Eating For Health

Interesting news this week for those interested in losing or maintaining their weight. A surprising study out of Scotland about the benefits of sunlight on our health.          Sunlight and Childhood Obesity and Diabetes – Scottish researchers reported that sunlight can be important in preventing diabetes and helping to avoid childhood obesity.   We all know spending time outside is healthy for exercise, fresh air and to get our vitamin D. a.        Sunlight and weight:   But now they have a new finding about sun.   “A natural gas, nitric oxide, is released by our skin after exposure to sunlight.”   ( Sunlight key to fighting childhood obesity and diabetes ).   This helps us control our metabolism and slow weight gain.   b.         Sunlight and diabetes – because one gains less weight, one is less likely to get diabetes.   Exposure to sunlight also ...

We all know vitamin D is important for bone health.   Yet, in the last few years, researchers have found the many roles vitamin D plays in our overall health.   A study in Diabetes Care those with the highest levels of vitamin D were less likely to develop type 2 diabetes.   Dr. Pittas of Tufts School of Medicine studied 2,039 participants in the Diabetes Prevention Program.   This program looks at ways to prevent full blown diabetes in those diagnosed as pre-diabetic.   After following these study participants for 2.7 years and periodically testing their vitamin D levels, they found those in the top one third in terms of vitamin D levels were much less likely to develop full blown diabetes. What role would vitamin D play in diabetes prevention?   One theory is that vitamin D might improve how the pancreas works.   The pancreas is an organ in our bodies that produces insulin which is needed to get blood sugar into our cells.   A stud...