Natural combo could lengthen life

Looking to put a little more “time” in “lifetime”?

Start with an old e-Tips favorite and add in another essential nutrient, and you could be well on your way. A new report offers this clue to how to live longer.

The review, published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology, reports that older people who take vitamin D and calcium supplements could very well live longer than people who don’t.

The researchers looked at several studies in which more than 70,000 people participated. They found that people who took vitamin D and calcium were nine percent less likely to die over three years than people who were given a placebo. The combo was key. Vitamin D alone didn’t have any impact.

If nine percent doesn’t sound like much, here’s some perspective: That’s about the same level of benefit that statin and blood pressure pill-pushers crow about. And there’s a heck of a lot less risk involved with D and calcium.

The researchers think the combination could lower the risk of dying from cancer, but they say there’s not really firm evidence for that yet. But regardless of the reason, the combo clearly does work.

So how much D and calcium should you be taking? Most of the trials in the review had people taking 10 to 20 micrograms of D per day. Calcium doses were 1,000 mg per day. Health officials suggest that most adults shoot for 15 micrograms of vitamin D per day (20 micrograms if you’re over 70). That amounts to 600 to 800 IU. It’s nowhere near the 4,000 IU that Dr. Wright recommends!

As for calcium, Dr. Wright’s general recommendation is right in line with the study. He suggests at least 1,000 mg per day. Of course, your best bet is always to work with a doctor skilled in natural medicine to determine what’s right for you.

P. S. You know that you should stay away from HFCS. But what about plain fructose? Keep reading…

Sources:
“Vitamin D plus calcium tied to longer life: study,” Reuters (reuters.com)