Health Wise, Too Much of a Good Thing Can Be Very Bad

I’ve had a couple of experiences recently that prompted me to spotlight nutritional supplements, specifically vitamins and the dreaded summertime malady of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. While speaking with my father this week, I learned that his physician wanted him to stop taking his multivitamin and stop drinking milk because his vitamin D levels were too high. It’s going to take some months for it to return to normal. My father walks everyday so he gets plenty of sunshine, has milk every morning for breakfast, and was taking a multivitamin every day. In his case, too much of what he thought was a good thing was bad!

I think summer is a wonderful time of the year. Summer provides plenty of sunshine and the opportunity to be outdoors and participate in a myriad of activities with family and friends. But just like my previous example, too much of a good thing, sun and heat, can be very bad. Last week, while attending an outdoor event, I developed heat exhaustion and had to go to the hospital because I was dehydrated. These situations made me think that resources for nutrition and first aid may help you get through the summer, safely.

Books
Nutrition
Coffee Is Good for You: From Vitamin C and Organic Foods to Low-Carb and Detox Diets, the Truth About Diet and Nutrition Claims 
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Vitamins and Minerals
Doctor Chopra Says: Medical Facts and Myths Everyone Should Know
Mayo Clinic Book of Alternative Medicine
Prescription for Nutritional Healing
Supplements Exposed: The Truth They Don't Want You to Know about Vitamins, Minerals, and Their Effects on Your Health
Vitamin D for Dummies

First Aid
First Aid, CPR, and AED Guide: Expert Advice to Handle Your Next Houshold Emergency: Essential Lifesaving Skills
First Aid Manual

DVDs
Basic First Aid
First Aid: Outdoor Injuries
Lifelong Health: Achieving Optimum Well-Being at Any Age
Nutrition. 4, Micronutrients: Vitamins, Minerals, and Oils

Websites
CDC (Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Extreme Heat)
Mayo Clinic (Heat Exhaustion First Aid)
Medline Plus (Heat Illness)
Medline Plus (Vitamins)
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements (Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet)

Databases
Alt HealthWatch
Health and Wellness Resource Center and Alternative Health Module
Health Source Consumer Edition 

Maya Jones
West End Branch