THE MISSING INGREDIENT FOR STRONG BONES, and perhaps a few other things! Margaret Wright, MS, BSN, CNHP, Nutrition Consultant And the Answer is….. VITAMIN D! Yes, it does seem strange to be talking about the SUNSHINE VITAMIN in the Sunshine State, but sadly many of us are deficient in this essential nutrient. We generally don’t eat foods that are rich in D and taking cod liver oil (a really good source) conjures up some nasty taste memories. But Vitamin D can be obtained FREE! Just get out in the sunshine (without sunblock!) and your skin will make a good supply! Just don’t get a sunburn! That’s BAD. A sun tan is fine and doesn’t increase your risk of skin cancers (according to the National Institute for Health). And another benefit of Vitamin D is that it appears to help prevent several types of cancer (particularly breast and prostate), gives a boost to your immune system and enables your body to build really strong bones – and good teeth! If you don’t know what your Vitamin D level is, ask your doctor for the blood test (most insurance companies pay for an annual test). Optimal levels are generally considered to be between 45 and 70 ng/ml even though lab slips say that you are not deficient unless your level is below 28 ng/ml (NIH and the CDC). Here’s a BRIEF list of the important functions that Vitamin D serves in the body: Chronic pain Muscle weakness Psoriasis Constant fatigue Depression High Blood Pressure Heart Disease Kidney Disease … and… it is a great infection fighter! Especially for the flu. If you do take a supplement, please be SURE to get the right kind (the kind that your body uses): D3, not D2. PS: Last chance to register for the BONE HEALTH Seminar tomorrow at 2 PM and 6 PM. Call 727-822-1555
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:22:58 +0000
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