Vitamin D: Why You Need It

Getting some natural vitamin D on a gorgeous day.  Ten to 15 min. sunlight is safe daily.

Exposure is best after 5 p.m. or before 8 a.m. when it’s less harsh.

Healthy Benefits of Vitamin D:

Sun’s UV rays help your body produce it naturally, which is vital for blood cells, bones and your immune system. It also helps you take in and use certain minerals, like phosphorus and calcium.

At all times, but especially during flu season and Covid19, it’s important to keep your immune system strong. 

Foods high in D are fatty fish, like salmon & tuna, and egg yolks.

People age 1 to 70 need 600 IU daily. People over age 70 need 800 IU daily for optimum health. You can find supplements.

Symptoms you may have a vitamin D deficiency are:

Fatigue
Lethargy
Hair loss
Depression
Slow wound healing
Weight gain
Muscle or bone pain
Decrease in bone density
Increases your risk for colds, flu & other illnesses like Covid19

According to a 2011 study, 41.6% of adults in the US are deficient.
This number goes up to 69.2% in Hispanics and 82.1% in African-Americans.

7 common risk factors for vitamin D deficiency:

🌞 Having dark skin.
🌞 Being elderly.
🌞 Being overweight or obese.
🌞 Not eating much fish or dairy.
🌞 Living far from equator where there is little sun year-round.
🌞 Always using sunscreen when going out.
🌞 Staying indoors.

So, find an outdoor space that’s empty or with only a few people social distancing, so you can get outside and enjoy the sunshine. Preventing illness by maintaining daily healthy habits is one of the best defenses you have against any illness.

It’s worth repeating: Exercise daily, eat nutritious foods, avoid processed foods, sugar and alcohol, stay hydrated with water, get enough sleep, read to keep your mind active and limit your time on social media, so you have time to take care.

Keep your pantry stocked with healthy foods and snacks during this time. The healthier you eat, the less you will crave the bad for you stuff or you will at least limit it one day a week. Your mind and body will thank you later.

Photo by Buenosia Carol on Pexels.com

If you haven’t had healthy habits your whole life, it’s never too late to start. Take it one day at a time. It takes a few weeks (sometimes months) for you to begin feeling your best mentally, physically and spiritually.



Start by removing one unhealthy habit. Then, another. Be patient with yourself.

Stay healthy. Stay safe.

blog contact: maria.dorfner@yahoo.com

 

Why You Need To Protect Eyeballs From Sun

 

Most of us think to pack the sunscreen when heading outdoors into the sun, but we might not always remember to grab a pair of shades.

 

According to Reecha Kampani, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Cleveland Clinic, putting on sunglasses is more than a fashion statement.

She says protecting eyes from UV rays is just as important as protecting skin.

“”UV protection is good for all kinds of structures of the eye, like the eyelids, the cornea, conjunctiva, the lenses and retina tissue itself,”” says Dr. Kampani. “”You can get damage and changes of the eye with exposure to UV light, so protection is very important.””

Dr. Kampani says it is actually possible to get a sunburn on the eyelids and while rare, if exposed to too much UV light, the cornea, which is the clear tissue over the eye, can get a thermal burn, which can be very painful.

“Long-term exposure to UV light can lead to the formation of cataracts or macular degeneration.”

Dr. Kampani recommends wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat even on moderately sunny or overcast days, to make sure eyes are protected.

Wrap-around sunglasses are best if heading out in the sun all day, as they can keep light from coming in through the top and the sides of the glasses.

The good news is that people don’’t have to spend a fortune to keep their eyes protected.

Dr. Kampani says buying discounted sunglasses is fine, but it’’s a good idea to replace inexpensive glasses yearly.

“”If you’’re buying lenses that are at more discounted places, that’’s fine,” said Dr. Kampani. “A lot of times they still do have full protection, but you have to keep in mind that it could be something that’s more temporary, like a spray-on coating, that won’t last as long.””

It’’s also a good idea to keep in mind that artificial UV light, like the kind that is found in tanning beds, is just as bad for the eyes as it is for the skin.

Remember, when you’re outdoors or out in the field as we say in TV, wear sunglasses OR a hat to protect your eyeballs.

Stay healthy!

 

maria.dorfner@yahoo.com

 

MEDIA:

Access CCNS Video for Soundbites and B-Roll Video:

Cleveland Clinic Newsroom
Video download password: CLEclinic1921

FTP Server

Username: dailyvosots

Password: dailyvosotsftp

Bitcentral/Oasis/Newseverywhere

Username: CCNews

Password: CCNews1

Pathfire: If you’re using the web browser, click on the ‘Provider Directory’ and look for the ‘Cleveland Clinic’ tab. Use the ‘Video News Feed Locator’ if you’re getting Pathfire via satellite.

*Also, now available using app.extremereach.com – select the ‘Cleveland Clinic’ destination to view the files. If you need assistance, contact videonetwork@extremereach.com

Maria Dorfner is the founder of NewsMD Communications, specializing in health and wellness since 1993.  She began working in media in 1983 on the Today Show at NBC in New York City as a p/t fill-in for co-host, Bryant Gumbel’s assistant while she was still in college. She also worked part-time in Barnes & Noble bookstore at Pace University (she worked at Barnes and Noble Fifth Avenue during all of high school) and part-time as a sales associate in Sak’s Fifth Avenue. She is an English major with national honors and Political Science minor. She served in NYC’s Intercollegiate Model City Council, having been selected by her Political Science Professor to join honor pre-law students on the council with actual council members to represent NYC on the council.

Upon graduation, Maria was hired full-time at NBC. Three years later, she helped launch their cable station, CNBC out of Ft. Lee, NJ.  She produced three talk show pilots that were successfully nationally syndicated with a Who’s Who in medicine, media, politics and entertainment as guests. She conducted research, fact-checked, wrote questions, pre-interview guests in the green room and produced segments and shows from concept to completion.  She was director of research for Ailes Communications, a political consulting firm and production company run by the departed, Mr. Ailes who went on to become president of CNBC and later chairman of Fox News Channel.

“I never saw the negative side of Roger. Yes, he was tough. Yes, he’d fire someone on the spot, but he was nothing but respectful of me and other female colleagues. He was a media genius and I was fortunate to learn from him. Anyone that says otherwise didn’t know him. It was a different time then. Women, including myself didn’t dress like we were going to a nightclub to tell the news. We were professional. Ever notice the first women to shout sexual harassment look like they’re either doing a push-up bra or pantyhose commercial while anchoring? They’ll defend themselves by saying they should be able to dress however they want and not expect anyone to treat them differently.  Really?   I don’t expect my male colleagues to come to work bare chested with suspenders. And then sue me if I make a comment.  It’s ridiculous. I think a bit of common sense and professionalism in order.”

In 1993, Maria created 7 half-hour original health series for CNBC. They included Healthcare Consumers, Healthy Living, Lifestyles and Longevity and others.
She co-anchored them for 3 years before joining NBC Miami as their medical and special projects producer. She then relocated to North Carolina and launched her own production company, while producing 21st Century Medicine documentary series for Discovery Health, weekly JAMA Reports for networks and medical segment for iTV. She traveled to Stockholm, Spain, Paris, London and all over the U.S. conducting interviews and filming segments.

She won a Media Recognition Award from the American Heart Association for national series Heart Smart, an Outstanding Achievement Award from the March of Dimes, a Medical Reporting Scholarship from the American Medical Association, a Freddie Award for Excellence in Medical Reporting, an Advanced Writing Scholarship from NBC News, an Outstanding Leadership Abilities Award from Pace University, a Commitment to the Advancement of Women in Media Award from her alma mater, Pace University.

She mentors journalism students and is the author of PRESSure: Break Into Broadcasting, Healthy Within and a little cookbook she created for her family to preserve family recipes called, Health, Heart & Humor In An Italian-American Kitchen.   Her books are available at Barnes and Noble and Amazon. She has worked with a Who’s Who in Medical and Health, trained PR departments, trained people wanting to work on-camera, and created a newsroom from scratch for MedPage Today and others, trained associate producers on Good Morning America to be producers, and in 2000 launched the Cleveland Clinic News Service (CCNS).

This is her blog.

“I’m blessed with amazing health all my life;  doctors ask what I do.”

~Maria Dorfner

contact:  maria.dorfner@yahoo.com

How Much Sunshine Is Healthy For You?

We’ve all heard sunshine is good for your health.

How Much Sunshine Is Healthy?

Turns out, it’s 15 minutes of sun exposure without sunscreen 3 times a week.

How Much Sunshine Is Not Healthy?

More than 15 minutes of sun without sunscreen and you’ll end up with premature aging.

Dr. Melissa Piliang (pronounced Pill-ee-ang) of Cleveland Clinic says areas that should be covered at ALL times include:

FACE

CHEST

 

BACK

 

HANDS

 

SHE REMINDS US YOU CAN STILL DEVELOP SKIN CANCER ON TINY EXPOSED AREAS.

 

CG: Dr. Melissa Piliang /Cleveland Clinic

“Face, chest, back of hands are places too – that you can get a lot of sun just running and out of stores, to and from your car, to your mailbox; those kinds of situations.” [:10] 

What Does 15 Minutes of Healthy Sunlight Do?

It activates Vitamin D in your body. After activation, it functions as a hormone. The active form of Vitamin D is called D3 or cholecalciferol.

Vitamin D is vital for mental health, age-related cognitive decline, mood, cardiovascular health and strong bones.  D3 supports calcium absorption and your immune system.

You get vitamin D3 from foods such as mushrooms, orange juice fortified with calcium/D,  milk, fortified soy products, fish or supplements.

What If You Can’t Avoid Sun More Than 15 Min.?

If you need to be exposed to the sun more than 15 minutes Dr. Piliang says to use sunscreen liberally.  Everyone should make sun protection a part of their everyday routine, even while running errands –not just when you go to the beach or pool.

 

SHE SAYS THE BEST PROTECTION ARE SPRAY-ON SUNSCREENS OR A VARIETY OF LOTIONS AND MAKEUPS THAT CONTAIN S-P-F TO PROTECT SKIN.

DR. PILIANG SAYS KEEP LOTION HANDY SO YOU DON’T FORGET.

CG:  Dr. Melissa Piliang /Cleveland Clinic

“For people who are worried about sun exposure on their head, a hat is helpful. And actually a hat is very helpful for everyone because it protects the face, the head, and the top of the ears.” [:15]

ACCORDING TO THE U-S CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION,

SKIN CANCER IS THE MOST COMMON FORM OF CANCER IN THE UNITED STATES AND MEN, ESPECIALLY THOSE WITH LIGHTER SKIN. [:11]

If you see new moles or ones that change shape make sure to get them checked.

Again, people with exposed scalps should always use sunscreen there or wear a hat.

See a dermatologist if you have any concerns.

You can now safely say, “Good Morning, Sunshine!” 15 min. 3x’s a week.

THEN, IT’S “HELLO SUNSCREEN!”   😀

YOU CAN PREVENT SKIN CANCER BY TAKING THESE PRECAUTIONS.

 

MORE INFORMATION:  

https://my.clevelandclinic.org

MEDIA:  See Cleveland Clinic News Service (CCNS), July 26, 2017 Pathfire #10839 for Sound Bites/VO/B-Roll

Don’t forget to protect your EYES too!

Most of us think to pack the sunscreen when heading outdoors into the sun, but we might not always remember to grab a pair of shades.

According to Reecha Kampani, M.D., an ophthalmologist at Cleveland Clinic, putting on sunglasses is more than a fashion statement.

She says protecting eyes from ultraviolet rays is just as important as using sunscreen to protect the skin.

“”UV protection is good for all kinds of structures of the eye, like the eyelids, the cornea, conjunctiva, the lenses and retina tissue itself,”” says Dr. Kampani. “”You can get damage and changes of the eye with exposure to UV light, so protection is very important.””

Dr. Kampani says it is actually possible to get a sunburn on the eyelids and while rare, if exposed to too much UV light, the cornea, which is the clear tissue over the eye, can get a thermal burn, which can be very painful.

“Long-term exposure to UV light can lead to the formation of cataracts or macular degeneration.”

Dr. Kampani recommends wearing sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat even on moderately sunny or overcast days, to make sure eyes are protected.

 

Wrap-around sunglasses are best if heading out in the sun all day, as they can keep light from coming in through the top and the sides of the glasses.

The good news is that people don’t have to spend a fortune to keep their eyes protected.

Dr. Kampani says buying discounted sunglasses is fine, but it’s a good idea to replace inexpensive glasses yearly.

“”If you’’re buying lenses that are at more discounted places, that’s fine,” said Dr. Kampani. “A lot of times they still do have full protection, but you have to keep in mind that it could be something that’s more temporary, like a spray-on coating, that won’t last as long.””

Dr. Kampani says it’’s also a good idea to keep in mind that artificial UV light, like the kind that is found in tanning beds, is just as bad for the eyes as it is for the skin.

Remember, when you’re outdoors or out in the field as we say in TV wear sunglasses OR a hat to protect your peeps!

Stay healthy!

 

 maria.dorfner@yahoo.com

 

MEDIA:

Access CCNS Video: 

Cleveland Clinic Newsroom
Video download password: CLEclinic1921

FTP Server

Username: dailyvosots

Password: dailyvosotsftp

Bitcentral/Oasis/Newseverywhere

Username: CCNews

Password: CCNews1

Pathfire: If you’re using the web browser, click on the ‘Provider Directory’ and look for the ‘Cleveland Clinic’ tab. Use the ‘Video News Feed Locator’ if you’re getting Pathfire via satellite.

*Also, now available using app.extremereach.com – select the ‘Cleveland Clinic’ destination to view the files. If you need assistance, contact videonetwork@extremereach.com