The Importance Of Monitoring Vitamin D Levels In All Patients With Cirrhosis
Page Updated May 2011
Also See; March 2011
Cirrhosis; Vitamin K Deficiencies
2010 From; The AASLD and EASL
Treatment and Vitamin D
Monitoring Vitamin D In All Patients With Cirrhosis
March 2011
Vitamin D deficiency is a well reported complication in chronic cholestatic liver disease such as primary biliary cirrhosis. While the prevalence and treatment of this deficiency has been addressed in many articles over the last decades, little is known of the vitamin D status in alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
A research article published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The authors described the serum vitamin D status in a retrospective case series of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis compared to those with primary biliary cirrhosis.
The study showed that vitamin D deficiency is more frequent and severe in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis than in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Furthermore, it indicated that the degree of liver dysfunction, rather than the aetiology of cirrhosis, dictates the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring vitamin D levels in all patients with cirrhosis. However, further studies are needed to find the most favourable form of vitamin D supplementation for these patients.
Reference:
Malham M, Jørgensen SP, Ott P, Agnholt J, Vilstrup H, Borre M, Dahlerup JF. Vitamin D deficiency in cirrhosis relates to liver dysfunction rather than aetiology. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17(7): 922-925
Source:
Ye-Ru Wang
World Journal of Gastroenterology
Healthy Sources of Vitamin D
Released: 5/11/2011 9:00 AM EDT
Source: University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Newswise — HOUSTON – The recent increase in recommended vitamin D intake from the Food and Nutrition Board may prompt some to seek more summer sun. But, experts at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center say there’s no safe amount of time people can stay in the sun without increasing skin cancer risks.
People tend to think of sunshine when they think of vitamin D — and for good reason. When UV rays come in contact with the skin, it triggers the creation of vitamin D.
“Some people may absorb enough vitamin D from their routine outdoor exposure,” says Susan Y. Chon, M.D., assistant professor in MD Anderson’s Department of Dermatology. “However, the benefits of UV exposure may be limited because they can lead to increased risks of developing skin cancer.”
On a hot summer day, unprotected skin can be damaged in as little as 15 minutes.
Add vitamin D to your diet
So, why is vitamin D so important? It’s the main building block for maintaining bone health. Without it, you can develop thin and brittle bones. Vitamin D also boosts the immune system to help fight off germs, bacteria and diseases, including certain cancers.
To avoid skin cancer, Chon recommends getting the daily fill of vitamin D from foods and, if necessary, supplements.
A handful of foods provide a large serving of this vitamin, including:
• Cod liver oil: According to the National Institutes of Health, this fish extract provides the largest amount of vitamin D — just one tablespoon offers 1,360 IUs (International Units).
• Fish: One serving (about three ounces) of certain types of fish also can give you a healthy dose of vitamin D. This includes:
o Salmon: Provides 447 IUs per serving
o Mackerel: Provides 388 IUs per serving
o Tuna: Provides 154 IUs per serving
• Milk: Milk really does a body good. Just one cup of whole, reduced fat or non-fat milk is fortified with vitamin D and provides 115 – 124 IUs.
• Fortified cereals: Ready-to-eat cereals, fortified with 10 percent of the daily recommendation for vitamin D, are an easy way sneak in extra nutrients. A three-quarter to one cup serving can provide at least 40 IUs.
Vitamin D needs aren’t one-size-fits-all
The amount of vitamin D the body needs depends mostly on age. Below are the daily recommended allowances from the Food and Nutrition Board.
• Birth to 12 months: 400 IUs
• Age 1 to 70: 600 IUs
• Age 70 and older: 800 IUs
Most people can get their daily fill of vitamin D by drinking a cup of milk and eating a three-ounce serving of salmon.
“There’s no doubt that vitamin D is vital when it comes to healthy bones and preventing diseases like cancer,” Chon says. “But, there’s no need to sacrifice sun safety (like skipping sunscreen or spending countless hours soaking in the rays) to get your fill.”
For more vitamin D and sun safety information, visit www.mdanderson.org/focused.
Vitamin D News 2011
Vitamin D, specifically vitamin D3 cholecalciferol, is quite the hot topic lately. Medical journals are overflowing with the latest research findings on vitamin D and the many ways it is beneficial to one's health. Almost daily, vitamin D appears to be dominating the headlines in the media, and people all over the globe are starting to realize that vitamin D is one health factor that should not be overlooked.
To help you stay informed, we've compiled the most current vitamin D news articles here in one convenient, easy location! Continuously updated, we hope the Vitamin D Council's Vitamin D News page will come to be your preferred resource for all the latest vitamin D news.
May 2011
Worldwide Vitamin D Call to Action
Low Vitamin D Levels Associated With Serious HIV Disease Progression
Also See; March 2011
Cirrhosis; Vitamin K Deficiencies
2010 From; The AASLD and EASL
Treatment and Vitamin D
Monitoring Vitamin D In All Patients With Cirrhosis
March 2011
Vitamin D deficiency is a well reported complication in chronic cholestatic liver disease such as primary biliary cirrhosis. While the prevalence and treatment of this deficiency has been addressed in many articles over the last decades, little is known of the vitamin D status in alcoholic liver cirrhosis.
A research article published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology addresses this question. The authors described the serum vitamin D status in a retrospective case series of patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis compared to those with primary biliary cirrhosis.
The study showed that vitamin D deficiency is more frequent and severe in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis than in patients with primary biliary cirrhosis. Furthermore, it indicated that the degree of liver dysfunction, rather than the aetiology of cirrhosis, dictates the risk of vitamin D deficiency.
This study emphasizes the importance of monitoring vitamin D levels in all patients with cirrhosis. However, further studies are needed to find the most favourable form of vitamin D supplementation for these patients.
Reference:
Malham M, Jørgensen SP, Ott P, Agnholt J, Vilstrup H, Borre M, Dahlerup JF. Vitamin D deficiency in cirrhosis relates to liver dysfunction rather than aetiology. World J Gastroenterol 2011; 17(7): 922-925
Source:
Ye-Ru Wang
World Journal of Gastroenterology
Healthy Sources of Vitamin D
Released: 5/11/2011 9:00 AM EDT
Source: University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Newswise — HOUSTON – The recent increase in recommended vitamin D intake from the Food and Nutrition Board may prompt some to seek more summer sun. But, experts at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center say there’s no safe amount of time people can stay in the sun without increasing skin cancer risks.
People tend to think of sunshine when they think of vitamin D — and for good reason. When UV rays come in contact with the skin, it triggers the creation of vitamin D.
“Some people may absorb enough vitamin D from their routine outdoor exposure,” says Susan Y. Chon, M.D., assistant professor in MD Anderson’s Department of Dermatology. “However, the benefits of UV exposure may be limited because they can lead to increased risks of developing skin cancer.”
On a hot summer day, unprotected skin can be damaged in as little as 15 minutes.
Add vitamin D to your diet
So, why is vitamin D so important? It’s the main building block for maintaining bone health. Without it, you can develop thin and brittle bones. Vitamin D also boosts the immune system to help fight off germs, bacteria and diseases, including certain cancers.
To avoid skin cancer, Chon recommends getting the daily fill of vitamin D from foods and, if necessary, supplements.
A handful of foods provide a large serving of this vitamin, including:
• Cod liver oil: According to the National Institutes of Health, this fish extract provides the largest amount of vitamin D — just one tablespoon offers 1,360 IUs (International Units).
• Fish: One serving (about three ounces) of certain types of fish also can give you a healthy dose of vitamin D. This includes:
o Salmon: Provides 447 IUs per serving
o Mackerel: Provides 388 IUs per serving
o Tuna: Provides 154 IUs per serving
• Milk: Milk really does a body good. Just one cup of whole, reduced fat or non-fat milk is fortified with vitamin D and provides 115 – 124 IUs.
• Fortified cereals: Ready-to-eat cereals, fortified with 10 percent of the daily recommendation for vitamin D, are an easy way sneak in extra nutrients. A three-quarter to one cup serving can provide at least 40 IUs.
Vitamin D needs aren’t one-size-fits-all
The amount of vitamin D the body needs depends mostly on age. Below are the daily recommended allowances from the Food and Nutrition Board.
• Birth to 12 months: 400 IUs
• Age 1 to 70: 600 IUs
• Age 70 and older: 800 IUs
Most people can get their daily fill of vitamin D by drinking a cup of milk and eating a three-ounce serving of salmon.
“There’s no doubt that vitamin D is vital when it comes to healthy bones and preventing diseases like cancer,” Chon says. “But, there’s no need to sacrifice sun safety (like skipping sunscreen or spending countless hours soaking in the rays) to get your fill.”
For more vitamin D and sun safety information, visit www.mdanderson.org/focused.
Vitamin D News 2011
Vitamin D, specifically vitamin D3 cholecalciferol, is quite the hot topic lately. Medical journals are overflowing with the latest research findings on vitamin D and the many ways it is beneficial to one's health. Almost daily, vitamin D appears to be dominating the headlines in the media, and people all over the globe are starting to realize that vitamin D is one health factor that should not be overlooked.
To help you stay informed, we've compiled the most current vitamin D news articles here in one convenient, easy location! Continuously updated, we hope the Vitamin D Council's Vitamin D News page will come to be your preferred resource for all the latest vitamin D news.
May 2011
An international consortium of vitamin D experts published a new call to action to address the worldwide vitamin D deficiency in the latest journal of Public Health Nutrition due to their observations that the recent IOM (Institute of Medicine) report was 'deficient
HIV-positive people with very low vitamin D levels were more likely to develop AIDS and to die than people with higher vitamin D levels, according to a study published online January 25 in the journal AIDS.