Coconut Water

Coconut water, the liquid from a young unripe coconut, is a natural isotonic beverage filled with immune boosting vitamins and nutrients. This healthy drink offers replenishing electrolytes, as well as potassium, calcium and magnesium.

This nutrient rich beverage contains organic compounds with beneficial growth properties that can dramatically improve your health. It is completely free of chemicals and is save for children and babies. Some pregnant women prefer drinking coconut water as a natural aid for digestive problems during pregnancy. The lauric acid found in coconut water is the same as human breast milk.

Regular consumption of coconut water can naturally improve immunity, increase metabolism, alter HDL and detoxify the body. Consistent consumption of coconut water can help regulate intestinal function which is known to provide a wide variety of health benefits including a clearer complexion. Coconut water also contains monolaurin which acts as an antiviral monoglyceride which has the abiltiy to kill a variety of viruses and bacteria in the body.

Coconut water is a natural sports drink. Providing 15 times the electrolytes than most sports drinks, coconut water promotes hydration by stimulating the plasma which contributes to 55% of human blood. It is contains calcium and serves as a nutritious cholesterol free boost after a workout. Coconut water has fewer calories and sodium than most soft drinks or juices.

In addition, coconut water is high in potassium and consumed regularly can significantly reduce the risk of hypertension.

Health Benefits of Drinking Coconut Water Regularly

• Naturally boost immune system
• Improve intestinal health
• Increases metabolism & weight loss
• Balance body ph
• Detoxify & fight viruses
• Stop fatigue
• Helps prevent hypertension
• Control diabetes
• Aids in circulation
• Reduces cancer risk
• Treats kidney stones
• Eases stomach pain & vomiting

Today there are several ready-to-drink organic coconut beverage available. Some popular brands are Vita Coco, Zico Pure and O.N.E. They all provide fresh coconut water in tetra packaging to preserve nutrients.

Give it a try! - Shannan

Source: suite101.com

More on Vitamin D

A couple months ago I wrote a short post on the virtues of Vitamin D. I would like to add to that a bit.

I was at a party this past weekend and my friend who went through breast cancer treatment (surgery, chemo and radiation) about a year ago mentioned that her doctors attribute her breast cancer to a Vitamin D deficiency. My first reaction was to pass along more information on the Vitamin D/Breast Cancer link to our readers.

Here is a good article on the breast cancer/Vitamin D connection...

There's a paradigm shift going on in medicine as new research reveals a far greater role for vitamin D. Vitamin D is not just for kids—or the prevention of rickets. Optimal levels of Vitamin D (40–80 ng/ml) enhance the creation and functioning of healthy cells throughout the body. In addition to protecting the bones and boosting the immune system, studies show that Vitamin D helps prevent certain cancers, including breast, ovarian, prostate and colorectal. Exciting new research shows that, in the United States alone, thousands of new cases of breast cancer could be prevented every year if more women had optimal levels of vitamin D.

A study conducted by Cedric Garland and other prominent vitamin D researchers determined that women with vitamin D levels above 52 ng/ml have half the risk of developing breast cancer as those with 13 ng/ml! Garland (et al) estimates that 58,000 new cases of breast cancer in the United States could be prevented per year by raising vitamin D levels to 52 ng/ml. Imagine what the global impact could be!

A simple blood test is all that's needed to find out your vitamin D level. Five years ago, a range of 20–100 ng/ml was considered normal. Just recently, this range was raised to 32–100 ng/ml. Make sure to ask your healthcare provider what your actual vitamin D level is. Too often women are told that their levels are normal, which is not the same as optimal.

If you're deficient, the best way to boost your vitamin D quickly is to supplement with vitamin D3. Initially, you may need to take 5,000 IUs per day. After establishing a healthy level, I recommend supplementing with 1,000 to 2,000 IUs per day—it's hard to get all you need from food. Some healthy fish provides 300 to 700 IUs, but milk only provides 100 IUs per glass.

In Michigan we don't get much sun in the winter, so personally, I take a supplement. This one is yummy...

- Shannan

Source: Oprah.com

Vitamin D

As Karla mentioned in her post on Cold and Flu Season, vitamin D can play a role in preventing a more severe case of the seasonal flu. In addition sufficient levels of vitamin D are known to help prevent high blood pressure, certain cancers, osteoporosis, kidney disease, liver disease, multiple sclerosis and more.

Studies have shown that as many as 60% of us are deficient in vitamin D. Some common reasons for vitamin D deficiency are being overweight (vitamin D is fat soluable, it can be taken into fat cells and stored, thus making it potentially less available in our body's metabolism.), being dark skinned (it takes more sunlight for your body to absorb the vitamin D) or simply due to your geographic area (you simply are not exposed to as much sun).

Sun is the best source of vitamin D. In the U.S. if you live north of Texas you are probably not getting sufficient amounts of sunlight starting in the Fall. Light skinned individuals require 10 - 15 minutes of sunlight 2-3 times per week when the shadow you cast is shorter than you. In other words, the sun is high in the sky. Dark skinned individuals require one hour.

Fish such as salmon, shrimp and cod are a excellent to very good sources of vitamin D. If you are not likely to eat the amount of fish required to maintain a good vitamin D level, you may supplement with cod liver oil.

Dairy products are often fortified with plant based vitamin D. These can be good sources of vitamin D, but are not as good for humans as the animal version.

Eggs are another good source of vitamin D.

The only way to really know your vitamin D levels is to be tested. Your doctor can then interpret your vitamin D level and recommend dietary changes or supplements if necessary.

- Shannan