Nutrition

Vitamin K has been known as the coagulation vitamin, because of its role in the blood-clotting process. However, research over the last few decades has shown that the role of K Vitamins - and natural Vitamin K2, the menaquinones, in particular - has been greatly expanded. Of note, K Vitamins activity outside the liver is required for calcium utilization, the key factor in maintaining both bone and cardiovascular health.\n\nVitamin K2 helps to activate vitamin K-dependent proteins responsible for healthy tissues. In bone, it activates osteocalcin, a protein required to bind calcium to the mineral matrix, thus strengthening the skeleton. In circulation, Vitamin K2 participates in carboxylation of Matrix Gla Protein (MGP), the most potent inhibitor of arterial calcification known, lowering the risk of vascular damage.

The vitamin K dependant protein osteocalcin may have a positive effect on reducing obesity and diabetes, suggests a new study with mice.\nResearchers writing in the journal Cells studied the effect bone cells have in energy regulation, and found that osteocalcin plays a key role in regulating insulin activity.

Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin. The "K" is derived from the German word "koagulation." Coagulation refers to the process of blood clot formation. Vitamin K is essential for the functioning of several proteins involved in blood clotting (1). There are two naturally occurring forms of vitamin K

Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in young children undergoing placement of tympanostomy tubes.\nLinday LA, Shindledecker RD, Dolitsky JN, Chen TC, Holick MF.\nAnn Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2008 Oct;117(10):740-4.\nPMID: 18998501

Prevention of rickets and vitamin D deficiency in infants, children, and adolescents.\nWagner CL, Greer FR; American Academy of Pediatrics Section on Breastfeeding; American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Nutrition.\nPediatrics. 2008 Nov;122(5):1142-52. Erratum in: Pediatrics. 2009 Jan;123(1):197.\nPMID: 18977996

Association of vitamin D deficiency with heart failure and sudden cardiac death in a large cross-sectional study of patients referred for coronary angiography.\nPilz S, März W, Wellnitz B, Seelhorst U, Fahrleitner-Pammer A, Dimai HP, Boehm BO, Dobnig H.\nJ Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2008 Oct;93(10):3927-35. Epub 2008 Aug 5.\nPMID: 18682515

Vitamin D protects bone, preserves muscle strength, and regulates cell growth and energy metabolism. It also offers some protection against cancer and other disease, but are these effects really important for health and life expectancy? The answer seems to be a resounding yes.

An estimated 50% to 60% of older people have suboptimal vitamin D levels, which is a problem that could affect more than bone health. Recent cross-sectional studies have also shown an association between low vitamin D levels and cardiovascular disease, hypertension, and metabolic syndrome. In a long-term prospective study from Germany, researchers assessed whether 25-hydroxyvitamin D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with all-cause and cardiovascular mortality among more than 3000 consecutive patients (mean age, 62) referred for coronary angiography.

The cuisine of Mexico is pleasing to many palettes. Run now to your nearest taqueria and grab one of these yummy foods.

Thanks for stopping by. I'm the author of the book The Doctor Who Cures Cancer. But today I'd like to talk to you about my easy victory over my own Stage 4 cancer.\n\nThe truth is that I was only able to come up with a key part of this extremely simple cure from what I learned from writing the book.

As the graphic (right) indicates, carbohydrates can be converted to fat, but not vice versa. A net synthesis of carbohydrates from fat cannot occur in our body. This is important. It implies that certain carbohydrates can be more dangerous to our health than fat! However, too much of either food type is detrimental to our health, and too much of both types can result in an even more serious assault on our health. We explain below

A vitamin found in meat, fish and potatoes may help protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease - and even boost memory in healthy people. US researchers found vitamin B3 lowered levels of a protein linked to Alzheimer's damage in mice.

NaturalNews) Consumption of red grapefruit pulp may increase bone strength and reduce the risk of osteoporosis, according to a study conducted by researchers from Texas A&M University and published in the journal Nutrition.

(NaturalNews) Adding a daily serving of mixed nuts to the traditional Mediterranean diet (which consists of whole grain cereals, vegetables, fruits and olive oil, a moderate intake of fish and alcohol and a low intake of dairy, meats and sweets) is a delicious, natural and effective way to treat metabolic syndrome in older adults who are at high risk for heart disease. That's the conclusion of research just published in the December issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, a journal of the American Medical Association.

Vitamin D, found in fish and produced by sun exposure, can help stave off the mental decline that can affect people in old age, a study has suggested. UK and US researchers looked at 2,000 people aged 65 and over.

Research just published in the American Association for Cancer Research's Cancer Prevention Research identifies a class of flavonoids called anthocyanins in black raspberries that's been shown to inhibit cancer cell growth and stimulate apoptosis (the death of cancer cells) in the esophagus of rats treated with an esophageal carcinogen

Association between vitamin D status and physical performance: the InCHIANTI study.\nHouston DK, Cesari M, Ferrucci L, Cherubini A, Maggio D, Bartali B, Johnson MA, Schwartz GG, Kritchevsky SB.\nJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007 Apr;62(4):440-6.\nPMID: 17452740

High prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy and implications for health.\nHolick MF.\nMayo Clin Proc. 2006 Mar;81(3):353-73. Review.\nPMID: 16529140 \ndoi: 10.4065/​81.3.353\n

Vitamin D in preventive medicine: are we ignoring the evidence? Zittermann A. Br J Nutr. 2003 May;89(5):552-72. Review. PMID: 12720576

Association Between Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Level and Upper Respiratory Tract Infection. \nAdit A. Ginde, MD, MPH; Jonathan M. Mansbach, MD; Carlos A. Camargo Jr, MD, DrPH . \nArch Intern Med. 2009;169(4):384-390\n