Infections are in the headlines.
From common colds and flu to the larger issue
that is all over the news 24/7, infections have our attention.
While a resolution to “the” infection is being sought, working to ensure
that Richmond immune systems are at their optimal level
to deal with and ward off what infections it can is a worthy effort. Richmond chiropractic patients certainly
understand the beneficial aspects of
vitamins C and D. Nutrition is an integral part of health and chiropractic treatment plan. Johnson Chiropractic 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 look for prevention
and treatment options whose risk of side-effects is minimal.
In comes vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent
anti-oxidant particularly when taken 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 familiar
anti-viral agent, one of the better known ones, especially
when dealing with 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! Johnson Chiropractic 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 respiratory tract infection risk. How? It produces
cathelicidins and defensins which can lower replication rates of viruses,
reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines that inflame and injure
the lining of the lungs, and multiply anti-inflammatory
cytokines. Vitamin D supplementation may be helpful to decrease
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 raise the 25(OH)D concentrations first then taking
5000 IU per day. If someone has an infection currently,
higher doses of vitamin D3 may be helpful. (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 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 are key contributors also to a robust 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 added to heightened
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 encourage
public health officials to incorporate 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 curb
the effects of seasonal and other such viruses. (4)
CONTACT Johnson Chiropractic
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 Richmond chiropractic appointment
with [[compayname]] today. Having 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! Richmond
chiropractic care features nutrition, exercise and
spinal manipulation to take care of our Richmond
chiropractic patients, family and friends.