Vitamin D and Being Overweight

[ecochuck]

I was watching Daniel Amen M.D. on TV about his new book. He is the brain doctor with the brain books. He says that the heavier you are, the smaller your brain is. This new book is Use Your Brain to Change Your Age: Secrets to Look, Feel, and Think Younger Every Day (Published February 14, 2012). Dr Daniel Amen is a board certified child and adult psychiatrist and a Distinguished Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association.

It tells about the different brain types that get overweight. It describes them as:

■The Compulsive Overeater
■Impulsive
■The Impulsive-Compulsive Overeater
■The Anxious Overeater
■The Sad Overeater (to medicate feelings of sadness, depression, low energy, low self esteem, tend to gain weight in winter, pain symptoms, high limbic activity, low vitamin D level), Help: boost vitamin D, exercise, fish oil, SAMe supplement.

Vitamin D is only mentioned in the last one. The 2nd and 3rd ones suggest drinking green tea. It also says under supplements:

Low levels of Vitamin D associated with MS, diabetes, cancer, obesity, Alzheimers, depression. Typically, get boost from sun, but our levels are falling. Recommends asking doctor for a 25 Hydroxy-vitamin D test.

[toxigal]

"Weight loss
Part of Amen's work is the relationship of diet and weight loss to ADHD and other disorders. The scientific validity of this aspect of his work have been criticized. It has been asserted that there are no clinical studies supporting his results. Although he has not conducted (nor cites) any research specifically validating his brain-based weight-loss scheme, Amen has responded by increasing the number of references in his latest book Change Your Brain, Change Your Body.[9] The review of this book in the American Journal of Psychiatry underscores the fact that "he has not subjected his treatment approaches to the level of systematic scientific scrutiny expected for scientifically based medical practice".[10]
In 2005, on Quackwatch.org, a nonprofit organization that investigates what they consider to be health-related frauds, myths, fads and fallacies, the retired military physician Dr. Harriet Hall criticized Amen for defying science and common sense, and for having turned into a big business selling vitamin supplements.[9]"

Daniel Amen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[ecochuck]

Thanks for that information. He does appear to sell a lot of supplements.

[Polito09]

New evidence suggests that your level of vitamin D may actually be a predictor of your ability to lose fat when starting a reduced calorie diet. In one clinical study higher baseline levels of vitamin D predicted fat loss, especially in the abdominal area. Being overweight compounds the vitamin D deficiency problem because excess body fat absorbs and holds onto vitamin D, making it unavailable to the body. The absence of vitamin D interferes with the function of a hormone called leptin, which signals to the brain that you are full and should stop eating. When leptin is low you feel hungry all the time and not satisfied even after eating a full meal. Luckily, replenishing vitamin D in the bloodstream to normal levels restores leptin's actions and may support your weight loss efforts.

Getting enough vitamin D, namely 1,000 to 2,000 International Units (IU) a day can be a challenge from diet sources alone. Supplementation is often needed. Multivitamins typically provide 400 IU. Actually the best source of D is that which is derived from the sun, as this form stays in the body longer with greater lasting benefits.

[forkiks]

"Weight loss
Part of Amen's work is the relationship of diet and weight loss to ADHD and other disorders. The scientific validity of this aspect of his work have been criticized. It has been asserted that there are no clinical studies supporting his results. Although he has not conducted (nor cites) any research specifically validating his brain-based weight-loss scheme, Amen has responded by increasing the number of references in his latest book Change Your Brain, Change Your Body.[9] The review of this book in the American Journal of Psychiatry underscores the fact that "he has not subjected his treatment approaches to the level of systematic scientific scrutiny expected for scientifically based medical practice".[10]
In 2005, on Quackwatch.org, a nonprofit organization that investigates what they consider to be health-related frauds, myths, fads and fallacies, the retired military physician Dr. Harriet Hall criticized Amen for defying science and common sense, and for having turned into a big business selling vitamin supplements.[9]"

Daniel Amen - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

so you are criticizing Amen, not vitamin D, right?

[2happy4u]

Just another self help hoax. I love to have a penny for every "Dr." who comes up with a new way to fix a age old problem....

[toxigal]

I have to say that I certainly fit that description of low vitamin D. I am "probable for MS," suffer from chronic pain, depression and am considered obese (notice I said considered...I wear average size for my age and height so I don't feel I am obese) and I know that my Vitamin D is not only low, it is nearly non-existent at a level of 7...recommended is above 30. When I regularly take my supplements I tend to feel better, although I have less pain, I do have some still.

I was diagnosed with "clinically isolated syndrome, probable precursor to MS" about 7 years ago. I too had VERY low vitamin D (<10) and had all the symptoms you describe. How is your thyroid? I was "subclinical hypothyroid" based on my TSH, but my doctor does not agree with the generally accepted "normal" levels and put me on synthroid as well as 2000 units vitamin D/daily. It has improved my life 200%.

[toxigal]

so you are criticizing Amen, not vitamin D, right?

yes. I am suspicious of any doctor who emphasizes the number of books they have written on a topic but have no peer reviewed articles on it. Dr. Amen is a board certified psychiatrist and has many good publications in that field.

[Gladys]

yes. I am suspicious of any doctor who emphasizes the number of books they have written on a topic but have no peer reviewed articles on it. Dr. Amen is a board certified psychiatrist and has many good publications in that field.

what a load of horse****.

[Pauline Frederi]

In the body those who have the low levels of Vitamin D,some problems generate which associated with MS, diabetes, cancer, obesity, Alzheimers, depression. In the original form can be attained from the sun, but our levels are falling. Recommends asking doctor for a 25 Hydroxy-vitamin D test,if possible.

[OldMama]

I, too, had chronic pain, mild depression, and weight issues. My vitamin D was also extraordinarily low. After taking D for a while, I felt remarkably better and lost 40 pounds. Stopped taking D and the symptoms returned and I could not lose weight. So I'm back on D. Like Toxi, I have clinical training. We can all give testimony on the positive effects of vitamin D but they it doesn't rise above the level of anecdotal evidence until there are some well-designed clinical trials.

[toxigal]

what a load of horse****.

Why do you say that?

[RollinRox]

Oldmama,

Would you mind telling me what your level was before and after you starting taking D, and what daily dosage gave you those benefits?

[OldMama]

You know I can't remember my original number but it was completely (and well) out of the recommended range. When I see the doctor or get the latest report, I'll let you know.

I've been less than faithful about taking D lately. Last week I had a blood test for my physical and I have a follow up appointment in February to monitor some issues like blood pressure. However, this time my D level was so low that the doctor called me the next day and told me to get back on it right away. I never asked the number. I'm taking 800IU a day. I'll have another blood test in February to see if this is enough.

[OldMama]

Just got my levels. My D was at 15. Normal used to be 20-80 but some doctors use 30-80.

I should add that I lost weight by really cutting carbs and switching to whole grain carbs. I think the D helped a bit as well but I was a real carbo addict.