May is National Osteoporosis Month – shining a much needed light on this serious condition. Internationally, one out of three women over 50 will experience a bone fracture, and one out of five men. In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control reports that as of 2010, 16.2% of adults over the age of 65 had osteoporosis (24.8% in women, 5.6% in men) and 48.3% of adults had low bone mass. Osteoporosis is “silent.” Osteoporosis can also be prevented. A bone density scan can help you find out the status of your bone health. Continue reading “Be Good to Your Bones”
Be Good to Your Bones
May 20th, 2020 by Teri Cochrane
In recent years, vitamin D has received a lot of attention for its important role in health and wellness. From bone support, cognitive function, inflammation support to immune system optimization, vitamin D is a vital player in many aspects of health. Low levels of vitamin D has been linked to autoimmune disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cognitive disorders, cancer, obesity and more. Data shows that most people are deficient in vitamin D. Fortunately, the majority of doctors are now routinely testing vitamin D status and advising supplementation.
Coats, mittens and hats are a must for cold winter months, but you may want to add another item to the list of winter must-haves – vitamin D. Vitamin D is also one of the most discussed vitamins relative to deficiency, especially when it comes to winter.
One question I get asked often is, “Do I give my kids supplements and if so, which ones?” The short answer is yes, but it is more complicated than that. I do think most children could benefit from supplements, especially if their diet consists of processed foods or if they are very picky eaters. But what are the most important supplements for your kids? Which ones should they take?
In a new study, vitamin D and omega-3 (fish oil) show promise in prevention of cancer death and heart attacks. The study involved 25,871 people in the U.S., who took part in this 5-year clinical research, VITamin D and OmegA-3 Trial (VITAL). Some participants took only vitamin D or fish oil; others took both; and some acted as the control by consuming neither supplement.
