functional medicine and nutritional genomics - American Association ...

AAPI’S NUTRITION GUIDE TO OPTIMAL HEALTH: USING PRINCIPLES OF FUNCTIONAL MEDICINE AND NUTRITIONAL GENOMICS
Anti-Cancer – Vitamin D inhibits proliferation and
stimulates the differentiation of cells when bound
to VDR receptors. Vitamin D has also been
shown to induce apoptosis (programmed cell
death) vi
.
Immunity – There are a significant number of VDR
receptors on T cells and macrophages and there
is evidence that when bound to these receptors,
vitamin D acts as a selective immunosuppressant
and can either prevent or significantly affect many
autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis,
SLE, type 1 diabetes and IBD vii
. Vitamin D can
also enhance innate immunity and has been
shown to be beneficial against tuberculosis and
through this mechanism may be useful against
additional infectious agents, such as influenza viii .
Diabetes – The bioactive form of Vitamin D has
been shown to stimulate insulin production in the
pancreas in type 1 diabetics and may play a role
in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes through its
ability to impair insulin synthesis and secretion ix
.
Blood Pressure Regulation – Vitamin D can
decrease the expression of the gene that codes
for rennin, and therefore plays a role in controlling
hypertension x .
Toxicity
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that is stored in
the liver and fatty tissue and is eliminated more
slowly than water-soluble vitamins. Excess levels
of Vitamin D can cause hypercalcemia,
hypercalciuria, hypertension, constipation, fatigue
and more. While adequate levels of Vitamin D are
very important, you can get too much of a good
thing. Monitoring therapy is important to ensure
adequate, but not excessive dosage.
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What to Test
Whether supplemented or manufactured in the
skin, cholecalciferol (D3) is hydroxylated in the
liver to form 25-hydroxycholcalciferol (25(OH)),
and this is the major circulating form of the
vitamin. Though it goes through an additional
hydroxylation (primary in the kidney) to form
1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol before it is
biologically active, the 25(OH) form is considered
the most accurate measure of the amount of
Vitamin D in the body, which is why testing
25(OH) is preferred xi
.
Jay H. Mead is the President and Medical
Director of Labrix Clinical Services, Inc. and a
visionary for innovative testing for discerning
practitioners. He is a leading expert in Salivary
hormone and Urine iodine testing. Dr. Mead has
been practicing as a clinician for over twenty
years and understands the need and value of
accurate, reliable laboratory testing. Dr. Mead is a
board certified pathologist (AP/CP), a retired
USAF Flight Surgeon and cofounder of a
progressive full-service complementary and
alternative medical clinic. He also has board
certification in blood banking and has led the
Pacific Northwest Region of the American Red
Cross as the Chief Medical Officer for over 10
years. Dr. Mead is the co-author of the newly
released book: Slim, Sane and Sexy; Pocket
Guide to Natural, Bioidentical Hormone Balancing.
Dr. Mead speaks at national and international
conferences on topics including Best Practices for
State-of-the-Art Hormone Testing; Best Practices
for Men’s Hormone Health; Beyond
Testosterone…Progesterone for men, Youth’s Best
Kept Secret; Vitamin D The Forgotten Hormone;
Neurodegenerative Disease and Endocrine
Balancing; an Integrative Approach; Thyroid Health
and Prostate Health.
2012