MID WEEK HARMONY IN FEBRUARY

THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE.  I will rejoice and be glad in it. Making a personal decision to look for the blessings in life and praise God from whom all blessings flow.  That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

You know, sometimes life doesn't seem to be going very well and I do not believe we should ignore the issues causing problems, but we have to be a cheerleader at times and look for scripture that helps us put things in perspective and keep our chins up knowing that the problems shall pass.  Paraphrasing.  What was meant for evil will be turned into good to those who love the LORD and are called according to HIS purpose.  

My lab results were in my health portal.  Welp as I suspected, I am low in iron, vitamin B12 and vitamin D.  Waiting to hear what my HUBBY's levels are.  He's asleep right now so I am waiting for him to read his results.

The way I am presently feeling indicated that I needed to have some labs done and I'm not surprised that I am LOW on all of these.  I won't be surprised if HUBBY is as well.  We both have NO THYROID due to cancer.  It is a new thing for me to know that because we have no thyroid that the body does not absorb nutrients as it needs to.

I did not learn this from my ENDOCRINOLOGIST CONNECTIONS.  I now know that we should keep a close eye on our levels which means I have to have labs done more frequent than once a year.  This is a JOKE to me.  Once a year isn't enough.  As I find out which labs to have ran, I will continue to study up on health issues.

Also aging, certain meds, stress, poor diet are causes for the body to not absorb nutrients.

I had stopped getting vitamin B12 shots last July.  I'll be starting back up on these.  Vitamin D supplements and iron supplements as well.  Back to taking daily vitamins and minerals.  Daily Apple Cider Vinegar, Co-Q10 and Ceylon Cinnamon.  Selenium, Zinc, Potassium, Magnesium.

Issues that come from having a poor diet are magnified by eating foods that have been grown in poor soil.  Also the quality of the food plays a huge part in poor nutrition.  No fake meats or eating insects for me.

RED MEAT from cattle that are grass feed is a good source for building up one's blood.
Drinking some orange juice when taking iron supplements compliments the iron supplement.  I'll be going to get some orange juice today and sip some each day.  I did purchase some prune juice to assist with constipation.  Yummers.  Think I'll sip on it for an afternoon snack.  Who would have ever thunk it that I'd be having an afternoon JUICE BREAK of prune juice?  Not I.

I mustn't ignore that I am very human and can develop health issues because of poor nutrition, poor habits and poor decisions.  I am not a Super Hero and I know that I am not suppose to ignore healthy living.  Keeping a balance of what is good for me involves nutrition, less stress, exercise, prayer, trusting in GOD, and clean living.  Watching television programs and watching TOXIC movies and being around poor influences is a bad formula for a healthy LIFESTYLE. 

It's not just about taking supplements.  
We need to be concerned about absorption
AND CONVERSION. 

VITAMIN D info...

Spoiler ALERT:  Vitamin D is actually a HORMONE
and not a vitamin at all.

To optimize vitamin D absorption and conversion, 

take supplements with the largest meal of the day containing healthy fats (e.g., avocado, nuts, eggs, olive oil). Ensure the supplement is Vitamin D3, as it is more effective than D2. Regular, brief sun exposure and adequate magnesium intake also significantly boost conversion into the active form. 

Key Strategies for Maximum Vitamin D Conversion:

• Pair with Fat (Crucial): Vitamin D is fat-soluble, meaning it requires fat to be absorbed into the bloodstream. Always take supplements with meals containing healthy fats, such as olive oil, nuts, or fatty fish.
• Take Vitamin D3: Choose supplements containing D3 (cholecalciferol) over D2, as it is more bioavailable and better at raising overall levels.
• Boost Magnesium Intake: Magnesium helps convert vitamin D into its active form. Ensure you are getting enough through diet or supplements.
• Optimize Sun Exposure: Get 5–30 minutes of sun exposure on large areas of skin (arms, legs) several times a week, ideally around midday.
• Improve Gut Health: A healthy digestive system is crucial for nutrient absorption.
• Take with a Meal: It does not matter if it is morning or night, but taking it with food improves absorption.
• Maintain Healthy Weight: Body fat can sequester vitamin D, so maintaining a healthy weight helps improve its bioavailability. 

Foods that Enhance Absorption:
Combine supplements with foods rich in healthy fats, such as salmon, tuna, mackerel, egg yolks, avocado, or nuts. 

1) VITAMIN D3 should be taken with K2 and fatty food.
2) Optimize midday sun exposure to large parts of the body without sunscreen for at least 5 minutes each day.  30 would be better.

I here by will be wiser about choices
and call upon the LORD for help and direction.

God BLESS you,
~d

THAT WAS QUICK

PHONE RANG.  My Doctor's Nurse was on the other end to tell me my levels for the LAB WORK I had done just yesterday were in.  

TWAS GOOD to hear the results so quickly.  TSH level is at a good level and my Vitamin D level still a little low.   I'll continue to take Vitamin D for 8 more weeks.  I seem to be VERY VERY SLOW responding to meds.  I AM A SLOWPOKE even in my metabolism.  

SLOW and easy she goes.

Continue taking 50,000Units for 8 weeks then suppose to take 2000UI.  Asking the Nurse what type of Vitamin D I should take after the 8 weeks of 50,000...she said it didn't matter.  They're all the same.  I know differently.  They are not all the same.  SO I will be investigating the best type for me.   I wonder why I am not responding quickly to the high Vit. D dose?  Low absorption in the gut?  Shall study up on this.

Tis THURSDAY.  I hung the new shower curtains this morning and will launder the bathroom rug plus toilet seat cover later.  Then this first week of March project will be completed.  A very clean and uncluttered Bathroom.  Next, I need to work some in the JUNK ROOM also known as the spare room.  The Bedrooms need dusted.  Hope to get this completed the second week of the month.  Tadaaah.  

Stay the course and stay focused,

d

 

CHRISTMAS IS IN THE AIR and Vitamin D Deficiency

ROSE EARLY MONDAY.  I started the day out right.
Had a doctor's appointment to discuss blood work I'd like to have done to keep tabs on thyroid management.  Shared my LIFELINE tests results with the doc indicating that I am VITAMIN D Deficient.  After reading up on how being deficient in Vitamin D can make one feel, I know I need to be faithful in taking supplements.  If you are 70 or older, the Vitamin D intake should be more.

Reading the symptoms of this deficiency makes a lot of sense as to why I am feeling the way that I have been feeling.  Notice an increase in your Blood Pressure?  You may be Vit D Deficient.  Blood Sugar climbing?  You may be deficient.  Excessive sweating, dry skin, hair falling out, putting weight on, fatigue....may be deficient.

Being Vitamin D Deficient isn't pretty.
Fatigue joins the party.
Hair loss.
Aches and pains.
Clouded thinking.
Vitamin D Deficiency. Getting enough, but not too much, vitamin D is needed to keep your body functioning well. ... Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency can include muscle weakness, pain, fatigue and depression. To get enough D, look to certain foods, supplements, and carefully planned sunlight.

https://www.medicinenet.com/vitamin_d_deficiency/article.htm

I'll go sometime this week and have more labs done.  With the weather being so COLD I dread getting out in the weather.  Will have to bundle up and brave it.

Additional labs.
TSH
Free T3
Free T4
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
Ferritin, Iron and TIBC
TPO Antibodies
CBC
Vitamin D
A1c
Potassium
Magnesium

AFTER MY APPOINTMENT I met up with HUBBY and had a LUNCH DATE.  Ate a slow and delicious LUNCH.  Had a BENNIE with loads of vegetables.  Coffee for the road.  VERY TIRED.  Felt myself fading.  Instead of shopping, I decided to take an afternoon NAP after purchasing quarters for the laundry this week.  ONCE AGAIN I am behind on the laundry.  Shucks.

NAP TIME in my recliner.  A much needed one.  SUPPER was warmed up potato slices and strips of fajita meat and vegetables.

The Christmas Tree will go up this week.  We have located the retro ornaments and lights.  It's a work-out to get everything rounded up for decorating. 

I placed mercury glass Santas in the Dining room bowls...... 
I'll play it all by ear.  Turn the CHRISTMAS MUSIC ON.
Tree up, strung with lights and colorful ornaments hung on the branches.
Top it and call it good.
Packages wrapped and in the mail.
More shopping to do.
Christmas letter composed.
Christmas Cards filled out and mailed.
Christmas Sweets made and bought.
No rushing this year.  Slow paced WONDERFUL.

LOVE TO ALL,

d