You may already know that Vitamin D stimulates the absorption of calcium and magnesium, both essential to maintaining strong and healthy bones and living happily without the fear of fractures.
But what is surprising is that scientists agree that dietary sources (like food and supplements) account for very little of the amount of D circulating in our blood.
So where can we get all the Vitamin D we need?
Time to let the sunshine in… Studies have shown that sunlight is an excellent natural source of Vitamin D3, the best form of Vitamin D, also known as Cholecalciferol.
What’s unique about Vitamin D3 is that with the help of the sun, our own bodies can produce it! How beautiful… think about this: we can build healthier bones while our bodies – hand in hand with Mother Nature – do all the work for us.
And as if the Vitamin D benefit wouldn’t be enough, you’ll be happy to know that sunlight triggers an increase in the feel-good brain chemical Serotonin. This neurotransmitter controls sleep patterns, body temperature, our sex drive, and also lifts our mood and wards off depression. No wonder we all have fun in the sun!
Spending just 20 minutes or so a few days a week in the sun, without sunscreen, can provide you with a healthy amount of Vitamin D3, that will help you build stronger bones and improve your mood as well.
It’s important to remember that the fairer your skin the less direct exposure is needed to activate Vitamin D synthesis. For people with very fair skin, just a short burst of sunshine on their skin would also be enough.
And if you’re afraid of the risks of going out to the sun without sunscreen lotion, just remember that the benefits of the moderate sun exposure outweigh the risks.
So go out and enjoy… Oh, and don’t forget to smile.
If you liked this article, click the "Like" button for Facebook:
Why Suffer? Start Increasing Your Bone Density Naturally Now!
If you want to accelerate your bone building results with an easy to understand resource that reveals exactly what I and thousands of others in our community have used to increase our bone density naturally, then you absolutely have to check out the Save Our Bones Program.
It's filled with breakthrough, 'take-you-by-the-hand', nutritional, exercise, and lifestyle information that is proven to increase bone density naturally. The ‘Actions!’ at the end of the chapters outline exactly what to do and are all backed by over 100 scientific sources.
We value your privacy and will never share your information with anyone.
July 27, 2010
Hi – I have been advised to take Aldronate as my bones may deteriorate due to Letrozole for breast cancer. Has anyone out there tried to keep their bones strong using natural alternatives?
I also take Adval D3 plus magnesium and try to eat a very healthy diet. I always have done this but I still succumbed to Breast cancer and ovarian cancer!!
Would be grateful to hear from anyone in a similar position to me?
Thanks
July 26, 2010
I am taking Letrozole after Breast Cancer and am now advised to start taking Fosemax. My bones haven’t deteriorated too much in the two and half years of taking this drug. I take Adcal D3 and magnesium – also another D3 separately.
Has anyone else out there managed to keep their bones healthily ‘naturally’ rather than resorting to biophosphates while on anastrole inhibitors?
Would appreciate feedback. Many thanks
July 6, 2010
i don;t know what i have i feel great. when i visit the Dr for an ear problem i have all he seems to want to do is get me on some sort of medication. i am 71 and only take vitamin b1 & b6 which i have taken for 40 years.I feel really well except for somw arthritus which plays up when the weather changes.I will not be bullied into taking tablets i feel i dont need.Lipitor nearly killed me.
July 5, 2010
Vivian:
love your e-mails & all the information. Have
taken Fosamax & Actonel. The actonel made me
very dizzy & I reported this to my doctor but
he did nothing about it. Unfortunately one morning when I was in the shower I fell & broke
my tailbone. This has given me much back pain
June 24, 2010
Unfortunately, some of us cannot take this advice since several [of my] medications specifically state that direct sunlight is to be avoided. So, I have to try and get prevent deficiency by using a large dose of Vitamin D supplement.
June 5, 2010
Vivian,
I received your book and have scanned through most of it within a few days. I was happy to see all of the info. on vitamins, diet, exercise, etc. that we can do to help improve our bones naturally since I was very reluctant to take any of the medicines prescribed for bone loss due to severe side effects. I was on one of the medications (Actonel) but only for a couple of months when I stopped taking it because I was afraid that it was making my gerd/acid refulx worse. The only item that I was somewhat disappointed about was the diet plan. Although it seems that you make excellent suggestions about eating lots of vegetables and fruits, etc. and the correlation between alkaline/acid foods, it seems that it will be extremely difficult to follow this type of diet on a regular basis. I have been able to incorporate several of your suggestions by eating more vegetables, fruits, almonds, drinking less sodas, not drinking milk, etc. and eating more foods on the alkaline list while reducing others. However, I don’t feel that I will be able to realistically expect to have a diet that is 80/20 or even 70/30 without having to give up so many foods that I love. I don’t eat a lot of meat, but I do enjoy pasta, cereal, breads, wine, and a variety of other foods/drinks. Anyway, I’m hoping that making some changes in my diet will still be beneficial to my bones and health in general and using some of your other suggestions.
I have one major concern regarding the Nexium that I take and have taken for several years. I am 57 years old and have had three bone density tests. The last one I had after menopause showed that I have osteopina due to bone loss especially in my hip. I’m very concerned about taking the Nexium but I have gerd and heartburn which I’ve had for many years. The Nexium keeps them both under control but I take 20 mg a day. I tried to get off of the Nexium about a year ago when I read about many of the side effects but had a severe reaction: very serious heartburn and Gerd even with controlling my diet, and a bad case of diarrhea. However, I had also started taking a different organic calcuium/bone supplement, digestion enzymes, etc. at that same time which I believe contributed to the problem of diarrhea. I went off of those pills and went back on the Nexium after suffering for over a week and the problems went away. Do you have any suggestions about how to get off of Nexium without causing other serious health problems? I’m very concerned about being able to eat without constant hearburn and worry about the dangers of cancer of the esophagus if I stop taking Nexium. I do take a multi-vitamin, Oscal calcium (1000 mg), vitamin D, flaxseed and magnesium every day. Thanks much in advance for your help and thanks for your book and all your help. Linda
June 5, 2010
I was in the same boat a couple of years ago in regard to the nexium & how stop taking them. I then heard about “active manuka honey” & starting to cut back on the nexium & added a couple of teaspoons of the manuka honey daily. In a couple of weeks I was able to eliminate the nexium all together. Hope this helps
June 6, 2010
First of all, I recommend you change your doctor. Let me see… you have GERD and heartburn for “many years” (I’m quoting you) and you were prescribed Actonel for OSTEOPENIA?
Secondly, even if you follow some of the recommendations in the Save Our Bones Program you should see positive results. Nobody is perfect, so start and go easy… You’ll see that as you reduce consumption of foods that you now love, the cravings will go away. That’s part of the allergy/addiction process (allergy not in the sense of sneezing, etc. but in the sense of an unhealthy reaction in the body). We are created for health, not disease, and as your body recognizes it’s getting healthier, it’ll be easier as each day passes to make the right food choices.
And that leads me to the third point: as you balance your pH, chances are your GERD and heartburn will start fading away. Many in the Save Our Bones community have experienced that (including me!) and don’t need to take PPIs. So maybe sooner than later, no more purple pill for you
May 20, 2010
I am taking 50,000 i.u of vit d once a month and supposs to be taking actenel but decided not to. also taking esorb, just started with esorb. What is your opinion on taking these two vitamins together also taking a great multi vitamin with this.
May 25, 2010
I would like to know your answer to this.
May 4, 2010
I enjoy the natural approach on Women’s health, especially when it comes to the choices we have naturally for our bones…I have felt this for years and as you say …try to convince your doctor….my doctor is working with me on a vitamin regime now for which I am grateful…I am noticing good results and am so encouraged with your e-mails.
May 20, 2010
how many mg of calium and vitiamin d do i need i have osteopenia age 44?
May 1, 2010
Vivian,
QUESTION TO YOU: What is the difference between Vitamin D and Vitamin D3?
I don’t quite understand your posting on Vitamin D and sunshine. You say that people receive little vitamin D through their nutrition so it is critical to get vitamin D3 exposure to sunlight.
However Vitamin D3 supplements are available in pharmacies everywhere. If D3 is what we need, wouldn’t D3 supplements provide that?
July 27, 2010
is vitamin d3 better than just d? what about Glucosamine Chrondroitin for joints and cartilage??
Learned a lot from you; I’m going on the Forteo treatment soon and I have had ballon kyphoplasty on 2 vertabrae. My osteoporosis startd months after my dr. put me on blood pressure meds. First I got a sever ase of Lichen Planus, then my fracture problems in my back;I’m 77 and was in excellent physical condition before. Regards, W
May 1, 2010
I live in Gibraltar where there is usually plenty of sunshine and therefore a great feeling of being alive and healthy even when you might be suffering pain. I find the warm weather is very important to feel good!
April 22, 2010
Vivian,
I’m taking vitamin D3-5000I.U. 3 times a week.Is that safe??? How toxic is Vitamin D3? I love to hear from you on that. Thank you so much. You have my email.Best wishes.
April 17, 2010
yeah your totally right everybody should keep their bones heathy and strong cause it is important to stay fit and look heathy soo drink milk and don’t drink pop hat is BAD for your heath
If you want to look heathy choose foods that will satisfy you and your tummy to help you feel great and look great at the same time or just go on the Jenny Grage thingy
Dannah
April 11, 2010
Jess, I agree with you completely. I already had skin cancer removed 3 times on my face. Only one of the times, thankfully it left a scar. Go outside early or late in the day. Be careful. Good Luck Jess.
April 8, 2010
This advicfe isn’t too useful in Uk where there isn’t any sun for 6 months of the year!
April 5, 2010
I am a 70 year old UK male and have been advised by my doctor to keep out of the sun, and wear a hat and sufficient clothing to keep the sun from my skin. In the past I have had small sun-induced growths removed from my skin. So it’s quite a dilemma knowing what to do. But thanks Vivian
April 4, 2010
wow to think, the sun can be a good thing. Many times I’m a night person, but I love the Summer. It’s the time I don’t have wear all that junk. I know all that stuff protects you from the cold, so when Summer hits I walk around more freely. So again thanks for the info. May God Bless you always!
April 1, 2010
My daughter and I are sharing the material and
anxiously awaiting arrival of your book. I have decided much to the distress of my Dr., that I am not going to take anymore of the
medications they are pushing for osteoprosis.
Hope by following your plan that I can gain
healthier bones.
Madelyn
March 28, 2010
Hi Thank you so much for your information, I
have been having injections for Vit.B 12.&
D. as I am low on both,but I realize that I too need to get out into the sun more and get
dose of Vitamin D.
I have got ostoperious and have had broken bones and back operations, so your infomation
is becoming most useful. Thank you so much.
Lea.
March 26, 2010
I do like your information and find it most helpful
March 19, 2010
The only part of me that ever sees the sun is my face and hands though – is this enough skin exposure to make a difference? Also, maybe you should warn people not to present themselves without sunscreen during the hottest, most damaging part of the day. All I have ringing in my ears is “don’t go out without sunscreen protection – the sun causes damage”. But I will go unprotected first thing in the morning and late afternoon.
March 12, 2010
i am waiting for the book.i am on vegetables,steamed as well as fruits using them as a fruit salad.i came off of milk and i am using pure almond silk and fruit juices.i use vitamin d 50,000iu,citrical,magnesium,a
vitamin and mineral tab. which is complete 50+ialso get which i think is plenty of sun now how ever i worked inside most of my life. i do have osteoprosis,leukemia where i got a lot of cotisone,asthma mild but got some cortisone there.i have a low igg level so am getting IVIG every month ,this is a compromised immuine system.i just got over a bout of shingles that got into the brain before the were diagnosed,and i had more cortisone there.do not use any of these things because i have,let vivian guide you through,thats why i needed the program because i need help. i have too many things to deal with. i refused to take actonel but i am hoping to get my bones built back up naturally.
March 10, 2010
V,
How do you feel about chromium picolinate?
March 10, 2010
I think Vivian is very knowledgable and informative, and i must say very comforting for me, I have just come from my yearly checkup from Professor here at the hospital, I did all the blood tests, urine test, and of course the xray, as i walked in i was very nervous indeed, he looked at the xrays and tried to explain to me all the scientific explanations of this condition, however i did not understand any of it, he has put me on D and double the calcium, but he is awaiting further results of the blood test, to which he asked me to call him in 3 weeks for results, I am very anxious and nervous to hear what he will say, after reading all your literature i definatley do not want to go on any medication, but do not know what i will do if he tell me to, I am asthmatic and have spent a life time on cortisones, and i believe that is why at my age i am in this situation, I will eventually get your material, thank you linda
March 8, 2010
Hi Vivian: thanks for the e-mail, keeping me informed, I read my Book real often to make sure I am doing things right. Spring is just around the corner, the SUN is hot + shining bright today, stll too cool to get out doors, my walking is not very good, I use a walker around the house most of the time. Thank you so much.
M. Wilkins
March 6, 2010
NEVER spend anytime in direct sun without sunscreen. Even with sunscreen, you’ll get sun exposure. It’s screen, not block. But direct rays of both types is dangerous. One doesn’t need to forgo the use of sunscreen to get benefits of sun to stimulate vit. D. Remember, skin cancer from the sun is the leading form of cancer.
March 19, 2010
Agree with you wholeheartedly.
March 4, 2010
Yes, I totally agree with the sun in small amts is the best chance to get healthy contributing vit. D. My concern being down the road what effects are the sunscreens used on little children going to have on their health?
May 3, 2010
Just read an article on bone density and how good Faximax and the rest o rest of the drugs are in building bone they know about the biophosaphates. They still claim that the osteoblast can occur when taking these drugs. Am I missing something here? Awaiting your replay
March 2, 2010
Thank you for the information. I will try to get a little sunshine each day. I have polio and walking is difficult. Sitting in the sun will get easier when the weather warms up.
February 27, 2010
I live in Canada and have 3 feet of snow in my back yard…however for sunshine exposure – I simply sit in front of a window allowing the warmth to penetrate as I sit wearing my “T” shirt…
February 26, 2010
You suggest sunshine for good vitamind D and living in North Pole Alaska this is not an option. I dearly love the beach and my husband even more and even thou I feel I have served my sentence here , moving is not the desire of my husband so what would you suggest for an older lady who cannot move and has no daylight much less sunshine??
February 19, 2010
I too would love to join but the funds are not yet available. (I’m working on it.) I am thankful for all the information you forward to me. I read everything and all the comments as well. Keep up the wonderful work you do.
Florence
February 18, 2010
Lucky you Vivian for living in the sunny state of Florida! I live on Lake Erie and believe me when I say the sun doesn’t shine too much around here in the winter…And when it does you can’t go out in freezing temps with bare arms & legs!!!! I do alot of cross country skiing. Some days we are lucky to have a beautiful sunny day and if not too cold I might just wear a head band so my head is the only exposed area of skin…..I have also read that the older you get you don’t absorb D as much from the sun. I will look forward to your comments.
Patti
February 15, 2010
Hello I think your articles and information is valuable.For myself I have limited funds but lots of time+ I am good at research, this means that the full save our bones is not suitable for me, I don’t need individual tuition as I am good at processing information alone so the fee covering the tuition while doubtless fairly priced and good value for those that need it renders the package too expensive for me.Have you considered offering 2 packages 1 with your tuition and 1 without ?.
This might help others in my situation. Thank you for the newsletters.