Take Your Vitamins What do you reach for when you’re sick? The orange juice, right? I may have some issues with the sugar-content of juice, but I certainly have no qualms with the vitamin C boost. I would recommend eating an orange instead, but that’s a topic for another day. Today, I’d like to talk to you about some other important immune-boosting vitamins. And I’d also like to mention that it’s important to be sure you’re getting your fill of all these immune boosters before you get sick. In addition to vitamin C, all vitamins in the B class and vitamin D are very important to keep your body functioning properly and your immune system strong.
B Vitamins
There are seven B vitamins that help the body with many crucial functions. Many Bs are involved in energy production, and as you probably know, without energy, nothing gets done. B7, also known as biotin, helps the body break down proteins and carbs and also helps make hormones. Folate/Folic acid, also known as B9, helps produce and maintain DNA and red blood cells. B12 helps ensure your nervous system is working properly.
Deficiency
Without enough B vitamins, you might experience anemia, exhaustion, numbness and tingling in the arms and legs, eczema or hair loss. Because B vitamins are involved in so many important processes, many medical practitioners believe that a deficiency could also lead to a weakened immune system.
Where to get it
If you eat a full and balanced diet, you should be getting enough of most of the B vitamins. The ones to keep a close watch on are Folate/folic acid and B12. B12 is found in eggs, meat, poultry, shellfish, milk and milk products. If you’re vegan, you’ll probably have to take a supplement. Folic acid is abundant in our food supply, but it’s so important to get the recommended daily value or more that you may want to consider supplementing – especially if you’re a woman in your reproductive years. Folic acid deficiency has been linked to serious birth defects.
Vitamin D
I could write a novel about the importance of this vitamin and still feel like I’ve under-emphasized the point. It’s that important. Vitamin D is best known for its role in building strong and healthy bones. But its work doesn’t stop there. It also helps the kidneys, intestines and other tissues stay healthy and function properly. And it plays a role in keeping your immune system running strong.
Deficiency
The signs of a vitamin D deficiency may not be obvious until your levels are dangerously low. At this point, you may experience bone pain, cognitive impairment, and you may even be at greater risk for cancer. The early signs may present themselves as depression, fatigue and frequent colds – symptoms that could be a result of many things. That’s why I recommend that everyone get a blood test to determine whether they are deficient.
Where to get it
You can get vitamin D from some foods, but it is not abundant in our food supply. It is found naturally in meat, fish and eggs, but only in small quantities. More recently, food manufacturers have begun fortifying foods, such as cereal and bread, with vitamin D. Still, the best natural source for this vitamin is the sun. The body converts UV rays from the sun into a usable form of vitamin D. If you can’t get at least 15 minutes of sun exposure (on a body part, for ex: your arms, no Speedo required, he-he) every single day, you may need to supplement. You should get your levels checked and talk with your doctor.
Do you wonder what vitamins I take?
I use Oxylent. It’s a high quality powdered multi-vitamin that I add to a glass of water. I love that it makes my water taste yummy! But taste aside, Oxylent has a very high powered antioxidant in it called SOD. SOD was recently featured in Whole Foods Magazine as a “hot” antioxidant. SOD has the ability to neutralize thousands of free radicals-it works harder for you than other antioxidants!
Oxylent is offering my readers 20% off your vitamin purchase. Just go to http://vitalah.com/buynow.php and use the code ENOSOXYLENT.
