Battery D
Vitamin D has been shown to improve immune system activity by increasing the activity of natural killer cells. It’s also believed that Vitamin D can also help defend against multiple sclerosis. In the winter, the nutrient helps to defend against influenza, and low levels of vitamin D have been tied to a risk of peripheral artery disease (PAD). Obviously, the benefits of vitamin D are far-reaching.Drinking alcohol can contribute to a Vitamin D deficiency. When drinking outdoors on a sunny afternoon, you are at least getting some form of Vitamin D (the only vegan option besides mushrooms). However, think of the various issues tied with drinking in a bar: dark lighting, dehydration, and clumsiness and delayed reflexes, to start with. It’s our belief that staying hydrated and nutrient-rich can help you to have a more healthful night at the bar, and we offer several suggestions for doing just that. First, you can start off the night with a delicious fish dinner, such as catfish, salmon, mackerel, sardines, tuna, or eel. A good serving of any of these species provides at least 200 IU (International Units) of Vitamin D, and catfish provides an average of 5 IU/gan 85 g (3 oz) meal therefore contains 425 IU. Another option is a whole egg, which contains 20 IU. Enjoy one on a grilled chicken salad or a beef liver sandwich, which also provides 15 IU.While Vitamin D won’t keep you from getting intoxicated (and you should always drink responsibly, no matter what), it is a healthy option for improving your immune system and overall well-being. Drinking should be an enjoyable activity supported by a community of responsible friends and family. Never go over your limits, and along with taking in vitamin D (and other vitamins), make sure to stay hydrated with water and keep a full stomach. Make a commitment to your health and recharge with vitamin Dor battery D, as we like to call ittoday. You can find out more about the vitamin at the U.S. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind/). The Vitamin D Council, led by executive director John Cannell, M.D. and President Geoffrey Lubbock, is another resource, available at www.vitamindcouncil.org/. Among other things, you can browse a selection of “Vitamin D Quotes,” showing that doctors from many different fields and areas of research agree on Vitamin D’s benefits. As Dr. Russell Chesney said, “Wow, where has this stuff been all these years?”