Bonnie

Vitamin A: uses and benefits

{vision, gene expression, reproduction, embryonic development, growth, immune function} What is Vitamin A?   Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin obtained through diet. It includes retinol, retinyl palmitate, and beta-carotene. There are two forms: Preformed vitamin A (retinol and retinyl ester) is derived from animal sources such as meat, dairy products, and fish. Provitamin A (beta-carotenoid) is derived from colorful fruits and vegetables. Required for: cell growth immune function Eye health fetal development skin health response to inflammation Helps reduce oxidative stress protection against disease male and female re-productivity Toxicity Toxicity can occur because of the long half-life of Vitamin A in the body. Toxicity symptoms include dry skin, headaches, anorexia, nausea, bone pain, and cerebral edema. Toxicity occurs when a very high dose of Vitamin A has been taken. Therefore you should always consult with your health care provider before taking Vitamin A supplementation for correct dosage.   Deficiency symptoms: night blindness xerophthalmia (dry eyes) severely reduced immune competence delayed growth inflamed skin infertility and trouble conceiving respiratory infections slow wound healing Good Food sources Food sources include: sweet potato, spinach, pumpkin and carrots, squash, watermelon, asparagus and broccoli amongst others. DNA TESTING: The DNA Health Skin and DNA Core tests will tell you how well your body metabolises Vitamin A Sources: McEldrew EP, Lopez MJ, Milstein H. Vitamin A. [Updated 2023 Jul 10]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482362/ Debelo H, Novotny JA, Ferruzzi MG. Vitamin A. Adv Nutr. 2017 Nov 15;8(6):992-994. doi: 10.3945/an.116.014720. PMID: 29141980; PMCID: PMC5683001. Cite this Page Institute of Medicine (US) Panel on Micronutrients. Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin A, Vitamin K, Arsenic, Boron, Chromium, Copper, Iodine, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Nickel, Silicon, Vanadium, and Zinc. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 2001. 4, Vitamin A. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK222318/

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Why do I react to Gluten-free oats?

Oats are known for their Cross contamination issues. They are often grown, packaged or handled in the same area as wheat grains or gluten. Certified Gluten-free oats are better because greater care has been taken in the way they are grown, produced, handled and packaged and have gone through a certification process to ensure cross contamination is not an issue The other reason is something called cross reactivity. This is when your body recognizes certain protein structures as similar to gluten and attacks it the same way it would gluten. Avenin, the protein in oats is a similar amino acid structure as glutenin. Studies show that 1% of people who have Celiac Disease have the same autoimmune reaction to oats, regardless of whether it is certified or not. This is due to a genetic and immune system reaction. PMC8511309/ https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.986282/full

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The benefits of cold water immersion

This is something I have been practicing for a while and I find the benefits are many, to name a few: feeling more calm, energized and sleeping better on days I do it. Here are some other benefits: • Increases blood flow because it causes the blood vessels to constrict where the area is submerged, thus directing the blood flow to your organs. • After emerging from cold water, the blood vessels expand, oxygen and nutrient rich blood gets pumped back into your tissues, removing waste and lowering inflammation • Speeds up resting metabolic rate and stimulates the release of catecholmines which are compounds released by your nervous system that activate your immune system • Helps reduce pain and post exercise soreness • Can help ease feelings of depression and anxiety-probably due to the extra blood flow to the brain • The sympathetic nervous system is activated so you feel more energized. • 3-5 minutes is enough to feel the benefits. Give it a go and see how you feel.

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The benefits of grounding

Grounding is direct contact if the human body with the earth. It can be walking barefoot, lying on the ground or some other type of direct contact with your skin and the earth such as swimming in the ocean or a river. Studies show that grounding is beneficial for: • Reducing inflammation • Helping with wound healing • Strengthening the immune system • Improving sleep • Helps promote mitochondria health • Helps balance ROS (reactive oxygen species) • Improves mood • Increases your exposure to sunlight which is important reducing cortisol, hormones and absorption of Vitamin D This is an ongoing study in how the earths electrons work with the human body. We live in an age where we wear shoes almost constantly and spend more time in doors, have less exposure to nature, sunlight and the beneficial effects of grounding. You can walk barefoot on the grass or beach. Aim for just 10 minutes a day. I bet you will feel the benefits.

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Vitamin C uses and benefits

{immune health, antioxidant, increases oxytocin release , collagen and more} What is Vitamin C? Vitamin D is an essential water soluble vitamin. Essential meaning your body can’t produce it. You need to obtain it through food and/or supplements. The name for Vitamin C is ascorbic acid. It is essential for collagen, carnitine and neurotransmitters biosynthesis. Ascorbic acid is easily absorbed but not stored in the body. It has to regularly supplemented through diet or tablets to maintain the ascorbic acid pool in the body. It is absorbed by the small intestine by means of active transport and simple diffusion. Vitamin C is widely distributed in all the body tissues. Its level is high in adrenal gland, pituitary gland, and retina. Its level decreases in kidneys and muscles. Whatever the body doesn’t use, is extrected via urine.   Required for: collagen formation carnitine biosynthesis catecholamine synthesis producing dopamine transforming cholesterol into bile acids inhibiting nitrosamine formation in the stomach. enhancing the absorption of iron preventing scurvy immune system defense wound repair and healing oxidation At risk of deficiency: the elderly smokers Taking medications such as aspirin, indomethacin, oral contraceptives, tetracyclines, and corticosteroids. Those who have renal failure due to filtration of water-soluble vitamin C during dialysis conditions like gingivitis, asthma, glaucoma, collagen disorders, heatstroke, arthritis, infections Deficiency signs: easy bruising fatigue and low mood keratosis pilaris (chicken skin) coiled/corkscrew body hairs spoon-shaped fingernails slow healing of wounds painful joints weak bones bleeding gums and tooth loss weak immune system iron deficiency anemia Did you know? Vitamin C acts a cofactor for oxytocin. It helps stimulate the secretion of oxytocin from the pituitary gland into your bloodstream. Oxytocin is what helps us feel affection and love. According to one study, Vitamin C supplementation effectively increased work motivation and attentional focus and contributed to better performance on cognitive tasks requiring sustained attention. DNA TESTING: he DNA Health Skin and DNA Core tests will tell you how well your body metabolises Vitamin C and the genetic variants you carry that use Vit C in oxidation, and collagen formation. Sources: https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1475-2891-2-7 PMC4959991/ PMC8783887/ PMC6071228/  

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What you should know before starting psych medication

  Psych medication We don’t all metabolise medication the same way. Each person will metabolise, transport and bind certain drugs in a unique way according to their unique genetic makeup. Wouldn’t you want to know how an antidepressant or some other psychiatric medication would effect you before beginning it? Wouldn’t you want to know how or if you would respond and the possibility of side effects or even treatment failure? The DNA Medcheck test does just this. It gives insight into how you metabolize, transport and bind specific drugs, which in turn allows your physician to prescribe the medications that are most likely to prove effective whilst minimizing the side effects. We all know how antidepressants can have terrible side effects, sometimes worse than what the original problem is. Contact me for your DNA Medcheck test if you: • Are starting a psychiatric medication • are considering changing your medication • Are experiencing side-effects to your current medication • Are not responding to your medication • If your prescribing doctor is constantly having to adjust the dose of your medication This test applies to the following medication (note it does not test every single medication available.) Antiaddictives Anti ADHD agents Anti convulsants Anti dementia agents Anti depressants Anti psychotics Benzodiazepines Mood stabilizers And other neurological agents Don’t leave things to chance. Your genes influence how you respond to medication either negatively or positively. Contact me for your Medcheck test today.

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