Groton Immune-Supporting, Infection-Fighting Vitamins C and D
Infections are in the headlines. From run-of-the-mill colds and flu to the big one that is all over the news 24/7, infections got our attention. While a resolution to “the” infection is being worked on, ensuring that Groton immune systems are at their optimal level to fight and fight off what infections it can is worth the effort. Groton chiropractic patients certainly grasp the benefits of vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office shares their advantages to a healthy immune system and some notable medical research studies to support them.
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 small. In comes vitamin C. Vitamin C is a powerful anti-oxidant especially when acquired intravenously. Its likely effect is that of reducing inflammation in the lungs. Vitamin C is written to have antiviral properties as well. (1) L-ascorbic acid of vitamin C is a well-known anti-viral agent, one of the more well known ones, especially when dealing with the influenza virus. Starting it early on in an infection, vitamin C showed anti-viral immune responses as it increased the production of the anti-viral cytokine, interferon-α/β. (2) Vitamin C is quite influential! Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office 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 the risk of respiratory tract infection. How? It produces cathelicidins and defensins which can lower 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 useful to decrease respiratory tract infection risk. How? Researchers suggested that persons at-risk of infection ingest 10,000 IU a day of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to raise the 25(OH)D concentrations first then consuming 5000 IU a day. If someone has an infection currently, 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 when it comes to making recommendations for health. A lot has been published in the medical literature about the importance of nutrition and the immune system’s optimal function. 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 robust immune system that can adapt to various threats. Deficiencies of many of these nutrients is global, leaving many unable to resist infections. Authors wrote specifically 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 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 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 list of guidelines to better public health and restrict the effects of seasonal and other such viruses. (4)
CONTACT Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office
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 Groton chiropractic appointment with [[compayname]] today. Building a strong immune system may be the best offense against infection as no one likes living with infection 24/7! Go vitamin C! Go vitamin D! Groton chiropractic care incorporates nutrition, exercise and spinal manipulation to care for our Groton chiropractic patients, family and friends.
