Latest news with #VitaminD
Business Insider
4 hours ago
- Health
- Business Insider
Heart disease is the leading cause of death. A cardiologist takes 3 supplements to lower his risk.
Supplements can boost longevity, reduce inflammation, and aid in strength training. They can also improve cardiovascular health, according to a heart transplant cardiologist. Dr. Dmitry Yaranov, the director of the advanced heart failure program at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Memphis, told Business Insider that being a cardiologist makes him extra aware of cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in the US. "I'm always very conscious about my diet," Yaranov said, and that includes supplements to support his heart health. At the same time, he said the list of supplements he takes is "not long," as he tries to focus on supplements that have more research behind them. Supplements "support a healthy lifestyle, but they don't replace a healthy lifestyle," Yaranov said, emphasizing the importance of practicing heart-healthy habits like regular exercise and a balanced diet. "I think that a lot of times, my patients forget about that." Omega-3 reduces the risk of blood clots Of all the supplements he takes, Yaranov said that omega-3 has the most research backing its heart health benefits. Found in foods like salmon, anchovies, soybeans, and walnuts, omega-3 helps support healthy blood cells, reducing the risk of blood clots. It also helps to lower triglyceride levels, a type of fat that can cause plaque buildup in the arteries and eventually lead to a stroke, heart attack, or heart disease. "I know that for sure, I'm not getting enough fresh, fatty fish in my diet," Yaranov said, which is why he's been taking omega-3 supplements for years. Magnesium glycinate improves sleep Magnesium supports heart, bone, brain, and muscle health, controlling processes like blood pressure. It can naturally be found in foods like spinach and black beans, but up to 15% of Americans are magnesium-deficient. Yaranov emphasized that he checks his magnesium levels every six months to a year through bloodwork, since "certain levels of magnesium are dangerous for the heart." Taking too much magnesium can lead to irregular heart rhythms and even cardiac arrest. He said cardiologists recommend keeping magnesium near 2.0-2.2 mg/dL, especially in patients with heart disease. Getting his bloodwork done also helped him find the right type of magnesium for his body. Yaranov takes magnesium glycinate, which promotes better sleep than other forms of magnesium due to the presence of glycine, an amino acid with calming qualities. Prior to taking it, he tried magnesium oxide, citrate, and salts, but they either didn't improve his levels or upset his stomach. That "eventually will feed into cardiovascular health," as poor sleep negatively impacts the heart, he said. He also works out five days a week and sweats a lot, which can deplete the body's magnesium levels. Vitamin D may prevent heart disease Vitamin D is associated with a lower risk of heart attack in adults over 60. While more research is needed on the exact benefits vitamin D has on the heart, many researchers and clinicians believe there's no harm in supplementing with vitamin D, especially when it has other proven perks like helping the body absorb calcium and boosting the immune system. (While it's technically possible to overdose on vitamin D, it usually happens when people take more than their recommended value of vitamin D supplements.) Vitamin D can be found through sun exposure and foods like fatty fish and milk. Yaranov said he spends "a long time indoors," which can contribute to vitamin D deficiency. When he learned his levels were low, he added vitamin D to his list of daily supplements.
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
This is how you can increase mushroom's vitamin D content
Mushrooms are a nutritious and versatile food, often added to soups, salads, stir-fries, and even sandwiches. They are packed with essential nutrients such as fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins. One vitamin that many people don't realize mushrooms can provide is Vitamin D. However, most store-bought mushrooms typically contain very low levels of this important nutrient. But there's a simple trick that can significantly boost the vitamin D content in mushrooms—exposing them to sunlight. Understanding the Role of Vitamin D in Mushrooms Vitamin D is an essential nutrient that helps the body absorb calcium, promotes bone health, and supports the immune system. It's primarily obtained through sunlight exposure, as the skin synthesizes it when exposed to UV rays. While Vitamin D is found in certain foods, such as fatty fish, fortified dairy products, and eggs, mushrooms are one of the few plant-based sources of Vitamin D. However, the form of Vitamin D found in mushrooms is different from the one our bodies produce when exposed to sunlight. Mushrooms naturally contain Vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), while human skin produces Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is the more effective form in raising blood levels of the vitamin. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure your family's future! ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Nonetheless, Vitamin D2 still has health benefits, and the amount of Vitamin D in mushrooms can be significantly increased with a simple trick. Sunlight Exposure Mushrooms, like humans, have the ability to produce Vitamin D when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. The same way our skin produces Vitamin D when exposed to sunlight, mushrooms can synthesize it under UV light. This process is natural and very similar to how plants use sunlight for photosynthesis. By exposing mushrooms to sunlight or UV light after they've been harvested, you can significantly boost their Vitamin D content. Here's how it works: Mushrooms and UV Light: When mushrooms are exposed to UV rays (like sunlight), they begin to produce more Vitamin D2. This happens because UV light converts ergosterol, a compound found in the cell walls of mushrooms, into Vitamin D2. Optimal Exposure: To get the best results, mushrooms should be exposed to direct sunlight or a UV light source for a few hours. Even just 15 to 30 minutes of exposure can increase the Vitamin D levels in mushrooms by a significant amount. How to Increase Vitamin D in Mushrooms at Home If you're growing your own mushrooms or buying fresh ones, here's how you can increase their Vitamin D content at home: Choose the Right Mushrooms: Start with mushrooms that have the potential to increase their Vitamin D content. Most common varieties, such as white button mushrooms, cremini, and portobello, can be enhanced with UV exposure. However, some specialty mushrooms (like shiitake) may already contain higher levels of Vitamin D before exposure. Expose to Sunlight: Once you have your mushrooms, place them with their gills facing up in direct sunlight for about 15 to 30 minutes. Ideally, this should be done during the midday hours when the sun is strongest. You'll notice that the caps of the mushrooms will face upward to absorb the UV light, helping them produce more Vitamin D.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Watch: All Blacks using blood biomarkers to improve performance
All Blacks v France Kick-off: 7:05pm Saturday 19 July FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton Live blog updates on RNZ The All Blacks were in for a surprise after starting a blood biomarker programme last year, finding out that around the third of the squad is lacking in Vitamin D. Patrick Tuipulotu, one of the affected players, said he was "being a bloke" by not even being aware of what a vitamin deficiency was before he was told. "I think as men we really get sucked into just saying everything's okay, but I think it was quite a shock when we found out. You don't think of those things much, so [it's] very good just to get on top of it ... Staying healthy is the right thing." The 52-test lock addressed the issue by taking supplements, as well as thinking about his overall diet. "I was trying to eat well as well, to make sure I was doing things naturally. Anything I can to stay healthy," the father-of-two said, mindful that seeking medical advice was something New Zealand men are not great at. "Getting checked, just having blood tests is a simple ... easy process. If we can do that early, find stuff, maybe then obviously we'll be around for families a lot longer." Tuipulotu said that having a job that has a full time medical staff looking after its employees is something he's not taking for granted. "When we come into the camp, we're pretty privileged. We're well looked after. We've got a talking nutritionist, trainer and a few other staff who stay on top of things for us. Everything's provided." Patrick Tuipulotu. Photo: supplied Blood biomarkers, which work in the form of regular blood tests, have emerged as accessible and cost-effective way of identifying health issues. Eight New Zealanders a day die from preventable illness, with men often delaying health checks until symptoms interfere with daily life. The blood biomarkers the All Blacks have been using are in response to the growing need for tools that encourage early intervention and proactive health management, however, they can be used as self-testing kits for the general public at home. Biomarker testing benefits for elite level athletes like the All Blacks include early detection of potential issues, identifying nutritional deficiencies and hormone imbalances, and injury prevention - by tracking markers related to muscle damage and recovery. Team nutritionist Kat Darry said that they'd had some "incredible results". "They were really, promising for us to really help a player optimise their performance and their health. So that was the whole ethos behind it all was, how can we make the player be the very best in performance and recovery, but also through health?" Patrick Tuipulotu of New Zealand, New Zealand All Blacks v France. Photo: Kerry Marshall/ Darry said that Vitamin D deficiency is caused by not enough exposure to sunlight, but it's not as simple as just going outside more. "The darker your skin, the less Vitamin D you absorb. And so that was primarily the players that had the lower Vitamin D … a lot of it is down to the sort of sunscreen. But there's also different types of foods that we can eat to help supplement that a small amount. It was really putting them on a course of supplements, really helping them with the nutrition around how they can help with that absorption and just making some subtle changes over the course of the year." Darry said that the lessons learned from the blood biomarkers was part of the evolving nature of sports medicine and nutrition. "I guess one of the key things is that we're not just looking at individual blood (tests) in isolation. What we're trying to understand is, are the relationships appearing? So for example, if you're low on Vitamin D, are we seeing high cholesterol, are we seeing a higher cortisol? Are we seeing relationships of all these bloods together as opposed to in isolation? And so it really just made us consider our recovery processes." Tuipulotu certainly wasn't deficient on Saturday night at Sky Stadium in Wellington, playing a big role in a dominant All Black forward effort that set up a 43-17 win over France . With Scott Barrett out of the series with a calf injury, it's likely he'll be returning to the field when the teams meet in the third test in Hamilton this weekend. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Jack Dorsey launches Sun Day app to track UV exposure and Vitamin D levels using real-time UV and skin data; here's how it might benefit you
Source: Apple App Store Twitter co-founder Jack Dorsey has introduced a new application that merges health tech with sun exposure tracking as public interest in preventive health and digital wellness tools continues to grow. The app, called Sun Day, uses real-time UV data to estimate your Vitamin D synthesis, offering a personalised approach to sunlight exposure. Currently available in beta through TestFlight for iOS, the app reflects a broader trend toward using AI-powered health tools to improve lifestyle habits, boost immunity, and promote holistic well-being through smarter choices. Jack Dorsey launches Sun Day app to track Vitamin D levels in your body; here's how Sun Day uses location-based services to calculate your local UV index and sunlight duration. Once the user inputs their skin type, clothing coverage, and logs their sun exposure manually, the app estimates: How much Vitamin D your body may have produced How long you can safely stay in the sun without risking sunburn This tailored approach is especially relevant for individuals who may have Vitamin D deficiencies, such as those with limited outdoor time, darker skin tones, or higher latitudes with weaker sunlight. The app is part of Dorsey's experimentation with open-source and AI-based coding tools. The Sun Day project is publicly available on GitHub, allowing developers to contribute or build on the code. It was developed alongside Goose, an AI-assisted development tool also built by Dorsey's team. Both projects reflect his evolving role as a solo open-source developer exploring AI in health and communication. Why Vitamin D is crucial for your health Vitamin D is more than just a nutrient—it acts like a hormone in the body and supports multiple essential functions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Its role in maintaining overall health is well-established, especially in the areas of immunity, bone strength, and emotional well-being. Strengthens the immune system Vitamin D helps regulate immune responses, allowing the body to better fight off infections. A deficiency can impair immune function, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses such as the common cold, flu, and respiratory infections. Maintains bone health and prevents osteoporosis Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption in the body, which is essential for building and maintaining strong bones. Without sufficient Vitamin D, bones can become weak and brittle, increasing the risk of fractures and conditions like osteoporosis and rickets. Supports mental and emotional well-being Low Vitamin D levels have been linked to mood disturbances such as depression and fatigue. In particular, it plays a role in regulating mood by influencing brain chemicals. This is especially important in regions with limited sunlight, where people are at higher risk for seasonal affective disorder. A preventive approach to modern lifestyle challenges For individuals living in areas with inconsistent sunlight or those who spend extended hours indoors, the app can serve as a preventive health tool. It empowers users to monitor and optimize their Vitamin D levels, helping reduce the risk of immune deficiencies, bone disorders, and mood-related issues commonly associated with modern indoor lifestyles. How the Sun Day app might help Source: Apple App Store Developed by Jack Dorsey, the Sun Day app provides personalised, real-time estimates of Vitamin D production. It uses location-based UV data along with user inputs like skin type, clothing coverage, and duration of sun exposure. Based on this information, it calculates how much Vitamin D the user may have synthesized and offers guidance on how long they can stay in the sun safely. This could mark an important development in the health sector, as the app encourages users to track their vitamin D levels, a nutrient essential for the body. It may also help prevent harmful effects of UV exposure, such as sunburn, skin damage, and serious conditions like skin cancer. Also Read | Hot dogs, sodas, and fast food could be stealing 36 minutes from your life, new study finds
CNET
3 days ago
- Health
- CNET
This New App Wants to Help You Track Your Sun Exposure
The founder of Twitter, Jack Dorsey, has a bright idea that he's released as a beta app: Sun Day, for tracking your exposure to the sun. The app is free to testers and so far contains basic information such as sunrise, sunset and the UV index in order to assess a user's potential burn limit time and, as the app description says, "track your Vitamin D from the sun." Dorsey is currently testing UI updates and a solar noon notification, according to the app notes. In the app, users can describe the type of clothing they're wearing, such as shorts and T-shirts or swimwear, and Fitzpatrick skin type, which classifies how quickly you'll burn. People tend to think about sun exposure and protections like sunscreen most during the summer, when the sun is strongest and the days are long and when they're heading to the beach or out gardening, golfing or otherwise getting in quality sun time. The iOS app asks permissions to connect to some Apple Health data when the app is installed. Dorsey announced an iOS Test Flight app, Sun Day, on Sunday, with a post on X (former Twitter). Dorsey also recently released Bitchat, a private messaging client that uses Bluetooth as its communication platform. Although it's meant to be a secure, private app, some users have flagged Bitchat for potential security flaws that are still being tested.
