How to Stop Cancer, Memory Loss, and Diabetes for Just Pennies a Day

by Dr. Nan Kathryn Fuchs

Copyright 2008 by Soundview Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction of this report or its contents by xerography, facsimile, or any other means is illegal, except for brief quotations in reviews or articles. Readers are advised to consult with their own physician before implementing any health idea they read about, whether here or in any other publication. Soundview Communications also publishes Nan Kathryn Fuchs newsletter, Womens Health Letter. To subscribe, or obtain information, please call or write: Soundview Communications, Inc. Post Office Box 8051 Norcross, GA 30091-8051 800-728-2288 or 770-399-5617

How to Stop Cancer, Memory Loss, and Diabetes for Just Pennies a Day
Every year there are new nutrients that are found to support or restore good health. Some of them have a narrow range of benefits. They may be good, but not necessary for most people. Occasionally, one comes to our attention that seems almost like a miracle nutrient. Were told it has so many benefits it doesnt seem possible. Well, Ive found two nutrients that fit this description. And let me assure you, theyre not too good to be true. They work. Several years ago these nutrients started to look interesting to me. I followed them closely. Now there is such good science behind their benefits that I not only recommend them both to my friends and patients, I take them myself every single day. Read on, and decide for yourself whether or not you want to give them a try. This specific class of bioflavonoids that has such powerful anti-cancer effects is also found in pine bark, lemon tree bark, hazel nut tree leaves, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, and others. But the most concentrated quantity is found in the skins of certain purple grapes (resveratrol is also found in the grape seeds, but in lower concentrations). To find resveratrol, suppliers must travel throughout the world testing grape skins and seeds for their resveratrol content. Once they find a vineyard with a high content of resveratrol, they purchase the entire lot. The grapes are then transported to a facility where they undergo a natural process using a water-extraction method to make a high potency extract, which is then used in the supplements. While the therapeutic value of resveratrol is quite broad due to its antioxidant activity, results of some very sophisticated tests provide a strong rationale for its use in vascular disease as well. Resveratrol and quercetin, both found in the seeds and skins of grapes, block human platelet aggregation, i.e., they prevent the tiny poker-chip-like cells in the blood from clumping together causing clots, which cause heart attacks and strokes. Another cardiovascular effect of resveratrol is vasorelaxation, a relaxation of the walls of the arteries that may prevent angina attacks, heart attacks, and strokes. Resveratrol has also been found to be an effective combatant against the latest cancer dragon called COX cyclooxygenase. This enzyme stimulates tumor cell growth and suppresses immune surveillance, the early warning system that signals your body to attack the dangerous cells that are going cancerous. COX can also activate some carcinogens. So we need COX inhibitors to fight this new-found enemy within. Work done at the University of Illinois, Chicago, has proven resveratrol in grape skins to be a powerful COX inhibitor. And its worth repeating that resveratrol can inhibit all three

A Cancer Preventive and Fighter That Works

Back in the 1920s, a doctor named Johanna Brandt wrote a book claiming that grapes cured her cancer. In the book, called The Grape Cure, Dr. Brandt explains that a grape fast, eating only grapes, is the method she used to treat her disease. At one point, she was eating as many as four pounds of grapes a day! Obviously, Dr. Brandts cure hasnt hit the mainstream, but the principles of the grape cure are now shaking the medical community. It started when Science magazine published an article from the University of Illinois, Chicago that stated, resveratrol can inhibit all three stages of chemical carcinogenesis tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Grape plants produce resveratrol as a natural defense mechanism against fungus infection. But not all grape plants will produce the protective substance. Its only when the plant comes under the attack of a fungus that resveratrol is produced to fight off or kill the fungus. And its this protective mechanism that has proved to be so beneficial in fighting off cancer.

stages of chemical carcinogenesis, an unusual phenomenon and highly significant in the treatment of cancer. Weve all had many disappointments in the treatment of cancer and so lets not assume the battle is anywhere close to being over. However, resveratrol is the most significant molecule to challenge cancer, at least in the laboratory, in many decades and perhaps ever. Resveratrol interferes with the development of cancer on several levels, such as growth inhibition of cancer cells and reversal of pre-cancer cells to normal. As the Lancet put it: Grapes are good for you, but leave the skins on. But youd have to drink a lot of wine to get an effective dose of resveratrol and you wouldnt even be able to do that if you wanted to. The leader of the study even went so far as to remind us that eternal health is not to be found in the bottom of a wine bottle. So, although not a perfect answer to the problem, grape skins and grape seeds are what we have to work with for the present. Fortunately, they have been found to be very effective.

in the women or their babies. Nutritionists have found that a dose of 20 mg per 20 pounds of body weight for humans gives the best results. But for general prevention, stick to the recommended dosage on the label. Some of you may be taking a product called Pycnogenol, which contains pine bark extract, and may be wondering if you need to take resveratrol. The answer is yes. Remember, the grape skin extract is far superior to any of the other types of extracts, so we recommend Advanced Bionutritionals Advanced Resveratrol Formula or other quality grape-skin products over any of the other extracts. Special note: There are two forms of resveratrol that are available: cis- and trans-. The Advanced Resveratrol Formula is trans-resveratrol, which is much better absorbed than the lessexpensive cis-form. Take only trans-resveratrol.
Journal of the American Medical Association, December 25, 1996. Science, January 10, 1997. British Medical Journal, February 8, 1997. Holistic Medicine, Vol. 4, 145-146.

What to do
I dont suggest you go on a grape fast, like Dr. Brandt. But I can heartily recommend taking resveratrol especially if cancer runs in your family. Resveratrol is nontoxic and there is essentially no known toxic dose. As with anything, you probably could overdose, but it wouldnt be easy. In an experiment with dogs, they were given 132 mg per 20 pounds of body weight per day for 12 months with no deleterious effects. During tests on pregnant women, there was no toxicity found

Lancet, 1983; 2:130. Bioinorganic Chemistry, 1978;8: 303-18. Journal of Surgical Oncology, 15:67-70. Nutrition Science News, March 1997. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, November 1996. Lancet, January 11, 1997. Clinica Chimica Acta, March 31, 1995. Clinica Chimica Acta, March 15, 1995. International Journal of Tissue Reactions, 17(1):199. General Pharmacology, March 1996.

New Research Finds Resveratrol Is Even More Valuable Than We Thought

As youve just seen, good sound scientific studies found that resveratrol stops malignant tumors from growing, it reduces blood pressure, and it prevents blood clots. Youd think that was enough. But several new studies show it does much more. So much so that its beginning to get attention in the mainstream press. Recent research has found that resveratrol can protect you from getting type-2 diabetes. It can also stop blood vessel damage caused by high blood sugar if youre already diabetic. And it even kills pancreatic cancer cells. I think youll agree with me that anything that can slow down or stop the progression of pancreatic cancer is one powerful chemical.

Were finding out that this nutrient has so many benefits that Im going to make a prediction. I predict that some drug company with patent its active ingredient and make it synthetically, turning it into a prescription drug. Of course, this means it will be more expensive than the plant-based form. I see no reason for you to take a pharmaceutical drug when good, sound scientific studies have shown the natural plantbased form works. And it has.

Stops type-2 diabetes

The Centers for Disease Control recognizes type-2 diabetes as an epidemic thats spreading

across all age groups. When I was growing up, insulin resistance just affected older, obese people. Now, were seeing a lot of it in children and adolescents as well. Its often a result of a poor diet and excess weight, so diet and exercise are an important part of its treatment plan. And now were finding resveratrol is as well. A group of scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shanghai gave the equivalent of 15 mg a day to insulin-resistant mice. These mice became more sensitive to insulin. Researchers found resveratrol to be a valuable new strategy for treating both insulin resistance and type-2 diabetes. Insulin resist-

This Natural Supplement Could Be an Answer to Alzheimers and Parkinsons

One cause of Alzheimers and Parkinsons diseases is part of the aging process. Normally, your body clears out old, damaged proteins from the brain. But as you age, your body loses this ability. This causes a buildup of toxic substances that can damage organs, including your brain. And we know they can cause a number of neurodegenerative disorders. A recent study discovered how older laboratory mice could maintain their body functions. They simply had to remove these damaged proteins. The researchers found that eliminating these toxins resulted in better liver function. This study focused on the liver. But the lead author, Dr. Ana Maria Cuervo, intends to study the effects of protein clearance in the brain next. Shes not the only person whos seeing the association between toxic proteins and the brain. The British also conducted a study Parkinsons disease. They found direct evidence that these proteins cause the degeneration in this disease. Identifying a problem is only the first step. Next is the need for a solution. Fortunately, theres a way to clear toxic proteins from the brain. Not many people know about it yet. I heard about it from a colleague, neurologist Sidney Kurn, MD. He discusses it in his new book, Integrated Medicine for Neurologic Disorders (Health Press NA, Inc, 2008), along with other nutrients, that support neurological health. The solution to clearing these toxins is none other than resveratrol. Resveratrol is a nutrient that comes from grapes, red wine, and peanuts. Dr. Kurn found that resveratrol activates the clearance of plaque in people with Alzheimers disease. He believes it should work with Parkinsons disease as well. If you want to give it a try, Dr. Kurn suggests taking 200 mg per day in a single dose. Resveratrol is a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. So youre sure to get some benefit from it. If youre already taking my favorite brand, Advanced Resveratrol Formula, all you need to do is boost your dose to four tablets per day. Each tablet contains 55 mg per pill. And all of it is the best form of resveratrol trans-resveratrol. None of it is the less desirable cis-resveratrol. If you use another brand, make sure it has this form. And, if you suffer from any kind of neurological condition, from Alzheimers to migraines, you might want to get a copy of Dr Kurns book. Its pretty technical. But its worth reading slowly for the excellent information it contains on herbs and nutrients. Consider giving it to your doctor, and then discuss possible solutions for your condition. You can order from any bookstore or directly from Dr. Kurn through Farmacopia pharmacy (707-528-4372).
www.medicalnewstoday.com, August 10, 2008. Luc Farout, Bertrand Friguet. Antioxidants & Redox Signaling. January 1, 2006, McNaught, KS, Jenner, P,, Proteasomal function is impaired in substantia nigra in Parkinsons disease, Neurosci Lett, Jan 19, 2001. Marambaud, P, et al, Resveratrol promotes clearance of Alzheimers disease amyloid-beta peptides, J Biol Chem, 2005.

ance means that your body is less sensitive to insulin, leading to high amounts of blood sugar spilling into the bloodstream. This can lead to type-2 diabetes.

Stops damage from diabetes

One of the most serious aspects of diabetes is its side effects, including heart disease, kidney disease, and blindness. If youre diabetic, you know how vital it is to avoid these complications. Heres what happens. High levels of glucose in the bloodstream damage the microscopic power plants inside cells that produce energy. When these power plants the mitochondria are damaged, they make dangerous free radicals. Free radicals, as you may remember, cause numerous problems including heart disease and aging. A study conducted at The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry in England found that resveratrol can block the damaging effects of glucose. Dr. Matt Whiteman, who headed this study, discovered that resveratrol also protected against this damage, and was able to repair it.

As we were going to press, the journal Cell Metabolism published another study on resveratrol. An international group of researchers found that resveratrol prevented age-related and obesityrelated heart function decline in lab animals. Most significantly, the aortas of these mice functioned significantly better than the mice that didnt take and they had less inflammation in their hearts. Other findings from this study include better bone health, reduced cataracts, and better balance.

Stops pancreatic cancer

But diabetes isnt the only disease resveratrol can fight. One of its most exciting characteristics is its ability to prevent and treat cancer. As Ive mentioned, resveratrol is a very powerful antioxidant. And some doctors believe that antioxidants interfere with the effectiveness of various cancer treatments. But resveratrol proves them wrong. Recently, for the very first time, researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center found that resveratrol can get right into cancer cells source of energy and damage them. That, alone, is fantastic! But resveratrol does much more. These researchers, headed by Paul

Okunieff, MD, chief of Radiation Oncology, gave resveratrol to patients with pancreatic cancer before they had radiation treatment. The combination of this particular antioxidant and radiation caused their cancer cells to commit suicide. This programmed cell death is called apoptosis. Your doctor may have told you to avoid antioxidants while youre getting radiation or chemotherapy. Some doctors still believe that antioxidants like resveratrol protect malignant tumors and interfere with these therapies. Not so, says Okunieff. He found that resveratrol not only gets into malignant cells and damages them, it protects healthy cells from radiations damage. Resveratrol seems to have a therapeutic gain by making tumor cells more sensitive to radiation and making normal tissue less sensitive. Although resveratrol is found in several foods, you cant get protective amounts from your diet. So you need to look for a strong supplement that has at least 100 mg of trans-resveratrol. The one Ive used is Advanced Resveratrol Formula from Advanced Bionutritionals (800728-2288). Two capsules provide 110 mg per day.
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/101764.php Moss, Ralph. Does resveratrol enhance the effects of radiation therapy? www.cancerdecisions.com. The Peninsula College of Medicine and Dentistry (2008, March 20). Grape Skin Compound Fights The Complications Of Diabetes. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 31, 2008.

Why the Flu Strikes in the Fall and Winter And How to Permanently Avoid It
I was a sickly child. Each year between October and March, I caught every cold or flu that was going around. Consequently, I missed weeks of school each year. Spring brought a slow recovery, and by summer I was busy riding my bike and taking long walks with my father along the reservoir, watching the ducks and lying in tall grasses in the warm sun. All summer I remained well.

But I dreaded the fall with its cold weather. I knew I would get sick again. Now, although Im a senior and at an increased risk for serious influenzas, I no longer get the flu. Ever! Ill tell you my secret and its not the flu shot. It should not only keep you free from colds and flu, it does more. Doctors know that theres a single common nutrient deficiency that contributes to osteoporosis, cancer, immune problems, and heart disease. Now some believe this same deficiency may explain why more people get the influenza virus during the fall or winter months. Their theory is backed up with good observational studies. And it makes a lot of sense.

Vitamin D deficiency and the flu

The nutrient is vitamin D and there are a number of reasons why you may be deficient. As you know, your skin produces vitamin D from exposure to ultraviolet (UVB) sunlight. But theres not much sun in the fall and winter months. And in some parts of the world, the ozone layer filters out UVB radiation and the skin cant make any vitamin D at all! Sunscreen blocks the production of vitamin D. So if youre using it whenever you go outdoors, you may be contributing to a deficiency. In addition, year-round vitamin D deficiencies are common in people who stay indoors too much and dont get enough sun even during the summer. Hundreds of years ago, people lived closer to the equator and spent more time outdoors. Their bodies could convert sunlight into 50,000 IU of vitamin D within 15-30 minutes on hot summer days. Youd think that the RDI (recommended daily intake) for vitamin D would be similarly high. Its not. The RDI for women is a paltry 600 IU and many people fail to get even this small amount only 1-3% of women over 50. In the 1980s, British doctor, R. Edgar Hope-Simpson found an association between influenza and vitamin D. Just a few years ago, the role of vitamin D in flu prevention reemerged during a flu epidemic. Dr. John Cannell, a psychiatrist at Atascadero State Hospital in California, noticed that the patients in his ward stayed healthy, while patients in other wards got sick with the influenza A virus. The only difference was that he had given his patients 2,000 units of vitamin D a day for several months or more.

A paper published in the journal Nature explained why. Researchers found that vitamin D is a very strong antibiotic with an unusual activity. It doesnt work like most antibiotics by killing bacteria and viruses. It increases the production of antimicrobial peptides substances that damage the cell walls of the influenza virus. Scientists also found that it reduces inflammation in infected lung tissues. Weve known about the association between lung problems and vitamin D for quite a while. Studies have shown that children with a vitamin D deficiency are more likely to develop respiratory infections. And either artificial or natural ultraviolet light reduces this risk. The amount of vitamin D you have in your system may determine whether or not you get the flu. Just how much do you need? More than the 400 IU youll find in a heavy duty multivitamin. Dr. Cannell recommends at least 2,000 IU a day, especially in the winter. Five thousand IU/day is even better, he suggests. The best way to find out how much vitamin D you have and how much more you need to take is to get a blood test for 25 hydroxy-vitamin D, known as 25(OH)D. Your level should be 5080 micrograms/ml throughout the year, so this means getting tested in the summer and winter months. You could need as much as 5,000 IU during the winter, and less or none in the summer. If you decide not to get tested, you might want to take 2,000 IU a day. Dr. Cannell has found no toxicity at more than 10,000 IU a day.

High in sunlight; low in foods

Theres not much vitamin D in most foods. Fatty fish are highest. Youd have to eat three servings of fatty fish every day to come close to getting enough. Insignificant amounts (100 IU per glass) have been added to milk, but this wont ward off colds and flu. Your choices are to get enough exposure to sunlight or to take supplements. Or both. If you sunbathe on a summers day for 20 minutes, you can get 20,000 IU of vitamin D into your system within two days. Just remember not to use sunblock until you get your vitamin D first. You can find 5,000 IU of vitamin D from Advanced Bionutritionals (800-728-2288) as well as in many health food stores. Boosting your vitamin D to 2,000-5000 IU in the fall and winter could end your risk of getting the flu ever again.

You may want to stock up on a few extra bottles of vitamin D in case you hear that a flu pandemic or a bad case of the flu is on its way. This is one (inexpensive) nutrient you dont want to run out of. The vitamin D/flu connection is a theory based on sound science. And since its safe to take, you may not want to wait for more studies. Especially if youre prone to winter colds and flu. If youre worried about the association

between skin cancer and the sun, read my article, Avoiding the Sun? Sunlight Actually Prevents Cancers (April 2005). It will end the confusion perpetrated by well-meaning, but mistaken, dermatologists.
Cannell, J.J., et al. Review Article: Epidemic influenza and vitamin D, Epidemiol Infect, 2006. Kobasa, D., et al. Enhanced virulence of influenza A viruses with the haemagglutinin of the 1918 pandemic virus, Nature, 2004.

Vitamin D Deficiency Now Linked to More Serious Disease

Ive just shown you how getting enough vitamin D can prevent colds and the flu. But this hormone we call the sunshine vitamin does much more. Recent studies indicate that vitamin D is protective against sunburn and neurological conditions, such as Parkinsons disease and multiple sclerosis. It can also prevent memory loss as we age. Lets look at some of the latest research on this important vitamin/hormone. They may give you a few more reasons to increase your vitamin D, either through exposure to the sun, in supplements, or both. Sunburn: When summer comes around, youll hear the yearly mantra dont forget your sunscreen. This warning is supposed to reduce your risk of sunburn and skin cancer. But wearing sunscreen may not be as smart as you once thought. It can result in a vitamin D deficiency, especially in people who dont go outdoors every day or who wear a lot of clothing. Worried about getting skin cancer? Dont be. Skin cancers occur when we get sunburned, not because we go out in the sun. Unless youre exposed to bright sunlight on a hot summers day for hours at a time enough to burn you may not need sunscreen at all. I use it when Im kayaking or out in the garden for hours on end. But not when Im weeding or harvesting vegetables for an hour or two. Thats when my body is converting sunlight to muchneeded vitamin D. Getting sufficient vitamin D actually protects your skin from sun damage. Researchers have found that people who take 5,000 IU of vitamin D a day are not likely to burn. In fact, a new study published in the Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (January 2007) supports this theory that vitamin D3 actually protects against sunburn and skin cancers. So get out in the sun. It can protect you from sun damage, as long as you dont burn. Parkinsons disease is on the rise. Experts expect the number of people with it to double by the year 2030. They blame this rise on aging populations. But Parkinsons may be another disease linked to a vitamin D deficiency. Thats what some researchers think. Drs. Harold and Jonathan Newmark, a father and son team, believe that a vitamin-D deficiency could be a major cause of Parkinsons disease. The reason this disease affects so many older people could simply be that they stay indoors too much and dont get enough sun. This makes sense. We know from previous studies that vitamin D helps normalize brain function. Its protective effects on nerve growth factors in the brain make it an ideal nutrient to use for either the prevention or treatment of Parkinsons. The Newmarks tested this theory on one of their Parkinsons patients who took 4,000 IU of vitamin D a day. His Parkinsons improved. This treatment on a single Parkinsons patient is just the first tiny step forward in the exploration of an effective treatment. But since low amounts of vitamin D appear to be present in neurological diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and loss of memory, its a safe theory for us to test. Multiple sclerosis: The association between vitamin D and multiple sclerosis is compelling. There are more people with MS who live in the

low altitudes of Switzerland than in the high altitudes where the UV rays are stronger. Almost no cases of MS can be found at the equator, but the further away you go, the more MS you find. People with MS often have enough vitamin D to keep their bones healthy, but not enough to prevent the disease or reduce its symptoms. One large study found that when researchers gave people vitamin D supplements, they had a 40% lower risk of developing MS. Its also possible that getting enough vitamin D could prevent someone with a genetic predisposition to MS from getting it. But what about people who already have MS? Four smaller studies concluded that vitamin D lessens its symptoms. Memory: What does vitamin D have to do with your memory? Possibly, a lot. A group of seniors had their memory evaluated at the University of Wisconsin using a mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Then the researchers measured their levels of vitamin D. There was a significant correlation between having enough vitamin D and getting a good score on the MMSE. The more vitamin D, the better their memory.

Other studies support these findings. One found that nearly 60% of participants had abnormally low levels of vitamin D. These low levels correlated with depression or bipolar disorder, and impaired memory. A vitamin D deficiency may cause more than memory problems; it can lead to mood swings and depression, as well.

Whats enough vitamin D?

As I mentioned earlier, and cant emphasize enough, Dr. John Cannell, whose work and passion revolves around vitamin D, suggests getting a blood test to check your levels. He keeps his 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels between 50-80 ng/ml, year-round. This means taking 2,000 IU in the summer (none if you go out every day for a few hours), and 5,000 IU in the fall and winter months. Someone with a disease that could be due in part to low levels of vitamin D might want to take much more. But only do so under a doctors direction. Vitamin D3 is the natural form of this nutrient, and is better absorbed than the synthetic version.

These Two Nutrients Can Help Save Your Eyesight

Macular degeneration (AMD) is the most frequent cause of blindness in people over 40. It occurs when the macula, right behind the retina, deteriorates. AMD destroys vision in the center of your eye, leaving only peripheral vision. This compromises your balance as well as your eyesight, leaving you vulnerable to falls. Western medicine doesnt have an answer, but I do. Two large recent studies, each using thousands of participants, found that your macula needs two specific nutrients to stay healthy. One of the nutrients slows the progression of macular degeneration, while the other prevents it. The researchers found that omega-3 fatty acids slow the progression. And whats more, you dont need a lot of the fatty acids to see benefits. Researchers found that eating two four-ounce servings a week of omega-3 rich foods is enough. This is exciting news, as it means you can slow the progression simply by eating foods that are rich in omega-3s a couple of times each week. In the May 2007 issue of my newsletter, I showed you how eating nuts, which are high in omega-3 fats, can prevent advanced macular degeneration and blindness. But nuts arent the only place you can get omega-3 fatty acids. Fish are a rich source. So if you dont like nuts, or have difficulty digesting them, eat an extra portion of fish. Or you can get your omega-3s from quality essential fatty acids capsules, such as those included in the Advanced Bionutritionals Womens Vitality multivitamin packets. The other nutrient that prevents macular degeneration is vitamin D. Thousands of people who took part in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey had a complete physical workup, complete with photos of their retinas, blood and urine tests, and dietary intake. Those with the highest levels of vitamin D had the lowest risk of getting early AMD. Im not surprised to hear this. As we get older, our skin is less able to convert vitamin D from sunlight. Thats a time in many peoples lives when they spend little time outdoors exposing their skin to the sun. The older you are, the more you need either exposure to sunlight or supplemental vitamin D. Meanwhile, boost your diet with more fish, eat raw nuts, and get out in the sun. It can save your eyesight.
Arch Opthalmol, 2007, vol 125.

Dont expect to get enough vitamin D from your diet if youre already deficient. Its hard to get that much from foods. And some of the amounts stated on food labels may not be accurate. Although milk is fortified with vitamin D, it often contains only 20% of the amount listed on the label. Fish is not necessarily any better. A study to evaluate the amount of vitamin D in different species of fish found that farmed salmon had about one-forth as much vitamin D as wild salmon. In addition, no one knows how baking, frying, or broiling fish affects its levels of vitamin D. If you know you need more, supplements are the quickest solution.

Brown, S.J. The role of vitamin D in multiple sclerosis, Ann Pharmacotherapy, June 2006. Dixon, K.M., et al. In vivo relevance for photoprotection by the vitamin D rapid response pathway, J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol, January 11, 2007. Hayes, C.E., et al. Vitamin D and multiple sclerosis, University of Wisconsin. Newmark, H.L. and J. Newmark. Vitamin D and Parkinsons disease A hypothesis, Movement Disorders, January 17, 2007. Reichrath, J., The challenge resulting from positive and negative effects of sunlight: how much solar UV exposure is appropriate to balance between risks of vitamin D deficiency and skin cancer? Prog Biopohys Mol Biiol, September 2006.

Reduce or Eliminate Your Back Pain for 10 Cents a Day

If you have chronic back pain, I have good news for you. Ive found an effective therapy backed by literally thousands of scientific studies. In spite of all the research on this therapy, few doctors and other health care providers know about. Its not another painkiller. Its a nutrient that addresses the core reasons for some types of back pain. Whats more, its readily available and costs around 10 cents a day. Pain sends more people to their doctors than any other complaint. Much of it is chronic back pain. In spite of all the available therapies, more than 25% of chronic pain patients are dissatisfied with their treatments. Along with surgery, analgesics and other drugs are the usual remedy. However, theyre not necessarily your best solution. As you may know, even commonly used aspirin and acetaminophen can have serious side effects, such as bleeding in the stomach and liver toxicity. Whats more, many of the stronger prescription drugs are expensive. My problem is that pain medications treat your symptoms, not the underlying cause of your pain. Recently, Stewart B Leavitt, MA, PhD, editor of Pain Treatment Topics authored a report on this nutrient published last June. Its focus was chronic muscular skeletal back pain. He based the report on 22 clinical trials. Eight experts in pain control peer-reviewed the report, and it passed their scrutiny. Leavitts conclusions are likely to be dismissed by most medical doctors. Even those specializing in pain control. Why? Because this solution doesnt come from pharmaceutical companies. And representatives from drug manufacturers with their free samples educate doctors about their high-priced drugs. They dont discuss inexpensive nutrients. So what is the nutrient? It is none other than vitamin D the sunshine vitamin that appears to have a never-ending number of uses including relieving back pain. Let me explain the association between this vitamin and back pain. Youve probably heard that vitamin D helps build strong bones. Well, when vitamin D levels are low and they are in many people it can cause a cascading effect of chemical reactions that affects bone metabolism. The result is that the surfaces of bones become softer. This condition is called osteomalacia, and osteomalacia causes backaches and pain. This softening of bones can be so mild its subclinical which means you cant identify it yet. But it could still be responsible for your pain. The problem stems from a lack of circulating calcium caused by insufficient vitamin D. So the solution is to take more D, not to take more calcium. One of the studies in Leavitts report examined vitamin D levels in 360 study participants with back pain. All of them had insufficient D.

When the researchers gave them supplemental vitamin D for three months, 95% of them improved! Some people found their pain completely disappeared, while others noticed a significant improvement. Every single one of the participants with the most severe deficiencies experienced relief. But thats not all. Researchers in Great Britain analyzed pain scores in nearly 7,000 men and women. Women with high vitamin D levels (between 75 and 99 ng/ml) had the lowest rates of pain. Women with the lowest levels (less than 25 ng/ml) had the most pain. If you have chronic pain, you may want to begin by getting your vitamin D levels checked with a simple blood test called 25-hydroxy-vitamin D or 25(OH)D. Your level should be at least 50 ng/ml. Although Dr. John Cannell, one of the countrys leading experts in vitamin D, says that 60-80 ng/ml would be even better. How much vitamin D should you take if you have low levels and are experiencing back pain? No one knows for sure. Your need for vitamin D is affected by age, skin color, and the severity of any deficiency. But we do know that extremely high amounts even up to 50,000 IU/day are non-toxic and dont appear to interfere with medications. To give you a point of reference, someone who spends hours in the sun can get 10,000 to 20,000 IU of vitamin D3 a day. And prolonged or every day exposure to sunlight doesnt result in any vitamin D toxicity. The recommended daily intake of vitamin D 600 IU is outdated and too low to correct any deficiencies. And it doesnt take into account the fact that people are avoiding the sun and slathering themselves with sunscreen. Both of these lower their bodies ability to make enough vitamin D. This vitamin, which functions like a hormone, affects bones, muscles, nerves, and numerous organs. Limit your intake and you run the risk not only of pain, but of osteoporosis, cancer, and heart disease as well. Most knowledgeable sources today say to take 1,000 to 2,500 IU/day. I agree with Dr John Cannells recommendation of 5,000 IU/day for people over the age of 50 who dont spend time each day in the sun. Cannell said that the majority of pain patients deficient in vitamin D experi-

Vitamin D affects non-musculoskeletal pain as well. One group of type-2 diabetics suffered from neuropathy. After taking 2,000 IU of vitamin D a day for three months, pain lessened by 50% in all of the patients. Vitamin D reduces chronic inflammatory autoimmune conditions like Crohns disease and inflammatory bowel disease, as well as fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis. Preliminary studies have found that a combination of calcium and vitamin D reduced the frequency and intensity of migraine headaches in both pre- and postmenopausal women in two months.

enced relief after taking 5,000 to 10,000 IU/day for three months. As we get older, our need for nutrients including vitamin D increases. If you find you have less back pain with this amount and want to lower your intake to 1,000 to 2,000 per day, do so. Personally, I take 5,000 IU every day. You can find vitamin D3 supplements (the best absorbed form) in most health food stores. Or order 5,000 IU tablets by calling 800-7282288. A word of caution: Dont throw out your medications yet or stop other treatments. Vitamin D may be all or a part of your answer. Since it wont interfere with any other pain therapies, you may want to add it to your present regime. Then, if it reduces your pain, discuss your improvement with your doctor and decide upon your next step together. Be sure to take this article to your doctor so he or she can read Leavitts report. Safe, and often effective, vitamin D may be just what you need to reduce or eliminate your pain. And at just 10 cents a day, its extremely affordable.
Leavitt, S.B., Ma, PhD. Vitamin D: A neglected analgesic for chronic musculoskeletal pain, Pain Treatment Topics, June 2008. Cannell, J.J. et al. Diagnosis and treatment of vitamin D deficiency, Expert Opinion Pharmacotherapy, 2008. Vitamin D and chronic widespread pain in a white middle aged British population: evidence from a cross sectional population study, Online First AnnRheum Dis2008 doi: 10.1136/ard/2008.090456.