Satterwhite Chiropractic Describes the Role of Vitamin C for a Healthy Immune System
The immune system works hard. Like any organ or machine, it needs fuel to keep working hard. The fuel for the immune system is a long list of micronutrients, the most mentioned being vitamin C, and for good reason. Vitamin C plays an instrumental role in a healthy functioning immune system. In addition to spine pain care, Satterwhite Chiropractic asks our Oxford chiropractic patients to notice their body’s fuel levels of vitamins like vitamin C. Nutrition is important!
LOW VITAMIN C LEVELS
Researchers examined what factors contribute to low vitamin C status and found that vitamin C levels are influenced mainly by dietary intake. Diet can be influenced by cultural features like traditional cooking methods with traditional staple foods like grains which have little vitamin C to give. Environmental factors play a role like geographic region, season, climate, and pollution. Demographic factors like age, race, sex, and socioeconomic factors like deprivation, education, institutionalization, and social class. Health factors like smoking, body weight, pregnancy/lactation, genetic variants, as well as diseases like severe infection or cardiovascular disease or cancerinfluence C levels. So many issues seem to contribute to vitamin C levels and need to be thought about when listing global recommendations for dietary intake. (1) Vitamin C levels are not studied very well around the world especially in low- and middle- income countries. Relying on completed studies, researchers report that vitamin C deficiency is common in low-, middle- and even in subgroups of people in high-income settings. (2) Satterwhite Chiropractic may not be able to address the vitamin C levels of those around the world, but we are here for our Oxford chiropractic friends!
ROLE OF VITAMIN C IN IMMUNE FUNCTION
Vitamin C is a well-recognized key factor in immune function and epigenetic inflammatory modifications. Vitamin C is optimally obtained by consistent dietary intake. 41.8% of participants in the 2003-2005 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) has insufficient levels of vitamin C. Deficient vitamin C plasma levels were noted in males, adults aged 20-59, Black and Mexican Americans, smokers, those who have higher BMI, and those with middle and high poverty to income ratio and food insecurity. These people are at greater risk for inflammatory driven disease with few if any signs of low vitamin C levels. (3) Satterwhite Chiropractic urge our Oxford chiropractic patients know if they are at risk for low nutrient levels and work to raise them to be as healthy as possible!
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Health and well-being is a delicate balance of several issues; one is a good functioning immune system. Researchers have established intake levels of micronutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E and zinc, but many people are low. Inadequate levels of such nutrients impair the immune system and lessen its response when it is most required. In a study of 26,282 adults over age 19 in the 2005-2016 NHANES study, a “prevalence of inadequacy” was found for all of these:
- 45% for vitamin A
- 46% for vitamin C
- 95% for vitamin D
- 84% for vitamin E
- 15% for zinc
Supplementation is explained as beneficial while a recommendation for better understanding of the interactions of multiple nutrient shortages on the immune system is also suggested. This would help identify optimal levels of intake for at-risk people. (4) Satterwhite Chiropractic is prepared to analyze the vitamin C levels of our Oxford chiropractic patients and assist them in adjusting it as needed.
CONTACT Satterwhite Chiropractic
Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. James Cox on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the role chiropractic may play in immune system health along with how The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management works.
Schedule your Oxford chiropractic appointment soon. Together, we can delve into just how well you are fueling your body to keep the immune system working best!
