Author: Melanie Moyers, MS, RDN, LDN

You may already know that our bodies make vitamin D upon skin exposure to the sun (ultraviolet-B rays from the sunlight on our skin allows our body to make Vitamin D). However, research indicates that the majority of us are not exposed enough to sunlight to make enough Vitamin D.  Factors other than low exposure to the sun that impede the amount of Vitamin D we make are darker skin color, northern latitude, and older age. Research has also shown a link between low levels of Vitamin D and cancer.  More recent research by Adrian Gombart, Ph.D., is indicating Vitamin D supplementation may boost the immune system to help our bodies naturally defend against MRSA (a bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics and an increased health concern). Research on Vitamin D Hopefully we will find more answers regarding the amount of Vitamin D supplementation needed to combat our illnesses.

In the meantime, exposing the face and hands to about 10 minutes of sunlight a day is recommended produce enough vitamin D in the body. Food sources of vitamin D include vitamin D fortified foods (milk, some orange juices and cereals), cheese, eggs, salmon, tuna, and sardines.

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the daily Adequate Intake of Vitamin D for adults under 50 years old is 200 IU day, 50-70 years old 400 IU day, and those over 70 should get 600 IU/day. Some researchers are suggesting supplementing with 2,000 IU day. Translation: If you aren’t out in the sun daily, or eating Vitamin D containing foods, you may want to consider a supplement. Your physician can test your vitamin D levels to see if it is low…if you decide to take a supplement, look for D3 (cholecalciferol) rather than D2 (ergocalciferol), and prior to taking supplements, always discuss with your physician.

Choosing Organic foods means paying more for groceries…it is excellent if you are able to afford to buy all organic…but if you can’t, think about choosing the organic version of the foods listed by the EWG (Environmental Working Group). The EWG tests our produce and lists the top worst they call the dirty list…meaning the foods that contain the most pesticide. Take a look at the dirty dozen list for 2017, and try to buy the organic version of those foods to decrease your pesticide intake this year.  They also list the top clean list, which have the least amount of pesticide. EWG Pesticides in Produce List 2017 The full list of 48 produce items, ranked from 1 to 48, with 1 being the worst, and 48 having the least amount of pesticide. List of Pesticides in Produce for 2017

Researchers with Linus Pauling Institute have developed new treatment approaches using specific types of copper compounds for ALS. The researchers feel that this may also have potential to be useful for diseases other than ALS, such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. More info here: LPI-Possible future tmt of Lou Gehrig’s Disease-ALS

Cancer researcher Emily Ho, Ph.D., has found evidence that a compound from broccoli and cauliflower, called sulforaphane, helped slow the growth of breast cancer cells in women.  Read more here: LPI-Broccoli Research

Getting closer to helping those with Type 1 Diabetes combat it…without medication…excellent breakthrough. If you have Type 1 Diabetes, or know someone that does, please share:

https://medlineplus.gov/news/fullstory_165424.html

Find out more about the symptoms of listeria at the following website:

https://www.cdc.gov/listeria/