Vitamin D-elight.

Author: Rajiv Leventhal

Source: Vitamin Retailer Magazine

Vitamin D sufficiency, along with diet and exercise, has emerged as one of the most important preventive factors in human health. Hundreds of studies now link vitamin D deficiency with significantly higher rates of many forms of cancer‚ as well as heart disease‚ osteoporosis‚ multiple sclerosis and many other conditions and diseases.

Researchers at the University of Minnesota found that vitamin D levels in the body at the start of a low-calorie diet predict weight loss success, suggesting a possible role for vitamin D in weight loss, according to Medical News Today. Further, data collected from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), found that nine percent (7.6 million) of children across the U.S. were vitamin D deficient (defined as less than 15ng/mL of blood), while another 61 percent, or 50.8 million, were vitamin D insufficient (15-29ng/mL).

Five forms of vitamin D have been discovered - vitamin D1, D2, D3, D4 and D5. The two forms that seem to matter most to humans are vitamins D2 (ergocalciferol) and D3 (cholecalciferol). Vitamin D for humans is obtained from sun exposure, food and supplements. It is biologically inert and has to undergo two hydroxylation reactions to become active in the body.

Sunlight is the best and only true natural source of vitamin D. Unlike dietary or supplementary vitamin D, when one gets 'D' from sunshine, the body takes what it needs and demetabolizes any extra. That's critical as vitamin D experts and many health groups now advocate 1,000-2,000IU of vitamin D daily - five to 10 times the old recommendations. In November, although considered conservative, the Institute of Medicine, the nation's top scientific advisory panel, increased its recommendations for vitamin D doses and extended the safe upper limit.

According to www.sunshinevitamin.org, because too much 'D' from dietary supplements may cause the body to over-process calcium, nobody really knows for sure how much supplementary vitamin D is safe. While vitamin D toxicity is a reality, it is a rare phenomenon. On the other hand, sunlightinduced vitamin D doesn't have that problem - it's the way the body is intended to make it. Thus, the Sunshine Vitamin Alliance has been established as a coalition of physicians, individuals and organizations who advocate natural vitamin D production through regular, non-burning sun exposure.

Additionally, despite there being very few foods in nature that contain vitamin D, there are several natural products that can help increase your vitamin D intake.

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Reduction of Upper Respiratory Tract Infections from Exercising.

The common cold, also known as upper respiratory infection (URI), is an acute, self-limiting illness caused by a virus. URIs cause absenteeism from work, accounting for 45 million days of restricted activity in 1996. Preschoolers have the highest rate of infection, experiencing 6-10 episodes per year, while adults average 2-4 colds per year.
Colds and influenza are the two conditions that affect us on a yearly basis. While a minor irritation for most people, these two conditions can pose a major health threat to the very young, the elderly, and those who are immunocompromised. In fact, the flu is a leading cause of death in the elderly.

Regular exercise is one of the most necessary aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Without regular exercise, aging will not be a healthy, enjoyable process later in life. The target should be 20 to 30 minutes of exercise at least 3 to 4 times per week. Ideally, an individual’s weekly exercise regimen should consist of a balance between aerobic exercise, bending and stretching exercises, and strength building exercises. Studies have found exercise improved metabolism, cholesterol levels, blood sugar, heart rate, bone density, and much more. This is truly reversing the aging process.
A current study published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine has found that upper respiratory tract infections are reduced in active and physically fit adults. The study included 1,002 adults between the ages of 18 and 85 years who were followed for a total of 12 weeks during the cold season to determine the frequency and severity of upper respiratory tract infection symptoms. The participants completed questionnaires to monitor aerobic activity and physical fitness levels. The results revealed that participants who reported exercising 5 or more times per week experienced 43 percent fewer upper respiratory tract infections than those who were relatively sedentary (one or fewer days of aerobic exercise per week). It was also found that upper respiratory tract infection symptoms and severity were reduced between 32 and 41 percent in those who reported the most aerobic exercise when compared with those with the lowest amount of physical activity. These findings suggest that increased physical fitness and aerobic exercise may help reduce the frequency of upper respiratory tract infections and severity of symptoms in adults.^1
1 Nieman DC, Henson DA, Austin MD, et al. Upper respiratory tract infection is reduced in physically fit and active adults. Br J Sports Med. 2010

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