For several years I have been encouraging my patients to consider adding high quality Cod Liver Oil to there diets. In addition to the growing body of evidence that Omega-3 fatty acids play a critical role in reducing ones risk of macular degeneration, Cod Liver Oil is a rich source of natural Vitamin D₃. It now appears that there is growing recognition that the common form of Vitamin D that most people are taking, Vitamin D2, is not as effective as the natural form, Vitamin D3. The case against ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) as a vitamin supplement. Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Oct;84(4):694-7. "The emergence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D as a measure of vitamin D status provides an objective, quantitative measure of the biological response to vitamin D administration. As a result, vitamin D₃ has proven to be the more potent form of vitamin D in all primate species, including humans. Despite an emerging body of evidence suggesting several plausible explanations for the greater bioefficacy of vitamin D3, the form of vitamin D used in major preparations of prescriptions in North America is vitamin D₂. The case that vitamin D₂ should no longer be considered equivalent to vitamin D₃ is based on differences in their efficacy at raising serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, diminished binding of vitamin D₂ metabolites to vitamin D binding protein in plasma, and a nonphysiologic metabolism and shorter shelf life of vitamin D₂. Vitamin D₂, or ergocalciferol, should not be regarded as a nutrient suitable for supplementation or fortification." I encourage all interested individual to look carefully at their Viatmin D₃ intake.

A recent review article highlights the many essential functions that our muscles play in preventing many of the common chronic health problems of our day including Metabolic Syndrome X. To quote from the article The under appreciated role of muscle in health and disease^{1,2,3 by} Robert R Wolfe

"The importance of maintaining muscle mass and physical and metabolic functions in the elderly is well-recognized. Less appreciated are the diverse roles of muscle throughout life and the importance of muscle in preventing some of the most common and increasingly prevalent clinical conditions, such as obesity and diabetes. It is therefore imperative that factors directly related to muscle be included in future studies designed to demonstrate optimal lifestyle behaviors throughout the life span, including physical activity and diet."

Exercise is really one of the best "medicines", and I recommend a vigorous exercise program for all my patients who do not have any medical contraindications.