Get Your Sunshine Fix

As we cycle through diet and exercise topics over these next few weeks, we'll
of course include information on nutritional supplements as part of our diet
discussion.

One thing I want to let you know about: There's been some good news lately
about the benefits of Vitamin D for lung health and better breathing.

I don't always report on the first study or finding that comes out on something.
Frequently, a second or third study comes out that refutes or minimizes what
the first one promoted. So I tend not to get too excited until I learn more.

In this case, there have been two recent scientific studies on the effects of
Vitamin D on lung health. And the findings are very encouraging.

Researchers from Kings College found that Vitamin D can substantially improve
the responsiveness of asthma patients to steroid therapy.

Some people with asthma, a chronic lung condition, become steroid resistant.
This can severely limit their medical treatment options.

After some promising lab findings, the researchers did a small pilot in which
people with steroid-resistant asthma took Vitamin D3 supplements on a daily
basis. After 7 days, lab tests indicated that previously steroid-resistant cells
in their immune systems were now responsive to steroids.

The researchers also think that Vitamin D3 can help improve responsiveness
to steroids, even in people who are not resistant. This could mean a decrease
in the dosages required to control asthma.

In a separate study done at the University of Auckland in New Zealand, researchers
looking into the effects of Vitamin D on lung function found that patients with
higher concentrations of Vitamin D had significantly better lung function, compared
with patients who had lower concentrations of Vitamin D.

(By the way, I am giving a very high level synopsis here. Reading detailed
research findings is about as exciting as watching paint dry.)

How can you use this information? Well, as always, I have to say "check with
your physician". However, it's easy to get more Vitamin D into your diet.

Vitamin D can be found in the following foods: eggs, butter, cream, halibut,
herring, mackerel, salmon, sardines and shrimp.

Dairy products in most countries are fortified with Vitamin D, making this a great
source if you don't have allergies or sensitivities to dairy.

A wonderful source of Vitamin D is cod liver oil. This used to be administered in the
"old days" to help prevent rickets and tooth problems. Cod liver oil is also a great
source of Vitamin A, which is very beneficial to lung function.

Vitamin D supplements are pretty inexpensive. The recommended daily amount is
400 to 1,000 IU. Amounts over 2,000 IU are considered to be potentially dangerous.

Perhaps the best source is getting out in the sun for 15 minutes or so each day.
Your body synthesizes Vitamin D when exposed to sunshine. Getting out in
the light on a frequent basis is good for you for other reasons too, including
elevated mood and energy levels, and better stress management.

So take a look at your diet. If you don't think you're getting enough Vitamin D,
and you're not able to get out in the sun on a regular basis, you may want
to supplement.

It's one more thing you can do to help your lungs and promote healthy breathing.

You Can Do It!

Best,
Karen Van Ness

P.S. Another important thing to help promote healthy breathing and all the
benefits it provides, is to learn how to breathe correctly. In the Secret Power
of Dynamic Energy Exercise Course, Volume 1, you learn how to breathe
with the Complete Breath, as well as seven other breathing exercises that
will have you feeling relaxed and energized at the same time. Get your copy
by clicking here.

Copyright, KVN Enterprises, Inc.

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Consult a physician before starting this or any exercise or nutrition program, especially if you are pregnant, nursing or have a preexisting medical condition.