Amazing Vitamin D

This vitamin's main function is to keep blood levels of phosphorus and calcium in balance to support bone mineralizaiton, proper nerve and muscle and cell functions. It acts as a hormone that enhances the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the small intestine.

Inadequate blood levels of Vitamin D can lead to osteoporosis because it reduces calcium absorption.
There is evidence that it also blocks growth and differentiation of cancer cells. Vitamin D has also shown to be influencial in helping autoimmune conditions.

Look at all the conditions Vitamin D is helpful in:
Osteoporosis prevention and treatment
Cancer prevention
Diabetes prevention
Polycystic ovary disease
Depression and other mood disorders
Gum disease prevention
Psoriasis
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Fibromyalgia
Immune Function

In our lifestyles of going from the "cage to the cave" (home to office or vice versa), we don't get outdoors enough to enjoy the sunshine. Top that with improper use of sunscreens/sunblocks and we really have a problem. I have seen low blood levels of Vitamin D in several of my patients.

Correcting the problem is easy; get out more and enjoy HEALTHY sun exposure. Take Vitamin D supplements. They are very inexpensive. Make sure you get them in the D3 form.

If you want some more info on the subject, you can visit http://www.lanisimpson.com/category/vitamin-d/

Bone Mineral Density Tests

It is a good idea for women to get a Bone Mineral Density test around the age of 35. This gives you a good baseline density level before perimenopause starts to set in. Most DEXA scans come with easy-to-read graph reports. Even if you forget what the doctor said, you can refer back to the graph and see the results.

In case your report is not so user-friendly, here is a chart that shows how to read the scores. Where ever you are on the list, make sure you discuss with your doctor the appropriate diet, lifestyle, and supplement changes you need to make to ensure strong bones for life!

PCBs in Fish Oil Supplements

I was reading about an article regarding certain omega-3 fish oil supplements that were contaminated with PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). There was a study done on 10 randomly selected products from a health food store. The levels of PCBs found ranged from very low to amounts high enough to caus concern. Now there is a lawsuit filed against CVS, GNC, Now Health, Omega Protein, Pharmavite, Rite Aid, Solgar, and Twin Lab due to their high concentrations of contaminants. Remember that these products were randomly selected for testing, so there could be other companies that are contaminated.

There is an "acceptable" upper limit for PCBs in fish oil: .09 ppm. Unfortunately, since we do live in a toxic world, it is nearly impossible to remove all the contaminants. I have always said to make sure you know where your supplements are sourced from and how they are processed. The two brands of fish oil I have recommended are Metagenics and Nordic Naturals. They are both made in small batches and have high turnover, which means they aren't sitting on a shelf somewhere for a long time. Also, Metagenics will not ship on a Thursday or Friday to make sure the oils aren't sitting somewhere over the weekend in the heat! That's quality control!

Gallbladder Cleanse

If you have never done a gallbladder cleanse, this is a simple one:

http://lifeevents.org/gall-bladder-cleanse.htm

The only thing I would add to this is to eat 6 apples or drink 6 glasses of unfiltered apple juice per day for 5 days right before you start the cleanse. The malic acid in the apples helps soften the gall stones and decreases any chance of the stones lodging in the bile duct.
I think it is a good idea to cleanse at the beginning of spring to help the body cleanse of some heavier foods we eat in the winter. NOTE: If you know you have active gallbladder inflammation, DO NOT do this or any other cleanse. If you are in doubt, ask your medical doctor. I want this information to help, not harm!

Antioxident-Rich Foods

Most of us know that it's good to eat lots of antioxident-rich foods. They help slow down the aging process, fight disease, and combat degeneration. The Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity is the level of the antioxident level in a specific food. This ORAC value is a number given to tell us how good it is at fighting free radicals - the enemies to every cell in our bodies. The higher the number, the more potent the antioxident capacity.

Here is a list of the top 20 antioxident-rich foods along with their ORAC values:

1. Small red beans, 1/2 cup -  13727
2. Wild blueberries, 1 cup    -  13427
3. Red kidney beans, 1/2 cup - 13259
4. Pinto beans, 1/2 cup -  11864
5. Cultivated blueberries, 1 cup -  9019
6. Cranberries, 1 cup  -  8983
7. Artichoke hearts, 1 cup cooked  -  7904
8. Blackberries, 1 cup  -  7701
9. Dried prunes, 1/2 cup  -  7291
10. Raspberries, 1 cup  -  6058
11. Strawberries, 1 cup  -  5938
12. Red Delicious apple  -  5900
13. Granny Smith apple  -  5381
14. Pecans, 1 ounce  -  5095
15. Sweet cherries, 1 cup  -  4873
16. Black Plum  -  4844
17. Russet Potato, 1 cooked  -  4649
18. Black beans, 1/2 cup  -  4181
19. Plum  -  4118
20. Gala apple  -  3903

We've heard so much about "super fruits", but look at all those "super beans"! If you cook your beans at home, remember to soak them overnight and/or put a stick of Kombu seaweed in the pan while cooking; both these help cut down on gas. Take your digestive enzymes, too!

A BIG thanks!

Thanks to all the lovely ladies who attended my class on "Balancing Hormones Naturally" yesterday. We had a super time, filled with helpful information, yummy, healthy treats and hugs!

Keep posted for more information on upcoming classes!

Miso Soup reduces risk of Breast Cancer

As reported in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vo. 95, Issue #12, Miso Soup Consumption is linked with up to a 50% reduction in the risk of  breast cancer!

As I posted previously, Miso is a live food with many health benefits.

Here is an easy, delicious way to prepare on cup of Miso Soup:

Simmer 1/2 tsp. chopped scallion, 1/2 tsp. crushed seaweed (like wakame), and several pieces of cubed tofu in 1 cup water or stock.

Dissolve 2 tsp. Miso in a small amount of water and add to the soup after removing it from the heat. Never boil miso!

Enjoy!