Vitamin D-Maintain Healthy Immune System

Vitamin D, Diet and Your Immune System

Vitamin D is a vitamin like no other because your body can synthesize it. The lighter your skin the better job your body and skin can do to create vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. White children in the 19th century were exposed to sunlight to prevent rickets, a disease where bones become soft. Although rickets is the most obvious sickness caused by lack of Vitamin D, the immune system needs Vitamin D, too.

	One of the most talented musicians to play the cello, Jacqueline Du Pré, died from multiple sclerosis (MS), which may be caused from lack of Vitamin D. She was forced to stop playing at age 28 and died when she was 42.

MS is a disease of the immune system where the body attacks its own electrical nerves. More specifically, some of these nerves are surrounded by myelin, which acts like the rubber insulation in an electrical cord to protect the electrical circuit underneath from the surrounding water and blood. The result is that myelinated nerves operate 10 times faster than ordinary nerves. The sufferer of MS attacks her own myelin and loses the ability to move muscles.

Dietary Sources Vitamin D

Most dietary vitamin D is found in fortified foods. People who live in northern latitudes are more likely to contract MS than those living in more southern areas where sunlight is plentiful. Vitamin D tones down the destructive actions of cells that attack myelinated nerves. It also regulates other chemical reactions in the immune system. Living in a low sunlight environment makes it more important to consume a balanced diet with a wide variety of foods.

Some doctors, skeptical of government advice, counsel their patients to increase Vitamin D intake as an alternative to risky flu vaccine shots. They claim that the Centers for Disease Control is a propaganda arm of the drug industry, which makes large campaign donations to politicians. Whatever the truth may be, it is clear that the government recommends flu shots for most people, while previous recommendations were that many people should avoid flu vaccines.

Studies have suggested that Vitamin D is good for the heart. A lot of research has been conducted in recent years regardiing its many effects in a variety of body processes. Some researchers even claim that 50% of the people in the United States do not get enough Vitamin D.

Foods For Vitamin D The government supports and encourages Vitamin D consumption by requiring food manufacturers to fortify milk and other foods with Vitamin D. For people who avoid milk due to intolerance to lactose, the best natural sources of Vitamin D are salmon and sardines, and are available in lesser amounts in shrimp. Wild seafood contains more Vitamin D than farmed fish. It is also available as a vitamin supplement and in cod liver oil.

Does Anyone Really Eat Sardines?

Best Source Of Vitamin D The number one way to get vitamin D though still remains an active lifestyle that includes outdoor activities. Not necessarily laying out in the sun, but just being outside every day getting natural sun light.  Keep your family active and eat a wide variety of foods to insure that your family gets all the vitamins they need.

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