Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

CEM — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 18:28:04 GMT

Why are we hearing so much about vitamin D lately? Isn't the sun providing us with enough vitamin D anymore? Are we burning the sun out with all of our cell phone towers? Digital cell phone technology came out in 1996 and the Telecommunications Act of 1996 came into play in 1996, and look what's been happening to the sun ever since...

science.nasa.gov/.../23sep_solarwind.htm

I think we're going to need a lot more than vitamin D supplementation, Dr. Mercola!

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

Heather Marsh — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 23:38:57 GMT

Julieanne

"Heather, you can buy Vit K2 online. I find iHerb have pretty good prices, even at the current exchange rate from AUS to US."

Butter is a whole food - and also tastes great.

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

Heather Marsh — Sat, 10 Jan 2009 00:18:36 GMT

There is one, single clinical trial testing the effect of cod liver oil on fracture risk. In this study, the researchers compared the consumption of a daily teaspoon of standard cod liver oil containing 400 IU of vitamin D to that of a daily teaspoon of cod liver oil that had been stripped of its vitamin D. The cod liver oils were administered to residents in 51 nursing homes over a period of two years. Although there was no difference between the two groups, probably because 400 IU is only half the dose of vitamin D generally required to reduce fracture risk,33 the fracture rate of those taking both forms of cod liver oil was lower than the overall fracture rate for those living in the nursing homes in which the trial was conducted. Rather than support the admonition to "stay away from cod liver oil," these findings suggest that cod liver oil can protect us against bone fractures, especially in old age.

Meyer, H. E. Smedshaug, G. B. Kvaavik, E. Falch, J. A. Tverdal, A. Pedersen, J. L. "Can vitamin D supplementation reduce the risk of fracture in the elderly? A randomized controlled trial," J Bone Miner Res., 2002; 17(4): 709-15.

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

WKW — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 01:26:24 GMT

Shame on you Dr. Mercola for giving in to these studies regarding the use of Vitamin A and misrepresenting the teachings of the W.A. Price Foundation on using cod liver oil. I'm very disappointed.

My family has been using Green Pasture's "Blue Ice" Cod Liver Oil for years, as well as drink raw milk and make lacto-fermented foods. We have enjoyed excellent health, no dental or vision problems. And we have over 300 sunny days a year! Just an FYI- Blue Ice supplement facts: 1 teaspoon contains 10,000 IU's of Vitamin A (min), 1,000 IU's Vitamin D, all naturally derived, (min) plus EPA/DHA. I'm well over age 50, past menopause and have incredibly good joint/bone health and do not take a multivitamin due to the nature of the Vitamin A usually used.

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

Zy — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 00:26:44 GMT

Since about the early 19th century, dietary toxicities have not taken long to become commonly known. So how can it be that cod liver oil has been available for such a long time (since at least the early 20th century ) in the USA and UK as a health supplement, but nobody ever noticed that it could be unhealthy until 2008 ???

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

sofiadiablesa — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:26:39 GMT

Dr. Mercola,

I am really at a loss here. We just moved from sunny California to Maryland. My son has developed some patchy skin and the doc says its eczema. Not entirely sure I believe that but for now, I will go with it. We are about to start him on cod liver oil, then I read this article. Since I will giving the oil to my 3 1/2 year old son, I would not really be able to know if he is getting too much. I also don't like the idea of experimenting on him (a little here a little there, back off, etc). Yet, I know I need to do something to help him heal. What could I give him that can help with the eczema (internally) but that I won't have to worry about toxicity. Please bear in mind the age.

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

lvytn — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 06:51:10 GMT

I dont understand why so many people seem unable to get adequate sunlight in the winter. Dont you have windows in your house? I personally lay down in the sun that comes through my sliding glass doors between 10 and noon on my days off work...

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

Heather Marsh — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 01:03:50 GMT

"A landmark paper from the Vitamin D Council asserts that a form of vitamin A, retinoic acid, can block the activity of vitamin D by weakly activating the vitamin D response element on genes. Since vitamin D levels are crucial for human health, that means it is essential to have the proper ratio of vitamin D to vitamin A in your body."

Of course, it is difficult to ascertain if this effect may not have been due to yet another imbalance - we are learning more about what the human body requires almost every day!

As it apparently has not yet been determined what are the correct intake ratios of vitamins A:D (:k2:E:C etc) for a healthy human body DO NOT PANIC if something you do works for you but is contraindicated by a generalised health article.

Often there is a huge difference in optimal intakes between individuals, and for most of us the expense of regular blood serum levels takes them out of the equation.

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

moo_203 — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:55:34 GMT

dr. mercola,

will you be offering a vitamin D test soon? if so i will wait for your test.

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

jsonder — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 21:14:17 GMT

i think what mercola was warning about was synthetic:

check this link out which was forwarded to me by garden of life the mfr. of the cod liver oil i use:

http://westonaprice.org/basicnutrition/cod-liver-oil-menu.html

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

Wowie — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 05:32:12 GMT

I have read Dr Mercolla's valued information, as well as the Weston Price data. Reading each one alone (although different opinions), seems persuasive. I think the best decision can be made when you understand the actual biochemistry, and even your own unique chemistry. Neither being the case for myself, I may just have to utilize the information from both sites, as well as making a compromise between the two. (ie -no low vitamin D- CLO, or eliminating CLO & using regular (non liver) fish oil, but always adding much separate vitamin D3 supplementation, and taking vitamin A - maybe 25,000 IU + at a different time of day. I haven't heard anything about the Oil vs the Powdered vitamin D. I also haven't gotten the pro-beta carotene answer for the possibility of not being able to make the conversion. I was considering the new Neptune Antarctic Krill Oil which Dr Mercolla writes about, -due to its purity, antioxidants & delivery system. The thing that bothers me is the low EPA/DHA,.-> Even after using Dr Mercolla's multiplication factor (due to improved cellular delivery), the amounts are STILL low, according to common recommendations. There may be something I am not understanding. I'd like to get an answer to this.

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

sunsong88 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:55:01 GMT

to Matilda203...I couldn't find a little 'reply' icon with your comment,,,,I don't know why some have those little icons and some don't......so I hope you find my reply!

Your information on your natural cure for psoriasis is so exciting!!!!

Dovonex is synthetic, as you mentioned so i bet that's why you had a bad reaction! I am so sorry that psoriasis sufferers have to go through such pain and that the mainstream medical is pawning off these synthetics on us.

I bet you absorb copious amounts of natural vit D on your vacations and that the direct UVB on your skin is only part of the cure.......the high blood levels being the other part of the cure.

For those of us who can't get to the Bahamas right now, optimizing blood levels and going to a safe tanning booth may be the next best thing?

I have never had psoriasis until i moved to the severly VitD deficient Pacific Northwest. And then it erupted only in one spot on my hand. It is painful, itchy and debilitating. I am absolutely certain it is vitamin D related. We lived in the Kootenays BC Canada before we moved here, and had much more vit D because we skiid more often, and i simply have never worn sunscreen....never believed in it. I'll throw on a hat or T-shirt or stay in the shade if i'm starting to burn! Common sense right? I bet that optimum blood levels of Vit D protect against burning and skin cancer too.........

Dr. Mercola.......can you come up with a smaller version of your tanning lamps that is more affordable for us on a budget? I can't afford the big ones yet but a small table top version would be awesome!

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

Michy — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 22:51:30 GMT

Dr. Mercola,

Your article states:

"Researchers have not been able to find any evidence of any Vitamin A deficiency at all in developed countries."

This survey must include the hypothyroid, autistic, MS, etc!! who have been told that our bodies may be deficient and/or cannot convert vitamin A properly. Would you disagree that this is the case? Do you have any comments on this and/or any recommendations? I believe that orange skin indicates an inability to convert--does this mean more or less is required?

PS. My family and I, like many others, have definitely experienced benefit from CLO. However I am open minded to the idea that this may be in spite of rather than because of the Vitamin A. It may be the Omega 3's and Vit D (especially since we've been using Carlson's) that have been providing benefit. We are going to be switching to Salmon Oil and will see what happens. I must say I much prefer the salmon oil price tag!

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

Lexey — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:45:54 GMT

Dr. Mercola,

I bought your Whole Food plus Vital Minerals. It does not contain Vit D. With the amount of Vit A that is in these vitamins, how much vit D should I take to have a good balance.

Should I continue to take your vitamins or are they not any good now?

re: Why Vitamin A May Not Be as Useful or Harmless as You Thought

Wowie — Sun, 04 Jan 2009 21:40:40 GMT

I agree with Manus about--------Subject : CODEX ALIMENTARIUS

I'm glad he brought up CODEX ALIMENTARIUS. (Vitamins, Cod liver Oil, ect.- will have no relevance, if this ever goes through!) People need to learn about this dangerous Food Code, within the U.N., that could effect the whole world with a DANGEROUS HEALTH TYRANNY. Yes,-it would be VERY ADVANTAGEOUS IF DR MERCOLLA TOOK A FRONT SEAT.>People must learn about horror, & WHAT TO DO.->Possibly A printed up form letter that we all could rewrite (to make meaningful) & send to our uninformed Congress. Something must also be done about uninformed Health Stores (on line & outside). They would do alot, if they knew. A reason they don't know, is because many are being miss fed information about Codex & Health Freedom, by Trade groups, working 'helpfully,' in disguise,while actually representing the interests of Pharmaceutical outfits. Some Trade groups WERE, at one time-good,-but subsequently were bought out. (Trade Group examples are Natural Products Asc>(aprox)= NNFA,& CRN-Citizens for Responsible Nutrition). We need to inform these Health outfits. To say the least, they will mobilize their readers, their customers. I agree with keeping fit, that the best Health Freedom fighter has been The Natural Solution's Foundation (www.healthfreedomusa.org). They need our support, in every way. THIS IS AN EMERGENCY. (wowie49@yahoo.com)