Wednesday, November 8, 2017 The Nugget Newspaper, Sisters, Oregon
Fit For
Sisters
Andrew Luscutoff
Columnist
Fleeting sunlight
This past weekend,
America underwent its
return to standard time,
eschewing daylight saving
for more light in the morn-
ing — and less light in the
evenings.
Many of us are going to
work in the darkness and
returning home without see-
ing the sun.
Times are tough for
those who enjoy activ-
ity in the light, who feel a
jolt of energy from being
in the sun. It’s not only
psychological; Vitamin
D plays a big role in our
health, and during the dark
months in the Northern
Hemisphere many are
deficient.
Vitamin D affects every
organ system of the body.
Vitamin D actually
doesn’t behave like other
vitamins and minerals.
Inside our body, vitamin D
is synthesized as a hormone.
It is important that it is
direct sun-to-skin exposure
that does the trick — not
exposure through a window,
and not through clothes.
The actions of Vitamin
D play a role in a variety of
systems.
Low levels of Vitamin D
have been associated with:
decreased muscle mass in
aging people; increase can-
cer risks; lowered immune
function; high blood pres-
sure; neurological dysfunc-
tion; diabetes. Many are not
getting the required dosage,
especially during the dark
days of winter. According
to Precision Nutrition, any-
one living above the lati-
tude of Atlanta, Georgia,
will receive little to no
Vitamin D from November
to March.
The sun gives off rays
of UV-B light, which, once
it hits hairless bare skin is
converted to Vitamin D in
our bodies. All the Vitamin
D we need we can get in
around 15 minutes of expo-
sure. However, in the winter
months, the axis of the earth
does not allow for nearly
the required intensity of
rays.
It is estimated that up
to 80 percent of Americans
will be deficient at one time
or another. What is striking
about this statistic is that it
follows the general recom-
mendations, which are set
not for optimal health but
mere survival.
Other considerations
are age and obesity. Aging
reduces the ability to syn-
thesize Vitamin D and
obesity can trap Vitamin D
because of its fat solubility
— making someone poten-
tially require twice the usual
level.
Our body can store
serum Vitamin D for around
two weeks, but once it’s
gone more is required.
Unless someone is taking
a vacation to warm climes,
food or supplementation is
the next best bet. Foods like
mushrooms, fish, and liver
do contain Vitamin D, but it
is hard to get enough from
these sources.
A gel cap of 2,000 IUs
of Vitamin D daily is rec-
ommended by Precision
Nutrition, and many
other organizations, from
November through February
for those living at Sisters’
latitude.
23
PHOTO BY SUE STAFFORD
Jeri Buckmann, Katy Wooderson, Kevin Hudson (cutting the ribbon), Reid
Fisher and Judy Trego at Hayden Homes’ ribbon-cutting open house.
Hayden Homes and
arts group collaborate
By Sue Stafford
Correspondent
Hayden Homes held a
ribbon-cutting open house for
their latest phase of single-
family homes being built at
Village at Cold Springs (VCS)
last Wednesday, November 1.
The public was invited
to tour the furnished model
home, The Umpqua, enter
a drawing for a sneakaway
package at FinePine Lodge,
enjoy a free lunch, and view
original artwork by local
Sisters artists.
Hayden Homes is mak-
ing concerted efforts on a
number of fronts to become
a collaborative member of
the Sisters community. They
are a member of the Sisters
Area Chamber of Commerce
and will sponsor all three
major events that are part of
the Sisters Cowboy Christmas
this year – the Christmas tree
lighting ceremony on the
Friday after Thanksgiving,
November 24, at 5:30 p.m.
in Fir Street Park, and the
Christmas parade and visits
with Santa on Saturday after-
noon, November 25.
The homebuilders have
See COLLABORATE on page 25
Raise a Paw for Furry Friends!
Pet Photos
with Santa
Saturday, Dec. 2, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Furry Friends Foundation, 501(c)(3), needs
your support to feed Sisters-area pets this
holiday! The pet-food is distributed in
conjunction with the Sisters Kiwanis and
Sisters-Camp Sherman RFPD’s
Mark
Spirit of Giving programs
r
your calendar fo
to help Sisters-area
otos with
h
P
t
e
P
l
a
u
n
n
a
the
families. Please mail your
r 2,
e
b
m
e
c
e
D
y,
a
check to Furry Friends
Santa, Saturd
y
th
a
K
t
a
.
.m
2 p
Foundation,
from 11 a.m. to
y
a
lid
o
H
P.O. Box 1175,
(& friends)
Deggendorfer’s
Sisters, OR 97759 or
ters Art Works,
Open House, Sis
make your tax deductible
204 W. Adams.
donation online at
www.FurryFriendsFoundation.org