Boost Your Immune System with Vitamin D

Do you get enough Vitamin D?

The onslaught of Covid-19 and the global pandemic has led to widespread health concerns and ways to protect ourselves and boost our immune systems. Several studies, including this one from the National Institute of Health, have found that increased consumption of Vitamin D can help with immunity from everything from the common cold to the Coronavirus.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3166406/

Vitamin D2 and D3 tablets are widely available without a prescription and are relatively cheap. If you don't like taking pills every day, talk to your doctor about a prescription. There are versions of Vitamin D available only by prescription with massive doses that are only taken weekly.

You can also increase your Vitamin D with foods such as salmon and tuna. But don't just focus on one nutrient. Keep a balanced diet. You know you should eat your veggies, but these and other healthy foods will increase your immunity and increase antibody production. Adding plenty of garlic and oregano will add more immune boosters as well as antibiotic and antifungal agents.

Getting probiotics in your system, whether from pills or in natural forms, such as yogurt, will reduce the likelihood of certain illnesses. Also, making sure that the healthy microbes that live in your digestive tract stay active will boost the immune system. They also help with metabolism and weight control. These good bacteria are essential to health. If you have to take antibiotics for some reason, be sure to offset that with probiotics once you are done.

But don't forget nature's best source of Vitamin D, the sun. Getting plenty of exercise outdoors will not only boost your immune system but make you healthier, to begin with. Exercise keeps your muscles, respiratory and cardiovascular system strong. These are all aids in keeping your immune system healthy as well. Taking the exercise outdoors, including during the winter, will also flush your system with fresh air, and you will get that boost in vitamin D from the sun.

The body's natural immune system is a wonder of engineering. There are constant checks and balances to keep germs and viral attacks at bay. But don't let it fight alone. You need to do your part to boost your immune system or, at least, not to hinder its efforts.

Another way to help, not hinder, your immune system is to keep your hands clean. Your hands are your primary interface with the world. Everything they touch, there is a transference of microbes and airborne viruses. If you then touch your eyes, lips, or nose, those germs go right into your system. Everyone knows to wash their hands after they go to the bathroom, but that isn't enough. Wash them thoroughly after shaking hands, touching doorknobs, handrails, and elevator buttons. Even handling money is a recipe for germ warfare. Also, keep the things you often touch clean and sanitary. This includes your telephones and tablets, keyboard and mouse.

But your immune system isn't the only benefit of vitamin D.

With recent worries about global warming, holes in the ozone layer, and skin cancer, many people are slathering up on sunblock when they go outside for any length of time. This helps prevent the sun's harmful rays from causing skin problems. Unfortunately, it also helps control the body's absorption of Vitamin D, an essential nutrient.

Vitamin D is necessary to the body to help absorb calcium and phosphorous. Calcium and phosphorous, in turn, are essential for building strong bones and teeth and helping to prevent osteoporosis. And, of course, there is a boost to your immune system. Therefore it is crucial to get a proper daily dosage of vitamin D. The recommended daily allowance is 200 IU for anyone under 50, 400 IU for people 51-70 years old, and 600 IU for those over 70.

Although the traditional method of getting vitamin D is from direct exposure to sunlight, no one is recommending foregoing proper protection from harmful UV rays just to get the MDR of vitamin D. After all, contracting skin cancer to prevent Covid-19 or osteoporosis, would be robbing Peter to pay Paul – a no-win scenario. The good news is, just 10-15 minutes of exposure a week is enough to get sufficient vitamin D. Most people who only wear sunblock for a prolonged time in the sun would get this much exposure in typical day to day activities.

However, many people apply sunblock as a daily ritual due to a tendency or history with skin cancers. Fortunately, there are other methods of getting a sufficient dose of vitamin D in your diet. Vitamin D is found naturally in foods such as butter and eggs. It is also in many foods fortified with vitamins such as many breakfast cereals, and most well known, milk. Look for vitamin D fortified on the labels of these products.

Although many people tout the benefits of obtaining your daily need of vitamins and minerals through natural means, the fact is that once your kidney processes vitamin D, the result is the same, and your body doesn't care whether it came from the sun or supplements. Vitamin D can be found in tablets and capsules and is also in most multi-vitamins. To ensure proper dosage, check your multi-vitamin label to see how much vitamin D is included. You can always add a vitamin D supplement to your regular regimen of multi-vitamins.

Just be careful to avoid going over 2,000 IU daily as there are harmful side effects from prolonged overdosing of vitamin D. Also, if you take any daily medicine, especially for high blood pressure or heart conditions, consult your doctor before starting a regimen of vitamin D supplements.

Just take care of yourself. The reality is, most people know what is good for you and what is not. Do the right things. Avoid or reduce stress in your life. Rest and relax as often as you can to rejuvenate. Do things that make you and your family happy. Get plenty of sleep. Eat healthily and don't smoke or drink to excess. Get good nutrition and plenty of vitamins, including Vitamin D. You know what to do. Just do it.

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