Generational health starts with nurturing families
Funamins was founded with a mission of nurturing families with information, to achieve better health, and increase overall nutrition. We are pleased to share, “Nourishing Life”, with quick blog as an easy way to healthy living.
Getting to know…Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is an essential vitamin because it plays several critical roles in the body.
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamine, is an essential vitamin because it plays several critical roles in the body, including:
1. Energy metabolism: Vitamin B1 is necessary for the metabolism of carbohydrates, which are the body's primary source of energy. It helps convert carbohydrates into glucose, which the body uses for energy.
2. Nervous system function: Vitamin B1 is important for the proper functioning of the nervous system. It helps support the transmission of nerve impulses, and deficiencies in vitamin B1 can lead to nerve damage and neurological problems.
3. Muscle function: Vitamin B1 is necessary for the proper functioning of muscles, including the heart. Deficiencies in vitamin B1 can lead to muscle weakness and heart problems.
4. Digestive system function: Vitamin B1 is important for the proper functioning of the digestive system. It helps stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid, which is necessary for the digestion of food.
5. Brain function: Vitamin B1 is necessary for the production of neurotransmitters, which are chemicals that are involved in communication between brain cells. Deficiencies in vitamin B1 can lead to cognitive problems and memory loss.
Because the body cannot produce vitamin B1 on its own, it must be obtained from the diet or from supplements. Deficiencies in vitamin B1 can lead to a range of health problems, including beriberi, a condition characterized by muscle weakness and nerve damage, and Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome, a neurological disorder that can cause memory loss and other cognitive problems. Therefore, it's important to ensure that you get enough vitamin B1 through your diet or through supplements if necessary.
Thanks for reading,
“Nourishing Life”, by Funamins Inc.
Getting to know… Vitamin A
Vitamin B2, also known as riboflavin, is an essential vitamin because it plays several important roles in the body.
Vitamin A is an essential vitamin because it plays several critical roles in the body, including:
1. Vision: Vitamin A is a key component of rhodopsin, a protein in the eye that helps detect light and allows us to see in low-light conditions. Without enough vitamin A, our eyes cannot function properly, which can lead to vision problems such as night blindness.
2. Immune function: Vitamin A is important for maintaining a healthy immune system, which helps protect us from infections and diseases.
3. Skin health: Vitamin A plays a role in maintaining healthy skin by promoting cell growth and differentiation, and by regulating the production of sebum, an oily substance that helps moisturize the skin.
4. Reproduction and fetal development: Vitamin A is important for reproductive health and is necessary for the development of the embryo and fetus.
5. Bone health: Vitamin A helps maintain healthy bones by supporting bone growth and remodeling.
6. Gene expression: Vitamin A helps regulate the expression of genes that are involved in various physiological processes in the body.
Because the body cannot produce vitamin A on its own, it must be obtained from the diet or from supplements. Deficiencies in vitamin A can lead to a range of health problems, including vision loss, weakened immune function, and skin and bone problems. Therefore, it's important to ensure that you get enough vitamin A through your diet or through supplements if necessary. The Fun Vitamin was started as a solution to make daily vitamins enjoyable. Try Funamins.
Thanks for reading,
“Nourishing Life”, by Funamins Inc.
For questions and to share your experiences please contact us hello@funamins.com
Getting to know… Minerals
Minerals are inorganic substances that are essential for maintaining good health and supporting various physiological functions in the human body.
Minerals are inorganic substances that are essential for maintaining good health and supporting various physiological functions in the human body. There are many different minerals that the body needs, but some of the most important ones include:
1. Calcium: Important for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, and supporting nerve function and muscle contraction.
2. Iron: Necessary for producing hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood, and for supporting immune function.
3. Magnesium: Plays a role in over 300 different enzymatic reactions in the body, including energy production, muscle and nerve function, and protein synthesis.
4. Potassium: Helps regulate fluid balance in the body and supports nerve and muscle function.
5. Zinc: Necessary for immune function, wound healing, and DNA synthesis.
6. Selenium: An antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and is important for thyroid function.
7. Copper: Important for the formation of connective tissues, as well as for iron absorption and red blood cell production.
8. Iodine: Necessary for the production of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism and growth.
9. Manganese: Plays a role in bone development and wound healing, and supports metabolism and immune function.
10. Chromium: Helps regulate blood sugar levels by enhancing insulin sensitivity.
These minerals can be obtained from a variety of foods, including whole grains, nuts and seeds, legumes, lean meat and poultry, seafood, fruits, and vegetables. In some cases, supplements may be recommended by a healthcare professional to help meet daily requirements for certain minerals, generally best to get your minerals from a balanced diet rather than relying solely on supplements, however daily supplements are the solution to ensuring the body is receiving sufficent nourishment. The Fun Vitamin was started as a solution to make daily vitamins enjoyable. Try Funamins.
Thanks for reading,
“Nourishing Life”, by Funamins Inc.
For questions and to share your experiences please contact us hello@funamins.com
Getting to know… Vitamins
Vitamins are organic substances that are required in small quantities to maintain normal physiological functions in the body.
Vitamins are organic substances that are required in small quantities to maintain normal physiological functions in the body. They are essential for the body to perform various tasks such as growth, development, and energy production. There are 13 vitamins that are essential for human health, including:
1. Vitamin A: Helps maintain healthy vision, skin, and immune system.
2. Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Helps convert food into energy and supports nerve and muscle function.
3. Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin): Helps convert food into energy and is important for eye health.
4. Vitamin B3 (Niacin): Helps convert food into energy and is important for skin and nerve health.
5. Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid): Helps convert food into energy and is important for producing hormones and cholesterol.
6. Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Helps make red blood cells, supports brain function and helps convert food into energy.
7. Vitamin B7 (Biotin): Helps convert food into energy and is important for skin, hair, and nail health.
8. Vitamin B9 (Folic acid): Important for making DNA and supporting healthy fetal development during pregnancy.
9. Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Helps make red blood cells, supports brain function and nervous system health.
10. Vitamin C: An antioxidant that helps support the immune system and helps the body absorb iron.
11. Vitamin D: Important for bone health and immune function.
12. Vitamin E: An antioxidant that helps protect cells from damage and supports immune function.
13. Vitamin K: Important for blood clotting and bone health.
Vitamins can be obtained from a variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, dairy products, and fortified cereals. In some cases, supplements may be recommended by a healthcare professional to help meet daily requirements for certain vitamins. It's generally best to get your vitamins from a balanced diet rather than relying solely on supplements, however daily supplements are the solution to ensuring the body is receiving sufficient nourishment. The Fun Vitamin was started as a solution to make daily vitamins enjoyable. Try Funamins.
Thanks for reading,
“Nourishing Life”, by Funamins Inc.
For questions and to share your experiences please contact us hello@funamins.com
USDA ORGANIC
What does USDA ORGANIC mean?
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has produced a labeling term found only on products using best practices that promote balance and conserve biodiversity. The use of this seal requires an extensive accounting process that traces all ingredients back to the root and including the history of the soil, where ingredients are cultivated. USDA guidelines require extensive documentation and a chain of distribution for products and ingredients. The auditors certify the high standards to provide consumers with the United States Department of Agriculture a seal of proof, which identifies the product adheres to the standards.
Products that CAN use the Seal
- Strict production procedures
- Soil that found no prohibited substances
- Proper animal raising practices
- Natural pest and weed control
- Natural farming methods
- Handling and labeling standards and go through the organic certification process.
Products that CANNOT use the Seal
- Synthetic fertilizers were used
- Waste water was found
- Irradiation discovered
- Genetic engineering used
US Department of Agriculture
ICS International Certification Services, Inc.
Funamins Organics
We have a goal of producing products as close to nature as nature intended. Funamins believes the body was created to live free of all disease and thrive in a healthy environment. Our hope is to incorporate all organic ingredients into our product line in support of our mission to inspire people to greater health.
Funamins Credentials
Accredited laboratories provide Funamins with the greatest level of consumer protection for product verification shown in FDA labeling for Dietary Supplements. Funamins certifies our products to provide the utmost transparency and security of our product to protect our customers.
What is your microbiome & why is it important?
Microbes:
Microbes help you digest food, protect against infection, and even maintain your reproductive health. They live on and inside the body; they are not invaders but beneficial colonizers. We tend to focus on destroying bad microbes. But taking care of good ones may be even more important. Did you know that we, as humans, are composed of 100 trillion microbes? Putting this into perspective, microbes outnumber our human cells 10 to 1, and are mostly found in the large intestine.
The Center for Ecogenetics and Environmental Health, University of Washington
Biome
A biome is a naturally occurring community, essentially an ecosystem with different species of microbes that live in different places. Just like the plants and animals in a forest, the different kinds of microbes in and on your body interact with each other.
American Museum of Natural History
Micro + Biome….and YOU!
Microbes play an important role in our body shape by helping us digest and ferment foods, as well as by producing chemicals that shape our metabolic rates.
The bacteria in the microbiome help:
· digest our food
· regulate our immune system
· protect against other bacteria that cause disease
Although microbes have been around for more than 3.5 billion years, science confirming the validity and influence of the microbiome was not generally recognized until the late 1990s. We are now seeing a tremendous amount of research confirming how many symptoms, conditions and disorders have root cause in the microbiome.
Autoimmune diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, and fibromyalgia are associated with dysfunction in the microbiome.
Conditions and symptoms that root in the microbiome: Diarrhea, Constipation, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Upper Respiratory infections, Crohn’s disease, Cold and Flu, Yeast Infections High Cholesterol, Urinary Tract Infection, Vaginal Infections, Dental Issues, Lactose Intolerance, Improved Sleep, Eczema, Stress
Passing It On To Your Kids & Epigenetics
Disease-causing microbes accumulate over time, changing gene activity and metabolic processes and resulting in an abnormal immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Autoimmune diseases appear to be passed in families not by DNA inheritance but by inheriting the family’s microbiome.
Epigenetics is the study of how your behaviors and environment can cause changes that affect the way your genes work. Unlike genetic changes, epigenetic changes are reversible and do not change your DNA sequence, but they can change how your body reads a DNA sequence.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Want to balance your microbiome & bring balance to your body? Consider adding a good quality probiotic and couple a few lifestyle changes, and see what happens!
The microbiome… 10 Probiotic Strains
10 Strains
10 Probiotic Strains to Support the Microbiome
A list of issues the specific probiotic can help with.
Discover the bacterium’s specialty to help support your body
This is walk through to explain each strain of probiotic we are now formulating in our new line of Adult Essentials. Link to information on Daily Probiotic 10 Strain 30 Billion CFU Capsules
1. Bacillus Subtilis DE111®
Digestive support
Immune health
Crowds out bacterial pathogens
Balancing gut flora
This bacterium is gram-positive and possess a hay or grass like structure, which makes it resilient to change in unfavorable environmental conditions. Bacillus Subtilis was popular worldwide, before the introduction of antibiotics, as an immunostimulatory agent to aid treatment of GI and UT diseases.
DE111® has numerous research studies to support claims:
“Supports healthy digestion, a healthy immune system, and proper metabolism of the components of fat.”
“Promotes urinary tract health”
“Supports exercise recovery”
“Helps optimize body composition with strength training”
2. Bacillus Coagulans
Lowering insulin levels
Improving Cholesterol
Irritable Bowel Syndrome IBS
Arthritis
Bacillus Cogulans is a spore-forming bacterium which is considered beneficial as a food additive. It can also produce lactic acid, decrease bloating, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain and stool frequency to increase the quality of life in patients.
3. Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Acute, infectious diarrhea
Vaginal infections
Urinary tract infections
One of the most popular lactic bacteria, L. Acidophilus is commonly used in foods such as yogurt and other dairy products. It works very well in combination with other probiotics to reduce the toxic effects of mold and yeast growth and can prevent parasite growth in your intestinal tract.
4. Bidifobacterium Lactis
Fighting of tumor growth
Improving digestion
Enhancing immune system
Breaking down waste
Helping nutritional absorption
Bidifobacterium Lactis is a multi-purpose probiotic bacterium that lives in the gut; decreasing leaky gut.
B. Lactis foreign materials from passing through the gut wall into the body by lowering the permeability of gut lining and also decrease toxic effects from gluten supporting overall digestion of sugars, fibers, and macronutrients.
5. Bidifobacterium Longum
Ulcerative colitis
Intestinal inflammation
Vaginal flora balance
Constipation
Crohn’s disease
High cholesterol
Colon cancer
Like most strains, they are still discovering all the positive benefits of this bacteria.
They do know that it will strengthen your immune system, improve your overall gut health, and can help with re-establishing beneficial vaginal flora. Studies have led researchers to believe that B. Longum may minimize the effects of or prevent a full range of other ailments and diseases.
6. Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Diarrhea
Lactose intolerance
Urinary tract infections
Tract illnesses including stomach ulcers
This strain of probiotic is known for its ability to survive through the harsh gastric acid and bile of the stomach to make it through to the intestine and compete against bad bacteria.
It enhances the strength of your immune system by stimulating mucous production, inhibiting the growth of intestinal pathogens, and reducing inflammation in the intestines.
7. Lactobacillus Salivarius
Gum sensitivity
Plaque
Tooth and gum health
Chronic bad breath
Ulcers
In addition to the wide range of proven dental health benefits, L. Salivarius is currently being tested and is believed to have the potential to improve immune system responses to colitis and septic shock.
8. Lactobacillus Casei
Constipation
Lactose intolerance
Crohn’s disease
Diarrhea
Lactic bacteria, L. casei occurs naturally in both your mouth and intestines and helps support a healthy immune system. It can also reduce the rate and risk of bacterial infections.
It has also been administered safely and with positive results to critically ill children suffering from diarrhea.
9. Bidifobacterium Breve
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Antibiotic associated diarrhea
Allergies
Gas
Plant-based digestion
Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve is considered one of the most helpful probiotic bacteria in the body. It has a unique ability to compete with harmful bacteria. It makes up the majority of bacteria found in babies colons that are breastfed, which is one of the reasons why breastfed babies have healthier immune systems. B. breve also appears to inhibit the development of E. coli. It is superior for the breakdown of many foods, which includes plant fibers not normally digestible.
10. Lactobacillus plantarum
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Cold and flu
Other immune system deficiencies
This bacterium helps you fight against getting sick by defending your system from invading viruses, molds, toxins, etc.
Thanks for reading,
“Nourishing Life”, by Funamins Inc.
For questions and to share your experiences please contact us hello@funamins.com
*Probiotic strains are constantly being tested to determine efficacy and indications in both humans and animals. The indications listed here are simply a representation of what the most recent testing has shown to be the likely benefits for each strain. There are no guarantees of efficacy for any probiotic ingredients. The material and opinions expressed in this document are believed to be accurate based on the best judgment available to the authors. Whilst the information in this document is regularly updated and every attempt is made to ensure that the material is accurate, medical research is being continually published and thus some information may be out of date and/or may contain inaccuracies and typographical errors.
The information in this document is for educational and general purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice or a substitute for medical treatment. Readers should always consult appropriate and qualified health or medical professionals about specific medical problems and issues relating to personal wellbeing. The authors do not accept any responsibility for harm or loss which may result from failure to consult with the appropriate health authorities, and readers assume the risk of any such injuries that may arise from these circumstances.
The following sources were consulted in the preparation of this list: https://medlineplus.gov, www.probiotics.org, www.mayoclinic.org, www.probioticsdb.com, and www.probiotics-lovethatbug.com
Probiotics are, “the-good-guys” in the fight for bacterial balance at the cellular level. Probiotics are a part of gut health that help the body absorb vital nutrients and eliminate pathogens. Receive an estimated 5 Billion CFU (colon forming units) per serving size. This Probiotic is formulated for nutrition and taste, when you open the bottle you’ll notice a mouth watering enthusiasm that is irresistible.
USDA ORGANIC
60 Gummies | Strawberry Flavored
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At Funamins we believe it’s always best to nourish with whole fresh food sources first and supplement second. This said, making great choices on what to eat, how to prepare, and how many nutrients can you consume is the basis for our blog to healthy living.
Getting to know… Probiotics
The microbiome is complex, diverse, and a part of all living things; what’s the main questions regarding the use of probiotics?
There are two types of bacteria in the body, good bacteria and bad bacteria. When there is an infection present it is the result of more bad bacteria putting the body’s system out of balance. Good bacteria help to eliminate excess bad bacterial to keep the body in balance. This said, the use of probiotics as a dietary supplement has shown promising results to help maintain the microbiome in the GI to support the body.
Probiotics are both bacteria and yeast that naturally live predominantly within the gastrointestinal tract. Not all bacteria are bad. For all too long the science of understanding bacteria places it as being mostly bad. Probiotics are the bacteria that the body to fight of bad bacteria to maintain balance.
The word probiotic means pro-good biotic-living things, good-living.
The human body carries 100 trillion bacteria in the gut…that’s more than 10 times the total number of human cells in the entire body. Did you know that the gut accounts for 25% of the immune cells in the body? It provides 50% of the body’s immune response for daily health.
The microbiome is a way to describe the community of bacteria that lives in the body. The bacteria are made of things called microbes, which include bacteria (good and bad), fungi, viruses, protozoa. Everyone’s microbiome is unique. The term probiotic is used to describe microbes that are isolated in the body, survive after digestion, provide benefit, and are consumed safely.
What parts of the body contain probiotics/microbes?
o Gastrointestinal Tract, which runs from mouth to rectum
o Vagina
o Urinary tract
o Skin
o Lungs
How does probiotic support the body?
The primary function for probiotics is to maintain the balance of bacteria and that means suppressing bad bacteria from entering the body to cause illness. More good bacteria, more defense to support immune function to control or reduce inflammation. This said, stopping bad bacteria and regulating the inflammatory response in the body are both key to healthy living. Probiotic’s also help:
o Digest food
o Suppresses bad bacteria
o Create vitamins
o Breakdown pharmaceuticals
o Removes toxins
It a lot of work for the body to keep a balanced microbiome as a natural part of the body’s daily function. Eating quality foods with fiber is necessary to help good bacteria keep the balance.
Should you take a probiotic?
Today, probiotics have been researched enough to show positive results in many ways to help with various conditions, which include:
o Diarrhea
o Constipation
o Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
o Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
o Yeast infections
o Urinary tract infection
o Gum disease
o Lactose intolerance
o Eczema
o Upper respiratory infection, (ear, nose, sinus)
o Sepsis
The effects, safety, and storage of probiotics?
Research studies are showing promising results with the use of probiotics. A variety of probiotics can be used to treat many different needs to balance the microbiome. Not all probiotics are shelf stable, cultivated and harvested with precision to ensure that at the time of consumption the probiotic will provide a positive result. Probiotics although not harmful are still in the beginning stages of discovery because every individual has a unique microbiome, which is developed from birth. This said, its known that vaginal childbirth and breastfed babies have stronger immunity because they are born with necessary probiotics for their biome.
The age-old premise of quality over quantity also shows us that the beneficial effects of probiotics don’t require 100’s of billions of Colony Forming Units CFU to make an impact. Individual results can be positively seen when proper use and quality of probiotic strains are introduced into the body.
It’s important to talk with your healthcare provider and even more important that when speaking with a healthcare provider that they are in the know when it comes to the benefits of probiotics. Although research is still emerging on the benefits, uses, and correlations that result from regular use of probiotics. For those that have experienced the effects from probiotics it’s a no brainer. This doesn’t negate that some healthcare practitioners are late to the party and we suggest finding physicians who are up to date on ways to treat the body with natures remedies.
Storage temperatures in normal range that are cool often help the shelf life of most probiotics. Avoiding heat, light, and humidity is recommended. If a probiotic is required to have refrigeration, then it is most likely sensitive and potentially less effective when consumed. Check labeling for information on how to handle and expiration dates. Probiotics are not an inexpensive supplement and often the quality and stability of the product is seen in the pricing. Consider probiotics sold in powder or as food additives. Avoid adding to hot dishes or very cold recipes. Another thought for consideration is whether the probiotic can survive passing through stomach acid to do its job in the GI. Different types of probiotic bacterium are found throughout the GI tract and overall it is the first line of defense to maintain the fight for bacterial balance to maintain good health.
As individuals the effects, potential allergens, ect can result from introducing new things to the body. For those that are at risk or with underlying health conditions because of serious conditions or high risk of infection discuss with qualifies experts on the best course of action in adding a probiotic.
Do kids need probiotics?
There is little difference in supporting a child with probiotic as opposed to adults. Children experience many of the same needs as adults to help relieve constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas, and eczema. Food sources like yogurt and cottage cheese might be the only way to help kids add health bacteria for balance but let’s be real how often are kids eating fermented vegetables and Greek yogurt? Sugar filled yogurts are of little to no benefit.
Do probiotics help after taking antibiotics?
Do probiotic help before taking antibiotics? Regardless of how you ask the question and if it’s before, during, or after taking antibiotics, it’s about the individual. More people are using probiotics because of last resort treatment for infection that require antibiotics when antibiotics are a last resort. Antibiotics kill bacteria and not just bad bacteria causing infections. Antibiotics knockout everything in their path, which requires the good bacteria to rebuild. In this process of rebuilding leaves the body yet again out of balance. The body was first out of balance because of bad bacteria that required strong meds like antibiotics and left out of balance because good and bad bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics. This balance can cause a variety of problems in the GI to get the gut happy again. Diarrhea after starting antibiotics is most common and in some situations specific bacterial called C. diff.
The reboot or repopulation of good bacteria (probiotics) must immerge to ensure bacterial balance once again and to crowd out harmful bacteria. This said, there are many different types of probiotics that help with the destruction that happens to the GI because of antibiotics. Many people feel that using probiotics regularly can avoid the problems from antibiotics and by adding probiotics during antibiotics it helps to feel better faster.
The microbiome is complex, diverse, and a part of all living things; what’s the main question regarding the use of probiotics?
The question is more, “when”, than if?
When will you start using a probiotic?
If you haven’t started using probiotics you could be missing out on a simple fix.
If you have tried probiotics and didn’t see a benefit, it’s likely that the quality of the product was a factor or the type of probiotic you used was not specific enough for what you body needed.
Overall, the excitement is seen from the outcomes people report from using probiotics as a modern world miracle and the modern world is full of miracles. The modern world is also full of distractions and quick fix solutions. Feel encourage and now informed about natures oldest, tried, and tested solution to, “Nourish Life” with probiotics.
Thanks for reading,
“Nourishing Life”, by Funamins Inc.
Probiotics are, “the-good-guys” in the fight for bacterial balance at the cellular level. Probiotics are a part of gut health that help the body absorb vital nutrients and eliminate pathogens. Receive an estimated 5 Billion CFU (colon forming units) per serving size. This Probiotic is formulated for nutrition and taste, when you open the bottle you’ll notice a mouth watering enthusiasm that is irresistible.
USDA ORGANIC
60 Gummies | Strawberry Flavored
FREE SHIPPING
USDA Organic MultiVitamins are a first step in supporting the body daily with vitamins and supplement for a balanced approach to nutrition, which also helps the body’s absorption of vital nutrition.
USDA Certified Organic
60 Gummies | Strawberry, Lemon, and Orange Flavored Assortment
FREE SHIPPING
At Funamins we believe it’s always best to nourish with whole fresh food sources first and supplement second. This said, making great choices on what to eat, how to prepare, and how many nutrients can you consume is the basis for our blog to healthy living.
The benefits of… Vitamin D
Our goal is to inspire healthy living as a proactive voice for nutrition and to empower individuals vitality. The Funamins Blog was created to provide parents “health filled insights” and the Mini-Blog is shared via social media posts is a “taste of health inspiration” together these two resources are our hope to build a culture of health minded people nourishing life.
An estimated 42% of Americans are deficient in vitamin D? Deficiency in D has many negative effects on your body’s health. Vitamin D is not actually a vitamin it is a hormone-precursor (pro-hormone) that metabolize minerals and bone growth.
Benefits of Vitamin D
Vitamin D is found in some foods, but Vitamin D is also found in sunlight.
Vitamin D is one of 4 fat-soluble vitamins and is found in three primary forms — D1, D2 and D3. Have you ever heard people say that they get their 15 minutes of sunshine in each day, so they aren’t deficient? Many associate Vitamin D with the sun, because when sunlight hits the skin, often vitamin D can be created. The body has the ability to naturally produce vitamin D when it is exposed to UV rays (you know…the rays sunscreen blocks). UV can also be harmful. People who live in tropical environments are can also have Vitamin D deficiencies and require foods or supplements with Vitamin D to avoid health problems.
What does Vitamin D do in the body?
Vitamin D is a prohormone that helps our immune system function properly and keeps our body’s inflammation at bay.
Many people think of calcium when you think of “strong bones”. Actually, Vitamin D is an incredibly important part of skeletal strength. Vitamin D is also critical in helping the body absorb and use calcium, phosphorus and magnesium. These are essential nutrients in building healthy bones.
Vitamin D is important for supporting the immune system, nervous system and brain, helps regulates insulin, supports cardiopulmonary health, and has an epigenetic effect on cancer. Vitamin D has an amazing effect on inflammation and the immune system’s ability to handle it. Another powerful effect vitamin D has is on depression, especially Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition states: “Scientists and nutrition experts at the 13th Vitamin D Workshop held in 2006 agreed in a consensus statement that “about half of the elderly in North America and two-thirds of the rest of the world are not getting enough vitamin D to maintain healthy bone density, lower their risks for fractures and improve tooth attachment. Such vitamin D insufficiency also decreases muscle strength and increases the risk for falls and is even associated with increased risk for colorectal and other major cancer”.
Possible Warning Signs of Vitamin D Deficiencies
How do you know if you are deficient? Let us share with you a few ways to tell if you or your family member might be deficient.
Fatigue
Aches and pains
Severe bone or muscle pain
Stress fractures, especially in the lower body
General sense of feeling under the weather
Getting sick often
Back pain
Depression
Slow wound healing
Hair loss
Mood changes
Who is at higher at risk for vitamin D deficiency.
The elderly
Being overweight/obese
Not eating fish or dairy, eating a vegan diet
Darkened skin tones
Living in an area with little year-round sun
Staying indoors most of the day
Heavy use of sunscreen
What else could Vitamin D help with?
Depression
Studies show that vitamin D may help with mood disorders such as depression in some patients. One study showed that higher doses of vitamin D reduced depression symptoms. Taking Vitamin D supplements are a low-cost and relatively low-risk way to try to reduce depression symptoms, especially those suffering from seasonal depression.
Boost weight loss & fights disease
One study showed it reduces the risk of heart disease.
Another showed that vitamin D can aid in reducing the chances of getting the flu.
Vitamin D has also been shown to reduce the risk of multiple sclerosis.
A research study showed that a calcium and vitamin D supplement helped participants lose more weight than those who took a placebo. A similar study showed that it improved overweight participant’s heart disease risk markers.
FOOD with Vitamin D
Increase your Vitamin D with specific foods such as:
Wild Mushrooms (3.5 ounces contains approximately 2300iu)
Salmon (3.5 ounces contains approximately 525iu)
Canned Tuna (3.5 ounces contains approximately 265iu)
Fortified Dairy milk (1 cup contains approximately 120iu
Fortified Soymilk (1 cup contains approximately 110iu)
Fortified Orange juice (1 cup contains approximately 100iu)
Egg yolk (1 egg contains approximately 35iu)
While it is preferable to obtain nutrients from food, vitamin D is not widespread in our food supply. Therefore, supplements are often the easiest for increasing your vitamin D levels. Infants need vitamin D supplementation when they are born, as their levels reflect mom’s levels, which are often suboptimal. Breast milk has very little vitamin D which would further their deletion.
Sign and symptoms of Vitamin D Deficiency
If there isn’t enough calcium or vitamin D intake, the body “borrows” calcium from the skeleton to keep the levels of calcium in the blood regulated.
Osteoporosis Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, to avoid problems of disease like osteoporosis. Being deficient in Vitamin D increases the chances of fractures due to low bone density.
Rickets or Osteomalacia An insufficient level of vitamin D can also lead to soft bones, which is known as osteomalacia or rickets in children.
Tooth Decay Don’t forget…teeth are bones too! Health teeth are the product of great nutrition and hygiene.
TESTING
Blood tests should be done to determine Vitamin D deficiency. A micronutrient blood test can evaluate the body regardless of age to provide a baseline for how individuals should support their body with food and supplementation produces.
Vitamin D-3 also known as Cholecalciferol, which is a fat-soluble vitamin known for it’s benefit to support the immune system, bone and muscle strength.
A (2) gummy serving size is the equivalent of 17.24 cups of fortified milk. For more information about Vitamins D, please visit our blog call Nourishing Life.
60 Gummies per bottle | Peach, Mango, Strawberry Flavored
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USDA Organic MultiVitamins are a first step in supporting the body daily with vitamins and supplement for a balanced approach to nutrition, which also helps the body’s absorption of vital nutrition.
USDA Certified Organic
60 Gummies | Strawberry, Lemon, and Orange Flavored Assortment
FREE SHIPPING
Citations and additional sources of information:
https://www.cantonmercy.org/healthchat/42-percent-of-americans-are-vitamin-d-deficient/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/vitamin-d-deficiency-symptoms
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15050-vitamin-d–vitamin-d-deficiency
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Delicious Nutritious… food favorite Scallops
Scallops are a sweet and delicious choice for dinner and FULL of nutrition. It hard to dispute all scallops offer when you are looking to add protein, omega 3’s and more to your diet. We highly recommend this great tasting option, pan seared with clarified butter and a pinch of kosher salt. Simple. Wow. Delicious.
A three-ounce serving of steamed scallops contain approximately:
Calories: 94
Carbs: 0 grams
Fat: 1.2 grams
Protein: 19.5 grams
Omega-3 fatty acids: 333 mg
Vitamin B12: 18% of the recommended daily value (DV)
Calcium: 9% of the DV
Iron: 15% of the DV
Magnesium: 12% of the DV
Phosphorous: 27% of the DV
Potassium: 12% of the DV
Zinc: 18% of the DV
Copper: 12% of the DV
Selenium: 33% of the DV
*DV is the Daily Value for individual consumption but remember we are not all living in the same body: some younger, some older, some taller, some shorter…everyone is an individual.
Think Heart Health
Not for today but for tomorrow. Scallops have two important things that support heart health: magnesium and potassium, which relax blood vessels. More substantial amounts of magnesium are also known to reverse brain aging. For more information on a variety of magnesium to support GI, muscle and joint along with what type of magnesium that can pass the blood to brain barrier, please contact us for published research studies.
Great Nutrients…What Do They Do?
Scallops also contain many great minerals including zinc, copper and selenium, which most people don’t get enough of in foods. Selenium supports the immune system and thyroid. Zinc is also important for the immune system and heathy development of brain function. Copper is known to aid in heart health and defend against diabetes. Scallops are a high-quality protein containing omega 3 fatty acids that support an anti-inflammatory response, necessary for the body to keep a proper blood sugar, cholesterol and triglyceride levels. A three-ounce serving of scallops has 300+ mg of omega 3 fatty acids + Vitamin B12, providing great nourishment to the brain. Talk about a great option for those looking to add a low calorie, rich source of protein to dinner!Bottom of Form
Considerations before adding to your menu
Allergies
Many people suffer with food allergies from shellfish because the body might not have the ability to process for a variety of reasons. Allergies to shellfish typically develop in adults and last the remainder of a person’s life. If you are looking to lessen or resolve an allergy, please contact us and we can share some of the physicians we are aware of that focus on this practice.
Heavy Metals
The environment directly effects how scallops can accumulate heavy metals that could include mercury, cadmium, lead, and arsenic. Crazy right? You would be amazed at how all fish - if not sustainably sourced – contain heavy metals, along with certain topicals, medications and even packaged foods containing harmful ingredients. Of course, if the human body accumulates too many heavy metals it can be toxic, so label reading is essential!
All this said, should you still eat scallops?
Of course, as long as you aren’t in a toxic state or allergic, we believe adding these to your diet is a wonderful way to increase protein, Omega 3’s and many other great nutrients. What three ounces of scallops contain (see above) is impressive.
How to purchase
You must read the label. Try to look for “wild caught” fish from “sustainable sources”. These words will clue you in, that that product is a clean and responsible choice not only for you and your family, but in keeping your ‘voice heard’. Remember, you ‘speak’ to big business and influence commerce, but your purchase choice.
How to prep and cook scallops
We believe preparation is key for all foods and some foods are more difficult to prepare than others. Take your time in the kitchen, prep fast but cook slow is a safe way to ensure a great meal is placed on the table.
10 tips for the cooktop:
Scallops are delicate, handle with care, keep whole, never cut during prep or cooking. They are like a great cut of beef let them rest before cooking and turn them as they sear.
Scallops hold a lot of water. We suggest rising in cool water, drain in wire colander, and then pat dry with paper towels. This will help to reduce the water hitting the hot pan and splashing. The scallops will still release ample water while they cook.
The temperature of your cooking surface is key. An anodized frying pan is easiest for cooking scallops because of non-stick surface and even heat disbursement.. The goal is to give each side of the scallop some dark color.
What type of oil is best but also healthy? We prefer using Gee (clarified butter) it contains little fat and no salt, it also cooks well at medium to high heat for fish. French gourmet,
Use soft tongues to turn and handle in the pan. We prefer silicone tips.
The cook should check one to see if they are cooked properly. Eating the test piece is the benefit to having the patients to make great tasting healthy foods. We suggest cutting one in half it should feel firm and spilt easy on the fibers with the side of a fork. A clean cut with a sharp blade will reveal the meat to look either as tender and white all the way through or it might have a translucent appearance to indicate the need for an additional minute in the pan.
Again, timing is key so cooking scallops should be the last thing cooked before plating a fantastic meal.
While still hot in the pan a pinch of salt on one side of each scallop we enrich the experience.
For those that love lemon on fish, we suggest lemon wedges, seeds removed, on the table.
For garnish or a fantastic green-paring, use arugula or a spring mix.
Scallops are definitely something to add into your month meal rotation. Above is a picture of the scallops we made on Christmas Eve. Truth be told they never seem to make it to the table with all the tasting going on at the stove. Please send us your favorite pictures of scallops and any tips you might have to share.
For questions and to share your culinary experiences please contact us hello@funamins.com