Hormone Replacement Therapy
Social distancing, staying at home, avoiding large crowds, wearing masks, washing hands frequently–these are all excellent ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. But the best thing you can do to significantly reduce your risk for contracting coronavirus is to keep your immune system as healthy as possible. An optimized immune system nourished with the appropriate nutrients, like vitamin D, is essential for fighting off infection if you are exposed to COVID-19.
How the Immune System Fights Viral Infections Like COVID-19
Composed of a network of specialized cells existing in blood, lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow, the immune system’s primary function is to detect and attack viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens. When a virus invades the body, innate immune cells identify and start a partial attack against the virus. These cells then “tell” another group of immune cells called adaptive cells to come in and finish the attack.1
What’s interesting is adaptive immune cells have “memorized” everything they need to know about pathogens they previously encountered in the body. Adaptive cells actually make copies of themselves that are better at warding off infectious germs. This is why children become ill more than adults. By the time you are in your 30s, your adaptive cells have produced numerous copies of themselves that are better equipped chemically to fight off colds, influenza, and stomach “bugs”.
Coronavirus is a relatively new type of virus that very few immune systems have encountered. Consequently, adaptive immune cells have no “memory” of fighting off COVID-19. Until a vaccine is developed, the pandemic will likely continue until a certain level of herd immunity is established in populations.
Strengthen Your Immune System with Vitamin D
Vitamin K and vitamin D are the only two vitamins produced by the body. We need to eat foods containing these vitamins or take supplements so that the kidneys and liver can convert vitamin D to a hormone. This hormone is essential for maintaining healthy levels of phosphorous and calcium in the body.
Ongoing research into the benefits of vitamin D for immune system support has found that this vitamin triggers the activation of T cells. A component of the adaptive immune system of cells, T cells contribute heavily to the destruction of viruses and other pathogens. Scientists have recently discovered that COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe symptoms have abnormally high levels of inflammatory cytokines in their bloodstream. These cytokines will quickly exhaust the T cell population and lead to worsening symptoms.2, 3
Tips for Improving Your Immune System Health with Vitamin D
Sunlight and Vitamin D
Sunlight assists the body in producing vitamin D from cholesterol. When ultraviolet B energy penetrates cholesterol found in skin cells, synthesis of vitamin D occurs, which is then released into your body. Spending fifteen minutes in sunlight each day provides enough energy for skin cells to make vitamin D for healthy people.4
Vitamin D Foods
Sardines, tuna, salmon, egg yolks and beef liver contain vitamin D. Eat foods that have vitamin D added to them, like fortified cereals, orange juice and dairy or plant-based milk.5
Vitamin D Supplements
Taking vitamin D supplements is important if you can´t go outside every day and do not eat foods high in vitamin D. A blood test can tell how deficient your body is in vitamin D and provide information about how much supplementation you need.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, continue paying special attention to your immune system by staying physically active, eating right, getting 15 minutes of sunlight everyday and nourishing it with vitamin D foods or supplements.
References
- https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/pathogens-and-disease/immune-responses-viruses
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190417111440.htm
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-020-0304-7
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326167
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-more-vitamin-d-from-your-food/
Social distancing, staying at home, avoiding large crowds, wearing masks, washing hands frequently–these are all excellent ways to slow the spread of COVID-19. But the best thing you can do to significantly reduce your risk for contracting coronavirus is to keep your immune system as healthy as possible. An optimized immune system nourished with the appropriate nutrients, like vitamin D, is essential for fighting off infection if you are exposed to COVID-19.
How the Immune System Fights Viral Infections Like COVID-19
Composed of a network of specialized cells existing in blood, lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow, the immune system’s primary function is to detect and attack viruses, bacteria, and other harmful pathogens. When a virus invades the body, innate immune cells identify and start a partial attack against the virus. These cells then “tell” another group of immune cells called adaptive cells to come in and finish the attack.1
What’s interesting is adaptive immune cells have “memorized” everything they need to know about pathogens they previously encountered in the body. Adaptive cells actually make copies of themselves that are better at warding off infectious germs. This is why children become ill more than adults. By the time you are in your 30s, your adaptive cells have produced numerous copies of themselves that are better equipped chemically to fight off colds, influenza, and stomach “bugs”.
Coronavirus is a relatively new type of virus that very few immune systems have encountered. Consequently, adaptive immune cells have no “memory” of fighting off COVID-19. Until a vaccine is developed, the pandemic will likely continue until a certain level of herd immunity is established in populations.
Strengthen Your Immune System with Vitamin D
Vitamin K and vitamin D are the only two vitamins produced by the body. We need to eat foods containing these vitamins or take supplements so that the kidneys and liver can convert vitamin D to a hormone. This hormone is essential for maintaining healthy levels of phosphorous and calcium in the body.
Ongoing research into the benefits of vitamin D for immune system support has found that this vitamin triggers activation of T cells. A component of the adaptive immunity system of cells, T cells contribute heavily to the destruction of viruses and other pathogens. Scientists have recently discovered that COVID-19 patients with moderate to severe symptoms have abnormally high levels of inflammatory cytokines in their bloodstream. These cytokines will quickly exhaust the T cell population and lead to worsening symptoms.2, 3
Tips for Improving Your Immune System Health with Vitamin D
Sunlight and Vitamin D
Sunlight assists the body in producing vitamin D from cholesterol. When ultraviolet B energy penetrates cholesterol found in skin cells, synthesis of vitamin D occurs, which is then released into your body. Spending fifteen minutes in sunlight each day provides enough energy for skin cells to make vitamin D for healthy people.4
Vitamin D Foods
Sardines, tuna, salmon, egg yolks and beef liver contain vitamin D. Eat foods that have vitamin D added to them, like fortified cereals, orange juice and dairy or plant-based milk.5
Vitamin D Supplements
Taking vitamin D supplements is important if you can´t go outside every day and do not eat foods high in vitamin D. A blood test can tell how deficient your body is in vitamin D and provide information about how much supplementation you need.
With the current COVID-19 pandemic ongoing, continue paying special attention to your immune system by staying physically active, eating right, getting 15 minutes of sunlight everyday and nourishing it with vitamin D foods or supplements.
References
- https://www.immunology.org/public-information/bitesized-immunology/pathogens-and-disease/immune-responses-viruses
- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190417111440.htm
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41577-020-0304-7
- https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326167
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-get-more-vitamin-d-from-your-food/
