Fashion

Why Vitamin D May Be the Secret to Staying Healthy This Winter

Vitamin D is this season’s must-have immune system booster…

Last February, my physician, Connecticut-based Robert Ruxin M.D., informed me that my recent blood work showed a vitamin D level that was a click lower than optimal. “I was not alarmed but I was concerned,” he told me, pointing out that the deficiency combined with my tall stature (and advancing age) could increase my risk of osteoporosis, which causes bone brittleness, fractures, shrinkage and even spinal deformities such as the dreaded “widow’s hump.” Ruxin immediately put me on 4,000 International Units (IUs) of vitamin D a day, roughly six times the recommended daily allowance, to boost me out of the danger zone.

More so resembling a hormone, vitamin D is not technically a vitamin—and our bodies do not produce it on their own; it can only be processed through consuming specific foods, such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products, and synthesized through our skin with direct exposure to sunlight—UVB rays specifically. Its ability to assist in calcium absorption for good bone health is only one of its many critical biological benefits. “It’s not a panacea, but vitamin D seems to be essential for nearly all organ systems of the body,” says JoAnn Manson, a professor of epidemiology at Harvard’s T. P. Chan School of Public Health, who led a 2018 study that linked vitamin D to a reduction in cancer deaths. Low vitamin D levels have also been connected to depression, anxiety, cardiovascular function, and neurodegenerative disorders. But most recently, the “sunshine vitamin” has been making headlines for something else: its role in possibly preventing and treating COVID-19. “It’s central to a healthy immune system,” says Manson. “But beyond that,” she continues, “vitamin D seems to have a benefit in tamping down the inflammation that can occur with COVID, and it may also have a role in reducing the risk of developing severe illness and a need for hospitalization.”

Early in the pandemic, inspired by older published studies showing a reduction of viral respiratory infections with vitamin D supplementation, David Meltzer M.D., a professor of medicine at The University of Chicago, conducted a retrospective study following patients who were already in the hospital system. The results were staggering: those whose records indicated a vitamin D deficiency in the prior year were 77 percent more likely to test positive for COVID-19. Even allowing for the profound socio-economic determinants of health outcomes, and other pre-existing conditions—such as obesity or diabetes—that might make someone more likely to contract the virus or develop a severe case of it, Meltzer’s study is hard to ignore. It joins a growing body of evidence suggesting vitamin D’s prominence in the fight against COVID-19. “It’s still soon, and no single intervention against COVID has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but I think the picture emerging is compelling, and collectively the evidence is pretty robust,” says Vadim Backman, PhD, a researcher and professor of biomedical engineering at Northwestern University, who led another recent study linking vitamin D deficiency with an increase in COVID complications and deaths. The data is so convincing that Scotland has provided the country’s vulnerable population a four-month supply of vitamin D to shore up for the challenging months that lay ahead with the virus, and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is reportedly weighing a similar move.

New York-based clinical herbalist Daniela Turley is not surprised by the promising results of these studies, noting the established link between vitamin D deficiency and a host of common, flu-like symptoms. Even before COVID, when patients complained of fatigue, muscle aching or cramping, vitamin D “was often at play when the bloodwork came back,” she says. Turley, who has spent the better part of the last ten months prescribing customized immune-boosting tinctures and supplement regimens for her clients, finally created a catch all product—her first—to keep up with the rising demand caused by the pandemic. Adaptivir, which just launched and which includes (among many other plant-derived ingredients) isatis for its antiviral properties and astragalus to encourage immunity and reduce inflammation, is a two part tincture and capsule system with 1,500 IUs of vitamin D. “With the two-step program, you’re providing optimal immune support by promoting the body’s natural defenses,” she says—which is a good prophylactic for everyone this winter, she suggests.

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Air Jordan 3 “Paris” Reportedly Trades Elephant Print for Damask

Jordan Brand may be preparing to drop a special Air Jordan 3 dedicated to one of the world’s most recognizable cities. Landing in June 2027, the Air Jordan 3 “Paris” comes with a unique design that ditches the usual elephant print. Instead, the rumored edition is said to feature damask detailing, special Paris-inspired branding, and a limited drop focused on the French capital.

The first word comes from @zSneakerHeadz, but Jordan Brand has not confirmed the sneaker yet. A mockup is currently circulating, so the final look may differ. That said, the described design is an interesting direction for the Air Jordan 3, especially for fans used to seeing elephant print as one of the silhouettes hallmark visual elements.

The shoe is said to feature a white tumbled leather upper with a navy rubber outsole. The most noticeable change is replacing the traditional elephant print with a damask print. The pattern is reportedly on the toe and heel, with another section next to the Jumpman logo on the tongue. The treatment gives the sneaker a different visual character without straying from the Air Jordan 3’s recognizable structure.

More branding is expected to tie the release closely to its namesake city. The mudguard is said to have the wording “Jordan Paris Family 91, 92, 93, 94,” while the heel is said to have “NIKE PRS.” The details give the shoe a more specific identity than a simple colorway, with the reported inscriptions presenting it as a tribute to Paris and its role in the Jordan Brand story.

News

Nike LeBron 24 “Christmas” – Holiday Collection Gets Grinchy Green Look

Nike Basketball’s holiday collection is starting to take shape, and LeBron James’ latest signature shoe is bringing a particularly loud look to the seasonal crop. First-look images of the Nike LeBron 24 “Christmas” have surfaced, showcasing a black and electric green colorway with metallic silver accents. The rumored Grinch-inspired direction of the upcoming release is shaping up to be one of the more unique additions to Nike’s Christmas footwear collection.

The shoe will be dropped on December 4 for $200. Its most striking feature is the electric green colorway, which gives the design a strong visual identity. Black is used on the upper for contrast, and metallic silver is seen on the Swoosh near the heel. Another contrasting touch comes from a red logo on the tongue, offering a subtle nod to holiday colors within the overall aesthetic. The shoe continues the theme with a green rubber outsole below.

Aside from the looks, the LeBron 24 “Christmas” also features performance elements associated with the broader LeBron 24 line. The outsole has a Zoom Turbo unit that is said to keep the shoe light and quick. That bit gives the holiday edition purpose beyond just its seasonal styling, keeping it tied to the basketball performance direction of the signature series.

The Grinch concept is part of a larger “naughty list” theme that also includes the Sabrina 4 and Book 2. Rather than treating the LeBron 24 as a standalone holiday release, Nike seems to be building a connected seasonal collection around the idea. The electric green colorway fits that direction, making the shoe pop while giving the broader theme a recognizable visual thread.

The first glimpse of the sneaker came via a 360-degree video Nike shared. The audience got a first look at the color blocking and design details as the shoe was presented from various angles. A handful of basketball creators also got a sneak peek at the pair earlier on a trip to Nike headquarters, helping build the early hype around the release.

The style code is IO8205-300 and the shoe is expected to drop in men’s sizing through Nike and select retailers. The December 4 date and $200 price point give us a sense of what to expect, but the information provided doesn’t list every retailer that will sell the sneaker.

The Nike LeBron 24 ‘Christmas’ is holiday-themed and performance-inspired for LeBron’s signature line, featuring a bright green colorway with silver details, red tongue branding, and an outsole with Zoom Turbo cushioning. Its Grinch-inspired theme also fits clearly into Nike Basketball’s broader seasonal plans. If you’re a fan of the brand’s Christmas releases, this pair is already making a strong first impression.

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