What is the Best Multivitamin?

 By David J Kamau
You want to do right by your family and your own body by feeding it the nutrients it needs to function well. With this in mind, what is the best multivitamin?

With so many to choose from, searching is a daunting prospect when the consumer is not armed with information. Many companies will tell you it is their brand, but finding the best requires a look at many components.

For one thing, who is taking the vitamin? Is it an adult woman or male? Will your young child take the product, or a teenager? Pregnant women are advised to take a multivitamin for their specific needs. Each of these individuals requires something different according to age, sex and so on.

Your next decision revolves around product format. Many people believe that liquid vitamins are absorbed into the body more thoroughly than any other media. They often contain all-natural ingredients too, which health food sales people will tell you make these products better than synthetic. (Many experts actually dispute this claim). The trouble is that you could end paying more for little or no additional benefit.

Chewable and capsule-type multivitamins form the more common types. There are numerous examples at lower costs than liquid vitamins in both synthetic and natural varieties. For kids, chewable versions may simply taste better than liquid ones which also look a bit yucky compared with a brightly colored cartoon shape. These, being more like candy, will go down much more easily than a large pill seemingly made for a rhinoceros too.

For kids and for older consumers, there is no point buying a product which is too big to swallow or which tastes so bad you put off taking it. Whether it is the best brand or not, if a product sits in your cupboard the vitamins do you no good. Consumers are better off purchasing something palatable, even if the quality cannot be considered best.

More than vitamins, your supplement should contain minerals and other ingredients if they are to work to optimal effect. This is because many ingredients work together to improve function. If we were to eat a natural diet without supplements and fulfill our daily requirement of minerals, vitamins and so on, our diets would be varied to include numerous vegetable, whole grain and protein components.

We could never survive on just one of these. Nor will a vitamin work optimally without these other supplements. Unfortunately, consumers must expect to pay more for such a thorough product.

Another option comes from the liquid meal replacement shake. Lots of companies have entered the market in the last few years, eager to take advantage this popular way to maintain good health, lose weight and absorb appropriate amounts of vitamins.

Check these out carefully for what types they contain as well as other ingredients for sweetening and bulking up the finished, blended product. Ingredients in certain brands are not suitable for vegans or gluten intolerant. Others are made especially for their benefit. Beware of drinks with too much sugar and artificial sweeteners, however, even if the spectrum seems good and the fat content is low.

The same goes for chewable vitamins. While no child is likely to accept a tablet that tastes like kale, there are many sweeteners out there, many of them natural. Feeding your kids chemicals and colorant is unnecessary, though again, often cheaper. Companies which sell the tablets and chewable vitamins are coming out with products to meet the needs of specific dietary requirements.

Good Sources Of Vitamin K

 By Kristjan Gunnarsson
There are many good sources of Vitamin K, including both plants and animals. However, the quality of the Vitamin K differs substantially between them, since plants produce mainly the K1 (phylloquinone) form while animals produce the K2 form (menaquinone).

It is important to know that Vitamin K1 is not nearly as bio available as Vitamin K2. First, it is not absorbed nearly as well, and second it is not as effective in the cells of the body at doing its primary function, which is activating certain proteins and enabling them to bind calcium.

The plant form, Vitamin K1, can be obtained through many different sources. However, the best ones are green leafy vegetables, including kale, spinach, Swiss chard, broccoli and parsley. It is possible to get all the Vitamin K you need by eating plants, but you would have to eat a significant amount, and 1000mcg of Vitamin K1 have been found necessary to maximize amounts of functional osteocalcin, which is one of the main proteins affected by Vitamin K.

The animal form, K2, is the form that human cells prefer. This is found in a Japanese dish of fermented soybeans called Natto. Other than Natto, K2 is found exclusively in animal products.

The types of animal food that are rich in K2 include meats, eggs and organs. These contain a much higher amount if the animals are grass fed, therefore it is always better to get grass fed meat if it is available and isn't more expensive than what you are comfortable with.

The best out of all the sources of vitamin K is high fat dairy. This is where us western humans get the majority of our Vitamin K from, and this is the superior animal form (K2). High fat dairy includes cheese, cream and butter, where grass fed butter or butter oil is the richest source.

There was a study done on people, comparing their consumption of high fat dairy (among other things). What the researchers found was that those who ate the most had a 69% less chance of developing heart disease than those eating the least. To put this into context, heart disease is the worlds number one killer.

If you eat a lot of gluten grains, then they may interfere with fat soluble vitamin absorption and therefore it might be best to minimize them. It is also important to eat fat in order to be able to absorb Vitamin K and other fat soluble nutrients.

One of the sources of Vitamin K that we never run out of is the bacteria in the intestine. They actually produce so much that an actual Vitamin K deficiency is extremely rare, and it is pretty much unheard of except in infants who haven't had their large intestine colonized yet. This is the reason newborns are sometimes given Vitamin K shots at birth.

Vitamin K Cream

 By Tim Faber
Vitamin K Cream is one of those rare birds in the medical industry that is surprisingly effective for many, and is a viable substitute for some surgical procedures. Its' properties are effective at reducing and healing bruises, clearing and fading spider veins, and helping to reduce chronic redness and rosacea.

Outside its ability to increase capillary and vein wall strength, vitamin-enriched creams are well suited to penetrate surface layers of the skin encouraging healthy cell reproduction, elastin fiber health, and helping to repair and heal vein and capillary valves. Often used by dermatologists and cosmetologists as pre- or post-treatment care, Vitamin K Cream used alone is a successful alternative solution.

What Does Vitamin K Cream Do?
The very name is an indicator as its major function. The "K" stands for the German word "koagulation", which means blood clotter. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble substance that is proven to help blood clot. It pulls calcium from the bloodstream allowing proteins to bind to form a microscopic net that prevents blood flow.
Topical applications allow you to isolate this clotting ability to a specific area where excessive blood flow or seeping.

How Can It Help?
Vitamin K is not an instant fix. It takes the body time to absorb and begin properly healing leakage or repairing poorly functioning valves. Studies have shown that a minimum 1% solution (concentration by weight or volume) helps reduce the appearance of bruising and spider veins with extended, consistent use. Typically, results require application twice per day for two or three months. Results vary, but the longer and more religiously creams are used, the better the results. General results and benefits:

• Strengthen capillary and vein walls
• Reduce seeping and bleeding
• Facilitate coagulation
• Help fade spider veins, bruises and redness

Topical creams are most effective for reducing redness, broken capillaries, spider veins and bruising are those that combine with other ingredients known to heal and maintain healthy skin - such as Emu Oil, Hyaluronic Acid, Aloe Vera, and Vitamin E.

Many dermal problems are caused by pooling or seeping of blood near the skin's surface. Bruising is caused by trauma to the blood vessels. The tell-tale discoloration associated with bruising is caused when the blood leaks into surrounding tissue.

Redness and spider veins are also caused by levels of damage to veins and capillaries allowing blood to leak or pool under the skin or becoming trapped due to malfunctioning valves.

If you are looking for a skin care solution to bruises, redness and inflammation, or spider veins, Vitamin K Cream has been shown very effective to promote coagulation, improve vein wall and valve health and to fade and clear redness.

Vitamin K Deficiency

 By Dr. Emanuel M. Cane, DC
I have written on 3 minerals that are extremely important to the health of your body. They were calcium, potassium and magnesium. Of the 3, calcium is the one that most people are familiar with, and that is why it is given the most attention, so that most individuals will supplement their diet with calcium. However, vitamin K I believe is given less attention by the average individual, even if they are very much interested in their vitamins to maintain a healthy body. The Danish scientist Henrik Dem first identified Vitamin K in 1929 while he was experimenting with cholesterol. He found that this vitamin was important as a blood-clotting agent. The reports of his discovery were written in German scientific journals as the "Koagulationsvitamin", hence the name Vitamin K.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin and has 2 substructures as Vitamin K1 and K2. There is also a synthesized Vitamin K3 that has been found to have toxic properties, however, that is not the case with the natural Vitamin K1 and K2. Therefore, when taking a Vitamin K supplement, it is important that we make sure it is the natural form. The thinking in the medical community is that most people do not have a Vitamin K deficiency. That may not be the case because of the individual's lifestyle and habits. Vitamin K deficiencies can be caused by poor dietary habits, drinking alcohol that will have an effect on the liver, and taking too many antibiotics that will affect the natural flora of the intestines and that will affect the absorption of Vitamin K. Taking salicylates and barbiturates can have the same affect.

Other affects can be certain diseases and conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, diverticulitis, abdominal surgeries, and any other factor that will destroy the natural flora of the bowel. The natural aging process can also have a profound affect on the natural absorption of Vitamin K in the body. As we grow older these natural absorption processes become greatly decreased. There has also been some controversy as to another beneficial affect that Vitamin K may have. The medical profession has mostly ignored the possibility that Vitamin K may prove to be helpful in preventing muscle spasms. I personally, have found it helpful.

CAUTION: Anyone taking Coumadin (Warfarin) or other anticoagulants should not take a vitamin K supplement without discussing this with their healthcare provider. They should also inform their healthcare provider of any other vitamins or herbs, as they too may interact with any medications they may be taking. Speaking with a Pharmacist can also be very helpful in this respect.

With the proper diet, there should be no need to take Vitamin K as a supplement, unless the individual has a disease or condition that will prevent the intestines from normally absorbing the Vitamin K. In that instance it may be necessary to take larger amounts as an added supplement to your diet. Read below in health hints as what a proper diet should consist of, and the things that will interfere with getting a normal daily amount of the needed Vitamin K.

Health Hints
· Limit the amount of alcohol you drink, as this can cause liver problems that decrease your daily requirements of Vitamin K.

· Do not take antibiotics for the ordinary cold, or for any other reason if you can possibly avoid them.

· Avoid taking over-the-counter salicylates or medications containing barbiturates.

· There are particular foods that have high concentrations of Vitamin K and should be included in your diet on a daily basis. Try to pick at least 2 or 3 from this food group to use daily:

Kale, mustard greens, spinach, Brussels sprouts, green beans, Swiss chard, turnip greens, peas, okra, celery, rhubarb, green leafy vegetables, and some fruits, such as grapes, kiwi and avocado.

Incorporating a few of these foods in your daily diet will provide the needed daily requirement of vitamin K, unless there is a problem with its absorption as mentioned above.

What Is Vitamin K?

 By Jim S Lovasz
A good question, "what is vitamin K?" as the K vitamins were probably the most misunderstood vitamins of the twentieth century. Modern researchers have only recently begun to unlock the secrets of these vitamins, which were discovered by the pioneer nutritionist Dr. Weston Price over 60 years ago.

Dr. Price was well aware of the key role played by "a new vitamin-like activator," which he dubbed Activator X. Although he was cognizant of its key role in utilization of minerals, which prevent and even reverses tooth decay and in reproduction and development, brain function and protection from heart disease he had not been able to chemically describe it.

We now know after 60 years of attempts to identify the elusive X factor that it is vitamin K2. Vitamin K is found naturally in two forms vitamin K1 and vitamin K2. The first is found in green vegetables and K2 is synthesized from K1 by some animals but not humans. It is also produced in a different form by bacteria in some lacto-fermentation processes.

Researchers, until recently, had always figured that they were essentially a different form of the same vitamin. They thought that vitamin K's only role was in blood clotting and as K1 is about 10 times as prevalent in most diets disregarded K2 as unimportant.

Things have changed radically since then and the scientific community has a growing awareness of how crucial vitamin K2 is as a nutrient. Although we have known for some time that the fat soluble vitamins A & D play a key role in bone development and protection from degeneration and tooth decay it is only recently that we have understood that this can only take place in the presence of vitamin K2.

Dr. Price well named the vitamin Activator X because that is exactly what it is the essential "activator." Vitamin K2 allows the body to put calcium in the bones and the teeth where it is needed and keeps it out of the soft tissue where it is harmful.

The ability to make the conversion from vitamin K1 to K2 varies widely between different species of animals and, as I earlier mentioned, is not demonstrated in humans. The observation that the mammary glands seem especially efficient at this conversion leads some researchers to conclude this evolved due to the vitamin being essential for infant development.

Foods High in Vitamin K
Other than that which is produced in lacto-fermentation vitamin K2 is only found in animal products. Hence, for anyone who avoids animal products the Japanese dish called Natto is a very K2 rich dish. Natto is fermented from soybeans and has a host of other health benefits. It is also very pungent and is an acquired taste.

Due to its strong flavor and gooey texture many people are unable to stomach Natto. This is unfortunate in that a 3 oz serving once a week will probably provide all the vitamin K2 required by most people.

The next best source that I am aware of is high vitamin butter oil in the true tradition of Dr. Weston Price's research. While studying the habits of Swiss mountain villagers he found an excellent source of his X Activator. The villagers would take their cows up to the high alps in the spring and they would feed on rapidly growing grass.

This produced a buttermilk so beneficial to the Swiss villager's health that they made a religious ceremony to show their thankfulness. Alas, this is not a readily available commodity. The only good source that I am aware of is at greenpasture.org.

For those of us who enjoy animal products and aren't afraid of a healthy intake of cholesterol, which I have addressed in another article, there are a number of tasty alternatives. For example a 3 oz serving of Goose Liver Paste consumed 2 to 3 times per week provides ample K2.

Hard cheese is a good source and roughly 5 oz contains daily needs while soft cheese would require an extra ounce or two. There are also significant albeit lesser amounts in egg yolks, butter, chicken and beef, all of which are beneficial to a healthy diet.

Vitamin E Sources

 By Ryan M White
Since we do not produce vitamin E naturally within our bodies we need to get it from either food or from supplements. Studies have shown that we need to take a little more then what's recommended per RDA to get what we need. Vitamin E is typically found in fat foods which leads to the question, do we need to consume high amounts of fatty foods to get our vitamin E?

Vitamin E can come from many places for example, various oils, vegetable, corn or canola. Also many nuts like walnuts, pistachios and hazelnuts. You can also find this vitamin in legumes, grains, corn lentils rice and oats.

To reach the levels of vitamin E that we need it hard just to consume some of the food alone from above and thus many find the need for natural supplements. When you learn about some of the benefits like reduction of the aging process, slowing the deterioration from Alzheimer's and many more it becomes more and more prevalent the need for the proper levels of this vitamin.

Some on the other hand to take the initiative to get adequate amounts of nuts, legumes and grains in their diet and therefore don't need the supplement. Another good alternative to a supplement would be wheat germ which is a great source for vitamin E.

If your leaning towards the supplement route then you need to know which ones to choose. First we need to point out that Vitamin E group is made up of eight different compounds which consist of four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. Most supplements only contain 4 and to get the most of what we need you need to make sure you find ones with all eight in their natural form. To make a point about the natural form, many vitamins are synthetic and are for the most part OK in that form. With Vitamin E the alpha-tocopherol molecule acts differently in the human body. With the natural form all the molecules are the same and by contrast the synthetic out of the eight only one is the same and what's found in nature. To sum up the natural form offers the most benefit to our body since it's most like what's found in nature.

When looking for natural vitamin E check the label and make sure it reads d-alpha-tocopherol, this is the natural form of the vitamin that you want.

Advantages Of Vitamin E

By Keith K Woolley 
According to the US Department of Agriculture, most Americans don't have a sufficient amount of Vitamin E in their diets, which can contribute to a variety of health problems, such as heart disease, cancer as well as dementia. Vitamin E is an antioxidant, that means that it could assist reduce the potential damage that could be done by free radicals on the cells.

The molecules which consists of electrons which do not share their attributes are called as free radicals. They arise naturally when the body converts food to energy, but also find entrance to the body through external environmental sources such as cigarette smoke and pollution. An antioxidant like Vitamin E might work as a means of avoiding free radicals from damaging other molecules, leading to serious disease. Some studies show that Vitamin E helps to prevent glaucoma, as well as cataracts and macular degeneration.

Taken as a Vitamin supplement, it might help to protect cell membranes and even thereby benefit harm to the skin, heart, nerves, muscles and even red blood cells, which carry oxygen all over the body. There is evidence that Vitamin E is helpful to the skin and as an antioxidant, it works to prevent certain damage to sperm cells, that might just provide some help in increasing male fertility.

Vitamin E is found naturally in foods such as whole grain cereal, sunflower seeds, almonds, boiled spinach, California avocados and even peanuts.

For all those who buy vitamins online usually utilize Vitamin E as one part of a complete plan, including other vitamin supplements and herbal supplements which complement one other. There is some debate on no matter if the natural vitamin supplement is preferable to the synthetic, and to how much dose is helpful. There are all those who maintain that the body knows the difference in between the natural vitamin and the synthetic, but that you need more of the natural so as to gain the same advantages you might get with the synthetic.

Some even maintain that large doses are needed in order to get the full benefit, while others point to specific studies which indicate large doses over time may actually increase the risk of death as it might just work as a blood thinner to interfere with clotting in the blood. As when conducting any kind of health plan that uses a vitamin supplement to your diet, it's a good idea to consult your doctor before you begin.

Health Benefits of Vitamin E

 By Jean Helmet
The health benefits of vitamin E range include skin enhancement, wound healing, immune function, and protection against various diseases. Also called alpha-tocopherol, vitamin E is believed to reduce cholesterol and plaque buildup, reducing the risk of stroke and coronary artery disease (CAD).

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient, which means the body needs it but cannot produce it on its own. However, vitamin E deficiency is rare because it is fat-soluble - it is stored in the fat tissues for up to six months before getting depleted. Common food sources include nuts, poultry, wheat products, and various vegetable oils, particularly wheat germ oil. It is also available as a health supplement. Other health benefits of vitamin E include the following:

Antioxidant
One of the best health benefits of vitamin E is its antioxidant capacity. Antioxidants help remove free radicals - unstable compounds that damage cell structure, increasing the risk of cancer and weakening the immune system. This also protects against eye diseases, diabetes and pancreatic disorders, and Alzheimer's Disease.

Cholesterol reduction
Vitamin E prevents cholesterol from being converted to plaque, which thickens the blood vessels and leads to stroke and heart disease. It also thins the blood and improves blood flow even with plaque buildup on the artery walls. Studies show that vitamin E from foods can reduce the risk of stroke in postmenopausal women, although further studies are needed to support this claim.

Skin care
Skin and lip protection are also well-known health benefits of vitamin E. Vitamin E helps retain moisture in the skin and prevents dryness, itchiness, and chapping. It also protects against UV radiation and speeds up wound healing. It can be applied topically and is a main ingredient in most creams, lotions, and sunscreens.

Anti-inflammatory and pain relief
Studies suggest that vitamin E can both relieve and prevent osteoarthritis. Its effects are similar to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which are traditionally used to relieve arthritic pain. It also improves joint mobility, preventing gout and buildup of waste material in the joints.

IMPORTANT: Vitamin E is considered a dietary supplement, which means it is not as strictly regulated as conventional drugs. Additives in some products (such as starch, silica, and gluten) can inhibit the health benefits of vitamin E and even be harmful to your health. Buy only products that are GMP-compliant and make sure they do not contain any artificial colors or flavorings.

Use Vitamin E to Restore Penis Youth

By John Dugan

Inappropriate lifestyle can take a toll on a man's sex life. Poor diet, stress, oxidation and a lack of penis-specific vitamins can affect the health of the male organ and its function. While there are many natural products touted to improve the health of the penis, vitamin E is one of the few with real science to back it.

Vitamin E is a known antioxidant that has become popular over the last couple of decades for protecting against cardiovascular disease. What most men do not know is that this fat-soluble antioxidant is also a powerful anti-aging agent that can benefit peripheral circulation to the penis, nerve sensitivity, and enzymatic-control of erections.

Circulation
Circulation is of key importance when considering the health of the penis and sexual function. Blood flow to the penis is what enables the organ to harden and become erect in the first place. Without a strong heart muscle, clear arteries, lots of oxygen and good peripheral blood flow, there isn't sufficient fluid to create a strong erection. Vitamin E is a key nutrient for cardiovascular health. It improves easy circulation by acting as a natural blood thinner, similar to aspirin, causing the blood to become less viscous and more fluid.

Researchers from the Department of Physiology at Vidyasagar College in India also state that vitamin E protects against heart attacks, strokes, and oxidative damage to the heart muscles. Vitamin E supplements and a high vitamin E diet are considered both as prophylactic and treatment to all manner of cardiovascular diseases.

Nerve Function
Vitamin E plays a key role in protecting nerves from desensitization. As men age the penis nerves can lose some of their sensitivity, possibly due to circulation problems, oxidative damage, local trauma or rough treatment of the penis. Vitamin E directly protects nerves from oxidative damage and disease, and keeping vitamin E levels high ensures peripheral nerves in penis continue to function optimally. In an animal study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine, researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine, U.S.A., discovered that nerve fibers with a low vitamin E-content were more likely to suffer from peripheral nerve problems. Peripheral nerves, such as in the penis, are coated in various fatty substances (including vitamin E and omega 6 which act to protect the nerves and enhance nerve signaling.

This highlights the need for men to ensure they are getting adequate vitamin E from either their diets or from supplementation.

Impotence
Vitamin E may be able to treat impotence and sexual dysfunction directly, acting in a similar way to PDE-5 inhibitors such as sildenafil. During a study published in BJU International in December, 2010, researchers found that vitamin E supplementation increased the production of nitric oxide in penis tissues. Nitric oxide is an enzymes that stimulates the dilation of blood vessels in the penis, allowing blood to engorge the tissues and cause erection to occur. By increasing the production of nitric oxide, vitamin E can potentially be used as a natural treatment for male dysfunction and impotence. Far safer and less toxic than sildenafil, vitamin E would also have a beneficial effect on overall cardiovascular health, where sildenafil may have heart and blood pressure complications.

Penis Skin Health and Best Source of Vitamin E
Vitamin E is an important component of skin tissues, especially on the glans, foreskin and body of the penis. Vitamin E doesn't just work as an antioxidant -- it effects the elasticity, moisturization, strength and the youth of the skin. Studies show that vitamin E also improves cellular healing and reduces scarring. These factors are important, as roughened skin on the penis can lead to nerves losing their fine sensitivity. Rough, dry skin on the penis can occur because of dehydration, poor nutrition, not using enough lubricant, inflammatory skin conditions, broken skin and scarring. The preferred method for application of vitamin E is as a topical crème that permits direct absorption of vitamin E into penis skin where immediate and direct benefits can occur (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Vitamin E is an effective nutrient for all of these factors, and can be used as both an oral supplement and as a local vitamin E creme.

Vitamin D Sources Information

 By Cathy F
Seems like everywhere we turn there's an article on some new piece of Vitamin D information and its sources. The sun, supplements (powder mix, tabs, liquid), fortified foods (check labels) and food sources such as eggs come to mind straight away.

Odd sources:
• Mushrooms (no Vitamin A)
• Sunflower seeds ("sun-filled", soak overnight and use ground)
Herbal & food sources:
• Alfalfa
• Basil
• Bee pollen
• Fenugreek
• Irish moss
• Mullein
• Papaya
• Sarsaparilla
• Thyme
• Watercress
The usual sources may include cod-liver oil but new findings are looking at data more critically these days because early indicators are not positive for the high levels of Vitamin A.

What's amazing is that we live in a time where pristine facilities and great minds of the day put their heads together and we're right on the edge of linked data where, soon, anyone can ask a new question then pull information from many internet sites.

Today natural researchers, like you, are out there gathering the latest finds and putting them together to make an informed decision, especially on D sources. For example, the big news lately is how Vitamin A competes with Vitamin D in the body so you can use a NutritionData calculator and find listings (high in one factor, low in another). For instance, within the fish category you will search and find that halibut happens to have much more D than A.

To cover the point "why?" we say: because it gives an almost immediate end to chronic pain. That is due to the anti-inflammatory aspect of Vitamin D by its activation in the kidneys and liver to receptors in every cell of your body. Further, what is little understood is that Vitamin D, although fat soluble, can be made to be water soluble and helps with your respiration, too. If you have poor metabolism then D must be part of your healthy game plan for its action on the thyroid and this area, which controls your weight.

"How?" is a question that not everybody asks because the world is suffering from information over load. But the answer to this particular query is "It depends..." on the source.

New under-the-tongue sprays bypass the kidneys and liver which is good news for some of us. This gives you a very quick usable source, which is another good reason to monitor your blood levels, and keep a journal on the state of your personal health. Otherwise you will waste your hard-earned cash. Most people will not need to concern themselves here because every organ is in good working order so you can begin with gradual sun exposure. Also, certain kinds of lights hung over the back of your door gives clean, easy and fast UVB rays. That is an investment worth checking out (around $1,000).

Naturally we're asking "where?" because, just like real estate, location is everything if you will be working on absorbing the precious sun's rays into your yearly regimen (to build up stores). Speaking of location some of us have the luxury of getting our sun on a daily basis, and the darker your skin the longer the time you ought to spend in the sun. The further away from the equator then the higher the concern for alternate sources of Vitamin D must be. Remember: uncover the areas usually covered by a full set of clothing, but cover up face, hands and upper neck to avoid photo-aging on this always-exposed skin.

The Worlds Healthiest Foods is non-profit so I like to look there for ideas about super foods and they recommend Sockeye salmon and explain that this fish has a diet of zooplankton which brings us right back to the sun and photo-synthesis once again.

The typical source for Vitamin D supplements would be raw sheep's wool placed under ultra-violet B lights to create cholecalciferol, a superior form (D3). Make sure you find pharmaceutical grade Vitamin D3 from North America, Europe and the commonwealth sources where standards are high. No sense in risking your health for possible toxins and no need for sugar so watch out for that, too.

Some people under care are given temporary directions to take low anti-biotics for eighteen months to completely rid themselves of L-form bacteria (without a cell wall) first before going forward with the benefits of sun play, and will need to wear sunglasses and avoid all sources for a while, so it helps to know your sources.

In summary, Vitamin D information is becoming abundant so find out your Vitamin D blood levels and what that means to you in particular to make an informed decision.