Vitamin D Deficiency – Is It Epidemic Yet?
By
Roy M. Arnold, MD
A study published in the journal “Nutritional Research†in 2011 found a substantial prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency among a large sample of US adults. Forty-two percent of those tested had a level less than 20 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL.) A significant additional number had insufficient levels between 20 and 29. Those most likely to be deficient were older, had darker skin, were overweight, consumed lower amounts of dairy and spent a great deal of time indoors.
Since opening my practice in April, I have identified about one new case of Vitamin D deficiency per month. This incidence is high enough that I now routinely screen for it in older adults and in women of child-bearing age. Many people who are identified with low levels had no symptoms, while others complained only of vague symptoms such as low energy, generalized aches and pain or poor motivation.
Vitamin D has often been called “the sunshine Vitamin†because our skin can manufacture it when we spend time outdoors in the sun. With our concerns over skin cancer from sun exposure and with our modern indoor lifestyle, many people simply don’t manufacture enough to maintain a healthy level. The food you eat is the best source for most vitamins and minerals that your body needs, but there isn’t enough Vitamin D in food to meet your body’s requirements. There are only 2 ways to meet Vitamin D requirements: Expose your bare skin to direct sunlight, or take supplements.
What does Vitamin D do in the body? First and foremost Vitamin D is vital for strong bones. Calcium and phosphorus are used by the body to build strong bones. Without enough Vitamin D, these minerals cannot be absorbed into the body. Deficiency in children causes a condition called Rickets where the long bones are very soft and become deformed causing bowing. In adults, deficiency can contribute to softening of the bones and make us prone to fractures of the hip, wrist and spine.
Beyond its vital effect on the bones, Vitamin D is also essential for immune function, muscle function, cardiovascular and respiratory health, brain development and can fight certain types of cancer. Researchers are constantly discovering new information about how Vitamin D affects our bodies. Thus far there is evidence that a lack of vitamin D has been associated with certain types of cancer, asthma, type-II diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, Alzheimer’s and autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s and type-I diabetes.
Let’s look at some of the evidence: The strongest evidence for Vitamin D deficiency being associated with cancer is in colorectal cancer. There is an inverse relationship between serum levels of Vitamin D and the likelihood or colorectal cancer development, that is to say the lower the level, the more likely the patient will develop colorectal cancer. There is a growing body of evidence of an association between breast cancer and low Vitamin D levels. There is also some evidence that cancer patients often
have low levels but the evidence is not yet developed that shows raising the level decreases the rate of growth of the cancer.
In several studies, low Vitamin D levels were associated with high blood pressure and indirectly with its end organ damage – strokes and heart attacks.
Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to insulin resistance and therefore indirectly to obesity and Type II diabetes.
Immune-related diseases like multiple sclerosis, Crohn’s disease, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and Type I diabetes may be associated with Vitamin D deficiency because the vitamin has been found to bind to the specific gene sites associated with these disorders. More research is necessary before any conclusions can be drawn about the effects of Vitamin D on the diseases themselves.
A large meta-analysis published last year in the journal Neurology concluded that lower Vitamin D levels were linked to lower cognition and dementia in elderly adults. One early study even reported a regression of the Alzheimer’s plaques when the vitamin levels were corrected. Clearly, more research is needed in this area. Stay tuned.
Supplementation – If you decide to take a vitamin D supplement, most experts recommend taking 2,000-5,000 International Units daily. Make certain that the supplement is labeled “Vitamin D3.†It is not wise to exceed 5,000 units per day since excess levels of Vitamin D can cause problems with kidney stones, kidney failure, gastrointestinal problems, poor balance, or confusion. Persons identified with Vitamin D deficiency often need medical supervision and monitoring of the Vitamin D levels to ensure they are completely corrected. If you have concerns about your Vitamin D levels by all means discuss them with your primary health provider.
IS IT TRUE September 9, 2013
IS IT TRUE the parking garage that is part of the $37.5 Million that the City of Evansville is committed to spending to entice HCW to build a convention hotel in downtown Evansville is a part of the proposal that is worth doing some analysis on to determine if any of the $5.4 Million that is proposed to be spent constitutes an outright gift to HCW as $20 Million of direct subsidy to the hotel portion does?…first we must remind our readers that former Mayor Weinzapfel, current Mayor Winnecke when he was a Vanderburgh County Commissioner, and countless supporters of the Ford Center project strongly and rightly asserted that the Ford Center would not need any additional parking to prosper in downtown Evansville?…they had maps, they had studies, and despite the fact that many people were grumbling about downtown parking THEY WERE RIGHT?…the Ford Center, the Centre, the Victory Theatre, Signature School, and all of the downtown businesses are doing just fine with parking availability AS IT CURRENTLY IS?…it is therefore safe to assume that the new parking garage proposed as part of the downtown convention hotel project is there for the hotel and the apartments alone and would not be built but for the needs of the hotel and the apartments?
IS IT TRUE the proposed parking tower will have a minimum of 336 parking spaces and will cost $5.4 Million which equates to $16,071 per space?…the hotel development agreement explicitly states that the parking garage is an inducement to HCW to get them to build the apartments and that the City of Evansville will lease spaces to HCW for the 78 apartments at a rate of $55 per month per space?…if each apartment uses two spaces as is customary about 156 of the 336 spaces will be dedicated to apartments?…the city is also agreeing to lease an additional 150 spaces to HCW on behalf of the hotel at a rate of $4,000 per month or $26.67 per space per month?…these two sources being substantially all of the revenue to the City of Evansville for this parking tower will mean that the City will be getting $12,580 per month ($150,960 per year) for our investment of $5.4 Million?…that is a revenue base of 2.8% per year without considering operating expenses or interest?…the interest rate will most certainly exceed 2.8% so even in a sold out situation this parking garage is a NET LOSER FROM DAY ONE?…given a more reasonable interest rate of 5% this parking garage is guaranteed to lose the City of Evansville $119,040 per year plus operating expenses and maintenance that have been estimated to be at least $100,000 per year?
IS IT TRUE it is safe to say that this parking garage that is not needed in the absence of a hotel is a pure gift of $5.4 Million to HCW plus an additional $220,000 per year for the next 25 years that takes another $5.5 Million from the coffers of the City of Evansville that could be used for other more necessary projects?…chalk this parking garage up as HCW plus $10.9 Million and people of Evansville minus $10.9 Million over the next 25 years?…over the next several weeks we shall look into the other “soft costs†of this project and see just how much of it is gifting and how much is investing in infrastructure?
IS IT TRUE we just about had a stroke when we read the article in the Courier and Press about City Council Attorney Scott Danks tax dispute and wonder why a disputed balance is worthy of front page news?…Mr. Danks openly admits that his own calculation has him owing the State of Indiana $70,000 but that the State is using a tax warrant as a negotiating tactic to try and shake him down for the $91,244 that they say he owes?…either way this is a big tax bill and the reality of this situation is that Mr. Danks and the State will agree on something in the middle?…when that agreement is reached Mr. Danks will pay his bill and go on about earning the kind of living that enables him to pay $400,000 per year in taxes?…we think this report was not only preliminary but that it was politically motivated?…we find it interesting that City Councilman Jonathan Weaver was sought out by the CP to express his opinion on Danks’ personal tax issue when he is neither a CPA, and IRS agent, or even so much as a qualified preparer for H&R Block?…he probably is well qualified as a recognized public figure to dress up like Lady Liberty and dance on a street corner soliciting business for Liberty Tax Service but then only if his recent black eye has healed?…the attack on Mr. Danks by whoever put this issue onto the CP’s plate is a cheap shot built on the politics of envy?…that envy was pointed out clearly in the comment section of the CP where he was vilified for having such a high income and called every kind of tax cheat imaginable?…one thing the CCO knows is that as City Council Attorney Scott Danks has brought a breath of competence and sanity to a position that has recently needed such things?…we look forward to the day this is settled as we know it will be and Scott Danks can get back to serving Evansville in the legal world where such dollars are earned with thoughts and deeds?
Chamber Head Now Calling Mayor Winnecke a “Visionary”
In an article published after her letter to members calling downtown Evansville a “ghost town” and citing the need for a plan, a timeline, and a leader, Chamber of Commerce president Christy Gillenwater has now published an article where she refers to Mayor Winnecke as a “visionary”. She furthermore calls for the people of Evansville to support their elected officials vision by encouraging the hotel that she calls a “multi-use” project.
It is interesting to note the differences in the two columns whose publication dates only differ by a small amount of time and several alleged meetings with local power brokers.
Link to “ghost town” article
Link to “Mayor is a visionary” article
A Message of Support For Connie Robinson From Chairman Long
Dear Democrats:I have been following the two bigger issues facing you as council member is the past few weeks. On the hotel issue, I applaud you thorough research into the issue of the incentive package, financing and quality of developer. If you have solid, demonstrable evidence of serious deficiencies in any of these issues, you should certainly air your evidence publicly and take action to correct the matter. However, unless there is such evidence, I perceive more support for moving forward on the project. Politically, I always supported the Ford Center Project because I believed it would prove to be very popular and successful. I believe it has proven to be a success and has certainly revitalized the downtown. I also believe a first rate, adequately sized hotel is essential for promoting the convention business in Evansville. I am certainly no expert on hotel sizing, but believe the quality issue is critical to attract top end convention business. The State Democratic Party has decided to move the State Convention to a site outside of Indianapolis in alternate convention years. The 2014 convention will be in Indy. The 2016 convention is presently planned to be elsewhere in the state. I would love to be a part of a movement to bring it to Evansville in 2016. Having a great hotel with the available facilities there now and having a Democrat Mayor would certainly improve our chances.On the recent issue involving the police interaction with the firefighter, I support  Connie on her position 100%. While she and I have had a difference on a political issue, I have never had any lack of respect for her leadership skills and dedication to your community. I am very uncomfortable with the way the police department handled this matter. Because of the serious nature of the matter and its probable volatility, an outside investigating agency (VCSD of ISP) would have been a better option for the city administration to have taken. This matter received world wide publicity.  http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2395250/George-Madison-The-moment-African-American-firefighter-pastor-handcuffed-waved-police.html Since the city did not seek an independent inquiry, the council might consider appointing a blue ribbon committee of Evansville Citizens to do an independent investigation and submit a report to all citizens as to its findings. On it face, what happened in this incident just doesn’t square with me. I know only what has been reported by the media but I am still uncomfortable with it.You may already do it, but I believe Indiana Law allows you to caucus as a group on political matters. This might be a vehicle whereby you as a group can discuss the political aspects relating to Council issues and be able to share your personal views with each other outside the public arena.Whatever action you take on these important issues, do your very best as I know you will. Treat each other civilly, remember, we agree on probably 95% of the issues you face. I look forward to working with you in the future. Thanks for taking the time to let me weigh in on these matters.Democratically yours,S. Anthony Long,Eighth District Democrat Chair
POSTED BY THE CITY COUNTY OBSERVER WITHOUT OPINION, BIAS OR EDITING.
Feed a hungry person this Thanksgivingâ€
50,154 meals. That’s 60,184 pounds of food – close to 30 tons! That’s how much food hungry people will eat here at the Evansville Rescue Mission this Thanksgiving season.
Wow! That seems impossible. But with your help, it will happen.
It costs just $2.16 to feed one hungry person. Just $2.16 to provide an entire meal of wholesome, home-cooked food… a meal that could just be the start of a new and better life.
Help serve nearly 45,540 meals to hungry men, women and children.
Please donate now to feed as many people as possible.
Your secure online gift will go a long way toward helping fill the Mission’s pantry and stock our shelves for the 2013 Thanksgiving season.
Rep. Bacon to attend Small Business Caucus field hearing
Â
STATEHOUSE – State Representative Ron Bacon (R-Chandler) will be joining members of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) at a field hearing on Wednesday, Sept. 11 in Evansville.
WHAT:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Small Business Caucus field hearing
WHEN:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Wednesday, Sept. 11, 8-9 a.m. (CDT)
WHERE:     Ivy Tech, 3501 North 1st Ave. in Evansville
Rep. Bacon will be available to discuss important topics such as: the state’s new biennial budget, economic development, regulations, taxation, unemployment issues and any other pertinent matters brought up during the meeting.
Small business owners in the area are highly encouraged to attend. If you would like to register for the event please contact Emma Ervin, administrative assistant at NFIB at emma.ervin@NFIB.org.
Â