Vitamin D deficiency appears to be more prevalent, even outside the season of winter.
And as it is winter, I thought it timely to return to the topic of vitamin D and sunshine.
We understand that excessive amounts of sunshine, particularly during those times of the day when the sun is intense can increase our risk of developing skin cancer. It is an important message that has been communicated effectively.
However we are unfortunately seeing increasing levels of Vitamin D deficiency particularly in women. Like most things there are likely multiple factors contributing to this.
I am often asked questions about Vitamin D including why is it important, can get it safely from sunshine, are there are sources and is it possible to take too much when taking a supplement?
Read on for my answers.
MoreSugar and more particularly added sugar also known as honey, sucrose, glucose, fructose, lactose, golden syrup, agave nectar, dextrose, high-fructose corn syrup, brown sugar, fruit-juice concentrate, malt, raw sugar, syrup, malt extract, maple syrup, cane crystals, cane sugar, maltose, treacle, corn syrup, corn sweetener, evaporated cane juice, molasses and palm sugar is continuing to be a hot topic for discussion.
As a result there is a huge volume of information being written about sugar.
Despite this people are telling me they are not clear on the key messages they should be aware of in regard to sugar in their food.
Here are answers to the ten most commonly questions I receive about sugar.
MoreWinter health tips? How can you help prevent bugs from knocking you out for the count?
It is that time of year, when because we are indoors more we can be at risk of coming into contact with more bugs.
Three questions I am commonly asked are:
- How do I limit or avoid my contact with bugs?
- How do I help fortify my your immune system?
- What are some key nutrients I need to ensure are in my diet?
You know the drill, read on.
MoreThe pros and cons of reducing meat intake?
It is a commonly asked question.
I believe in a balanced diet so I do not recommend you remove any of the major food groups unless there is good reason.
I believe variety, fresh, moderation and quality are principles synonymous with healthy eating. Add staying active to this and you have a great foundation for good health.
However it is a question asked a lot, so here is a quick run of some key considerations in this conversation.
MoreHow to create long term quality health? Was Garfield right?
Morning all, how is your day going? I woke up thinking about Garfield the cat. Do you remember him? His favourite food was lasagna? Do you remember his favourite quote? It was diet was “die with a T”. It got me thinking. Then I got me fired up.
Why? Read on.
MoreGetting active and staying active long term.
What do you do to keep and stay active? Would you put active and enjoy in the same sentence?
Or does being active conjure up images of discomfort and endurance, sufficient to send you looking for the nearest exit.
Our bodies are designed to move. When you read through the list of benefits it seems like being active is a no brainer. Being active improves our mood, combats poor health and disease, increases our energy levels, improves the quality of our sleep, our sex life and ensures we stay strong, mobile and flexible to live a long quality life. And of course it is fun.
And when have you read a recommendation that did not involve being active as well as eating a healthy food?
MoreHow to get and stay active? And of course enjoy being active?
Let me start with a question. What is the link between music, housework and being active?
I know you do not like housework, you probably see it as a necessary evil right?
I invite you to change your perspective and see it as an opportunity, an opportunity to get active and have fun.
Not convinced? Just go with me at this stage and read on.
MoreSupplements … should you take them?
There are a countless sources of information and/or advertising telling us that in order to achieve and maintain optimum health we need to consider adding a supplement or more to our daily routine.
I have no doubt many of you have read this information and some of you have made the decision to take a supplement.
Can I ask, do you know whether the supplement you have chosen will help you achieve and/or sustain optimum health and wellbeing? If you have answered yes, how do you know this, do you have clarity over the specific measures you can use to confirm this?
MoreHow much should you eat and how much should you exercise? Does good health simply come down to these two questions?
In seeking to justify the infiltration of junk food ads on our TV, I heard a representative from the Advertising Industry say something to the effect…”it is people’s responsibility to decide what they eat…after all it is about energy in and energy out”. In effect he was saying balance food intake with how much exercise or activity you do.
Yes, it is true, it is ultimately a person’s responsibility to decide on what they eat, and yes it is important to balance food intake (energy in) with activity/exercise (energy out).
However I am in emphatic disagreement (if such a type of agreement exists) that it is NOT just about how much you eat and howactive you are.
Why? Because the relationship between health and food quality is being ignored.
MoreWhy become a nutritionist? What does a nutritionist do?
My journey to becoming a nutritionist started a long time ago. When I was approximately 10 years old, it was discovered I had a thyroid autoimmune disease – I had Hashimoto’s. I went from being a happy high energy child full of beans to a teary child who could not get out of bed in the mornings. I also developed a lump in my throat; a goitre. Key signs something was not right.
More
