Still figuring out that Father’s Day Gift? Try Vitamin D for your D-ad

Vitamin D-ad!

The idea of giving your father vitamin D as a Father’s Day present may sound a bit cheesy; however, this might be the best gift you can give. After all, the gift of health is a gift we can cherish forever.

Vitamin D and Men’s Health

Vitamin D plays an important role in men’s health! Did you know that vitamin D boosts testosterone levels? Vitamin D also helps to decrease the chances and affects of prostate cancer and heart disease.

Prostate cancer is the most common cause of death from cancer among men over the age of 75. And, prostate cancer has been one of the most studied topics in vitamin D research!

4,000 IU/day greatly helps Men with Low-Risk Prostate Cancer

Research into the benefits of vitamin D for prostate cancer has come far. Just this past year, a team of doctors discovered that 4,000 IU/day helped men with low-risk prostate cancer by lowering their Gleason score and number of “positive cores.”

Recent Study Shows Higher Vitamin D Levels can lower Risks of Dying from Heart Disease

Men are also at a higher risk for heart disease. Men ages 35-64 are about four times more likely than women to die from heart disease. Observational studies suggest low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of developing heart disease. A recent study published last month suggests higher vitamin D levels can lower the risk of dying from heart disease.

Vitamin D also helps to Increase Testosterone Levels

Vitamin D boosts testosterone levels! In a randomized controlled trial, 3,300 IU/day of vitamin D increased testosterone levels by 30-40%. In men, testosterone is important for reproduction tissues like the testis and prostate, and it's also important for key masculine features like increased muscle, bone mass, and the growth of body hair.

For more information and health tips, visit the Rosa Chiropractic Rockville website and like us on Facebook.

Food Pyramid Gets a Facelift

New Food Pyramid Shaped as a Plate Makes Choosing Healthy Meals Easier

The new food pyramid, called MyPlate, was introduced to show people how a typical meal should look.  Fruits and vegetables contain important nutrients such as fiber and potassium that help reduce the risk of developing heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and high blood pressure. 

Whole grains should be consumed, allowing the food to be broken down slowly while preventing sharp spikes in blood glucose while also helping to lower cholesterol.  Protein sources should consist of lean meats including at least 8 oz of fish per week. Calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D are some of the reasons that having dairy at each meal is very beneficial.

The new MyPlate also shows the proper portion size when compared to your standard dinner plate.  This differs from the food pyramids of the past that gave recommendations as to how many servings one should consume from each individual food group with no attention paid to portion size.