As days become shorter and the enjoyable hot sunny days of summer give way to some of the dark wet gloomy weather our northwest is known for, there are changes we need to consider to help our bodies adapt to these seasonal weather changes.
Since we’re aware of the health affects of the sun and the immune production of vitamin D, reduction of this vital component gives way to some conditions for which drugs shouldn't be the answer. During the dark winter months we see many who suffer from the condition known as S.A.D. or seasonal affective disorder. This is basically depression brought on by a lack of sunshine and low vitamin D saturation.
If we in the northwest tend to suffer this issue, how have the native eskimos managed the winters when there is little if any sunlight? Vitamin D is the answer to much of this. You see, prior to the introduction of refined foods, the primary diet is that of fish and blubber. Lots of fat! Interestingly, Dr Weston Price found that, on that diet there was no evidence of degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which is critical to many functions in our system. It is utilized with other fats in the gut to produce the neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. These are the anti-depression neurotransmitters.
When refined foods were introduced into the eskimo diet and there was a change from their traditional foods to those lacking all the essential factors required to live and thrive in their environment, all the degenerative diseases have shown up along with depression, and one of the highest instances of alcoholism around.
Besides providing critical vitamin D for production of these essential neurotransmitters, we see where immune protection is a vital part of vitamin D. Since your white blood cells require calcium to do their job at protecting you from bacterial and viral attack, a lack of vitamin D limits your body’s ability to absorb calcium.
As a kid I remember mom giving us kids a shot of cod liver oil before school so we wouldn't be the ones coming home sick. I’m not saying I never got sick as a child, but I seldom ever did get sick, and never had an ear infection or was put on antibiotics. Sounds like good prevention doesn’t it? With eight other siblings, my folks couldn't afford doctor bills on all of us, so it was financially a very sound practice.
Along with the vitamin D, we see that vitamin A works hand in hand to deal with the health of the gut and production of critical components for a happy mind and body. When we examine the fish oils like cod liver oil, salmon oil, and one of my favorites, Tuna Omega 3 oil, we see that all possess good levels of vitamin A as well.
Not all fish oils are alike. I’ve recently found that oils coming from Norway, although some of best cold water fish oils, the government requires they be pasteurized. Unfortunately this reduces the nutritional benefits of these oils. That’s not to say they aren’t beneficial, just not the best. Some oils are higher in heavy metals like mercury than others. My favorite is the tuna oil out of Australia which is one of the cleanest oils evaluated, and not pasteurized.
Besides the immune benefits and the mood stabilizing activity of a good fish oil, one of the greatest uses is in support of cardiovascular health. Fish oil can reduce bad fats in the body while increasing the good fats. This can help improve circulation and reduce the potential need for anti-coagulants. This also can help reduce inflammation in the cardiovascular system, which is a primary cause of clot formation.
In dealing with children with ADD and ADHD, getting them off junk food and fast food, loaded with trans fats, and getting them on fish oil, can greatly improve the condition without taking the traditional drugs given for this condition. Since the half life of these trans fats is extremely long, it can take a month or two on fish oil and no junk foods to see the change. Make changes and don't lose hope. Our kids can be salvaged.
Since we’re aware of the health affects of the sun and the immune production of vitamin D, reduction of this vital component gives way to some conditions for which drugs shouldn't be the answer. During the dark winter months we see many who suffer from the condition known as S.A.D. or seasonal affective disorder. This is basically depression brought on by a lack of sunshine and low vitamin D saturation.
If we in the northwest tend to suffer this issue, how have the native eskimos managed the winters when there is little if any sunlight? Vitamin D is the answer to much of this. You see, prior to the introduction of refined foods, the primary diet is that of fish and blubber. Lots of fat! Interestingly, Dr Weston Price found that, on that diet there was no evidence of degenerative diseases, including cardiovascular disease.
Vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin which is critical to many functions in our system. It is utilized with other fats in the gut to produce the neurotransmitters: serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins. These are the anti-depression neurotransmitters.
When refined foods were introduced into the eskimo diet and there was a change from their traditional foods to those lacking all the essential factors required to live and thrive in their environment, all the degenerative diseases have shown up along with depression, and one of the highest instances of alcoholism around.
Besides providing critical vitamin D for production of these essential neurotransmitters, we see where immune protection is a vital part of vitamin D. Since your white blood cells require calcium to do their job at protecting you from bacterial and viral attack, a lack of vitamin D limits your body’s ability to absorb calcium.
As a kid I remember mom giving us kids a shot of cod liver oil before school so we wouldn't be the ones coming home sick. I’m not saying I never got sick as a child, but I seldom ever did get sick, and never had an ear infection or was put on antibiotics. Sounds like good prevention doesn’t it? With eight other siblings, my folks couldn't afford doctor bills on all of us, so it was financially a very sound practice.
Along with the vitamin D, we see that vitamin A works hand in hand to deal with the health of the gut and production of critical components for a happy mind and body. When we examine the fish oils like cod liver oil, salmon oil, and one of my favorites, Tuna Omega 3 oil, we see that all possess good levels of vitamin A as well.
Not all fish oils are alike. I’ve recently found that oils coming from Norway, although some of best cold water fish oils, the government requires they be pasteurized. Unfortunately this reduces the nutritional benefits of these oils. That’s not to say they aren’t beneficial, just not the best. Some oils are higher in heavy metals like mercury than others. My favorite is the tuna oil out of Australia which is one of the cleanest oils evaluated, and not pasteurized.
Besides the immune benefits and the mood stabilizing activity of a good fish oil, one of the greatest uses is in support of cardiovascular health. Fish oil can reduce bad fats in the body while increasing the good fats. This can help improve circulation and reduce the potential need for anti-coagulants. This also can help reduce inflammation in the cardiovascular system, which is a primary cause of clot formation.
In dealing with children with ADD and ADHD, getting them off junk food and fast food, loaded with trans fats, and getting them on fish oil, can greatly improve the condition without taking the traditional drugs given for this condition. Since the half life of these trans fats is extremely long, it can take a month or two on fish oil and no junk foods to see the change. Make changes and don't lose hope. Our kids can be salvaged.
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