Recently you may have noticed quite a few headlines in the news regarding an influenza outbreak in the US. Not too long ago, the CDC even said that the flu has now officially come to epidemic levels. Logically, as a parent, among the initial things that comes to mind is how can I protect my children from developing the flu? One of the best natural preventions for influenza is none other than Vitamin D. A clinical study from 2010 showed that children getting a 1200 IU daily supplement of Vitamin D had almost a 50% decline in risk for contracting influenza.
Well precisely what is Vitamin D, and why don't we read about it very much? Vitamin D is regarded as a steroid vitamin which has an impact on quite a few genes in the body. It has been established that Vitamin D provides a significant effect on over two hundred genes in the body, and it has over two thousand places to bind within the human genome. Most of these particular genes have been shown to correspond with many different illnesses, suggesting that Vitamin D is likely involved in the manifestation and prevalence of these types of diseases. In the past, Vitamin D's sole purpose was thought to be protection against the bone disease named Ricketts, mainly because it aids in the intake and metabolism of calcium. Because of this view, the daily recommendation for Vitamin D was set at 400 IU a day. Don't forget that this is the minimum amount required to avoid developing Ricketts. The fact is, your body may require considerably more than that for it to gain the full benefits.
From which sources do we acquire Vitamin D? It's pretty hard to obtain appropriate amounts of Vitamin D from the things you eat, because quite frankly it doesn't usually exist naturally in foods. The absolute best method to get Vitamin D is from the sun. Our skin includes precursors that are triggered when they are exposed to sunshine. In fact, full body exposure to the sun for just 30 minutes can produce as much as 20,000 IU of Vitamin D. But how many of us go outside in the sunshine? Especially during winter it can be difficult to get ample quantities of Vitamin D. It has been estimated that around 85% of Americans may be deficient in this necessary vitamin.
So if vitamin D plays a role in our immune system, and we receive much less of it over the winter time, certainly it shouldn't come as a surprise that influenza and common colds tend to manifest with greater frequency in winter. But it doesn't just stop with those seasonal health problems. Research has progressively been amassing, showing that Vitamin D may be beneficial in several illnesses, such as heart disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, cancer, schizophrenia, eczema, psoriasis, and more.
It is becoming more and more evident that by enhancing your vitamin D quantities, you will be a significantly healthier person. The issue then turns into, just what is an ideal amount of Vitamin D. There is quite a bit of controversy on that subject, however in my opinion, a good range is 50-70 ng/ml. This range was identified from individuals in tropical and subtropical places who consistently get a sufficient amount of exposure to sunlight. But for those of us who whether due to work, weather, or finances, can't receive enough sun exposure, using a Vitamin D supplement may be our best alternative. However, before commencing oral supplementation of Vitamin D, it is vital to have your blood ranges analyzed. Every person's body is unique, and may require varied amounts of Vitamin D to be able to build and maintain an optimal level. To make it even easier, home tests are now available for vitamin D that you may purchase on-line.
If you' have any concerns about getting sick this winter, think about getting your Vitamin D values examined. If you are like the majority of US residents, you will definitely find yourself to be deficient. Using a daily Vitamin D supplement may help you and your family stay healthy this winter.
Well precisely what is Vitamin D, and why don't we read about it very much? Vitamin D is regarded as a steroid vitamin which has an impact on quite a few genes in the body. It has been established that Vitamin D provides a significant effect on over two hundred genes in the body, and it has over two thousand places to bind within the human genome. Most of these particular genes have been shown to correspond with many different illnesses, suggesting that Vitamin D is likely involved in the manifestation and prevalence of these types of diseases. In the past, Vitamin D's sole purpose was thought to be protection against the bone disease named Ricketts, mainly because it aids in the intake and metabolism of calcium. Because of this view, the daily recommendation for Vitamin D was set at 400 IU a day. Don't forget that this is the minimum amount required to avoid developing Ricketts. The fact is, your body may require considerably more than that for it to gain the full benefits.
From which sources do we acquire Vitamin D? It's pretty hard to obtain appropriate amounts of Vitamin D from the things you eat, because quite frankly it doesn't usually exist naturally in foods. The absolute best method to get Vitamin D is from the sun. Our skin includes precursors that are triggered when they are exposed to sunshine. In fact, full body exposure to the sun for just 30 minutes can produce as much as 20,000 IU of Vitamin D. But how many of us go outside in the sunshine? Especially during winter it can be difficult to get ample quantities of Vitamin D. It has been estimated that around 85% of Americans may be deficient in this necessary vitamin.
So if vitamin D plays a role in our immune system, and we receive much less of it over the winter time, certainly it shouldn't come as a surprise that influenza and common colds tend to manifest with greater frequency in winter. But it doesn't just stop with those seasonal health problems. Research has progressively been amassing, showing that Vitamin D may be beneficial in several illnesses, such as heart disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, depression, cancer, schizophrenia, eczema, psoriasis, and more.
It is becoming more and more evident that by enhancing your vitamin D quantities, you will be a significantly healthier person. The issue then turns into, just what is an ideal amount of Vitamin D. There is quite a bit of controversy on that subject, however in my opinion, a good range is 50-70 ng/ml. This range was identified from individuals in tropical and subtropical places who consistently get a sufficient amount of exposure to sunlight. But for those of us who whether due to work, weather, or finances, can't receive enough sun exposure, using a Vitamin D supplement may be our best alternative. However, before commencing oral supplementation of Vitamin D, it is vital to have your blood ranges analyzed. Every person's body is unique, and may require varied amounts of Vitamin D to be able to build and maintain an optimal level. To make it even easier, home tests are now available for vitamin D that you may purchase on-line.
If you' have any concerns about getting sick this winter, think about getting your Vitamin D values examined. If you are like the majority of US residents, you will definitely find yourself to be deficient. Using a daily Vitamin D supplement may help you and your family stay healthy this winter.
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If you have an interest to find out more aboutnatural approaches for common illnesses, come check out the Fort Collins chiropractor at Essential Motion Chiropractic.
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