Our bodies produce vitamin D when our skin is exposed to the ultraviolet (UV) rays. This is moderated by factors such as the season, air pollution, cloudy skies, geographic latitude, and skin melanin content. That is, the production of vitamin D is decreased during the winter months and when the skies are cloudy or smoggy. It is also lower for those who live north of Boston/northern California and for those who have darker skin tones. [read post]
If you live in the U.S. and watch TV or read newspapers and magazines, you probably know all about the dangers of sun exposure. Media reports are replete with warnings about skin cancer and premature aging caused by sun damage. Coupled with the warnings are the loud calls for staying away from the sun and, if you must go outside, using loads of sunscreen.
There have been attempts, however, to introduce a more balanced view of “the scary sun” into public discourse. These attempts revolve around vitamin D. Over the past few years, mainstream media sources—including , , , , , , , , and —ran stories on getting enough vitamin D. Most recently, the January 2010 issue of described the circulating levels of vitamin D as “a number to know” (by the way, the magic number is 35 ng/mL and above).
Now, what does vitamin D have to do with sun exposure? [read post]
The December 2009 issue of European Journal of Clinical Nutrition came out with a study on energy density of foods. Energy density of foods (EDF) is the amount of calories in a particular weight of food. Some foods, such as donuts and pizza, are packed with energy, which means that they provide a lot of calories per ounce. Other foods, such as fruits and vegetables, have low energy density. So, for example, if you eat the same weight of donuts and cabbage, you’ll get a lot more calories from donuts than from cabbage. This is because donuts are energy dense and cabbage is not. [read post]
A recent study examined the connection between social anxiety (shyness and discomfort with face-to-face conversations) and communication choices. The research question was whether shyness influenced teens’ preferences for face-to-face communication vs. technology-facilitated communication such as cell phone, IM, Facebook, MySpace, and so on. [read post]
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) conjures up images of children running about as if they were driven by a jet engine, always squirming in their seats, unable to focus on their schoolwork. However, there is a growing acknowledgment in the psychiatric community that adults, too, can have ADHD. [read post]
In my last post I wrote about folic acid, a synthetic form of vitamin B9. Folic acid has received a lot of attention from scientists and the media. Folate, which is the natural form of vitamin B, is far less sexy, but just as important for your physical and mental health. It is found in . [read post]
My readings about folic acid led me to an obvious conclusion that folic acid supplementation is not only a matter of health but also a matter of business. According to Nutrition Business Journal estimates, folic acid, together with other forms of vitamin B, . In the grand scheme of things this may not be a lot of money, but it is enough to render folic acid an important part of the dietary supplement industry. [read post]
“Folic acid is good for you, period.” That’s the message we have been hearing from the media and from health care providers. Over the past two decades, studies showed the importance of folic acid in preventing some types of birth defects, premature birth, cardiovascular disease, muscular degeneration, and cancer. As a result, in 1998 a US government panel raised the Recommended Daily Allowance to 400 micrograms, doubling the level set in 1989. Related to this guideline, set requirements for cereal, bread, and pasta to be enriched with folic acid. And, issued statements urging women to take 400 micrograms of folic acid every day. Clearly, the emphasis has been on “getting enough.” [read post]
Over the past few years, major TV and cable networks in the U.S. reported on the use of St. John’s wort in treating depression. They acknowledged that the herb was effective in mild to moderate cases. However, what they emphasized is that St. John’s wort was ineffective in treating severe depression and that it interfered with certain prescription drugs and herbs. The underlying message was that it was best to stick with traditional medicine and stay away from the herbs. [read post]
A recent article published in Nutrition & Cancer focused on cancer protective properties of cocoa. The author, Gertraud Maskarinec, reviewed studies on cocoa and found that epidemiologic evidence is limited. However, interventional studies provide support for the cancer protective properties of cocoa. Namely, cocoa is linked with favorable changes in biomarkers assessing antioxidant status. Maskarinec concluded that “in moderation, cocoa products may offer strong antioxidant effects in combination with a pleasurable eating experience.” So, drink up (in moderation)!
Source: Maskrinec, G. (2009). Cancer protective properties of cocoa: A review of the epidemiologic evidence. Nutrition & Cancer, 61(5), 573-579.
