Ear infections, or acute otitis media (AOM) in children are all too common and appear to be helped by vitamin D supplemention. A recent study followed 116 children given 1000 IU of vitamin for four  months.1

The researchers stated that, "The supplementation with vitamin D increased serum levels, and this increase is significantly associated with a reduction in the total number of AOM episodes." They also noted that not only did the vitamin D reduce the occurence of recurrent acute otitis media (ear infection) but it also reduced "the risk of uncomplicated episodes of AOM." Nice. Just in time for fall and winter!

1. Esposito S. Abstract G-1249. Presented at: ICAAC 2013; Sept. 9-13, 2013; Denver.

   Some athletes use it illegally while some patients need a prescription for it. It's human growth hormone (HGH) and is called the "Fountain of Youth" hormone and for good reason. It hastens repair and healing, growth of new  tissue, enhanced immune function, rapid fat weight loss, increased cognitive performance, and affects many more bodily functions. Did you know that you can increase your levels of human growth hormone naturally without a prescription or acquiring it illegally? 
   You can and it is naturally built into to your physiology. What you have to do is exercise a specific way that accomplishes three criteria:  1. get out of breath, 2. experience "muscle pain" from pushing it, and 3., sweat, thus increasing your core temperature. When you do that, your brain will secrete a 400% increase in HGH for up to 2 hours post exercise, as long as you do not eat carbohydrates or sugar during that time.
   The ideal way to do this is with interval training which offers a convenient way to achieve this. The goal of training now becomes optimizing HGH secretion. So when you exercise:  get out of breath, take your muscles to "failure" by pushing them, and sweat. Intensity is the key word. Do this twice per week and help increase your growth hormone secretion.