Professor of Medicine, Physiology and Biophysics at Boston University School of Medicine, Prof Holick has called for annual testing of all Australians after a study found up to 58% of Australians could be vitamin D deficient during the spring months1.
The acclaimed author of The Vitamin D Solution, Prof Holick will educate health professionals at the inaugural BioCeuticals® Research Symposium to be held in Sydney on 10-11 May.
Prof Holick will discuss ground-breaking research that indicates increasing vitamin D levels may not only support healthy bones but improve immune function and reduce the risk for many diseases2.
The study, co-authored by Prof Holick and conducted by Boston University, found that improving vitamin D levels could positively impact the genes associated with cancer, cardiovascular disease (CVD), infectious diseases and autoimmune diseases.
"For the first time, this study shows direct evidence that improving vitamin D levels plays a large role in improving immunity and lowering the risk for many diseases," Prof Holick said.
"The randomised, double-blind, single-site pilot trial involved men and women who were vitamin D deficient or insufficient at the start of the trial. Participants were given varying levels of vitamin D supplementation during the two month trial.
"At the end of the pilot, the group that received the highest levels of vitamin D supplementation achieved the required healthy level of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D).
"However, a broad gene expression analysis found that 291 genes were altered simply by increasing vitamin D levels. These 291 genes are related to 80 biologic pathways linked to cancer, autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases and cardiovascular disease.
"This study shows that vitamin D is more than the 'bone health vitamin'."
"While a larger study is necessary to confirm our observations, the data demonstrates that improving vitamin D status can have a dramatic effect on gene expression in our immune cells and may help explain the role of vitamin D in reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer and other diseases."
About the BioCeuticals® Research Symposium
Themed Research, Innovation, Reality, the BioCeuticals® Research Symposium on 10-11 May in Sydney will feature world renowned researchers who will share vital research that has the real ability to transform lives and optimise health in Australia.Key international speakers will include:
- Professor Michael F. Holick, PhD, MD - world leader in vitamin D for human nutrition.
- Dr Lise Alschuler, ND, FABNO - international expert in Naturopathic Oncology, Integrative & Preventative Medicine.
- Mr Mark Blumenthal - world leading herbal medicine specialist, Editor of HerbalGram, the international peer-reviewed journal and Executive Director of the American Botanical Council (ABC)
- Dr Nigel Plummer, PhD - international specialist in microbiology and probiotic bacteria.
- New research advances on Probiotic therapies for gut health
- Complementary and integrative medicine for mood disorders and anxiety
- Metabolic nutrients for cardiovascular health
- Clinical insights in hormonal/women's health
- Cutting edge research into benefits of vitamin D.
- New advances to reduce cancer risks through Nutritional Medicine