Articles
Fishy business
Long chain omega-3 fatty acids are the technical term for what we usually just call fish oil. Fish are more than just their oil of course and “fish oil” can be found beyond fish. Regardless, there’s now little doubt that long chain omega-3 can benefit our heart and brain and its importance in pregnancy and early life is also an area of active investigation. Let’s look at how we can reap its benefits in our lives.
Magnesium - for if you’re not sick but not quite well
Magnesium is a hard worker. Low grade underconsumption is common in diets lacking whole plant foods. So, if you aren’t tip top but can’t put your finger on why, you should consider whether magnesium might be an issue.
Vitamin K. Special K
Vitamin K is possibly the least discussed vitamin. It sits off to the side, absent from nutrition panels and with a weird name, so no one ever thinks much about it unless they have a blood clot or rat bait poisoning. But behind the scenes, research has been finding vitamin K is valuable beyond blood clotting, possibly protecting against against cardiovascular disease, dementia, diabetes and osteoporosis.
Vitamin D - the sunshine vitamin
Australia is one big solar panel but more than one in five of us is vitamin D deficient. Who cares? You should. Let’s find out what vitamin D does - it’s about more than just bones - and how we can be grown ups and meet our vitamin D needs, while looking after our skin.
Calcium - lifting the veil
Calcium is undeniably important for bone strength but it’s not the only show in town. How much we need is contested but, in any case very few Australian adults get anywhere the recommendations. Certainly, for women at least, it’s not for want of lifelong pressure to consume more calcium. So, should we try harder? Admit defeat and supplement? Or a bit of both? This one is complex but, by the end, I hope you feel you’ve replaced your chronic low-grade calcium guilt with a plan.
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