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WELLNESS CONNECTIONThe Sun and Your SkinBy Ronald Moy, M.D., Director of DermatologyAugust 19, 2010 - 3:30PM Sunlight damages our skin’s DNA, causing everything from wrinkles, freckles and skin thinning to cancer. Most skin issues that we associate with aging are actually DNA damage, caused by sun exposure. In our younger years, we have DNA repair enzymes that help combat this damage, but as we age, these enzyme levels drop, leaving us vulnerable. Serums and creams with DNA repair enzymes from natural plant sources like plankton help fortify the natural enzymes in your skin and can have measurable results within hours. Many ingredients in personal care products, such as fragrance, SD alcohol and chemical preservatives, can increase photosensitivity in your skin; something to be aware of in the height of our summer season. Watch for conditions such as flaking, redness and blemishes; these can all indicate a degree of sensitivity. Medical-focused dermatological treatments, such as microdermabrasion, acid and laser peels to remove dry, discolored, damaged skin, can help your skin recover from overexposure to the sun. Discuss these options with your dermatologist to ensure a treatment regime that is appropriate for your skin type and your long-term skincare goals. Look after yourself on a daily basis, particularly as you are outdoors and active, and safeguard against sun damage, sensitivity and more serious conditions. Liberal application of a SPF 30 or greater with both UVA and UVB protection is the best way to give your skin the first line of defense it needs as a fundamental part of your health and well-being. Rated by 0 people: Shape Up Snapshots: BridgeBy Laurie Streff, Exercise SpecialistAugust 10, 2010 - 3:19PM BRIDGE Lie down on the floor face up. Place arms straight down at your sides with palms down and bend your knees with heels lined up underneath the knees and feet pointed straight ahead. Upon an exhale, lift your hips up so that they form a long line from your knees all the way to your shoulders. Keep pressure out of your neck by drawing the navel in towards your spine and stabilizing your body weight in your shoulders and feet. Breathe evenly as you hold for a count of 5. Return to the floor by rolling through the spine one vertebrae at a time, starting between the shoulder blades and continuing through the mid-back until the hips are back on the ground. Repeat. You may gradually increase the difficulty by lifting one foot off the ground, being sure to keep the knees parallel so the leg is extended at a 45 degree angle. For a greater challenge, hold a ball between your lower inner thighs to engage adduction muscles. Rated by 0 people: Why is Vitamin D Important?By Philip Barr, M.D., Clinical DirectorAugust 02, 2010 - 2:30PM As a population, most of us are deficient in vitamin D. Due to pervasive lifestyle changes, sun exposure, a natural source of vitamin D, has become limited, resulting in a significant decrease in our body’s ability to manufacture vitamin D. In our practice, 90% of the patients we test are either deficient or have inadequate levels of vitamin D. If you want to know your level, 25-hydroxyvitamin D is the blood test you should request your doctor to perform. Most recently, the ideal range has been established between 40 and 60ng/ml; Dr. John Cannell, Executive Director of the Vitamin D Council, recommends a level of 50ng/ml or higher. Be aware that many labs will have designated a lower limit of 30ng/ml, so it is important to know your actual results.
Always ask for a copy of test results, check to be sure that it is within the recommended range of 40-60ng/ml and keep a copy in your medical records folder at home. This applies to any medical test that you have done; keeping a copy of your reports is important. Recent evidence shows that the benefit of taking vitamin D may also include improving resistance to infection during flu season. A general year-round recommendation is at least 2000 units of an easily absorbed supplement per day. During flu season, this may be doubled to 4000-5000 units a day. Food sources are not adequate to supply the levels of vitamin D that we need and the benefits are considerable. Vitamin D supplementation is a simple and effective way to contribute to your overall health and wellness. Rated by 3 people: |
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Recent PostsAugust 19, 2010 - 3:30PMThe Sun and Your SkinBy Ronald Moy, M.D., Director of DermatologyAugust 10, 2010 - 3:19PMShape Up Snapshots: BridgeBy Laurie Streff, Exercise SpecialistAugust 02, 2010 - 2:30PMWhy is Vitamin D Important?By Philip Barr, M.D., Clinical DirectorArchives |
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