Sitka Immune-Supporting, Infection-Fighting Vitamins C and D
Infections are in the news. From run-of-the-mill colds and flu to the big one that is all over the news 24/7, infections got our attention. While a resolution to “the” infection is being sought, ensuring that Sitka immune systems are at their optimum to fight and fight off what infections it can is a worthy effort. Sitka chiropractic patients surely understand the beneficial aspects of vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka shares their advantages to a healthy immune system with some notable medical research studies to support them.
VITAMIN C TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
When the risk of infection is elevated, we all hope for options for prevention and treatment whose risk of side-effects is minimal. In comes vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant especially when taken intravenously. Its likely effect is that of decreasing inflammation in the lungs. Vitamin C is written to have antiviral properties, too. (1) L-ascorbic acid of vitamin C is a well-known anti-viral agent, one of the better known ones, especially when dealing with the influenza virus. Starting it early on in an infection, vitamin C demonstrated anti-viral immune responses as it increased the production of the anti-viral cytokine, interferon-α/β. (2) Vitamin C is quite influential! Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka encourages use of vitamin C.
VITAMIN D TO REDUCE INFECTION RISK
An influential research paper in Nutrients states that options to drop infection spread are in demand and states vitamin D as a viable option. Vitamin D decreases the risk of respiratory tract infection. How? It produces cathelicidins and defensins which can drop replication rates of viruses, decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines that inflame and injure the lining of the lungs, and multiply anti-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D supplementation may be helpful to decrease respiratory tract infection risk. How? Researchers suggested that persons at-risk of infection ingest 10,000 IU a day of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to raise the 25(OH)D concentrations initially then consuming 5000 IU a day. If someone has an infection already, higher doses of vitamin D3 may be useful. (3) Vitamin D is quite influential!
…ADD NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PLAN
The published data is meant to be influential in recommendation decision making. Much has been published in the medical literature about the importance of nutrition and the immune system’s optimal function. Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folate (B9) along with trace elements like zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, and selenium also are important contributors to a strong immune system that can change as needed to various threats. Deficiencies of many of these nutrients is global, leaving many unable to resist infections. Authors wrote specifically that Vitamin D deficiency added to heightened risk for respiratory infection. Several research papers mentioned that vitamin D supplementation decreased the risk of such infections in adults and children. With such information, authors of a new review of the literature about vitamins and immunity and respiratory infections said that they strongly urge public health officials to add nutritional recommendations – even consuming more than the “recommended dietary allowance” (RDA) within recommended upper safety limits for specific vitamins like C and D - to their list of guidelines to enhance public health and restrict the effects of seasonal and other such viruses. (4)
CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox about chiropractic care and the immune system on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson.
Schedule your Sitka chiropractic appointment with [[compayname]] today. Building a strong immune system may be the top offense against infection as no one likes living with infection 24/7! Go vitamin C! Go vitamin D! Sitka chiropractic care includes nutrition, exercise and spinal manipulation to take care of our Sitka chiropractic patients, family and friends.
