All You Need to Know About Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin that can be synthesized in the skin with the aid of ultraviolet light. It is involved in the regulation of calcium and phosphorus metabolism and it is necessary for growth and is especially important for normal growth and development of bones and teeth in children. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) for adults is 200IU and for children is 400IU. It is estimated that the RDA can be achieved with the exposure of 30% of a person’s skin surface for 30 minutes at moderate latitudes. Food sources include fish liver oils, dairy products fortified with vitamin D, eggs, halibut, oatmeal, sardines, sweet potatoes, tuna, butter and alfalfa. Vitamin D is necessary to prevent Rickets in children and osteoporosis and bone fractures in older adults. Recently, there has been excellent evidence showing that Vitamin D has anti-cancer and immune boosting properties. Doses of 1000-3000IU daily might be required to achieve these effects. It is important however to monitor your blood levels of Vitamin D (specifically 1, 25 DHCC) to prevent toxicity when taking higher doses.

Healing Dry Skin

Dry, itchy skin is not only uncomfortable but it can be quite painful as well. There are many factors that we cannot control such as genetics and cold weather but there is still a lot that can be done to prevent it.

The first recommendation is eating nutritious, vitamin and mineral rich foods. Getting adequate Vitamin E and Vitamin A/beta-carotene is essential for healthy skin. Essential fatty acids (EFA’s) are also very important when it comes to nourishing the skin. The best source of EFA’s is fish, however nuts and seeds also provide adequate amounts. Taking a good quality fish oil supplement can also be helpful.

Avoiding excessive hand washing is important, especially washing with harsh soaps. Natural soaps containing Vitamin E, coconut oil, calendula, olive oil and evening primrose oil are great.

The most important recommendation and the one that is most forgotten is to stay hydrated. Drinking lots of water throughout the day (especially first thing in the morning) is key to keeping the skin healthy!

Cosmetic acupuncture

Cosmetic acupuncture is a great anti-aging procedure that is effective at reducing the signs of aging without any adverse side effects. It helps to decrease fine lines especially on the forehead, furrows, around the mouths and eyes, it improves skin tone and evens out the complexion. I have been doing cosmetic acupuncture in my practice now for 6 years and have treated many patients who were extremely happy with the outcome.

Ragweed season is approaching

For those people out there who suffer from ragweed allergy, the peak season is almost here. Most allergy suffers notice symptoms starting around the middle to end of August. Since ragweed is almost everywhere, it is difficult to avoid it. So the best way to get relief is to support the immune system and I have found that treating patients before the start of ragweed season allows for the best outcome. Whether it be determining which foods are triggering an immune reaction or using herbal or nutritional supplements with anti-inflammatory or anti-histamine effects, Naturopathic Medicine can be extremely beneficial for allergy sufferers.

Is A Multivitamin Necessary for Everyone?

Patients often ask me if it is necessary to take a multivitamin. The simple answer is no. Of course, it depends on each individual's diet, lifestyle and nutrient requirement when determining if a general multivitamin-mineral supplement is required. If you eat a well balanced diet of 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, take in sufficient protein, drink a lot of water, avoid refined carbohydrates and eat only complex carbohydrates as well as exercise regularly and get adequate sleep, then a multivitamin is not necessary. It's always better to get your nutrients from healthy, nourishing foods whenever possible!

Success Story: Fertility Case

A woman in her 30’s came to see me for fertility problems; she had been trying to conceive for 4 years prior to coming to see me. She had previously tried in vitro fertilization with no success. After 2 months of treatment at our clinic, she got pregnant and she recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Initially we did a thorough health history intake to determine possible reasons why this couple was having difficulties conceiving and then together we came up with a treatment plan that was suitable for them. Treatment involved simple diet changes, high quality herbal and nutritional supplements and weekly acupuncture sessions.

Answers to some of your Detoxification Questions

What are the Benefits of detoxing?
Detoxing helps the four detoxification organs in eliminating toxins – the liver, colon, kidneys and skin. Toxins build up in our bodies through eating the wrong foods, our environment and living an unhealthy lifestyle. Sometimes our bodies need assistance in getting rid of these toxins and this is the purpose of a detox.

When is it a good time to do a detox?
Detoxes can be done at anytime during the year if you want to address a certain condition. However, if you are looking to do a general cleanse, then the optimal times are spring and fall.

What are the side effects?
Everyone responds differently to detoxing. Some people who are more sensitive and/or have a lot of toxicity may experience headaches, low energy and moodiness but these symptoms usually clear up within the first week or two.

What detox is right for me?
There are many different detoxes available. General liver/colon cleanses, digestive cleanses, Candida diets and heavy metal detoxes are some examples of detoxes that are available.

What’s involved in a detox?
A detox usually involves necessary dietary modifications along with 1 or 2 nutritional and/or herbal supplements. They usually last about 3-6 weeks.