By Dr. Cara Matocha, Functional Wellness Consultant
Flu season begins the week after Halloween each year. Why? Increased sugar intake, more time indoors, less sunlight, and changes in routine contribute to immune suppression.
Supporting your immune system can be simple: reduce your sugar intake and get enough essential nutrients, including vitamins D and C, zinc, and selenium. These nutrients help immune cells develop, communicate, and defend your body.*
Vitamin D (Calciferol)
- A fat-soluble vitamin (taking with meals that containing fat may help absorption)
- Synthesized in the skin from cholesterol in response to absorbing ultraviolet B rays from sunlight
- Stimulates calcium absorption and reduces calcium excretion when calcium levels are low (bone health)
- Beneficial for maintaining calcium balance when combined with vitamins K1 and K2
- Deficiency has been demonstrated in many autoimmune and inflammatory conditions including asthma, arthritis, lupus, multiple sclerosis and type 1 diabetes
- Plays a key role in the anti-inflammatory process
- Many immune cells have receptors that allow them to respond to vitamin D
- Vitamin D also helps your body make protective proteins
- Choosing a vitamin D3 supplement can help you meet your needs and support healthy immune function*
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
- Cannot be synthesized by the body and must be supplied through diet or supplementation
- Helps skin fight against pathogens by protecting against environmental oxidative stress
- Used as a weapon inside many phagocytes and helps kill pathogens
- Supports positive mood and collagen synthesis Serves as an electron donor for free radicals
- Regenerates glutathione and vitamin E
- Supports bone synthesis, adrenal function and a healthy stress response
- Vitamin C plays an important role in keeping your immune system functioning at its best*
- Some vitamin C supplements also contain bioflavonoids, which may provide added antioxidant status support*
Zinc
- Supports immune function, wound healing, and protein synthesis
- Supports DNA synthesis and cellular division
- Helps to support night vision and taste acuity
- Supports heme iron biosynthesis
- A steady intake is required because the body does not store zinc
- Helps immune cells develop and respond to everyday environmental exposures
- Supports the growth and repair of cells that form natural protective barriers in your body, including those in your gut and lungs*
- A diet void of meat or seafood, digestive conditions, or medication usage, may be at greater risk of deficiency
- Foods such as oysters and other seafood, beef, poultry, eggs, dairy products, beans, and nuts contain zinc
- Zinc bisglycinate is associated with greater absorption
- Too much zinc over time can interfere with copper absorption
Selenium
- Plays an important role in reproduction, thyroid hormone metabolism, DNA repair, and liver detoxification
- Protects against oxidative stress
- Supports thyroid function and may decrease Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Selenium deficiency may exacerbate iodine deficiency and can lead to hypothyroidism
- Selenomethionine and selenium glycinate are the ideal supplemental forms
- The body uses selenium to make proteins that help protect immune cells from damage and support their normal function
- Seafood, meat, eggs, and nuts are good sources of selenium, with Brazil nuts providing especially high amounts
- Too much selenium can be harmful
- The upper limit for adults is 400 mcg per day
Conclusion
Supporting your immune health doesn’t have to be difficult. Regular walks, enough sleep, managing stress, and meals containing a variety of fruits, vegetables, and protein-rich foods can all help.
Because nutritional needs vary from person to person, it can be beneficial to work with a qualified wellness consultant when considering dietary supplements. Give us a call to schedule an appointment. We will be happy to discuss your needs and wellness goals. 832.326.6467
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products and this informationis not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
