Williamson Immune-Supporting, Infection-Fighting Vitamins C and D
Infections are in the headlines. From run-of-the-mill colds and flu to the big issue that is all over the news 24/7, infections got our attention. While an answer to “the” infection is being worked on, making sure that Williamson immune systems are at their optimal level to fight and fight off what infections it can is worth the effort. Williamson chiropractic patients certainly know about the beneficial aspects of vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Apple Country Chiropractic shares their benefits to a healthy immune system as well as some new medical research studies to back them up.
VITAMIN C TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
When the risk of infection is great, we all want prevention and treatment options whose risk of side-effects is small. In comes vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant especially when acquired intravenously. Its potential effect is that of reducing 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 facing the influenza virus. Taken early on in an infection, vitamin C demonstrated anti-viral immune responses as it raised the production of the anti-viral cytokine, interferon-α/β. (2) Vitamin C is really influential! Apple Country Chiropractic 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 reduces the risk of respiratory tract infection. How? It makes cathelicidins and defensins which can drop replication rates of viruses, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines that inflame and injure the lining of the lungs, and multiply anti-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D supplementation may be helpful to reduce respiratory tract infection risk. How? Researchers suggested that persons at-risk of infection take 10,000 IU per day of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to get the 25(OH)D concentrations up 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. A lot has been published in the medical literature about the importance of nutrition and the optimal functioning of the immune system. 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 adapt to various threats. Deficiencies of many of these nutrients is worldwide, leaving many unable to resist infections. Authors wrote specifically that Vitamin D deficiency contributed 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 stated that they strongly encourage 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 improve public health and curb the effects of seasonal and other such viruses. (4)
CONTACT Apple Country Chiropractic
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 Williamson chiropractic appointment with [[compayname]] today. Having a strong immune system may be the paramount offense against infection as no one wants to live with infection 24/7! Go vitamin C! Go vitamin D! Williamson chiropractic care features nutrition, exercise and spinal manipulation to take care of our Williamson chiropractic patients, family and friends.
