Oxford Immune-Supporting, Infection-Fighting Vitamins C and D
Infections are in the headlines. From common colds and flu to the larger 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 Oxford immune systems are at their optimum to deal with and ward off what infections it can is a worthy effort. Oxford chiropractic patients certainly grasp the benefits of vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Satterwhite Chiropractic shares their advantages 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 high, we all look for prevention and treatment options whose risk of side-effects is small. In comes vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent anti-oxidant particularly when taken intravenously. Its potential effect is that of decreasing inflammation in the lungs. Vitamin C is written to have antiviral properties as well. (1) L-ascorbic acid of vitamin C is a recognized anti-viral agent, one of the better known ones, particularly when facing the influenza virus. Taken 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! Satterwhite Chiropractic 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 presents vitamin D as a viable option. Vitamin D reduces respiratory tract infection risk. How? It produces cathelicidins and defensins which can drop replication rates of viruses, decrease pro-inflammatory cytokines that inflame and harm the lining of the lungs, and raise 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 a day of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to get the 25(OH)D concentrations up first then taking 5000 IU a 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 meant to be influential in recommendation decision making. Much 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 iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, and selenium are key contributors also to a robust immune system that can adapt to various threats. Deficiencies of many of these nutrients is worldwide, leaving many not capable of resisting infections. Authors wrote particularly that Vitamin D deficiency added to heightened risk for respiratory infection. Several research papers described that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of such infections in kids and adults. With such information, authors of a recent review of the literature about vitamins and immunity and respiratory infections said that they strongly encourage public health officials to incorporate nutritional recommendations – even consuming more than the “recommended dietary allowance” (RDA) within recommended upper safety limits for specific ones like C and D - to their catalog of guidelines to enhance public health and limit the effects of seasonal and other such viruses. (4)
CONTACT Satterwhite 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 Oxford 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! Oxford chiropractic care includes nutrition, exercise and spinal manipulation to care for our Oxford chiropractic patients, family and friends.
