Vitamin D: My Personal Journey And Experience

I have to admit…with all the knowledge I’ve gained over the years regarding the potential health benefits of supplements, not even I was aware of the effects of vitamin D.  Sure, I knew it was called the “sunshine vitamin” because our skin is able to synthesize UV light from the sun and convert it to vitamin D.  I also knew you could receive more from dairy products, such as milk, cheese, and yogurt.  But I didn’t “see the light” until earlier this year.  That was when I began to really dig into the benefits of vitamin D.

A Theory is born.

You see, I’ve had a theory for quite some time.  Here in Wisconsin, our cold and flu season begins in the Oct/Nov time frame.  And it lasts until early spring.  I started to wonder WHY we don’t see more colds and cases of influenza in the spring or summer.  The old song-and-dance from your mother may have gone something like this:  “Make sure you put a hat on and dress warm when going outside or you’ll catch a cold”.  Sound familiar?  If you think about it, it makes sense.  You get colds in the winter.  So as soon as I would get one, I would go back and try to remember when I had gone outside without a coat or hat.

The problem is, it’s not true.   Even Mythbusters debunked it in one of their shows.  The fact is, these are spread through germs and contact with people.  Someone sneezes into their hand, then grabs a doorknob, shakes someone’s hand, and passes a glass around.  Everything that person touches becomes a little time-released germ bomb.

So if colds and influenza are actually spread around from these germ bombs and NOT cold weather, then why wouldn’t we see more cases in the summer.  If they truly have nothing to do with the temperature outside, we shouldn’t have a cold and flu season…it should be a year-round thing.  But that’s not the case…WHY?

Getting Closer to the Truth.

I started to put the pieces of the puzzle together.  I knew we absorbed vitamin D from the sun.  I also knew, in order to accomplish this, we needed our skin exposed while outdoors.  Outside of a couple crazy fans watching the Packers play at Lambeau Field in December…without shirts on…the odds are pretty slim one would have much of any skin exposed during the harsh Wisconsin winters.  Not to mention the fact people tend to stay indoors more often.  Could this be the reason we have colds in the winter?  That’s when I started researching.

It turns out, I wasn’t far off.  While skin exposure to the sun is very important, the main issue here is the angle of the sun in the sky.  During the fall, through the winter, and into spring the sun is at such a low angle in the sky that our bodies do not absorb the UV rays critical for the creation of vitamin D.  You could sit outside in a swimsuit for 3hrs with snow blowing around you and it wouldn’t help your vitamin D creation one bit.

Upon listening to presentations by Dr. Myron Wentz and Dr. John Whittcomb, I felt compelled to write multiple blog entries on vitamin D.  And as you have probably noticed, this is the topic I have written about the most.  Namely because I feel it is information everyone should have.  But this time, I wanted to pass along my own personal experiences.

Using Vitamin D to Change Lives.

Following my research, I began to supplement my diet with additional vitamin D.  I am already receiving 2000IU from the multi-vitamin and fish oil I take.  I began taking an additional 2000IU back in early October when I knew I wouldn’t be receiving any more from the sun.  Since then, I have increased that amount and have been taking 6000IU every day.  My wife also began taking an increased amount of vitamin D.  And after watching Dr. Whittcomb’s presentation and reading the research from Japan regarding children taking vitamin D, I started giving my 2 children 2000IU/day.  The tablet we use is about the size of a Tic-Tac and is chewable, so it’s easy enough for them to take.

Regardless of the recent FDA ruling to limit yourself to only 600IU of vitamin D/day, based upon the scientific studies I had read, my belief was, and still is, that we are perfectly safe.  In fact, physicians are recommending their patients take 5000IU/day in lieu of receiving the flu shot.  Suffice to say, my personal opinion is that the FDA ruling was either a matter of being overly cautious or an attempt at protecting the pharmaceutical industry.  Perhaps both.

Here we are with January coming to a close.  To date, we have had no sickness in our household this winter.  An occasional runny nose, sure.  But no colds or flu.  An amazing feat considering my wife works in a hospital and my children attend daycare, which is a germ-bomb factory.

How Well Has It Been Working?

Now, am I saying my family’s results are typical and you should immediately go out and start taking vitamin D?  Yes and no.  It is my opinion that it can only help…there are no negative effects that I am aware of.  But I’m also not a doctor and can’t “officially” give out that type of advice.  So it’s up to you to make your own decision.  If you want to base it off my family’s experience, or the various other posts I’ve made is entirely up to you.  But before you start up on something, you may also want to consider consulting with your family physician and looking into a pharmaceutical grade supplement.

Scott Huff has been helping people obtain optimal levels of vitamins and minerals through the use of  pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements.  He is also experienced in helping people create an alternate source of income, simply by educating and helping others with their health.  For more information on this unique opportunity,  send an email with questions to:  huffster@usana.com.

Parabens And Cancer - What Is The Link?

There are now studies which link parabens to breast cancer.  So what exactly is a paraben?  In short, these are chemical compounds used in a variety of products as a preservative.  Specifically, you can find them in cosmetics and deodorant.  The Breast Cancer Fund goes into a more specific definition.

It is a simple process to determine if any products you currently use contain parabens.  But first, you'll need to take a trip to your bathroom.  Grab any shampoo, lotion, cosmetic, or deodorant you use and take a look at the ingredients.  If you see any ingredient which ends with "paraben", then you know you are using one of these products.

Some common ingredients you find may include:  methylparaben, ethylparaben, and butylparaben.  Now, while there have been studies showing a link, there has yet to be any concrete evidence of parabens causing breast cancer.  Additional research is being conducted.

In the meantime, is there anything you can do about it?  Assuming you want to err on the side of caution.  The answer is fairly simple.  You just need to look for products which are paraben free.  This can be done by paying attention to the ingredients listed on the bottle, or by purchasing paraben free products from a trusted company.

As I said, research is still being performed on parabens and they are still approved by the FDA.  But then again, how many other FDA-approved products have been taken off the shelves due to causing harm or even death?  Consumer beware.

To Your Health

Scott Huff has been helping people obtain optimal levels of vitamins and minerals through the use of  pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements.  He is also experienced in helping people create an alternate source of income, simply by educating and helping others with their health.  For more information on this unique opportunity, please watch this short video tour, or send an email with any questions to:  huffster@usana.com.

Tips To Stay Healthy This Winter

Winter can be fun. Who doesn’t enjoy building a snow fort in the backyard? However, winter is also a time when many dangers loom large. Whether from the cold temperatures, the shorter days with less sunlight, or even the large family get-togethers, your immune system is more susceptible in this season than any other.

Here are some helpful tips to make sure that you have the upper hand this year in the fight against winter.

• Wash your hands frequently during the day, not just before meals or after using the restroom. You never know when germs have made their way onto your hands and are ready to invade your system.
• Eat raw foods that are rich in antioxidants such as blueberries, apples, and pecans. You may not know it, but red, pinto, and kidney beans are also packed with immune-boosting antioxidants.
• Exercising and increasing physical activity helps your immune system stay in shape too. Regular exercise can increase your body’s ability to deal with stresses and builds up stronger immune defenses.
• Use a disinfectant spray in your workspace or areas where you or your guests may frequently visit.
• Stay hydrated by drinking water instead of coffee or soda. Sugar can weaken the ability of white blood cells to defend against bacteria for up to five hours after consumption.
• Take a pharmaceutical grade Vitamin D supplement to make up for the lack of vitamin D production from sunlight.

To Your Health

Scott Huff has been helping people obtain optimal levels of vitamins and minerals through the use of  pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements.  He is also experienced in helping people create an alternate source of income, simply by educating and helping others with their health.  For more information on this unique opportunity, please watch this short video tour, or send an email with any questions to:  huffster@usana.com.

Top 5 Supplements For Breast Cancer Prevention

As it is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I felt it appropriate to write a post detailing some of the studies out there showing how supplements may assist in breast cancer prevention, and in some cases breast cancer recurrence.  If you think about it, you have probably been told to do regular breast exams or get a mammogram to prevent breast cancer.  However, this does not PREVENT breast cancer, but rather DETECTS breast cancer.  This post will show studies which suggest certain supplements can actually reduce your risk of breast cancer, thus preventing it.

If you ever have questions regarding the use of these supplements, I always encourage you to have a discussion with your physician.  Feel free to print off the studies I reference and ask your physician to comment on them.  In no particular order, these are the Top 5 Supplements For Breast Cancer Prevention:

1. Fish Oil/Omega-3.  On July 8th, 2010, ABCNews reported on the findings of a study which looked at the effectiveness of fish oil for breast cancer prevention.  The "Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle followed 35,016 post-menopausal women who had no history of breast cancer.".  These women were followed for an average of 6 years.  It was found those who used fish oil supplements had a 32% reduced risk of developing breast cancer.  The study was published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention and was also referenced in this WebMD article.
2. Olive Oil.  The people of Greece have some of the world's lowest rates of heart disease and cancer.  And now studies are showing a direct link to their use of olive oil with regards to these decreased risks. This article from National Geographic outlines a study from 2005 which showed oleic acid (the main fatty acid in olive oil) "can cripple a cancer gene responsible for 25 to 30 percent of all breast cancers.".  Another article in WebMD reported on a study which showed olive oil reduced the risk of breast cancers having the HER2 molecules.  Another major study was begun this year and will last approximately 5 years.  You can also view my previous post on the benefits of olive oil, "How Olive Oil Benefits Your Health".
3. Grape Seed Extract.  In a previous post, "The Top 5 Best Supplements For Your Health", I touted the effects of grape seed extract as it relates to heart disease and cancer.  In fact, studies show grape seed extract actually promotes apoptosis, or self-destruction, of cancer cells (see this Oxford study).  Currently, studies are being undertaken to specifically look at the effects of breast cancer prevention in humans.  However, test tube studies have been promising.
4. Vitamin D.  Back in August and September, I had done a 3-part series on Vitamin D.  You can read part 1, part 2, and part 3 if you haven't seen them yet.  But looking just at cancer risks, the results are quite stunning.  The National Cancer Institute states, "an inverse relationship was found between sunlight exposure levels in a given geographic area and the rates of incidence and death for certain cancers in that area. Individuals living in southern latitudes were found to have lower rates of incidence and death for these cancers than those living at northern latitudes. Because sunlight/UV exposure is necessary for the production of vitamin D₃, researchers hypothesized that variation in vitamin D levels accounted for the observed relationships.".  Furthermore, Vitamin D has shown to create apopotosis in cancer cells.  They also highlighted a study which followed 1300 post-menopausal women who took calcium supplements and 1100IU of Vitamin D every day.  The women taking the supplements showed a 60% reduction in cancer rates.  Dr. Christine Northrup also recommends Vitamin D supplementation as a aid in preventing cancers of all types, including breast cancer.
5. Vitamin E.  The general consensus here is that Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.  And some cancers have been shown to be the result of free radical damage.  Antioxidants help protect against these free radicals.  When it comes to specific studies regarding Vitamin E, the jury is still out.  However, the Nurses Health Study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine 1993;328: 1444-9, studied 83,234 women for 14 years.  And they found women with a family history of breast cancer who took the highest quantity of Vitamin E showed a 43% reduction in breast cancer as opposed to women with no family breast cancer history (16% risk).

 As someone who has lost a dear friend to breast cancer, I can only hope people look into these preventative measures a little closer.  As you can tell from the studies, I am not suggesting you will never be diagnosed with breast cancer.  However, it appears as though your risks can be decreased.  Please distribute this post via your favorite social media outlet (Twitter, Facebook, etc) and email so we can get the word out.  There's a chance you could help save a life.

You can follow me on Twitter by clicking on the 'Follow Me' icon to the right.  Also, please friend me on Facebook and join our Facebook Fan Page at www.facebook.com/ahealthieryou.

To Your Health.

Scott Huff is a professional marketer of pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements.  For more information on the specific products he markets, please visit our online store.  And if you are interested in seeing how easy it is to create a residual income simply by helping yourself and other become healthier, take a free video web tour where you can learn about this unique opportunity

Vitamin E - What Is It?

For those of you who have been following this series, thank you.  And you're probably wondering, "Hey...the last one you did was Vitamin C, but now you're on Vitamin E.  What happened to Vitamin D?".  Well, I've actually done quite a bit on that already, and you can find those posts here, here, and here.  So I thought, rather than rehashing what I've already talked about, I would just provide links to those articles and move forward to Vitamin E.

The first thing you should know is there are two forms of Vitamin E available:  d-alpha tocopheryl and dl-alpha-tocopheryl.  If you are currently taking a multi-vitamin, go ahead and grab your bottle now and see what form of Vitamin E you are taking.  If you bought your vitamins off the shelf, odds are you'll see that you have the dl-alpha form.  So what does that mean?  The d-alpha is the natural form of Vitamin E; whereas, the dl-alpha form is synthetic.  There's a problem with that.  The synthetic form (dl-alpha) does NOT absorb into your body very well, about half as well.  So if it's advertised on the bottle that you're getting 50IU, you may only be absorbing 25IU.  And if you aren't absorbing the full amount, then it's really not doing as much as it could be.

Now that we have that out of the way, what exactly does Vitamin E do for you?  First of all, it is a very good antioxidant, so it is providing you those benefits.  Beyond that, supplementing with natural forms of Vitamin E have been linked to a decrease in cardiovascular disease and death.  For instance, in one study it was found that individuals consuming over 10.5IU of Vitamin E were 35% less likely to die from a heart attack when compared to individuals consuming less than that amount.

Another study looked at men who had recently undergone bypass surgery.  In this study, it was found those taking 100IU/day dramatically reduced the progression of atherosclerosis.  However, there are other studies which have shown no benefit to taking Vitamin E.  But additional studies are ongoing and these mixed-reviews may be related to how the vitamin is being administered.

Recently, a study showed that supplementing with Vitamin E can actually increase your risk of death by 6%.  However, you would need to consume over 2000IU/day.  Which is much more than the average person actually consumes.  The upper limit (UL) for individuals over 19yrs of age has been set at 1000IU/day.

So what does this mean for you?  As I stated earlier, Vitamin E does function very well as an antioxidant and it does boost the immune system.  Research also confirms that it assists the body in defending against cancer cells, causing apoptosis (self-destruction) of those cancer cells.  A process your body does naturally, this just helps the process along.  The Linus-Pauling Institute feels there is enough evidence available to recommend taking 200/day with a meal, and this amount "may help protect adults from chronic diseases, such as heart disease, stroke, neurodegenerative diseases, and some types of cancer".

As always, you should always consider speaking with your physician if you are thinking about starting a supplement plan.  I would also recommend you look into taking pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, as this is the best way to ensure you are receiving the most benefit in a safe form.  You can also view this site to see how you can actually start a home business by marketing pharmaceutical grade supplements to people just like you.

To Your Health