Your Heart At Risk A deficiency of vitamin D is traditionally associated with muscle and bone weakness, but in recent years a number of studies have shown that the low levels of vitamin D may lead to congestive heart failure, blood pressure, and chronic blood vessel inflammation (which is associated with the hardening of the arteries). It can also alter hormone levels, which will increase insulin resistance, which can raise the risk of diabetes. The skin, in response to exposure to the sun, meets most of the body's requirements for vitamin D. Other less potent sources of vitamin D include foods such as cod liver oil, sardines, and salmon. Vitamin D can also be found in D-fortified milk and some cereals. Higher rates of vitamin D deficiency could be due, in part, to people spending more time indoors and in the effort to reduce sun exposure through the use of sun screens.

Autism Link Found With Popular Epilepsy Drug It is well known that alcohol consumption, recreational drugs, and cigarette smoking increase the risk for premature birth, poor growth, birth defects, and behaviour and learning problems. You should also limit or avoid caffeine and steer clear of certain foods, such as unpasteurized cheese, raw eggs, raw or undercooked meat, and certain types of fish and shellfish that could carry food-borne illnesses like listeriosis and toxoplasmosis, which can be life-threatening to an unborn baby and may cause birth defects or miscarriage. Drugs used to treat epilepsy have also been linked with an increased risk of birth defects, such as spina bifida and heart malformations. A new study shows that pregnant women who take the epilepsy drug valproate may significantly increase the risk of their child developing autism, a complex developmental disability that affects a person's ability to communicate and interact with others.

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