Healthy Food For Your Table: The Pomegrante

Read about a healthy superfood, abundant in stores at Christmas time, at the New Spirit Journal.
Click here for the conclusion.

Pain medications and your health

What do you do if you feel like you have a flu or cold coming on, or a fever, and you are reaching for the Tylenol? If you knew what Tylenol did to your liver, would you still take it? Tylenol, also called acetaminophen (and paracetamol overseas), has been associated with acute liver failure. Why not take a herbal or natural anti-inflammatory? For more info and a few recommendation, check out this article.

Vitamin D and the flu

Colds and flus are most common during the winter months, which are right around the corner (or, in some areas, already here). The lack of sunlight may be a factor in this. Sunlight stimulates vitamin D synthesis in our skin, and the vitamin D then stimulates antimicrobial peptides. These compounds have antibiotic-like properties, and can directly and rapidly destroy the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, and viruses, including the influenza virus; playing a key role in keeping the lungs free of infection. So if you have some free time to go outside when the sun is shining - go for it! Vitamin D is great for a whole host of other things. To learn more about vitamin D and the great research that is being done, visit the Vitamin D Council.

Vitamin D: the All Season Vitamin

Vitamin D is a fat soluble steroid compound that is classified both to as a vitamin, and as a hormone. In all actuality it is both, but the metabolism of the compound is unique in that it goes through enzymatic activity in several organs before become completely activated. The most recognized action of vitamin D is one of calcium and phosphate homeostasis. It allows more calcium to be absorbed from dietary sources and helps build bone structure. But the actions of vitamin D are not just relegated to bones, as growing body of research that has linked vitamin D to a number of conditions.

Who is at Risk for Vitamin D Deficiency?

Vitamin D is produced in the skin, enzymatically activated in other organs and affects the main target tissues of intestines and bone. UVB radiation is need for this activity. While sunlight and clean fresh air are paramount to human health and cannot be replaced, sunlight has associations with many dangerous conditions including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma. The use of sunscreen has been promoted to reduce these conditions. Sunscreen dramatically reduces the levels of vitamin D; a sun protection factor of 8 reduces cutaneous production of vitamin by 97.5%. Regions where sun cancer rates are higher have more emphasis on the use of sunscreens, and therefore less endogenous vitamin D production.

Others who may be at risk for reduced endogenous vitamin D production are the elderly. Not only are they less active and less like to get adequate UVB radiation, the skin tissues change- so that there is a four fold reduction in vitamin D in a 70-year-old as opposed to a 20-year-old adult. People of colour also have reduced levels, as well as people who cover their skin for religious or cultural reasons. If all of these people are taken into account the use of vitamin D as a therapeutic vitamin should be supported by medical professionals.

Doses of Vitamin D: How Much?

The dose of vitamin D is varied. Prior to 1997 it was decided that 400 IU or 10 micrograms (ng) was the recommended dose based on the vitamin D content in the dose of cod liver oil (5 ml or 1 teaspoon) that was needed to prevent rickets, which had long been consider safe and effective. There are several reasons this is inadequate.

One of the first reasons to mention is that many fear using vitamin D in higher therapeutic doses as they think it to be toxic. However, if we examine the mechanism by which vitamin D is produced via UVB light in the body, in a light skinned person blood concentrations are elevated to a level equal to 10,000-25, 000 IUs within 20 minutes. Many people work every day in the sun do not have problems with vitamin D toxicity, even though they may be exposed to this kind of dose. Modern day humans cover all except 5% of our skin and very little of our time is spent in unshielded light. Our bodies have evolved to handle much more vitamin D than 400 IUs. Most researchers are suggesting that many people are actually vitamin D deficient, even while receiving the 400IU recommended dose. Therapeutic doses of vitamin D can range between 1,000 and 5,000 IU. Based on current research those doses are much more adequate to prevent and treat disease.

Clinical Indications of Vitamin D

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, especially hypertension, are similar to vitamin D deficiency: a dark skin colour, place of residence far from the equator, lower altitude, and exposure to pollution via an urban residence (excluding dietary risk factors). Countries around the Mediterranean region where the population is considered to have good heart health also have increased exposure to sunlight. It has been suggested that vitamin D is can lower blood pressure, for many the first sign of heart disease, by negative regulation of the rennin-angiotension system.

Also emerging is an association of low vitamin D and diabetes. Infants and children who were given supplemental vitamin D or cod liver oil have shown to have a decreased risk of type 1 diabetes. Low vitamin D status is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes, and may have an effect on both insulin sensitivity and beta cell function. It may be beneficial in the treatment not only of diabetes type 2 but of metabolic syndrome as well.

Neurological diseases are also impacted by vitamin D. One of the most common neurological conditions, multiple sclerosis, is associated with latitude and exposure to sunlight during the years of childhood and adolescent development. Researchers have found that most patients with MS have low levels of vitamin D. Other neurological conditions where vitamin D status may be involved is epilepsy, depression and schizophrenia.

It has been studied as a treatment for prostate, breast, ovarian and colon cancer. Vitamin D has been shown to be potent in inhibiting cancer cell growth through stabilization of tumour suppressor genes. It has also been speculated as a preventative measure in breast and prostate cancer.

There are some people who may have problems with higher doses of vitamin D: people with sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, Crohn’s disease and some endocrine disorders. These people may have what is called “vitamin D hypersensitivity syndrome” and increased levels of calcium, which is the only mechanism for toxicity of the vitamin. However, supplementation is warranted for a number of other people and conditions; and its use has wide ranging implications.

Did you know the Blackberry has health benefits?

Not only do blackberries grow abundantly in the Pacific Northwest and taste good, the berries are great for your health!

• The berries contain high amounts of vitamin C, tannins similar to green tea, and flavonoid antioxidants called anthocyanins, which give the berries their color

• These constituents have been shown to have anti-cancer, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties.

• The Anthocyanins are great for connective tissue, for example, to prevent varicose veins and are helpful in treating diabetic conditions

• Blackberries have 1.15 gram of anthocyanins per one kilogram of berries (as high or higher than blueberries or a glass of red wine)

• Historically the root and leaves have been used to treat diarrhea and sore throats

• The ancient Greeks used blackberry extract as a remedy for gout.

The Colors of Nature

When we think about autumn, we think about the way the leave turn color and fall slowly to the ground, and then we can take walks in the woods and hear the crunch, crunch of the leaves as we step on them. Those leaves are showing the true colors of the carotenoids and flavonoids such as anthocyanidins. Anthocyanidins are responsible for the reddish and magenta colors we can see in autumn leaves, and the reddish colors in vegetables (beets)and berries (cranberries, blueberries, blackberries). Anthocyanidins are being hailed as incredible antioxidants, and since they are found in many types of yummy foods, can be added to the diet very easily. With Thanksgiving coming up, don't forget to add some homemade cranberry sauce to your plate!

Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine Day (AOM day)

Observed nationally and in other parts of the world every October 24^th since the early 2002, AOM Day is a time to learn and experience acupuncture and other forms of Oriental medicine. Many people, approximately 60% of us in fact, are unsatisfied with conventional Western medicine and are seeking alternatives. And what a great medicine to learn about - Acupuncture has been around for a millennia!

If you would like to experience acupuncture and are in the Kirkland, Washington area, please contact me for a discounted session (you can also contact the Marina Park Health Clinic) Anybody who mentions this website by name when making an appointment until November 7^th, 2007 is eligible. And while many people are fearful of the acupuncture needles, the needles are as small as a human hair and virtually painless.