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Vitamin D Linked to Diabetes, Cancer, Depression, and More
Care2 article, posted by Michelle Schoffro Cook Apr 29, 2010
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New evidence shows that people with higher levels of vitamin D experienced a decreased risk of type 2 diabetes.
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Researchers at the US Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University just released its study linking low levels of vitamin D to diabetes in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The authors of the study concluded that maintaining optimal vitamin D levels in the blood may be a type 2 diabetes prevention strategy.
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Other recent research found that vitamin D plays a critical role in activating the body’s immune system against infectious diseases like the flu. Researchers noted that a deficiency in this important vitamin, which actually acts more like a hormone in your body, may result in a greater risk of contracting flu viruses. Additional research has linked low amounts of vitamin D to autoimmune disorders, cancer, depression, diabetes, and heart disease.
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Vitamin D also plays essential roles in supporting our energy and balancing our moods. It also helps to build healthy bones, heart, nerves, skin, and teeth, and it supports the health of the thyroid gland-a butterfly gland in the throat that helps maintain a healthy weight, balanced metabolism, and energy levels.
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While moderate sunlight exposure is the best source of vitamin D, many people incorrectly think that a small amount of sunshine exposure daily is sufficient to meet their vitamin D requirements.
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However, after your skin is exposed to sunlight, it takes about 48 hours to convert it into vitamin D. During that time, the sunlight-initiated precursors to vitamin D can be washed off with soap and water. So, if you scrub your skin with soap in the shower, your body will not convert most of your skin’s sun exposure to vitamin D. I’m not suggesting that you avoid showering after sun exposure rather that you primarily soap the areas that don’t usually see the light of day and wash the newly tanned ones exclusively with water. Avoid excessive sun exposure since there are no health benefits of sunburn.
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Some vitamin D deficiency symptoms include: bow legs or “knock knees,” burning in mouth or throat, constipation, dental cavities or cracked teeth, insomnia, joint pains or bone pains, muscle cramps, nearsightedness (myopia-can’t see distances), nervousness, osteomalacia, osteoporosis, frequent colds or flu, and poor bone development.
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Vitamin D is also found in fish and fish oils, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, mushrooms, and many types of sprouts. People with low thyroid function (hypothyroidism) tend to have difficulty with vitamin D absorption and as a result, may have higher needs for this nutrient.
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Many health experts recommend supplementation of 2000 to 4000 IU daily. However, you should always consult a qualified health professional before supplementing with vitamin D since excessive amounts can build up in the body creating a potential risk for toxicity and is contraindicated for some health conditions.
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A complete list of references is published in The Phytozyme Cure.
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Michelle Schoffro Cook, RNCP, ROHP, DAc, DNM, is a best-selling and six-time book author and doctor of natural medicine, whose works include: The Life Force Diet, The Ultimate pH Solution, and The 4-Week Ultimate Body Detox Plan. Learn more at: www.TheLifeForceDiet.com. 

Aside from drinking it - beer has several other uses
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ATTRACT BUTTERFLIES TO YOUR GARDEN
Use beer to get some flutter-action in your garden. Many butterflies feed on rotting fruit, tree sap, dung, carrion, urine...this 'butterfly bait' sounds nicer! Mix 1 pound sugar, 1 or 2 cans stale beer, 3 mashed overripe banana, 1 cup of molasses or syrup, 1 cup of fruit juice, 1 shot of rum-and splash on trees, fences, rocks, or soak a sponge to hang from a branch.
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BEER RINSE FOR BOUNCY HAIR
The vitamin B and natural sugars in beer add body and shine, while acting as a natural setting lotion that increases resilience, vitality, and hold. Allow one cup of beer to go flat and warm. Shampoo and rinse hair as usual. Pour the flat warm beer on your hair and work it through. Rinse thoroughly with cool water.
For extra shine, try this formula.
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REMOVE STAINS WITH BEER
Getting coffee or tea stains out of your rug may seem as feasible as getting water out of a rock, but beer can be a miracle worker in this field. Do a test patch and allow to dry. If it looks ok, tackle the stain: douse it in beer, blot, repeat.
For other types of carpet stains, try some of these tricks 
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MINI FIRE EXTINGUISHER
For small paper or grill fires. Because of the water content and pressure, you can shake a can or bottle and unleash the liquid on the fire. Some people carry an emergency can in their car in case of engine fire. NOTE: Not for grease fires or electrical fires.
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MARINATE MUSHROOMS
Beer works as a great tenderizer that isn’t as acidic in flavour as wine or vinegar-based marinades. Use a hearty-flavoured beer e.g. stout or barley wine, poke a few holes in the meat or mushrooms, add any other herbs or spices, and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight.
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POLISH COPPER POTS
Just dampen a soft towel with beer, and buff! In the past, dregs of beer from spent kegs were used to polish the copper vats in breweries. Because of beer’s subtle acidity, it can help boost shine without staining the metal like a higher-acidity liquid would. Do a test spot first.
You might like to check out Annie’s formulas for metal polishing also.
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BUILD A PATIO WALL,
and more, from Beer Bottles. Many handmade houses have employed empty beer cans and bottles, like the one pictured here, built by Tito Ingenieri (Argentina), which used 6 million beer bottles! Perhaps you could adapt the idea to build something at home, e.g. a retaining wall or a screen for a patio.
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Adapted from 9 Surprising Uses for Beer-Care2's GreenLiving by Melissa Breyer