Sunlight is Still The Best Source of Vitamin D

I am admittedly a critic of Kevin Trudeau for being all talk and no cure. So when his new book, "Natural Cures Revealed" was advertised I was not convinced that he had changed. However, he promised to name the actual cures and site the research in this book. More importantly, he promised to actually reveal research and brand names that he had not revealed in his first book.
Most importantly, I wanted to see the research, check the sources with those I had and find out if he had really found something special to offer.
I received the book at 3:15 pm on a Wednesday, June 29th, 2007 and I am very pleased to report that the first page I turned to gave me some exciting news that confirms what I have been reporting: Vitamin D reduces cancer by 50 percent. Scientists at the University of California found that the natural form of Vitamin D which comes from the sun, dramatically reduces the chances of developing breast, ovarian, and colon cancer. CNN reports that a multi-year study on 2,300,000 people shows that Vitamin D reduced cancer by 50 percent. It ought to be a headline and the number one news item of the day, but almost no one knows about this remarkable finding.
This is why I am so convinced that playing tennis outdoors is so beneficial to our health and especially to the seniors who continue to play the game outdoors well into their mid 80s and even as old as 92-years-old. Doctors are going the route of the churches: Remember when they would tell you to either follow their advice or find a new doctor and churches claimed that for those who believe no explanation is possible and for those who don’t - no explanation is possible. Well both have suffered from the technical revolution of communication that will tell it like it is no matter which sacred cow is offended.
The best source of Vitamin D is that which comes from the sun. For years people have complimented me on the color of my skin and the healthy glow of my face. It is not just genetic, it is that I have always liked being outdoors and biked, swam, walked miles and played baseball, football, tennis and love gardening which rewarded me with all that free Vitamin D.
Today I watched two nonagenarians (91 and 92-years-old) playing tennis. Happy to be kids again and enjoying the friendship, love and thrill of the game, they gladdened my heart so much, I took a quick ride home to get my digital camera. All this is just more evidence that everything good is not found in a bottle.
The Cleveland Clinic and the USTA (United States Tennis Association) are researching the health benefits of the sport of tennis. They can only find out what I have already known these past two decades: A multitude of health benefits are in store for those who play the game. You don’t have to be the best nor does your coordination have to be outstanding, just give it a try. The surroundings cause endorphins to flow immediately and the smiles and joy of those around you is contagious. But its not only tennis, it could be gardening, biking, swimming or walking or just enjoying the great outdoors. You’ll look healthier, feel younger, breathe better and be glad your alive. Mr. Trudeau is challenging a broken health care system.

Dried Fruit vs Juice, Frozen or Fresh

The Diet Detective (Charles Stuart Platkin) did an article on "Dried fruit— nature’s candy." Although I found the article very informative, I would much rather eat a fresh juicy cherry than one that has been dried up to look like a raisin. He compares it to juice and declares the dried fruit to be the better bet.
Mr. Platkin claims to have "overindulged" in his first attempt at doing research on the effects of dried fruit. That is one of the problems with raisins, they are dense and full of calories and lack the hydration of the natural fruit. Juice lacks the pulp and fiber of whole fruit. There is a reason you can’t find them in the super market – they are in the candy section. Too many calories and they are prepared by drying in the sun or an oven and an electric dehydrator. Americans are trying to hydrate themselves to stave off the wrinkling and keep the digestive track working smoothly. Dried up fruit is one way to bring on constipation – even with the fiber.
On the issue of calories he compared 1 cup of dried blueberries (296 blueberries) having 600 calories as opposed to 1 cup of fresh blueberries with only 84 calories. He should have considered 1 cup of frozen blueberries is only 60 calories - bagged at the peak of perfection. Drying is an old process that was used before we had refrigeration and other sealed preservative methods.
Of course dried fruit have more fiber, but they look to your stomach to reconstitute their fullness and in so doing remove water from the digestive process. Water is the lubricant you need to keep the food moving through the body’s system and water is what it takes to absorb the highest amount of nutrient. I never could get into raisins. Grapes (especially since they are seedless) are one the best fruits for your money.
Mr. Platkin claims that the quality of the antioxidants in the processed dried fruit is the same as the corresponding fresh fruit, but he forgets to address the process inside your stomach. That is why you follow up a "fiber supplement" with a full glass of water to promote regularity. The directions for fiber supplement is to add one rounded tablespoon to a six ounce glass of cold water and then follow with ½ glass of water immediately afterwards. That is so you don’t choke while the fiber starts reconstituting itself with fluids in your body. You need to drink the water immediately to make sure that you lubricate your swallowing the fiber.
Dried cherries are researched to be very anti-inflammatory - only three of them would be equal to the effect of aspirin. The equivalent amount of fresh cherries to accomplish the same purpose would be 20 fresh cherries. You may differ with me, but I like nothing better than a juicy, plump, fresh cherry. Frozen cherries are second best in my book, but I tried eating dried cherries and found that they got stuck inbetween my teeth and were far too sweet for my taste.
I compliment Mr. Platkin for his work and have often learned new information from his articles, but when I consider dried, frozen, fresh or juice cherries—I choose fresh cherries every time.

If I’m going to make a juice from fruit I prefer to use a high-quality juicer that doesn’t remove the pulp from the fruit. These high quality mixers have sharp stainless steel blades that are capable of chopping ice and reducing a vegetable or fruit to a fine-tasting smoothie. They are pricey - usually around $400 and that is probably the best investment you can make in getting enough fruits and veggies into your body. Add a little cinnamon to bring down the triglycerides and a little vanilla flavoring, throw in some ice cubes and you have a real ice-fruit drink. Some add plain yogurt to make an even healthier smoothie.
Antioxidants are fine in fighting the "free radicals" of aging, but even though the Journal of American College of Nutrition finds more nutrition in the condensed form of dried fruit–I can’t buy that endorsement without analyzing the effects of dried fruit on my digestive tract. It seems almost silly to think that dried fruit wouldn’t have more density in calories and nutrients, but that doesn’t tell the rest of the story. Try drying out a watermelon or a cantaloupe and there goes the biggest advantage: water. I tried dried apricots, raisins and apples and couldn’t understand why people chose dried fruit over the real thing. Give me fresh fruit - it is easier on the digestive system, tastes better and is easier to swallow and digest. Dried fruit belongs in the same category as preserving food with high sodium, wine or pickling. The best thing that ever happened to fruit and vegetables was "refrigeration."