Dr Oz on D

Vitamin D, Vitamin D, Vitamin D

A couple of years ago, I first learned the importance of vitamin D. The sunshine vitamin.

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that promotes absorption of calcium and phosphorus

Very few foods in nature contain vitamin D. The flesh of fish (such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel) and fish liver oils are among the best sources. Exposure to the sun at least 15-60 min depending on your skin tone is the most natural way to absorb vitamin D. Come to find there are a lot of people that are low in D and come to find out I was one of those people. I asked my doctor to test me and he did without question.  My level was 25 ng/ml. It should be between 32-100ng.ml. With supplementation my last reading was 39ngml. I'm sure any doctor would say that I was within the normal  guidelines. I want mine to be optimal, so I'm striving for at least 50 ng/ml or a bit higher.

According to  health and wellness expert, Dr Christine Northrup, a study conducted by Cedric Garland and other prominent vitamin D researchers determined that women with vitamin D levels above 52 ng/ml have half the risk of developing breast cancer as those with 13 ng/ml! Someone I love dearly had thyroid cancer and her vitamin d level was 12ng/ml. That was a convincing correlation for me to take this thing seriously. Increasing Vitamin D to optimum levels can:

• Improve bone health and prevention of osteoporosis, osteomalacia, and rickets.
• Reduce risk of heart disease, stroke, and breast, colon, and other cancers.
• Alleviate skin disorders.
• Decrease risk of autoimmune disorders, including multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Enhance mental health and lessening symptoms of seasonal affective disorder, premenstrual syndrome, and depression.

There is speculation that more cancers, autoimmune disorders etc are on the rise because of the new standards set for staying out of the sun. I'm not going to make myself an expert on how much you should take. I'll leave that to you and/or your doctor. As part of your self care, you want to make it your business to know your D levels. You will want to get vitamin d3 (cholecalciferol). I'm not going to tell you how much I take only because I don't want any flack. I will tell you that I order it from Vitacost . Do your research. I hope you look at the video above this post from one of America's favorite doctors, Dr Oz on the subject.

My Warrior Tee is In !!

As promised here is a picture of me wearing the Ford Cares Warrior in Pink Tee Shirt. I purchased a medium and although I am a medium, it's actually slightly big. I like the stretch but for those who like a tighter fitting tee shirt, you'd want to go down a size smaller than what you are. The signature pink Warrior heads are featured over a pattern of hearts across the chest, while the Symbol of the Heart is highlighted on the right arm. Made of supersoft raisin-colored jersey with the worn in texture of Burn-out material.

Sleeve copy reads: "Heart. Represents those who stand strong with loved ones who battle the disease."

With shipping and handling I paid $27.95 .$11.73 each goes to Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. They also sent me a nice bookmark, which I think I'll have laminated.

Olivia Newton John Her New CD and LIV

Grammy and Emmy award winner, Olivia Newton John has been a breast cancer "thriver" for 18 years. She credits conventional medicine and herbs, meditation and other holistic therapies for her health. Her mission is to bring awareness to breast cancer and breast health. Her website shares information about her product that helps women with their at home self breast exams. It's a device called the  LIV (be sure to click on the video link at the bottom of the page on the right to see how to use it).  She also has a new cd, Grace and Gratitude Renewed. The lyrics acknowledge a variety of belief systems including, Tibetan chants, prayers from Judaism and Islam, and a poem from St. Francis of Assisi. I'm going to buy this cd today! From what I've heard so far it's absolutely beautiful. I so appreciate the soothing, spiritual nature of the music all sung from the heart.

Warriors In Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month!

For several years I've said I was getting one of these great tee shirts and let October go by and never do it. I'm going to buy one and take a picture of me wearing it, stay tuned.
Ford Motor Company is committed to the cause of breast cancer awareness 365 days a year. They offer information and support with a program called Warriors in Pink. Their tee shirts offer tribal symbols, thus supporting the warrior in every one of us.
The apparel isn't just PINK, thank goodness. There is something for everyone in the family as well as such as accessories keyring's, bandana's, caps, scarves, totes. The Warrior decal for the car is looking a bit inviting too.
Courage, hope, love, commitment. Warriors in Pink symbols represent the greatest strengths of Warriors in the fight against breast cancer. Again in 2010, Warriors in Pink wear and gear display the symbols of the Warrior in the year’s most fashion-forward colors and styles. 100% of the net proceeds go to Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which means that you become a Warrior every time you buy.

This fight is definitely 365 days a year. Let's support the groups that support the cause. Do you have a group that you support? Let me know in the comments.