Posted Jan 14, 2009

Studies link deficiencies of vitamin D to as many as 18 different cancers.

Vitamin D also protects against multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis, according to columnist Dr. Andrew Weil. In addition, vitamin D normalizes insulin secretion; and insulin, heart and blood-pressure regulation. According to a recent study, those who ate a Mediterranean diet supplemented with three nuts – primarily walnuts – showed a 13.7 percent decrease in metabolic syndrome. According to the American Heart Association, 47 million Americans have metabolic syndrome, which is defined as having three or more of the following conditions: abdominal obesity, high triglycerides, low levels of good cholesterol (HDL), high blood sugar and high blood pressure.