First Costa Rica (CR) is a secure democracy with energetic people who take a great deal of pride in their country. There is no army and it has been stable since out lawing the army after WW11. It is located at the same latitude as Hawaii. Why spend so much money to go south to Florida when for the same money or less you can go where it will be guaranteed to be hot in February? For me it is a no brainer.
I went to a small town called Samara on the Pacific coast. A small fishing village that has expanded to accept tourist. It has no Disco's, but plenty of very nice restaurants and shops. The people are very friendly and not pushy at all. Shop keepers do not accost you on the street to buy their wares as in other countries south of our border. And yes you can drink the water anywhere! I have done so for over a month on different trips (3) and never suffered any consequence from it.
It is considered one of the safer countries in the world. The people are friendly and English is taught as a second language in the schools. The official language is Spanish and if you attempt to use it a they will appreciate your efforts with smiles. I saw no underclass that felt they where left out by society. They are hard working and truly a integrated society of many different peoples who came from different countries. Immigrants where Germans ( nice beers), Italian, Spanish, and Jamaican. Indian influence is less than in other countries south of our border. Foods of the people tend to be rice and beans with many interesting additions. When in a fishing village ....eat fish! Do I need to say more?
A word on safety. I never felt threatened and walked every where in the village. Some of them where dark streets and at times saw young ladies traveling by bike alone down the street. I believe they felt safe. They could have been Americans who rented bikes or Costa Rican. I do not know, but they seemed at ease and how can you tell a CR by looking at him or her. You can not. Police where evident and friendly.
Many Americans are retiring there. I can see the reason why.
BB
<> Vitamin D NewsletterTuesday, February 11, 2014 7:02 AMFull Headers Printable View February 11, 2014 View this email in your browser The 2013 Vitamin D Council Annual Report is here!
The 2013 Annual Report is a 20-page report so you can see how well the organization performed last year. Thanks again to all who made 2013 a success!
Read our report:
New summary Vitamin D and type I diabetes We have recently reviewed all the research on type I diabetes and vitamin D to date and written a new summary. Find out if and how vitamin D plays a role in the prevention and treatment of type I diabetes. Read more→ Open-label trial: Vitamin D supplementation may help heart failure severity
February 10, 2014 -- Brant Cebulla New research out of Iran has found that vitamin D supplementation may improve the severity of congestive heart failure. Continue reading → (membership required) Does sun exposure lower folate status?
February 8, 2014 -- Jeff Nicklas Results from a new study in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology suggest that sun exposure lowers folate status. Continue reading → (membership required) Case report: Vitamin D deficiency, atopic dermatitis and rickets
February 7, 2014 -- Brant Cebulla A case report out of Chile details how vitamin D treated a case of rickets, and in addition, helped lessen severity of atopic dermatitis. Continue reading → (membership required) Does vitamin D help anything?
February 6, 2014 -- John Cannell, MD Dr. Cannell discusses a recent meta-analysis that claimed vitamin D does not help non-skeletal outcomes. Continue reading → (membership required) Animal study: Vitamin D helps prevent tangles commonly seen in cognitive decline
February 5, 2014 -- Jeff Nicklas In an animal model study, researchers found vitamin D helps prevent what is called tau hyperphosphorylation, which is central in cognitive decline. Continue reading → (membership required) Automated vitamin D co-prescription effective in getting patients to supplement
February 4, 2014 -- Brant Cebulla Research suggests that automating calcium and vitamin D prescription orders might be a good way to increase supplementation in patients. Continue reading → (open access) New study underway on vitamin D supplementation and respiratory infection in toddlers
February 10, 2014 A new study out of Canada aims to determine the effects of high dose vitamin D on respiratory outcomes in young children. Continue reading → New study finds vitamin D status a predictor of mortality in people with HIV
February 8, 2014 Researchers have found that vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased risk of death among patients with HIV. Continue reading → New study suggests targeting vitamin D receptors could help in breast cancer in the future
February 7, 2014 Researchers may have found additional receptors with a role in helping or worsening breast cancer, and the vitamin D receptor is one that might help. Continue reading → New research finds patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria are deficient in vitamin D
February 6, 2014 In a recent study, researchers out of Poland found that vitamin D deficiency was prevalent among patients with chronic spontaneous urticaria. Continue reading →
Don't forget! Researchers need your help!
In the last two weeks, you have helped researchers interested in heart failure and vitamin D fund about a third of their project. But they still need your help! With just under three weeks left, there is still time to help fund this important heart health study. Click here and donate to their cause today!
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