Dangerously Low on Vitamin D

As an obese woman with Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (causing hormonal problems) and Multiple Sclerosis (causing a weakened immune system and inflammation) the information below, was very eye-opening.

According to an article from Sparkpeople.com, a lack of vitamin D has been blamed for a plethora of health problems, but more targeted research should continue for diseases such as:

• Cancer. Preliminary research suggests that vitamin D has an anti-cancer benefit. It may stop the growth and progression of cancer cells and be beneficial during cancer treatment, too.
• Hormonal problems. Vitamin D influences the functions of insulin, rennin, serotonin and estrogen—hormones involved with health conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, depression and premenstrual syndrome.
• Obesity. Some research shows that a vitamin D deficiency can interfere with the "fullness" hormone leptin, which signals the brain that you are full and should stop eating.
• Inflammation. Vitamin D may help control the inflammation involved with periodontal disease, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Weakened immune system. Vitamin D may play a role in a strengthening your immune system, especially in autoimmune disorders (when the body attacks itself) like multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

I have 4 out of the 5 issues that indicate a lack of Vitamin D! That's huge. Every few months or so my neurologist has me do blood work to check on my Vitamin D levels. Each time I have been tested, I have been dangerously low on Vitamin D. This, he believes, is attributed to my multiple sclerosis. Once he finds that I am dangerously low, he prescribes me a drastically high dose of Vitamin D to take for 8 weeks. After the prescription has run out, I am suppose to get rechecked. I have never fully followed through with the directions. Going back to get rechecked hasn't worked out for me so well. I hate needles so I will find any excuse to get out of getting blood tests. My legitimate excuse of being sick with pneumonia was a pretty good one, though. As for the other times, I don't remember quite what kept me from going.

The reason that I bring up Vitamin D and my (personally) dreadful process of being checked (then rechecked) is because it is time for me to get checked, yet again. I should have gotten the bloodwork done weeks ago, but I had a good excuse! I was in my friends wedding and I didn't want a bruise on my arm for the big day. I know, I know. I need to get it done! It is my hope to muster up the courage to get my bloodwork done by the end of this week, or early next week. After the bloodwork, I am going to comply with the prescription and really try to go back to get rechecked. Learning what I have from the article from sparkpeople has really motivated me to get going on this! Vitamin D is so important and now that I know this, I have no excuse not to try to get my body in balance!

In other news, I just recently realized that I have only 6 more months to complete all of the items listed in my 25 by 25 List. The items that I am referring to are listed, below:

1. Try 25 new recipes (22/25 done)
2. Complete a 5K
3. Try 3 new bike/walking trails (1/3 done)
4. Try tofu for the first time
5. Read 5 books regarding healthy living (2/5 done)
6. Post 5 video blog recipes (1/5 done)
7. Reach "Onederland"
8. Go on 12 dates with my husband (4/12 complete)
9. Treat myself with a professional massage
10. Travel out of state 3 times (2/3 complete)
11. Crochet a blanket
12. Cook something for our mothers, "just because"
13. Host a bonfire with friends
14. Invite my father-in-law over for dinner 5 times (2/5 done)
15. Host a picnic with family
16. Search for beach glass at the lake
17. Go canoeing
18. Swing dance in Cleveland
19. Shop at a whole foods market
20. Try a new fruit or vegetable
21. Try a new workout
22. Complete a home project
23. Take our dog on 10 walks and blog about them (5/10 done)
24. Try a new restaurant
25. Pay off a credit card ($1,000)

One of the reasons I am not further along on some items listed would be because I forget to blog about them. For instance, I know that my husband and I have been on more than 4 dates this year, and I know that I have taken my dog for more than 5 walks, too!

The 4th date that I am blogging about is one that occured this past weekend. My husband asked if he could take me out for lunch at a local restaurant that we rarely ever visit. We both had fish and fries with a side of cottage cheese. We also ordered cheese sticks.


My cute husband :)

There are a couple items on my list that I am afraid I won't complete in time. I am afraid that we won't get the chance to go canoeing, swing dance in Cleveland, or try 2 more new biking/walking trails. I am most worried that I won't reach Onederland before February. I still have 38 pounds to go before I reach that place, so I guess it is still technically possible. Nothing is completely out of the running yet. I still have many goals to work on reaching!