Vitamin B3 beats Big Pharma's Zetia cholesterol drug -- Signs of the Times News

Vitamin B3 beats Big Pharma's Zetia cholesterol drug -- Signs of the Times News: "http://www.sott.net/articles/show/205774-Vitamin-B3-beats-Big-Pharma-s-Zetia-cholesterol-drug"

Vitamin D Deficiency Now So Widespread That Rickets is On The Rise Once Again -- Signs of the Times News

This message is a little more severe than my post of 8/17/09; are there other reasons for a reduction in Vitamin D absorption by our bodies??

Vitamin D Deficiency Now So Widespread That Rickets is On The Rise Once Again -- Signs of the Times News: "http://www.sott.net/articles/show/204356-Vitamin-D-Deficiency-Now-So-Widespread-That-Rickets-is-On-The-Rise-Once-Again"

VITAMIN D ….. FRIEND OR FOE???

Can a society with a fear of melanoma be depriving itself of the health benefits of the sun by lathering on sunscreen and not getting even the recommended 10-15 minutes of sunshine each day?

Getting a sunburn is certainly not the way to go, so sunscreen is definitely a must. There are an increasing number of reports on the Internet, in magazines, and on TV hyping the benefits of Vitamin D and claiming that is “the” vitamin to add to your daily routine. This, they say, is especially important for those of us do not get enough exposure to the sun. But how do you know whether taking Vitamin D is right for you and, if it is, how much to ingest? Consult your physician!!

I added Vitamin D to my supplement list last fall because of the studies showing that it will prevent SAD during the dark winter months and also because of several claims that it might also be beneficial for those wishing to boost the immune system in a fight against cancer. A new study is presently in the planning stages with the goal of determining just what the actual benefits of Vitamin D are for a variety of cancers, the results of which many of us will find very interesting.

More recently I’ve been hearing that Vitamin D3 is even more beneficial than plain old Vitamin D, so I decided to look into that. What I found is a lack of legitimate sites that discuss Vitamin D vs Vitamin D3, so I'll keep looking.

What I do know is that 10-15 minutes of “good old sunshine” is still number one on the list! Just don’t overdo it …….

You’ll have to excuse me, but the sun is out and I need my fix!

Until next time ……
~ B-Optimistic ~

NOTE: (I found the information on sun exposure on Ed's blog very interesting and sums up most of what you will find on the web for the ordinary Joe like us!)

OF SPECIAL NOTE: Be cautious when searching for information on vitmain use online because many of the sites promoting supplementation may in the "money-making" business rather than the "help you get healthy" business! For facts on the pros and cons of vitamin supplementation, stick with legitimate sites such as major health and research centres. Discuss any information you find on these sites with your doctor and pharmacist before adding them to your diet as many supplements may counteract other medications you are taking.

Forming Good Dietary Habits is a Full-Time Job!!

Well, it has been two weeks since my first visit to a naturopathic doctor and it seems that the majority of my time since then has been spent verifying the benefits and side effects of her recommendations and working them into my day. Being one to never jump in head first, I actually took the first week to decide which ones to actually use.

The biggest hurdle I have found thus far is keeping track of these dietary additions. Although a couple of the good “doctor’s” suggestions have been sidelined for the time being, I have gradually incorporated quite a few which complement what I had already been doing. I find, however, that I am constantly watching the clock to see when I am supposed to prepare and ingest my next concoction, be it apple cider vinegar and honey or one of those “green” elixirs that are supposedly liquid gold for my body.

I also expect to see benefits right away, even though I am still trying to get into a routine. I have probably only managed to accomplish, on any given day, about 30% of what has been recommended.

I know. I need to be patient. After all, it has taken my body more than 50 years to get into the “shape” it is in now. I can't actually expect too much in one week, right? However, I tend to lose interest in things if I don’t see an immediate result; which means I also need to change the thought processes that oversee my staying power and to remember the golden rule: It takes three weeks to form a habit! Wish me luck with that one …..

To make the daily regime easier for me, I made a chart to help me visualize which supplements and elixirs I need to consume before, during, and following each meal. I have even developed a checklist so that I can see what I have actually managed to accomplish each day, including sections for water, fruits, and veggies to ensure that these essentials do not get overlooked.

So far I would estimate that I am achieving 30% of my goals. Not so good; but not bad either. That is 1/3 of the way closer to a healthier lifestyle than I was a week ago. Be it my imagination or fact, I think I see a difference in my colouring and overall digestion already. The colouring change could be due to the loss of my summer tan though, and I expect the latter change has a lot to do with the reduction of sugar in my diet. But I am not naïve; the other amendments and additions probably count - even in such a short period of time. Oh, and I have even dropped a few pounds!! Bonus!

But now I have to scoot. I need to check off the apple cider/honey box and see what is next. I am hoping it is breakfast!!

Until next time ……

B-Optimistic!

Calling all Naturopaths: Do you Have a Treatment for Brain Bog?

OK, I’ve got a confession. I think I’ve OD’d on data ….. I’m suffering from a major case of information overload and I’m spinning out of control!

After my oncologist told me in July 2008 that chemo wasn’t in the cards just yet, I decided that I would change my lifestyle – become more aware of what I put in my body, exercise several times each week, and start a program of supplements geared towards improving my immune system – all in an effort to ward off a return of the evil “C”.

When I mentioned supplements, both my family doctor and oncologist advised me that making healthy food choices would suffice. So, I identified which vitamins and minerals would help boost my immune system and then attempted to translate that information into lists of relative foods so that I could do as my doctors had suggested.

That’s all well and good - in theory. But then I read several articles explaining that growing conditions and/or overcooking can eliminate any hopes of getting the required amounts of these nutrients on a daily basis. Hmmmm …. Wouldn’t it be easier, I thought, just to take supplements to ensure I was getting what I needed; at least until I got my “food ducks” in a row? So I started out loyally with flax oil and yogurt once or twice a day. Then I added supplements – Vitamin E and Selenium; Zinc and Vitamin A; and a few others for good measure.

It just dawned on me last night that I haven’t done the flax oil/yogurt mix for over a month. And what feels like an irritated stomach - that I blame on Vitamin A - has caused me to ease off of the vitamin/mineral concept for the past month as well. So now I find myself back at square one because I can’t remember why I was taking any of these in the first place!!

Well, here it is four months later and after reading a pile of self-help books and visiting hundreds of Internet sites on healthful living, I am overflowing with knowledge; stuffed with page after page of wonderful hints and insights on how to improve my health and fuse my mind, body, and soul – and I wonder if I’m doing myself more harm than good!! To make things worse, I can no longer absorb or even make sense of all of the information I’ve read and I think I may have developed brain paralysis because my mind is pulling a blank - caused, no doubt, by information overload.

Oh, and since I’m confessing my sins, I might as well admit that I’ve spent so much time reading that I also haven’t made time for an exercise regime!!

So today I finally admitted to myself, and now to you, that I need help; I made a call to a Naturopath in the hopes of finding someone knowledgeable in these matters who can keep me on track and monitor what I’m doing. I no longer want to worry about whether I’m approaching this lifestyle change correctly; taking too much of one or more supplements; or maybe even using the wrong the combinations.

I’ll be meeting with my new friend on November 18th for a consultation.

After all, getting healthy is my goal and helping me get healthy is hers. I think it will be a good partnership!!

Until next time …….
~ B-Optimistic ~