Largo Immune-Supporting, Infection-Fighting Vitamins C and D
Infections are in the news. From run-of-the-mill colds and flu to the larger issue that is all over the news 24/7, infections have our interest. While a solution to “the” infection is being sought, ensuring that Largo immune systems are at their optimum to deal with and ward off what infections it can is a worthy effort. Largo chiropractic patients certainly understand the beneficial aspects of vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Hollstrom & Associates Inc presents their benefits to a healthy immune system as well as some impressive medical research studies to support them.
VITAMIN C TO REDUCE INFLAMMATION
When the risk of infection is elevated, we all hope for options for prevention and treatment 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 as well. (1) L-ascorbic acid of vitamin C is a recognized anti-viral agent, one of the better known ones, particularly when dealing with the influenza virus. Taken 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! Hollstrom & Associates Inc 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 decreases respiratory tract infection risk. How? It makes cathelicidins and defensins which can lower 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 ingest 10,000 IU a day of vitamin D3 for a few weeks to raise the 25(OH)D concentrations 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. 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 zinc, iron, magnesium, copper, 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 specifically that Vitamin D deficiency contributed to increased risk for respiratory infection. Several research papers noted that vitamin D supplementation decreased the risk of such infections in adults and children. With such information, authors of a recent review of the literature about vitamins and immunity and respiratory infections said that they strongly urge public health officials to add nutritional recommendations – even consuming 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 improve public health and limit the effects of seasonal and other such viruses. (4)
CONTACT Hollstrom & Associates Inc
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 Largo chiropractic appointment with [[compayname]] today. Having 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! Largo chiropractic care features nutrition, exercise and spinal manipulation to care for our Largo chiropractic patients, family and friends.
