Dr Alison Grimston's Blog

Your Health is At Risk - Optimise Your Future With Top Quality Nutritional Supplements!

How can top quality Nutritional supplements help you to take responsibility for your health?

Did you know how much our health is suffering as a result of poor food quality, poor food choices and the stress and chemical polution in our every day lives? I certainly didn't until I started looking a little closer.

As a busy family doctor in the United Kingdom, I realise that I cannot keep up to date with all aspects of medicine. However, I know where to go to for the information that I need. What I have noticed over the years, however, is that, although the National Health Service does not encourage people to take responsibility for their own health, fitness and wellness, there is a large group of people who will go out and do what they can for themselves. I expect you are one of them!

I know that you want to be able to make the right choices, about health, exercise, nutrition and also personal development - or mindset.

My research into the literature has shown me that nutritional supplementation is actually necessary for all of us to reach optimal health - even those of us lucky enough to have a large vegetable patch and grow our own organic vegetables (and this is the closest we get to good quality natural nutrition).

However, most nutritional supplements that you are able to buy from high street chemists and health food shops are poorly absorbed, poorly quantified, and unpredictable. They are often also aimed at much lower nutrient levels than are needed for optimal (as opposed to  minimal) health.

If you would like to find out more, join my free mailing list for tips on how to stay healthy.

Love life, and remember, True Health Starts From Within!

Alison

Dr Alison Grimston

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.

 

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.

Why Probiotics?

Hi all, forgive the internet silence please....

Here I am 1 week post-op my cervical C6-7 discectomy (after 6 weeks unable to work due to the accompanying right arm pain & weakness) and 2 weeks after I fell & broke my left wrist... Arm in plaster (yup, I'm left handed) and I'm afraid, while the right arm and hand are regaining power well, my left is incapacitated. So typing is painful...

Fortunately my friend Kat Sanders stepped into the breach & gave me this wonderful article to use. Thanks Kat & what great info it is!

Why Probiotics?

Of late, we’ve been hearing the words probiotics being thrown about a lot in the realm of health and fitness. The health benefits are the same that fermented food like yoghurt gives us. They’re dietary supplements of live bacteria or yeast that are healthy for the human body because:

·        They help minimize the effect of antibiotics: While antibiotics are useful in fighting infections and preventing new ones from targeting your body, their overuse can lead to a suppression of your natural immune system because new strains of bacteria that are resistant to most known antibiotics develop in your body when you take too many of them. Probiotics help nullify this effect and boost your immune system so that your body is naturally able to fight infection.

·        They aid the digestive process: It’s not enough to just watch what we eat; we also need to ensure that the nutrients in the food we put in our bodies is effectively absorbed and that we benefit from them. Probiotics help in the digestive process and enhance the absorption of protein, calcium, phosphorous and fat.

·        They prevent vaginal and urinary tract infections in women: There are various healthy bacteria in a woman’s vagina that help maintain hygiene and health. Factors like oral contraceptives, too many steroidal treatments, menopause, spermicides, diabetes, antibiotics, and the reduction of estrogen due to external factors or age kill these bacteria and cause infections of the vaginal and urinary tracts. Probiotics prevent embarrassing infections and helps maintain good hygiene.

·        They lower blood pressure and cholesterol: Clinical trials have shown that lactic acid bacteria are effective in reducing both total and LDL cholesterol levels in people who are healthy. And the peptides produced during the fermentation of milk and other lactic products are thought to be useful in controlling and lowering blood pressure.

·        They prevent colon cancer: Cancer is a dreadful disease, and when it affects your colon, you reach a stage where your intestines are blocked and you’re unable to eat anything at all. Probiotics help maintain good colon health by minimizing the carcinogenic effects of cooked meat.

If you’re allergic to dairy products or don’t eat them for other reasons, probiotics are the best way to gain all these health benefits.

By-line:

This article is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of how to become a radiology tech at her blog The Heath Tech's Blog. She welcomes your comments and questions at her email address: katsanders25@gmail.com.

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This is the site of Dr Alison Grimston, a United Kingdom GP and spiritual healer who works with animals and people. Here she offers insights and information on integrating the best of complementary and scientific medicine in human and animal care. For more information on how nutritional supplements can transform your life see http://www.holisticdoctor.usana.com

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.

Caffeine effects on mood & brain function, and a broken arm into the bargain!

Hi folks!

I can't believe it - on top of having a marked disc prolapse ( i.e. slipped disc) in my neck causing severe neck and right arm pain & weakness, so I've been off work for 4 weeks (big wake up call on the income front reminding me to work on those passive income streams) - yesterday I tripped getting out of bed & broke my left wrist. As I'm left handed I can't write & can hardly type!

Thankfully I have some info on caffeine that may be useful to you (with great thanks to USANA Health Sciences & copyright to them)....

Take care, I now have doubly enforced rest!

Alison

Caffeine improves mood and cognitive abilities

At a Glance Study evidence shows that levels of caffeine consumed by most people have largely positive effects on mood, behavior, and cognitive abilities. Read more about this study below.

The present placebo-controlled, double-blind, balanced crossover study investigated the short-term cognitive and mood effects of caffeine in habitual users and habitual non-users of caffeine. Following overnight caffeine withdrawal, 24 habitual caffeine consumers and 24 habitual non-consumers received a 150 ml drink containing either 75 or 150 mg of caffeine or a matching placebo, at intervals of at least 48 hours. Cognitive and mood assessments were documented at baseline and 30 minutes after the drink. Assessments included the Cognitive Drug Research computerized test battery, two serial subtraction tasks, a sentence verification task and subjective visual analogue mood scales.

At the beginning of the study, there were no differences between the groups' mood and performance. Following caffeine, both groups showed significant improvements in simple reaction time, digit vigilance reaction time, numeric working memory reaction time and sentence verification accuracy. Both groups showed a reduction in self-rated mental fatigue and ratings of alertness. Habitual consumers tended to outperform non-users for rapid visual information processing false alarms and spatial memory accuracy. Separate analyses of each group’s responses to caffeine revealed overlapping but different responses to caffeine. Caffeine tended to benefit consumers' mood more while improving performance more in the non-consumers.

Although, excessive consumption of caffeine, especially in sensitive individuals, can increase anxiety, impair sleep and fine motor control, the evidence clearly shows that levels of caffeine consumed by most people has largely positive effects on mood, behavior, and cognitive abilities.

Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2005 Jun;179(4):813-25.

Pity the Rev3Health/ Energy drink is not available in the UK! It's making massive sales in th US, Canada, Australia & New Zealand - much lower sugar content than competitors & sustained energy! AG

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.

 

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.

Boosting Immunity with Zinc and Vitamin C

I have known for some years of the medical evidence available for the use of higher than usual doses of Zinc and Vitamin C to improve and shorten symptoms of the common cold and other respiratory tract infections.

I came across this excellent summary of the information available, from USANA Health Sciences, and would like to share it with you.

At a Glance Continuing research shows that adequate intakes of vitamin C and zinc improve symptoms and shorten the duration of respiratory tract infections including the common cold. Read more about this research below.

During times of infection or stress, vitamin C concentrations in plasma and blood cells rapidly decline. Research has shown that vitamin C supplementation can improve several elements of the human immune system such as antimicrobial and natural killer cell activities, proliferation of lymphocytes (white blood cells), chemotaxis*, and delayed-type hypersensitivity. During an inflammatory response, adequate vitamin C contributes to the integrity and health of the cell membranes which protect against excessive free radical damage.

Inadequate zinc status is also known to impair cellular immunity by impairing phagocytosis and natural killer cell activity. Therefore, both nutrients play important roles in immune function and the healthy resistance to infectious agents, reducing the risk, severity, and duration of infectious diseases. This is particularly important in populations with insufficient intake of these nutrients, such as low-income families and the elderly.

A large number of randomized controlled trials with advanced intakes of vitamin C and zinc document that adequate levels of vitamin C and zinc may reduce symptoms and shorten the duration of respiratory tract infections, including the common cold. Research also indicates that adequate vitamin C and zinc reduce the incidence and improve the outcome of pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea infections, especially in children in developing countries.

Ann Nutr Metab 2006;50(2):85-94.

* Chemotaxis is the phenomenon in which bodily cells, bacteria, and other single-cell or multicellular organisms direct their movements according to certain chemicals in their environment. Vitamin C is known to influence neutrophil chemotaxis, or white blood cell movement in response to infectious agents.

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.

 

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.

Caring for your Sick Pet at Home

Hello again fellow pet lovers. More info from Dr Andrew Jones...

Knowing how to examine your pet to check it is well and find out what is wrong is fundamental in holistic pet care.

------------------------------------
It all starts with...
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In utilizing Dr Jones' At Home Remedies, you've got to master a few things first.

Sort of like walking.

It starts with crawling.

With Pet Health Care it all starts with
the At Home Pet Health Exam.

Meaning figuring out what is WRONG with your pet, then choosing the RIGHT remedy to cure them.

And if you are treating your pet, you also need to know the SPECIFICS on Caring for a Sick Pet At Home.

------------------------------------------
The Secrets of Caring for your Pet
-----------------------------------------

Well they shouldn't be a secret.

You can grab your Fr*ee Copy of Dr Jones' newest
Report:

Caring for a Sick Pet at Home, PLUS The
At Home Pet Health Exam here:

http://vur.me/HolisticDoctor/homecare

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
 
P.S. If you are even considering treating your pet at home for any illness or injury, you should grab this fr*ee report. It gives you a GREAT foundation, and you'll be able to start Healing your Pet with confidence.


Dr Jones' newest Report on Caring for a Sick Pet At Home, PLUS the At Home Pet Health Exam is here:

http://vur.me/HolisticDoctor/homecare

 

Wishing you and your pets love & healing...

Alison

 

Dr Alison Grimston

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. Her natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide. If you'd like to know more about natural animal therapy get your FREE tips now at www.thenaturallyhealthypet.com

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian relating to any medical or behavioral condition affecting your pet.

First Aid for Pets

My  friend, Dr Andrew Jones, the holistic Vet from Canada, has come up with more fr*ee info for you - on how to manage choking in your pet!

 

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The MOST important First Aid Skill..
------------------------------------

NO Question in my mind.

CPR.

This is a CRITICAL First Aid Technique
that ALL Pet Owners should know.

There likely WON'T be time to get to your
Veterinarian- you must ACT fast.

And the MOST common pet 'accident' that causes you to use Pet CPR?

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CHOKING.
------------------

It can happen very quickly- I have seen it several times when dogs catch a ball the WRONG way, or when cats eat something a little too big for their throat.

The Airway becomes OBSTRUCTED.

They lose the ability to breath.

And then you MUST do the FIRST and MOST
important step in CPR- Establish a Patent Airway.

You may even have to do the HEIMLICH on your dog or cat.

It sounds complex, but it's actually very easy once you see HOW.

To SEE *exactly* what to do IF your pet
ever chokes, watch my video here:

http://vur.me/HolisticDoctor/PetCPR

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P.S. Hopefully you will NEVER have to use these techniques with your pets- BUT the point of First Aid is to be prepared. There often really isn't time to get to your Veterinarian. AND take especial notice of HOW to perform the Heimlich- It WORKS if you are to do it as I show you.

The link again:

http://vur.me/HolisticDoctor/PetCPR

 

Take care,

Alison

 

Dr Alison Grimston

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor and animal healer specializing in connecting and informing animal therapists. Her natural animal therapy website informs the public about animal therapies while connecting animal therapists worldwide. If you'd like to know more about natural animal therapy get your FREE tips now at www.thenaturallyhealthypet.com

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your veterinarian relating to any medical or behavioral condition affecting your pet.

Management of Migraine with Supplements

Migraine is a very common problem that I meet almost daily in practice. We have a number of medications that are really helpful in managing and even preventing migraines.  However, some people do find they get side effects, and not everyone finds them effective.

Migraine is characterised by a severe, pounding, often one-sided headache, and often runs in families. It tends to last for hours or even days, and sufferers often feel washed out and tired, unable to function optimally, for some days afterwards. There is often accompanying photophobia (light-sensitivity) and phonophobia (sound-sensitivity) as well as nausea and even vomiting, and sufferers often find they have to retire to a darkened room and sleep.

Migraine can be reduced by an adequate water intake (not tea, coffee and caffeinated drinks such as cola and Red Bull), reducing painkilling medication if possible (as these can cause headaches including migraines, and some contain caffeine), and diet adjustments.

Classically, chocolate, caffeine, cheese, citrus fruits and Claret (and other red wines) can make migraines worse or precipitate them. Also there is plenty of evidence that Gluten can contribute. So stick to a healthy diet, find out which foods start up your symptoms, and try to avoid them. Keep a food diary for a couple of months, and see if you spot any patterns.

Nutritional supplements can help with migraine.  A pharmaceutical- grade, broad spectrum antioxidant and mineral combination with a high level of magnesium can help reverse the inflammation and vessel spasm, and reduce the frequency of migraine headaches. However, most supplements just do not contain the quality or quantity of nutrients that I would recommend.

As the various antioxidants and minerals work together synergistically to combat oxidative stress, reduce inflammation and influence our bodies' ability to prevent chronic degenerative diseases, so it makes sense to have a supplement that combines all of those nutrients found to be needed by the body.

So, for Migraine, I would recommend:

High dose broad spectrum antioxidant and phytonutrient tablets - 2 twice daily

Chelated mineral tablets - 2 twice daily

Calcium & magnesium combination tablet - 3 twice daily

Grapeseed extract - 3 tablets daily

Fish oil capsules - 2 twice daily (or for vegetarians, 2 tablespoons flax seed oil twice daily)

This is the combination needed for optimal health. However, if you really can't afford this combination of supplements, I would recommend the antioxidant and chelated mineral tablets, calcium & magnesium tablets, and at least 2 grapeseed extract tablets daily.

For optimal results this needs to be combined with an enjoyable exercise programme, and a healthy, low GI diet (see www.glycemicindex.com) high in fresh vegetables for added anti-oxidants.

With thanks to those great doctors, Dr Ray Strand (www.drraystrand.com) and Dr John Briffa (www.drbriffa.com), both of whom are ahead of the pack...

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.

 

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.

Omega 3 fatty acids in pregnancy and childhood asthma...

Did you know that having a high intake of fish oils during pregnancy can reduce the risk of your infant becoming asthmatic?

I now recommend omega 3 fish oils to all pregnant women. However, I have now found how important it is for people to choose the best quality, pharmaceutical grade supplements, rather than the cheapest, as there is evidence of less contamination (Mercury is a real problem) and a guarantee of quality and dosage.

New research has shown a significant correlation between fish oil intake during pregnancy and asthma incidence during childhood. Children whose mothers supplemented with fish oil during pregnancy were significantly less likely to be diagnosed with childhood asthma than children from non-supplementing mothers.

Fish oil intake during pregnancy may be associated with lower asthma incidence during childhood

Current evidence suggests that asthma development may be associated with maternal intake of marine omega-3 fatty acids during pregnancy. A recent study was conducted to examine whether an increase in omega-3 fatty acid intake during pregnancy could affect risk of asthma in their offspring.

A population-based sample of 533 women with normal pregnancies were randomly assigned 2:1:1 to receive either four one-gram fish oil capsules/day providing 2.7 grams of omega-3 fatty acids, four similar looking one-gram capsules/day with just olive oil, or no capsules at all.

During the 16 years that passed since childbirth, the rate of asthma incidence was reduced by 63% and the rate of allergic asthma was reduced by 87% in the fish oil group as compared to the olive oil group.

Assuming that the intake of olive oil had no significant influence one way or another, these results support the theory that increased fish oil omega-3 fatty acid supplementation in late pregnancy may provide important preventive potential in relation to childhood asthma development. Additional studies on this subject are currently in progress, which should shed more light on the mechanism behind this promising discovery.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 1, 167-175, July 2008

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.

 

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.

Antenatal Zinc Supplementation

There is plenty of evidence that zinc is an important antenatal supplement.

A double-blind study recently published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed a significant positive correlation between supplemental zinc during pregnancy and infant growth throughout the first year of life.

Prenatal zinc supplementation influences lean tissue growth in infants

It has been suggested that maternal zinc intake influences growth in utero and in the first stages of growth after birth. In a recent study, researchers assessed the effect of maternal zinc supplementation during pregnancy as well as its effects on infant growth during the first twelve months.

A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial of prenatal zinc supplementation was conducted among women in Lima, Peru between 1995 and 1997. Women enrolled during the second trimester and were assigned to receive daily supplements with zinc (15 mg zinc + 60 mg iron + 250 mcg folic acid) or without zinc (just 60 mg iron + 250 mcg folic acid) through pregnancy to one month after delivery. At birth, 546 infants were followed for 12 months to assess growth. Measurements were collected monthly while health status and dietary intake were monitored weekly.

Infants born to mothers supplemented with zinc had significantly larger average growth measures beginning at 4 months and continuing through month 12. Prenatal zinc was associated with greater weight, calf circumference, chest circumference, and calf muscle area.

In this population of women, zinc supplementation during pregnancy resulted in children with better growth measures (which were in turn associated with healthy increases in lean tissue mass).

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 1, 154-160, July 2008

As a doctor I am encouraged only to recommend folic acid. I am sure that this is partly because our NHS is not geared up to making recommendations for patients to help their own health. I am passionate about encouraging individuals to take that responsibility, and not hand it over to the doctors. I would recommend a broad - based supplement for all pregnant women, but taking the decision to pay for it yourself is part of that responsibility. True healing starts from within, including the decision to exchange energy (in the form of money earned) for the benefit. The NHS can only afford to fund treatments, not supplements, and if it did it would only pay for the cheapest versions - proven to be inadequate in most cases.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!
Alison

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.

 

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.

Why Choose Network Marketing as a Route to Financial Freedom?

I am going to divert topics for a moment, from nutritional supplements and holistic health to another area close to my heart....

Why choose network marketing as a route to financial freedom?

Robert Kiyosaki's book about networkmarketing, The Business School for
people who like Helping ,has been invaluable to me. Also Your First
Year in Network Marketing by Mark & Rene Yarnell.

My focus is currently on using network marketing to reach financial
freedom, then giving me the time freedom to get on with creating my
other 3 web businesses. In fact I am finding that I love the NWM just
as much as my own creations!

So why am I choosing NWM?

Like most of you, I want a flexible business with tax breaks and
travel opportunities (amazing opps there!). I am going to Utah in
August & have had opportunities to go to Calgary & Sydney...

I have loved my journey with the Moneygym & am amazed that I am still
surrounded by people who just do not get it, not having read Rich Dad
Poor Dad etc (Moneygymers excluded). This gives me an opportunity to
help people to "see it" and help them to take the steps they need to to reach financial
freedom.

I love helping people to see how they can take real steps to help
their own health and wellbeing, rather than what I do in general
practice all day, measuring & giving medicines, diagnosing (that's
fun) but with no time to discuss what matters. With USANA I have that -
everyone taking these is improving their health, often with tangible
benefits.

NWM has systems set up. I love systems as a route to financial freedom
& becoming more hands off things. That is what attracts me to the
internet as well of course.

NWM gives me guaranteed product quality (depending on the company of
course) - far better than I could possibly have if I was creating
supplements myself - I couldn't even go there.

The team work is fabulous - for those that go into it intending to be
a part of the team. I have people I can ring or skype several times
per day if I wish, and I speak to them several times a week.

The training is unparallelled. There are 4 weekly online trasining sessions for 2 hrs on Mondays, availble in 3 time zones. I am giving the product training talk to new
associates next Monday evening for example, telling them all about the
products we have. So I am teaching.

I am facing my fears daily, and that lets me grow. My fears of selling
& promoting (although I do that about statins etc every day...), my
fears of presenting on & off line...

LOL

Alisonx

Dr Alison Grimston
www.holisticdoctor.usana.com

True Health & True Wealth

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.

 

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.

Vitamin D and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer continues to occur at a high incidence in Western women. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition last summer indicated a surprisingly high incidence of Vitamin D deficiency in breast cancer survivors. It is difficult to take conclusions from the study, as we are not told what the incidence was in those who succumbed to breast cancer, nor are we told the incidence in a control group of individuals.

Vitamin D influences pathways related to cancer development, but little is currently known about vitamin D status in breast cancer survivors. Recent data taken from the Health, Eating, Activity and Lifestyle (HEAL) study showed a correlation between vitamin D status and breast cancer survivors. Vitamin D concentrations from 790 female breast cancer survivors were obtained and vitamin D insufficiency was found in 597 individuals - or 75% of participants. Average vitamin D concentrations were even lower among African American and Hispanic women.

Controlling for various factors such as body mass index (BMI), race/ethnicity, geography, season, physical activity, diet, and cancer treatments showed that stage of disease independently predicted vitamin D levels.

In this group of breast cancer survivors the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency was abnormally high. Based on these results, health professionals and clinicians might consider monitoring vitamin D status in breast cancer patients in addition to administering appropriate cancer treatments.

American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 88, No. 1, 133-139, July 2008

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Dr Alison Grimston is a holistic doctor who works with complementary therapies and nutritional supplements. She only recommends the best, pharmaceutical grade nutritional supplements, such as those on www.holisticdoctor.usana.com.

 

Disclaimer: The content of our website is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor relating to any medical condition.