The present study, conducted by a panel of researchers from the Telethon Institute for Child Health Research in Subiaco and University of Western Australia’s Centre for Child Health Research, was aimed at finding the link between lack of Vitamin D and lungs.

“The results of this study clearly demonstrate that vitamin D deficiency alters lung growth, resulting in lower lung volume and decrements in lung function,” said Graeme Zosky, a research fellow at the Telethon Institute and the lead investigator.

“This is the first direct mechanistic evidence showing that vitamin D deficiency alters lung development, which may explain the association between obstructive lung disease and levels of vitamin D, he informed.

The researchers said that previously conducted studies have established that Vitamin D deficiency can cause the lungs to stop working effectively and may even prove fatal in the long run.

Study details
For the present research, a mouse model was used by the researchers and this model of a 2-week-old mice was monitored for the effects of deficiency of the vital vitamin.

The scientists examined the volume and function of the lung with an instrument that measures the air flow resistance in the lungs called plethysmograph. The tissue samples of the lung were also analyzed by the researchers.

On analysis, the study authors observed that the resistance to air flow was relatively higher and the volume of the lung was found to be lower, in the mice.

“Due to the nature of this study, we were not able to determine whether the differences in lung size and function we observed in the deficient offspring were the result of their own deficient status or as a consequence of developmental deficits that occurred in utero due to the mother’s deficiency,” Dr. Zosky said.

“For the first time, we have demonstrated a direct role for vitamin D in causing decreased lung function in the absence of known confounders such as physical inactivity, confirming the assertion by epidemiological studies that there is a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and lung function,” he added.

Significant study
The study has been hailed as an important finding in understanding the importance of vitamin D in different communities throughout the globe.

The results also raise concerns about the potential this deficiency may have on lung health, and in particular, the potential impact deficiency may have on the susceptibility to obstructive lung disease, the lead author said.

The research has been detailed in the American Thoracic Society’s ‘American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.’

It’s hard to catch an illness if you don’t know to watch out for the symptoms. Omega 3 deficiency often goes unnoticed until diseases develop. The problem is that most people are not aware of omega 3 and the essential functions that it performs in the body – so they don’t know to watch out for the deficiency symptoms.

The first symptoms of omega 3 deficiency are excessive thirst, dry skin, dry hair and frequent urination. Although these can be symptoms of many other illnesses, it is important to take a good look at your diet. You should make sure that what you are eating includes all the vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids you need to live.

Another immediate symptom of omega 3 deficiency is called keratosis pilaris. This condition makes the skin on your upper arms and legs have a perpetual state of goosebumps. This is caused by dead skin cells (sometimes caused by the dry skin due to omega 3 deficiency) clogging up your hair follicles and becoming keratinized.

Although not serious, this illness can be prevented by getting enough omega 3, and is a precursor to more serious problems.

If you are experiencing omega 3 deficiency and do not work to solve the problem, you may end up with some of these problems:

Depression, bipolar disorder and other mood problems. Omega 3 has been shown to be a large part of what makes up the brain. Without replenishing your body’s supply of omega 3 fatty acids, your brain will stop functioning as well as it does ordinarily. Many people have found that doses of omega 3 supplements have had a beneficial effect on their depression.

Other symptoms can include heart disease and obesity – in most cases, if your diet is deficient in omega 3, that just means that you are eating far too much of the wrong kind of fat.

Therefore, while you’re designing your new diet plan, make sure you include enough omega 3 fatty acids.

Although the symptoms are not always obvious, you should make sure that you do not suffer from an omega 3 deficiency. Without this essential fatty acid, your body will not function properly, and it leaves you open to life-threatening illnesses like heart disease, cancer, and obesity.

Introduction

Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that exists in various forms and is essential for development bone growth and density, strong teeth, and for functioning of the nervous system. Not as well known it is essential for heart functioning.

Vitamin D is usually obtained from sunlight, but there are some food stuffs that contain the vitamin. Fish and fortified milk come to mind. It is one of the primary regulators of calcium absorption, which is also important for proper bone health and development. Also best known as a treatment for the disease associated with the deficiency is rickets.

This vitamin is formed in the skin of animals and humans by the action of short-wave ultraviolet light, the so-called fast-tanning sun rays. It is not highly prevalent in foods.

Calcium

A chief characteristic is the key to calcium absorption and is a fat-soluble vitamin and necessary for the proper absorption of calcium and the bone development.

It is one of the only vitamins produced naturally by the body; clearly the ‘it’ nutrient of the moment.. The reason it is essential for bone health is because it helps:increase the absorption of calcium and phosphorous from the stomach and regulates the amount of calcium in the blood to strengthen the skeleton.

Vitamin D is a generic term and indicates a molecule of the general structure shown for rings A, B, C, and D with differing side chain structures. Actually it is not a vitamin but a hormone. Vitamin D is thus not a true vitamin, because individuals with adequate exposure to sunlight do not require dietary supplementation.

Disease

As stated earlier Vitamin D prevents rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults which are skeletal diseases that result in defects that weaken bones.

Prior to the fortification of milk products in the 1930s, rickets (a bone disease seen in children) was a major public health problem in the US. They are classic deficiency diseases.

Osteoporosis is a disease characterized by fragile bones. Vitamin D and Alzheimer’s disease are associated. For example adults with Alzheimer’s disease have increased risk of hip fractures and Alzheimer’s disease is more prevalent in older populations. The fact that the ability of kin to convert vitamin D to its active form decreases as we age also may contribute to increased risk of hip fractures in this group.

Sunlight

Sunlight can prevent as well as cause cancer. Sunlight is important to skin production of vitamin D, and environmental conditions where sunlight exposure is limited may reduce this source of vitamin D. Sunlight stimulates skin to manufacture the vitamin. Ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight trigger vitamin D synthesis in the skin. For example, in Boston the average amount of sunlight is insufficient to produce significant vitamin D synthesis in the skin from November through February.

Homebound individuals, people living in northern latitudes such as in New England and Alaska, women who cover their body for religious reasons, and individuals working in occupations that prevent exposure to sunlight are at risk of a vitamin D deficiency.

Exposure

Season, latitude, time of day, cloud cover, smog, and sunscreens affect UV ray exposure. Sunscreens with a sun protection factor of 8 or greater will block UV rays that produce vitamin D, but it is still important to routinely use sunscreen whenever sun exposure is longer than 10 to 15 minutes.

A deficiency of vitamin D can occur when dietary intake of vitamin D is inadequate, when there is limited exposure to sunlight, when the kidney cannot convert vitamin D to its active form, or when someone cannot adequately absorb vitamin D from the gastrointestinal tract.

The natural health researchers at Institute for Vibrant Living (IVL) have investigated the natural remedies available for vitamin shortages in the diet. Here is their report:

 

If you are eating a reasonably healthy diet and are even moderately exercising, you may simply assume that you are getting all of the vitamins and nutrients you need in order to stay healthy. 

 

However, people are increasingly experiencing vitamin deficiencies that may be either mis-diagnosed or are mistakenly assumed to be a normal part of life or aging. In many cases, these people aren’t aware they have a vitamin deficiency. 

 

And ironically, you may not immediately realize that you have a particular vitamin deficiency - until it’s too late to reverse a particular condition. 

 

If your body is lacking in essential vitamins like Vitamin D, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, or B, your health can quickly deteriorate with no apparent explanation.

 

In order for your body to function optimally, your body must be exposed to ample amounts of every key vitamin. (If you find that you get sick like clockwork every winter, this may be due to a lack of vitamins.) 

 

Science now knows that every vitamin serves its own uniquely vital purpose within the human body. 

 

 

Look For Changes in the Body

For example, is your skin dry and cracking when previously fine?  Do you suddenly have dandruff? Do your nails and hair break easily when before they were strong? Are you losing hair at a faster rate?

 

All of these seemingly common conditions may in fact, indicate vitamin deficiencies.

 

Here are some things to look for:

 

Lack of Vitamin A - can cause dry hair, and acne.  People also commonly have eye problems, like dry eye and night blindness, when they have deficiencies in Vitamin A.

 

B12 deficiency – you might think that you are just depressed or tired.  However, mood-related issues could also be caused by lack of B vitamins in the body.

 

Lack of Vitamin C – may cause impaired wound healing, loose teeth and/or bleeding gums.

 

Lack of Vitamin D - deficiency in Vitamin D is also a serious issue that is increasingly of concern to scientists and doctors.  Research has linked lack of Vitamin D to a variety of serious illnesses including cancer, cardiovascular disease and immune disorders.  If you have a vitamin deficiency in D, there are measures you can take such as drinking fortified milk that is rich in Vitamin D.  Also exposure to sunlight will help to maintain your body’s natural production of the vitamin.

 

 

Free Radical Facts

One of the key benefits of getting enough vitamins in your diet is that they prevent free radical damage.

That’s because:

 

Your body is exposed to free radicals on a daily basis as you go about life. 

 

It is hard to escape inhaling pollution and being exposed to toxins such as cigarette and car exhaust smoke. 

 

In today’s world, even if you are diligent about avoiding toxins, inevitably some will still come your way. 

 

Stress also produces free radicals that need to be counteracted by antioxidants. 

 

The good news is that vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin E can counteract free radical damage. 

 

 

Getting Enough Essential Vitamins

One way to make sure that you are getting ample vitamins is to take a quality vitamin complex supplement:

 

It is best if the vitamin you choose is derived from natural, whole food sources. 

 

Make sure that your diet contains ample fruits and vegetables.  Choose organic produce whenever possible. 

 

Remember to pay close attention to any symptoms that you may be having of vitamin deficiency. (Changes in your body appearance or behavior, for openers)

 

Through being proactive, you can take the necessary measures to fight any vitamin deficiency before it becomes a serious issue for yourself or your family.

 

Note- A quality liquid vitamin is now available from the Institute for Vibrant Living (IVLProducts.com), it’s called Liquid Vitamin 528. It’s very unique, as it utilizes bio-photon restructured water to deliver the liquid nutrients directly to the body’s cells. It’s a remarkable advance in natural vitamin formulas, definitely worth looking into. Simply visit IVLProducts.com and use search term: Liquid Vitamin528

 

Vitamins are organic substances the body needs to maintain and promote good health.  They are used for growth, digestion and nerve function.  Vitamins are either fat soluble or water soluble.  The fat soluble vitamins, (A, D, E, & K) can be stored in the body until needed, so it is important not to take too much of them, as it is harder to get rid of any excess.  The water soluble vitamins (C and the B’s) are eliminated from the body through the kidneys, so any excess is flushed out rather quickly.

The benefits of vitamins are numerous.  They prevent nutritional deficiencies causing many diseases, including scurvy and rickets.  They help maintain the health of our bones and teeth.  They protect us against heart disease and many types of cancer. Also, resent research is indicating that they may also help prevent Alzheimer’s disease.  Some vitamins or combinations of certain vitamins and other supplements are even believed to aid in weight loss!

Vitamins and other supplements are very common “health band-aids” in today’s hectic world.

We are often too occupied with our busy daily activities to eat the way we should.  Many take the easy way out and run through the drive-by window at the nearest fast food establishment!  So we take vitamin supplements to help us get the nutrients our body needs, and is probably not receiving from our food. Even those eating a “balanced” diet, are not getting the vitamins they need due to soil depletion and processed foods.

The amount and type of vitamin supplementation that is best for you as an individual depends on your age, physical condition, daily diet and your general overall health. Your doctor, dietician, or nutritionist can recommend which vitamins you may need.  They should take a thorough health history, and some blood work to determine which supplements you may be lacking.

Many vitamins contain anti-oxidants which prevent oxidation and help rid the body of harmful impurities. Oxidation can produce free radicals.  These free radicals start chain reactions in the body that can cause cellular damage. You can think of oxidation as sort of a “rusting” process. Anti-oxidants can help slow down or prevent the rust!  Most people report having more energy, sleeping better and just feeling better overall when they take the right vitamins. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are both known to be great antioxidants. Many antioxidants are readily available in nuts, fruits and vegetables.

The combination of the antioxidants Resveratrol, Quercetin, and IsoFlavones have been a boost to weight loss for many dieters. The Antioxidant Cocktail combination reportedly shrinks your fat cells, causing your hunger to diminish. It also sends the signal to your brain to stop eating because you’ve had enough to eat.

It is important to take good vitamins.  There can be a huge difference in the amount and quality of ingredients your body absorbs and assimilates, and that is what is important. Generally, you will find higher quality vitamin products in health food stores, from a good online vendor, or from a physician’s office, as opposed to the local grocery store or the large chain stores. And, in most situations, a capsule, or a powdered or liquid preparation will be absorbed faster and better than a hard tablet.  Another thing to watch for, is artificial colors, fillers, and other additives that only diminish the quality of the vitamin.

Vitamins are very important to help keep your body in balance. Deficiencies of some vitamins can cause severe illnesses.  Excessive amounts of other vitamins can also cause problems.  It is important to do your own research, and work with a knowledgeable health advisor.

It is also important to watch the quality and quantity of the food in your diet, and include exercise in your daily routine. Your basic diet will always be the main source of the nutrients your body needs. The many benefits of vitamins are well known.  At the very least, a good multi-vitamin is something you should seriously consider. Maintaining adequate vitamin levels can correct or prevent nutritional deficiencies, but it can not totally compensate for a very unhealthy lifestyle.

 

When people think about spending time out in the sun, when they consider spending a day out at the park or on the beach, they often think that they are treating themselves to a fun experience and little more. Increasingly however studies are showing that time spent in the sun can prove vital to your health, from the generation of vitamin D to the regulation and prevention of heart disease, depression, and death. In today’s article we’re going to take a look at some of these most recent studies and their findings and see how they can apply to your lifestyle, health, and outlook.

Vitamin D is a secosteroid that is generated by our skin when stimulated by ultra-violet light. We need about ten to fifteen minutes of sunlight to generate enough for our daily dosage, which is then sent into our blood stream and processed by our livers and kidneys into a calcium and phosphate regulating hormone.

Famously this has been linked to bone health, but recently vitamin D has also been linked to the genes that regulate cell activity and death.

Recent studies in this direction have discovered startling corollaries between how much vitamin D people have, their cardiovascular health and mental state. A study that examined people aged fifty and older found that those with less than optimal levels of the vitamin were at risk of heart disease and stroke, and more likely to die earlier than those with adequate amounts of the vitamin. In the test group of those tested, those with low levels of vitamin D were 32% more likely to be depressed, and 77% more likely to die, 45% more likely to develop heart disease, and 78% more likely to have a stroke during the one year study, as well as twice the probability of developing heart disease.

This comes as no surprise as the connection between cardiovascular health and vitamin D levels has been amply demonstrated by this point.

The vitamin also regulates blood pressure, and is important for heart health. It has a direct effect on the brain, which contains receptors for it, which is where the depression may come into play. Further, a lack of vitamin D can lead to a host of problems, such as osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s, schizophrenia, and diabetes.

Since it’s so easy to get about ten to fifteen minutes of sunlight, we should all make a greater effort given these findings.

 

Viewing Television or studying a magazine, you can’t fail to have noticed all the hair loss prevention items which are obtainable. Each with the producers make the declare that their product will be the very best for preventing hair loss or treating it. But with all the advertising blurb, they could make it difficult to separate the claims from your reality.

The basic typical declare that all hair loss items make is that they will cease your hair loss as well as promoting new head of hair growth. Should you use the product, your hair will develop back again so generating you look youthful, using the outcomes being visible inside a short time period.

But do these items actually work? You can find two drugs approved by the FDA that are contained within most hair loss remedy items that may encourage wholesome hair growth – Rogaine and Propecia.

Even though you’ve to keep in mind if your hair loss is as a result of your physique stopping creating hair, these items are extremely unlikely to aid. The only alternatives open to you in this case might be to go for some thing like a hair implant.

If one of those two drugs are listed as an ingredient around the hair loss product, there can be a good likelihood that you’ll see some benefit. Nevertheless, this does depend on what the principal trigger for the hair loss is. If for example the trigger is medically associated such as an enlarged thyroid, or is really a outcome of other medicine that you’re taking or can be a hair loss vitamins deficiency problem, then there can be a low likelihood that these hair loss goods will work for you. Or if they do function, the effect may be very short-term.

If you’re pondering about trying 1 from the numerous hair loss items available on the market, I might propose taking some time out initial to try and do some study about the clinical trials that have taken location. Then you will be conscious, amongst other things, about the unwanted side effects these items can have.

Additionally, whilehair loss items assist lots of individuals, you will find often some that they don’t help. If you’re encountering hair loss, I’d recommend 1st visiting your doctor to establish what is leading to your hair loss. If it may be traced back to some thing as basic as a poor diet plan, or perhaps a healthcare condition needing easy treatment, then your hair ought to grow back again on it’s own, with out the assist of what could be costly hair loss goods. ?

Everyone knows that vitamin D is a necessary thing for maintaining proper health. What they don’t know is that it is effectively a natural sunscreen. The form that is then sent to the liver for the final stage in being converted to what the body uses for other things comes from the skin, where 7-dehydrocholesterol absorbs UV light to become vitamin D.

 

This is clearly not the only thing that vitamin D does, though. It is vital in regulating the levels of calcium in the bones and bloodstream. It greatly helps in the production of the autoimmune systems killer cells that seek out and destroy virus-infected cells and bacteria. However, this sunscreen effect does offer a clue as to why people are more apt to get sick in the winter.

 

Since UV light is needed for the body’s production of vitamin D, the quality of sunlight one gets directly affects how much of it one has.

The reason that winter gets cold is because less sunlight is absorbed by the earth at that time of year, instead bouncing off and out into space. This includes the UV frequencies needed for the body’s own production.

 

Since vitamin D is not produced in nearly as high quantities in the winter, because of the reduction in absorbable sunlight, there is less that comes out the end of the process. That means a reduction in the number of killer cells that would otherwise be busy fighting off infections like the flu virus. Taking a supplement during these months will go a long way toward fending off this disease.

While vitamin D is good for your health, very few people are aware of its two different forms and their effect on the body.

Vitamin D is often known as the sunshine vitamin and most people do not know that it has two forms, D2 and D3, of which only vitamin D3 is produced through the natural synthesis of sunlight on the skin. Plants and fungi on the other hand produce Vitamin D2. You can find vitamin D2 more commonly, as milk, cereals and juices are fortified with it. The two forms are commonly known as ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3).

What are The Differences Between Vitamin D2 and D3?

The biggest difference between the two forms of vitamin D is the way it is produced. Plants produce the D2 form while D3 is a byproduct of synthesis of ultra violet B rays from sunlight penetrating the body’s surface. It can be found on the skin or surface of animals and is commonly found in the wool of sheep.

Of the two forms, D3 is considered beneficial to the body as it controls the level of calcium and phosphorous in the blood, which is vital for bone development and growth. It can be stored in the body tissue until it is required. D2 on the other hand is not a natural form in the human body as plants and other invertebrates synthesize it. It is not as easily absorbed by the receptors in the body and as a result does not have the same effect as D3. Both versions of the vitamin are available as supplements in pill or liquid form. D3 has the longer shelf life of the two. Because the supplements are made from animal sources, many vegetarians do not use them and opt for vitamin D2 supplements instead.

The Function of Vitamin D3

Although it is classified as a vitamin, vitamin D3 is a hormone. When sunlight falls on the body’s surface – the skin in our case – it synthesizes to form vitamin D3, which is circulated in the blood stream to help in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous that is received from digested food sources. The calcium is used for building and strengthening teeth and bone mass. In addition, calcium also has a role to play in the production of hormones in the body by transmitting nerve impulses to the brain. Almost 99% of your vitamin D supply is used for regulating the calcium in the body; the remaining part is utilized for strengthening the immune system and maintaining muscle strength.

Benefits of Vitamin D D3

While excess vitamin D3 can be stored away in the fat cells for future use, deficiency of vitamin D in the body can have adverse effects on the health of an individual.

Getting the right amount of vitamin D can have numerous benefits on the body. It is responsible for strengthening teeth and bones, improving bone density and prevents weakening of the muscles as it promotes absorption of calcium in the blood. Older people with sufficient amounts of vitamin D3 are less prone to ailments such as arthritis, osteoporosis and osteomalacia. In children and infants, it can help in bone growth and development and prevent diseases such as Rickets.

Vitamin D3 also reduces the risk of certain types of cancer in men and women such as prostrate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer. It can reduce the risks associated with certain pregnancy related infections including bacterial vaginosis that poses a threat of premature labor and fetal death. It prevents or improves other conditions such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis. It can also lower the risk of heart disease, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. It gives a boost to the body’s immune system and can help prevent influenza and seasonal allergies.

Due to the role that vitamin d plays in influencing the production of hormones in the body, it can also improve certain skin conditions such as psoriasis and vitiligo, besides controlling moods. In countries that experience low sunlight conditions during a few months of the year, the body is unable to get its adequate share of vitamin D through natural synthesis. During this period, vitamin D3 supplements can help in reducing the symptoms of depression and seasonal affective disorder.

So remember, for healthy teeth and bones, as well as good health, you need to get the right dose of vitamin D3. The best source is sunlight. However, you need direct sunlight as the UVB rays cannot penetrate glass. The further away you are from the equator, the longer you need to be out in the sun to produce the right amount of vitamin D. Darker skinned people require a longer period of exposure compared to lighter skinned people. Sunscreens can also limit the amount of UVB rays that are absorbed by the skin. If you can’t do this, then I recommend vitamin D3 supplementation to keep your body healthy.

And not just any lung disease; autoimmune diseases that have no cure and are quite serious.

So vitamin D might just protect your lungs. The new findings are reported in the current issue of Chest.

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati say that a vitamin D deficiency not having enough of the nutrient in your body is known to affect the development of some autoimmune diseases, such as lupus and type 1 diabetes. But what they wanted was to see if a lack of sufficient vitamin D would also be seen in patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD), and if vitamin D was linked with lung function.

ILD is a chronic autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease occurs when the body produces abnormal cells that turn on the body and attack major organs and tissues. Connective tissue diseases include lupus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis. ILD is actually a group of diseases that mainly affect lung tissues rather than the airways (like, for instance, asthma does). ILD causes scarring of the lungs, is often difficult to diagnosis and treat, and can be fatal.

Researchers looked at 118 patients 67 with connective tissue disease-related ILD and 51 with other causes of lung fibrosis for blood levels of vitamin D. Overall, those with connective tissue disease-related ILD were more likely to have vitamin D deficiency (52%) and vitamin D insufficiency (79%) than those with other forms of ILD.

In this group, lower levels of vitamin D were strongly associated with reduced lung function.

What it means is that there is an extensive vitamin D deficiency in patients with ILD. This then means the nutrient may play a role in keeping lung function from growing worse. If future studies show that vitamin D supplements are effective, it might lead to a great new treatment for ILD.

It is yet another major reason to make sure you get enough vitamin D every day. On average, older adults should get between 1,000 and 2,000 IU a day.