Ear infections, or acute otitis media (AOM) in children are all too common and appear to be helped by vitamin D supplemention. A recent study followed 116 children given 1000 IU of vitamin for four  months.1

The researchers stated that, "The supplementation with vitamin D increased serum levels, and this increase is significantly associated with a reduction in the total number of AOM episodes." They also noted that not only did the vitamin D reduce the occurence of recurrent acute otitis media (ear infection) but it also reduced "the risk of uncomplicated episodes of AOM." Nice. Just in time for fall and winter!

1. Esposito S. Abstract G-1249. Presented at: ICAAC 2013; Sept. 9-13, 2013; Denver.

Yes, vitamin D is a hormone. Actually it is a secosteroid. In Latin, "seco"  means to cut. This refers to the "B" ring of the pre-vitamin D molecule where it is "cut" open after exposure to UVB rays from the sun, turning it into vitamin D. If it weren't for that split in the chemical ring, it would be a steroid hormone. The importance of vitamin D being a steroid-like hormone is that it acts in the nucleus of cells on the chromosomes and genetic code! Vitamin D actually effects our genes! Genes contain the blueprint for the proper manufacture of proteins and other molecules that are important in cell function. It makes sure that cells die when they are supposed to, even cancer cells. It makes sure that the correct genes are turned on and that incorrect or damaged genes are turned off (cancer genes). This is one of the reasons that optimal vitamin D intake can reduce your risk of cancer by up to 50%! The neat thing is that vitamin D is free! You are supposed to get it from your skin, not from your diet. You would have to drink 200 glasses of milk to get the same amount of vitamin D that is generated from 20 minutes of proper sun exposure.

Several years ago Harvard researchers have determined that almost 100,000 (72,000-96,000) preventable deaths occur each year due to omega-3 deficiency! This should have been headlines news, but instead, we read and hear about the need for more drugs. I would also add the importance of vitamin D in overall health. This vitamin was not factored in with this research. One of the researchers stated that omega-3 was more than being a part of a healthy diet, it was a matter of life and death! Wow! In its powerful anti-inflammatory role, omega-3 fatty acids (and vitamin D) have been shown to reduce your risk of heart attacks and strokes, cancers, and inflammatory diseases by 50-60%. Food for thought...

Goodarz Danaei, Eric L Ding, Dariush Mozaffarian, Ben Taylor, Jurgen Rehm, Christopher J L Murray, Majid Ezzati. The Preventable Causes of Death in the United States: Comparative Risk Assessment of Dietary, Lifestyle, and Metabolic Risk Factors’ . Public Library of Science Medicine Journal. Vol. 6, April, 2009