Vitamin D Deficiency: A Hidden Health Epidemic Among African-American Women

- National Experts are Asking, 'Is Your Beauty Bone Deep?' ... And Finding Bone Health Isn't Always Top of Mind -

PITTSBURGH, Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A growing body of research supports the finding that vitamin D deficiency is a major health crisis for African- American women. While 70 percent of all women ages 51-70 and nearly 90 percent of women older than 70 aren't getting enough vitamin D, African-American women are at even greater risk. If they're between 19 and 49 years old, they have 10 times less vitamin D in their blood than their Caucasian counterparts.

Active, healthy lives depend on beautiful, healthy bones. Healthy bones depend on calcium, which in turn depends on vitamin D to help with calcium's absorption into the body. In addition to bone health, vitamin D is also important in building and maintaining healthy muscles.

Vitamin D helps muscle cells mature and function and helps keep them active and strong enough to support the body. On the other hand, lack of vitamin D can make muscles weak, which may be why symptoms of aching bones and muscle discomfort, which are unexplained by any other illness, may be the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency.

"Healthy bones are essential for keeping women active, vibrant and mobile throughout life," says Dr. Michael Thomas, a nationally renowned women's health expert.

"Long after we've reached mid-life, it's our bones that help our bodies keep up with our attitudes."

More than two-thirds of African-American women mistakenly believe they are getting enough vitamin D. In addition, African Americans typically have denser bones, so there is a false assumption that calcium and vitamin D deficiency bypasses this group. The reality is that when African-American women reach midlife, their risk of developing osteoporosis more closely resembles that of Caucasians, and if over the age of 65, between 80 percent and 95 percent of bone fractures among African-American women are due to osteoporosis.

"Simple changes in diet, exercise and mindset can be the difference between daily aches and muscle discomfort and maintaining a vibrant, active lifestyle well past your prime," Dr. Thomas says. "The time is now to join the U.S. Surgeon General and other bone experts to help minimize the epidemic and join the quest to get women of color bone-healthy beautiful."

THE COLOR IN BONES - WHY BLACK WOMEN ARE AT HIGHER RISK

A variety of factors can cause calcium and vitamin D deficiency in African-American women. The high melanin content in darker skin reduces the skin's ability to produce vitamin D from sunlight. In fact, experts note that people with darker skin may need 20 to 30 times as much exposure to sunlight as fair-skinned individuals to generate the same amount of vitamin D. Inadequate intake of vitamin D in diet is another factor.  Studies confirm that African Americans consume the lowest amounts of vitamin D from food alone among different ethnicities. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as many as 75 percent of African Americans are lactose intolerant, possibly further limiting the consumption of calcium and vitamin D fortified dairy products.

Bone Straight ... the Low-down on Supplements

More than 75 percent of Americans are not meeting the current calcium intake recommendation. And while some women may think they're receiving enough, most women in a recent study underestimated their daily calcium needs by at least half.  Consequently, African-American women, who are at higher risk than the general population, should consider taking a calcium supplement with vitamin D to help make up for what is needed daily.  Here are tips on choosing the right calcium and vitamin D supplement for you:

   * All Choked Up! ... Many women have problems swallowing calcium pills.
     Consider smaller, chewable tablets and those that are carbonate-based,
     which are more concentrated and allow you to take fewer pills.
   * The Host with the Most! ... Check for calcium supplements with at least
     500mg per serving that are enhanced with 400 IU of vitamin D, like the
     Os-Cal(R) Chewable with the most vitamin D.
   * Takers can be Choosers! ... Not all calcium supplements are the same.
     Calcium carbonate-based supplements are generally more economical per
     dose because the calcium is the most concentrated.  They also are the
     most widely used so they're easily accessible over the counter at most
     major grocery and drug stores.

  VITAMIN D MATTERS!


Living out its commitment to keeping America bone healthy, the Os-Cal Chewable We Matter, Vitamin D Matters! Forums are a series of educational events that will be held in churches across the country to help African- American women learn about the importance of maintaining their bone health - along with their inner spiritual beauty. The inaugural event kicked off July 29 in Washington, D.C., in conjunction with the National Urban League's annual conference. Each forum will feature "O," The Oprah Magazine's, "Dream Team of Health Experts" (Byllye Avery, Dr. Janet Taylor and Dr. Susan Taylor) to inspire women to stay bone healthy.

"The first and most important step in preventing vitamin D deficiency is to become a catalyst for dispelling myths in the African-American community about bone health," Dr. Thomas says. "These events allow for open, honest discussion and create a platform to dispel myths that have circulated within the African-American community for years -- such as we don't need supplements because of our higher bone densities. It's a chance to teach and -- potentially -- to make lives longer through beautiful, healthy bones."

Call 1-866-My-Bone-Health for a free guide about keeping your bones healthy, or visit www.oscal.com/champion for more information.

   BY THE NUMBERS!

   How Much Calcium Do I Need?*

   Women(1)
   9-18 years          1,300 milligrams/day
   19-50 years         1,000 milligrams/day
   51-70+ years        1,200 milligrams/day

   Pregnant/Lactating Women
   Up to 18 years      1,300 milligrams/day
   19+ years           1,000 milligrams/day

   Post-Menopausal Women(2)
   50+ (Not on HRT)    1,500 milligrams/day


   How Much Vitamin D Do I Need?**
   Women, 19-50 years  200 IU
   Women, 51-70 years  400 IU
   Women, 71+ years    600 IU

   Pregnant/Lactating
   Up to 18 years      200 IU
   19-50 years         200 IU

   * Sources: (1) National Academy of Sciences; (2) Optimal Calcium Intake,
     National Institutes of Health Consensus Statement

 
Source: GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare

Additional Resources: Reversing Osteopenia, McIlwain, Bruce, Cruse, McIlwain, Henry Holt & Company

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