Dr. Kate’s Blog

Recent studies show that vitamin D supplementation not only supports healthy bones, it also maximizes healthy muscles, gums, and circulation; it is a cancer preventative for the colon and breasts; and helps improve health in those with multiple sclerosis. The big deal is that the tolerable upper limit should be raised 5 fold! Twenty -one clinical trials were done that used doses above the current upper limit of 2000 IU. For us folks up here in the Northeast evidence is showing that the seasonal immune challenges of winter coincide with the months that we get the least exposure to the sun. New research is showing that vitamin D plays a profound role in regulating the immune system. Studies have concluded that 1000-2000 IU’s of vitamin D could maintain a healthy colon, breasts, and reduces the incidence of fractures by up to 60% in senior citizens.

Vitamin D3 is a hormone like substance that is crucial for the absorption of calcium. The skin makes vitamin D after exposure to sunlight or ultraviolet radiation. In the summer when you get at least 15 minutes of sun exposure to your skin per day it is best to take 1000 IU’s of vitamin D3.  In the winter those with dark skin or those with little sun exposure up here in the northeast should take up to 4000IU’s of vitamin D3 each day. High doses of vitamin D are remarkably safe; no deaths have been caused by vitamin D. The RDA recommendations of vitamin D are too low. This should be raised due to the latest research, and have not been raised as of yet.

The sun has been vilified  because of skin cancer. Sun exposure is good in small doses that do not burn the skin. Sun exposure is made  safer when you eat lots of fruits and vegetables. These foods provide skin protection by way of the the antioxidants they give us. Sun exposure also raises the level of serotonin in our brains which helps combat depression that is related to  lack of sunlight; especially in the winter months.  Dark skinned people need more than 15 minutes a day of sunlight to get the  maximum benefit of serotonin and vitamin D production.

Osteopenia and osteoporosis can be prevented with weight beariing exercises; sunlight exposure;vitamins D, E, C, B12, K,    folic acid; and minerals including boron, calcium, magnesium, copper , and zinc.

Substances that deplete bone building calcium and magnesium  are soft drinks and sugar. High fructose corn syrup which is the predominate sugar in soda inhibits copper metabolism.

Vitamin D3, cholcalciferol is the best form of vitamin D to take. If you do not want  sun on your face which can accelerate skin aging , you can expose your arms and legs to the sun. Starting with a good diet,  sunlight, and then adding in supplements based on your skin color, and region that you live in are the best way to assure a strong immune system, healthy bones, gums, and colon.

Hello, I thought I would share that you can affect your health with diet and supplementation. Here is proof… I started seeing a patient about three months ago. Her cholesterol was in the 200′s, and she was concerned about it. She had been reading lots of books on nutrition and was confused by all of the differing viewpoints on diet and supplementation.

I started her on an individualized diet tailored for her using a combination of kinesiology, and common scientific nutritional knowlege. After years of reading about, (and trying ) many of the diets, I have found some common threads. Kinesiology in combination with these dietary commonalities can do wonders. The reason her cholesterol was lowered was due to a combination of her hard work of sticking to our plan, and kinesiology. The kinesiology testing individualized which foods and supplements were best for her. She did not need to take all of the cholesterol lowering diets and supplements recommended in all of the different books; she only took the few supplements and dietary changes that were best for her.

She recently came in to see me and was pleased that she could see the fruits of her hard work in her lab results after just a few months. I was also happy for her because she seemed to be feeling better in general, aside from the good results on the lipid lab tests.

There is so much information out there on nutrition. Kinesiology has helped many of my patients make the right changes for them, and only them. This is done without taking tons of supplements a day, which is lighter on your wallet, and easier on your stomach. This is the beauty of kinesiology; it goes beyond the masses and into each person’s situation of environment, genetics, and personality.

Hopefully, my patient has prevented disease in the future, because of her persistence today.