Women are not getting enough vitamin D

[sparky]

FDA approves FOSAMAX PLUS D for Osteoporosis

Category: Bones/Orthopaedics News
Article Date: 12 Apr 2005 - 14pm (UK)

Merck & Co, Inc. announced today that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved FOSAMAX PLUS DTM - (alendronate sodium / cholecalciferol), a single once-weekly tablet containing 70 mg FOSAMAX® (alendronate sodium) and 2800 IU vitamin D3, representing 7 days worth of 400 IU of vitamin D. (The recommended intake of vitamin D is 400-800 IU daily). FOSAMAX has been demonstrated to reduce the risk of both hip and spine fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis and is now the only bisphosphonate with the added benefit of a weekly dose of vitamin D.

Women, 51 and older, are not getting enough vitamin D

According to an analysis published in 2004 and based on the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), a majority of Americans are not consuming enough vitamin D. The study estimated that over 70% of women age 51-70 and almost 90% of women over 70 are not getting an adequate intake of vitamin D from food and supplements. This analysis was based on the adequate intake, as defined by the National Institute of Health's Institute of Medicine, of 400 IU per day for women age 51-70 and 600 IU per day for women over 70 years. Other organizations, such as the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF), recommend vitamin D intake of up to 800 IU per day. As a treatment for osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, FOSAMAX PLUS D offers 2800 IU vitamin D, representing 7 days worth of 400 IU of vitamin D.

Many women are unaware of the importance of vitamin D

“Many physicians and patients frequently are unaware of the importance of vitamin D in bone health.

Given its effect on calcium absorption, vitamin D insufficiency is an important medical concern for patients with osteoporosis, as it can lead to bone loss and an increased risk of fracture,” said Dr. Robert Heaney.

Vitamin D is obtained from two sources: sunlight and diet. The skin manufactures the majority of the body's vitamin D after direct exposure to sunlight but as adults age the ability to make vitamin D through the skin diminishes. Avoiding sun exposure or using sunscreen can also limit a person's production of vitamin D. Vitamin D can also come from the diet but there are limited dietary sources that contain the nutrient. Good dietary sources include fatty fish (e.g., salmon), vitamin D fortified milk and orange juice. However, for many people, dietary sources alone are not enough. For example, one must drink four 8 ounce glasses of milk to receive 400 IU of vitamin D.

Found this one trollin' through my Dad's pharmacy and Prescription He!! with managing the elderly, part D.

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medi...p?newsid=22699

[Ezliving_Jim]

My earlier comment is on point.

[Don]

Sparky:

The statement "but as adults age the ability to make vitamin D through the skin diminishes" was shown recently to be incorrect.

A recent paper showed that while the skin's ability to produce vitamin D diminishes slightly as we age but it is the fact that our kidneys lose their ability to "convert" vitamin D as we age that is the primary problem. Thus, as we age we need to increase the amount of vitamin D in the blood (through UVR exposure and supplements) to offset the loss of kidney function.

The leg bone is connected to......