3430

3430-D Anderson Hwy.

Powhatan, VA 23139

(804) 598-5352

www.herbalconsultant.com

NOVEMBER, 2007 NEWSLETTER

FREE TONGUE

& PULSE

DIAGNOSIS

at our shop

Come meet our new acupuncturist,

Elizabeth Mastropierro, L.Ac.

She will give you a free tongue & pulse diagnosis according to the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

SATURDAY, NOV. 10

1:00pm - 3:00pm

VITAMIN D

There is a very good reason we should all be outside in natural sunlight every day for 15 – 30 minutes without sunscreen or a hat. Vitamin D comes directly from the sun and it plays a critical role in our health and well-being. It is absorbed through the skin – not through hats, clothing, or sunscreen. While its major benefit seems to be strengthening bones, recent research published in USA Today shows the following additional benefits of vitamin D:

· Adults who consume 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D daily might lower their risks of colon, breast and ovarian cancers by up to 50%.

· Children whose mothers get plenty of vitamin D during pregnancy have bigger, stronger bones at age 9. In fact, maternal vitamin D matters more than all the milk children drink in those first nine years.

· Other studies suggest the vitamin might even help prevent hypertension, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis and it also supports immunity.

Further, an article published in the September 10 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine stated, “Intake of ordinary doses of vitamin D supplements seems to be associated with decreases in total mortality rates.” In other words, vitamin D improves overall health and increases longevity. Other statistics show that the portion of vitamin-D-deficient people in northern regions of the US, Europe, and China are as high as 60 percent and in 2005, Harvard researchers concluded that the current recommended daily allowance (400 IU) is only half of what it needs to be to help prevent bone fractures. Finally, African-Americans have the highest risk for vitamin D deficiency because dark skin needs 5 to 10 times more sunlight than white skin to produce the same amount of this vitamin. Since sunlight can cause sun damage, being in the sun longer than 30 minutes without protection might be risky, so take precautions.

Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium and it is equally as important for bone health as calcium. One study showed that elderly women who took a daily vitamin D supplement (800 i.u.) plus calcium for three months reduced their risk of falling by 49% compared with consuming calcium alone.

Getting enough vitamin D from dietary sources is difficult. Most health researchers and nutritionists agree that the minimum daily intake should now be at least 1000 i.u. and even more for people with certain health conditions like osteoporosis. Most nutritionists agree people normally don’t eat enough of the right foods to get enough vitamin D. That fact along with not getting enough sunshine is what has led to the widespread deficiencies in the U.S. and the world. Foods with a high content of vitamin D include the following:

Cod liver oil, 1 tablespoon 1,360

Salmon, cooked, 3½ ounces 360

Tuna fish, canned in oil, 3 ounces 200

Sardines, canned in oil, drained, 1¾ ounces 250

Milk, vitamin D fortified, 1 cup 98

Egg, 1 whole (vitamin D is found in egg yolk) 20

Liver, beef, cooked, 3½ ounces 15

Swiss Cheese, 1 ounce 12

Many health professionals are recommending daily vitamin D supplements for everyone, especially during the winter months when people can’t expose their skin to the sunlight.

ACUPUNCTURE IS NOW IN POWHATAN!

We’re pleased to welcome Elizabeth Mastropierro, L.Ac.

to our group.

Elizabeth practices Traditional Chinese Medicine, acupuncture, and Tui Na, and she also teaches Qi Gong and Mindfulness Meditation. Elizabeth will be at Apothecarian Herbals every Wednesday.

For appointments, call (804) 840-2193

DON'T FORGET ABOUT MASSAGE!

DOLCE MASSAGE &

BODY WORKS

Call Abbey Merritt (234-1055) for an appointment.

Located inside Apothecarian Herbals.

BUY A CHRISTMAS GIFT CERTIFICATE TODAY!

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FAVORITE HEALTH QUOTE

“It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” - Krishnamurti