Posted on 09/17/2011 7:12:02 PM PDT by decimon
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Despite some research linking low vitamin D levels to heart disease, a new study suggests that lacking D does not increase one's risk of an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation.
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"I think the study was done well," said Dr. Michal Melamed, who studies vitamin D at the Einstein School of Medicine in New York and was not involved in the research. It shows that this one vitamin doesn't have an effect on all heart diseases, which is a good thing, she said.
A 2008 study of the same group of Framingham participants found that vitamin D levels were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
"We think that low vitamin D affects the architecture of the heart, but I'm not sure that it affects the electrical system of the heart," Melamed told Reuters Health.
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(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Almost a month. I've seen/felt zero difference in myself.
I was having a hard time with 'and'.
And Clinton is nowhere around, to define 'is'.
awesome post.
Yup.
and Ubiquinol CoQ10, Folate and SUNSHINE - natural Vit. D.
I shouldn't even bother responding to you but I will. Here is the material that made me rethink the ashwangandha.
Effect on thyroid glandMy name is Rudger Hogeveen, from Netherlands. am a medical student in Holland. Recently I read an article in a Dutch medical journal regarding ashwagandha and thyroid gland. In this journal was a case report about an patient who had thyrotoxicosis after chronic ashwagandha supplement use. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd. 2005: [ Thyrotoxicosis following the use of ashwagandha ] van der Hooft CS, Hoekstra A, Winter A, de Smet PA, Stricker BH. Inspectie voor de Gezondheidszorg, sectie Geneesmiddelenbewaking, Postbus Den Haag.
A 32-year-old healthy woman developed thyrotoxicosis while taking capsules that contained ashwagandha herbal extract for symptoms of chronic fatigue. She was not taking any other remedies or medications. During the first few weeks, she took the capsules only occasionally without any symptoms, but after increasing the dose, she experienced clinical symptoms indicative of thyrotoxicosis. This was confirmed by laboratory assessment. The symptoms resolved spontaneously after discontinuation of the ashwagandha capsules and laboratory values normalised. Data from animal studies, however, have suggested that ashwagandha can increase serum concentrations of thyroid hormones. This case study suggests that excess thyroid hormone effects is a potentially serious side effect of ashwagandha. Note: Rudger Hogeveen approved his name being mentioned.
I have been suffering from a thyroid condition for several years and am taking Synthroid with some benefit, but still am symptomatic despite lab levels which are in the target range. An herbal specialist who recommended ashwahgandha. I did feel significantly better on this supplement, my hair loss stopped, my libido returned, etc, however, I am experiencing some problems with symptoms of increased thyroid production. Because I am finally feeling better/normal for the first time in years, I would like to find a way to perhaps taper my Synthroid and stay on the ashwagandha (since it may enhance thyroid hormone production). my current endocrinologist knows nothing about herb / Ayurvedic medicine.
The influence of ashwagandha on thyroid function is still being evaluated and there is very little research on the topic, including what the appropriate dosage would be for the long term and how such supplements interact wish Synthroid or other thyroid medications.
I started taking ashwagandha capsules for the past 2 months. Last year I got my T3, T4, TSH tested and they were all normal. And now when tested again T3, T4, Ft4 are all normal but TSH is abnormal 13.9. I don't have any symptoms of hypothyroidism and still my blood reports TSH have come out positive. When consulted doctors, they asked me to get on medication Thyronorm 50mg for now. I read that ashwagandha can cause hyperthyroidism. My family has no background of any thyroid dysfunction. All of a sudden I have TSH elevated to high level and this is bothering me a lot. Now my doubt is can ashwagandha also cause hypothyroidism ? Should I stop taking the capsules. Also should I start medication for hypothyroidism or wait for now.
I can't give specific treatment advice but your doctor may wish to read this page.
I have Hashimoto's thyroiditis and when I began the herbal product I was Hyperthyroid. After a couple days I felt better, much calmer, more relaxed, etc. I did have to make a slight increase in my Methimazole (anti-thyroid medication) to compensate for what I thought was the mild thyrotoxic effects of ashwagandha. After about 6 weeks of continued daily use, my thyroid blew up. I could not sleep, and had all of the symptoms of severe hyperthyroidism. I had forgotten about the herb's potential to cause thyrotoxicosis, but "re-discovered" it, and stopped. I had to take very high doses of the Methimazole while experiencing the thyrotoxicosis. Once I stopped the ashwaganda, my thyroid appeared to normalize to its previous state after about 5 days. Then after another few days, it went very hyper once again. It did finally settle down to the normal range after a couple of weeks as confirmed by blood tests. It is now a couple months later, and I am borderline hyperthyroid. I am just letting you know, so you can warn others about ashwaganda and the danger it can present. I want to also state that your website is very informative and actually was the site that made me recall that ashwaganda can cause thyrotoxicosis. I feel that the information provided is great because it promotes a cautious approach when using supplements, as there have not been adequate studies on them. You are doing a great service for the public.
I find it very interesting and trustworthy to read about various supplements on your site. I have had some mild anxiety and mood disturbances for a while so i decided to try ashwagandha 300 mg of the whole herb, not an extract. I have read on your page that it can interfere with thyroid function. When i have been to the doctor before i asked to have my thyroid checked. I had a normal TSH and a T4 that was in the high normal range. I really want to take this herb. Obviously i am not hyperthyroid since tests are normal and symptoms are non existent. So my question is it so powerful that 300 mg of the whole herb per day can make the thyroid go hyperthyroid?
It is unlikely that small amounts of the herb will have a strong influence on thyroid hormone levels, but it is difficult to predict in any one individual what would occur.
Since I take Synthroid because my thyroid doesn't work, I thought it best to pass on the ashwagandha because of the potential risk. Even a little could mess me up.
Yes, “hard time” is your middle name, as we all know, ahem.
But you don't even need an OVERDOSE of many prescription drugs to die...
I had a slight runny nose for maybe a day...
I believe...
I’m glad to see you health has improved. But what is good for you might kill someone else. That’s just how it is.
I had a slight runny nose for maybe a day...
That was my norm before I started with vitamin D so it's hard to tell if I'm getting less sick. I'll catch something-or-other but nothing bad.
Daniel Boone died from eating sweet potatoes. He ate too many at one sitting.
It's using common sense and doing due diligence - that what we have brains for. You want to trust the gov’t to take care of us - good for you.
I chose not too. (100s of thousands die from prescription drugs each year - that were first approved by the FDA. How many die each year from vitamins and supplements?)
I post again:
I haven’t been sick like that either since taking the D3, though I know that is cyclical, so knock wood! lol
Hard to say since many supplements interact with prescription drugs negatively and not everyone will tell their docs what all supplements they take. just saying...
All you have to do is look at the actual research and who funded this study. 10 to 1 this was funded by the companies that stem to lose a lot of money from people buying Vitamin D supplements.
Any time I see a study that strongly favors another group. You can pretty much right it off as a fraud study.
"A 2008 study of the same group of Framingham participants found that vitamin D levels were associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease."
Yeah and WHO paid for that study and WHO benefits from it? Follow the money...
Since I have been taking 5000 IUs a day I have not been sick.
I started taking it due to it’s effectiveness with flu immunity and because as an Irish Redhead who lives half the year in Ireland, I avoid the sun or wear a high SPF.
According to the article, the research group has concluded that vitamin D is beneficial to heart health but that it does not help with atrial fibrillation.
You did not answer my question. So WHO did the quack study?
I think you nailed that one. :)
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