Pregnancy and Vitamin D Status

Read the following article that I picked up at my doctor’s office the other day. It is a nice overall piece about vitamin D deficiency and its role in almost every aspect of this important nutrient.

More Know About Vitamin D Benefits
By Don Sapatkin

Amy McDonald, 34 weeks into her second pregnancy with gestational diabetes, was in for a routine checkup in Bala Cynwyd: blood pressure (fine), fetal heartbeat (loud), review of home blood-sugar monitoring (time-consuming).

A lab test for Vitamin D had come back low on a previous visit, and McDonald was now taking supplements.

“Any problems with the Vitamin D?” asked her doctor, Daphne M. Goldberg, who had recommended at least 10 times the dosage in federal guidelines. (No problems.)

Most women don’t hear about Vitamin D during prenatal visits. Indeed, studies linking widespread deficiency of the “sunshine vitamin” to a host of seemingly unrelated conditions – among them heart disease, arthritis, depression, psoriasis, influenza, and several types of cancer – have been coming so fast and furious that government guidelines can’t keep up. No one even knows what a “normal” level should be. Continue reading “Pregnancy and Vitamin D Status”

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Vitamin D and the Sunnier Months – Should I Continue to Supplement?

Spring is here! The shift into longer days and more sun has begun, and you may have begun going through your closets, pulling out those short-sleeve shirts, shorts, and other lighter spring/summer gear. You may have also been inspired recently (especially this past week!) to get outside and enjoy the spring breezes, warm air, and sunshine. Remember that in these next few months, as the sun gets higher in the sky, you will have more of an opportunity to produce Vitamin D in your body, as the stronger UV rays in summer naturally trigger the body to produce more Vitamin D.

You may be wondering at this point if you need to stay on that Vitamin D supplement you so religiously took over the winter to help build your immunity and reduce colds/flu. This is a great question!

While you’d think that you can get enough sun in the summer months to make adequate amounts of Vitamin D, unfortunately that may not be the case. Continue reading “Vitamin D and the Sunnier Months – Should I Continue to Supplement?”

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March – Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer affecting men and women in the United States. The risk increases with age (>50 years), but when caught early is often curable. Risk factors include: polyps found in the colon or rectum, high fat diet, family history of colorectal cancer, and inflammatory conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. If you are over the age of 50, or have risk factors, talk to your doctor about important screenings and testing.

Lifestyle-related factors linked to colorectal cancer include smoking, alcohol, obesity, poor diet, and inactivity. Good nutrition and regular physical activity provide a solid foundation for health and can reduce your risk of developing chronic diseases.

Continue reading “March – Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month”

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Vitamin D and Your Health: Why you want to pay attention to this vital nutrient

The headline article in my recent edition of Ellen’s Healthy Bites, an email newsletter I send out once per month that is full of the most relevant health/nutrition topic of the day, was “Vitamin D: A Public Service Announcement”. I felt so strongly that it was imperative to educate my readership about the important issue of Vitamin D deficiency, that it should be a Public Service Announcement (PSA).

The PSA is simple. It reads:

***Schedule an appointment with your doctor. Ask to get your Vitamin D levels tested. Do the same for your children, your elderly parents, and anyone else you care about. ***

Why is Vitamin D Deficiency such a big deal?

Continue reading “Vitamin D and Your Health: Why you want to pay attention to this vital nutrient”

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Natural Remedies for Cold Sores

Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) is the normally inactive virus that causes those unsightly outbreaks around your nose, mouth, lips or chin.  During times when our are immune system is down because we are under stress, or from overexposure to sun, or when we fail to eat a healthy nutrient-dense, well balanced diet,  this virus can become active in our nervous system, causing painful cold sore outbreaks.

Here are some tips for taking care of cold sores:

Continue reading “Natural Remedies for Cold Sores”

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