Vitamin D From Sunlight

Spring is here for most of us and with the onset of spring comes the opportunity to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Often we equate that to more activities, acquiring a suntan, planting flowers or a garden.

Another way to enjoy the sunshine comes with the added bonus of enjoying better health.

Studies continue to show that absorbing even a few minutes of sunshine each day is the ideal way to boost Vitamin D levels.

Experts agree that this FREE vitamin is crucial to enjoy good health and has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure. We are all aware it promotes good bone health, but it's also been shown to combat both chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia. An added bonus is that regular doses of sunlight has been show to greatly reduce depression.

Worried about the warnings of skin cancer? Some believe the warnings have been overstated, but that aside, it's believed that short doses of sunlight will produce a high enough level of Vitamin D without overexposing the skin to harmful damage from the sun.

So take a few minutes today and feel the warm sunshine on your skin. At the same time feel yourself getting a little closer to ideal health!

Want to read more about the benefits of Vitamin D from sunlight? Visit:
Time in the Sun: How Much Is Needed for Vitamin D?

Treat or Prevent?

It appears the Swine Flu is stubbornly pushing it's way into cities, towns and countries around the world as well as into the limelight of the media.

As of today, the cases in the US have risen to 20 and are scattered throughout the lower 48. It seems that some of those fallen to the virus have recently returned from Mexico where the virus seems to have sprung from while some have not.

It is said that this particular strain of flu originates from pigs, hence the name, and is typically transferred by pig to human contact. It is, however, capable of transferring from human to human contact where it allegedly mutates and becomes stronger, thus making it more difficult to both treat and fight off. Swine Flu is not believed to transfer to us by eating pork.

In the event we are struck by this virus, the medical community as well as big pharma are quick to tell us there are antiviral drugs available to treat us once we are sick.

My personal plan, not giving advice here, but rather sharing my best practices which haven't let me down for quite some time, is as follows. I prefer to prevent the onset of any flu, virus, bacteria or germ, rather than trying to treat it after it attacks me. A strong immune system will prevent disease, bacteria and virus from entering your body in the first place.

My personal arsenal for a strong immune system?

• One Tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar with honey twice per day.
• A Green Superfood once per day, usually with a home made smoothie.
• One Tsp of Silver Solution once per day.
• A whole food multiple vitamin, my choice is an Acai vitamin.
• An Omega 3-6-9 supplement.
• Fifteen minutes of direct sunlight every day.
• A minimum of ten 8oz. glasses of water per day.

To your ideal health!

The Sunshine Vitamin

Winter is here, for some it's been here for a while, arriving quite early this year. Winter brings many things, skiing, snow boarding, lighting a fire, hot cocoa, snow balls and snow men. It also brings less sun light.

Having grown up in Michigan I know what it's like to truly experience winter. I also know what it's like to high tail it south because of that experience. The hardest part of winter that I can personally relate to is the lack of sunshine. I remember days upon endless days of little to no sunlight. Endless gray and cold. The lack of sunlight and the depression that results from it has been discussed and studied for many years. More and more I keep reading that we can experience Vitamin D deficiency as a result of too little sun, most often occurring in the winter.

You see the most efficient way for our bodies to absorb Vitamin D is through sunlight as opposed to milk or even supplements as previously thought. Vitamin D deficiencies can lead not only to weak bones, but high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes and several auto immune diseases, particularly muscular dystrophy. Studies have revealed that cities with limited sunshine, Seattle WA, for example have much higher rates of those suffering from MS than cities that receive more sunlight.

So what do we do during these months of limited and often times non existent sunlight? Even those of us who live in milder climates experience limited amounts of Vitamin D absorption in the winter as UV rays are much weaker than in warmer months. Well the next best thing, researchers say, is supplements. The RDA for adults varies with the rule of thumb being 400IU per day, with many researchers and doctors claiming we need a much higher dosage, particularly during the winter. Do your research to determine the best amount for you.

In the spring when the sun reappears and regains it's warmth along with more intense UV rays, what about the risk of skin cancer? A good question no doubt with all the attention skin cancer has received in recent years. We have now been taught to slather on the sunscreen and cover up before exposing ourselves to the sun's harmful rays. Now we are discovering the sun is once again our friend. Well researches say that just fifteen minutes on your face, arms and legs each day can provide you with enough Vitamin D to sustain a healthy body and help prevent disease. So get outside, put your face to the sun and get yourself some Vitamin D. If you live in a climate that is suffering from sun deficiency, get outside as much as possible, take your Vitamin D supplements until our friend, The Sun, returns with the crocuses.

• Resources: The Chicago Tribune Archives