Posted on 07/10/2011 11:27:47 AM PDT by decimon
SAN DIEGO, CA – Vitamin D deficiency has been known to cause an assortment of health problems, a recent study being presented at the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine's (AOSSM) Annual Meeting in San Diego today, suggests that lack of the vitamin might also increase the chance of muscle injuries in athletes, specifically NFL football players.
"Eighty percent of the football team we studied had vitamin D insufficiency. African American players and players who suffered muscle injuries had significantly lower levels," said Michael Shindle, MD, lead researcher and member of Summit Medical Group.
Researchers identified 89 football players from a single NFL team and provided laboratory testing of vitamin D levels in the spring 2010 as part of routine pre-season evaluations. The mean age of the players was 25. The team provided data to determine the number of players who had lost time due to muscle injuries. Vitamin D levels were then classified based on player race and time lost due to muscle injury.
Twenty-seven players had deficient levels (< 20 ng/ML) and an additional 45 had levels consistent with insufficiency (20-31.9 ng/mL). Seventeen players had values within normal limits (>32 ng/mL). The mean vitamin D level in white players was 30.3 ng/mL while the mean level for black players was 20.4 ng/mL. Sixteen players suffered a muscle injury with a mean vitamin D level of 19.9.
"Screening and treatment of vitamin D insufficiency in professional athletes may be a simple way to help prevent injuries," said Dr. Scott Rodeo, MD, Co-Chief of the Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery. "Further research also needs to be conducted in order to determine if increasing vitamin D leads to improved maximum muscle function," said Dr. Joseph Lane, MD, Director of the Metabolic Bone Disease Service at the Hospital for Special Surgery."
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The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is a world leader in sports medicine education, research, communication and fellowship, and includes national and international orthopaedic sports medicine leaders. The Society works closely with many other sports medicine specialists, including athletic trainers, physical therapists, family physicians, and others to improve the identification, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries. AOSSM is also a founding partner of the STOP Sports Injuries campaign to prevent overuse and traumatic injuries in kids. For more information on AOSSM or the STOP Sports Injuries campaign, visit www.sportsmed.org or www.stopsportsinjuries.org
Sorry about your friend and her struggles with cancer. Thank you for posting this because it makes a lot of sense.
32 is still pretty deficient. Football is a rough sport. I’d want to see my team be over 50 at least.
I always wonder why orthopedists don’t push their patients to be tested and supplement enough.
32 is still pretty deficient. Football is a rough sport. I’d want to see my team be over 50 at least.
I always wonder why orthopedists don’t push their patients to be tested and supplement enough.
Woo hoo, LoneStar! Awesome story! Though I bet that shoulder hurt.
I believe in supplementing to about 60.
I do hope this helps people to at least THINK about the possibilities. I've always thought sunshine was a good more than bad thing. (Just like dessert...better in moderation, but have it once in a while, just don't eat the whole pie ;-) ---but then again, I'm from MN too...and when I was growing up, we didn't see much sun until July and August and then...watch out--lot's of lobster red Scandinavians!!!
My doctor’s conclusion after latest blood work was that I have a Vitamin D deficiency. Just began taking 50,000 MU 3 times a week, and 2,000 mu D3 per day. Was surprised at the recommendation, but am predominantly a northern, indoor person. If anything, I need more exercise. Does anyone make an excercise bike that produces beer?
That's in line with what I've seen in some other threads. I guess they jump start start you before bringing you to a maintenance dose.
Interesting!
After 7 years of using the MP, my diabetes is gone, the osteoporisis is almost gone, as are the rest of my troubles with a long term case of sarcoidosis. I can wax quite enthusiastic about this, but did not in the previous post.
You'd likely get the same results had you treated those mice with prednisone. Neither prednisone nor Vitamin D is a cure, but both can make you feel pretty good.
If you are healthy, extra vitamin D just acts like a low dose of prednisone. It's a potent anti-inflammatory.
You are 72 and healthy. I've been in and out of the hospitals since I was 33, it took about 8 years for the docs to figure out it was sarcoid. And I was a happy user of vitamins before that time, and for the next 20 years. High vitamin D use did not prevent or resolve the problems.
I do hope you stay healthy. But I don't believe it has much to do with Vitamin D use.
actually, i was thinking about the lack of sunshine if the players are inside all the time...
Hope you continue to get better.
My understanding is those with “sarcoid” have problems with Vitamin D...so I think you are the exception...not the rule...
I know folks with Rheumatoid Arthritis for whom avoiding Vitamin D, and the rest of the MP, is a cure.
The video at this link explains how it works across the spectrum of auto-immune troubles. http://mpkb.org/home/publications/proal_congress_on_autoimmunity_2008
Early results of the MP are reported here. http://mpkb.org/home/publications/marshall_american_academy_of_environmental_medicine_2006
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