Infections are in the headlines.
From common colds and flu to the big one
that is all over the news 24/7, infections got our interest.
While an answer to “the” infection is being sought, ensuring
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 benefits of
vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Minster Chiropractic Center presents
their benefits to a healthy immune system and
some impressive medical research studies to back them
up.
VITAMIN C TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
When the risk of infection is high, we
all want options for prevention and treatment whose risk of side-effects is low.
In comes vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful
anti-oxidant particularly when taken 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, particularly
when facing the influenza virus. Taken
early on in an infection, vitamin C showed anti-viral immune
responses as it raised 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 reports
that options to reduce infection spread are in demand and presents
vitamin D as a viable option. Vitamin D decreases 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 increase 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 really
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 iron, copper, zinc, magnesium, 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 not capable of resisting infections. Authors wrote particularly
that Vitamin D deficiency contributed to increased
risk for respiratory infection. Several research papers described
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 urge
public health officials to incorporate nutritional
recommendations – even taking 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 enhance public health and curb
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 top offense against infection as no one wants
to live with infection 24/7! Go vitamin C! Go vitamin D! Minster
chiropractic care features nutrition, exercise and
spinal manipulation to care for our Minster
chiropractic patients, family and friends.