Archive for the Sunshine category
Vitamin D and the Elderly in Winter
by admin on January 14th, 2010
In the current wintry weather nutrition is often at the forefront of our minds - and rightly so; nutrition plays a significant role in promoting good bone health. For people with elderly relatives this is a topical issue, as the recent icy spell and poor weather have resulted in a lot of A&E admissions for broken bones and sprains. During the winter months the suns rays may not be strong enough to help the body make vitamin D. An alternative source of Vitamin D is fortified milk, it is a good way to increase Vitamin D and Calcium levels for bone health.
Avonmore Supermilk has added nutrients which can help prevent bone loss in elderly, especially in the dark days of Winter.
Why governments are selling Vitamin D short
by admin on December 1st, 2009
In recent years, vitamin D has been going to some exciting places. Reports of new and promising studies seem to emerge almost weekly. A 2007 analysis of vitamin D studies found that individuals with higher vitamin D levels are significantly – as much as 50 per cent – less likely to develop colorectal cancer. Another 2007 study found that women who took 1,100 International Units (IU) of vitamin D per day together with a calcium supplement reduced their overall cancer risk by 60 per cent. And the excitement is not only about cancer prevention. Low vitamin D levels have been linked to an increased risk of osteoporosis, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, depression and rheumatoid arthritis, among other diseases. Perhaps not surprisingly, in light of the other studies, one recent review of the health records of more than 13,000 Americans found that individuals with the lowest vitamin D levels were 26 per cent more likely, in an eight-year period, to die than those with the highest levels.
Experts believe they can prove vitamin D could help millions live longer and be healthier and yet they have not been able to convince their own governments.
Source: Sam Apple,Financial Time, Published: October 23 2009 16:56 | Last updated: October 23 2009 16:56
Ariticle in The Guardian - Is Sunshine a Miracle Cure?
by admin on November 23rd, 2009
“Our bodies make vitamin D when the sun shines, and new research suggests the positive effects on health are greater than we ever guessed. But too much sun causes skin cancer. It’s a dilemma provoking fierce discussion among scientists.”
Read the rest of this article from the Guardian.co.uk here.
Ideas For Winter Fun
by admin on November 17th, 2009
1. FREEZE DANCE
The weather might be bitingly cold but dancing will keep you warm! Bring a battery operated radio out into the yard and get dancing. One kids job will be to switch off the radio unexpectedly and when this happens, he/she will shout ‘FREEZE!’ Every child needs to freeze in position. Lose your balance or crack a smile and you’re out!
2. WINTER WALKS
Brave the outdoors and wrap up warm. There’s a winter world waiting to be discovered. The branches might be bare but check out the glistening frost, the red robin, frozen puddles ready to be poked with long sticks and sparkling frosted leaves. Stop and listen for the sound of silence and note the lack of insects.
3. HOPSKOTCH
This one is a great winter warmer! Draw up your hopscotch course and gather your pals. Hopping gets the blood flowing through your veins, your lungs working harder and your muscles warmed up too!
4. MAKE FUZZY EARMUFFS TO TEST OUTDOORS
Have you ever made your own fuzzy earmuffs? It’s so much fun! Get a wide hairband and two little teddy bears. Get an adult to help you to glue the teddy bears tummies to the hairband, the teddies feet and paws will keep your ears warm. Then get outdoors to test them out!
5. NATURE SCAVENGER HUNT
Make sure you are wearing warm clothes before you set out on your nature scavenger hunt! Make a list of items you want to find. An oak leaf, a snail shell, some moss, a feather, a pinecone and lots more!
6. WINTER MINI-GOLF COURSE
Got some mini-golf clubs? If not, why not get inventive and use some large wooden spoons! Lay down some big pots, pans, tubes and anything you’re allowed to pull from the kitchen or garage, Lay out a winter mini golf course the length of your garden and start putting!
7. LEAF RUBBINGS
It’s easy to make fun art outdoors. Grab some sheets of paper and fat crayons and trot outside. Take a selection of leaves, place one underneath your sheet of paper and rub the crayon lengthways on the sheet. The beautiful patterns of the leaves will start to emerge. So pretty! You can do the same on tree bark and other surfaces.
Vitamin D and its disease-fighting capabilities
by admin on November 17th, 2009
Long has it been known that Vitamin D has health-promoting benefits, but it is only recently that the full extent of these benefits has come to light.
The link to MS - Multiple sclerosis is thought to be caused by a mix of environmental and genetic factors. And while scientists are still trying to unravel how these interact, a growing body of research points to vitamin D as a key environmental factor.
In people with MS, the immune system malfunctions and attacks the protective coating around nerve cells known as myelin sheaths. The disease can affect sight, balance, continence, speech and more, and reduces life expectancy. Vitamin D’s influence on MS – and other autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes – is thought to be related to the vitamin’s ability to suppress autoimmune responses.
The link between vitamin D and MS was for many years thought to be wild speculation. Now more and more studies point in the same direction: people who have higher levels of vitamin D in their blood early in life are less likely to get MS later in life. Also, MS patients have been found to have low levels of vitamin D in their blood– and the levels appear to be even lower during relapses.
One small study published this year found that MS patients who took high doses of vitamin D – an average of 14,000 IU a day for a year – had significantly fewer relapses than those MS patients who took an average of 1,000 IU a day. Studies have also shown that vitamin D prevents experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), the mouse model of human MS.
A Times (UK) investigation into the links between vitamin D deficiency and multiple sclerosis led a 14-year-old boy whose mother has the disease to petition Holyrood to provide a vitamin supplement to all children and pregnant women.
Ryan McLaughlin, from Glasgow, decided he had to do something after he read an exclusive report in The Times showing there was a direct interaction between vitamin D and a common genetic variant, which increased the possibility of MS being inherited.
His mother, Kirsten, 34, became ill with MS three years ago and earlier this year Ryan underwent tests after he showed symptoms of the disease.
His campaign, Shine on Scotland, has started an e-petition and has already won the backing of J.K. Rowling. “I am really honoured to support Ryan in his fantastic campaign,” the author said. “Ryan’s mother has MS as did my own mother. I only wish I had the gumption at 14 to do what Ryan is doing and get such an important issue raised in the Parliament.”
Ryan has received messages of support from Nicola Sturgeon, the Scottish Health Secretary, and Kathleen McDermott, the Bafta Award-winning actress.
On June 16, he will lead 500 children on a march to the Scottish Parliament to lodge his petition.
Reference: Melanie Reid, The Times, May 19, 2009 “Schoolboy petitions MSPs over vitamin D link to MS”
Irish babies at risk from mothers’ low levels of vitamin D.
by admin on November 4th, 2009
Pregnant women need be more aware of the vitamin D content of their diet.
Researchers from the Northern Ireland Centre for Food and Health (NICHE) carried out a study on 99 expectant mothers and tested them at three separate times during their pregnancy.
Testing at 12 and 20 weeks of pregnancy revealed that as many as 96% of the women had insufficient level of vitamin D in their blood. Examination also revealed that at these test points, 35% could be classified as vitamin D deficient at 12 weeks and 44% at 20 weeks.
The results, published in the British Journal of Nutrition, also showed that during the third trimester, at 35 weeks, 75% had insufficient levels of vitamin D and 16% of women were deficient.
Dr Julie Wallace said the results clearly show that there is a need to highlight the importance of vitamin D in the diet of the population, and particularly for pregnant women.
Vitamin D is essential for building and maintaining strong bones, and previous studies have reported that low vitamin D levels during pregnancy are linked to lower bone density in children.
In the Ireland, pregnant women are recommended by the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) to take 10 micrograms of vitamin D per day.
Reference
Holmes VA, Barnes MS, Alexander HD, McFaul P, Wallace JM. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in pregnant women: a longitudinal study.Br J Nutr. 2009 Sep;102(6):876-81.
Walking to Work
by admin on July 30th, 2009
Billy Connolly once said: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing.” With this in mind, consider walking to work or part of the way to work as a fantastic way of getting more exercise into your everyday routine. Arrive at work feeling awake, refreshed and with a sense of achievement. You could also opt to take public transport in the morning to avoid being late and then take your time strolling home in the evening. In many cases, it can take the same amount of time to get home in the evenings if you throw on your trainers and take a hike. You’ll soon notice your energy levels starting to pick up and before long you will look forward to the daily exercise. So what are you waiting for?
10 Things To Do Before You’re 10
by admin on July 30th, 2009
The National Trust in Britain has said that 87% of parents wish their children spent more time outdoors. 8 out of 10 youngsters themselves feel that they spend too much time watching TV, playing computer games etc. The poll also found that 38% of children now spend less than an hour outdoors every day. With so many children admitting that they’d love to be outdoors in the fresh air, playing sports and adventuring, it’s time that families set time aside for recreation time outside. Many parents involved in the study also said that their favourite childhood memories were of playtime in the streets and parks but were concerned about their child’s safety outdoors. The trust has found that British wildlife has become alien to many children who confused bees with wasps and could not identify a magpie. The results of the poll have spurred a campaign called “10 Things to Do Before You’re 10” to promote outdoor activities. The suggestions are as varied as going on a bug hunt, hosting a teddy bears picnic or flying a kite.
Park Life
by admin on July 30th, 2009
Irish parks are a wonderful facility for anyone lucky enough to have one in their local area. As annual gym memberships are proving exorbitant for many, people are taking up good old fashioned walking and jogging to boost their fitness. Most Irish parks are now teeming with activity as people of all ages engage in fitness training, jogging, tennis, strutting their stuff down at the skate park or just lolling about in the grass with a good book. Getting back to basics is what it’s all about – no fancy cross-trainers or treadmills here, just straight up fresh air, crunchy leaves and mud encrusted runners. Check out fitsquad.ie or bootcamp.ie for details on fitness classes you can take part in at your local park.
Walk on the Wild Side
by admin on July 30th, 2009
little rain never hurt anyone! Walking and cycling holidays are growing in popularity this year as holidaying in Ireland is the only option for many cash strapped, office-phobic Irish people. Ireland is a beautiful destination which enthralls thousands of foreign tourists each year. How many of us can say that we have experienced all that Ireland has to offer? How many of us have seen the lush wilds of our own country, walked the Ring of Kerry, strolled the gorgeous Deerpark Forest Walk or discovered the Gleninchaquin Park? The ideal way to unwind, get back to nature and spend some all important time in the fresh air is by taking a walking or cycling trip via the highways and byways of Eire.
Family walking trips are a leisurely way to bond with each other, relax and discover nature. So many children are driven to school, incessantly playing computer games and watching TV in their spare time. Adults too have opted for lounging around after a hectic day, leaving them even more prone to fatigue and poor fitness levels. Our advice? Leave the car in the driveway, put on your walking shoes and walk your way to health, fun and a slimmer figure!
For more information on walking and cycling holidays in Ireland, see www.tourismireland.ie