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Saturday, March 20, 2010 – Daily News – 7A FEATURES Could vitamin D deficiency cause cold? DEAR DR. GOTT: I have been sick with cold and flu symptoms (on average) about 12 to 14 days each month for the past year. My family doctor referred me to a rheumatologist because she thought it might be autoimmune. The rheumatologist believes that a low vitamin D level and allergies are causing my symptoms. She has put me on 50,000 IU of vitamin D for the next eight weeks and daily Claritin. Dr. Peter Gott Can you tell me what could be causing my low vitamin D level? Do you believe that this is the issue, or are the low levels caused by something else? DEAR READER: Vita- min D is a fat-soluble vita- min that is essential for pro- moting calcium absorption, maintaining adequate serum calcium and phosphate lev- els, bone growth and remod- eling, reduction of inflam- mation, and neuromuscular and immune function. If your levels are low, you are at risk of developing weak, brittle and/or deformed bones. This could also affect your immune system, making you more susceptible to infection, allergens and more. Your low vitamin D level may indeed be the cause of your allergies, which are causing your cold and flu-like symp- toms; however, this does not explain why you have a low D level to begin with. In healthy people, vita- min D deficiency can typi- cally be avoided by ade- quate sun exposure and a well-balanced diet. Because there are very few foods that naturally contain D, fortified cereals and dairy products are the best way to achieve sufficient dietary amounts. Older adults, breastfed infants and those with limit- ed sun exposure, dark skin or fat malabsorption are at increased risk of developing deficiency. Obese individu- als may have difficulty absorbing vitamin D from sun exposure because the subcutaneous fat essentially blocks part of the D from entering the bloodstream. Those who have undergone gastric bypass may also have difficulty because most forms of this surgery bypass the upper small intestine where D is absorbed. Symptoms of vitamin D deficiency typically go unnoticed. The most com- mon consequence is weak- ened bones, also known as rickets in children, osteoma- lacia in pre-menopausal women and men, and osteo- porosis is post-menopausal women. There may be an increased risk of developing cancer, especially that of the digestive tract. There is also research suggesting defi- ciency may play a role in the prevention and treatment of Bartlett & Spence Corning Calif. and • Payroll Open year around 1395 Montgomery Rd. • Bookkeeping Red Bluff, Ca • 527-2276 Marie Bartlett & Shirley Spence Largest Selection In Tri-County • Herbal Medicines • Edibles (Foods) • Clones 1317 Solano St. (530) 824-4811 www.tehamaherbalcollective.vpweb.com diabetes types 1 and 2, hypertension, glucose intolerance, multiple sclerosis and more. Howev- er, because these studies have not been randomized clinical trials, the implications will continue to be debated until defini- tive proof is found. According to the Food and Nutrition Board (FNB) at the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, adequate intakes (AIs) for healthy people between birth and age 50 should be 200 IU of vitamin D daily. Those aged 51 and over should double that. Recent- ly, the American Academy of Pediatrics issued its own recommended intakes that exceed those of the FNB. This led to an expert com- mittee formation by the FNB, which decided that recommended intakes be re- evaluated. To the best of my knowledge, the decision of this committee should be made public later in 2010. Tolerable upper-intake lev- els (ULs) for those between birth and 12 months is 1,000 IUs; age 1 and older is 2,000 IUs daily. This, too, was challenged and is currently under review. I suggest that you speak to your physician to request that the underlying cause be found. It may be as simple as not getting enough sun exposure and may be helped by exposure without sun- block for 15 or 20 minutes each day. Longer unprotect- ed exposure is not recom- mended because of the increased risk of developing skin cancer. If the cause cannot be found, follow your physi- cian’s advice regarding sup- plementation and including more vitamin D-enriched foods into your diet. You should also be watchful for signs of excess intake. Most commonly, these symptoms are nonspe- cific and include nausea, weakness, constipation, weight loss, vomiting and poor appetite. If healthy people continually take lev- els above the UL, it may result in elevated blood lev- els of calcium, which may cause confusion and other mental-status changes, as well as heart-rhythm abnor- malities. There is also an increased risk of developing kidney stones, especially when used in conjunction with calcium; but because you are deficient and under the care of a physician, these are unlikely. To provide related infor- mation, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Vitamins and Minerals.” Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed stamped No. 10 envelope and a $2 check or money order to Newslet- ter, P.O. Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. What to do about rude, liar of a mother Dear Annie: My son was recently married in a small, private ceremony. For some unknown reason, my mother did not want to attend, but eventually, she and my father decided to show up. The entire time, my moth- er acted very rudely toward my son, my in-laws and me. We caught her lying, and she tried to blame my mother-in- law. A few days later, she falsely accused us all of vari- ous things. Annie’s Mailbox by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar My mother is spiteful and vindic- tive. Plus, she is a compulsive liar. Since the wedding, I have kept my dis- tance. However, my father has told other relatives I should not treat my mother this way and should forgive her. Mom has always turned situations like these in her favor. The family will never hear my side of the story because I refuse to play this game. So how does the truth come out? — Daughter of a Witch Dear Daughter: We assume other family members are well aware of Mom’s personality flaws, and you shouldn’t feel you have to defend yourself to them. If they ask about the rift, you can tell them your version of events. It is also possible to forgive your mother while keeping your dis- tance from her emotional abuse, and we recommend it. Frankly, it sounds as if Mom may be suffering from some type of mental illness, and you might encourage her to see a doctor for professional help. Dear Annie: I have been married to my high-school sweetheart for three years, and we have a beautiful little girl. The ‘‘other person’’ in our rela- tionship is his PlayStation 2. My husband has played these annoying video games since I met him. He will tie up the TV all evening and doesn’t spend any time with his family. I want him to grow up. We have discussed this problem several times, and he will stop for a while, but then start right back up again. We even purchased a second TV for him to play on, but it doesn’t change the amount of time he spends with the baby. We have planned family nights, but they never happen. How can I get him to stop? — Video Widow Dear Video Widow: It’s time to put your foot down. Video games can be highly addictive, especially the online variety. Explain to your hus- band that he doesn’t seem to have the self-control to turn off the game as promised, so you want him to pick a specific period of time every day when you will unplug it. That will be your family time, and you expect him to honor it. We hope it helps. Dear Annie: Your advice to ‘‘Life’s a Beach’’ was way off base. Every summer, she has to put up with his many relatives visiting. You said she can’t do anything if her husband keeps telling the relatives they are wel- come, and that she should make her own plans. Excuse me? She is supposed to leave her own home? I don’t think so. It’s high time she invoked her home- owner’s right to tell these people ‘‘no.’’ What gives her husband the right to ignore her wishes and capitulate to these spongers? She’ll eventually resent him for it. Please tell her to contact the rela- tives herself and tell them tactfully, ‘‘Sorry, but no.’’ Someone has to have a backbone here, or ulcers will follow. — CM Dear CM: And he’ll want to know what right she has to prevent him from allowing his family to visit, and will eventually resent her for it. Sometimes, husbands and wives are at odds and neither side is completely right or wrong. Compromise is best, but when that doesn’t happen, it is unrealistic to think you can control someone else’s behavior. If she cannot tolerate his rel- atives and he refuses to tell them ‘‘no,’’ she should set aside some time for her- self, wherever that may be. Annie’s Mailbox is written by Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar, longtime editors of the Ann Landers column. Please e-mail your questions to anniesmailboxcomcast.net, or write to: Annie’s Mailbox, c/o Creators Syndicate, 5777 W. Century Blvd., Ste. 700, Los Angeles, CA 90045. Fighting at high altitude Since my last article, so many things have hap- pened. First of all, my fighter Thomas Ballard didn't fight. The day before his fight, the promoter changed the weight that he wanted him to come in at. So, Thomas cut down to fight at the 185-205 range and was told that he'd have to fight at the 205-265 range. I don't think so. We pulled him out. Just goes to show you how crooked some promoters are. So big whoop — he got another fight in the correct weight class for this weekend in Sacramento. I'll be in his corner yelling myself hoarse. since she normally fights at 115-120, and I normally fight at 125. After weigh- ins, it was on. I ate like a condemned man. I put food into my body that I'd been dreaming about for months. Today I weighed 131, if that gives you any indication of how much I've been living it up. On fight night, Avery Vilche Fitness Buff As for me, I got another fight offer for a show in Colorado on March 13. It would be two weeks before my Oroville fight, which is cutting it close, but I just had to take it. My friend Lacey Schuckman told the promoter that I'd be a good match for her. Lacey and I met in Indiana at a tourna- ment last year. So, of course I took it. Here's the catch; I had to cut down to 120. I was at 130, so you'd think it wouldn't be a big deal. Well, it was a hard cut. You can check my blog if you want proof. I made it to weigh ins and came in at 117. Lacey came in at 118. Too funny it was funny because, as I've said, Lacey and I are friends. We were joking around together waiting for our pre-fight physi- cals. We did our pregnancy tests together — both negative, thank you very much. We hugged, wished each other good luck and went off to our respective locker rooms. I gotta say, I love a fight with a classy person. It makes it much more of a sport and less of a grudge match. I was pretty nervous before the fight, very wor- ried about the effect the high altitude would have on my lungs. I was also planning to be a little more conservative than normal, as I didn't want to get too injured so I couldn't per- form in my fight on the 27th. So I had two head trips going. We smile and tap gloves and it was on. This is where it gets weird; she is a wrestler, widely known for her ground skills, I am a Lassen House CELEBRATES NATIONAL ART WEEK! “ THE RED BLUFF ART ASSOCIATION” OPEN TO THE PUBLIC FROM 9 AM TO 6 PM Will have an Exhibit and Sale MARCH 24TH THROUGH MARCH 27TH COME JOIN US FOR A SPECIAL “TEA SOCIAL” THURSDAY, MARCH 25TH China Buffet CHINESE RESTAURANT 10% OFF TOTAL BILL with coupon Expires 4-30-10 COUPON Open 7 Days A Week LUNCH Buffet Adult: $6.99 Mon-Sat. 10:30am-3:30pm DINNER Buffet Adult: $9.99 Mon-Thurs 3:30am-9:30pm Fri-Sat 3:30-10:30pm Carry-Out Buffet Lunch $3.50 / Lb. • Dinner $4.50 / Lb. All Seafood $6.50 / Lb. TRX Suspension System Medicine Ball SUNDAY $ Buffet Kettlebell Ideal for building whole body strength, coordination, and conditioning. This class is definitely not what your used to! 10.99 All Day DRINKS with coupon FREE Expires 4-30-10 COUPON 343 S. Main St. Red Bluff 530-529-5888 (No Checks) • Cost: $225 payable to TFFC • Duration: 4 weeks • Dates: April-6th - 29th • Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays • Time: 6:00 - 6:45 am • Where: TFFC Gym • Program Designed and Instructed by Troy Lalaguna Limited to six members per class. (First paid in Full) Tehama Family Fitness Center 2498 South Main St • Red Bluff www.tehamafamilyfitness.com AT 2:00 PM 705 Luther Road, Red Bluff • (530) 529-2900 • Lic.# 525000833 striker, known for my heavy hands. She comes out banging, throwing all kinds of heavy leather. I take her down and work on getting submissions. Typi- cally, I'd have stood toe to toe, but for me stand up is way more tiring than wrestling — and let me tell you, I was exhausted! We fought two five- minute rounds, which is no easy feat. I thought my lungs were bleeding after the first round. The fight was scheduled for two rounds with a three-minute round to determine the winner if need be. We thought we were done after two rounds, but the judges said we were tied and it had to go to a third. Wouldn't you know it. I was totally bushed at this point. I came out with wobbly legs and could barely keep my hands up. I just figured I could do three more min- utes. We ended that round in a tangle of body parts. The bell rang, we untan- gled and, while still on our butts, hugged each other and helped each other up. Her husband and coach, Randal, came over to me and wiped the blood off my face. Very sweet guy. Now, for the moment of truth, the ref holds our hands up as the judges make the call. And the decision goes to...... (drum roll please)...... Lacey Schuckman. I was happy for her, but I felt like “Why do I even bother? How many more freakin' losses do I need?” I had a lot of people tell me that we fought like war- riors and that ours was the best fight. It took me a good 30 minutes of laying on my back to recover. My lungs hurt so bad — it felt like they were raw. After I got my wind back, it was time to go. I found Lacey, we hugged again, and here's another funny thing, I met her mom. I think we went to school together — kidding, but we were close to the same age. Anyhow, very nice woman. Lacey has a great family. So, now I'm home again, healing up the bruis- es — especially the bruised ego. A special thanks to Shirley for getting me in quick for a tune up from Dr. Tony Carbonell. Get- ting ready to start training for my next fight in Oroville at Gold Country Casino on the 27th. I'm feeling confident that I will do a great job in this fight. I can't wait to fight at a nice, low altitude. Hope to see a lot of you there. In the meantime, if you need some sage diet advice, I'm posting my pre- fight diet again at http://eskimowarrior.blogs pot.com. It'll be much easi- er to follow- I only have to be at 125 for this fight. 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