VITAMIN D-3…DO I NEED IT?

Q.    Why do I need to take Vitamin D?  For years I heard too much of it was a bad thing.  Now, from what I read, I can’t get enough! 

Joseph P.

A.  Vitamin D (specifically D-3) is the only vitamin the body can manufacture from sunlight (UVB).  Yet with today’s indoor living and the extensive use of sunscreens due to concern about skin cancer, we are now a society with millions of folks deficient in life-sustaining, bone building and immune modulating vitamin D-3. 

For more than a century, scientists have recognized that vitamin D-3 is involved in supporting bone health.  Research has continued to accumulate, documenting D-3’s role in reduction of the risk of fractures to a significant degree.  The latest research, however, shows that a vitamin D-3 deficiency is linked to a surprising number of other health conditions.  These conditions could include depression, back pain, cancer, both insulin resistance and pre-eclampsia during pregnancy, impaired immunity and macular degeneration.

You are correct, for years we were told that vitamin D was essentially the same as the other fat soluble nutrients (vitamins A, D, E & K) and to be careful not to overdose.  Due to modern technological research, this recommendation has changed.  Vitamin D-3 research has shown that most of us need from 1000 to 5000 units of the nutrient daily for “optimal” health.

Vitamin D-3 (at the above recommended dosages) is available at most health food stores, drug stores and online retailers.  D-3 is also available in a variety of forms ranging from capsules to sub-lingual spray bottles.

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

STRONTIUM…SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING FROM COMICS?

Q.    My Doc. says that I have inherited my Mom’s brittle bone disease.  I figured he would want me to take more or better calcium but instead he wants me to take strontium.  What the heck is strontium?  Is it safe?  Where do I get it?

Cindy L.

A.  The name STRONTIUM sounds like something from the super hero comics.  In truth, strontium seldom gets the press that calcium does but may be just as vital to your bone tinsel strength.  Recent research is showing that strontium may be the “missing link” when combined with calcium for bone strength and health.  As a result of this research more and more manufacturers are including strontium in their nutritional bone formulas. 

Strontium is a naturally occurring mineral present in water and food.  The influence of strontium on bone metabolism has been researched since the 1950’s.  This research has shown that strontium has an affinity for bone and is taken up at the bone matrix crystal surface.    Studies also show that strontium positively affects bone metabolism by promoting bone formation and a marked decrease in bone re-sorption, leading to normalized bone density.

Most supplement manufacturers are combining strontium citrate along with their calcium.  Strontium citrate is also a naturally occurring compound supplying stable strontium that is safe and suitable for consumption as a dietary supplement.

Strontium can be purchased in supplement form either alone or in combination.   These formulas are available in most health food stores or online retailers.  

 

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

 

DOES ZINC CURE THE COMMON COLD?

Q.    Does Zinc really help a cold or boost your immune system? If so what kind and how much?

Cheryl S.

A.  This year over 62 million of us will get sick with a cold.  80 percent of those will be school age children.  Back in the late 1980’s it was discovered partly by accident that one specific form of zinc…ZINC GLUCONATE was able to surround and destroy 9 out of 10 rhino viruses.  Vitamin supplement manufacturers ran with this research and created supplements such as Cold-Ez , Cold-B-gone etc.  Since their main market was kids, they had to provide the zinc using a “kid friendly” delivery system.  By the early 1990’s zinc gluconate LOZENGES were everywhere.

A 2011 research report from the Cochrane Collaboration (the most extensive research on zinc gluconate to date) revealed the following: 

1.  Zinc administered within 24 hours of onset of symptoms reduces the duration and severity of the common cold in healthy people.

2.  When supplemented for at least five months, it reduces cold incidence, school absenteeism and prescription of antibiotics in children.

3.  There is potential for zinc lozenges to produce side effects.

I do believe zinc lozenges work to increase your immune response and ward off infection.  The only problem I have found is trying to find one that doesn't leave a metallic taste in my mouth.

 

If you already have an infection, I would recommend 3 lozenges per day, take one every 4 hours.  As a preventative I would suggest 1 lozenge every other day.  Don’t maintain a high dosage for an extended period of time as too much zinc can cause an imbalance in other minerals.

Most zinc lozenges are running from 100 to 200 mg. per lozenge and can be purchased from any health food store, drug store or online retailer.

  

AMV

*Health Disclaimer: This information is not presented by a medical practitioner and is for educational and informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.