providers. Alternative Therapies. 10(5):28-38, 2004.

· Nimptsch K et al. Dietary intake of vitamin K and risk of prostate cancer in the Heidelberg cohort of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 87:985-992, 2008.

· Habu D et al. Role of vitamin K2 in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma in women with viral cirrhosis of the liver. JAMA. 292(3):358-361, 2004.

· Yoshida T et al. Apoptosis induction of vitamin K2 in lung carcinoma cell lines: the possibility of vitamin K2 therapy for lung cancer. International Journal of Oncology. 23(3):627-632, 2003.

· Lamson D and Plaza S. The anticancer effects of vitamin K. Alternative Medicine Review. 8(3):303-18, 2003.
Yokoyama T et al. Combination of vitamin K2 plus imatinib mesylate enhances induction of apoptosis in small cell lung cancer cell lines. International Journal of Oncology. 26(1):33-40, 2005.

· Chlebowski R et al. Vitamin K in the treatment of cancer. Cancer Treatment Review. 12:49-63, 1985.

· Lamson D et al. The anticancer effects of vitamin K. Alternative Medicine Review. 8(3):303-318, 2003.

· Hitomi M et al. Antitumor effects of vitamins K1, K2 and K3 on hepatocellular carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. International Journal of Oncology. 26(3):713-720, 2005.

· Nouso K et al. Regression of hepatocellular carcinoma during vitamin K administration. World Journal of Gastroenterology. 11(42):6722-6724, 2005.

· Blackmore K et al. Vitamin D from dietary intake and sunlight exposure and the risk of hormone-receptor-defined breast cancer. American Journal of Epidemiology. 168(8):915-24, 2008.

· Deluca H et al. Vitamin D: its role and uses in immunology. FASEB Journal. 15(14):2579-2585, 2001.
Adorini L. Immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D receptor ligands in autoimmune diseases. International Immunopharmacology. 2(7):1017-1028, 2002.

· Cantorna M et al. Mounting evidence for vitamin D as an environmental factor affecting autoimmune disease prevalence. Experimental Biology and Medicine (Maywood). 229(11):1136-1142, 2004.

· Cantorna M. Vitamin D and autoimmunity: is vitamin D status an environmental factor affecting autoimmune disease prevalence? Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine. 223:230-233, 2000.

· Garland C et al. The role of vitamin D in cancer prevention. American Journal of Public Health. 96(2):252-61, 2006.

· Giovannucci E et al. Prospective study of predictors of vitamin D status and cancer incidence and mortality in men. Journal of the National Cancer Institute. 98(7):451-459, 2006.

· Holick, M. Vitamin D: Its role in cancer prevention and treatment. Progress in Biophysics and Molecular Biology. 92(1):49-59, 2006.

· Gorham E et al. Vitamin D and prevention of colorectal cancer. Journal Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. 97(1-2):179-94, 2005.

· Grant W et al. Reviews: A critical review of studies on vitamin D in relation to colorectal cancer. Nutrition and Cancer. 48(2):115-123, 2004.

· Harris D et al. Vitamin D and colon carcinogenesis. Journal of Nutrition. 134(12):3463S-3471S, 2004.

· Hayes C et al. The immunological functions of the vitamin D endocrine system. Cellular and Molecular Biology. 49(2):277-300, 2003.

What makes Isotonix® Vitamin D with K2 product unique?

Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 contains vitamin D3, the metabolically active form of vitamin D, along with vitamin K2, a form of vitamin K which supports vascular health and calcium utilization. Vitamin D plays an important role in bone health, heart health and immune support while working with vitamin K to support normal absorption of calcium and promote healthy arteries. Isotonix Vitamin D is the first of its kind to deliver both of these powerful vitamins with isotonic delivery.

Vitamin K is included in Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 because of its unique partnership with vitamin D. Vitamins K and D work together to support calcium absorption and utilization. Vitamin K supports the normal delivery of calcium to the bones and promotes healthy arteries.

At least two naturally occurring forms of vitamin K have been identified and are known as K1 and K2. While there are many similarities between these two forms of vitamin K, they are distinguished by their important differences. The most significant difference between K1 and K2 is their chemical structure, which results in different pharmacokinetic properties. Vitamin K1 is retained primarily in the liver where, at high doses, it may interfere with the action of warfarin and other anticoagulant medications.

Vitamin K2 has a different mechanism of action. It is transported primarily to bones and blood vessels. Vitamin K2 helps to maintain bone mass, support calcium utilization and promote elasticity of blood vessels.

Some studies have concluded that vitamin K2 does not interfere with anticoagulant medications.* However, most products containing vitamin K (including K1 and/or K2) warn users taking anticoagulants not to take the product. If you are currently taking warfarin or another anticoagulant medication, you should consult your physician before taking any product containing vitamin K1 or K2.

Related terms: vitamin D, vitamin K, bone health, cardiovascular health, immune support, D3, K2

Frequently Asked Questions about Isotonix® Vitamin D with K2:

Why is vitamin K included in Isotonix^® Vitamin D with K2?

Vitamin K is included in this product because of its unique partnership with vitamin D. Vitamins K and D work together to promote healthy calcium absorption and utilization. Vitamin K supports the delivery of calcium to the bones and helps maintain arterial health.*

Is Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 safe for people on anti-coagulant medications?

Some studies have concluded that vitamin K2 does not interfere with anticoagulant medications. However, most products containing vitamin K (including K1 and/or K2) warn users taking anticoagulants not to take the product. If you are currently taking warfarin or another anticoagulant medication, you should consult your physician before taking any product containing vitamin K1 or K2.

How do I take Isotonix Vitamin D with K2?

Mix one capful of Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 with 2 ounces of water. Take one serving daily.

Is it safe to take more than one serving of this product daily?

One serving daily of Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 is recommended. Check with your physician before taking additional daily servings of this product.

Is there a toxicity level for vitamin D?

The recommended daily Upper Limit for vitamin D is 10,000 IU, however, safety studies indicate that up to 40,000 IU may be safe for most people. If you wish to take more than one daily serving of this product, you should check with your physician.

What are dietary sources of vitamin D?

Foods rich in vitamin D include cod liver oil, salmon, mackerel and tuna.

For more information:

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Rare gene links vitamin D and multiple sclerosis

8 December 2011 Last updated at 08:15 ET
BBC News

Researchers say a variant gene which reduces vitamin D levels could be directly linked to MS

A rare genetic variant which causes reduced levels of vitamin D appears to be directly linked to multiple sclerosis, says an Oxford University study.

UK and Canadian scientists identified the mutated gene in 35 parents of a child with MS and, in each case, the child inherited it.

Researchers say this adds weight to suggestions of a link between vitamin D deficiency and MS.

Multiple sclerosis is an inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

Although the cause of MS is not yet conclusively known, both genetic and environmental factors and their interactions are known to be important.

Oxford University researchers, along with Canadian colleagues at the University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia and McGill University, set out to look for rare genetic changes that could explain strong clustering of MS cases in some families in an existing Canadian study.

They sequenced all the gene-coding regions in the genomes of 43 individuals selected from families with four or more members with MS.

The team compared the DNA changes they found against existing databases, and identified a change in the gene CYP27B1 as being important.

Learn about your genetic risk based on variations in your unique genetic code

When people inherit two copies of this gene they develop a genetic form of rickets - a disease caused by vitamin D deficiency.

Just one copy of the mutated CYP27B1 gene affects a key enzyme which leads people with it to have lower levels of vitamin D.

The researchers then looked for the rare gene variant in over 3,000 families of unaffected parents with a child with MS.

They found 35 parents who carried one copy of this variant along with one normal copy.

In every one of these 35 cases, the child with MS had inherited the mutated version of the gene.

The likelihood of this gene's transmission being unconnected to the MS is billions to one against, say the researchers.

Prof George Ebers, lead study author at Oxford University, says the odds are overwhelming.

"All 35 children inheriting the variant is like flipping a coin 35 times and getting 35 heads, entailing odds of 32 billion to one against."

He added: "This type of finding has not been seen in any complex disease. The uniform transmission of a variant to offspring with MS is without precedent but there will have been interaction with other factors."

Prof Ebers believes that this new evidence adds to previous observational studies which have suggested that sunshine levels around the globe - the body needs sunshine to generate vitamin D - are linked to MS.

He maintained that there was now enough evidence to carry out large-scale studies of vitamin D supplements for preventing multiple sclerosis.

"It would be important particularly in countries like Scotland and the rest of the UK where sunshine levels are low for large parts of the year. Scotland has the greatest incidence of multiple sclerosis of any country in the world."

Dr Doug Brown, head of biomedical research at the MS Society, called it an important development.

"This shines more light on the potential role of vitamin D deficiency on increasing the risk of developing MS.

"This research is gathering momentum and will be the subject of discussion at an international expert meeting in the USA this month, the outcomes of which will shape future research that will give us the answers we so desperately need about the potential risks and benefit of vitamin D supplementation."

Paul Comer, from the charity MS Trust, said the research strengthened the case for vitamin D being one potential contributory cause of MS.

"Current opinion suggests that a combination of genetic predisposition, environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight and possibly some sort of trigger, such as a viral infection, interact in some way to start the development of MS.

"We welcome any research that clarifies the interplay between these factors. This is another step towards finding ways to reduce the risk of developing MS, but it is likely to be some years yet before we can gauge the significance of vitamin D deficiency to MS."

Are Vitamins Good For You?

Are vitamins good for you?

Phillip A. Black
December 2011

Over the past several weeks, I have read numerous articles and blogs on the topic of vitamins (and supplements) and if they are good for you or not. Almost all of the articles, no matter what credentials the authors do or do not have are simply rubbish. Period. End of story. Why would I make that statement? Because EVERY article I read about this topic contains the same fatal errors. The authors generalize and do not account for any variables. Well, it's time to set the record straight. I am going to justify why my mantra is "Eat well, exercise, and supplement intelligently."

Yesterday, I read an article written by a dietician who stated that most people under 50 do not need supplementation if they eat well. Really? How does she define eating well? I don't know because she didn't define eating well in her article. Does eating well mean following the laughable food pyramid? Does eating well mean eating only organic foods grown locally? Does eating well mean eating the types of food that our genes require for optimal wellness? Does eating well include consuming canned or frozen fruits and vegetables? The answers to just a few of those questions can make a huge difference. Ask ten people if they eat well and almost all of them will answer affirmative to some degree. Very few people will say they do not eat well. However, eating well is relative.

Most people think yogurt is a health food...and it can be. Well, if you eat organic, plain yogurt with active cultures and no added sugar, it is very healthy. However, how many people eat that type of yogurt? I see what people put into their carts at the store and it's not plain, organic yogurt. Dannon Company settled a class action suit to the tune of $35 Million regarding its Activa yogurt line. The lawsuit was filed in early 2008, alleging that Dannon knowingly misled consumers in its marketing of the yogurt. The massive false advertising campaign convinced shoppers to pay 30% more for yogurt containing “probiotic” bacteria because of the products’ supposed health benefits. You see, it's not that healthy! It contains fructose syrup, sugar, and fructose (three distinct instances of added sugar on top of the sugar naturally present in the strawberries and the lactose). The total sugar count is 17 grams per serving (just over 4 teaspoons). The three added sugars only account for one teaspoon though. This is actually not too bad, and much better than Yoplait Strawberry Yogurt that clocks in at 27 grams of sugar. What does this have to do with vitamins? Perception. People are misinformed by advertising and simply do not grasp the facts. In a perfect world, I might agree with the author's assessment that most people under 50 do not need supplementation IF they truly ate well. However, this is NOT a perfect world. Look around. How many people eat well? Obesity rates are soaring. The number of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes is soaring. Because of financial struggles, Americans are eating cheap, processed foods at an alarming rate. A study published in December 2007 issue of the Journal of the American Dietetic Association found that a single dollar could purchase 1,200 calories of cookies or potato chips, but only 250 calories of carrots- which may help explain why the highest rates of obesity continue to be observed among groups of limited economic means.

Where do Americans eat their food? Americans are now spending over $140 billion annually on fast food at over 25,000 fast food restaurants. Based on this statistic alone, Americans are not making solid nutritional decisions. How about a Happy Meal? A cheeseburger happy meal with fries and a soda at McDonald's has 640 calories and 24 grams of fat. This is over half of the total calories many children should be eating in a day. And that soda? It contains way too much sugar but it also contains phosphoric acid. So what? Calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus must be maintained in the proper balance for healthy bones. When too much phosphorus is in the blood, calcium is leached from the bones, causing osteoporosis. Even in citrus sodas which contain citric acid instead of phosphoric acid, calcium is needed to normalize blood pH. In a nutshell, we are overfed and undernourished as a country. Clearly, this is not a perfect world.
 
Let me take this one step further. Let's assume we have a population who chooses to eat a plant based diet. Let's take a look at the soil those plants are grown in. Almost all non-organic produce is now grown on factory farms. This means that the farms use modern production techniques to maximize production and profit. These modern means include pesticides, artificial fertilizers, and a lack of crop rotation. This means that the soil is nutritionally deficient as well as contaminated with chemicals. This is what the plants derive their nutrition from. You see, modern factory farms are paid solely on production and how nice the plants look. There is no financial incentive for nutritional value. This explains why there is a movement towards organic farming. People realize the food we are consuming is lacking nutritional value. So, even if you are eating a variety of fruits and vegetables, if they are not organic, the nutritional value is not what it once was. Donald Davis, a biochemist at the University of Texas, said that of 13 major nutrients in fruits and vegetables tracked by the US Department of Agriculture from 1950 to 1999, six showed noticeable declines -- protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, riboflavin and vitamin C. The declines ranged from 6 percent for protein, 15 percent for iron, 20 percent for vitamin C, and 38 percent for riboflavin.

There are also a number of external reasons why people are not getting the nutrition one would expect from food. The number of people taking prescription medications, that impact the bioavailability of nutrition, is soaring. People taking certain drugs can not synthesize the nutritional value from food they eat. In other cases, the prescriptions themselves diminish the body.

• Antibiotics like penicillin and Tetracycline often cause deficiencies in B and K vitamins.
• Anti-inflammatories such as Prednisone, Medrol, Decadron and even over-the-counter aspirin can cause loss to important nutrients like Calcium, Vitamin C and Folic Acid.
• Oral Contraceptives and Hormone Replacement Therapy drugs affect the entire range of B Vitamins and can lead to low Folic Acid levels.
• Common antacids and ulcer medications impact Vitamins D and B12, as well as Iron and Zinc.
• Cholesterol drugs like Lipitor, Zocor and others deplete Coenzyme Q10, which can affect cardiovascular function and weaken the immune system.

Another fatal flaw of these articles is that the authors lump all vitamins and supplements together as if they're all the same. The premise of many of the articles I've read is that vitamins (in general) are either needed or not needed. That is way too simplistic. By vitamins, are they talking about multi-vitamins only or are they talking about the various types of individual vitamins available today (such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, etc? Are they talking about Centrum or are they talking about Isotonix® supplements? They are not all the same as you will see.

Let's briefly look at the ingredients of the popular Flintstones vitamins. They contain sorbitol, which is a sweetener, gelatin, a binding agent, natural & artificial flavors (including fruit acids), pregelatinized starch, a thickener, stearic acid, a saturated fat, carrageenan, a stabilizer made from seaweed, hydrogenated vegetable oil (soybean, castor), FD&C Red #40 Lake, a dye, FD&C Yellow #6 Lake, a dye, aspartame, an artificial sweetener, xylitol, a sugar alcohol, and FD&C Blue #2 Lake, a dye. Excuse me, but what is hydrogenated oil doing in a health product? I don't know either. Many popular vitamins sold in stores ARE JUNK and should not be consumed. However, there are brands of vitamins and supplements that do not contain binders, fillers, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, alcohol, and hydrogenated oil. So please do NOT lump all vitamins together!!!

Because I am discussing perceptions and misconceptions, I need to lay out the facts about processed milk. One of the greatest misconceptions, or lies, is that processed milk is healthy and that it builds strong bones. Really? Yes, ask anybody, right? If you believe this, you are a sucker and have fallen victim to advertising. See for yourself. Visit The American Dairy Association and Dairy Council's website (http://www.adadc.com/) and read their mission statement. It states: "Our Mission: The mission of the American Dairy Association and Dairy Council, Inc. is to economically benefit dairy farmers by encouraging the consumption of milk and dairy products through advertising, education and promotion, to reach consumers with product benefits and advantages." They are being quite clear that they are in business to help the farmers by encouraging the consumption of dairy products through advertising. Nothing wrong with that...except you have all been conned if you think processed milk is good for you and that it helps build strong bones. The fact is that the countries with the highest dairy consumption have the highest rate of osteoporosis. According to the International Osteoporosis Foundation, the United States and Europe account for 51% of all fractures from osteoporosis and according to the United States Department of Agriculture, countries in the European Union and the United States are the number one and two processed milk consumers in the entire world. Yes, it’s true. Europeans and Americans not only consume the most processed milk, we also suffer the most cases of osteoporosis across the globe. I'm sure our friendly dietician didn't know these facts and probably feels if a person gets enough milk, supplementation (calcium, magnesium, and Vitamin D) is not necessary.

Bottom line. Based on surveys that I've personally conducted, over 70% of the population takes some type of supplementation. Unfortunately, due to the power of advertising and the lack of education, much of the supplementation is garbage and the consumer's money is wasted. When we go into a medical professional's office and survey clients, we ask them if they take any form of supplementation? If the answer is yes, we follow up with a question that asks what happens if they stop taking it- do they feel any difference? Almost always, the answer is no, they don't feel any different. At that point, we pause and ask the patients, if the supplements were working, wouldn't they feel a difference when they stopped taking them? The fact of the matter is so many people take junky supplements that they're not getting any benefit from them. Many top selling brands never even dissolve in the body. That's right. Because of the binders, fillers, and additives, the pills never dissolve. They exit the body in essentially the same shape they entered. Don't believe me? See the image below and Google the term bed pan bullets.

I could go on and on and discuss every type of supplement on the market but I think I've provided some facts and evidence that throwing all vitamins or supplements into the same pot is ridiculous and these articles generalizing supplement usage are nonsense. Some supplements are effective and some are not. Some are effective for certain populations and some are not. My belief is that, as a baseline, everyone should be taking quality multi-vitamin, Omega 3, and B-complex supplements.

For those in pain, or dealing with inflammation, I would strongly suggest a potent anti-oxidant. The most effective that I've found is called Isotonix OPC-3®. Isotonix OPC-3® is an isotonic-capable food supplement that is made from a combination of bilberry, grape seed, red wine and pine bark extracts, and citrus extract bioflavonoids, all found to be powerful antioxidants. Oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPCs) are bioflavonoids (complex organic plant compounds) found in fruits, vegetables and certain tree barks that provide exceptional nutritional benefits to the human body. Studies have shown OPCs to be up to 20 times more powerful than vitamin C and 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals.

Phillip along with his wife Beth, own Orlampa Enterprises, Inc. OEI specializes in helping people lose sickness and find wellness. Phillip and Beth also work with health care professionals to implement holistic wellness programs into their existing practice with the goal to educate both the health care provider and the patient. The programs, which provide the health care professional with a substantial additional income stream in this ever changing medical marketplace, allow the patient to achieve true wellness instead of receiving a traditional treatment for symptoms. If you are a health care provider or a patient who would like to receive nutritional counseling from your physician, Please contact Phillip at pb@orlampa.com or Beth at bb@orlampa.com or contact Beth at 727.492.8212.

Orlampa Enterprises is a privately held company based in Trinity, Florida. Contact Phillip at pb@orlampa.com for more information about independent business opportunities.