PUFA and Vitamin D

Main Category: Complementary Medicine / Alternative Medicine
Also Included In: Nutrition / Diet
Article Date: 16 Oct 2004 - 7:00 PST

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As a member of the International Society for the Study of Fats and Lipids, I have been struck by the similarity of the diseases associated with PUFA and those associated with vitamin D deficiency. Both lists include heart disease, hypertension, many cancers, osteoporosis, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, MS, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, polycystic ovary, brain development, even seizures. See the following for reviews of vitamin D and a partial list of the diseases associated with vitamin D deficiency, a problem that is close to endemic.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&am p;dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14985208

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&am p;dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12720576

It appears possible that one of the mechanisms of actions of PUFA is to increase the free, or unbound, 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)D by displacing those vitamin D metabolites from the vitamin D binding protein (DBP). As you know, 1,25(OH)D is the most potent steroid hormone in the human body, on a molar basis, and small increases it its free concentrations may enhance its autocrine and paracrine functions.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed& ;dopt=Abstract&list_uids=1525046

It does this at physiological concentrations of PUFA with n-6 slightly more efficacious than n3. I have always wondered why extra n-6 would help much of anything given the high amounts of n-6 in most Western diets.

Ray Rice suggested I write a letter about it for the next ISSFAL Newsletter but I am a psychiatrist, not a scientist, and feel inadequate to comment on PUFA physiology. Perhaps one of you might want to write a letter addressing these issues. In the meantime, I will be sending you free copies of the Vitamin D Newsletter. If you don't want them, let me know.

John Jacob Cannell, MD
The Vitamin D Council
9100 San Gregorio Road
Atascadero, CA 93422
805 462-8129
http://www.vitamindcouncil.com

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