Vitamin D deficiency linked to serious illnesses

Vitamin D deficiency linked to serious illnesses

Courtesy of Yavapai Regional Medical Center Although Vitamin D is commonly called the "sunshine" vitamin, it is actually a steroid hormone, not an essential dietary vitamin. An essential dietary vitamin is something that an organism cannot produce on its own and must get from a dietary source. Vitamin D is found in few dietary sources, however. For most people, sunlight exposure is the primary source of vitamin D, other than supplements. Vitamin D was originally thought to play a role only in the mineralization of bones and teeth by maintaining the correct phosphorous/calcium ratio. Over time, though, research has linked low vitamin D levels with other problems, such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune disease, osteoporosis and cancer. According to a report released by the CDC in 2006, nearly a quarter of the U.S. population is deficient in vitamin D. One percent of the population has Vitamin D levels low enough to be considered imminently harmful. There are many theories as to why this is happening. One is that Americans today do not spend as much time outdoors as they did in generations past. In Arizona, our 300 days of sunshine every year provides plenty of opportunity to soak up the sun. Those who do get plenty of sun, however, tend to slather on the sunscreen for protection against skin cancer. The problem is, sunscreen inhibits UVB rays (the rays responsible for suntans) from penetrating the skin. Without those UVB rays, vitamin D cannot be naturally produced. Other factors also impact upon how much UVB rays reach the skin. Factors such as time of day, the season, the altitude, the latitude and more make a difference in the natural production of Vitamin D. Vitamin D levels can become especially depleted during the winter months when we stay inside more and the sun is not as intense. A growing amount of research links depression to Vitamin D levels but results are mixed. Research does seem to show a link between low levels of vitamin D and symptoms of depression. However, it's unclear whether low vitamin D levels cause depression, or whether depression results in low vitamin D levels. Here are a few important things to note: • The healing properties of natural sunlight cannot penetrate glass. You cannot reap the Vitamin D benefits of sunshine while sitting inside your home or car. You must go outside. • Darker-skinned individuals can require as much as 25 times more exposure time as a light skinned person to get the same amount of vitamin D. • Unless your body has sufficient levels of vitamin D, it cannot absorb calcium no matter how much calcium you take. • If you are diagnosed with a vitamin D deficiency, it will take months of adequate sunlight and/or supplements to return your body to normal levels. • Kidney disease or liver damage will hinder your body's ability to activate vitamin D when needed. Have your vitamin D level checked by a simple blood test. High quality Vitamin D supplements can be found at www.opc411.com. Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 Despite the fact that there are many vitamin D supplements to choose from, Isotonix Vitamin D with K2 proves that all supplements are not created equal. By being the first of its kind to combine vitamin D with vitamin K2 in an isotonic form, this product supports vascular health and calcium utilization. By enhancing vitamin D's role in bone health, heart health and immune support, the addition of vitamin K also helps to support normal calcium absorption and the promotion of healthy arteries. OPC411.com

Magnesium deficiency symptoms explained: Do you show any of these?

Friday, July 18, 2014 by: Aurora Geib (courtesy of NaturalNews.com)

Vitamins and minerals are essential to good health. They help build tissues and bones, transport and regulate our hormones, allow us to fight off infections and strengthen our immune systems. When we have a vitamin or mineral deficiency, it plays havoc with our bodies and our health. And the mineral magnesium is no exception.

What does magnesium do?

Every organ in your body needs magnesium. It contributes to the formation of your teeth and bones, helps activate essential enzymes, regulates blood calcium levels, aids in the production of energy and regulates other essential nutrients such as zinc, copper, potassium and vitamin D. Our hearts, kidneys and muscles all require magnesium as well.

Foods high in magnesium include nuts, whole grains and green leafy vegetables, but it is difficult to get enough magnesium from dietary sources. Even when you do get enough magnesium from your diet, many things can deplete your body of this essential mineral. These include a viral illness that causes diarrhea or vomiting, irritable bowel syndrome, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, pancreatitis and kidney disease. Stress, menstrual periods and excessive use of coffee, salt, alcohol and soda can also deplete your magnesium stores.

Magnesium deficiency symptoms explained

A magnesium deficiency can present itself with very specific symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these, a lack of magnesium may be the cause.

• Depression - A study by the George Eby Research Institute reported at Science.NaturalNews.com (1) posits that a magnesium deficiency can cause neurological dysfunction and "neuronal injury" in the brain, which can lead to depression. Studies from as early as 1921 support this conclusion. A more recent clinical trial, conducted in 2008, proved that magnesium was as effective as antidepressants in treating diabetic patients with depression, without any of the harsh side effects of drug treatments.

• Restless leg syndrome - Restless leg syndrome has only recently been recognized by the medical community, but those who suffer from it know that it has always been all too real. The condition causes a feeling of jitteriness and muscle tension in the legs, and sometimes the arms as well. The feeling is usually described as a constant, irresistible need to move the affected limb. Since the symptoms are usually worse at night, it can make sleep nearly impossible.

• Abnormal heart rhythms - Also known as palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms are often experienced as a "flip flop" sensation in the chest or a feeling of the heart skipping a beat. The frightening sensation can last for just a few seconds or for a minute or more. According to an article published by the University of Maryland Medical Center (2), women with the highest level of dietary magnesium had the lowest risk of cardiac death. Men with an increased magnesium intake had a lower incidence of coronary heart disease. Intravenous magnesium, the article continues, is used in hospitals to reduce the chances of cardiac arrhythmias and atrial fibrillation.

• Muscle spasms - Anyone who has had a Charlie Horse knows how painful muscle spasms can be. A deficiency in magnesium can cause muscles anywhere in the body to spasm when under tension -- as when reaching for something, standing or even sneezing. Ironically, the muscles can also spasm when they have been at rest. This can cause sufferers to have frightening muscle spasms in the middle of the night which can often only be relieved by standing or walking.

• Migraine headaches - An article, "Headache, Migraine - In-Depth Report," posted by The New York Times (3), cites magnesium supplementation as a non-drug treatment for migraines. Some studies, the article states, have shown a link between a magnesium deficiency and an increased risk for migraines, especially with patients who have migraines associated with their menstrual cycle. Magnesium is also known to relax blood vessels, and many headaches, according to the article, are caused by "muscle contraction and uneven blood flow." Anything that helps address these problems is likely to help with migraines.

Supplementation

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may want to consider taking a quality, high-end form of magnesium. The recommended minimum daily intake is, according to National Institutes of Health Fact Sheet (4), 400 to 420 mg for healthy men over the age of 18, 360 mg for adult women who are still menstruating, and 320 mg for post-menopausal women, although it varies with developmental stages and factors such as pregnancy and lactating. Because the balance of calcium and magnesium in your body can affect your heart, if you are being treated for heart disease, check with your doctor before taking magnesium supplements.

Recommendation

Isotonix® Magnesium

The body's fourth most abundant mineral, the role of magnesium in the body doesn't just consist of a single job; magnesium supports many functions in the body. Magnesium supplement benefits include supporting normal energy release, regulation of the body temperature, proper nerve function, adaptation to stress, healthy metabolism and much more.

However, the average adult doesn't typically get enough of this important nutrient. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that most U.S. adults don't get enough of this important nutrient on a daily basis, and low magnesium in women is of particular concern, as magnesium intake was lower among women in this study.

For less than a dollar a day, Isotonix Magnesium provides 100% of the recommended daily value of magnesium, an amount most other products can't match. This is important because Isotonix Magnesium can help you avoid magnesium deficiency.

Isotonix Magnesium combines a formula blending two different types of magnesium. Plus, with the revolutionary Isotonix Delivery System, you're giving your body the magnesium supplement benefits it needs rapidly and effectively. Isotonix Magnesium helps maintain normal blood pressure and supports bone health and sleep quality, while promoting head comfort and optimal muscle health.

Isotonix® Magnesium