Vitamin D is an amazing supplement that can be used to improve your health and manage countless health concerns without negative side effects, which is just one of the many reasons so many people choose to rely on this miracle vitamin. However, there is still a lot of misinformation circulating about Vitamin D and diet trends that can hinder your progress if you’re trying to make major lifestyle changes. To help you clear up any confusion and make the most of your health and life, here are some vitamin D and diet truths and myths that you may be wondering about.    

Myth #1

A mere 15 minutes of sun exposure three times a week or 400-1,000 UI per day can help your body produce and maintain all the natural vitamin D you need, regardless of your age, height/weight, or skin color.  

The truth is that your vitamin D supplement intake should always be dosed according to your weight, with adjustments made based on your vitamin D blood level. Consult with a doctor or specialist before determining your own personal dosage.  

Myth #2

Vitamin D levels between 20 and 50 are considered normal.

The truth is that to achieve ideal vitamin D levels in your body, you need to be between 50 and 70.

Myth #3

Adults require 1,200 mg of calcium per day, while postmenopausal women and elderly adults (65+) require at least 1,500 mg per day.

The truth is that if your vitamin D levels are between the normal range of 50 and 70, and you maintain a well-balanced acid-based diet, you will likely not need additionally supplemented calcium.

Myth #4

Osteoporosis is a condition that begins after menopause as a result of aging.

The truth is that osteoporosis starts before birth. Lack of vitamin D, improper diet, and lack of physical exercise all compromise bone mass development in childhood and leads to osteoporosis later in life.

Myth #5

Excess vitamin D and calcium cause kidney stones.

The truth is that kidney stones are caused by highly acidic diets that result in acidic urine (full of calcium and a breeding ground for kidney stones). Not enough magnesium or potassium in your diet can contribute to this problem.

Myth #6

According to the USDA Food Pyramid, you must have 3-5 servings of grains per day, three servings of dairy, and two servings of either meat or beans (because they are treated the same) – but this is way too acidic for a healthy diet!

The truth is that animals and meat contain up to 90% protein vs. beans, grains, and cheeses that only contain up to 25% each, and you should never confuse your need for whole grains as a need for unhealthy carb-heavy foods like pasta, white bread, and other nutrient-deficient selections that will raise your insulin levels and hinder your ability to properly process vitamin D.

Myth #7

Obesity and weight gain are caused by a simple imbalance of calorie intake vs. calorie expulsion.     

The truth is that obesity is cause by a nutrition imbalance. When you are hungry your body craves certain nutrients and minerals. Nutrient-dense food like lean meats, fish, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables will help you feel fuller longer than a high-calorie diet.

Myth #8

A low-calorie diet is the fastest and healthiest way to lose weight.

The truth is that when you don’t consume enough of the right vitamins and nutrients in an effort to lose weight, you end up losing bone and muscle mass in the process. Your body begins stealing vital nutrients from itself. Exercise, however, can help you lose weight and burn fat while also strengthening your muscles and bones.

Myth #9

Autoimmune diseases are mostly genetic disorders.

The truth is that autoimmune diseases, like osteoporosis, are caused by vitamin D and other nutrient deficiencies resulting from dietary imbalance beginning as early as right after conception.

Myth #10

Environmental carcinogens and genetics cause cancer.

The truth is that maintaining a healthy diet and ideal vitamin D levels throughout life can prevent cancer.

Myth #11

Excessive sun exposure causes melanomas.

The truth is that melanomas are a result of overexposure to UVA mixed with a lack of vitamins D.

Myth #12

It’s too expensive to screen everyone for vitamin D deficiency.

The truth is vitamin D deficiency is a serious health risk for millions of people all over the world, and correcting the problem early will prevent any excessive costs resulting from worsened illnesses later on. Not to mention, it will keep countless people from suffering serious illnesses that could have been prevented.

For more information about vitamin D and all the wonderful benefits it can bring to your life, get your copy of Dr. James Dowd’s book – The Vitamin D Cure – as soon as possible! Inside, you’ll find everything you’re looking for and more! If you are looking for experienced and top-rated rheumatologist, call the Arthritis Institute of Michigan today at (810) 225-7553 to schedule an appointment, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar.

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The human body is a complex collective of mechanisms that requires a very specific regiment of vitamins, nutrients, and exercise in order to thrive at its optimal potential. Vitamin D is hands-down one of the most significant of these vitamins due to its direct responsibility in the absorption of calcium, phosphate, and other essential elements the body needs for basic survival. One of the most amazing things about vitamin D is that it has the advantage of helping itself regulate naturally within the body – if, of course, you know how to assist it. The answer is merely to exercise. In simple terminology: exercise is able to enhance the vitamin D levels in your body while your vitamin D levels in return enhance your workouts. This perfect symbiotic relationship is simple yet effective, and can be easily manipulated to benefit your health in a myriad of ways.  

Unknown to many people, vitamin D can actually hide out in the fat cells of the body, which is how exercise is effective in enhancing your body’s vitamin D levels. However, this can spell danger for people who never work up a sweat, especially if they pair the behavior with the consumption of excessive carbohydrates. Carbs produce insulin, which can trap vitamin D inside the fat cells and make it harder for it to be released naturally. As vitamin D deficiency symptoms begin to creep up, it becomes harder and harder to pick yourself up out of the seemingly endless cycle. The good news, nevertheless, is that there is an easy fix: cutting down on carbs and burning that fat away with exercise. Aerobic and other fat burning exercises can effortlessly break down the vitamin D trapped in your fat cells and immediately start putting it to good use inside your body. Once you start working out you will almost immediately notice a difference in how vitamin D enhances your workouts. Benefits such as increased energy, increased strength, and even fewer musculoskeletal injuries are just a few of proven ways you will notice the vitamin D working in your life.

If you think you may be suffering from vitamin D deficiency or would like to know more about the never-ending list of ways that vitamin D could exponentially improve your life, pick up your copy of Dr. James Dowd’s revolutionary book, The Vitamin D Cure, as soon as possible. Inside you will find all the information you could possible want to know about vitamin D and why you need it. If you are looking for experienced and top-rated rheumatologist, call the Arthritis Institute of Michigan today at (810) 225-7553 to schedule an appointment, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar.

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Vitamin D is so important because it is arguably the number one most versatile and beneficial hormone in the human body, necessary for everything from initial growth to cancer and disease prevention.

To even begin to fully understand why vitamin D is so important, you must first understand that vitamin D is not actually a vitamin at all, but rather a hormone. Part of a larger family of steroid hormones consisting of other more well-known hormones like testosterone, estrogen, cortisol, and progesterone, vitamin D is similarly responsible for regulating gene expression within the nucleus of a cell. Simply put, every human body consists of almost all (99.99%) the exact same fundamental genetic material, but what makes every person unique is the seemingly conscious organization of those genes to create endless possible biological “symphonies” which allow us all to live our best lives. That “consciousness” comes from vitamin D and proper nutrition.    

From the moment a fetus is conceived, essential nutrients including vitamin D are absorbed into the body through the mother and are vital to a baby’s growth. For infants, vitamin D is responsible for leading in the brain’s development with assistance of necessary omega 3 fatty acids and other vital nutrients. Experts, like Dr. David Barker, have already concluded that improper nutrition and vitamin D deficiencies in cases related to fetal development have proven to result in reduced infant size, as well as an increased likelihood of suffering from diabetes, hypertension, bone disease, heart disease, obesity, schizophrenia (in men), Parkinson’s disease, seasonal affective disorder, depression and substantial loss of cognitive function (in patients with Alzheimer’s), and more later in life.

People do not stop to take the time to consider that the human body still craves and seeks out these same vital nutrients even after birth and well into adulthood. Healthy food, sunlight, and other resources containing vitamin D are necessary for continued health and maturity, which is why when a person neglects this biologically urgent need they are more likely to have a suppressed immune system and suffer from a number of related illnesses and diseases. For a long time experts have known and shared their knowledge that vitamin D is needed to help promote stronger, healthier teeth and bones through greater calcium absorption, hence why you will so often see vitamin D as an additive on your milk carton, but it is so much more than that. Vitamin D is so important because it is arguably the number one most versatile and beneficial hormone in the human body, necessary for everything from initial growth to cancer and disease prevention. Still, too many people are barely getting enough of it daily.

How much vitamin D have you had today?

For more information about why vitamin D is so important, whether or not your may have a vitamin D deficiency, or how to change your life with the natural power of vitamin D, contact Dr. James Dowd’s office in Brighton, the Arthritis Institute of Michigan, or pick up your copy of his incredibly informative book, The Vitamin D Cure, today.

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The Vitamin D Cure

The Vitamin D Cure is a powerful tool of exploration for anyone who hopes to pursue a better, healthier life. In it, Dr. James Dowd explains how anyone can enjoy the benefits of stronger bones, an enhanced immune system, and defense against obesity among others while simultaneously fighting off cancers, reducing inflammation, preventing heart disease, maintaining healthy brain function, and more. The benefits of vitamin D are seemingly endless, and you too can take advantage of them by picking up your copy of Dr. James Dowd’s book, The Vitamin D Cure, today.

This one-of-a-kind book takes readers through a simple five-step plan designed to teach you how to best utilize the proper consumption of this advantageous supplement as well as safely increase your sun exposure for controlled reception of vitamin D to improve your overall long-term health. The Vitamin D Cure also delves into how variations in your diet and exercise routines can affect your physical, mental, and emotional well-being, giving you a better idea of how to manage your daily lifestyle choices in a way that ultimately benefits you.

If you’re the type of person who is suffering from high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, certain forms of cancer, or any other debilitating or life-shortening illnesses or conditions, you could benefit from vitamin D. The best news is, you don’t even need to have any sort of disease to enjoy all the incredible benefits of regularly exposing yourself to vitamin D. Whether you’re looking to increase your energy levels, lose that stubborn weight, or find the relief you’ve needed from normal aches and pains, vitamin D can help you.

Vitamin D is truly a miracle substance, and Dr. James Dowd is using it to help countless people around the world find the relief they’ve been looking for with the help of his eye-opening book, The Vitamin D Cure. You will never find another book like this one. Grab your copy of Dr. James Dowd’s The Vitamin D Cure today for exclusive information on how to change your life for the better.

James E. Dowd, MD, FACR (Brighton, MI) is a clinical associate professor of medicine at Michigan State University and the founder and director of both the Arthritis Institute of Michigan and the Michigan Arthritis Research Center. He has been widely published in the professional literature and has been interviewed on local TV and radio. Diane Stafford (Newport Beach, CA) is a professional writer.

Grab your copy of The Vitamin D Cure, today >>

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Like you may have assumed, the Paleo Diet® refers to all the foods that may have been eaten throughout the Paleolithic era including primarily fish and lean meats, fruits and vegetables, seeds and nuts, and any other typical hunter-gatherer type foods. Foods that didn’t become common until after the boom of the farming industry, like grains and legumes, are limited because of their supposed incompatibility to our genetic capabilities. Some Paleo Diet®’s are more strict than others, but most commonly a person participating will need to refrain from consuming any grains like bread, noodles, rice, and more, legumes like beans, peanuts, peas, and lentils, any dairy products including milk, cheese, yogurt, and butter, as well as salt, potatoes, or anything that is heavily processed or contains any refined sugar. This may seem impossible as you wander around your favorite grocery store and see the barrage of mysterious ingredients on every package, but the positive impact it can have on your life speaks for itself so long as you are determined to make it work for you.

You already know that you should be eating healthy to ensure you have the best possible life, but you really should think about how your dietary choices can impact your long-term health. It isn’t about giving up the food you love or submitting to a process you hate, but rather putting yourself and your health needs first above all else. Just because we have the ability to enjoy modern medicine and a convenient meal doesn’t mean we should turn our backs on the tried and true methods that have kept our civilization alive for centuries, the Paleo Diet® is proof of that. If you or someone you love is dealing with autoimmune diagnosis, get the level of care you deserve by calling Dr. James Dowd today at 1.810.225.7553 to get started, or or click here to make an appointment online.

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See today’s UV Index for North America >>

The U.S. National Weather Service monitors countless variables to determine a reliable mathematic formula to help them accurately predict risks of UV radiation overexposure in certain areas. They factor in everything from ranging elevations and cloud forecasts to stratospheric ozone concentration and human skin sensitivity for different places throughout the country, in an effort to create a consistent forecast that helps people in different areas avoid potentially harmful overexposure. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) then publishes and releases the information to the public along with suggestions for sun protection.

The UV index is a forecast map created daily by the National Weather Service that indicates on a scale the risks of overexposure anywhere in the country. The U.S. National Weather Service translates exposure risk into an easy to read system for the public using specific numbers that relate to corresponding colors on a map. A UV index forecast can be read by color with severity of risk ranging from 0 (low) -15 (extremely high):

• 0-1 indicated as royal blue
• 1-2 indicated as emerald green
• 2-3 indicated as pale green
• 3-4 indicated as yellow
• 4-5 indicated as pale orange
• 5-6 indicated as orange
• 6-7 indicated as burnt orange/orangey red
• 7-8 indicated as crimson red
• 8-9 indicated as burgundy red
• 9-10 indicated as magenta
• 10-11 indicated as purple
• 11-12 indicated as lavender
• 12-13 indicated as periwinkle
• 13-14 indicated as baby blue
• 14-15 indicated as icy blue

Just type your zip code into the search bar to see what color your state or town is now, and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you’re keeping your family safe from the most harmful aspects of the sun. If you or someone you love is dealing with a arthritis diagnosis, get the level of care you deserve by calling Dr. James Dowd today at 1.810.225.7553 to get started, or or click here to make an appointment online.

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The American College of Rheumatology is a non-profit membership organization designed to connect and serve a variety of non-physician healthcare professionals. By focusing on research and raising funds for various training programs across the country, the American College of Rheumatology helps countless people improve their health and quality of life.

The Arthritis Foundation offers a comprehensive collection of valuable services to people living with arthritis. They have information about everything from facts about the disease and how to cope with it, to how they are fighting for you and how you can get involved to help fight for others.

The National Institute of Health remains an essential resource for anyone interested in learning more about the science behind rheumatic diseases and the work that is being done to help prevent them. The National Institute of Health always has the most up-to-date information on basic health, grants and funding, latest news and events, as well as the most progressive research and training.

Medline provides easy to understand information about various health topics as well as information and resources on a variety of drugs, herbs, and supplements with all the helpful information you may need about what each does and what they can be used for. Medline is a thoroughly organized collection of useful data that anyone can take advantage of.

For many people, proper doses of the right medication can work wonders for pain, swelling, stiffness, and other symptoms related to rheumatic diseases. If you or someone you know is suffering discomfort due to arthritis, prescriptions such as Remicade, Rituxan, and Orencia may be helpful in reducing the intensity or frequency of your symptoms. Please speak with your doctor, or Dr. James Dowd, before deciding to go on any new medications, including prescriptions like Remicade, Rituxan, and Orencia to avoid any complications or adverse reactions.

For more arthritis information resources or links and publications detailing lifestyle changes that can improve your life such as what Dr. James Dowd has to say about the paleo diet, or his take on the importance of sun exposure. If you or someone you love is dealing with a arthritis diagnosis, get the level of care you deserve by calling Dr. James Dowd today at 1.810.225.7553 to get started, or or click here to make an appointment online.

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Dr. Dowd’s website allows anyone to check out his video library and watch any of his footage meant to help people learn more about vitamin D including a two part series called Can Vitamin D really help CURE you? Other segments talk about the primary role of vitamin D in the body, misdiagnosed vitamin D deficiency and how to find out if you’re vitamin D deficient, how vitamin D is connected to sclerosis, how much vitamin D you need every day, how vitamin D can help with weight loss and combat obesity, as well as the best ways to get vitamin D every day, how much sun you should get to balance your vitamin D needs and skin health, what you should be eating for breakfast, and all kinds of other essential information on the vitamin D cure. So check out Dr. Dowd’s video library now to get all the facts you need to help you make better decisions to live a healthier life. If you’re suffering from any kind of rheumatic diseases such as inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune diseases, crystal arthritis, osteoarthritis, and more, then you need to contact a professional rheumatologist, like Dr. James Dowd, immediately.

Dr. James Dowd is a highly-trained rheumatologist who is proud to offer professional treatment and services to people all throughout the state of Michigan. People travel from all over the state of Michigan to visit Dr. James Dowd’s office in Brighton for a reason, and it’s because he is an expert in treating a comprehensive collection of rheumatic conditions in patients of all ages. Other healthcare facilities typically have wait times of up to six months for new patients, but not Dr. James Dowd’s office in Brighton. We know how important it is for people suffering to see a rheumatologist as soon as possible, which is why we encourage anyone in pain as a result of any rheumatic diseases to call Dr. James Dowd’s office in Brighton as soon as possible to book an appointment. If you or someone you love is dealing with a arthritis diagnosis, get the level of care you deserve by calling Dr. James Dowd today at 1.810.225.7553 to get started, or or click here to make an appointment online.

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At The Arthritis Institute of Michigan, our primary focus remains providing all patients within our own and the surrounding communities with the most impressive rheumatologic care available. Every step of your journey with us will be carefully attended to by one of our highly-trained staff members. Our professionals can handle anything you need at any point during your treatment, making your time with us as comfortable and satisfactory as possible. With a proud history of providing progressive medical services and treatments to patients, our success relies on our commitment to staying informed on the latest research and advancements regarding new treatments that could better help us care for our patients both now and in the future. Find out today how we can provide quality, compassionate healthcare to anyone suffering from:

• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Osteoporosis
• Ankylosing-Spondylitis
• Psoriatic Arthritis
• Gout
• Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
• Scleroderma
• Childhood Arthritis and Joint Problems
• Inflammatory Diseases
• Knee, Shoulder, Hip, Back and Neck Pain
• Vitamin D Deficiency

We also offer a variety of amenities and techniques to better serve your healthcare needs, all at the hands of one of our competent experts. Enjoy on site:

• Laboratory Work
• In-office Infusions:
• Joint Injections
• Joint Aspirations
• Viscosupplementation
• Nutritional Therapies

To learn more about Location & Directions to our facility, acquiring New Patient Forms, or if you just live in Michigan and are looking for high quality care, we invite you to contact us today to talk to us directly or to set up an appointment. The Arthritis Institute of Michigan is currently accepting new patients. If you or someone you love is dealing with a arthritis diagnosis, get the level of care you deserve by calling Dr. James Dowd today at 1.810.225.7553 to get started, or or click here to make an appointment online.

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Most brands of vitamin D found in stock at any number of establishments, including big chains like Walmart, are 400 or 1000 IU per tablet. The most popular of these discount brands is Nature Made, and is one the largest manufacturers of these particular tablets. The pills contain calcium phosphate as their base and can be difficult to swallow. When searching for the best options for supplements, I tend to prefer gel caps or liquids to ensure I am getting the most for my money. Using them is easier because of the surface texture being much more slick, and the lack of calcium means that I am getting what I paid for. The manufactures I personally rely on are Carlson Labs and Biotics Research Corporation. Carlson Labs makes 1000 IU and 2000 IU gel caps, both made without vitamin A. Originally at the time of printing their book, their 1000 IU gel caps contained vitamin A, but since then they have made efforts to successfully remove it to maintain purity in their products. Biotics Research Corporation has two liquid vitamin D products. Bio D-mulsion is 400 IU per drop and Bio D-mulsion Forte is 2000 IU per drop. I love these companies because their products are incredibly inexpensive and easy to take, and a year’s supply cost your less than fifty dollars which is a deal you just can’t beat.

So where can you find them? We have partnered with eVitamins.com to secure easy access for anyone looking to make the change. Choose from a comprehensive list of supplements and vitamins, and enjoy the lighting fast speed and simplicity of the system, without compromising quality. See the difference today, and make your first stride toward a better, healthier life. If you or someone you love is dealing with a arthritis diagnosis, get the level of care you deserve by calling Dr. James Dowd today at 1.810.225.7553 to get started, or or click here to make an appointment online.

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