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Andrea McCloskey suffers from fibromyalgia and used to take countless medications, including a high daily dose of the pain-killer Oxycodone. Now McCloskey takes no medications at all and is even working again.

She credits alternative health care practices offered at the Hazleton Health and Wellness Center.

“I feel so much better. It’s a fantastic exercise,” she said following a recent session.

While “alternative” is the accepted term, instructor Mark R. Reinhart prefers to use “complementary” to describe his brand of health care, specifically the Qigong (chee-gong) and Taiji (tai-chee) classes he teaches at the center.

Qigong and Taiji are similar practices consisting of fluid body movement, controlled breathing, balance and absolute concentration. “They have the same core principles: alignment and flow,” Reinhart said. “It pulls your focus in so you can’t think about anything else.”

Reinhart finds nothing wrong with traditional medicinal practices if used reasonably, but believes exercises such as Qigong and Taiji should also be incorporated to develop an entire healing of the mind, body and spirit.

“I’ve always been drawn to the culture; it always made sense,” said Reinhart, who has studied martial arts since 1975 and has been practicing Chinese internal arts for the past 15 years.

Reinhart received his Qigong therapist certification in 2005 and earned his Master of Medical Qigong degree in 2007. He now studies Chinese herbology one weekend a month in New York, the final requirement for full certification in Chinese herbal medicine.

Taiji is a trademark program at the Health and Wellness Center used to target specific conditions such as arthritis and diabetes, but according to Reinhart, the class is beneficial for just about any condition.

“There’s no question it works. It’s guaranteed to change you,” he said.

The arts of Qigong and Taiji have raised questions from the traditional medical field regarding their true value, but some studies have shown the practices work – and not only for rehabilitation or simple aches and pains.

Research conducted by the University of Miami School of Medicine has shown that after 10 Taiji classes over five weeks, adolescents diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder displayed a decrease in anxiety, daydreaming behaviors, inappropriate emotions and hyperactivity, along with a greatly improved conduct.

Other studies, about the effectiveness among older patients, showed similarly favorable results. The Baylor Medical School conducted a study in which researchers took cells from long-term practitioners of Qigong and gathered the same cells from ordinary test subjects. The study found that the cells of those doing Qigong live up to five times longer.

Reinhart’s students were not hesitant to add to these favorable claims.

McCloskey, who has been practicing Qigong for about two years and Taiji for one year, was able to talk her daughter, Shannon Petrill, into joining the classes.

“Mom got me into it. One centering breath and I was hooked,” Petrill said.

Petrill is no stranger to exercise. She used to weight-train until she began suffering from a few nagging injuries.

“Now I’m in the best shape ever without any injuries,” she said. “I don’t have half the problems I used to.”

After retiring from the Pennsylvania State Police, Frank Matweecha became overweight and had minor problems with his heart and blood pressure until he began taking the Taiji classes with Reinhart. He has taken Taiji for about a year and has noticed significant changes in both his health and appearance.

“You get stronger the more you do it,” he said. Even his doctor has noticed an improvement in his health.

Reinhart has used Taiji to alleviate pain in his arm due to chronic tendonitis.

But Reinhart stresses to his students that if they want the Qigong or Taiji to work at its full potential, they must put in the time and effort to continue learning.

“Everyone thinks they’re too busy,” he said. “The exercises work great but you have to do them, you have to make time. You have to focus and do it completely.”

Focus is one of the main themes of these exercises. According to Reinhart, with complete concentration during the workouts, physical tension is released, which allows the participants to mentally let go of any stress they may have.

“You learn how to relax on all different levels,” he said. “This is a progression into physical and mental relaxation. You have to incorporate this into everything you do; that’s where you really get the benefits.”

The purpose of this art is to offer people a calming exercise that can be done anywhere at any time when stress builds up, even if it’s as simple as conducting different breathing patterns while sitting in traffic.

“There’s no reason not to go through your day relaxed,” he said.

jkringer@standardspeaker.com

Tags: alternative medicine, fibromyalgia, health, mainstream, wellness

Aromatherapy has been around for a long, long time. Humans have been emulsifying, burning, macerating, pressing and distilling plants for their aromas for thousands of years. Only since the dawn of the New Age and modern Western scientific inquiry, however, has the impression of aromatherapy gotten soft. But now, the same scientific institutions are validating the use of essential oils, and their profound anti-anxiety effects. So now, rather than “running for the shelter of mother’s little helper” when things get a little hectic, you can bypass the liquor store, the pharmacy and the junk-food isle and head confidently to the natural health market for a little bottle of scented bliss. Maybe not as decadents for everyone, but the majority of mothers and generally health and wellness-conscious folks will appreciate the healthful choice for themselves, their children and their families.

In recent years, more and more clinical and laboratory research is uncovering the efficacy of essential oils used for their anti-anxiety effects. Thankfully, the application of the oils in these studies is relatively simple: both the inhalation of aroma and the topical application have demonstrable therapeutic activity. These methods are easily replicated by the professional and aromatherapy enthusiast alike. The oils can be diffused an any diffuser (as the concentrations from high end nebulizers are not required for this practice), used in aromatherapy massage, or simply worn as natural perfume. Several readily available essential oils have statistically significant data to support their use in stress reduction - here’s a look at some of the most often studied ones…

Lavender has been the most frequently studied of all the essential oils. Its anti-anxiety (or simply ‘relaxing’) action has been documented both in the laboratory (using stressed-out mice and rats) and in clinical environments with actual human beings. Many, many studies have reported the same thing: inhalation of lavender oil brings calm under a great variety of conditions. At least one study compared Lavender oil aroma to that of Juniper, Cypress, Geranium, Jasmine and Frankincense. It was only the Frankincense that had a somewhat similar effect, but not nearly as effective as Lavender. Several studies compared Lavender’s effect to diazepam (Valium) with Lavender’s aroma having similar (but likely more healthy) calming results. In other studies, Lavender has been shown to improve sleep, decrease conflict between animals, and reduce the amount of pain medication needed by recovering hospital patients.

Sandalwood oil is another well-known stress reducer. For those that may not enjoy the floral aroma of Lavender, Sandalwood could be the oil of choice. Its warm, earthy scent is grounding and centering, being used by some spiritual traditions to enhance relaxed, focused meditative states. The science shows similar results - Sandalwood oil topically applied relaxed the body while stimulating psyche. Studies on sleep/wake cycles using Sandalwood oil topically improved the quality of sleep and lessened waking episodes. A small study using Sandalwood suggested the oil may be helpful in reducing anxiety for palliative care patients. Beyond the scope of Western scientific inquiry, Sandalwood oils and pastes have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine for the treatment of psychological disorders, utilizing its sublime mental-health promoting actions.

While Sandalwood and Lavender have the most data to back them up, many other essential oils have had positive test results. Rose is a standout; it has also been tested alongside Valium (apparently the anti-anxiety gold standard) with better and longer-lasting results. The rose aroma’s effect seem to increase over time, where as benzodiazepines’ effect will tend to decrease - and the test subjects appeared less confused or sedated. Rose, like Lavender, reduced conflict between test subjects as well. For a little variety, you can mix Rose and Sandalwood together (try a 1:4 ratio)…this is a classic Indian aromatic blend combining two of the world’s best known anti-anxiety scents.

Other oils found in research databases include Angelica, Chamomile, Lemon, Lemongrass, Tagetes and Ylang Ylang. Some oils tested didn’t show repeatable results in the laboratory environment, but if you find and oil aroma that you find relaxing, it’s more than likely not purely ‘in your head’; the olfactory (smell) sense is the one of the five senses most directly wired to the brain’s emotional centers. These are, in turn, directly wired to the autonomic nervous system controlling functions such as heart rate, breathing rate, and blood pressure - all of which are closely tied to one’s level of stress.

So what to do with these stress relieving wonders? They’re really easy to use - one of the great features of aromatherapy. Both topical application and inhalation show repeatable results in laboratory tests. A common method of topical application is to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil like Jojoba down to 10% or less. Essential oils tend to pass easily into the bloodstream when applied to the skin, so nearly any technique will do. A few drops of your mixture can be placed on the wrists and rubbed together (this is nice, as you’ll smell the aroma as well). For inhalation, there’s a great many aromatherapy diffusers available, from little, inexpensive plug in units, to professional models which make a cloud of pure, intense aroma. For anxiety relief, any model where you can smell the aroma will do the job - the higher end diffusers tend to bathe a larger area in your aroma of choice.

How to chose an oil for you, your family or friends? Aromatherapy choices tends to be some personal. Some folks go mad for Rose Geranium, and other folks can only think of ‘grandma’ (in a nice way!) with the bright scents of florals. These same individuals will often love the grounding aromas of the woods: Sandalwood, Frankincense, Spruce, etc. The beauty of the scientific data is that it’s not one type of essential oil that’s effective to support health and wellness naturally - it’s the santalol in Sandalwood, the linalool in Lavender, and the citronellol in Rose that imparts much of the therapeutic effect. Other oils have different chemical constituents that also bring about relaxation. Even the most scientifically aligned practitioners will tell you: if it feels good, use it. Try a variety of aromas if you’re new, and use your favorite with confidence - relaxed confidence, of course - knowing you’re using some of the best medicine nature has to offer, with the science to back it up.

About the Author:
Visit therapeutic aromatics.

Tags: alternative medicine, alternative medicine live, aromatherapy, essential oils

Hot August Night 5
Saturday, August 23rd
6:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Location: Wheeler Farm
South Pavilion
6351 South 900 East
Murray, Utah

An evening of music, laughter, food and fun! Join with your ILC family for our social event of the summer!

Picnic Dinner: Hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers, salads, chips, drinks and watermelon served 6:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Live music featuring The Wilson Project (Classic rock)
7:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m.
Bring your own blankets and chairs for festival style seating.

Children’s Activities

Prize Drawings: 7:15 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.

Cost:
Presale Tickets: $15.00 per adult, $5.00 per child (12 years and younger)

Please Note: The last day to purchase presale tickets is Wednesday, August 20th. Please email cnerdin@xmission.com or call Colleen Nerdin at home 801-566-8343 to reserve your tickets.

At the Door: $20.00 per adult, $10.00 per child (12 years and younger)
(This is an Inner Light Center fun(d) raiser and is tax deductible.)

Tags: Events, inner light center, picnic, salt lake city, utah, wheeler farm

The Mediterranean Diet is based on the diet of people living in Greece, Italy, Southern France and Spain. Mediterraneans consume about the same amount of fat as Northern Europeans and Americans yet live longer, have a lower incidence of heart disease and cancer, and lower cholesterol levels.

An American doctor called Ancel Keys was the first person to comments favourably on the Mediterranean diet, way back in 1945, but its current popularity is based on research and observations from the last twenty years. The surprising thing is that people living in the Mediterranean typically consume more fat than North European countries and the USA, but have much reduced incidence of heart disease - the exact reasons are unknown, but it is likely that the main reason is that most of the fat in the Mediterranean Diet comes from olive oil and that there is more physical labour involved in their lives.
Nevertheless, we can all use Mediterranean diet recipes in our daily lives to be more healthy.
The Mediterranean Diet is rich in olive oil, fresh fruit and vegetables, legumes, fish and unrefined cereals. Mediterranean people have a moderate consumption of dairy products and wine, and a low consumption of meat, meat products and saturated fat. The typical constituents of a Mediterranean diet are:-

Olive Oil
People living in the Mediterranean use olive oil, a monounsaturated oil, instead of saturated fats. They drizzle olive oil on their bread instead of butter, they use it as a salad dressing and cook with it.
Olive oil is rich in vitamins and antioxidants which help to prevent cancer, clogging of the arteries and heart disease. Olive oil lowers bad cholesterol and increases the amount of good cholesterol, keeping our arteries healthy. It helps to keep our digestive systems healthy, is good for brain development and is thought to help dissolve blood clots.
Look in your recipe collection for diet recipes using olive oil and substitute olive oil for saturated fats.

Fish
Northern Europeans and Americans eat a diet high in red meat, Mediterraneans eat a diet high in fish and shellfish. Red meat is a source of saturated fat which can cause heart disease whereas fish and shellfish are high in minerals and proteins, and low in fat. Oily fish such as salmon, fresh tuna, anchovies and swordfish are a good source of Omega 3 Fatty Acids which help to prevent heart disease.
Browse online for free recipes and Mediterranean diet recipes to incorporate more oily fish into your diet.

Fresh Fruit and Vegetables
The Mediterranean Diet is high in fresh fruit and vegetables. Mediterranean people shop at markets and buy fresh, seasonal produce. Fruit and vegetables are high in fibre, vitamins and minerals including antioxidants and do not contain cholesterol. A diet high in fruit and vegetables helps to protect us against cancer and heart disease, and also keeps our digestive systems healthy.

Wholegrains
Wholegrains are rich in essential vitamins and fibre. The fibre helps to keep our digestive systems in good working order. Wholegrains help to reduce cholesterol, reduce our risk of heart disease, some types of cancer and diabetes.

Legumes
Legumes are a good source of vitamins, minerals and soluble fibre. They help to reduce cholesterol, keep our digestive systems healthy and help to balance blood sugar levels. Look for diet recipes which use dried beans and pulses and add beans to stews and casseroles.

Red Wine
Mediterraneans enjoy drinking red wine in moderate amounts. Red wine is rich in flavanoids which contain antioxidants.

It is fairly easy to find Mediterranean diet recipes to add to our recipe collection, and even easier to modify our normal recipes to include more of the above foods, so why not give it a try.

Roger Wakefield writes content for the Recipe File site, (http://www.recipe-file.co.uk), which ranks amongst the easiest to use recipe sites around. The Recipe File website includes in excess of 40,000 recipes which cover recipes from bread recipes to rice recipes.

Tags: mediterranean diet, Nutrition

from: Wellness Blog

Tags: alternative medicine, complementary alternative therapy, complementary therapy, meditation, spirituality, wellness

‘Performance’ textiles are big sellers, though medical evidence is lacking

BEIT SHEMESH, Israel - Jeffrey Gabbay hasn’t washed his sports socks since 2004. He says he doesn’t have to.

Gabbay’s company, Cupron Inc., says it is the first textile manufacturer to produce fibers “impregnated” with copper oxide, an agent that kills bacteria and odor on contact. The socks, which he says can heal and prevent athlete’s foot, are one of his company’s best-selling products.

“Basically what I do is play golf, take off the socks, roll ’em up, put them in my shoes and I’ve been doing it for two and half years now,” Gabbay said. “I’m not trying to encourage unhygienic habits, I do it simply because I want to see how far we can go.”

Cupron’s self-sterilizing goods — including hypoallergenic makeup brushes and bed sheets — are part of the burgeoning market of “performance” textiles, which are enjoying strong sales at major retail stores throughout the U.S. and Europe. Cupron counts the U.S. military and one of the world’s biggest sock makers among its customers.

Its next goal is for the medical world to take notice. Gabbay, who has a background in textile engineering and biochemistry, believes textiles containing tiny copper particles can heal diabetic ulcers, prevent the spread of diseases in hospitals, and cure a host of other ailments.

While Gabbay points to strong anecdotal evidence, his claims haven’t been verified by rigorous scientific tests. For now, medical experts are skeptical.

“Some copper compounds are anti-bacterial, but that does not mean copper-containing compounds put in socks will necessarily be good,” said Dr. Gerald Weissmann, director of the Biotechnology Study Center at New York University.

Belief in copper’s healing qualities goes back thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians and Greeks used copper pipes to clean drinking water and the Aztecs used it for sore throats. Today, many arthritis sufferers wear copper bracelets to relieve their pain.

But Weissmann said copper’s history, like most metals, is largely mystical. “Very often claims of copper, especially in arthritis, have been shown to be pure quackery.”

Undeterred by such criticism, Cupron claims to be the first to bind copper oxide compounds to textile fibers.

The socks were the first commercial product released by Cupron, a 6-year-old company based in Greenboro, N.C. that conducts its research and development in the Jerusalem suburb of Beit Shemesh. Gabbay is a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen.

Experts say the market for anti-bacterial fabric has great potential, but competitors abound, particularly those who use silver, which also has anti-bacterial qualities.

“The interest in antimicrobials, especially antiviral coating, is very, very high,” said A. Blanton Godfrey, dean of the North Carolina State University College of Textiles in Raleigh. “Whoever gets it right will have a very nice business.”

Gabbay acknowledged his silver-based competition, but said copper’s future is much brighter. He said silver pollutes the environment and is also dangerous to humans, who metabolize copper, but not silver.

Companies are buying into Gabbay’s sales pitch. Cupron has signed a contract with North Carolina sock giant Renfro Corp., which developed its “copper-sole” brand using Cupron’s patented technology. The U.S. Marine Corps is trying the socks on new recruits, and Gabbay donated socks to Israeli troops during last summer’s war against Hezbollah guerrillas.

Gabbay said his company had a loss of $1 million last year and is expected to break even this year. He declined to provide specific sales figures, saying only that revenue is expected to exceed $10 million next year.

Even as sales rise, Gabbay is most excited by independent research that reveals unforeseen medical benefits of copper oxide.

Trial testing, for example, has shown Cupron socks have helped heal diabetic ulcers.

Richard C. Zatcoff, a podiatrist in South Carolina who has tested Cupron socks, said they cured 56 patients of athlete’s foot and led to better healing of diabetic ulcers than similar silver products.

“All I can report are anecdotal studies from my office,” he said. “But I think it’s a very exciting technology for the future.”

Gabbay also said Cupron bed sheets and pillowcases have been shown to help close bed sores, prevent acne and fix other skin disorders.

Gabbay has developed a line of medical goods — including surgical masks and gauze — but the products are on hold while the company seeks approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He is currently investing in clinical trials to win medical credibility.

“(Cupron) has interesting ideas and the world is hungry for new ideas that work,” said Dr. William Schaffner, chairman of the department of Preventive Medicine at Vanderbilt University Medical School. “But relatively few survive the rigor of first-rate medical investigation.”

When Coretta Scott King died on the evening of Jan. 30, she had ovarian cancer and was in Mexico exploring treatment options, according to her family.

“Mrs. Coretta Scott King was in Mexico for observation and consideration of treatment for ovarian cancer,” King’s family said in a statement released to the media.

“She was considered terminal by physicians in the United States. Mrs. King and her family wanted to explore other options,” the statement continues.

King, a civil rights activist and the widow of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., died at age 78.

The King family’s statement doesn’t describe those other options or list a cause of death, so it’s not known if ovarian cancer took King’s life. According to the Associated Press, doctors at the alternative medicine clinic where King had been staying attributed her death to respiratory failure.

Questions About Alternative Clinic

A report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution raised questions about the clinic the allegedly attended, the Hospital Santa Monica in Rosarito Beach, Mexico, about 16 miles south of San Diego. On its web site, the clinic claims to have “a very eclectic approach to the treatment of chronic degenerative disease, diseases by and large considered incurable by the orthodox medical profession.”

Most of the clinic’s clients are cancer patients “who have been told that there is no hope, all traditional therapies have failed,” states the clinic’s web site.

Another web site, quackwatch.com, run by Stephen Barrett, MD, questions the background of Hospital Santa Monica’s founder and director, Kurt Donsbach. According to Hospital Santa Monica’s web site, Donsbach is a DC, ND, and PhD.

The King family’s statement doesn’t name the place where King was seeking treatment in Mexico.

Tea May Cut Ovarian Cancer Risk

About Ovarian Cancer

Here are some facts from the American Cancer Society on ovarian cancer:

It kills more U.S. women than any other cancer of the female reproductive system. It is the No. 4 cause of cancer deaths for U.S. women. It is the 7th most common cancer for U.S. women, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers. It is most common in older women (about two-thirds of patients are 55 or older). It is slightly more common in white women than black women.

When discovered in its earliest stages, ovarian cancer can often be treated, but early ovarian cancer is hard to detect. Many cases are discovered after the cancer has spread to other areas and organs, making treatment much more difficult.

No one knows exactly what causes ovarian cancer. Risk factors include:

Family history of ovarian cancer Never having been pregnant Being older than 50

New Chemo Plan for Late Ovarian Cancer

Ovarian Cancer’s Symptoms

Early ovarian cancer typically has few symptoms. The first sign of ovarian cancer is usually an enlarged ovary. The ovaries are located deep within the pelvic cavity, so swelling may go unnoticed until it becomes more advanced.

Symptoms of more advanced ovarian cancer include:

—Swollen abdomen (caused by buildup of fluids produced by the tumor)

—Lower abdominal and leg pain

—Sudden weight loss or gain

—Change in bowel or bladder function

—Nausea

—Swelling in the legs

Women should keep up with medical check-ups, which can help with early detection of conditions such as cancer. They should also tell their doctor about any family history of cancer.

King’s Heart Disease, Stroke

Besides ovarian cancer, King had also had other recent health challenges.

She had suffered a major stroke and minor heart attack in August 2005. Earlier that year, King had been diagnosed with a heart condition called atrial fibrillation, a form of irregular heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation is considered a risk factor for the development of ischemic stroke — the most common type of stroke — which is caused by a blood clot in the brain.

Heart disease and stroke affect people of all races, but blacks are at especially high risk. Heart disease and stroke are also leading causes of death for women, a fact that often gets overlooked.

Race, Sex, Heart Disease, and Stroke

Stroke and heart disease are major health threats for blacks, women, and the elderly — three groups to which King belonged.

While strokes are more common among men, more women die of strokes, according to the American Heart Association.

Consider these facts from the American Heart Association’s web site:

—Blacks have a much higher risk of stroke than whites.

—Blacks have substantially higher death rates for stroke than whites.

—High blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity — risk factors for stroke and heart disease — are more common among blacks than whites.

—Heart disease is a leading cause of death for women.

—Stroke is women’s No. 3 cause of death.

Stroke risk also rises with age, regardless of race or gender. Having a family history of stroke and heart disease also ups your risk of having those same problems.

Get the Facts about Ovarian Cancer

Heart Attack, Stroke Warning Signs

Call for emergency help at the first sign of a possible stroke or heart attack — don’t wait to see if symptoms pass. Quick treatment can make a big difference, but many medicines for stroke and heart attacks must be given quickly.

The American Heart Association lists these stroke warning signs:

—Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg, especially on one side of the body

—Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or understanding

—Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes

—Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination

—Sudden, severe headache with no known cause

The American Heart Association lists these warning signs of a heart attack:

—Chest discomfort.Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

—Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.

—Shortness of breath.May occur with or without chest discomfort.

—Other signs:These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, or lightheadedness

“As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain,” states the American Heart Association’s web site.

Though race, age, and gender can’t be changed, many other risk factors for stroke and heart disease can be managed or prevented. See your doctor to gauge and lower your risk.

By Miranda Hitti, reviewed By Louise Chang, MD

SOURCES: King Center, “Statement by the King Family.” American Cancer Society: “What Are the Key Statistics About Ovarian Cancer?” AtlantaJournal-Constitution, “Clinic, Founder Operate Outside Norm.” Quackwatch.Com: “Stay Away from Donsbach University Graduates.” Quackwatch.com: “The Shady Activities of Kurt Donsbach.” American Heart Association: “Stroke Risk Factors.” American Stroke Association: “African Americans & Stroke: Know the Facts.” American Heart Association: “Heart Attack, Stroke & Cardiac. WebMD Medical Reference provided in collaboration with The Cleveland Clinic: “Ovarian Cancer and Menopause.” WebMD Medical News: “Coretta Scott King Dies.”

Tags: alternative health, alternative medicine, cancer, cancer symptoms, coretta king, coretta scott king, ovarian cancer, race, sex, stroke

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON, June 9 (Reuters) - Men with low levels of vitamin D have an elevated risk for a heart attack, researchers said on Monday in the latest study to identify important possible health benefits from the “sunshine vitamin.”

In the study, men classified as deficient in vitamin D were about 2 1/2 times more likely to have a heart attack than those with higher levels of the vitamin.

“Those with low vitamin D, on top of just being at higher risk for heart attack in general, were at particularly high risk to have a fatal heart attack,” study author Dr. Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of Public Health and Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston said in a telephone interview.

The study involved 454 health professionals ages 40 to 75 who had suffered a nonfatal heart attack or died of heart disease, as well as 900 other men with no history of cardiovascular disease. They were followed for 10 years after providing blood samples to measure their vitamin D levels.

The researchers compared those who were deficient in vitamin D — no more than 15 nanograms per milliliter of blood — to men who were in at least the lower end of the normal range — at least 30 nanograms per milliliter of blood.

The body makes vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Milk commonly is fortified with it, and it is found in fatty fish like salmon.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and is considered important for bone health. In adults, vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis, and it can lead to rickets in children.

A number of recent studies have indicated vitamin D also may offer a variety of other health benefits, including protecting against types of cancer including colon and breast cancer, peripheral artery disease and tuberculosis.

In January, researchers led by Dr. Thomas Wang of Harvard Medical School reported findings that fit with the new study, showing that people with low vitamin D levels have a higher risk for heart attack, heart failure and stroke.

Giovannucci said there is enough evidence about the value of vitamin D to encourage people to ensure they have normal levels. He said people can learn their vitamin D levels by having their doctor give them a blood test. Those whose levels are too low can take vitamin D supplements, he said.

“Many people have low vitamin levels,” Giovannucci said.

“Traditionally, physicians have only been concerned about the bone effects. But perhaps having these chronically low levels of vitamin D may be having these subtle physiological changes in a lot of tissues,” Giovannucci added.

Giovannucci said there could be a number of ways in which vitamin D may protect against heart attack. He said it might lower blood pressure, regulate inflammation, reduce calcification of coronary arteries, affect the heart muscle or reduce respiratory infections in winter.

The study was published in the journal Archives of Internal Medicine. (Editing by Maggie Fox)