Maintaining optimal levels of vitamin D is essential for avoiding heart disease. That was the conclusion from a first-of-its-kind study involving 267,980 study subjects. For this study scientists used a sophisticated technique called non-linear Mendelian randomization analyses across all study subjects to assess how increasing vitamin D levels impacted heart disease. They were able to show […]
Vitamin D is a critically important nutrient for optimal health. Here is my best advice for achieving and maintaining a healthy blood level. Get regular prudent, SAFE sun exposure. Even a few minutes a day with arms and /or legs exposed in warmer months will suffice. Regularly consume foods containing vitamin D—oily fish like salmon […]
According to a provocative report in JAMA Neurology, low vitamin D levels in the elderly may have dire consequences for intellectual function. For this evaluation researchers monitored the cognitive capacity of 382 racially diverse elderly men and women over a five-year study period. Each study subject also had his or her vitamin D blood levels measured at […]
Past studies have linked low levels of vitamin D with depression, and this evaluation adds to the growing pile of evidence that adequate levels of vitamin D are fundamental to good mental health. This evaluation included over 7,000 British subjects and found those with vitamin D levels in the normal range had a 43% lower […]
According to a fascinating study, it looks like sunshine may be a robust immune booster. Past studies have already demonstrated the importance of the “sunshine vitamin,” Vitamin D, for immune function, but this new study identified an entirely different way that sunshine can activate immune cells. Specifically, scientists found that exposure to the sun’s blue […]
The data on vitamin D and health just keeps pourin’ in. Here are some highlights: For teens living in the “sunny” south, low vitamin D levels were common, including 56 percent with insufficient levels and 30 percent with full-blown vitamin D deficiency. (Pediatrics, June 2010) In a study that followed 531 women over six years, […]
As someone who has a strong family history of breast cancer and as a member of Prevent Cancer Foundation‘s scientific advisory board, I want to share my top food picks for maximizing breast health. Beans/Lentils – This category of food is uniquely high in several nutrients important for breast cancer protection, including fiber, folic acid, and phytoestrogens […]
Low levels of vitamin D are amongst the most common and concerning of all vitamin deficiencies reported in the US, affecting 50-70 percent of adults and 30 to 50 percent of youth. Sadly, low levels of vitamin D have been tied to a litany of adverse health outcomes including CV disease, cancer, metabolic dysfunction, Type […]
Maintaining muscle mass is paramount for weight control, metabolic health, and overall functionality and quality of life. The International Osteoporosis Foundation recently sought to review past, worldwide studies to identify the most effective nutritional avenues for preventing loss of muscle mass, known as sarcopenia. Their scientific review identified the following key strategies: Optimal protein intake: […]
Available fresh from early summer to the late fall, usually available frozen, and always available canned – wild salmon is one of the healthiest protein packages on earth. This delectable fish is virtually exploding with almighty omega 3 fats along with several key nutrients, including magnesium, selenium, B vitamins, and vitamin D (think heart health, […]
Want to cut your chances of getting a cold or flu? Take your vitamin D. In the largest and most definitive evaluation to date, taking a regular supplement of vitamin D reduced the risk of an upper respiratory infection substantially. The study combined the data from 25 clinical trials including over 10,000 study subjects from […]
Eggs are an under-appreciated economical superfood. Here are 8 reasons to enjoy them as regulars in your diet. Eggs have the highest quality protein of all foods. In fact, eggs are used as the “reference standard” for evaluating a food’s protein quality. Eggs, particularly omega 3 fortified eggs, contain healthy fats. Eggs provide all the B vitamins. […]
