Vitamin D and Immune Support

There is no doubt we can all use some immune boosting and strategies to combat illness and recover these days! Here is some great information from our local Naturopath, Roanne Rouse Houck, ND.

Vitamin D and Immune Support: Did you know that your care provider can test your vitamin D levels, and that you may have your levels tested at the next GVH Health Fair. I thought I would share this from one of my medical sources. I use a vitamin D3 / K2 supplement all winter.

"Elderly individuals, those with lung disease or respiratory disorders, those with atopic (allergic) disorders, and those with other pre-existing medical conditions are at the greatest risk from viral infections, such as influenza and Corona virus. Multiple human clinical trials have demonstrated that vitamin D supplementation is protective during such viral respiratory infections. Vitamin D is so important for proper immune function that activated macrophages and dendritic cells are both capable of converting the D3 precursor molecule into active 1,25-D to support local immune responses.

Low vitamin D levels can:

Decrease the cellular secretion of protective cytokines and chemokines

Promote detrimental changes in both the gut and lung microbiomes

Increase chronic inflammation and allergic reactions

Suppress mitochondrial functions important for immune system signaling

Fortunately, bolus dosing of supplemental vitamin D3 can raise serum levels in deficient subjects within 1-2 weeks, and the results are most significant in those with the greatest levels of deficiency. While many people are deficient, it's always good practice to get a vitamin D test to get a baseline prior to supplementing."