Vitamin D insufficiency is a pandemic affecting nearly half of the people worldwide, while one billion people are classified as vitamin D deficient. Hypovitaminosis D, or vitamin D deficiency, is an independent predictor of total mortality in the general population, and, conversely, vitamin D supplementation has been shown to be protective against mortality. Vitamin D enhances absorption of dietary calcium and phosphorus by 30-40% and 80%, respectively, but its physiological functions extend well beyond mineral assimilation and balance. Vitamin D is known as a pleiotropic hormone, meaning it elicits diverse, multifaceted effects. In fact, local vitamin D production governs the expression of up to 200 genes. That vitamin D receptors are found in so many organ systems, including the muscles, intestines, pancreas, and nervous system, illustrates its expansive and far-reaching effects. In particular, vitamin D regulates the cell cycle, suppressing cell division and inducing terminal differentiation to generate specialized, organ-specific cell types. It likewise regulates the pathway of cell suicide, known as apoptosis, promoting programmed cell death in neoplastic cell lines to prevent cancer. Vitamin D exerts various endocrine effects, such as inhibiting renin and stimulating insulin secretion. It also possesses anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects and enhances host defense against both invading pathogens and tumor development. The vitamin D receptor complex regulates 3% of the human genome, and about 10% of human genes are directly or indirectly responsive to vitamin D. The effects of vitamin D are far-reaching, as demonstrated by the fact that a multitude of human cells, including bone, blood vessel, brain, breast, colon, immune, muscle, prostate, and skin cells express the enzyme 25-hydroxyvitamin D-1 alpha-hydroxylase. Also known as cytochrome P450 27B1 (CYP27B1), this enzyme is responsible for catalyzing the hydroxylation of calcifediol to calcitriol, the bioavailable, metabolically active form of vitamin D that elicits effects at a cellular level. Regarding vitamin D production, researchers state, “… extrarenal intracrine and paracrine 1,25(OH)2D3 synthesis may critically affect the activities of many tissues and organs.”

1. Garlic - Rub raw Garlic (Allium sativum) on your acne several times a day; it helps relieve pain and heal acne faster. - 2. Aloe (Aloe vera) - Aloe (Aloe vera) pulp is an exceptional skin cleanser. The plant's juice fights infection and promotes healing. Split off a portion of Aloe vera leaf and rub the pulp directly on the skin. 3. Amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus) - Make a tea from Amaranth (Amaranthus spinosus) seeds and use as a face wash. To make the tea, bring 3 cups of water to a boil and add 2 teaspoons of seeds. Cover and boil for five minutes; remove from heat, add 1 teaspoon of leaves, and steep for 30 minutes. 4. Neem (Azadirachta indica) - Neem (Azadirachta indica) is valued in Ayurvedic medicine for its healing properties, including antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects. For acne, take 5 fresh leaves every morning to help remove stubborn acne. 1. Lemon (Citrus limon) - Clean your skin and apply Lemon (Citrus limon) juice with a cotton ball. The acid in lemon helps flush out the pores and keeps the skin looking beautiful. Another method using Lemon juice is to "steam clean" your face by placing it over a pan of boiling water and covering your head with a towel to trap the steam. This loosens dirt and oil. Then apply a cotton ball to remove the dirt and oil buildup. Use this method once a week. 6. Coriander (Coriandrum sativum) - Drink a tea made by combining 0.5 teaspoons of Coriander (Coriandrum sativum), Cumin (Cuminum cyminum), and Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) and steeping it in hot water for 10 minutes. Strain and drink the tea after breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 7. Basil (Ocimum basilicum) - Make an infusion of Basil (Ocimum basilicum) leaves. Put two to four teaspoons of dried Basil leaves in a cup of boiling water, steep for 10 to 20 minutes, cool, and apply to the acne. 8. Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) - Liquefy a peeled Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) in a blender and apply the juice to the acne. Another variation is to drink four or five cups of Cucumber juice daily for a week. This is said to purify the blood and lymphatic system, resulting in clearer skin.

Can the hydration drops I purchased at mind and body be put into hot water?

1. Vitamin C In addition to its role in various metabolic and physiological functions, your body uses vitamin C to protect your immune system, and researchers have studied the efficacy of vitamin C as a therapeutic treatment in the prevention of cancer, diabetes, atherosclerosis, the common cold, stroke and heart disease. Vitamin C improves neutrophil chemotaxis, a process that betters the ability of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) to move toward sites of inflammation or infection and increases the body's ability to fight disease. Finally, vitamin C also protects against reactive oxidant species, reducing the risk and severity of a variety of illnesses. 2. Korean Ginseng Korean ginseng also known as Panax ginseng, possesses strong antioxidant and immune-stimulating properties. Korean ginseng helps regulate immune cell function, including macrophages, T cells, B cells and natural killer cells, and improves inflammation through its high content of a variety of pharmacological compounds, like ginsenosides and acidic polysaccharides. In most cases, it is ginseng root extract that is used to maintain immune homeostasis, although the other parts of the plant can be used as well. Ginseng root is often consumed raw or as a juice, tea or powder, and some studies have suggested that daily consumption of Korean ginseng may decrease oxidative damage and improve immunomodulatory activity while presenting no adverse side effects. 3. Astaxanthin Astaxanthin is a carotenoid antioxidant that possesses potent immuno-modulation properties, including the ability to increase interleukin production, a type of cytokine expressed by white blood cells. Additional studies have found that dietary intake of astaxanthin may heighten immune response while also reducing DNA damage and inflammation, and astaxanthin may play a protective role in immune function by limiting free radical damage to immune cells. 4. Shiitake Mushrooms Medicinal mushrooms and their benefits have been studied extensively for many years, however, recent research has revealed that this traditional oriental therapy may also modulate the immune response by activating lymphocytes and dendritic cells, thereby up-regulating the production of cytokines.

How do you feel about GABA supplement for stress and the nervous system and for sleep?