Page 21 - Florida Sentinel 1-25-19

Health
Wouldn’t it be great if one vitamin could build stronger bones and protect against diabetes, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, and depression? Or even help you lose weight? While research doesn't support the idea of a "wonder pill," some researchers still have high hopes for vitamin D -- which comes from our skin's reaction to sunlight, a few foods, and supplements. Learn the facts and see who's at risk for a "D" deficiency.
Vitamin D Boosts Bone Health
Vitamin D is crit-
ical for strong bones,
from infancy into old
age. It helps the body
absorb calcium from
food. In older adults
with osteoporosis, a
daily dose of "D" and calcium helps to prevent fractures and brittle bones. It also has been shown to help reduce falls in elderly commu- nity dwellers. Children need "D” to build strong bones and prevent rickets, a cause of bowed legs, knock knees, and weak bones. Adding the vitamin to milk in the 1930s helped to nearly eliminate rickets.
Low "D" and Depression
Vitamin D plays
a role in brain devel-
opment and func-
tion, and low levels
of vitamin D have
been found in pa-
tients with depres-
sion. But studies don't show that Vitamin D supplementation will help reduce the symp- toms of depression. The best bet is to talk with your doctor about what might help re- duce the symptoms of depression.
Vitamin D and Diabetes
Some studies
have shown a link
between a low vita-
min D level and
type 1 and type 2
diabetes. So, can
boosting your vita-
min D levels help ward off the disease? There's not enough proof for doctors to recommend taking this supplement to prevent diabetes. While we know obesity is a risk for both vita- min D deficiency and type 2 diabetes, we don’t yet know if there is a causal relationship be- tween diabetes and vitamin D levels.
Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple scle-
rosis (MS) is more
common far away
from the sunny
equator. For years,
experts suspected a
link between sun-
light, vitamin D levels, and this autoimmune disorder that damages the nerves. One newer clue comes from a study of a rare gene defect that leads to low levels of vitamin D – and a higher risk of MS. Despite these links, there's not enough evidence to recommend vitamin D for the prevention or treatment of MS.
Dining With Vitamin D
Many of the
foods we eat have no
naturally occurring
vitamin D. Fish such
as salmon, sword-
fish, or mackerel is
one big exception
and can provide a healthy amount of vitamin D in one serving. Other fatty fish such as tuna and sardines have some "D," but in much lower amounts. Small amounts are found in egg yolk, beef liver, and fortified foods like cereal and milk. Cheese and ice cream do not usually have added vitamin D.
Vitamin D and Weight Loss
Studies have
shown that people
who are obese often
have low blood lev-
els of vitamin D.
Body fat traps vita-
min D, making it
less available to the body. It's not clear whether obesity itself causes a low vitamin D level or if it's the other way around. But one small study of di- eters suggests that adding vitamin D to a calorie- restricted diet may help overweight people with low vitamin D levels lose weight more easily. But more evidence is needed to confirm that benefit.
Your Vision's Blurry
You may get a headache when you try to focus on some- thing near your face. If you're farsighted, things look fuzzy as you get closer to them. It could be because your eyeball is too short or the clear covering on your eye, called the cornea, is too flat. You might be born with it, but it starts to happen to most folks after age 40. Your doctor can help with eyeglasses, contact lenses, or surgery that corrects the shape of your cornea.
You Have an Ear Infection
Bacteria or a virus may in- fect the air-filled middle ear, where tiny bones vibrate to make the sounds you hear. It usually happens fast. Fluid buildup could cause ear and head pain along with drainage of liquid, blood, or pus. If you no- tice any of these symptoms, call your doctor, who will want to watch the infection and can help you manage pain and swelling. Most cases get better without treatment in 1-2 weeks.
You Had Sex
You may have a dull ache in your neck or head that worsens as you get more sexually ex- cited. Or it might be a throbbing headache that arrives quickly just as you climax. Some people feel both. Most last minutes, but it can be hours. It's usually nothing to worry about, but tell your doctor right away if you get a headache during or after sex, especially if it never happened before or it's sudden, which could be signs of something se- rious.
You Overdo Your Pain Relievers
Even common over-the- counter medications like as- pirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen may cause headaches if you use them more than 15 days a month. Prescription opioids or drugs with caffeine might do it in just 10 days. People who get mi- graines are more likely to have this problem. Your doctor can help you change your meds and give you other strategies to make you feel better.
You Tense Your Neck and Shoulders
Do you hunch over your computer for hours or hold your phone to your ear with your shoulder? Or maybe stress makes you tense the muscles in your jaw. Any of these may cause "tension headaches." A hot shower, warming pad, and over-the- counter meds can help. Regu- lar exercise along with meditation and other relax- ation approaches might stop it before it starts.
Your Sinuses Are Swollen
A simple cold can inflame hollow areas behind your cheekbones and forehead. The swelling could cause pain there that worsens when you bend over. It might be hard to breathe because mucus, which can get thick and yellow or green, doesn't drain properly. Over-the-counter drugs can often help you manage it. There's no need to call your doctor unless the symptoms are bad, don't go away, or get worse.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2019 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY PAGE 9-B