It's a Bird, It's a Plane, It's Vitamin D to the Rescue

Vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin, can enhance the body's ability to fend off infections, help prevent heart disease, increase bone health, enhance moods, prevent some cancers, and protect against some autoimmune diseases and diabetes.

Because many seniors do not get 15 minutes of sunlight a day and do not each food rich in vitamin D (fatty fish, fortified milk), it may be wise to take a supplement.

Ask your physician if you should be taking the recommended amount for 51-70 year olds (400IU) or 71+ year olds (600 IU).

Studies have shown that vitamin D also helps with memory, attention, and logic.

For more on vitamins and supplements, visit 50somethinginfo.com

Echinacea No Cure for Common Cold

A study of a small group of participants at the University of Wisconsin found that the herbal remedy echinacea was no better than a placebo in relieving symptoms and for shortening the duration of colds.

Lead research Dr. Bruce Barrett advised, "if you are an adult and believe in echinacea, it's safe and you might get some placebo effect if nothing else."

Vitamin D May Or May Not Help Older Women

Vitamin D deficiency and frailty are common with aging. Vitamin D supplementation has grown in popularity.

However, a new study has found that both low AND high levels of vitamin D are "associated with increased risk of frailty in older women (69+years."

More trials need to be completed to make definitive conclusions.

Nutritional Supplements Help With Major Depression

Up to 10% of people will suffer from some major depressive disorder some time in their lives.

A small study lead by a psychiatrist at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, Dr. George Papakostas, found that adding a costly nutritional supplement to a patient's antidepressant treatment improved their symptoms.

Called S-Adenosyl Methionine or SAMe, the supplement that is sold over-the-counter had fewer side effects than some FDA-approved prescribed medications.

Information taken from MedlinePlus, health information from the National Library of Medicine

For more on depression and nutritional supplements, visit 50somethinginfo.com

Antioxidants In Food Or Supplements?

According to the University of California at Berkeley Wellness Letter (11/06), only antioxidants found in food (not in supplements) "help deactivate the free radicals that damage cells and promote chronic diseases."

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition listed the top 14 antioxidant foods and beverages based on typical serving sizes:

blackberries, walnuts, strawberries, artichokes, cranberries, brewed coffee, raspberries, pecans, blueberries, cloves, grape juice, unsweetened baking chocolate, sour cherries and red wine.

Processing and cooking generally does not effect antioxidants. In fact, the amount of antioxidant in many vegetables increases when microwaved, steamed or boiled.

Eat your way to health.

For more about dietary supplements, visit 50somethinginfo.com.