Researchers have found that T cells rely on vitamin D in order to activate and that they remain dormant if vitamin D is lacking in the blood. In other words, if there’s not enough vitamin D in the blood, then the T cells remain passive and no immune response occurs. Their study was published in the journal Nature Immunology.
Professor Carsten Geisler, of the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, explains that “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. This means that the T cell must have vitamin D or activation of the cell will cease. If the T cells (white blood cells) cannot find enough vitamin D in the blood, they won’t even begin to mobilize.”
And that could spell trouble—especially since 75% of U.S. teens and adults are deficient in vitamin D.
Make sure your T cells are activated this season. T cells are part of the adaptive immune system. That means that they function by teaching the immune system to recognize and adapt to constantly changing threats.
T cells are white blood cells that can transform into two types of cells—at least once they’re activated. One type searches and destroys infectious agents, while the other type records information about the invading pathogen and communicates that knowledge to other parts of the immune system. That’s why the latter cells are called “helper” cells; they help the immune system respond quickly if there is a future infection with a similar invader.
The key here is that these T cells must be activated in order to function properly. If they’re not activated, then they just sit there—with no immune response—and those invaders can march right on in and gain a foothold.
So what activates these killer T cells? Vitamin D.
You heard right. To make sure your family has a healthy immune system during this coming flu season, you don't have to rely on a very questionable flu shot which many are avoiding like the plague. Instead, help your bodies' own natural immune systems by supplying your family with enough vitamin D to fight off the invaders themselves, naturally.
This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment. Find a doctor who is open to alternative, natural cures and not just brainwashed by the pharmaceutical industry!
1 comment:
Now now...the biggest problem is that vitamins and such don't have money for true research. I am talking about huge double-blind studies. We need to do them, but there isn't much money in them so it is hard to base advice on under-researched vitamins and supplements.
Secondly vitamins and such are considered dietary supplements and not medicine. They fall under different scrutiny for what is actually in the pill you take. So especially if you are talking about supplements or herbs. Often the fillers can counteract the actual vitamin or herb. Sometimes the pill is more filler than herb/vitamin/supplement. Each company does things differently making good research even more difficult to accomplish.
However Vitamin D is getting some decent research lately. I will tell you it is also a fat soluble vitamin. So you can easily over dose yourself. You must be careful, extra isn't just filtered out in your urine. It hangs around and can cause STRANGE side effects. It is best to get a blood draw first etc.
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