First Steps ED is a multi-award-winning eating disorder charity. Following the consolidation of services in the UK in 2025, First Steps ED officially incorporated the mission and assets of Talk ED (formerly Anorexia Bulimia Care), creating a robust network for early intervention and peer support.
Men Get Eating Disorders Too – this statement may come as a surprise to some, but it’s important to recognize that eating disorders are not exclusive to women. Men can and do suffer from these conditions, but there is a lack of awareness and understanding about the issue.
Respiratory Infections
Respiratory infections are any infection in the throat, sinuses, airways, or lungs. The respiratory tract is the part of the body that is involved with breathing. The most
Vitamin D during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Getting the right nutrients and eating well when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding is important for your baby’s growth and development. Vitamin D
Pharmacology is the branch of medicine that is focused on the use and study of drugs and their actions. This page discusses vitamin D in pharmacology, its different forms and
Acne
Acne is a disorder of the glands which lubricate the skin, called sebaceous glands. When these glands become blocked, bacteria overgrow and causes skin lesions. It is one of
What is asthma?
Asthma is a lifelong lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe. There are tubes or airways, which carry air to and from the lungs to the
Leukemia
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood or bone marrow. The disease causes an abnormal increase of white blood cells. There are many types of leukemia. Each year, leukemia
Parathyroid glands
When most people think of calcium, they think it’s most important for bone health. But actually, calcium is most important for your nervous and muscular system. Your
Melanoma
Melanoma is a type of cancer originating in the melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce melanin, which gives skin its pigment (color). Each year in the United States, melanoma
Hypersensitivity
For most people, supplementing with vitamin D is a safe and healthy practice. Getting too much vitamin D is rare and hard to achieve, usually requiring you to take
Congestive heart failure
Heart failure is also called congestive heart failure (CHF). CHF occurs when the heart can no longer pump enough blood to the rest of the body. Nearly
Coronary heart disease
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is one of several cardiovascular diseases. The others include stroke, congestive heart failure, and peripheral artery disease. CHD occurs when the blood supply
Tuberculosis is a respiratory illness that usually affects the lungs, but can also infect the kidney, spine, or brain. Tuberculosis can be either dormant or active. Dormant tuberculosis is when
Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia is a condition which occurs only during pregnancy and a short post-pregnancy period. It causes increased blood pressure and protein in the urine. If left undiagnosed, preeclampsia can
Hypertension
Hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, is a medical condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is elevated. High blood pressure causes your arteries to stretch
As the reader will see below, there is compelling evidence that low vitamin D status during pregnancy is a major cause of autism, and that high dose vitamin D supplementation
Periodontal disease
Periodontal disease (PD) is a chronic gum condition. Bacteria cause the gums to swell, redden, and bleed. Connective tissue holding the teeth into the jaw bone may become
Multiple myeloma
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the plasma cells. They are white blood cells that normally produce antibodies. Multiple myeloma affects about 20,000 in the United
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a chronic syndrome of body-wide pain. Tender points are the joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues. People with fibromyalgia also have persistent fatigue, memory and mood
Parkinson’s disease
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurological disease. It is linked to decreased production of dopamine, a nerve transmitter. PD is marked by tremor of
Eczema
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin disorder that causes inflammation and red, dry, rough, and itchy skin. Eczema is most common in infants and young
Cognitive impairment
Cognitive dysfunction is defined as unusually poor mental function. This causes confusion, forgetfulness and difficulty concentrating.
Risk factors
Risk factors for cognitive impairment include:
* Old age
* Smoking
* Lack
Dental Caries
Dental caries, also known as tooth decay, is a tooth infection caused by bacteria that leads to a loss of the hard tissues of your teeth. It is
What is Alzheimer’s disease?
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a condition that causes memory problems and other cognitive functions that cause unpredictable changes in behavior. Usually, it’s progressive,
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the most common lung diseases. There are two main forms of COPD:
* Chronic bronchitis is identified by a
Sepsis and septicemia
Sepsis is a severe illness. It is caused by a bacterial infection that begins anywhere in the body and moves to the blood. The bloodstream is soon
Anemia
Anemia occurs when the body has a low number of red blood cells (RBCs). These cells carry oxygen throughout the body. Fewer RBCs limit the body’s oxygen level.
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is a lower respiratory infection that affects the lungs. Pneumonia can usually be treated at home in a few weeks. However, pneumonia can be more serious in someone
Type II Diabetes
Type II diabetes is a condition in which the body has a hard time managing sugar the right way. Usually you develop type II diabetes in adulthood,
Rickets
Rickets is a condition that affects the development of bones in children. It causes soft weak bones, which can become bowed or curved. It’s a condition that only
Anaphylaxis
Anaphylaxis is a very severe hypersensitivity to an allergen. Allergens are any substances that cause allergies. This condition affects many systems of the body at the same time.
* Skin:
HIV and AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). The immune system begins to fail. This leads to life-threatening infections. Approximately 33 million people in the world
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a condition where you lose too much bone or don’t make enough bone to replace the bone that you normally lose. If you lose too much
What is lupus?
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), or lupus, is a chronic disease that affects many systems in the body, such as the skin, heart and muscles. Lupus develops when
Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel disease is a chronic disease that causes inflammation in all or part of the digestive tract. The two main types of inflammatory bowel disease are
Type I Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. It is a condition where your own immune system attacks certain cells called beta-cells. Beta-cells help you produce a hormone
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks the nerves in the brain and spinal cord. Because these nerves provide messages to so many
Should I take vitamin D to reduce the risk of colds and flu (URI)?
Yes, you should because so many studies show that vitamin D helps reduce the risk of
