Optimizing your vitamin D levels may be one of the most important steps you can take in support of your long-term health. There’s overwhelming evidence that vitamin D is a key player in your overall health. This is understandable when you consider that it is not “just” a vitamin; it’s actually a neuroregulatory steroidal hormone that influences nearly 3,000 different genes in your body. Receptors that respond to the vitamin have been found in almost every type of human cell, from your brain to your bones.

Just one example of an important gene that vitamin D up-regulates is your ability to fight infections, as well as chronic inflammation. It produces over 200 antimicrobial peptides, the most important of which is cathelicidin, a naturally occurring broad-spectrum antibiotic. This is one of the explanations for why it can be so effective against colds and influenza.

The truth is, vitamin D from sun exposure or a safe tanning bed is the BEST way to optimize your vitamin D levels. Safe tanning beds have electronic ballasts rather than magnetic ballasts, which helps you avoid unnecessary exposure to health-harming EMF fields. They also have less of the dangerous UVA than sunlight, while unsafe ones have more UVA than sunlight.

Vitamin D Dosage Recommendations

If appropriate tanning is not feasible, then you’ll be wise to consider an oral vitamin D3 supplement. According to the most recent findings by Carole Baggerly, founder of GrassrootsHealth, her research of nearly 10,000 people shows the ideal adult dose appears to be 8,000 IU’s a day to get most into the healthy range. Just remember to get your vitamin D levels tested regularly if you take an oral supplement.

That said, keeping a close eye on your vitamin D levels is a wise move for most. The widespread vitamin D deficiency seen today is now thought to fuel an astonishingly diverse array of common chronic diseases, including:

Cancer	Hypertension	Heart disease
Autism	Obesity	Rheumatoid arthritis
Diabetes 1 and 2	Multiple Sclerosis	Crohn’s disease
Cold & Flu	Inflammatory Bowel Disease	Tuberculosis
Septicemia	Signs of aging	Dementia
Eczema & Psoriasis	Insomnia	Hearing loss
Muscle pain	Cavities	Periodontal disease
Osteoporosis	Macular degeneration	Reduced C-section risk
Pre eclampsia	Seizures	Infertility
Asthma	Cystic fibrosis	Migraines
Depression	Alzheimer’s disease	Schizophrenia

 

 

RICO’S COMMENTS: I take 10,000 IUs a day of D3. I don’t just want average levels of such an important vitamin in my body. I want optimal. I also tan outside when I can and use Mercola’s safe indoor tanning wall 10 minutes a day. You don’t have to hit me over the head with a hammer to make me realize the importance of having optimal levels in my body! I’ll never figure out how anyone that learns this doesn’t at least go get D3 to supplement with, knowing they aren’t out in the sun hardly at all and don’t do indoor tanning too. Like I always say “Knowledge is Power”. What you choose to do with your knowledge will define who you are as a person and what your state of health will be in the future.

YOU MIGHT NOT CARE NOW ….. BUT YOU WILL IN THE FUTURE.

 

Fighting Depression: Exercise increases Serotonin

First of all, what is serotonin? Serotonin is a chemical that helps relay signals from one area of the brain to another. Serotonin is manufactured in the brain. That’s where it performs it’s major function. However, 90% of our Serotonin is in the digestive tract and in the blood.

It is believed Serotonin influences a variety of mind and body functions. It affects brain cells related to mood, sexual desire and function, appetite, sleep, memory and learning, temperature regulation and some social behaviors. It affects the function of our heart and muscles.

There are ways to increase Serotonin levels: 1) A diet of whole grain carbs and low in protein (Inhibitors are whole wheat and rye bread). 2) Acupuncture has been known to stimulate the release of Serotonin. 3) Fruits such as dates, papaya and bananas. 4) Prescription drugs.

However the very best way to raise Serotonin levels would be to get exercise. Studies have shown that Serotonin levels are raised with increased activity and it is increased for some days after the activity. This is the safest way of increasing Serotonin levels. Exercise affects the biology in the brain the same way anti-depression drugs do.

Researchers believe men and women may use Serotonin differently. Men and women react differently to a reduction. This may be why women suffer from depression more than men. Men become impulsive but not depressed. Women experience a marked drop in mood and become more cautious. This is a response common in depression.

Several research centers around the world noted a Serotonin deficiency in Alzheimer’s patients.

Increasing muscle is important in Serotonin levels. Muscles don’t use the amino acid needed to make Serotonin.

Instead of using drugs to fight depression, evidence reveals that exercise can be a natural route to treating mild depression. Patients can learn how to treat themselves without relying on prescription drugs.

Winter generally makes us all more depressed. A winter workout is very important. During our recent snow storms I increased my muscles building exercises just to keep me happier. And it worked!

SOURCE: http://www.soloflex.com/blog/news/

OUR COMMENTS:

Drugs are NOT the answer. Drugs don’t SOLVE the problem. Sunshine, exercise and a good diet are the answer!