Sometimes we get lucky: even in the deep of winter we often have brilliant sunny days. These bright days can make us feel better, but even a sunny winter day won’t help us catch up with our vitamin D needs.

It is estimated that over half the US population is deficient in vitamin D. The more we learn about it, the more we realize how important vitamin D is, and that we get less of it than we think. We call it a vitamin but it is actually a hormone. Vitamins and minerals are found in the foods we eat; our primary source of vitamin D is the sun. Only a few foods have it naturally, and even then in small amounts. Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

In our diet and weight conscious culture, carbohydrates are often considered the biggest culprit and even a curse against losing excess weight-thus the plethora of no carb or low carb diets.

Here’s a very simplified description of what happens when you eat carbohydrates: Our pancreas secretes the hormone insulin which controls blood sugar. During digestion, carbs are broken down to the simplest sugar-glucose. How much glucose stays in the blood and how much goes into the cells is regulated by insulin. Our blood sugar levels can shift erratically when insulin levels are too high or too low. Diabetes is the consequence of high blood sugar levels (hyperglycemia). Headaches, spaciness, shakiness, muscle weakness and mental confusion are some of the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It

A lot of people think that meat is the only real source of protein. Therefore, these same people think that a vegetarian diet is unhealthy. This is far from true. If it were, why are vegetarians so healthy? Why do they have lower blood pressure and cholesterol? They look better, feel better, and in a lot of cases live longer! There are many vegetarian sources of protein.

The recommended daily allowance of protein is not as high as some people think. It varies, depending on certain factors, but on average it is 50 grams for females and 63 for males. Most of us consume almost twice that amount. And then there are some elderly and vegans who do not get enough. Read the rest of this entry »

Bookmark It