Unexpected Vitamin D Deficiency despite a lot of Sun?

Unexpected Vitamin D Deficiency despite a lot of Sun?

“How is that even possible? I just got back from 3 months at the South coast of Spain?”

At that time I was living in the Netherlands and had been travelling to the sun in wintertime. I was in the GP’s office to get the results of my general medical test and just didn’t understand how I could have a Vitamin D deficiency despite a lot of sun I had been in.

The doctor explained to me that ageing skin does not absorb as much Vitamin D as younger skin and suggested taking supplements. Until then, I was very reluctant to take any supplement at all. I thought that a healthy diet should be sufficient.

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What is the Difference between Chocolate and Cacao, or is it Cocoa?

What is the Difference between Chocolate and Cacao, or is it Cocoa?

In Dutch we have the expression “I can’t make chocolate out of it”, which basically means I don’t get it. Well, I couldn’t make chocolate out of the difference between chocolate and cacao. And then I discovered there is also cocoa. Time for some investigation!

Women and chocolate are an infamous combination. It’s our favourite comfort food. And given all the rave articles in the women’s magazines in recent years, most of us no longer feel guilty about being addicted to chocolate.

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Animal Collagen vs Plant Collagen – Is there a Significant Difference?

Animal Collagen vs Plant Collagen - Is there a Significant Difference?

I always thought it was collagen, just that one word. I hadn’t the faintest idea there is a difference between animal collagen vs plant collagen.

Moreover, collagen had a bad reputation in my mind because of the ads. You might know which ads I mean: Look 20 years younger by using our product with Collagen XXL. I distrusted the claims and I hated the implication I didn’t look good the way I was. 

The worst one was a promo on Dutch TV. Imagine the scene: a grandmother is happily playing with her grandson who is laughing and having fun as well. All of a sudden he stops in mid-play, points an accusing finger at her face and says: Gran, why does your skin look so awkward?

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What is the Best Time for Supplements, Water, and Food?

What is the Best Time for Supplements, Water and Food?

For a lot of habits, we develop routines. That way we build a control system so we don’t forget to do what we planned. Usually, we take supplements when we have a meal. We won’t forget to take them then, and often the effect of supplements is better when they are taken with food. Is there a best time for supplements, water, and food?

Much of this article is about how I handle supplements, food, and water. Although my behaviour is based on scientific research, you can say that these texts are my opinion.

As I often say on this website, for any scientific research that is positive about something, there is research that is negative. That’s why I try everything and see how my body reacts. I let that guide me in my decisions.

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Wonderful Advantages of Watermelon, especially in a Hot Summer

Wonderful Advantages of Watermelon, especially in a Hot Summer

When in Rome, do as the Romans do!

This also applies to Spain obviously. This is our second summer in our new homeland and I can assure you: it’s HOT in July and August. Pfff.

I didn’t like the at least 7 months of cold and rain in the Netherlands, but I have to admit, I don’t like those 2 months of intense heat in Spain either.

Although, calculating it is not such a wrong exchange, don’t you agree?

So, when in Spain, do as the Spaniards do, and that is eat watermelon. It’s their preferred choice of thirst quencher. Moreover, there are a lot of advantages to watermelon.

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5 + 10 Successful Essential Supplements for Energy

5 + 10 Successful Essential Supplements for Energy

Getting everything your body needs through food is the best way. Read my article about the food that gives you energy. Yet there can be all kinds of reasons why you need more energy than food can deliver. In that case, supplements are a practical and natural replacement for or an addition to food. What are the essential supplements for energy?

As with any advice – no matter in what area – for every wildly enthusiastic recommendation there are opinions that discourage or even deny it. I love coffee in the morning and had several warnings from friends that coffee is bad for me. And to some extent they were right. If I drink coffee after 1 pm, surely I will have problems getting to sleep that night.

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How Healthy are Mushrooms? 7 Reasons to eat them

How Healthy are Mushrooms? 7 Reasons to eat them.

If there is one thing I miss about the Netherlands in autumn, it is the sight of the many mushrooms during our forest walks. Over here in the south of Spain, it is so dry, that seeing mushrooms is pretty rare.

We never picked them, by the way. We have heard too many stories of people who got sick from mushrooms, so we would rather not take any risks.

So how healthy are mushrooms, if you obviously have to be that careful?

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Review of Your Super – Superfood in a Cardboard Can?

Review of Your Super - Superfood in a Cardboard Can?

Until a few years ago I had never heard of superfoods. Probably nobody had. 🙂 And all of a sudden they are the talk of the town. Are they really that super and what can be the benefits of superfood? 

This article will be about superfoods and is a review of Your Super that sells superfoods in the form of powders.

Be aware that superfood is a marketing term. There is no scientific research to back up some of the claims that are made about superfoods. A one-sided diet is never healthy. So I do eat superfoods myself, but always together with a variety of other (in my eyes) healthy food. 

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