Vitamin C and D Supplementation

I have a confession to make.  I do not get the flu shot. I can’t. I am one of thousands of people who are sensitive to or have allergic reactions to some of the ingredients in the manufacturing of the vaccine. That does not mean I am doomed to get the flu every year.

In the fall of 2014, I had a ground level fall that crushed my ankle. I had to have surgery to repair it. Two plates and thirteen screws later my ankle was back together.  But then something happened, I began having all these crazy reactions: rashes would mysteriously appear at random spots all over my body, blisters would suddenly appear, my skin would weep and become discolored. Some of the reactions were pretty intense. At one point, it looked as if I had 2nd degree burns from my knee to my foot, but I didn’t burn it. And itch, OMG did I itch!  My doctors put me through a battery of tests and ultimately found out I was allergic or sensitive to many things - including the surgical hardware in my ankle. Eight and a half months later to the day from my initial surgery, I had to have a second surgery to remove the hardware.

The experience did give me something to be grateful for. All that testing gave me a list of things to avoid and explained why when I got the flu shot I got so sick. Since then, I have been learning how the immune system works, what it needs to function and what I can do to boost my immune system.

What is your immune system?

Simply put, your immune system is like your army protecting you from an invading army. In order to do its job effectively, it needs certain things which can easily be gotten from your diet or through supplements.

Vitamins, minerals and nutrients…

One of the most important vitamins your immune system needs is Vitamin D3. When the sun’s ultraviolet rays touch the skin, they convert precursors in the skin into Vitamin D3. Sunscreens block ultraviolet radiation (UVB and UVA), lowering the body’s ability to convert sunshine into Vitamin D3.

So, what are some other ways to get vitamin D3? You can get it in your diet by eating fatty fish such as f Albacore Tuna or Salmon, beef liver, cheese and organic free-range egg yolks. You can also use a good quality supplement. I use Young Living’s Super Cal Plus. It has Vitamin D3, Vitamin K, magnesium and Calcium.

One study in the British Journal of Medicine (BMJ 15/Feb/2017) found that daily supplementation with Vitamin D gave a 19% increase in protective measures against respiratory tract infections, and those in the study who were profoundly Vitamin D3 deficient (less than 25nmol/l) were 70% less likely to develop respiratory tract infections when the deficiency was corrected.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can strengthen your body’s immune system by encouraging production of white blood cells, lymphocytes and phagocytes.  A report published in the Int. Journal Of Lung Disease (2004/Feb/8) showed that patients with pneumonia who were given high doses of supplemental Vitamin C had better outcomes

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Foods high in Vitamin C include green bell peppers, strawberries, cantaloupe, lemons, limes, grapefruits, pineapple, kale, oranges, and broccoli just to name a few.  You can also use a good quality vitamin C supplement. I use Young Living’s Super C for myself and Super C chewable for my grandchildren.

Vitamin C and D3 are just two of the vitamins a healthy immune system needs to fight infections.  The time to boost your immune system is before your body needs to mount a response. I eat healthy and use natural supplements to make sure my body has what it needs. I love that all of Young Living’s supplements are plant based and bio-available and their Seed to Seal guarantee means I am getting the best possible product with no artificial chemicals. For more information about Young Living’s Wellness Products go to www.myyl.com/tmdmassage.

Tammy Deatelhauser, LMT BCTMB

Healing Traditions Therapeutic Massage, Essential Oils, Herbs and More.

Young Living Member #1521964

Disclaimer:. *These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Young Living products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult your physician before making any changes.