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 attention.
While a solution to “the” infection is being sought, working to ensure
that Groton immune systems are at their optimal level
to deal with and ward off what infections it can is worth
the effort. Groton chiropractic patients certainly
know about the beneficial aspects of
vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Shoreline Medical Services/ Hutter Chiropractic Office presents
their benefits to a healthy immune system with
some notable 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 well-known
anti-viral agent, one of the more well known ones, especially
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 really 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 states
vitamin D as a viable option. Vitamin D decreases 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 multiply anti-inflammatory
cytokines. Vitamin D supplementation may be useful 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 get the
25(OH)D concentrations up initially 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 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 are key contributors also to a robust immune system that can change
as needed to various threats. Deficiencies of many of these nutrients
is global, leaving many unable to
resist infections. Authors wrote particularly
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 recent review of the literature about vitamins and immunity and
respiratory infections stated that they strongly urge
public health officials to integrate nutritional
recommendations – even consuming 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 better public health and limit
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 top 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 take care of our Groton
chiropractic patients, family and friends.