Category Archives: Vitamin D

Breaking Research Shows Vitamin D Linked to HDL Cholesterol

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Shaklee Corporation Research Suggests an Important Role of Vitamin D for Supporting Cardiovascular Health

PLEASANTON, Calif. – May 19, 2009 – Research supported by Shaklee Corporation, the number one natural nutrition company in the U.S., shows that a lower blood vitamin D level is associated with metabolic syndrome and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The study results were presented at the National Lipid Association Annual Scientific Sessions in Miami, Florida and suggest an important role of vitamin D nutrition for maintaining cardiovascular health.

“I am so proud to be associated with a company whose heritage has always been about improving people’s health and well-being.  It’s very exciting that Shaklee has helped to bring this important research to the world, says Independent Shaklee Distributor, Tom Leonard. “The findings may have significant public health implications related to new understanding about benefits related to vitamin D supplementation,” adds Leonard.

In this study, intake of vitamin D from dietary supplements was strongly linked with vitamin D levels in the blood.  The greater the intake of vitamin D from dietary supplements, the higher the amount of vitamin D found in the blood.  More importantly, as vitamin D intakes increased, HDL cholesterol (or “good cholesterol”) levels increased as well.  Future research is needed to determine if vitamin D from dietary supplements can lower risk levels for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

“Our next study, which is already underway, is intended to confirm causality by showing that vitamin D supplementation improves cardiovascular risk factors,” says Dr. Jamie McManus M.D., Chairman of Medical Affairs, Health Sciences and Education, Shaklee Corporation.

Kevin C. Maki, PhD, the study’s Principal Investigator and the Chief Science Officer of Provident Clinical Research, Glen Ellyn, IL, says, “Results from population studies suggest that a low serum vitamin D concentration is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, but this is the first study to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and cardiovascular risk factors in a group that includes a large number of vitamin D supplement users.”  He continues, “Additional research is warranted to assess whether increasing vitamin D intake will improve the metabolic cardiovascular risk factor profile.”

 

For more information, contact us.

About Shaklee Corporation

Founded more than 50 years ago, Shaklee has been a leading provider of premium-quality natural nutrition products, personal care products, and environmentally friendly home care products. In 2000, Shaklee became the first company in the world to be Climate Neutral™ certified to totally offset its CO2 emissions, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. With a robust product portfolio, including over 50 patents and patents pending worldwide, Shaklee has more than 750,000 Members and Distributors worldwide and operates in the U.S., Mexico, Canada, Japan, Malaysia, Taiwan, and China. For information about Shaklee, visit www.Shaklee.com.

Vitamin D Dosages to Increase

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Vitamin D has been in the news in recent months as researchers find out more about its functions as a hormone and its role in the prevention of certain cancers, autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, metabolic syndrome, and even infectious diseases such as influenza. Medical experts now feel that its daily requirements are actually higher than we’ve previously thought, and that many of us are suffering from vitamin D deficiencies.

Shaklee is not in favour of introducing a stand-alone vitamin D supplement because this important fat-soluble vitamin works best when it’s combined with other nutrients to help in the development and maintenance of bones and teeth, and the absorption and use of calcium and phosphorus. For this reason, Shaklee U.S. announced at the 2009 Global Conference held in St. Louis that extra vitamin D will be added to products such as Vita-Lea® and Shaklee Vitalizer™.

Shaklee Canada will also increase the vitamin D content of the Canadian versions of Vita-Lea, Vitalizer, Super Cal Mag Plus, and Chewable Cal Mag Plus in the future. However, we cannot do this overnight, as these products are all regulated by Health Canada’s Natural Health Products Directorate, and we must make submissions and receive official approval prior to making any changes to vitamin D levels.

New versions of Advanced Formula Vita-Lea that we wish to sell in Canada are still under review by Health Canada, so when the products are approved, we’ll submit amendments to increase the vitamin D levels to match those just announced in the U.S. versions of these products.

The current vitamin D Adequate Daily Intakes from the Food and Nutrition Board of the Institute of Medicine, National Academies, which are used by both Health Canada and by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), are as follows:

• Infants: 400 IU per day

• Ages 1–50 years: 200 IU per day

• Ages 51–70 years: 400 IU per day

• Ages 71 and over: 600 IU per day

In spite of these recommendations, many doctors are now advising their elderly patients to aim for 1,000 IU per day of vitamin D, and that up to 2,000 IU per day is probably safe (but persons prone to kidney stones should check with their doctors if wanting to take more than 1,000 IU per day).

Right now, Canadian Advanced Formula Vita-Lea tablets each contain 200 IU of vitamin D, so the daily dose of two tablets gives 400 IU. If a person used one Vitalizer Vita-Strip™ (400 IU from two Vita-Lea tablets and 200 IU from two Caroto-E-Omega capsules = 600 IU total) and four Super Cal Mag Plus tablets (400 IU) per day, he or she would be getting 1,000 IU of vitamin D.

Vitamin D

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Research supported by Shaklee Corporation, the number one natural nutrition company in the U.S., shows that a lower blood vitamin D level is associated with metabolic syndrome and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

The study results were presented at the National Lipid Association Annual Scientific Sessions in Miami, Florida and suggest an important role of vitamin D nutrition for maintaining cardiovascular health.

“I am so proud to be associated with a company whose heritage has always been about improving people’s health and well-being.  It’s very exciting that Shaklee has helped to bring this important research to the world, says Independent Shaklee Distributor, Tom Leonard. “The findings may have significant public health implications related to new understanding about benefits related to vitamin D supplementation,” adds Leonard.

In this study, intake of vitamin D from dietary supplements was strongly linked with vitamin D levels in the blood.  The greater the intake of vitamin D from dietary supplements, the higher the amount of vitamin D found in the blood.  More importantly, as vitamin D intakes increased, HDL cholesterol (or “good cholesterol”) levels increased as well.  Future research is needed to determine if vitamin D from dietary supplements can lower risk levels for metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease.

“Our next study, which is already underway, is intended to confirm causality by showing that vitamin D supplementation improves cardiovascular risk factors,” says Dr. Jamie McManus M.D., Chairman of Medical Affairs, Health Sciences and Education, Shaklee Corporation.

Kevin C. Maki, PhD, the study’s Principal Investigator and the Chief Science Officer of Provident Clinical Research, Glen Ellyn, IL, says, “Results from population studies suggest that a low serum vitamin D concentration is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular mortality, but this is the first study to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D status and cardiovascular risk factors in a group that includes a large number of vitamin D supplement users.”  He continues, “Additional research is warranted to assess whether increasing vitamin D intake will improve the metabolic cardiovascular risk factor profile.”