The Vitamin Deficiency and Nutrient Epidemic; Morning Sunlight; Herb Butter
Health Tip:
Getting morning sunlight is super healing for your body. It can help boost your mood by balancing hormones. In addition to helping the hormones that help you feel better and more energized during the day, it also balances melatonin so you sleep better at night! Best is 5 to 30 minutes in the morning after waking. Another option is a sunlamp for just a few minutes. Dr. Smith has used a sunlamp since January and feels like it is helping. An added possible bonus: it may have helped reverse her dry eyes!
Monthly Article:
Below is a portion of a very good article by Dr. Daniel Pompa.
The Vitamin Deficiency and Nutrient Epidemic
Jul 25, 2014 | Posted by Dr. Daniel Pompa, D.C., D.PSc.
The Vitamin Deficiency Epidemic: In a perfect world, the air would be clean, our oceans and water supplies free of pollution, and everyone would get their vitamins and minerals from a well-balanced organic diet and plenty of sunshine. Considering the following wide-spread vitamin deficiencies, however, this is not the case. Most Americans are deficient in the very vitamins and minerals essential for basic body function. But vitamin deficiencies are not at the root of modern disease: the source is toxin-driven inflammation. To truly impact health, underlying inflammation must be decreased. Vitamins and minerals play a key role in this process. High-quality supplements provide nutrients missing from the diet which activate and support the body’s God-given ability to heal….
Vitamin D
Three quarters of the American population is deficient in vitamin D. This essential vitamin plays a significant role in many body functions including bone formation, calcium absorption, cell growth, neuromuscular and immune function, and decreasing inflammation. Low vitamin D levels are linked to an increased risk of major diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, cancer and neurodegenerative conditions. A low vitamin D level also predisposes you to various autoimmune disorders such as Multiple Sclerosis and Type 1 diabetes.
Vitamin D is proof that God knew what he was doing: the darker your skin, the more sun exposure is needed to raise your vitamin D levels. In the past, people with dark skin lived near the sunny equator, and could be out in the sun all day long. The problem today is that many darker-skinned people live in cloudy regions with little sun, so they easily become deficient. An increased risk of deficiency in turn leads to an increased risk of other diseases associated with a low vitamin D level.
In the past, doctors warned individuals to not supplement with vitamin D, stating it could cause cancer, hip fractures, or be easily overdosed and built-up in the body because it is fat soluble. Fat soluble vitamins do stay in the body longer than water soluble vitamins, which flush out of your system and are hard to take in excess. God designed fat soluble vitamins to remain in the body longer because we need them so much. The problem is that fat soluble vitamins (others include K, A, and E) all compete for the same cell receptors. When one vitamin is blocked by another competing vitamin, a functional deficiency occurs. This is why taking a fat soluble vitamin supplement that only contains vitamin D, for example, puts you at risk for deficiency of other fat soluble vitamins.
What is the best way to maintain adequate vitamin D levels? Get in the sun! If we’re not getting enough sunlight, our body is not producing enough vitamin D. And unless you’re eating a diet full of fatty fish and grass-fed dairy products, you’re not getting enough vitamin D from your diet, so time spent in the sun is crucial. Do not stay inside all day and coat yourself in toxic sunscreen before you walk out of the door. Many people today are deficient in vitamin D because they are constantly slathering on sunscreen, fearful of media warnings that the sun causes skin cancer. Have you noticed that the more sunscreen we use the more skin cancer we observe? I believe the sun can actually prevent skin cancer and other diseases. Don’t be fooled: we absolutely need sunlight to be healthy. Shea butter and coconut oil contain SPF and are good natural alternatives to toxic sunscreen, and wearing hats and protective clothing is important as well.
If you can’t get enough sunlight, consider taking a high-quality vitamin D supplement. An effective supplement is balanced with other fat soluble vitamins. If you are taking a vitamin D supplement that does not contain vitamins A, K2, and E you will eventually create a functional deficiency. Do not waste money on a supplement that does not contain other fat soluble vitamins at the proper ratios for absorption. I take a vitamin D supplement made by Systemic Formulas, which can be taken in pill or liquid form (for those with absorption issues). The average person can take 5,000 to 6,000 units daily, but those who are severely deficient may need more. Periodically, I recommend taking a high dose once or twice a week, up to 100,000 units, but dosage is at your health practitioner’s discretion.
Recipe of the Month:
Herb Butter
1/8th cup parsley sprigs
1 tablespoon fresh tarragon leaves
1 teaspoon thyme leaves
1 cup (½ pound) butter, softened
Place herbs in a strainer and plunge into boiling water for a few seconds. Rinse under cold water and pat or squeeze very dry. Place in food processor and pulse several times. Add butter and pulse until well blended. Chill in a crock or in individual molds. —Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
Note from Dr. Smith: Don’t like the herbs used in the recipe above? Find your favorite herbs and use them instead!
Upcoming Activities and Announcements:
Roots to Health talk: Please sign up at the front desk. Bring a friend and write a question! This is a casual time to learn about the real Roots to Health!
-Tuesday April 14 at 6:15 pm
-Tuesday May 12 at 6:15 pm
-Saturday May 16 at 10 am
Are you happy with your care and progress? Please tell others! We love getting online reviews to spread the word. Not happy? Please tell us so we can fix it!