Archive for December, 2012

Vitamin D

Natural Standard® Patient Monograph, Copyright © 2010 (www.naturalstandard.com). All Rights Reserved. Commercial distribution prohibited. This monograph is intended for informational purposes only, and should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. You should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making decisions about therapies and/or health conditions.

Background

Vitamin D is found in many dietary sources such as fish, eggs, fortified milk, and cod liver oil. The sun also contributes significantly to the daily production of vitamin D, and as little as 10 minutes of exposure is thought to be enough to prevent deficiencies. The term “vitamin D” refers to several different forms of this vitamin. Two forms are important in humans: ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). Vitamin D2 is synthesized by plants. Vitamin D3 is synthesized by humans in the skin when it is exposed to ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays from sunlight. Foods may be fortified with vitamin D2 or D3. [...more]

Mounting evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency could be linked to several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its correlates to test the hypothesis that vitamin D deficiency was common in the US population, especially in certain minority groups.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005 to 2006 data were analyzed for vitamin D levels in adult participants (N = 4495). Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations ≤20 ng/mL (50 nmol/L). The overall prevalence rate of vitamin D deficiency was 41.6%, with the highest rate seen in blacks (82.1%), followed by Hispanics (69.2%). Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more common among those who had no college education, were obese, with a poor health status, hypertension, low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, or not consuming milk daily (all P < .001).
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There seems to be common misunderstandings in the marketplace as to just what is a vitamin, a mineral and a chelate. Let’s start with defining vitamins: A vitamin is an organic compound needed by organisms to keep it functioning and healthy. To further clarify, high school science teaches that the world in general is made up of elements or compounds. Elements are those molecules that are in a fundamental state in the earth as pure molecules with no other ingredients. Elements are represented on the periodic table which you may remember from your science class, they are the building blocks to ALL other compounds.

Compounds are made up of two or more elements. An example is water, made up of two elements (molecules) of hydrogen and one element (molecule) of oxygen (scientifically written as H2O). Vitamins are compounds.

What is CoQ10?

Other Names: Coenzyme Q10, Co Q10, Ubiquinone, Vitamin Q

CoQ10 is a naturally-occuring compound found in every cell in the body. CoQ10′s alternate name, ubiquinone, comes from the word ubiquitous, which means “found everywhere.”

CoQ10 plays a key role in producing energy in the mitochondria, the part of a cell responsible for the production of energy in the form of ATP. [...more]

The Hardest Thing is NOT to be a Mom.

Fighting your motherly instincts is tough. All moms can relate to this, especially disciplinarians, like I was. . . you are a mother FIRST. If Budge doesn’t seem happy at the office or skips lunch, I want to talk to him about that in the office. I want to fix it.

How Do I Adjust? I have to catch myself when this happens and say “would you tell your boss not to skip lunch or to get more sleep if he wasn’t your son.” Despite this tool, my motherly instincts still takeover, and I can’t help myself. I’m still working on it.

Go With My Gut. My mother is smart, talented, and very successful, but I have to go with my gut. Ultimately she is an employee that was hired for her expertise and effort. I have to take in her information, like other employees and process it.

How Do I Adjust? Unlike other employees, when it comes to my mom, I have to remind myself that my decisions are final and eventually, no longer up for discussion. This takes some discipline when you have a great relationship with an amazing mom like mine.

 

Time Spent Together. Because we work together, I get to see Budge a lot. What’s better than that, moms?!

Establishing a New Type of Relationship. My son has worked by my side since he was a boy. Now, I am by his side in a company that is already successful and has an amazingly bright future. There have been challenges to our relationship during this journey. But like any relationship, it has made our bond stronger.

Ultimate Trust. Running a company, you hire employees with the hope they have you and your business’ best in mind all the time. There is no better trust you can have of an employee than with your mom.

Ultimate Respect. Most of us really respect our mom because, well, they are our mom. In a business setting I respect her because my mother is someone who has already been down the retail road before. She has had great success with her LaCrista Skin Products. That’s why I hired her. And I always remind myself of that.

Make Sure You Have Compatible Personalities. Just because you are family, doesn’t mean you get along. If you can run errands, successfully, together… you can probably work together.

Professional Respect. Make sure your child has had professional accomplishments, before you start to work together. It makes it easier to respect him in the office like a boss, not your child.

Ying and Yang. My son and I are best at different things. This has been essential to Infusion Sciences’ success and ability to communicate professionally.

Office Time is not Family Time. We NEVER discuss family matters in the office or during office hours. That is the most important part is unfair to their employees and crosses the professional boundaries necessary for success. This is the hardest thing to do as a mom. I must say sometimes, I don’t follow this.

Divided Roles. Every person has a unique set of skills to bring to the table. Linda has experience in dealing with retail outlets and mass markets. My experience is in the product itself which leans towards sales.

Seek Outside Advice. This is key in family business because certainly, family always has a biased opinion. Little things from approving designs, to tasting the actual product should be shared with outsiders. The truth hurts sometimes but it is best to hear the truth than to not. My mom is honest, but she also is my mom. . . so to be absolutely sure I’m getting an unbiased opinion, I go outside the company, and family.

No Family Pictures in the Office. This is a tool to set the boundaries with my mom and make other employees feel comfortable that everyone is held to the same standard and expectation of results. My mom may still have my baby pictures in her wallet or purse. As long as business associates don’t see it…we keep a fair and healthy environment.