Vitamin D and Autoimmune
There are at least 80 diseases in the autoimmune disease family. Some examples include rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, and autoimmune thyroid disorders. In these diseases, the body’s immune system interrupts a healthy process in the body.
Autoimmune diseases are complex, and many factors interact to increase the risk. Recently, there has been some evidence that vitamin D can reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D seems to help T-cells from going off track and attacking healthy cells. T-cells are part of the immune system that kill infected cells and also recognize which cells not to kill.
To get your vitamin D, get 10—15 of sunlight every day with enough exposed skin. In the winter, it is cold and dark, making it difficult to get vitamin D through sunlight exposure. Windows block the part of sunlight that creates vitamin D, so a sunny window doesn’t work. For many people, it makes sense to take a vitamin D supplement.
It’s a Gas
We produce about ½ to 1 ½ litres of gas a day. This gas is not from the oilfields. This gas is produced in our gut. The gas we make is primarily from fermenting fibre in our diet. If we eat no fibre, we have very little gas. We also produce some gas from swallowing air. We tend to swallow more air when we eat quickly. High gas volumes may signal us to eat slower.
Typically, this human-made gas has the odour of methane or sometimes sulphur. A really rank odour can signal a food sensitivity. For example, if you are lactose intolerant and drink a lot of milk, you will soon generate room-clearing exhaust.
If you notice your expelled gas is stinkier than usual, think about what you ate and try to avoid it or monitor it the next time you have it. If you can’t identify any food causing the malodourous vapours, talk to your doctor about the unpleasant emanations from your posterior. It can signal other problems.
Also, don’t hold in farts. Farting is as natural as breathing, and you need to eliminate the gas. Holding it in for too long can cause bloating, and if held long enough, it can create pockets of air in your digestive tract that can become infected.
Vitamin Over D
Too much of a good thing is a bad thing. This is especially true for the vitamins that are stored with fat. The fat-stored vitamins are A, D, E, and K. If you take any of these as supplements, make sure you are not overdosing.
A
: If you eat a reasonable amount of fruits, vegetables, cheese, eggs, and beef, you likely don’t need any extra vitamin A. Too much vitamin A can cause hair loss, confusion, and liver damage.
D
: Many people are low in vitamin D, so it makes sense to take a supplement, especially in the winter. But don’t overdo it. The maximum you should take is 4,000 IU a day, but 1,000 IU a day is often enough. You can check your vitamin D level with a lab test, which is a good idea.
E
: If you regularly eat nuts and seeds, you’re likely OK with vitamin E. You need only 15 mg a day. Most people don’t need to supplement E. Too much E can increase the risk of bleeding and brain bleeds.
K
: K is the spinach vitamin. It also occurs in small quantities in eggs and cheese. It is vital for heart health, so if you don’t eat leafy greens, it makes sense to take a vitamin K supplement. There are several forms of K, but K1 and K2 are the most important. Too much K causes excess clotting, so limit supplemental K. Vitamin K can also interact with medications. Check with your doctor if you take medication.