Please Take Your Daily Vitamin D!

As the cold and flu season arrives in Orleans, it is as important as ever to take proper care of your body. As a chiropractor I am constantly reminding people that we are exposed to viruses and bacteria on a DAILY basis, and this is NOT ultimately what determines who gets sick and who stays well. What determines this is the state of your immune system!

The strength of your immune system is determined by 2 things:

1. The cumulative amount of stressors in your life which lower your immune function.
2. How sufficient you are in the materials that your immune system requires to function properly.
   Fact: Vitamin D is REQUIRED by your body to turn on or activate your immune system.

Fact: Vitamin D is ALSO essential for the control of insulin sensitivity, blood pressure, inflammation, and blood coagulation. It is essential in the prevention of osteoporosis, cancer, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, autism, asthma, and diabetes.

Fact: Clinical journals report that Canadians are severely deficient in vitamin D and this is a major contributing factor to illness and lack of health. Fact: Vitamin D is ESSENTIAL to your body, and is a requirement for wellness, and prevention of chronic disease.

Fact: Your body is designed to produce your vitamin D from adequate sun exposure. In order to get the daily requirement of vitamin D from sunlight however, you need direct, summer-month exposure on your arms and legs for a minimum of 10-15 minutes per day WITHOUT SUNSCREEN. This is extremely difficult for most Canadians.

Fact: Adults should supplement daily with 3000-5000 IUs of high-quality vitamin D, ESPECIALLY during the fall and winter months in Canada when we are not getting sufficient, daily sun exposure. Kids should supplement with 500-2000 IUs depending on body weight.

Other Keys to Great Immune Function:

• Supplement with probiotics (non-dairy)
• Eat fresh vegetables and fruits
• Avoid refined sugar and wheat
• Eat high quality essential fat (coconut oil, avocados, etc.)
• Supplement with a pure fish oil (Omega 3)
• Get adjusted regularly to reduce physical stress, improve your nervous system, & reduce stress hormones.
• Exercise regularly (high intensity, short duration)
• Reduce emotional stress (ask us to send you our most recent stress workshop to watch!)