Winter Flu or Vitamin D3 Deficiency?

Vitamin D-3, B12, Magnesium, Zinc and your Nutritional Health

As we navigate throughout the year and say goodbye to the winter season we think we should be fine and that we are healthy. The truth is that Ireland and most countries in the Northern Hemisphere do not receive enough sunlight to maintain a healthy level of Vit D3 for people’s health.

The Pro-hormone Release

Vitamin D3 is responsible for 3,000 hormonal/generic actions and is known as “The Pro-hormone release” In other words its “The instruction manual” for all other hormones to go and do their jobs. The body also makes vitamin D3 when the skin is exposed to Sun light but “only during the months of April to September, between the hours of 10.30 – 2pm” in conjunction with cholesterol which is crucial for the synthesis of Vitamin D3.

Vitamin D 3 is important for bone health since it aids calcium absorption in the gut. The nutrient also plays a role in the immune system and acts as an anti-inflammatory substance in the body. Vitamin D-3 is the preferred form of supplemental vitamin D because it is closer to the active form the body uses than vitamin D-2 and is easier to assimilate. Vitamin D-3 may also support a healthy mood, particularly in those who suffer from seasonal affective disorder, also known as SAD, according to the University of Maryland Medical Centre.

Vitamin D’s Role

Vitamin D deficiency has been shown to play a role in almost every major disease. This includes:

• Osteoporosis and Osteopenia
• 17 varieties of Cancer (including breast, prostate and colon)
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Obesity
• Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes
• Autoimmune diseases
• Multiple sclerosis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Bursitis
• Gout
• Infertility and PMS
• Parkinson’s Disease
• Depression and Seasonal Affective Disorder
• Alzheimer’s Disease
• Chronic fatigue syndrome
• Fibromyalgia
• Chronic Pain
• Periodontal disease
• Psoriasis

Magnesium

Magnesium may be one of the most important nutrients for overall health, since it is a cofactor in more than 300 enzyme systems in the body that regulate everything from protein synthesis to nerve and muscle function to blood pressure regulation. According to the UMMC, magnesium is also important for healthy teeth and bones and the function of key organs like the heart, liver and kidneys. While magnesium is found in foods like nuts, legumes and green leafy vegetables, many people don’t get enough from their diet. According to the Institutes of Health, habitually low magnesium intake can increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and migraine headaches.

B-12 Benefits and Deficiency

A vitamin B12 deficiency is thought to be one of the leading nutrient deficiencies in the world. Vitamin B12 benefits your mood, energy level, memory, heart, skin, hair, digestion and more. Vitamin B12 is also an essential vitamin for addressing adrenal fatigue, multiple metabolic functions — including enzyme production, DNA synthesis and hormonal balance — and maintaining healthy nervous and cardiovascular systems. Because of its wide-reaching roles within the body, a vitamin B12 deficiency can show up numerous different negative symptoms, many of which are very noticeable, such as chronic fatigue, mood disorders like depression, and chronic stress or feeling run down. Symptoms of a vitamin B12 deficiency can include:

• Constantly feeling tired or chronic fatigue
• Muscle aches and weakness
• Joint pain
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Feeling dizzy
• Poor memory
• Inability to concentrate well
• Mood changes, like increased depression and anxiety
• Having abnormal heart problems, such as palpitations
• Poor dental health, including bleeding gums and mouth sores
• Digestive problems like nausea, diarrhea or cramping
• A poor appetite
• A more serious deficiency can also cause a form of anemia called pernicious anemia, a serious condition that can cause memory loss, confusion and even long-term dementia.

Zinc

Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It is needed for the body’s defensive (immune) system to properly work. It plays a role in cell division, cell growth, wound healing, and the breakdown of carbohydrates. Zinc is also needed for the senses of smell and taste.

Benefits

The present explosion in knowledge of zinc has been the result of several factors, the major ones being the recognition of the important role of zinc in human health and diseases, its vital functions in biochemical reactions, and the technological advances that make it feasible to quantitate this essential trace element in biological fluids. Deficiency of zinc in humans due to nutritional factors and several disease states has now been recognized. The high phytate content of cereal proteins is known to decrease the availability of zinc; thus, the prevalence of zinc deficiency is likely to be high in a population consuming large quantities of proteins. Alcoholism, malabsorption, sickle cell anaemia, chronic renal disease, and chronically debilitating diseases are now known to be predisposing factors for zinc deficiency.

A severe deficiency of zinc such as that seen in patients with acro dermatitis entreopathica may be life-threatening. A spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from mild to severe degrees has now been recognized in human zinc deficiency states. Zinc appears to be involved in many biological functions including DNA synthesis. Roles for zinc in enzymatic functions, cell membranes, and immunity are now well established.

Go Natural Where Possible

Of course the Natural sources of all above mentioned is recommended , but for the winter months and poor nutrition diets , supplementation is important , I recommend an Oral spray to be sprayed under your tongue as we have a special membrane and the nutrients get into your blood system quite quickly and by/passes the digestive system. As we all have a compromised digestive system and won’t get the proper amounts that you need , the oral spray is available in the format of D3, and B12, Magnesium I recommend should be 300mg a day along with your Zinc in the evening separate, a small intake of hemp oil or olive oil “cold pressed” should be taken with vitamin D3 , coconut oil is another good one , and recommended three spoons a day after a course of anti/biotics to clean the gut out, a week to ten days is recommended after a course of antibiotics along with apple cider vinegar “a good quality one” after a week to ten days re/populate the gut with a good quality pre and probiotics from a good independently owned Health store.