The immune system works hard.
Like a car or plane or boat, it needs fuel to keep
working hard. The fuel for the immune system is a long list
of micronutrients, the most discussed being vitamin
C, and rightly so. Vitamin C plays an instrumental
role in a healthy functioning immune system.
In addition to spine pain care, Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. asks our Auburn
chiropractic patients to notice their body’s fuel
levels of nutrients like vitamin C. Nutrition is important!
LOW VITAMIN C LEVELS
Researchers studied what factors add
to low vitamin C status and learned that vitamin C levels are influenced
mostly by dietary intake. Diet can be influenced by
cultural aspects like traditional cooking methods with
traditional staple foods like grains which have little vitamin C to offer.
Environmental factors play a role like geographic region,
season, climate, and pollution. Demographic factors like age, race,
sex, and socioeconomic factors like deprivation, education, institutionalization,
and social class. Health factors like smoking, body weight, pregnancy/lactation,
genetic variants, as well as diseases like severe infection or
cardiovascular disease or cancerimpact C levels. So
many issues seem to add to vitamin C levels and should be considered when listing
global recommendations for dietary intake. (1) Vitamin C levels are not studied
very well around the world particularly in
low- and middle- income countries. Relying on completed studies, researchers
report that vitamin C deficiency is commonplace in low-, middle- and even in subgroups of people in high-income settings.
(2) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. may not be able to fix the vitamin C levels
of those around the world, but we are here for our Auburn
chiropractic friends!
ROLE OF VITAMIN C IN IMMUNE FUNCTION
Vitamin C is a well-known essential
factor in immune function and epigenetic inflammatory modifications. Vitamin C
is optimally obtained by regular dietary intake. 41.8%
of participants in the 2003-2005 National Health and Nutrition Examination
Surveys (NHANES) has deficient levels of vitamin C.
Insufficient vitamin C plasma levels were noted in
males, adults aged 20-59, Black and Mexican Americans, smokers, those who
have higher BMI, and those with middle and high poverty to income
ratio and food insecurity. These people are at greater
risk for inflammatory driven disease with little or no signs
of low vitamin C levels. (3) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. encourage our Auburn
chiropractic patients know if they are at risk for low nutrient
levels and address those to be as healthy as possible!
IMMUNE SYSTEM
Health and well-being is a delicate balance of
several issues; one is a well-functioning
immune system. Researchers have established intake levels of micronutrients like vitamins A, C, D, E and zinc, yet
many people‘s levels are low. Inadequate levels
of such nutrients damage the immune system and lessen
its response when it is most needed.
In a study of 26,282 adults over age 19 in the 2005-2016 NHANES study, a “prevalence
of inadequacy” was found for all of these:
- 45% for vitamin A
- 46% for vitamin C
- 95% for vitamin D
- 84% for vitamin E
- 15% for zinc
Supplementation is described as beneficial
while a call for better understanding of the interactions of
multiple nutrient deficiencies on the immune system is also suggested.
This would help detect optimal levels of intake for at-risk
people. (4) Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C. is prepared to check the vitamin
C levels of our Auburn chiropractic patients and assist them in
adjusting it as needed.
CONTACT Dr. Le's Chiropractic & Wellness, L.L.C.
Listen to this PODCAST
with Dr. James Cox on The
Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he
describes the role chiropractic may play in immune
system health along with how The Cox® Technic System of Spinal
Pain Management works.
Schedule your Auburn chiropractic
appointment now. Together, we can delve into just
how well you are fueling your body to keep the immune system working best!