FitSugar

Dr. Oz on How to Fight the Common Cold

Zelana Montminy — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:31:18 PST

Cold and flu season is upon, but you can fight back with tips from Dr. Oz. The leading health expert shared his top tips for staying healthy this Winter and we've certainly put his advice into practice. Watch this video to get the low down on vitamin D for cold prevention, how sleep boosts your immune system, and if handshakes spread major germs.

Too Much Vitamin D Can Be Harmful For Your Ticker

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:49:16 PST

In the Summer, we don't need to worry about getting enough vitamin D since we spend so much time in the sun. When cold weather blows in, most of our skin is covered and we spend less time outdoors, so doctors often recommend taking vitamin D supplements. Before you start popping capsules, be warned that a recent study presented at the annual meeting of the American Heart Association shows too much vitamin D can be dangerous for your heart.

When higher than normal levels of vitamin D are found in the blood, it can cause your heart to beat too fast and out of rhythm, a condition known as atrial fibrillation. Taking supplements doesn't automatically put you at risk since people absorb them differently, but high levels of vitamin D only happen in people who take supplements. That means if you do take over-the-counter Vitamin D, it's important to have your blood tested to make sure your levels are within a healthy range (41 to 80 nanograms per deciliter). Also talk with your doctor about the dosage that's right for you.

The RDI of vitamin D for healthy adults is 600 IU (15 micrograms). You can skip the supplements (and the risk to your heart) by making sure to get your fill of vitamin D-rich foods such as milk, soy milk, salmon, tuna, egg yolks, and cheese. For more sources, check out this list of 10 common foods high in vitamin D.

Take Advantage of the Season: Why Our Bodies Love the Sun

Leta Shy — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 13:11:19 PDT

While Summer may mean miserable heat waves that make you want to stay firmly indoors (and preferably close to a cool drink), the sunny season is an easy reminder of the reasons why we love the sun.

It's during the bleak Winter months that we normally realize how much the sun affects our mood, since dark days and nights can lead to seasonal affective disorder, or SAD. So, while we still have those long Summer days, keep reading for a few reasons to get outside and soak up the sun.

How to Give Your Vitamin D Levels a Boost

Heather Dale — Thu, 12 May 2011 10:53:02 PDT

The vitamin that seems to get the most press as of late is vitamin D. If we aren't hearing about how we're deficient in vitamin D, we're reading about the role vitamin D plays in cancer prevention. How much do you know about vitamin D? Could you ace our quiz about this miracle vitamin?

There are various forms of vitamin D, but the two that are most important are vitamin D2 and D3. Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants, while vitamin D3 is produced by the body when the skin is exposed to ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays from the sun. Vitamin D is crucial in maintaining normal blood levels of calcium and phosphorus and helping to prevent ailments such as osteoporosis, heart disease, breast cancer, and diabetes. Because it's a vital vitamin, here's how to make sure you are getting enough of it.

The Vitamin Deficiency Breastfeeding Moms Should Watch Out For

Leta Shy — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 10:15:30 PDT

Mom's choice of what to eat is important both during pregnancy and after baby has arrived. But while everyone warns her of the perils of drinking or caving into her cravings while pregnant, some moms are surprised to find out just how important their diets are when it's time to breastfeed.

A vegan French couple recently found out the sad way. The lack of nutrients in mom's milk meant that their baby suffered from serious vitamin B12 deficiency and eventually died. While the deprivation seems to have been accidental, the couple are now being charged with neglect and could face time in prison.

While the story is alarming, maintaining your vegan lifestyle as a breastfeeding mom is still possible with careful thought about what should be part of your diet. Read on for what you need to know about some essential nutrients after the break.

10 Common Foods That Are High in Vitamin D

FitSugar — Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:30:07 PST

You may be able to say sayonara to your vitamin D supplements. An updated report says the uber high levels of vitamin D some doctors recommend (we're talking 2000 IU) are unnecessary and could actually be harmful. Turns out most people get enough of the much-talked-about vitamin D from our diets and natural sources like the sun. Adults have a recommended daily intake of 400 to 600 IU. Fish always tops the vitamin D-rich list, but these common foods are all strong sources. Of course, talk to your doctor about what's right for you and to ensure you don't have a deficiency.

Canned salmon has 920 IU.
Vitasoy Nasoya Lite Firm Tofu packs 581 IU.
Soy milk (with added calcium and vitamins A and D) has 297 IU.
Orange juice (fortified with calcium and vitamin D) packs 259 IU.
Low-fat milk (with added vitamins A and D) serves up 248 IU.

To see the rest of the list, keep reading.

Invest in Your Bone Bank, and Do It Soon

FitSugar — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 13:30:03 PDT

On my last visit to my doctor, I was surprised to find out that bone strength peaks in women by the age of 35. After that, the body stops producing new bone and gradually loses bone mass. And in certain cases, bone loss can result in osteoporosis. Not only can osteoporosis result in a reduction of height, it leaves the body more susceptible to bone fractures. My doctor says that it's extremely important to maximize our bone strength now, to avoid the onset of problems later. Luckily, this can be done through proper diet and exercise.

Here are the two most important thing to consider for bone health:

Eating enough calcium and vitamin D is essential for healthy bones. Studies show that calcium and vitamin D are a must when it comes to bone health, and that we benefit more from eating these nutrients versus taking supplements. The RDI of calcium for women is 1,000 mg a day and for vitamin D, it's 200 to 400 IU.
Strength train for stronger bones. Weight bearing exercises will help make our bones stronger. Make sure to target areas that are susceptible to bone loss, like your shoulders, arms, spine, wrists, hips, and legs.

Take Your D With Dinner

FitSugar — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 15:15:26 PDT

When it comes to vitamins, most folks I know take them in the morning. Something about the breakfast ritual makes it easy to remember to pop that multi. But when it comes to vitamin D, switching up the routine will make the supplement more effective. Research from the Cleveland Clinic found that taking the D vitamin supplement with dinner, generally the largest meal of the day, boosted absorption by as much as 50 percent. Considering that the majority of Americans are lacking in this powerful vitamin that boosts immunity, supports with weight loss, and even helps take care of your lady business, you might want to start taking a vitamin D capsule with your evening meal. The fact that dinner starts with the letter D should help you remember, too.

Got Milk? Reasons to Go Out and Get Some

FitSugar — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:00:56 PDT

When I was younger, I had to to drink a glass of milk with every meal. As I got older my dad loosened up a bit with his rule, and I found that I drank less and less of the stuff. In my father's generation they drank milk in the same way many of us grew up drinking soda or juice. Nowadays, it's more unusual to drink milk than not - something I've learned only because I get funny stares whenever I order a glass while out. The Got Milk? ad campaign was born years ago as a way to give milk cool status again. Well, you can't get cooler than this: its latest model is Lauren Conrad, and the company created interest by campaigning with LC's fans over Twitter. Besides having the backing of LC, here are five reasons you should enjoy a glass of milk today:

According to a study, women who drank two glasses of fat-free milk after strength training gained more muscle and lost more fat as compared to women who consumed energy drinks.
Dairy fat is good for the heart. It may lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol levels, or decrease the chances of a heart attack.

See the other healthy reasons to get milk when you

Are You Down With Vitamin D?

FitSugar — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:00:01 PDT

D is for dairy, and for daylight, which also happen to be two good sources of vitamin D. Now that the days are getting longer and we're heading into Summer, it's even easier to get your daily dose of D. Just don't forget the sunscreen!

How much vitamin D do you really need, and where can you get it? Take my quiz and see if you can ace your D knowledge.

Take the Quiz