My name is Dr. Chris Pallia, and I am an orthopedic surgeon based out of San Diego California and I am affiliated with the Synergy Orthopedic Specialists Medical Group.
A poignant topic these days is why do some people get sick more often than others. Is this fact built into the genetic makeup of the individual or is there something one can do to modify this fact? I don't want to be sick. What can I do?
There are 3 important dietary vitamins and minerals that are key to strengthening the immune system and improving resistance to infections. In today's blog I'm going to focus on the most important of these three, Vitamin D.
As for vitamin D, a 2017 meta-analysis of 25 randomized controlled trials found that vitamin D supplements cut the risk of acute respiratory infection—especially for people with low levels of the vitamin, which is about 40 percent of Americans. The percentage of people with vitamin D deficiency is far higher in African-Americans and Hispanics.
"Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in several chronic conditions associated with increased inflammation and deregulation of the immune system, such as diabetes, asthma, and rheumatoid arthritis. These observations, together with experimental studies, suggest a critical role for vitamin D in the modulation of immune function. This reinforces the role of vitamin D in maintaining a healthy immune system."
"Two key observations validate this important non-classical action of vitamin D: first, vitamin D receptor (VDR) is expressed by the majority of immune cells, including B and T lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells; second, there is an active vitamin D metabolism by immune cells that is able to locally convert 25(OH)D₃ into 1,25(OH)₂D₃, its active form. Vitamin D and VDR signaling together have a suppressive role on autoimmunity and an anti-inflammatory effect, promoting dendritic cell and regulatory T-cell differentiation and reducing T helper Th 17 cell response and inflammatory cytokines secretion."
The importance of maintaining appropriate Vitamin D levels for highly effective immune system function cannot be overstated. Following these simple guidelines will help prevent sickness and infection in all humans.
Future blogs will continue the dialog about other ways to boost your immune system.
References:
Sassi F, Tamone C, D'Amelio P. Nutrients. 2018 Nov 3;10(11):1656.
Glowka E, Stasiak J, Lulek J. Pharmaceutics. 2019 Jul 18;11(7):347.
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