Minster Immune-Supporting, Infection-Fighting Vitamins C and D
Infections are in the headlines. From common 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 sought, working to make sure that Minster immune systems are at their optimal level to deal with and ward off what infections it can is a worthy effort. Minster chiropractic patients surely understand the beneficial aspects of vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Minster Chiropractic Center shares their benefits to a healthy immune system and some new medical research studies to support them.
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 particularly 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 familiar anti-viral agent, one of the better known ones, especially when facing 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! Minster Chiropractic Center encourages use of vitamin C.
VITAMIN D TO REDUCE INFECTION RISK
An influential research paper in Nutrients states that options to reduce 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, decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines that inflame and injure the lining of the lungs, and multiply anti-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D supplementation may be useful to decrease respiratory tract infection risk. How? Researchers suggested that persons at-risk of infection take 10,000 IU a day of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to get the 25(OH)D concentrations up initially then taking 5000 IU per day. If someone has an infection already, higher doses of vitamin D3 may be useful. (3) Vitamin D is really influential!
…ADD NUTRITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE PLAN
The published data is there 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 are key contributors also to a robust 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 particularly that Vitamin D deficiency contributed to increased risk for respiratory infection. Several research papers noted that vitamin D supplementation reduced 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 urge public health officials to incorporate 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 catalog of guidelines to better public health and limit the effects of seasonal and other such viruses. (4)
CONTACT Minster Chiropractic Center
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 Minster chiropractic appointment with [[compayname]] today. Building a strong immune system may be the paramount offense against infection as no one likes living with infection 24/7! Go vitamin C! Go vitamin D! Minster chiropractic care incorporates nutrition, exercise and spinal manipulation to care for our Minster chiropractic patients, family and friends.
