The Aesthetics Advisor

In recent weeks and months, several publications and studies have suggested that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D would seem potentially beneficial in fighting the COVID-19 infection. How do you know that your vitamin D level is adequate? Most people in the United States consume less than recommended amounts of vitamin D. An analysis of data from the 2015–2016 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) found that average daily vitamin D intakes from foods and beverages were 5.1 mcg (204 IU) in men, 4.2 mcg (168 IU) in women, and 4.9 mcg (196 IU) in children aged 2–19 years ( NHANES ). What Is Vitamin D? Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, meaning that it dissolves in fats and oils and can be stored in your body for a long time. Vitamin D is important to the body in many ways. It helps the body absorb calcium from food and supplements. Muscles need it to move, for example, nerves need it to carry messages between the brain and every body part, and the immune syste...

Keloids are more than just scars — they’re an overreaction of your body’s wound healing process that leads to thick, raised growths that continue expanding beyond the original injury. Unlike normal scars that fade over time, keloids persist indefinitely and even cause pain, itching and discomfort. However, recent research is shedding light on an overlooked factor that could change the approach to keloid treatment — vitamin D. Your body relies on this essential nutrient for everything, from immune regulation to calcium absorption, but its role in skin health is just as important. Blocking This Enzyme Could Be the Key to Stopping Keloid Growth Keloids are fibrotic scars that form when there’s an overproduction of extracellular matrix components like Type I collagen. They develop when there’s an imbalance in tissue repair mechanisms and are particularly common in people with darker skin tones. 1  Some estimates suggest Africans, Asians and Hispanics are up to 15 times more likely to d...

Magnesium, vitamin D and Vitamin K2 are vitamin and minerals that are vital to several bodily processes. Though they occur naturally in a variety of foods, many people take supplements to help increase their intake. Magnesium, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K Dosage The typical daily dosage recommendations for these nutrients are: Magnesium: 400–500 mg Vitamin D3: 800 IU (20 mcg)  Vitamin K : 120mcg Food With Magnesium, Vitamin D3 and Vitamin K Magnesium: dark chocolate, avocados, nuts, leafy vegetables, and legumes Vitamin D3: avocados, nuts, seeds, full-fat dairy products and eggs Vitamin K: turnips, spinach, kale, brocolli, soybeans, carrots, Chicken If you’re concerned you may be deficient in any of these nutrients, talk to a health professional who can test your levels and determine whether you should eat more of these foods or take a supplement. Benefits and uses 1. May support bone health Magnesium  plays a key role in converting vitamin D into its active form, which aids calci...