Top vitamin d Articles in Nephrology

Fall prevention with supplemental and active forms of vitamin D: a meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials
British Medical Journal, 10/09/2009

Bischoff–Ferrari HA et al. – Supplemental vitamin D in a dose of 700–1000 IU a day reduced the risk of falling among older individuals by 19% and to a similar degree as active forms of vitamin D. Doses of ... vitamin D of less than 700 IU or serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of less than 60 nmol/l may not reduce the risk of falling among older individuals. Methods The authors searched Medline, the Cochrane central register of controlled trials, BIOSIS, and Embase up to ... of older individuals (mean age 65 years or older) receiving a defined oral dose of supplemental vitamin D (vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) or vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) or an active form of vitamin D or 1,25–dihydroxyvitamin D3 and with sufficiently specified fall assessment were considered for ... supplemental vitamin D met the authors' inclusion criteria. Heterogeneity among trials was observed for dose of vitamin D (700–1000 IU/day v 200–600 IU/day; P=0.02) and achieved 25–hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration (25(OH)D concentration: <60 nmol/l v >= 60 nmol/l; P=0.005). vitamin D reduced fall risk by 19%, whereas achieved serum 25(OH)D concentrations of 60 nmol/l or more resulted in a 23% fall reduction. Falls were not notably reduced by low dose supplemental vitamin D or by achieved serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D concentrations of less than ... li>Two randomised controlled trials (n=624) of active forms of vitamin [more...]

Recognition and Management of Vitamin D Deficiency
American Family Physician, 10/19/2009

Bordelon P et al. – Vitamin D deficiency affects persons of all ages. Common manifestations of vitamin D deficiency are symmetric low back pain, proximal muscle weakness, muscle aches, and throbbing bone pain elicited with pressure over the ... hydroxyvitamin D level should be obtained in patients with suspected vitamin D deficiency. Deficiency is defined as a serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D level of less than 20 ng per mL (50 nmol per L), and insufficiency is defined as a serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D level of 20 to 30 ng per mL (50 to ... The goal of treatment is to normalize vitamin D levels to relieve symptoms and decrease the risk of fractures, falls, and other adverse health outcomes. To prevent vitamin D deficiency, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that infants and children receive at least 400 IU per day from diet ... vitamin D supplementation of at least 700 to 800 IU per day reduces fracture and fall rates in adults. In persons with vitamin D deficiency, treatment may include oral ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) at 50,000 IU per week for eight weeks. After vitamin D levels normalize, experts recommend maintenance ... dosages of cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) at 800 to 1,000 IU per day from dietary and supplemental sources. [more...]

Vitamin D and its role in skeletal muscle
Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, 10/21/2009

Ceglia L – Molecular mechanisms of vitamin D action in muscle tissue include genomic and nongenomic effects via a receptor present in muscle cells. Knockout mouse models of the vitamin D receptor provide insight into understanding the direct effects ... of vitamin D on muscle tissue. Vitamin D status is positively associated with physical performance and inversely associated with risk of falling. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to improve tests of muscle performance, reduce falls, and possibly impact on muscle fiber composition and ... in vitamin D deficient older adults. Further studies are needed to fully characterize the underlying mechanisms of vitamin D action in human muscle tissue, to understand how these actions translate into changes in muscle cell morphology and improvements in physical performance, and to define the 25 ... ndash;hydroxyvitamin D level at which to achieve these beneficial effects in muscle. [more...]

Vitamin D supplementation for cystic fibrosis
Cochrane Reviews, 10/28/2009

Ferguson JH et al. – Cystic fibrosis with pancreatic insufficiency can cause vitamins, such as vitamin D, to be inadequately absorbed leading to vitamin deficiencies. Lack of vitamin D (vitamin D deficiency) can cause specific problems such as ... vitamin D preparations from a very young age. However, excess vitamin D can also cause respiratory problems and problems with high calcium levels. The review contains three trials, but the authors could only extract data from two trials. The authors found no evidence to show whether giving vitamin D ... any conclusions regarding the routine administration of Vitamin D supplements and recommend that until further evidence is available, local guidelines are followed regarding this practice. [more...]

Vitamin D compounds for people with chronic kidney disease requiring dialysis
Cochrane Reviews, 10/20/2009

Palmer SC et al. – The authors identified 60 studies of vitamin D preparations in people with CKD and requiring dialysis involving 2773 people. No studies were designed to understand the effect of vitamin D therapy ... of death. Vitamin D agents suppress parathyroid hormone (PTH) significantly compared with no treatment, however also increase both circulating calcium and phosphorus levels. Intravenous vitamin D may lower PTH more than oral vitamin D. Few studies directly compare newer vitamin D therapies with ... calcitriol and alfacalcidol); newer treatment options therefore cannot be recommended as superior to established treatments. [more...]

Vitamin D supplementation in older persons: benefits and requirements
Aging Health, 10/07/2009

Levis S et al. – The high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the elderly population worldwide raises concerns regarding the potential multiple health consequences of persistent, long–term, low ... vitamin D levels, beyond the traditional detrimental effects on calcium metabolism and bone health. Observational studies and recent randomized clinical trials have found an increased risk of falls, physical dysmobility and cancer in individuals with lower vitamin D concentrations. Cross&ndash ... have also found an inverse correlation between vitamin D levels and diabetes, cardiovascular disease and death. The optimal serum vitamin D concentration for bone health appears to have been established but the current recommended doses of vitamin D are too low to result in normal serum levels in ... particular. Furthermore, observational studies suggest that higher serum levels might be necessary when targeting other health outcomes. [more...]

Vitamin D compounds for people with chronic kidney disease not requiring dialysis
Cochrane Reviews, 10/23/2009

Palmer SC et al. – The authors identified 16 studies of vitamin D preparations in people with CKD and not requiring dialysis (less severe CKD) involving 894 people. No studies were designed to understand the ... effect of vitamin D therapy on risks of premature cardiovascular disease or mortality. Vitamin D agents lowered PTH significantly compared with no treatment, however also increased both calcium and phosphorus levels. Newer vitamin D therapies have not been compared with older vitamin compounds in ... expectancy and premature heart disease. It will also be important to know if vitamin D therapy should be used differently (differing target levels of PTH) in differing stages of CKD. [more...]

Vitamin D: An Evidence-Based Review
Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine, 11/09/2009

Kulie T et al. – Low vitamin D levels are associated with increased overall and cardiovascular mortality, cancer incidence and mortality, and autoimmune diseases such as multiple sclerosis. Although it is well known that the combination of vitamin D and ... calcium is necessary to maintain bone density as people age, vitamin D may also be an independent risk factor for falls among the elderly. New recommendations from the Association of American Physicians address the need for supplementation in breastfed newborns and many questions are raised ... Unfortunately, little evidence guides clinicians on when to screen for vitamin D deficiency or effective treatment options. [more...]

Vitamin D Deficiency/Insufficiency Practice Patterns in a Veterans Health Administration Long-Term Care Population: A Retrospective Analysis
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, 11/12/2009

Braddy KK et al. – Vitamin D levels were measured infrequently in long–term care patients. Among those monitored, the rate of vitamin D ... patients with low vitamin D status received proper treatment and follow–up. These data support the need to educate physicians regarding the high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency/deficiency among long–term care patients to ensure that patients with low vitamin D levels are identified [more...]

Vitamin D insufficiency and health outcomes over 5 y in older women
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 11/13/2009

Bolland MJ et al. – Vitamin D insufficiency is more common in older, frailer women. Community–dwelling older women with a seasonally adjusted 25(OH)D concentration <50 nmol/L were not at risk of adverse outcomes over 5 ... Randomized placebo–controlled trials are needed to determine whether vitamin D supplementation in individuals with vitamin D insufficiency influences health outcomes. [more...]