Are Nutritional Supplements Necessary For A Healthy Immune System?

Almost anybody can use some kind of supplements whether supplemental vitamins, minerals, enzymes or income!

No matter how well you eat if you are reading this, you need additional nutrients.

Even organically grown foods will not give you all of the nutrients you need for total health. There are just too many other factors involved that add stress to the immune system in this fast-paced world. There is air pollution, job stress, money problems, family issues, and stressed schedules, particularly if you have children! You get my drift…

These stresses deplete your body and require additional help.

A naturopath or holistic healer can help you cater your vitamin and mineral intake to your particular needs. In some cases it may be safe to make your own choices. Just be aware of what is safe and what needs auditing.

Some vitamins, such as the B’s, are water soluble and are utilized as needed by your body and excess is eliminated when you urinate. Others are fat soluble and stored in the body to be used later. However, too much of some of these fat soluble vitamins can cause serious problems. Vitamins A and D are the best examples of these.

Some supplements will interfere with the proper absorption of certain medications. For this reason be sure to tell your medical practitioner about all the supplements you may be taking or plan to take.

**sidebar**Just as some supplements can affect the absorption of certain medications, be aware that some foods can also affect absorption of meds. For example: dairy can reduce the rate of absorption of tetracycline. Conversely, grapefruit can cause certain medications to absorb faster!

Though grapefruit juice is a source of vitamin c and potassium it will also adversely affect certain medications prescribed for cholesterol, high blood pressure and anxiety and others.

Any time you are prescribed a medication ask your doctor and double check with your pharmacist about food and drug interactions. **sidebar**

Dr. Joseph Mercola calls Vitamin D “a superstar for your health”.

Probably the most important vitamin is not a vitamin at all. Vitamin D is actually a steroid hormone. It is manufactured by your body when exposed to ultraviolet-B rays. It helps your body to absorb calcium, magnesium and potassium.

It has been recognized for years that vitamin D helps to prevent rickets. For this reason cow’s milk is now fortified with it as well as other selected foods. Some foods, like eggs yolks and fatty fish naturally contain this essential vitamin.

This vitamin is a steroid hormone called Calcitriol and helps to regulate calcium and phosphorous. It is generated on your skin and absorbed in your body when you expose your skin to sun light.

Do you carefully apply sunscreen before going out in the sun? The Linus Pauling Institute says that using a sunscreen with SPF 8 reduces vitamin D production by 95%! Wow! Maybe you should rethink this! No wonder the average American is deficient in vitamin D.

For years we have been told to cover up--to avoid the sun at all costs to prevent skin cancer. Now cancers of all kinds are more rampant than ever. Cancer is the number one killer in America today!

Safe sun exposure is the healthiest and safest way to get your vitamin D. Your body will store the excess until you need it.

Studies show that Ultraviolet-B exposure can also help to prevent several cancers.