Vitamin D: Miracle Nutrient for Your Immune System

Crohn’s disease is a chronic condition that causes inflammation of your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The cause of Crohn’s is thought to be impairment in the way your immune system handles intestinal bacteria. Vitamin D is the miracle nutrient for your immune system.

A new study has found that Vitamin D can counter the effects of Crohn's disease.

Researchers found that Vitamin D acts directly on the beta defensin 2 gene, which encodes an antimicrobial peptide, and the NOD2 gene that alerts cells to the presence of invading microbes.

Both beta defensin and NOD2 have been linked to Crohn's disease. If NOD2 is deficient or defective, it cannot combat invaders in the intestinal tract. Read more

Boost Your Immune System with Power Foods and Vitamin D

You already know most of the common sense techniques for avoiding the flu, be it the swine flu, a standard flu, or even a common cold. This article explores "power foods" that help build your defenses by enhancing your immune system. Combine these super foods with common sense and you will be prepared for any flu that comes your way.

With the threat of the H1N1 flu virus this year, you might want to trade the sugary treats for some “power foods” to boost your immune system.

Nutritionists agree that by adding “super foods” to your diet, you may keep the flu at bay. Christen Sherwood, owner of the Healing House Center for Natural Health in Clear Lake, said that one such power food — elderberries — are “proven to work as good as Tamiflu.” Read more

The Best Way to Prevent Colds and Flu: Vitamin D

As the weather becomes colder and we stay indoors more, people often catch colds or other viruses. Dr. Joseph Mercola says that taking vitamin D is the number one way to combat colds or flu.

... Many people believe that colds and flu are caused by bacteria, but this is simply incorrect. Colds and flu are caused by viruses, and using antibiotics to treat a viral infection is inappropriate and completely ineffective.

Viruses are orders of magnitude smaller than bacteria and have entirely different structures that make antibiotics useless. (Occasionally antibiotics are required if there is a secondary bacterial sinus infection or bronchitis/pneumonia, but this is the rare exception.)

It is also important to recognize that, although a virus triggers your cold or flu symptoms, it is not the real cause of the illness.

So, what is the real cause of colds and flu?

My simple and short answer has always been that it’s due to an impaired immune system. That’s still true. However, research has confirmed that “catching” colds and flu may be a symptom of an underlying vitamin D deficiency! Less than optimal vitamin D levels will significantly impair your immune response and make you far more susceptible to contracting colds, influenza, and other respiratory infections.

Although there are many ways you might end up with a weakened immune system, the more common contributing factors are: Read more