Hello everyone in "I want to get healthy" land. I sure hope you are enjoying these videos as much as I am having making them. I have some ideas for the next ones, but would welcome ideas of what YOU would like to learn about. So, bring it on! Let me know what interests you and I will do my best to rhyme some information for you. Thanks, Donna

Let the Sunshine in - Vitamin D is critical to your health

Welcome back to my blog. Vitamin D is really a "biggy"! Because we spend less time outside than we used to, and we use sunblock when we do, a Vitamin D deficiency is worldwide. There has been massive research and studies showing the amazing benefits of this inexpensive vitamin.

Of significant value is the reduction in incidence and recurrance of some cancers, especially breast and colon - up to 50% in some studies. Vitamin D can slow the growth of existing tumors and it is recommended that all patients with cancer should be taking elevated doses. Please watch the following video from grassrootshealth.net, for further information about Vitamin D and cancer.

<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TQ-qekFoi-o>

Inflammation is at the root of all disease, and Vitamin D is anti-inflammatory. It is therefore, linked to heart disease, mental health, congestive heart failure, diabetes, autoimmune diseases, blood pressure, osteoporosis, bone fractures, infertility, PMS etc.

And, of course, there is documented Vitamin D deficiencies in children, especially minority children. Please watch this informative video from CNN.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2009/10/26/am.cohen.vitamin.d.levels.cnn

It is recommended to have a blood level of 40-60 nanograms/ml of Vitamin D. You can get it by exposing 40% of your body to sunlight between 11 and 1pm. Food is an option, but you would need to drink 5 quarts of milk a day. That leaves supplementation of D3 calciferol - up to 2000 international units per day. And as I always emphasize, buy ONLY supplements that are GSP standard, with guarantees for potency, quality, bioavailability (how well they absorb) and manufacturing. Contact me for suggestions and for what I take.

It's Cool at my School - The Benefits of Fish Oil

Omega 3's are essential fatty acids that you can only get through food or supplements. Our bodies are not able to make them. The 3 types are eicosapentaeonic acid (EPA), docosahexaeonic acid (DHA) and alpha linolenic acid (AHA). They are extremely effective in reducing what we now know is the root of most diseases - inflammation.

They have wonderful health benefits for the cardiovascular system, brain function, pain reduction and fetal cognitive development.

The omega 3 fatty acids have been proven to lower cholesterol, tryglicerides, LDL's, and blood pressure, while increasing good HDL cholesterol. Strokes and heart attacks are caused from a blood clot breaking free from a vessel wall that is coated in plaque. The omegas can help break up those clots.

Research is also showing that fish oil can help with ADHD, depression, memory, psychosis and even schitzophrenia.

And as inflammation is being shown to be the root of most diseases, fish oil's anti-inflammatory properties help in relieving pain with arthritis.

Numerous studies are available involving the benefits for an unborn baby during pregnancy, including: lower incidence of asthma in childhood, enhanced visual and cognitive development and increased birth weight in low economic women. Studies show there is a 50% decrease in post partum depression with fish oil use during pregnancy.

About 25 years ago, Americans went "low fat", cutting out many foods that contain beneficial omega 3 fatty acids. We need these essential fats for optimal body function, and diet alone is not enough. Everyone should be supplementing with a high quality fish oil that is GMP standardized, and guaranteed for potency, bioavailability (how well it is absorbed) and quality.