La Grande Immune-Supporting, Infection-Fighting Vitamins C and D
Infections are on the news. From common colds and flu to the larger one that is all over the news 24/7, infections got our interest. While a resolution to “the” infection is being sought, working to ensure that La Grande immune systems are at their optimal level to fight and fight off what infections it can is worth the effort. La Grande chiropractic patients surely understand the beneficial aspects of vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC shares their benefits to a healthy immune system with some new medical research studies to back them up.
VITAMIN C TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
When the risk of infection is high, we all hope for prevention and treatment options whose risk of side-effects is low. In comes vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent 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 well-known anti-viral agent, one of the better 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 really influential! Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC 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 states 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, reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines that inflame and injure the lining of the lungs, and raise anti-inflammatory cytokines. Vitamin D supplementation may be helpful to reduce respiratory tract infection risk. How? Researchers recommended 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 first 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 meant to be influential when it comes to making recommendations for health. Much 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 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 worldwide, leaving many unable to resist infections. Authors wrote specifically that Vitamin D deficiency added to heightened risk for respiratory infection. Several research papers mentioned that vitamin D supplementation reduced the risk of such infections in kids and adults. 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 ones like C and D - to their list of guidelines to improve public health and curb the effects of seasonal and other such viruses. (4)
CONTACT Dr. Paulette Hugulet, DC, LLC
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 La Grande chiropractic appointment with [[compayname]] today. Having a strong immune system may be the paramount offense against infection as no one wants to live with infection 24/7! Go vitamin C! Go vitamin D! La Grande chiropractic care incorporates nutrition, exercise and spinal manipulation to take care of our La Grande chiropractic patients, family and friends.
