Vitamin D deficiency can increase the risk of many diseases including osteoporosis, some cancers, heart disease, depression and inflammatory conditions. Vitamin D is made by the skin on exposure to sunlight. More than half of Americans are vitamin D deficient. Now research reports that vitamin D plays an important role in activating immunity against infections. This discovery may help create new therapies to fight infectious diseases and epidemics.
The study, published in Nature Immunology, investigated the effect of vitamin D on immune T-cells. T-cells are white blood cells called lymphocytes that fight infections. The researchers found that T-cells send activating signals to the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene when it recognizes a foreign pathogen like bacteria or viruses. The VDR gene then produces a protein that binds vitamin D to the T-cell and activates it.
“When a T cell is exposed to a foreign pathogen, it extends a signaling device or ‘antenna’ known as a vitamin D receptor, with which it searches for vitamin D,” says lead researcher Carsten Geisler of Copenhagen University’s department of international health, immunology and microbiology, in a news release. “This means the T cell must have vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells cannot find enough vitamin D in the blood, they won’t even begin to mobilize.”
Seasonal Support Boosts Immunity
Colds and flu affect nearly 100 million American every year. Supplementing with natural nutrients can help fight cold and flu infections.
Progressive Health’s Seasonal Support is an immunity remedy that features researched ingredients like zinc, vitamin C, bromelain, spirulina, inositol, astragulus, beta glucan, echinacea, golden seal, immune enhancer AG and elderberry. Seasonal Support is guaranteed to provide year round, maximum immune support.
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