sunshine vitamin Archives - Amazing Health Advances

Vitamin D Deficiency Fuels Autoimmune Conditions, Dysregulating Immune Function

The AHA! Team — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 05:12:13 +0000

Lance D Johnson via Natural News – Autoimmune diseases have surged in lockstep with declining vitamin D levels, exposing a troubling paradox: as modern medicine advances, immune dysregulation grows more prevalent. Vitamin D transcends its common label as the “sunshine vitamin” by serving as a cornerstone of immune function and systemic health. Surprisingly, nearly one-third of Americans suffer from dangerously low levels, leaving them vulnerable to chronic illness. Recent scientific investigations highlight how this unseen deficiency exacerbates autoimmune conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis, while also amplifying systemic inflammation. Beyond individual health, this crisis reflects broader societal failures — corporate interests have vilified sun exposure, public health policies neglect nutritional education, and modern lifestyles deprive people of natural vitamin D synthesis. Far from accidental, this deficiency epidemic highlights a troubling disconnect between our biological needs and the systems shaping our daily lives. Key points: Vitamin D regulates immune function, distinguishing between healthy cells and pathogens while suppressing inflammatory markers linked to autoimmunity. Deficiency escalates autoimmune risks, with studies showing 55% of rheumatoid arthritis patients and 42% of lupus sufferers lack sufficient levels. Low vitamin D correlates with MS progression, as every 10 ng/ml drop increases neuronal damage by 15%. Women face heightened vulnerability, with hormonal imbalances and conditions like PCOS exacerbating deficiency. Daily supplementation (5,000 IU) is essential to counteract food scarcity and sun deprivation. Vitamin D as the immune system’s master regulator Vitamin D is not merely a passive nutrient; it actively trains the immune system to distinguish between healthy cells and foreign pathogens. It accomplishes this by modulating inflammatory responses and suppressing autoimmune reactions. For instance, vitamin D promotes the production of regulatory T-cells, which act as immune peacekeepers by preventing misguided attacks on the body’s own tissues. Without sufficient levels, these protective mechanisms falter, allowing inflammation to spiral unchecked. Studies demonstrate that low vitamin D correlates with elevated autoimmune risks — 55% of rheumatoid arthritis patients and 42% of lupus patients exhibit significant deficiencies. Similarly, multiple sclerosis progression accelerates with each 10 ng/ml drop in vitamin D levels, increasing neuronal damage by 15-32%. Given these findings, maintaining optimal vitamin D status is not optional — it is a critical defense against immune dysfunction. The autoimmune crisis and vitamin D’s protective role Autoimmune diseases have surged in lockstep with declining vitamin D levels, exposing a troubling paradox: as modern medicine advances, immune dysregulation grows more prevalent. Functional medicine experts, such as Dr. Jennifer Bourgeois, emphasize that vitamin D deficiency disrupts immune tolerance — an essential process that prevents the body from attacking itself. Research published in Clinical and Experimental Rheumatology confirms that rheumatoid arthritis patients disproportionately suffer from insufficient vitamin D, while lupus studies reveal similar trends. Multiple sclerosis patients with low vitamin D levels face faster disease progression and more severe brain lesions. This data underscores vitamin D’s role in quelling inflammatory cytokines — molecules that fuel autoimmune destruction. To reverse this crisis, proactive intervention is essential, starting with widespread supplementation and sunlight exposure. Corporate interests, sunlight phobia and systemic sabotage Decades of corporate messaging have falsely demonized sun exposure, branding it as inherently dangerous while ignoring its role in vitamin D synthesis. The beauty and pharmaceutical industries have profited from this fear, aggressively marketing sunscreens and indoor lifestyles that disrupt natural vitamin D production. Dr. Katie Golden highlights the consequences: Over 20 million Americans now struggle with autoimmune conditions, many linked to chronic deficiency. Compounding the issue, modern dietary trends fail to fill this gap — breast milk often lacks sufficient vitamin D, and children weaned onto nutrient-poor juices risk deficiency early in life. Even vaccinations lose efficacy in individuals with low vitamin D, illustrating its broader immunological impact. Corporate profits from cosmetics and sunscreen overshadow an inconvenient truth: many beauty products contain toxins linked to autoimmune disease, while vitamin D itself helps detoxify such harmful compounds. A roadmap to recovery: Rebuilding immunity through vitamin D Restoring vitamin D to optimal levels — ideally above 50 ng/ml — requires daily supplementation, ideally 5,000 IU or more. While nutrient-dense foods like grass-fed liver and fatty fish offer support, modern lifestyles make supplementation indispensable. For women, addressing deficiency is particularly urgent; sufficient vitamin D halves breast cancer risk and mitigates conditions like PCOS. Despite these benefits, conventional medicine often overlooks deficiency’s role in disorders ranging from autism to diabetes. Functional medicine experts stress that autoimmune disease is not inevitable — rather, it results from systemic neglect of foundational health strategies. By prioritizing vitamin D replenishment, individuals can reclaim immune resilience and break the cycle of chronic illness. The solution lies not in passive acceptance but in proactive self-advocacy, demanding better public health policies and rejecting corporate-driven misinformation about sunlight and supplementation. The vitamin D crisis is a preventable epidemic rooted in misinformation and profit-driven health policies. Autoimmune disorders, chronic inflammation, and rising disease burdens need not be inevitable — they reflect measurable nutritional gaps. Achieving widespread immune resilience requires rejecting fear-based narratives about sun exposure, embracing supplementation when necessary, and demanding transparency from industries that prioritize profits over health. Sources include: MindBodyGreen.com Pubmed.gov Pubmed.gov To read the original article, click here

The post Vitamin D Deficiency Fuels Autoimmune Conditions, Dysregulating Immune Function appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Eat Mushrooms to Fight Depression

AHA Publisher — Mon, 05 Dec 2022 08:00:11 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – In a new study using data collected from more than 24,000 Americans, researchers at Penn State found that eating mushrooms every day dramatically lowers your risk of developing depression.1 This is great news, especially now… You see, the stress and uncertainty of the last couple of years has dramatically increased the number of people suffering the emotional impacts caused by Covid. In fact, the number of Americans who say they are depressed has tripled since the start of the pandemic.2 As a result, traditional doctors are prescribing medications like Prozac and Zoloft in record numbers. But these pills don’t often work. Almost half of the patients taking a Big Pharma antidepressant say they still suffer symptoms of depression. And then there are the side effects connected with these powerful pills, including insomnia and fatigue, weight gain, anxiety, feeling numb or disconnected, dizziness, and sexual dysfunction I don’t prescribe antidepressants. Instead, I use natural options to help my patients. And now I can add mushrooms to that list. Mushrooms are a great source of ergothioneine. This amino acid acts as an antioxidant in your body. Because ergothioneine can pass through the blood-brain barrier, it’s able to protect your brain against inflammation and oxidative stress.3,4,5 The latest research shows that both oxidative stress and inflammation play a key role in the development of depression.6 Your body can’t make ergothioneine on its own, so you have to get it from food. And no food contains more than mushrooms. One serving of mushrooms – one cup raw or one-half cup cooked – contains up to 5 mg of ergothioneine. I recommend eating porcini, King oyster, maitake, oyster or shiitake mushrooms daily. Earlier research from the Penn State researchers found that eating just five mushrooms a day is enough to prevent depression.7 But mushrooms help protect you from depression in another important way… They are a rich source of vitamin D. If you are a regular reader, you know that vitamin D helps beat depression by boosting the production of the “feel-good” neurotransmitter serotonin. In fact, vitamin D can boost serotonin up to 30 times.8 Unfortunately, more than 90% of Americans don’t get enough vitamin D. Fresh wild mushrooms like chanterelle or morels have the highest vitamin D content. But you can easily boost the amount of vitamin D in your mushrooms by drying them in the sun. I read a book a few years ago called Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World by Paul Stamets. He knows so much about the health benefits of mushrooms that he’s an advisor of integrative medicine at the University of Arizona Medical School. Stamets did a study where he picked shiitake mushrooms that had been grown indoors and placed them gills-up in the sunlight for six hours. Their vitamin D content shot up from around 110 IU of vitamin D per 100 grams to a pretty remarkable 46,000 IU. Make Sun-Dried Mushrooms Easily at Home Drying and storing the mushrooms is easy to do. Gather fresh organic mushrooms from a local produce stand. Gently remove dirt with a dry cloth. Spread your mushrooms in the sun on a piece of parchment paper during the sunniest time of the day. Bring them in at night or when the sun goes down to avoid moisture. Then repeat the drying process the next day. But don’t dry your mushrooms any more than two days. Over-exposure to UV rays can cause levels of vitamin D to drop. Store your thoroughly dried mushrooms in a dark glass container. Add a spoonful of rice to keep the mushrooms dry, and seal it up. The mushrooms should be good for at least a year. Then you can eat a few mushrooms to get a good start on the vitamin D you’ll need for the day. To get the 5,000 IU a day of vitamin D that I recommend, you’d need to eat 10 grams – about an eighth of a cup – of sun-dried mushrooms daily. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS References: 1. Ba DM et al. “Mushroom intake and depression: a population-based study using data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2016.” J Affective Disord. 2021; 294:686-692. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.07.080. 2. Ettman CK et al. “Persistent depressive symptoms during COVID-19; a national, population-representative, longitudinal study of U.S. adults.” Lancet 2022;5:10091. 3. Nagaro M, et al. “Reduction of depression and anxiety by 4 weeks Hericium erinaceus intake.” Biomed Res. 2010;31(4):231-237. 4. Okamura H, et al. “The effects of Hericium erinaceus (Amyloban® 3399) on sleep quality and subjective well-being among female undergraduate students: a pilot study.” Personalized Med Univ. 2015;4:76-78. 5. Feeney MJ. et al. “Mushrooms and health summit proceedings.” J Nutr. 2014; 144(7):1128S-1136S. 6. Bakunina N, et al. “Immune mechanisms linked to depression via oxidative stress and neuroprogression.” Immunology. 2015 Mar; 144(3): 365–373. 7. Ma BJ. “Hericenones and erinacines: stimulators of nerve growth factor (NGF) biosynthesis in Hericium erinaceus.” Mycology. 2010;1(2):92-98. 8. Patrick P, et al. “Vitamin D hormone regulates serotonin synthesis. Part 1: relevance for autism.” FASEB J. 2014 Jun;28(6):2398-413. To read the original article click here.

The post Eat Mushrooms to Fight Depression appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

New Research Shows Common Deficiency May Play a Role in Worsening Heart Health

AHA Publisher — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 08:00:11 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – Health issues related to heart function claim hundreds of thousands of lives every year in the United States. At the same time, researchers warn that vitamin D deficiency is currently widespread in the American population, despite many foods being fortified with the nutrient. Could there be any connection between the two? Some natural health experts think so. In a newly-published study, scientists found that vitamin D deficiency was linked to unwanted blood pressure readings and an increased risk of heart function problems. The researchers concluded that correcting vitamin D shortages in people with insufficient levels could help to lower the burden of heart-related health issues – a fascinating possibility. Let’s take a closer look at the research. Declining Heart Function Linked to Common Nutritional Deficiency The study, published in the European Heart Journal and performed using data from over 267,000 people, utilized a technique known as Mendelian randomization, allowing researchers to identify genetic evidence connecting vitamin D and heart health. Mendelian randomization is often used in studies where long-term research on untreated participants (such as people with severe vitamin deficiencies) would be unethical or impractical. The findings were eye-opening. The team concluded that participants with the lowest vitamin D concentrations had more than twice the risk of worsening heart function than those with optimal levels! The researchers stressed the need for vitamin D supplementation to help people maintain adequate levels and avoid negative effects on heart health. Confusion Reigns: Standards for Optimal Levels Vary The researchers measured blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D – the biologically active form of vitamin D – using units of nmol/L (Vitamin D may also be measured in ng/ml). The team defined blood levels of less than 30 nmol/L (equivalent to under 12 ng/ml) as “deficient,” while levels of 30 to 50 nmol/L (12 to 20 ng/ml) were termed “mildly deficient.” Levels of 50 nmol/L or greater (over 20 ng/ml) were considered “sufficient for health.” By increasing vitamin D-deficient individuals to levels of at least 50 nmol/L, some cases of heart issues could be prevented, the team predicted. On the other hand, many natural health authorities, such as The Endocrine Society, view levels under 30 ng/ml as inadequate – and recommend striving for even higher concentrations, such as 40 to 60 ng/ml. Warning: Low Exposure to Sunlight Is a Major Cause of Vitamin D Deficiency Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin but a fat-soluble “vitamin-like” steroid hormone. In addition to being essential to the formation of bone, vitamin D promotes heart health by reducing inflammation and helping to regulate cholesterol and blood pressure. It is produced in human skin in response to sunlight and is also found in eggs, cold-water fatty fish, and mushrooms that have been raised under UV light. However, even a healthy diet tends to not provide enough of this important nutrient, when deficient. While severe vitamin D deficiencies are relatively rare, studies suggest that one out of four people in the United States have low (unhealthy) levels – and many natural health experts and integrative physicians believe the rate to be much higher. The leading cause of vitamin D shortfalls? Lack of exposure to sunlight, particularly in an aging population. “Deficiency can be a problem for people living in residential care who may have limited exposure to sun,” noted Prof. Hypponen. As a technique for getting vitamin D into your body, exposure to the sun puts all other methods “in the shade.” Experts estimate that a mere 10 minutes in direct sunlight, depending on the time of year and how much your skin can absorb, could result in the production of a whopping 10,000 IU! But the fact remains: for many, vitamin D supplementation may be the way to go – particularly during the winter months, when the angle of the sun makes it difficult to produce enough vitamin D naturally. More Controversy: How Much Vitamin D Is Enough? Dietary and supplementary recommendations for vitamin D remain controversial and vary wildly from source to source. For example, while the Office of Dietary Supplements recommends that adults get a paltry 600 IU of vitamin D a day, many natural health experts advise amounts of 5,000 IU and above. In fact, The Endocrine Society notes that a person may require 2,000 IU of vitamin D a day just to maintain levels above 30 ng/mL. The truth is: the amount of vitamin D needed for healthy levels depends on age, weight, nutritional status, state of health, and even the climate in which one lives. Before supplementing with vitamin D, consult your experienced integrative doctor for guidance. One thing that experts do seem to agree on, however, is the superiority of vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) over vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol). The former is much more biologically available and more effective in raising vitamin D levels. And, raising low vitamin D levels is what it’s all about. In addition, consuming vitamin K2, magnesium, boron and zinc will help you to absorb more vitamin D. After all, staying topped up on the “sunshine” vitamin can brighten the forecast for your heart performance. Sources for this article include: ScienceDaily.com NIH.gov NIH.gov Harvard.edu CDC.gov To read the original article click here.

The post New Research Shows Common Deficiency May Play a Role in Worsening Heart Health appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

The Sunshine Vitamin That ‘D’elivers on Cardio Health

AHA Publisher — Tue, 07 Dec 2021 08:00:16 +0000

University of South Australia via Newswise – Free from the sun, vitamin D delivers a natural source for one of the hormones essential to our bodies, especially the bones. But when you’re down on this essential nutrient, it’s not only your bones that could suffer, but also your cardio health, according to new research from the University of South Australia. In the first study of its kind, researchers from the UniSA’s Australian Centre for Precision Health at SAHMRIhave identified genetic evidence for a role of vitamin D deficiency in causing cardiovascular disease. The study, which is published in European Heart Journal today, shows that people with vitamin D deficiency are more likely to suffer from heart disease and higher blood pressure, than those with normal levels of vitamin D*. For participants with the lowest concentrations the risk of heart disease was more than double that seen for those with sufficient concentrations. Globally, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide, taking an estimated 17.9 million lives per year. In Australia, CVD accounts for one in four deaths and costs the Australian economy five billion dollars each year, more than any other disease. Low concentrations of vitamin D are common in many parts of the world, with data from the UK Biobankshowing that 55 per cent of participants have low levels of vitamin D (<50 nmol/L) and 13 per cent have severe deficiency (<25 nmol/L). Low levels of vitamin D are recorded by an estimated 23 per cent of people in Australia, 24 per cent of people in the US, and 37 per cent of people in Canada. Chief investigator, UniSA’s Prof Elina Hyppönen** says appreciating the role of vitamin D deficiency for heart health could help reduce the global burden of cardiovascular disease. “Severe deficiency is relatively rare, but in settings where this does occur it is very important to be proactive and avoid negative effects on the heart. For example, deficiency can be a problem for people living in residential care who may have limited exposure to sun,” Prof Hyppönen says. “We can also get vitamin D from food, including oily fish, eggs and fortified foods and drinks. This said, food is unfortunately a relatively poor source of vitamin D, and even an otherwise healthy diet does not typically contain enough. “If we don’t get any vitamin D through the sun, this is one of the rare nutrients for which we sometimes need to take a daily supplement to keep up with the requirements. “Understanding the connection between low levels of vitamin D and CVD is especially important, given the global prevalence of this deadly condition. “Our results are exciting as they suggest that if we can raise levels of vitamin D within norms, we should also affect rates of CVD. In our study population, by increasing vitamin D-deficient individuals to levels of at least 50 nmol/L, we estimate that 4.4 per cent of all CVD cases could have been prevented.” This large-scale Mendelian study used a new genetic approach that allowed the team to assess how increasing levels can affect CVD risk based on how high the participants actual vitamin D levels were. The study used information from up to 267,980 individuals which allowed the team to provide robust statistical evidence for the link between vitamin D deficiency and CVD. “It is not ethical to recruit people with vitamin D deficiency to a randomised controlled trial and to leave them without treatment for long periods. Prof Hyppönen says. “It is exactly this type of difficult setting which demonstrates the power of our genetic approach, given we can show how improving concentrations affects the risk in those most in need, without exposing participants to any harm. “Those with the lowest concentrations are likely to have the strongest effects, yet a population-wide approach to eradicate vitamin D deficiency could reduce the global burden of CVDs.” To read the original article click here.

The post The Sunshine Vitamin That ‘D’elivers on Cardio Health appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

This Deficiency Can Drastically LOWER Your Odds of Survival

AHA Publisher — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:00:59 +0000

Abby Campbell via NaturalHealth365 – A paper published in Demato-Endocrinology suggests that a vitamin D deficiency may account for unexplained disparities in cancer survival rates between different ethnic groups. A large body of scientific literature supports the role of Solar ultraviolet (UVB) light and vitamin D in reducing the incidence and mortality rates of many types of cancers. Scientific research has confirmed the obvious – sunlight exposure and healthy vitamin D levels are good for us. Interestingly enough, researchers have reported that those with higher serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, when diagnosed with cancer, have a significantly higher cancer survival rate. Are You at a High Risk of Vitamin D Deficiency? Conventional science often looks at the roles of socioeconomic status, stage of cancer development, and treatment protocols to explain why some ethnic groups have a better chance of surviving cancer or not. But, up until now, science pretty much ignored the fact that anyone living in the United States, with darker skin pigmentation, has a lower ability to produce vitamin D through sunlight exposure. Why? You see, a darker skin pigmentation acts as a filter – to the UVB sunlight – and diminishes our ability to produce vitamin D3. It’s been proven that dark skin pigmentation can amount to a 95 percent reduction in vitamin D production. People with darker skin complexions (sometimes) need anywhere from five to ten times more sun exposure to synthesize sufficient vitamin D levels. By the way, the scientific data suggests that darker skin individuals are at greater risk for 13 types of cancer including, bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, lung, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, rectal, testicular, vaginal, and other cancers such as Hodgkin’s lymphoma, and melanoma. New Evidence Suggests Your Survival Is Based on Vitamin D Levels Did you know that the vitamin D nuclear receptor (VDR) influences the expression of over 1,000 genes – including those associated with diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. Findings from Germany’s ESTHER study revealed a lower risk of succumbing to disease when the serum levels of vitamin D levels are adequate. In addition, previously published findings show that people with higher vitamin D levels have lower risks of all degenerative diseases, including cancer. The rising rate of cancer can be tied to lifestyle choices, including the avoidance of sunlight. Unfortunately, in these “modern” times, sunlight exposure goes largely underappreciated in preventing cancer or ensuring survival success – once diagnosed. Even the American Cancer Society sees the correlation between healthy vitamin D levels and better outcomes in breast cancer. They reported that women with a deficiency of vitamin D had a 73 percent decrease in survival. Patients diagnosed with colon cancer are 50 percent more likely to survive with sufficient vitamin D levels. In addition, many studies have found that patients with high vitamin D levels were more likely to have thinner skin cancer tumors. When will the insanity stop? We tell people to avoid the sun – essential for life; feed them toxic food, and legally sell cancer-causing (chemical-laced) sunblock. Yet, we still wonder why cancer rates are so high? Educate Yourself About the Best Sources for Vitamin D Being exposed to the sun, your skin will synthesize vitamin D3 sulfate – the best form of vitamin D. One of the best vegetarian sources is mushrooms, with shitake having the most vitamin D. Other foods rich in vitamin D are fish like sardines, herring, grass-fed beef liver, Atlantic cod, and raw dairy. And, yes, supplementing with high-quality cod liver oil is another good choice. Getting to know your 25-hydroxyvitamin D level is crucial to surviving a cancer diagnosis and ensuring that any supplement you take is “vitamin D3” – not D2. And remember, if your primary care physician is in the dark about the value of vitamin D – then get another doctor. Sources for this article include: NIH.gov HowStuffWorks.com MedicalNewsToday.com To read the original article click here.

The post This Deficiency Can Drastically LOWER Your Odds of Survival appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Is Green Tea a Cancer Killer?

AHA Publisher — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:00:58 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – I tell my patients there’s a good reason why countries like Japan, China and Korea have some of the lowest cancer rates in the world. Two words: green tea. I’ve written to you before about how green tea can protect against a number of chronic diseases, including Alzheimer’s, diabetes and depression – and cancer is no exception. In one breakthrough study, researchers from the Arizona Cancer Center found that chemicals in green tea dramatically increase the production of key detoxification enzymes that boost your body’s metabolic defense against toxins that can cause cancer.1 The study, published by the American Association for Cancer Research, proved that catechins – a type of natural antioxidant – found in green tea, increase the gene expression of glutathione S-transferase(GST) enzymes by as much as 80%. These powerful GST enzymes then convert toxic carcinogens into non-toxic chemicals, rendering them harmless. A number of studies also show that epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG, an especially potent catechin in green tea, is a powerful weapon against multiple types of cancer – both as a primary prevention and as further prevention after cancer treatment. Here are just a few of the cancer types, against which green tea has been shown to be highly effective. Skin cancer2,3 Duodenal cancer in the small intestine4 Prostate cancer5 Lung cancer6 Colorectal cancer7 Stomach cancer8 In many parts of Asia, green tea is a beverage consumed as commonly as water, many times per day. The Arizona Cancer Center found that the anti-cancer effects of green tea catechins kick in at between 8 and 16 cups per day. You can also take EGCG supplements. I recommend you get around 1,500 mg a day — to be split up between meals and taken about 30 minutes after eating. For added cancer protection, I recommend daily vitamin D for my patients. The best source of vitamin D is sunshine. You don’t need more than 20-30 minutes in the sun to get all your vitamin D for the day. But because we spend most of our time inside, you might have to get your vitamin D from other sources. Food sources include salmon, mackerel, tuna fish, sardines, eggs, beef and cheese. I also recommend taking a supplement of vitamin D3 called cholecalciferol. It’s the same vitamin D that your body produces. Just be sure to avoid the synthetic form, vitamin D2, or ergocalciferol, in most multivitamins. It’s less potent and less absorbable. To Your Good Health Al Sears, MD, CNS 1 Chow SHH, et al. “Effects of Repeated Green Tea Catechin Administration on Human Cytochrome P450 Activity.” Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention.15(12):2473-6. January 2007 2 Conney AH, et al. “Inhibitory effect of oral administration of green tea on tumorigenesis by ultraviolet light, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorobol-13-acetate and N-nitrosodiethylamine in mice.” Cancer Chemoprevention. Florida: CRC Press; 1992. pp. 361–373. 3 Yoshizawa S, et al. “Penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose and (−)-epigallocatechin gallate cancer preventive agents.” ACS Symposium Series. 4 Y Fujita, et al. “Inhibitory effect of (-)-epigallocatechin gallate on carcinogenesis with N-ethyl-N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine in mouse duodenum.” Jpn J Cancer Res. 1989 Jun;80(6):503-5. 5 Gupta S, et al. “Inhibition of prostate carcinogenesis in TRAMP mice by oral infusion of green tea polyphenols.” Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2001;98:10350–10355. 6 Nakachi K, et al. “Preventive effects of drinking green tea on cancer and cardiovascular disease: epidemiological evidence for multiple targeting prevention.” BioFactor. 2000;13:49–54 7 Ibid. 8 Yamane T, et al. “Inhibition of N-methyl-N’-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine-induced carcinogenesis by (-)-epigallocatechin gallate in the rat glandular stomach.” Cancer Res.1995 May 15; 55(10):2081-4. To read the original article click here.

The post Is Green Tea a Cancer Killer? appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Vitamin D Deficiency Has Lead to Weight Gain

AHA Publisher — Wed, 14 Oct 2020 07:00:15 +0000

Al Sears, MD, CNS – When Hippocrates told his overweight patients to walk outside naked, he was on to something important. Exposing as much skin as possible would have made a big difference in not only weight loss, but in preventing an epidemic that would strike his ancestors thousands of years later. More on this in a moment… Today, excessive weight gain is a symptom of what I’ve named Syndrome Zero. This condition is at the root of almost every chronic disease — like heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, arthritis, hypertension and diabetes. Mainstream medicine has no clue how to treat it because they can’t see the forest for the trees. You see, Western medicine focuses on treating individual symptoms instead of getting to the root causes of a disease. But the symptoms of Syndrome Zero share the same root — your body’s “metabolic” response to our modern, grain- and carb-heavy diet and the chronic insulin overload it causes. Your body wasn’t designed to handle all these carbs and sugars. Every time you eat carbs your pancreas releases the hormone insulin. The insulin is supposed to carry glucose into your cells to make energy. The more carbs you eat, the more insulin builds in your bloodstream. It overwhelms the receptors in your cells. It makes them insulin resistant. And insulin becomes less effective at pushing glucose into your cells. And too much insulin blocks fat from leaving your body. This triggers fat storage — causing oxidation, inflammation and eventually all the conditions associated with Syndrome Zero. But here’s what Hippocrates got right when he told his patients to get naked… Exposing your skin to sunlight triggers the synthesis of vitamin D in your skin. And the latest research proves that your body needs this critical vitamin both as a defense against Syndrome Zero and in order to fight it. You see, vitamin D is utterly essential for proper insulin function. Studies show that vitamin D improves your body’s ability to use insulin and that it’s also needed by your body to stimulate the beta cells in your pancreas to produce insulin in the first place.1 But the effects of vitamin D don’t only take place in the pancreas. Vitamin D receptors are triggered in all the target tissues for insulin, like muscle and fat tissue. A recent study by scientists involving nearly 500 patients found that 58% of those with a vitamin D deficiency also had insulin resistance.2 In fact, the lower their vitamin D, the greater their occurrence of this disorder. In another study of 10,000 Americans over the age of 45, researchers found that boosting vitamin D levels reduced the incidence of Syndrome Zero — thanks to its effect on insulin function. Vitamin D also repairs damage to the heart and blood vessels caused by high blood pressure.3 The problem is that almost everyone today is vitamin D deficient — thanks in a large part to the bad advice we’ve been given to stay out of the sun. But just 30 minutes of daily sun exposure during the summer months, your body is capable of producing 50,000 IUs of vitamin D over the following 24 hours. Naked and Protected Like Hippocrates, I recommend getting “naked” in the sun. Expose as much skin as you feel comfortable. Here’s a quick guide to help you figure out how long you should stay outside: If you have fair, freckled skin, you have a higher risk of sunburn, but you also make vitamin D3 much more quickly. Aim for 10 to 15 minutes of sun in the morning or in the late afternoon during summer. In winter, add 10 to 15 minutes. If you have light brown skin, aim for 30 minutes of sun each day in the summer and a little longer during the winter season. If your skin pigmentation is very dark you are walking around with the equivalent of SPF 8-15 sunscreen. Although you won’t burn easily, you have a much higher risk of being vitamin D deficient. Aim for 40 minutes to an hour in the sun during summer and longer during winter. To Your Good Health, Al Sears, MD, CNS 1. Bornstedt ME, et al. “Vitamin D increases glucose stimulated insulin secretion from insulin producing beta cells (INS1E).” Int J Endocrinol Metab. 2019;17(1):e74255. 2. Schmitt EB, et al. “Vitamin D deficiency is associated with metabolic syndrome in postmenopausal women.” Maturitas. 2018;107:97-102. 3. Khan A, et al. “Nanomedical studies of the restoration of nitric oxide/peroxynitrite balance in dysfunctional endothelium by 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D 3 – clinical implications for cardiovascular diseases.” Int J Nanomedicine.2018;13:455-466. To read the original article click here. For more articles from Al Sears, MD click here.

The post Vitamin D Deficiency Has Lead to Weight Gain appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Vitamin D Levels in the Blood Can Predict Future Health Risks & Death

AHA Publisher — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 07:00:13 +0000

European Society of Endocrinology via EurekAlert – Free, circulating vitamin D levels in the blood may be a better predictor of future health risks in aging men, according to a study being presented at e-ECE 2020. These data suggest the free, precursor form of vitamin D found circulating in the bloodstream is a more accurate predictor of future health and disease risk, than the often-measured total vitamin D. Since vitamin D deficiency is associated with multiple serious health conditions as we get older, this study suggests that further investigation into vitamin D levels and their link to poor health may be a promising area for further research. Vitamin D deficiency is common in Europe, especially in elderly people. It has been associated with a higher risk for developing many aging-related diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, cancer and osteoporosis. However, there are several forms, or metabolites, of vitamin D in the body but it is the total amount of these metabolites that is most often used to assess the vitamin D status of people. The prohormone, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D is converted to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, which is considered the active form of vitamin D in our body. More than 99% of all vitamin D metabolites in our blood are bound to proteins, so only a very small fraction is free to be biologically active. Therefore, the free, active forms may be a better predictor of current and future health. Dr Leen Antonio from University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium and a team of colleagues investigated whether the free metabolites of vitamin D were better health predictors, using data from the European Male Ageing Study, which was collected from 1,970 community-dwelling men, aged 40-79, between 2003 and 2005. The levels of total and free metabolites of vitamin D were compared with their current health status, adjusting for potentially confounding factors, including age, body mass index, smoking and self-reported health. The total levels of both free and bound vitamin D metabolites were associated with a higher risk of death. However, only free 25-hydroxyvitamin D was predictive of future health problems and not free 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Dr Antonio explains, “These data further confirm that vitamin D deficiency is associated with a negative impact on general health and can be predictive of a higher risk of death.” As this is an observational study, the causal relationships and underlying mechanisms remain undetermined. It was also not possible to obtain specific information about the causes of death of the men in the study, which may be a confounding factor. “Most studies focus on the association between total 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and age-related disease and mortality.” “As 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D is the active form of vitamin D in our body, it was possible it could have been a stronger predictor for disease and mortality. It has also been debated if the total or free vitamin D levels should be measured. Our data now suggest that both total and free 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are the better measure of future health risk in men,” says Dr Antonio Dr Antonio and her team are currently finalising the statistical analysis and writing a manuscript on these findings. To read the original article click here.

The post Vitamin D Levels in the Blood Can Predict Future Health Risks & Death appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.

Defeat Depression With These 10 Natural Interventions

AHA Publisher — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 07:00:15 +0000

Lori Alton via NaturalHealth365 – If you struggle with depression, you have plenty of company. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, over 40 million Americans currently suffer from the condition. In fact, depression is so widespread that experts predict that about half of the population will experience at least one episode of depression in their lives. Clearly, there is a need for effective natural interventions for depression. Fortunately, recent research supports the ability of simple lifestyle changes and natural nutrients and supplements to complement conventional antidepressant therapy. For ten of the most effective natural techniques against depression, keep reading. Health ALERT: Discover the Complex Web of Interwoven Factors That Contribute to Depression No doubt, the causes of depression are complex. Experts say that genetics, hormonal imbalances, oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, poor nutrition, alcohol abuse and drug addiction can all be factors. In addition, underlying health conditions – such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer – can exacerbate depression. Depression is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness or emptiness, coupled with a loss of interest in everyday activities. Other symptoms can include anxiety, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, memory problems, changes in weight and trouble sleeping. Although doctors may prescribe pharmaceutical drugs (such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors like Zoloft and Prozac) to treat depression, SSRIs can feature toxic side effects and lead to suicidal thoughts. Finally, SSRIs are not effective for everybody. In fact, some experts estimate their success rate at a mediocre 50 percent or less! So, with no further ado, let’s get to the 10 best natural interventions for depression. Anti-Inflammatory Omega-3 Fatty Acids Are Effective Natural Interventions for Depression Omega-3 fatty acids have shown the ability to help reduce chronic inflammation, which contributes to with depression. In one study involving children with depression and published in American Journal of Psychiatry, impressed researchers concluded that supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids caused “highly significant” effects on symptom scores. Keep in mind, scientific language of trained researchers, deeming results “highly significant” amounts to an enthusiastic endorsement! And, a recent scientific review of studies concluded that omega-3’s were effective in treating depressed adults as well. While you can boost dietary intake with flax seeds, nuts, and cold-water fatty fish like salmon and sardines, supplementation may be needed for maximum mood-lifting benefit. Natural health experts typically suggest taking about 1,000 mg a day of omega-3-rich fish oil. Boost Mood with B-Complex Vitamins Essential B vitamins are important cofactors for the production of “chemical messengers” known as neurotransmitters. One of these, serotonin, is essential for stable mood and restful sleep. Deficiencies in these vitamins can disrupt the process, leading to mood disorders and impaired cognition. Specifically, low levels of folate (also known as vitamin B9) are closely linked with depression – so it’s no surprise that supplementation with folic acid, a synthetic form of folate, can promote the therapeutic effect of antidepressants. In a study published in Journal of Affective Disorders, patients receiving a combination of 500 micrograms of folic acid a day and the antidepressant Prozac experienced more relief of depressive symptoms – when compared with those who received the medication alone. Other B vitamins play an important role in psychological health as well. Deficiencies in Vitamin B12 can cause serious psychiatric disorders – which can be reversed with supplementation. And, supplementation with vitamin B6 – essential for serotonin synthesis – has been shown to markedly improve mood. You Can “Mellow Out” with Melatonin Melatonin, also known as the “sleep hormone,” is essential for regulating circadian rhythms. It also seems to play a role in lifting mood. Research has highlighted melatonin as one of the most effective natural interventions for depression. A controlled study of perimenopausal and postmenopausal women showed that taking melatonin nightly for six months led to significant improvement in depressive symptoms. In a separate study published in Clinical Psychopharmacology, 33 participants suffering from both major depression and sleep disorders took melatonin for four weeks – and also experienced improvement. Studies have used melatonin amounts between 3 and 6 mg, taken at bedtime. “Charge Up” Your Coenzyme Q10 Levels to Help Protect Against Depression Deficiencies in CoQ10, a vitamin-like nutrient produced in the body, have been linked with depression. A powerful antioxidant, CoQ10 helps to neutralize the harmful reactive oxygen species that cause oxidative stress. As oxidative stress is believed to trigger depression and neurodegenerative conditions, having sufficient levels of CoQ10 may help protect against them. CoQ10 is found in grass-fed beef, poultry, sardines and nuts. A natural health practitioner might recommend between 100 to 200 mg. per day. Vitamin D: The “Sunshine Vitamin” May Brighten Up Your Mood Vitamin D, which is produced in the skin in response to sunlight, plays an important role in mood. Unfortunately, shortfalls of this anti-inflammatory, antioxidant nutrient are quite common in the United States. And, deficiencies are linked with seasonal depression. In a Norwegian study published in Journal of Internal Medicine, high-amount supplementation with vitamin D3 was shown to improve symptoms of depression in obese and overweight participants. While individual needs vary according to age, weight, state of health and even local climate conditions, integrative doctors may suggest 1,000 to 8,000 IU of vitamin D3 per day, along with zinc, boron and magnesium. Guard Against Depression with DHEA DHEA, a hormone with the tongue-twisting name of dehydroepiandrosterone, regulates serotonin levels in the brain. In one controlled double-blind study published in Archives of General Psychiatry, researchers evaluated the effects of DHEA as a stand-alone therapy for both mild and severe depression. Participants were divided into three groups, with one group receiving dosages of 90 mg a day, a second group being given 450 mg, and the third given a placebo. The results were impressive. After three weeks, the team found that both DHEA groups experienced significant improvement in symptoms of depression when compared to the placebo group. Curcumin Helps Pharmaceutical Antidepressants Relieve Depression More Quickly Curcumin, the active ingredient in the medicinal spice turmeric, has been studied extensively for its potent antioxidant, analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects –and for its ability to lift mood and enhance cognitive function. Scientific research suggests that curcumin can protect levels of BDNF – a protein important for healthy brain function – while modulating serotonin signaling. In one clinical study involving individuals with new-onset depression, a 500-mg daily amount of curcumin was combined with an antidepressant. The researchers found that combining curcumin with medication brought about improvement more quickly than the medication alone. Remarkable Findings: Study Shows that Saffron Extracts Equal the Effects of Prozac Saffron, a common flavoring and coloring ingredient in Indian cuisine, contains a pair of powerful antioxidant carotenoids, crocin and safranal. Research has shown that saffron extracts work against depression in various ways, from fighting inflammation to neutralizing oxidative stress and protecting serotonin in the brain synapses. In one intriguing study, 30 mg per day of saffron extract a day was as effective for mild-to-moderate depression as Prozac (fluoxetine). Drug-Free Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Grows in Popularity Cognitive behavioral therapy centers on helping depressed individuals recognize negative thinking and replace it with more positive thoughts. Extensive clinical studies have shown cognitive behavioral therapy to be effective – both when used as a standalone treatment or in conjunction with other conventional treatments. A 2010 clinical trial showed that the technique effectively relieved depression in patients with COPD. In another study, CBT was found to be superior to drug therapy in several aspects. For a Natural Mood Lift: Get Physical Research suggests that exercise – particularly weight training and aerobic activities such as dancing, swimming, running and walking – can be highly beneficial when used in conjunction with medication to treat depression. In one recent study involving adults with major depression, physical exercise went head-to-head with Zoloft, one of the primary “go-to” SSRIs in mainstream medicine. The researchers concluded: four months of exercise worked about as well to relieve depression as the antidepressant. In addition, evidence supports the ability of exercise to prevent recurrent of depressive episodes. The truth is: the appropriate techniques, nutrients and supplements can go a long way towards brightening mood and easing depression and anxiety. As always, however, consult your trusted integrative doctor before trying any of these natural interventions for depression. Sources for this article include: LifeExtension.com, ADAA.org, NIH.gov, Gwern.net, NIH.gov, NIH.gov To read the original article click here. For more articles by NaturalHealth365 click here.

The post Defeat Depression With These 10 Natural Interventions appeared first on Amazing Health Advances.