Most Americans Dying From Flu-Related Illness Are Likely To Exhibit Nutritional Deficiencies

Vitamin D

Long ago when medical researchers were making a connection between vitamin D deficiency and rickets (bone softening in growing children), they noticed that children with rickets also experienced a lot of infections. A study in 1981 showed that vitamin D-deficient mice exhibit sluggish white blood cells called macrophages which literally digest roaming viruses and bacteria. When given vitamin D, the macrophages vigorously pursue germs while normalizing inflammation. [Calcified Tissue International 1981; 33: 673–76] Neutrophils that comprise 70% of the white blood cells that rapidly respond to infection also are very sluggish without vitamin D. [Acta Paediatrica Scandinavia. 1976 Nov; 65(6):695–9]

A team of vitamin D researchers now claims this nutrient, made naturally in the skin upon exposure to solar ultraviolet-B radiation, “has profound effects on human immunity and in normalizing the immune response so as not to create inflammation that can fill the lungs with fluid in cases of influenza.” [Epidemiology Infection 2006 Dec; 134(6):1129–40] It is no wonder now why the flu comes in winter months when vitamin D levels are low. Vitamin D would also be appropriate among individuals with pre-existing respiratory problems like chronic asthma and bronchitis. [Current Allergy Asthma Reports 2009 Jan; 9(1):81–7]

Unfortunately, the combination of outdated guidelines for vitamin D dosage in fortified foods and dietary supplements combined with misdirected advice to avoid sun exposure ensures that most adults and children in North America will exhibit less than optimal blood levels of vitamin D. [Progress Biophysics Molecular Biology 2006 Sep;92(1):26–32] When vitamin D blood levels dropped below 40 nanomole concentration among military personnel in training in Finland, they experienced more days of respiratory infection and absence from duty. [American Journal Clinical Nutrition 2007 Sep; 86(3):714–7] To learn more about vitamin D and the flu, including recommended dosage, visit www.vitamindcouncil.com.

Researchers at Winthrop University in New York did what the National Institutes of Health, with its $30 billion budget, hasn’t done. They conducted a 3-year study of 208 African-American post-menopausal women, with equal numbers being given 800 international units (IU) of vitamin D3 or an inactive placebo tablet daily. In the middle of the study vitamin D supplement was increased to 2000 IU per day. After 3 years there were 34 patients who reported cold and flu symptoms, 26 in the placebo group and only 8 in the vitamin D group (a 425% difference). Infections were almost reduced to zero during the time 2000 IU was being administered daily. [Epidemiology & Infection 2009 Oct; 137(10):1396–404] Of course, this study never made news headlines.

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Two studies found that people who either ate the most vitamin E containing food or who had the highest levels in the blood were the least likely to have cancer.

But the researchers also noted that there are several different forms of vitamin E and the kind you eat -- in this case alpha tocopherol -- is key. And the best-absorbed form of alpha tocopherol is not found in supplements but in foods such as sunflower seeds, spinach, almonds and sweet peppers.
In one of the studies presented to the annual meeting of the American Association of Cancer Research in Orlando, Stephanie Weinstein of the U.S. National Cancer Institute (news - web sites) and colleagues found men with the most vitamin E in their systems had the lowest risk of prostate cancer.

They looked at data from 29,133 Finnish men aged between 50 and 69 taking part in a smoker's study. All gave blood at the beginning of the study and then took vitamins to see whether the supplements might prevent various forms of cancer.

This study is best known for showing that smokers who took beta carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, actually had higher rates of lung cancer.

Weinstein looked at vitamin E and prostate cancer, and they looked at how much E the men had in their blood before they ever took a supplement. They looked at 100 men with prostate cancer and 200 men who did not.

"We found that the men who had higher serum (blood) levels of vitamin E had a lower chance of getting prostate cancer," Weinstein told a news conference monitored by telephone.

Not All E's Are Equal

Then they looked at the two main forms of vitamin E -- alpha tocopherol and gamma tocopherol.

Men with the highest natural levels of alpha tocopherol were 53 percent less likely to later develop prostate cancer. Men with the highest levels of gamma tocopherol, which only represents about 20 percent of the vitamin E in blood -- had a 39 percent lower chance.

Taking supplements further reduced prostate cancer rates.

"Nuts and seeds, whole grain products, vegetable oils, salad dressings, margarine, beans, peas and other vegetables are good dietary sources of vitamin E," Weinstein said.

In a similar study, Dr. Xifeng Wu of the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, John Radcliffe of Texas Woman's University in Houston and colleagues studied 468 bladder cancer patients and 534 cancer-free volunteers.

They asked their 1,000 volunteers what they ate, and estimated how much alpha-tocopherol and how much gamma tocopherol they got in their everyday diets and from supplements if they took them.

Those with the highest intake of alpha tocopherol from food had a 42 percent reduced risk of bladder cancer, and those who had a vitamin E-rich diet and took supplements too had a 44 percent lower risk.

But when broken down into types, they found gamma tocopherol offered no protection against bladder cancer.

"It would not be reckless to encourage people to try and meet the dietary allowance of vitamin E, which is about 50 milligrams a day," Radcliffe told the news conference. Current average U.S. intake of E is only 8 mg a day.

One of the best sources, said Radcliffe, a dietician, is a handful of sunflower seeds. Almonds, spinach, mustard greens and green and red peppers are also good sources of alpha tocopherol.

Many E supplements, he said, contain both active and inactive forms of E and may not be the best source. Plus, he said, sunflower seeds are high in selenium, another key nutrient, while greens are loaded with desirable nutrients.

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Vitamin C can help cut the spread of cancer and tumours by half, according to United States researchers who tested on mice.

Researchers at the National Institutes of Health injected doses of vitamin C into four grams per kilo of body weight into mice with pancreatic, brain and ovarian cancers, which started a destructive chain reaction with the cancer cells. The vitamin, also known as ascorbate, caused high amounts of hydrogen peroxide in the body, which killed cancer cells.

The vitamin was given in doses as the body does not absorb more than a set amount of vitamin C normally. Following successful tests on mice, scientists believe that treating cancer with vitamin C could soon be tested on humans.

Treating cancer with vitamin C was considered in the 1970s by American scientist Linus Pauling, who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1954. However, it involved taking the vitamin orally instead of injection, and so did not have the desired effect.

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Acne is a condition of the skin that can be mild in some people, with just a few spots and pimples, to very severe cystic acne that covers the entire face and neck. Because it is in such an exposed and highly visual area of the body, it causes both emotional and physical stress. For some time now there has been a theory put forward, that there may be one specific acne vitamin that would provide a miraculous cure. However, that seems highly improbable. But, never the less there has been research done in this area and there are certain vitamins that can be taken for acne. The vitamins do seem to make a difference to the skin’s ability to tolerate environmental pollutants and overly clogged pores, while not developing acne.

Acne Vitamin
Vitamins and minerals are anti-oxidants and their job is to remove toxins from our bodies. These anti-oxidants are very important in the promotion of healthy bodies and to the organ system. The skin, of course being the largest organ of the body. One of the major factors that create skin blemishes and problems, has been shown to be poor nutrition and particularly, lack of essential vitamins and minerals.There needs to be care when taking acne vitamins, because exceeding the recommended dosage can actually cause an outbreak. The skin is an excretory organ as well as the protective layer against the environment The skin transports toxins, sweat and wastes into the environment.
Should you take vitamins in excess the skin is involved in the excretion of the unwanted vitamins.

Acne Vitamins include Vitamin A which helps to reduce the production of oil and that will help to prevent acne and strengthen the protective tissues. Vitamin A is necessary for the repair and maintenance of the mucous membranes and assists in the transportation of toxins from the body.

Vitamin B is a multi-factorial vitamin for acne that includes Riboflavin, Pantothenic Acid, Thiamine, Niacin and Pyridoxine. Each of these plays an important role in the overall health of the body’s skin. The vitamin B complex also helps to reduce and relieve stress and anxiety in people that appears to be one cause of acne. With increased stress and hormone production comes increased production of oil that leads to clogging of the pores and blemishes.

Vitamin B1 acts as an antioxidant flushing out toxins from the body as well as helping in digestion and circulation of the blood. Vitamin B2 – Riboflavin- should be taken with Vitamin A for better absorption. It is used to maintain and improve mucous membranes, hair, skin and nails. Lack of B2 has been shown to lead to acne making it a important vitamin for acne supplement.
Another acne vitamin is Vitamin B3 or Niacinamide which improves circulation essential for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and proteins. Vitamin B5, Pantothenic Acid, is vital for reducing stress and required for the proper function of the adrenal glands which regulates some of the body’s hormones.

The final Vitamin B in the vitamins for acne is Vitamin B6 or Pyridoxine which is essential for the production and function of the immune system. Without the immune system fighting infections bacterial growth can overpower the organs of the body causing rampant infections. To a lesser degree it can decrease the protection against skin bacteria which leads to increased blemishes.

Another of the vitamins for acne is Vitamin C, a powerhouse of an anti-oxidant that helps the function and repair of tissue growth as well as boosting immune system and protection against infection. Vitamin E plays a part by preventing excess fat accumulation in the body and protecting against cell damage and the formation of free radicals.

Before deciding to go beyond a standard multi-vitamin formulation discuss this option with your dermatologist. And never take an excess dose of fat soluble vitamins without the expressed direction and follow up of your doctor. Excess water soluble vitamins are flushed out of your body through the kidneys while fat soluble vitamins are actually stored in the fat of the body. This is key to the potential for a vitamin overdose leading to significant side effects.

Nutritional food
Using acne vitamins in conjunction with improved nutrition, can be a long term cost effective method of battling acne, without the need for prescription medication. However good nutrition doesn’t just help promote a healthy skin. It has been shown time and again, that healthy nutrition helps fight weight gain and can reduce the side effects of some pretty significant illnesses.

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