Nutrients and Supplements
Back in December, one of my blogs focused on research which sought to determine the intakes of vitamin D required to maintain certain concentrations of this nutrient in the body [1]. This particular study found that to maintain a vitamin D level of 80 nmol/L (32 ng/ml) about 1600 IU is required. You can read […]
Brain and Behaviour
I’m a huge advocate of sunlight exposure, on the basis that this mostly pleasurable endeavour is associated with wide-ranging benefits for the body. It also appears to benefit the brain. Lack of sunlight in the winter months can lead to lowering of mood and even depression that has been termed ‘seasonal affective disorder’. There is […]
Specific conditions
Here in the UK, until very recently, we’ve had something of a heat-wave. The sun has been shining brightly on most days and this is good news for me, as I’ve been able to take advantage of the opportunity to boost my vitamin D levels. Why is this important? Because higher vitamin D levels are […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Tuberculosis is an infectious disease that continues to claim significant numbers of lives around the World. Before the advent of antibiotics, many tuberculosis sufferers were shipped off to ‘sanitoriums’: often rurally-located facilities where individuals would typically spend a year or more to rest, eat well, and hopefully overcome their illness. While rest and a healthy […]
Nutrients and Supplements
I was interested to read yesterday a report regarding a recommendation coming out of the Skin Cancer Foundation in the USA. The Foundation has recommended that adults increase their intake of vitamin D from 400 IU (the recommended daily amount) to 1000 IU. This is good news, I think, because there’s abundant and continuing to […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Recently a couple of blogs have focused on the potential role that vitamin D may play in the regulation of body weight (see here and here). One of these blogs concerns a study which found that low. Levels of vitamin D were associated with increased body weight and waist circumference. This does not mean that […]
Specific conditions
Some of you will have noticed that there has been some focus, of late, on the beneficial properties of vitamin D within the body. For example, recently on this blog I have written pieces exploring the potential for sunlight/vitamin D to help moderate body weight and enhance muscle strength, fitness, balance and reaction time. And […]
Exercise and Activity
For a while now I have been interested in the role that vitamin D plays in health. My interest was recently heightened when I discovered earlier this year that my own vitamin D levels were very deficient. As I revealed here, I since commenced on a programme of supplementation (3000 IU per day). I’ve also […]
Diabetes/Metabolic Syndrome
Vitamin D used to be a nutrient that was believed to be important for bone health and little else. But in recent years, it has grown to be associated with an increasing number of conditions including cardiovascular disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis, improved mood and enhanced immunity. New research suggests that another condition that might be […]
Nutrients and Supplements
Vitamin D has gained a reputation for helping to ward off a plethora off ills, including bone disease, cardiovascular disease, cancer, multiple sclerosis and infection. However, while there has been increasing awareness about the multitude of benefits vitamin D can bring, there has also been growing concern that many of us do not have optimal […]