I asked my doctor to include 25-OH-vitamin D3 in my cholesterol blood test. The nurse put down Vitamin D 25-Hydroxy (code 19893E)on the test requisition form without mentioning D3. Is this correct?

Interesting about CRP and Vit D. Do you have a reference I can take to my doctor? I have had bypass and my hs-CRP has been high for years. I finally got my 25(OH)D up to 47ug/mL last summer but have not been able to get my PCP to recheck either CRP or D.

Great blog.
Anne

A news article supports Vitamin D
June 20, 2007 By Martha Kerr

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - A new study shows an association between low vitamin D levels and risk factors for cardiovascular disease "in a nationally representative sample."

Dr. Keith Norris, at Drew University School of Medicine in Los Angeles, and colleagues analyzed data from the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III), conducted between 1988 and 1994.

They evaluated blood levels of vitamin D and the risk of heart-related disease in 7,186 men and 7,902 women.

Average vitamin D levels were lower in women, older individuals, racial and ethnic minorities, obese people and those with hypertension or diabetes, the researcher report in the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Compared to people with the highest vitamin D levels, those with the lowest levels were more likely to have high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity -- all risk factors for heart disease.

Norris said that this evidence of the link between heart disease and vitamin D "reinforces the emerging evidence that suggests higher levels of vitamin D may be helpful to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease."

In terms of taking a vitamin D supplement, "present dose recommendations range from 800 IU to 1,200 IU daily," he noted. However, he thinks 2000 IU per day is more likely to achieve adequate blood levels of vitamin D for prevention of cardiovascular disease. "There appears to be good safety at doses of 2000-3000 IU per day."

He pointed out that it has been known for a long time that vitamin D helps to make strong bones, but there is now "convincing evidence" that it has several beneficial effects on cardiovascular health.

"The potential implications from a public health and healthcare cost perspective are tremendous, even if vitamin D only impacts 5 percent to10 percent of heart health," Norris concluded.

SOURCE: Archives of Internal Medicine, June 11, 2007; Reuters Health

See the study Circulating MMP9, vitamin D and variation in the TIMP-1 response with VDR genotype: mechanisms for inflammatory damage in chronic disorders? Quarterly J. Medicine 2002 Dec;95(12):787-96, online at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?Db=pubmed&Cmd=ShowDetailView&TermToSearch=12454321&ordinalpos=22&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum
You will note that a dark-skinned population was chosen, simply because they tend to be so severely deficient in vitamin D. But it is a genuine effect. I've witnessed it hundreds of times.

I'm not sure about the code, but that's appears to be it.

It truly is amazing how over looked this simple nutrient is to our health.  And the benefits Americans could reap economically from increasing our vitamin D3 are fantastic to see.  Our health care system is reported to be heading for a collapse in the future due to run away hospital costs.  And every little bit to lower those costs would have to help I believe.  

This argument reminds me of ethanol.  I fill my jeep up with ethanol.  I'm lucky in that there is a station just a few miles from my place.  As manufactured from corn, the fuel is not perfect, I know.  Plenty of smart people have let me know that ethanol is driving up the price of corn, which in turn drives up the price of milk, beef, pork, and in general all live stock prices.  Increased prices in these American staple foods immediately hurt the average American in the wallet.  

After find out I have heart disease, I do not feel guilty about reports of price raises anymore.  I think how bad would it be if Americans ate less corn, beef, pork, and milk?  If less Americans ate those staple foods and instead made cheaper vegetables a mainstay in their diet, wouldn't we as a nation be healthier?  Wouldn't we see lower medical costs then?  Is it bad to want energy independence and also a healthier America?

I have a friend who is having liver failure.  Has there been any links between eclasta and liver problems.  His liver problems began about 3 months ago and he is on a cancer drug called zolodex.  LIver failure can be a cause of taking the wrong combination of drugs. Any comments will be appreciated.

Vitamin D also provides an enormous panel of health benefits beyond restoration of bone density, like rise in HDL, drop in triglycerides, facilitation of control over CT heart scan scores, drop in fracture risk, drop in blood pressure and C-reactive protein, reduction in risk for colon, prostate, and breast cancer. None of the drugs can hope to provide any of these effects, except a drop in fracture risk.

Curcumin: a novel nutritionally derived ligand of the vitamin D receptor with implications for colon cancer chemoprevention.
Interesting to see how Curcumin (turmeric) is able to activate Vitamin D receptors.

Hmmm.... I might have to pick up some mustard next time at the health shop.  Turmeric is the only herbal extract I take.  Basically it makes me feel well.

Keep in mind that almost all brands of mustard have gluten in them.  For some reason they tend to use non-distilled malt vinegar to make mustard.  All distilled vinegars are gluten free, and there are a few brands of good gluten free mustard.

Since reading about the benefits of cucurmin at Nephropal and the benefits of cinnamon on BG, I have started the practice every morning of melting one tbsp of coconut oil and one tbsp of butter together and then mixing in a teaspoon of
cinnamon and a teaspoon of tumeric.

i just take 500 mg. of curcumin. I find it to raise my HDL also

I'm pleased to read that, I've been giving a Turmeric Curcumin supplement to my CHF sufferer for many months now.

I've been trying to figure out why southern India (with it's rice diet) has much higher heart disease rates than northern India with it's wheat diet, and one theory that I read said that in the north they use a lot of mustard seed oil for cooking.

Most other brassica cultivars seems well loaded with good things, though i've not read much on rapeseed.

As far as slowing gastric emptying, does it matter when vinegar or cinnamon is ingested?

Using mustard is a good way to keep a lean burger moist. I make a thin patty, squeeze a lot of mustard on top, put on a few spoonfuls of minced garlic and spread it evenly. I sprinkle dried rosemary on top and broil the burger for 10 minutes. Cooking mellows the flavors. (Recipe inspired by chef Nick Stellino.)

Very interesting perspective on mustard. We are familiar with some of the benefits, but weren't aware of the anti-inflamatory piece. Thanks for sharing,  Wild Mountain Gourmet!

For Indians mustard means mustard. It does not mean Turmeric or Vinegar.

We generally use mustard as itself in preparing curry. Its required for most fish dishes.

Mustard oil was the second most popular oil, after ghee. Now it has a higher usage than ghee, because vegetable oil has replaced ghee.

Virgin Mustard oil contains a balance of O3 and O6 (1:1.4), which is better than canola.

what brands of mustard are GF?

Don't forget to take pepper with your turmeric. Makes a 20 fold difference in its bioavailabilty.

Only yellow mustard generally contains turmeric. Most brown mustards (Dijon, Dusseldorf, etc.) do not, although they're still very healthy and delicious.

Curry powder contains turmeric, so any curry dish has that benefit as well.

You can also add turmeric to a vinegar and olive oil salad dressing--no gluten or sodium. And remember to sprinkle pepper on the salad, too.

I have to second Ananad. This is way Indians eat regularly. We eat mustard everyday! We eat turmeric everyday! If I have sore throat or feel a cold coming, I take a tsp of turmeric powder with hot milk. Feel just fine next day. People in India also use turmeric powder directly over wounds too!

I make a thin patty, squeeze a lot of mustard on top, put on a few spoonfuls of minced garlic and spread it evenly.

Very interesting post. Thanks for you information. Mustard is not a super healthy food.

Yes, you are right man, mustard a secret of super health, but if you take it in very low quantity.

I read your post, i really appreciate your experience and i will get good knowledge from their as well.

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health

Turmeric content of mustard can vary, of course. Likewise, sugar content. Look for mustards that are not sweetened, so avoid honey mustard in particular. Look for hot, brown, horseradish, Dijon, etc. If there is a downside to mustard, it's sodium content, though the 709 mg per 1/4 cup should only be a problem for those who are sodium-sensitive (African Americans, in particular).

There are spices that are very good for health and should be consumed regularly.Turmeric is also very good for keeping worms at bay.

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Turmeric has antiseptic qualities and is much used in the Asian countries.Vinegar is used more in the west...so some fusion food with all these ingredients could make some very good health diet eh?

Dr, William Davis for some reason looks more like a business man to me; not that there is anything wrong with a business man.

Nice writeup. So true, there are benefits to eating mustard!! Check out our varieties...  Wild Mountain Gourmet