Tip of the Month!
February 2009: What is Vitamin D ("the sunshine vitamin")?
Vitamin D is a very complex substance. For over a half a century, vitamin D was thought only to mineralize bones. But studies indicate that it does much more:
- Regulates calcium in all cells (especially brain cells)
- Protects the immune system
- Regulates cell growth and cell death
- Provides antioxidant and antiviral benefits
Vitamin D from foods is metabolized in the liver and the kidneys to form the active vitamin D-3. Many forms of commercial vitamin D supplements are not in the active form. So, when you buy vitamin D supplements, make sure it is vitamin D-3.
Archived Tips
January 2009: Why Drink More Water?
Do you know water comprises two-thirds of our body? This fact alone should encourage us to increase our water intake!! Water is so crucial to physical health because the human body must have adequate fluid to function - fluid that surrounds our cells, fluid within our cells, fluid that facilitates waste elimination, fluid that take energy to the brain and to our muscles, and fluid that helps our immune systems operation properly.
How much water do you need each day? One simple way to know that you are getting enough water is to take your weight and divide it in half, then drink that many ounces of water per day. Example: A person who weighs 140 pounds should get 70 ounces of water per day, while someone who weighs 180 should drink 90 ounces.
So drink up - you'll be glad you did!!
August 2008: Just How Nutritious is the “CANTALOUPE”?
Melons are not only sweet and refreshing, they are also highly nutritious. These fruits are good sources of potassium and vitamin C, and the ones with orange flesh exceptional sources of beta-carotene. Cantaloupe (muskmelon) is the most nutritious of the melons. It has at least three times more vitamin C (70% of the RDA for men and women), 10 times more beta-carotene and a third more of the potassium than most other melons. Two-thirds cup of cubed cantaloupe provides 3224 IU of vitamin A, which accounts for 3/4 of the RDA for women and over 2/3 of the RDA for men...and all of this with less than a gram of fat.