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Supplementation

Now that many of the health benefits of vitamin D have been shown, I next want to describe where to find this vitamin and who needs it the most.

The best source of vitamin D is the sun. Spending time in the sun daily is not deadly. Obviously, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing, but never spending any time in the sun is certainly not the better alternative. Lighter complected people need less time in the sun than darker complected people, about 15 minutes in the sun daily. For darker individuals, approximately 30 minutes should be strived for.

Another source of vitamin D is diet. Raw milk naturally contains vitamin D, but the largest dietary source is cod liver oil.

Everyone needs vitamin D! It has been recently shown that young children and infants tend to be deficient, even though they appear otherwise healthy. New info on vitamin D has prompted many to deem the RDA to be far too low — the highest amount suggested being 600 IU. The Vitamin D Council recommends at least 1,000 IU per day.

In summary, if people get plenty of sunshine, raw milk, and cod liver oil, many would definitely benefit from this vitamin. Vitamin D has been underestimated in its abilities and its health benefits for years. The future only holds more data on how important this vitamin is.

Vitamin D and Cancer

Vitamin D has also been linked to better outcomes in cancer. In breast, colon and prostate cancer, the sun-shine vitamin has been shown to suppress cancer growth and the formation of blood vessels that feed cancer cells. Furthermore, in a breast cancer study, 24 percent in the breast cancer study had adequate levels of the vitamin at the time of diagnosis. Those who were deficient were more likely to have the cancer metastasize or recur ten years later. Moreover, 73 percent of the deficient were more likely to die.

A study in the International Journal of Cancer found that vitamin D protects cells from oxidative stress. This study used the most biologically active form of the vitamin, vitamin D3 along with nonmalignant human prostate epithelial cells. Metabolism of cells produces free radicals that can damage DNA and contribute to cancer formation and accelerated aging. Vitamin D links with a gene that increases its activity and produces an enzyme that combats free radical damage by clearing the cell of those DNA-damaging substances. This relieves cell stress and retains healthy cells.

Coming Next - Vitamin D and Brain Function

Vitamin D and Diabetes

Most people in Western societies are familiar with diabetes. Type II diabetes is highly publicized since most diabetes sufferers are afflicted with this form of the affliction. Those suffering with type I diabetes, have a small advantage over their counter parts. Recent research has demonstrated that those who receive high amounts of vitamin D during childhood have a lower risk of developing type I diabetes later on in life. The greater the amount of vitamin D, the greater the benefit.

Type I diabetes is different than type II because it does not come from insulin resistance. Instead it comes because the insulin producing beta cells in the pancreas are destroyed by one’s own immune system. This typically starts early in childhood. Though more commonly found amongst Europeans and North Americans, it can affect people from all walks of life.

Next time - Vitamin D and Cancer

Vitamin D was once an obscure vitamin thought to only fortify skeletal structure through the minerals calcium and phosphorous. Now, however, there is new emerging research showing this vitamin carries many more benefits than just strengthening bones.

Vitamin D and Pre-eclampsia

Pre-eclampsia is a devastating systemic disorder that is characterized by protein in the urine, high blood pressure, and edema. This disorder can cause serious health problems for a mother and fetus. Pre-eclampsia can cause premature delivery and is also the leading cause of maternal and infant illness and death around the world. The cause remains unknown, but a study carried out by the University of Pittsburgh found that vitamin D deficiency early in gestation is associated with a five-fold increase risk of developing pre-eclampsia.

Next time - Vitamin D and Diabetes

CT scans are now being shown to expose patients to a massive and cancer-promoting blast of radiation.

Full-body CT scans expose patients to approximately 100 times the radiation of a standard chest X-ray. Any radiation exposure is known to increase the risk of cancer, in particular, radiation in high doses. The report says that for every 2,000 people getting a full-body CT scan twice a year, one person can be expected to contract a fatal form of cancer.

A new report is recommending that patients who are exhibiting symptoms that they want diagnosed with a CT scan should instead be referred back to their general practitioner for treatment.

A California state advisory panel has recommended that the state conduct an investigation into whether caffeine poses a risk to unborn children.

The recommendation from the Science Advisory Board Developmental and Reproductive Toxicant Identification Committee is nonbinding, but the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment promised to “give it heavy weight because this is a panel of scientific experts.”

If the state determines that caffeine poses a risk to unborn children, it would have to place warning labels on certain caffeine-containing beverages.

Studies have linked caffeine consumption to miscarriages, premature birth and low birth weight. However, a variety of health groups including the College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, the March of Dimes and the Mayo Clinic have given the green light to consuming up to two cups of coffee or seven caffeinated soft drinks per day for pregnant women.

This ambiguity is part of why the board concluded that further studies are needed.

According to the American Society for Horticultural Science (ASHS), Americans who work in offices spend about 52 hours a week at their desks or in their cubicles. Those who work in typical office environments, often in windowless spaces with no natural light, have increased stress and reduced job satisfaction levels.

Could there be a relatively simple and inexpensive way to make the American workplace more humane and even healthier? Yes! Research published recently in the ASHS journal HortScience concludes the workplace can be improved with the addition of live plants and/or a view of the outdoors.

A study was designed to see if offices with windows and views of green spaces as well as offices containing live plants increased productivity and employee happiness on the job. The research team used a satisfaction survey posted on the Internet and administered to office workers in Texas and the Midwest that asked questions about work environments, job satisfaction, the presence or absence of live plants and windows, environmental preferences of the office workers, and demographic information.

The survey results revealed that employees who worked in office environments containing live plants or window views reported a dramatically better overall life quality and feeling of job satisfaction compared to employees who worked in office environments without plants or windows.

The complete study is available at the ASHS HortScience electronic journal web site:
((http://hortsci.ashspublications.org/cgi…) .

If you’re interested in boosting productivity and just feeling better while working in your office, try adding a few plants:

1. Philodendron scandens ‘oxycardium’, heartleaf philodendron

2. Philodendron domesticum, elephant ear philodendron

3. Dracaena fragrans ‘Massangeana’, cornstalk dracaena

4. Hedera helix, English ivy

5. Chlorophytum comosum, spider plant

6. Dracaena deremensis ‘Janet Craig’, Janet Craig dracaena

7. Dracaena deremensis ‘Warneckii’, Warneck dracaena

8. Ficus benjamina, weeping fig

9. Epipiremnum aureum, golden pothos

10. Spathiphyllum ‘Mauna Loa’, peace lily

11. Philodendron selloum, selloum philodendron

12. Aglaonema modestum, Chinese evergreen

13. Chamaedorea sefritzii, bamboo or reed palm

14. Sansevieria trifasciata, snake plant

15. Dracaena marginata , red-edged dracaena

It’s important to note that NASA scientists found that some of the plants zero in on specific chemicals. For example, English ivy, gerbera daisies, pot mums, peace lily, bamboo palm, and Mother-in-law’s Tongue are best for eliminating benzene while the peace lily, gerbera daisy, and bamboo palm are effective in treating trichloroethylene. NASA research also revealed the bamboo palm, Mother-in-law’s tongue, dracaena warneckei, peace lily, dracaena marginata, golden pathos, and green spider plant are good at filtering out formaldehyde.

There is now evidence showing that domestic animals not only provide great companionship, but they can also help prevent illness.

A recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota has highlighted the importance of regular contact with pets. The study showed that having a cat for a pet can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by just under 50 percent.

The study included 4,500 adults between the ages of 30 and 75 years. The study participants were followed for 10 years. The conclusion was that cat owners had a 40 percent lower risk of a fatal heart attack.

The correlation between stress and anxiety and cardiovascular problems has been standard information for years. The conclusion is that owning pets relieves some of the factors leading to these health problems.

Another study published in 2007 concluded that dog owners had lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. Again, the conclusion is that dogs (as well as cats) directly improve humans’ health by improving stress levels.

Owning a pet can also improve a patient’s chances of survival after suffering a life-threatening illness. The effect pets have on blood pressure is thought to be the reason. Pets also help cut rehabilitation time following a stroke.

There is a charity that takes pets to patient centers to aid patients in their various recoveries. It is called Pets as Therapy (PAT) and was formed in 1983 by a group of pet owners who were sure that their pets could help others in need. Their initial goal was to help elderly patients who had been forced to give up their own pets to enter care facilities. The mission of PAT has grown over the years to now encompass the animals being used for desensitization in phobia patients, for aiding in stroke rehabilitation, for helping people regain the use of limbs again and to for relearning how to talk.

There are thousands of facilities that PAT animals frequent each year. After a slow start, there is now a waiting list. There are currently 3,600 dogs and 92 cats that work in the organization. The animals wear a brightly colored PAT vest and they are always freshly groomed to ensure sanitary conditions for patients.

Each PAT animal is carefully assessed prior to using them to make sure that they are properly behaved and will remain calm when they come into contact with patients.

Part of the benefit of pet ownership, especially among the elderly, is that a pet fulfills a need to be needed. Very often the emotional support given freely by an animal is far more meaningful than what can be offered by a human. Studies have also shown that children who have pets have higher self-esteem and are more emotionally secure and stable. Some teachers are even introducing pets into their classrooms to enhance the learning environment for children.

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Addendum:  I have an elderly neighbor that is a perfect illustration of this study and I am including it because it completely supports this study.  Last year, my neighbor’s adult children were going on an extended trip and they asked my neighbor to watch their two cats.  I believe the cat-sitting was approximately a month long - so there was plenty of time to watch what happened.

The change in my neighbor was astounding!  She suddenly had more purpose to her daily life and I enjoyed watching as she became visibly happier each day.  Basically, I can attest to the fact that this study just makes sense and I have actually seen this in action.  It really is true.  The end of the story?  My neighbor’s kids bought her a kitten and that cat and my neighbor are the best pair of companions!

A number of physical therapy programs have now started to use the Nintendo Wii gaming system as part of treatments to help people recover from strokes and other central nervous system injuries.

One institution using the gaming system is the Dodd Hall Rehabilitation Hospital (part of the Ohio State University Medical Center in Columbus).

Unlike traditional game consoles that are controlled by levers and buttons on hand-held devices, the Wii is controlled by a remote that is able to sense its position relative to a sensor. This allows the console to be controlled with three-dimensional movement and large-body gestures.

Dodd Hall purchased a Wii, and now their patients who are recovering from strokes, spinal injuries or brain trauma are able to use the Wii approximately 30 minutes a day for two to three days each week.

The Wii helps physical therapy patients improve their balance, coordination, upper and lower body strength, and general stamina. Patients use the Wii not just to play games but also to look up news or other information through an Internet connection. This activity helps patients maintain and improve their mental functioning.

There are also patients who use the Wii to play bowling or boxing games that require full-body movement. This builds coordination and strength.

There is now evidence showing that domestic animals not only provide great companionship, but they can also help prevent illness. A recent study conducted by the University of Minnesota has highlighted the importance of regular contact with pets. The study showed that having a cat for a pet can reduce your risk of heart attack or stroke by just under 50 percent.

The study included 4,500 adults between the ages of 30 and 75 years. The study participants were followed for 10 years. The conclusion was that cat owners had a 40 percent lower risk of a fatal heart attack.

The correlation between stress and anxiety and cardiovascular problems has been standard information for years. The conclusion is that owning pets relieves some of the factors leading to these health problems. Another study published in 2007 concluded that dog owners had lower cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. Again, the conclusion is that dogs (as well as cats) directly improve humans’ health by improving stress levels.

Owning a pet can also improve a patient’s chances of survival after suffering a life-threatening illness. The effect pets have on blood pressure is thought to be the reason. Pets also help cut rehabilitation time following a stroke.

There is a charity that takes pets to patient centers to aid patients in their various recoveries. It is called Pets as Therapy (PAT) and was formed in 1983 by a group of pet owners who were sure that their pets could help others in need. Their initial goal was to help elderly patients who had been forced to give up their own pets to enter care facilities. The mission of PAT has grown over the years to now encompass the animals being used for desensitization in phobia patients, for aiding in stroke rehabilitation, for helping people regain the use of limbs again and for relearning how to talk.

There are thousands of facilities that PAT animals frequent each year. After a slow start, there is now a waiting list. There are currently 3,600 dogs and 92 cats that work in the organization. The animals wear a brightly colored PAT vest and they are always freshly groomed to ensure sanitary conditions for patients.

Each PAT animal is carefully assessed prior to using them to make sure that they are properly behaved and will remain calm when they come into contact with patients.

Part of the benefit of pet ownership, especially among the elderly, is that a pet fulfills a need to be needed. Very often the emotional support given freely by an animal is far more meaningful than what can be offered by a human. Studies have also shown that children who have pets have higher self-esteem and are more emotionally secure and stable. Some teachers are even introducing pets into their classrooms to enhance the learning environment for children.