Vitamin N

 

All vitamins and minerals are very important and essential for proper health.  Vitamin N is one that is probably overlooked more than any other.  Vitamin N is essentially a prescription to spend more time in nature. Vitamin "Nature" makes us feel great.  It is why when the sun comes out everyone jumps for joy and heads outside.  Did you know Nature can heal your over-stressed brain, but just how much Vitamin N do we need?  Spending just 10 minutes 2-3 times per week in nature can really make a difference in how you feel.

Here's 5 ways nature can help you be a better you:

*Nature clears your head: A 90 minute walk in a natural environment has a positive impact with lower levels of anxiety and obsessive worry.

*It improves your mood and lowers stress: All types of green exercise activities improve self-esteem and combats negative moods like anger, tension and depression.   

*It spurs creativity: Are you stressing about a big project or exam, take a walk in the woods.  Problem solving skills are thought to originate in the same area of the brain as we use for selective attention and threat detection.  Researchers are concerned that our ability to think creatively is being overwhelmed by the constant stimulus of digital and indoor life.

*It improves your immune system: Sick of getting sick?  Walking in nature has been found to increase our natural killer cell activity.  Natural killer cells are our bodies weapons against invading bacteria and viruses. 

*You're less likely to snack on unhealthy foods: Being more active means decreased likelihood of overeating while being sedentary.

Have you ever heard of "Forest Bathing"?  

For more reading: Why we need Nature

Grab some hydration and go take a walk.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd

Vitamin K

Vitamin K

Vitamin K was discovered in 1929 by Danish researcher Henrik Dam.  He named it after finding it prevented chickens on a fat-free diet from bleeding out.  He called it the "koagulation" vitamin using the German spelling. 

The body needs Vitamin K to produce prothrombin, which is a protein and blood clotting agent.  It is important in blood clotting and bone metabolism. Vitamin K1 or phylloquinone comes from plants, such as kale, when it is eaten, bacteria in the large intestine converts it to it's storage form of vitamin k2.  It is then stored in the small intestine to be used (combined with Vitamin D)when needed for bone health and blood clotting.

Vitamin K may help keep blood pressure lower by mineralization, where minerals build up in the arteries.  This enables the heart to pump blood more freely.

The RDA is only 70-90 micrograms per day.  1 cup of raw chopped kale is 472 mcg!, so it very easy to be getting enough K.  By eating a balanced healthy diet you will get enough. 

Here are 2 articles for more information:

Food Revolution: Vitamin K

Health Guide: Vitamin K