Vitamin D is an essential vitamin for the body. It is needed by the body for calcium to be properly absorbed to produce healthy bone. It can help to prevent osteoporosis or weakening of the bones. Vitamin D also helps to prevent rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults. It is important for proper musculoskeletal function and affects inflammation in the body. It is involved in many other functions in the body. It is believed to play a role in a healthy functioning immune system. Low levels have been associated with some cancers and an increase in mortality rate. It is often nicknamed the sunshine vitamin. This is because your body can produce it when your skin is exposed to the sun. Many people completely avoid being in the sun because of their fear of skin cancer. However, by completely avoiding the sun, you risk other health problems which are caused by not getting the amount your body needs. One of the most common reasons for vitamin D deficiency in the US today is lack of sunlight. You should try to get 20 minutes of sunshine per day. It can also be obtained in the diet. A good source is cold water fish such as wild salmon, sardines and mackerel. It is important to understand the different types of vitamin D. There are two main types, Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol) and Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D2 is made by plants or fungus. Many fortified foods contain it such as milk, cereals and juices. Vitamin D3, which is the better choice, is not usually found in these products. Vitamin D3 is formed when the body synthesizes sunlight on its surface. It is often called a hormone and not a vitamin because it can be produced by the body. Vitamin D3 can also be obtained through consuming animal products. When choosing whether to take vitamin D3 or vitamin D2, you should choose vitamin D3 because vitamin D2 can actually cause harm to the body. Vitamin D2 is broken down by the body into different substances. Some of these can be very harmful the body. Vitamin D3 is broken down into calcitrol which has been shown to fight cancer. If you are looking for a supplement, you should look for one that contains vitamin D3 which is made from animal products. You should avoid looking for vitamin D3 in foods that are fortified with vitamin D because it is rare to find it. Food companies usually add vitamin D2 because it is less expensive. It has also been shown to have a shorter shelf life than the other type. - Nathan Leavitt DC Dr. Leavitt has been a licensed chiropractic physician since 2003. His deepest commitment is to help improve the health and quality of life of others. To learn more effective ways to improve your health naturally go here: . You can also see patient reviews and see where Dr. Leavitt’s clinic is located by clicking here:
Vitamin D Is Essential To The Body
October 29th, 2011 § 0
Very Simple Nutritional Tips For A Healthy You
October 22nd, 2011 § 0
Choose lean ground turkey breast to use as a ground beef substitute in your meals. This will cut down on saturated fat and calories. Make sure you pick up the ground turkey breast since turkey dark meat has a very similar nutrition profile as ground beef. Some ground turkey products are a mix of breast and dark meat and you don’t get the same reduction in saturated fat. Milkshakes are unhealthy. You should avoid eating them, even if they are small. Milkshakes can be very high in fat, having around 30 grams of fat. If you really enjoy milkshakes, try a substitute. You can try making a smoothie or making a homemade milkshake. If you make the homemade milkshake, be sure to use low-fat items, such as yogurt and skim milk. Try to eat most of your meals at home. When you are on the go, you tend to eat high calorie foods and a greater amount of them. At home, you can control what ingredients you use and make sure they are fresh and healthy. This cuts calories and enhances family time. Vitamin D Make sure you are getting plenty of vitamin D in your diet. Vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic pain, depression, cancer and a number of other illnesses. Foods rich in vitamin D include milk, cod liver oil, fish and liver. If none of these foods appeal to you, try taking a supplement to get your daily dose instead. Consume low-fat dairy. Dairy products are a great source of calcium and vitamin D, which help build bone mass. Additionally, studies have shown that 1,000 milligrams of calcium per day can help you lose weight, particularly around your midsection. Low-fat yogurt is highly versatile and can be used as a substitute for sour cream, mayonnaise, and even cheese. To help your body fight off diseases, eat plenty of foods containing vitamin D. Vitamin D helps to regulate your body’s immune system responses, and lowers the risk of many infections. It can also prevent chronic fatigue. Foods rich in vitamin D include salmon, eggs, and tuna. Milk is another excellent source of this nutrient. While there is a recommended dietary allowance for Vitamin D, it is actually not always necessary to eat as much as is listed. This is because even a small exposure to sunlight, will cause your skin to make it by itself. However, during the winter months, there is less UV light, so you should drink more milk or take supplements. The above tips are great guidelines to help you see where you can make improvement in your current diet. Nutrition doesn’t take too much effort on your part, especially if you plan out what you will eat ahead of time. Don’t let the word faze you out, it’s just a word! George is a Registered Nurse who likes to write about issues relating to health (of course..lol), technology, social media, and internet marketing. If you need more health related advice (who doesn’t), then be sure to check out one of his collaborative work at .
Vitamin K Is As Important As Vitamin D In Bone Formation
May 31st, 2011 § 0
Everyone knows the importance of vitamin D in bone formation. Vitamin D is converted into a hormone called 1, 25-dihydroxycholecalciferol (calcitriol) with the help of the liver and the kidney cells. This hormone promotes the intestinal absorption of calcium, thereby promoting bone formation. Hardly anybody knows the role played by vitamin K in the making of the bone. Although bone looks solid, it is not permanent and constantly undergoes remodelling. Thus, calcium is being deposited and calcium is being removed. The deposition of calcium is the function of the osteoblastic cells and the removal of calcium is carried out by the osteoclastic cells. Osteocalcin is a protein secreted by the osteoblasts and is involved in bone formation. Osteocalcin behaves like a hormone. The exact role of osteocalcin in bone formation has not yet been worked out. Although its primary action is on bone, it has got other actions as well. Osteocalcin stimulates the beta cells of pancreas to secrete insulin. It also stimulates the fat cells (adipocytes) to secrete the hormone adiponectin. Adiponectin increases the sensitivity to insulin. By these two actions, osteocalcin increases glucose tolerance and prevents rise in the blood glucose levels. Osteocalcin has also been implicated in diabetes. In type 2 diabetic individuals, osteocalcin levels are low. Since osteocalcin stimulates the beta cells, any decrease in its levels may contribute to the development of diabetes. Osteocalcin has also been implicated in male fertility. It increases the synthesis of the male sex hormone testosterone. Proteins are synthesized in the body based on the information encoded on the DNA. Based on this information, RNA molecules are produced which now carry the message for the synthesis of proteins. Hence, these RNA molecules have been called messenger RNA molecules. There are about twenty different amino acids in nature. The amino acids are the building blocks for the synthesis of proteins. The order in which the amino acids are arranged in proteins varies from one protein to another. It is this information which is present in the messenger RNA molecules. Based on this information, amino acids are assembled in a proper sequence for each protein. This process has been called translation. Occasionally, amino acids in proteins are modified after translation. Such modifications have been called post translational modifications. Collagen is an example of a protein whose synthesis involves post translational modification. One of the amino acids is known as glutamic acid. This is amino acid is capable of undergoing post translational modification. The modification consists in adding a carboxyl group to glutamic acid which becomes gamma carboxyglutamic acid. This is an enzyme catalyzed reaction and has an obligatory requirement for vitamin K. Several proteins in the body contain gamma carboxyglutamic acid as part of their make up. The blood coagulation protein prothrombin is a classical example. Another protein which contains gamma carboxyglutamic acid is osteocalcin. Thus, the formation of osteocalcin requires vitamin K. This means that vitamin K is required for the normal formation of bone. This implies that both vitamin D and vitamin K are required for healthy bones. Dr.Vangeepuram Satakopan The website indicated is full of information about various aspects of health. Articles on diseases and conditions and the principal mechanisms involved are discussed in depth. Nutritive aspects of different food groups are also dealt with. The articles are also accompanied by relevant and colorful pictures.
Sunlight Affects Medicine Absorption
May 24th, 2011 § 0
A new study shows that your vitamin D level may affect what dosage your doctor will prescribe for certain medications. This study, published in Drug Metabolism & Disposition, was the first of its kind to show that the body’s vitamin D level can affect the liver’s ability to break down and metabolize medication. This may give physicians and researchers insight into a puzzling question: Why do patients with otherwise similar medical histories respond differently to the same dosage of medicines? The study was conducted at the Karolinska Institute, a medical university in Sweden. Researchers evaluated data on 70,000 patients who were taking immune-suppressant drugs, including tacrolimus and sirolimus, to prevent transplant rejection. These patients had their blood monitored regularly, so it was easy for researchers to compare blood samples drawn in the winter (January – March) with those taken in late summer (July – September). The comparison showed that blood concentrations levels of tacrolimus and sirolimus were lower in the summer months and higher in the winter months. This means that these patients required more of the medicine in the summer to achieve the same amount of protection they could receive in the winter from a lower dosage. Sweden has long winter nights and long summer days, so one’s exposure to sunlight-and its ability to produce vitamin D-is significantly different in winter and summer. Sunlight and vitamin D activate a liver enzyme called CYP3A4, which aids in the breaking down of certain medicines, including tacrolimus and sirolimus. Researchers also took blood samples from patients taking cyclosporine, a drug used for the same purpose. No significant difference was seen in blood concentration levels between winter or summer, probably because the enzyme CYP3A4 is not required for metabolizing cyclosporine. Although more research is necessary, this study suggests that the enzyme CYP3A4 may provide an important piece of information to doctors prescribing medications. Given that vitamin D is the sunshine vitamin, and vitamin D levels increase with sun exposure, it’s likely that researchers will discover additional medications that can be lowered in the summer while still conferring the needed benefits. This may call for closer monitoring of certain drug blood levels depending on the season. In the case of these immunosuppressant transplant drugs correct dosage is critical to prevent organ transplants from being rejected. As more and more people realize the benefits of taking Vitamin D this also will require doctors to monitor blood levels of drugs. Although more research is required, it seems that Vitamin D dosages of patients will probably affect the metabolism of some drugs. Prospective studies need to be done to prove a causal relationship. Lindh, J.D., Seasonal variation in blood drug concentrations and a potential relationship to vitamin D, Drug Metab Dispos, 2011 May;39(5):933-7. Epub 2011 Feb 24. Soram Khalsa, M.D.
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What Increases Calcium Absorption?
April 13th, 2011 § 0
Calcium is very important for strong and healthy bones, as well as for the overall health of the body. It helps to prevent osteoporosis, cancer and heart problems. It can also help to promote strong and healthy teeth. Therefore, it is important to know the factors that increase calcium absorption for optimum health. An overview of the factors that increase calcium absorption include vitamin D and C, healthy cholesterol levels, fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, being pregnant and consuming the calcium in small amounts. Vitamins and Minerals Vitamin D is one of the key factors that helps to increase calcium absorption, as it is able to promote the production of calcium binding proteins that help to absorb more calcium in the small intestine. It helps to increase the calcium absorption in the kidneys as well. Vitamin D is not found in most foods, and thus it needs to be produced by the body. In order for the body to produce the vitamin, it needs sunshine and a healthy level of cholesterol within the body. Magnesium, silicon and boron are essential minerals that can also increase the absorption of calcium into the body. Diet is very important. Healthy fats can help to maintain a correct cholesterol levels, while saturated fats can contribute to high cholesterol levels, as well as to an acidic environment, which can hinder the absorbance. Nuts and seeds contain a significant amount of those healthy fats, as well as amino acids, which also help to increase the absorption. Fruits and vegetables can help by contributing to a more alkaline environment within the digestive tract. In addition, cucumbers, root vegetables, leafy greens and many others contain silicon, which is a mineral that can help as well. There is some controversy around leafy greens, nuts and seeds, beans and some other foods about whether or not these foods help or hinder the absorption of calcium. According to the findings, these foods decreased the amount of calcium that is absorbed from milk. In addition, calcium taken in small dosages is much easier absorbed then when it is taken in larger dosages. Hormones Balanced hormone levels are also important for a healthy absorption of calcium. Estrogen, which is a female hormone is one of the important hormones. Calcium can be obtained naturally from calcium rich foods such as dark green leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds and other fresh produce. Milk has been touted as a good source, however, it contains too much calcium, which the body is unable to use. For more information on how to prevent disease and live a long and healthy life, visit . There you will find tasty raw food recipes along with other raw food diet tips. You can also visit for more articles.
Raw Milk Vs Pasteurized Milk
April 8th, 2011 § 0
What’s the big deal about what kind of milk is best to drink? Well, it’s actually very important to know how raw milk differs from pasteurized milk. Making the right choice can greatly improve your life and help you avoid many health risks. On the other hand, drinking pasteurized milk may even be harmful to your body. Raw milk has not been heated above boiling point, and it has not been homogenized (put under high pressure). It’s pretty much straight from the cow. Milk in its raw form is filled with a plethora of vitamins and minerals (including calcium, vitamin D, magnesium, and much more), as well as good bacteria that improve the body’s ability to digest food. Pasteurization is the process of heating up milk to above boiling point in order to kill any possible harmful bacteria that may exist in the milk. Generally, pasteurization is required because there is a risk of diseases being spread through the milk. And if you would see the unhealthy conditions in which those cows live, you would understand why that milk must be pasteurized! However, cows that are raised in healthy conditions and eat mostly grass from the fields produce milk that is usually free from bad bacteria. And whatever “bad” bacteria remains is counteracted by the abundance of good bacteria in the milk. That “good” bacteria helps us to digest food and to assimilate nutrients and vitamins from the food we eat. This kind of “healthy” milk does not need to be pasteurized, because it has nearly zero health risks. Pasteurization kills both good and bad bacteria, stripping the milk of one of it’s most valuable health benefits: improved digestion. Pasteurization produces milk that the body is not able to properly digest. It is not just the fact that the milk is “raw” that makes it healthy. It’s the fact that the milk comes from cows that are healthy and properly nourished, thus eliminating the need for pasteurization. So if you want to get the most health benefits from milk, make sure you get milk that is raw, and has not been pasteurized or homogenized. Better yet, visit the dairy farm that produces the milk you plan on consuming. Some farms offer a free tour of the facilities to show off their cleanliness and efficiency. Rather than protesting against pasteurization of milk, a better action to take is to support local diary farmers by purchasing raw milk from them. It makes everyone happier – the farmer, the cows, and you too. To discover how fun it can really be to , visit FunWithHealthyFood.com, where you can also learn about the .
Beriberi and Rickets
April 7th, 2011 § 0
Rickets is one of those funny named nutritional deficiencies that everyone thinks is a thing of the past until someone near them is told that they have it. In much of the developed world nutritional fortification of food supplies with thiamine, iodide and vitamin D in the 1930′s made beriberi, goiter and rickets very uncommon. In much of the developing world these are still major health problems. Rickets is really a clinical term for softening of bones due to various causes of calcium metabolism, but the classic cause is vitamin D deficiency. In the 1930′s milk and bread were fortified with vitamin D and rickets due to nutritional vitamin D deficiency became much less common. Rickets symptoms are mostly related to the bones, with most cases in young children. These children develop soft bones, with a lack of calcium, and tend to appear bowlegged, knock-kneed, or to have hip or spine deformities. These conditions if left untreated can lead to lifelong bony deformity. A congenital condition called vitamin D resistant rickets is seen in a small number of people with a hereditary disorder of calcium metabolism that mimics vitamin D deficiency rickets. Beriberi is a more complex nutritional deficiency. Thiamine deficiency can lead to nerve tissue disorders with loss of sensation to the extremities, as well as brain dysfunction. In the developed world this is usually seen only in severe alcoholics who have very poor diets and where alcohol can lead to decreased function of thiamine. In emergency rooms physicians know to treat alcoholics with IV thiamine prior to infusion of glucose containing fluid resuscitation in order to avoid a condition that is much like beriberi called Korsakoff’s syndrome and Wernicke’s encephalopathy. These can be irreversible if not treated promptly. Vitamin D is easy and inexpensive to give as a vitamin supplement, usually given as vitamin D3 in order to make it more easily absorbed and used by the body. Vitamin D3 is available in 1000 unit and 2000 unit capsules at low cost, and doses of up to 8000 units daily are safe to give. Some physicians recommend routine vitamin D3 supplementation for patients living in the temperate climates where they tend to get low exposure to sunlight for much of the year. Heavy use of sunscreen and protective clothing can reduce natural vitamin D production in the skin from sunlight exposure. Still there is no formal recommendation and little data to support routine widespread vitamin D supplementation. You are really left to your own judgment on whether to take vitamin D in addition to a healthy diet. and remain uncommon but real issues in the world today. Dr Pullen
Our Free Energy Source
March 17th, 2011 § 0
The sun is the source of all energy of life on planet earth. This is a well known fact. We get our energy from animal or plant food. Animals in turn obtain their energy from plants. Green plants obtain their energy from the sun. They use a process called photosynthesis, in which carbon dioxide and water are made into a simple sugar, glucose, which is used as a storehouse for the energy from the sun. There is another, more subtle way, in which the sun gives us energy. Regular, very mild exposure to sunlight enhance vitality, as though reflecting a strengthening of the life force. As much as sun-ripened fruit tastes much better than green picked fruit, we can also ‘sun ripen’ ourselves by careful exposure to the sun. The radiant energy from the sun is absorbed by the millions of nerve endings in the skin and transmitted to our whole nervous system. Supposedly, this is why people feel energised after a brief sun bath. Vitamin D can be found in animal food, but not in plant foods. Vegetarians are excluded from vitamin D, unless small quantities of eggs and cheese are consumed. However, we don’t need to consume this vitamin, as it is easily obtained by careful exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D is important to maintain sufficient levels of calcium and phosphorus in our blood, in order to supply our bones and teeth. If there is a deficiency of vitamin D, our bones become soft and bent. There is also a change of developing osteoporosis. This happens when the rate of absorption of old bones exceeds the deposition of new bone. Other factors, like sex, race, hormonal status, family history, level of exercise and our diet also affect the risk of osteoporosis. In growing children, adequate supply of vitamin D is very important. The component of light that produce vitamin D is ultraviolet radiation. We have to expose ourselves direct to the sun, because the beneficial form of ultraviolet light (UVB) does not penetrate through window glass. We don’t need to be hours in the sun in order to get enough vitamin D. Ten minutes during a short walk will be enough. We have to take care when exposing ourself in the sun. Our skin is not used to long periods of exposure in direct sunlight. Our skin can be easily damaged by long periods of exposure with the risk of skin cancer. The energy of the sun quickly become devitalising and exhausting. The best time to be in the sun is early morning, before 9 am, or late afternoon, after 4 pm. When we go outdoors, we filter daylight by wearing sunglasses and sunscreens, and the light is significantly altered from the real thing. Natural sunlight has become artificial light. “Few health educators appreciate that the daily and seasonal variations in intensity and duration of sunlight regulate our biochemistry and biorhythms,” say Professor Ronald S.Laura and John Ashton, in Natural Health magazine in the August/September 1991 edition, “Daily exposure to natural daylight – far from being a threat- is part of nature’s blueprint for health.” Adrian Joele became interested in nutrition and weight management while he was an associate with an nutritional supplement company in 2002. Since 2008 he wrote several articles about nutrition. He likes to share his knowledge with anyone who could benefit from it, He enjoys helping other people solve their problems. Read more about health issues by visiting:
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Vitamin D Is Essential For Women
March 16th, 2011 § 0
With the consumption of vitamin D, women can benefit in a number of ways. Vitamin D is a kind of fat-soluble secosteroids, present in milk, fish, meat and eggs. It can also be obtained from exposure to sunlight and dietary supplements. It is important for maintaining a healthy body. Women who are more prone to suffering from its deficiency than men are can profit a lot by eating food rich in vitamin D. Deficiency of Vitamin D Vitamin D has a significant role to play in ensuring a healthy life. Deficit of this nutrient can have a negative effect on your immunity system, nervous system and bone development. Vitamin D deficiency is caused by:
By a proper inclusion of Vitamin D, women can ensure the proper supply of the nutrient which is needed for women of all ages. How Does Vitamin D Help Women?
Women aged 50 and over are at a larger risk of suffering from vitamin insufficiency. This is because the skin is less efficient in the synthesis of vitamin D and kidneys are less able to convert it to its active form with an increase in age. Diseases can be kept at bay by the inclusion of vitamin supplements on a regular basis. Learn more about and learn how can help you with vitamin d deficiency related symptoms.
Vitamin D and Its Effect On Your Health
March 16th, 2011 § 0
While the benefits of Vitamin D have long been known, research is just now uncovering how important vitamin D is to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Because people are spending less time outside, health issues related to the lack of this vitamin are occurring more frequently. It has long been touted that sunlight is dangerous and that sun block must be worn at all times. This, too, has resulted in our bodies not absorbing enough vitamin D from the sun to maintain good health. Foods we eat are often supplemented with vitamins, but it is difficult to get enough of the vitamin through food. Foods rich in vitamin D include salmon, mackerel, bluefish, and any other oily fish. Fortified milk contains vitamin D, as well as some cereals and orange juice. Taking supplements is the best way to ensure adequate supplies in the body. While vitamin D is important, the lack of it results in the risk of cancers of the colon and breast, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, and immune-system abnormalities. So taking vitamins prevents lots of life-threatening diseases. Benefits of Vitamin D:
-Vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis, which is a condition where bones become weak and thin and can easily break. It helps the bones to absorb calcium and prevent the development of osteoporosis.
-Vitamin D and calcium work together to keep bones strong, and are especially important to children as they grow.
-Research is showing that ‘D’ can help in the prevention and treatment of diabetes, hypertension, glucose intolerance, and multiple sclerosis. The use of vitamin D supplements has a statistically significance in the reduction of these illnesses.
-Researchers from the University of Toronto studied people affected with depression, especially seasonal affective disorder, and found that as their levels of vitamin D increased, their conditions improved over the course of a year.
-People who suffer from joint pain, muscle soreness, chronic fatigue, and weight loss also were found to be lacking in vitamin D. If a person is deficient of it for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis, and stroke.
-Proper levels of vitamin D decrease the risk of infections. It also supports the production of insulin and can reduce blood pressure.
-Vitamin D can help improve psoriasis in most people.
-Older people who lose their balance may not do so because of age, but because of low levels of vitamin D. Vitamin D regulates muscle and balance, according to Dr. Gerald Lemole, the father-in-law of Dr. Oz.