Mon, Mar-08-10, 03:16
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Plan: Muscle Centric
Stats: 238/153/160
BF:
Progress: 109%
Location: UK
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Eating foods rich in Vitamin D 'staves off winter blues'
Quote:
From the Telegraph
London, UK
8 March, 2010
Eating foods rich in Vitamin D 'staves off winter blues'
Eating plenty of foods rich in vitamin D such as oily fish and eggs can stave off the winter blues, say scientists.
Many people are more prone to SAD (seasonal affected disorder) during winter months as most of our exposure to vitamin D, which enhances our mood, comes from absorbing sunlight.
Professor Sue Penckofer, of Loyola University, Chicago, said: "Vitamin D deficiency continues to be a problem despite the nutrient's widely reported health benefits.
"Winters compound this issue when more people spend time away from sunlight, which is a natural source of vitamin D."
The nutrient is also found in liver and fortified foods such as margarine, breakfast cereals and powdered milk.
But the best source is summer sunlight because the vitamin forms under the skin in reaction to the rays.
Recent research has indicated because we all now wear sunscreen through the summer and see barely any daylight through the winter, many of us are low in vitamin D which is why people get SAD.
A number of studies have been done on sufferers and shown vitamin D helps to lift mood, in some cases proving better than light boxes.
But diet alone may not be sufficient to manage vitamin D levels with a combination of foods containing the nutrient, exposure to sunlight and treatment with supplements required.
Prof Penckofer and colleagues are enrolling eighty women aged 18 to 70 in a six month clinical trial of weekly vitamin D supplements to see if they improve blood sugar control and mood in those with diabetes.
Depression is associated with increased insulin resistance, so people with diabetes have a greater risk for the mental disorder. Women also tend to have greater rates of depression and poorer blood sugar control than men with diabetes.
Prof Penckofer said: "There is evidence to suggest that vitamin D supplementation may decrease insulin resistance.
"If we can stabilize insulin levels, we may be able to simply and cost effectively improve blood sugar control and reduce symptoms of depression for these women.
"Vitamin D has widespread benefits for our health and certain chronic diseases in particular. Our research may shed greater light on the role this nutrient plays in managing two conditions that impact millions of Americans.
"If proven to be successful, vitamin D may an important addition to care for diabetes and depression."
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http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/h...nter-blues.html |
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