Puritan Pride Vitamin D
Not sure where to start
with immune health?
Then this is a great place to begin.
This content is intended as general information. We encourage you to explore the full Puritan's Pride's® Immune Health offerings for product-specific benefits.
Vitamin D for Immune Health
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that can be obtained through the diet or synthesized in the skin upon exposure to sunlight. Vitamin D3, the form of vitamin D formed in the skin, is a potent and active form of the vitamin. Vitamin D2 is a vitamin D analog formed in plants, mushrooms and yeasts during photosynthesis. While vitamin D2 is sometimes used in food fortification, Puritan's Pride supplements provide the active form.
Vitamin D plays a regulatory role in the growth, differentiation, and proliferation of different types of white blood cells.8** It is important to regulate these processes to maintain immune balance. Think of a thermostat set to 70 degrees.
When the temperature falls below 70 degrees the heat comes on but once the temperature is reached, the heat needs to turn off or else the temperature will continue to rise indefinitely. The same delicate balance is needed for our immune systems to maintain optimal health.
The T and B cells of the adaptive immune system are both regulated by vitamin D.** Many cells of the innate immune response also require vitamin D such as monocytes which need it to mature properly.** Adequate concentrations of vitamin D are also necessary for the synthesis of important proteins with immune-fighting properties.8**
Why Supplement with Vitamin D?
As many as 96% of Americans do not get enough vitamin D from food alone.9
Did you know, Vitamin D is considered a nutrient of public health concern? This is because many Americas are not getting enough vitamin D in their diets and low intakes can affect overall health.
This is partly because natural food sources of vitamin D are limited and not always appealing. They include cod liver oil, liver and some types of fatty fish such as mackerel, salmon, and sardines. In the US, milk but not all dairy products, is fortified with vitamin D. It is important to check the label on products like cheese and yogurt to see if they were made with fortified milk.
The RDA for vitamin D is currently 15-20 mcg/day depending on age.
However, this level was established based on the amount of vitamin D needed to maintain bone health.** Many health experts argue that higher intakes of vitamin D are necessary for overall optimal health. A daily intake of 50 mcg (2,000 IU) is frequently recommended for most healthy adults.12
Unlike most vitamins that can only be obtained from the diet, our bodies produce vitamin D when the skin is exposed to sunlight. When evaluating if sun exposure is enough to meet your daily vitamin D needs, consider the following factors.
AGE
As we age, the skin produces vitamin D less efficiently. Vitamin D absorption may also decrease with age, making vitamin D supplementation especially beneficial for older individuals.
SUNSCREEN
When used as directed, a sunscreen graded SPF-10 will block 90% of UVB radiation reaching the skin.10 UVB radiation is needed to stimulate production of vitamin D.
LOCATION
Residents of northern climates may have inadequate exposure to sunlight in order to produce sufficient vitamin D, especially during the winter months.
CLOTHING
Wearing protective clothing such as hats and long sleeves inhibits the body's natural production
of vitamin D.
SUN INTENSITY
The stimulation of vitamin D production in skin can depend on the intensity of the sun's UVB rays. When you are shorter than your shadow, UVB radiation is often not strong enough to produce vitamin D.11 Air pollution and the presence of clouds can also have a major impact on the intensity of UVB radiation that reaches the ground.
- References
- 8. Gropper SS, Smith JL, Groff, JL. Fifth edition. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning; 2009.
- 9. Dickinson A, MacKay D. Nutr J. 2014;13:14.
- 10. Council on Environmental Health, Section on Dermatology, Balk SJ. Pediatrics. 2011 Mar;127(3):588-97.
- 11. Gorham E. Vitamin D wiki website. October 2015. Accessed July 2, 2020. https://vitamindwiki.com/The+Shadow+Rule+%E2%80%93+you+make+Vitamin+D+when+you+are+taller+than+your+shadow+%E2%80%93+1992
- 12. Calder PC, et al. Nutrients. 2020;12(4):1181.
What is the Immune System?
Every day, your body is bombarded by foreign substances from the outside world. Credit card pin pads, bathroom faucets, cell phones, literally everything you touch is covered in tiny microorganisms. Not all microorganisms are bad, in fact there are trillions of bacteria found in and on the human body which cause no harm, or in some cases are even beneficial to human health.
However, there are also less favorable microorganisms found in the environment. The main function of your immune system is to protect you from external threats and keep you healthy.
Think of your immune system as your body's security team, trained to recognize and remove any threats while protecting your body's peaceful residents.
The first line of defense is to restrict the entry of unwanted foreign materials. The skin creates an excellent physical barrier but unwanted guests may still be inhaled or ingested. The acidity of stomach acid, mucosal membranes, and the presence of antibodies in saliva and tears all further help to prevent the entry of these substances into the body.
Four Main Functions
of the Immune System
Physical barriers keep pathogens from entering the body – e.g. skin, mucosa layer of GI tract, antibodies in saliva, pH of stomach
If substances get through the exclusion barrier, they need to be recognized as non-self
Elimination only of unwanted threats, not self or friendly bacteria
Immune memories allow for fast recognition and elimination of repeat offenders
Source: https://www.puritan.com/vitamin-d-326/vitamin-d3-10000-iu-035872
Tidak ada komentar:
Posting Komentar