Vitamin D has made the headlines recently as we have become aware of the need to have adequate amounts of it along with calcium to prevent osteoporosis. Its effects reach much further than the bones as every cell in the body has receptors for vitamin D. In many ways it acts more like a hormone to help regulate growth, reproduction, immunity, cardiovascular function mood and the endocrine system. In its active form it regulates over 200 genes and many more are affected by Vitamin D indirectly. This ability to regulate genes may help explain why lower levels of serum vitamin D are associated with cancer of the colon, breast, skin and prostate.
As of yet there is little mention of the other fat soluble vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin K, which act in concert with one another to help regulate many of the body systems. In fact research is revealing that vitamins A and D are somewhat inseparable, that their functions resemble a complementary marriage. Like vitamin D, receptors for vitamin A are found on every cell in the body. They also share an ancient receptor in the nucleus of the cell called RXR, known as the retinoid X receptor. As well as binding to their own receptors they also share this RXR receptor and crosstalk or chat with one another aiding in the regulation of lipid balance and other important hormone receptors in the body, including the thyroid hormones, glucocorticosteroids, estrogen, progesterone and testosterone. Because of this sharing they need to remain in balance with one another, as overuse of one or the other can create problems in the body. Overuse of Vitamin A without adequate vitamin D can contribute to osteoporosis. Over use of Vitamin D can deplete the liver stores of Vitamin A and also contribute to osteoporosis.
Vitamin K2 another important fat soluble vitamin also joins this interaction with Vitamin A and D. Osteocalcin is a hormone, produced by the body in order to develop bones and teeth and is dependent on adequate levels of vitamin A and D. It is a protein whose production within the cell requires the fat soluble vitamins A and D. Once made by the cell, Vitamin K2 is needed to activate osteocalcin to effectively bind calcium for bone growth. One of the primary effects of Vitamin K2 is to activate certain proteins by conferring upon them the ability to bind calcium. Without all three vitamins we can not effectively make and continuously restructure our bones. For this reason people who restrict their use of animal fats, the best sources of fat soluble vitamins, tend to be more susceptible to osteoporosis. Restricting saturated fats in our diets may have also created other unintended health consequences as well. Research is now showing that the complex dance of fat soluble vitamins is important in the regulation of the immune system, cardiovascular system, inflammation, reproduction and the neuroendocrine system. In all probability they likely affect every aspect of maintaining our health.
For the past 40 -50 years the prevailing medical advice has been to reduce saturated fats to prevent heart disease. But a recent article in the March 2010 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition by several authors begins to question that premise. In the conclusion it states,
“A meta-analysis of prospective epidemiologic studies showed that there is no significant evidence for concluding that dietary saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of CVD or CHD.”
This is a statement that is equivalent to telling the world that the earth is round and not flat. This may take a long time for us to believe or even except. Certainly the prevailing medical view will continue as it deeply invested in this world view, with surgery and drugs to manage this disease. Statin drugs alone are a 28 billion dollar per year industry, though their value in treating heart disease has also been shown to be questionable.
Epidemiological evidence also causes us to question this idea that saturated fats cause heart disease. In the United States the incidence of heart disease is 315/100,000 while in France the incidence is 145/100,000, a drastic difference, known as the French paradox. How can a country with a diet rich in saturated fats, such as butter and cheese have such a significantly lower rate of heart disease? It must be the wine or so we have been told. But other evidence may indicate something quite different. In the region of Glascony where their diets are extremely rich in fats from butter, cheese, as well as the fat from duck and goose livers, the incidence of heart disease is much lower -80/100,000. It is interesting to note that goose liver contains one of the highest sources of Vitamin K2 along with vitamins A and D. Vitamin K2 helps the body bind calcium effectively and places it in the bones where it belongs, not in the arteries. Vitamin K2 also has other biological effects that help in reducing the incidence of heart disease.
So how can they eat so much fat and have such a reduced incidence of heart disease??? The answer lies in the fats of butter cheese, liver, oily fish and the organ meats, from animals raised in lush green pastures, which are central in the diets of the French.
All of these foods contain fats high in vitamins A, D and K, which act in harmony to regulate essential functions of our hormones, lipid balance, immune system and much more. Like a well synchronized dance, these vitamins from our most natural foods, used by traditional people for thousands of years, help maintain and support our health in ways that we have only begun to appreciate.
To help maintain healthy levels of fat-soluble vitamins it is recommended that along with our healthy grains, fruits and vegetables we include fats sources from pasture and organically raised animals, such as butter, cheese, yogurt and eggs. Like traditional people, who highly valued the nutrient dense organ meats, these should be included along with meat from chicken, fish, and other pasture raised animals. The time has come to stop demonizing fats as “bad for us” and recognize their value as containing essential nutrients for our health. Besides broccoli really does taste better with a good slathering of butter!!
DR. SUSAN DELANEY, ND
301 WEST WEAVER STREET
CARRBORO, NC 27510
PH-919-932-6262
FAX-919-932-7947
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