Cellular Health

How the Anti-Aging Nutrient NADH Benefits Overall Health

After more than a century of study, science is making real breakthroughs in its understanding of how nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) works in cells to preserve cellular health and function, as well as fight disease. First discovered in 1906 through a study on the fermentation of yeast, modern science recognizes that NAD is present in all living cells as an essential coenzyme with a vital role in aiding the cells’ mitochondria to produce energy. NAD affects the body on a cellular level, impacting mitochondrial performance. Learn more about how anti-aging nutrient NADH benefits include helping to fight disease and protect overall health.

What NAD Does

NAD takes two forms, depending on what point in the energy production cycle it is. These two forms are NAD+ and NADH. NAD levels decrease with age, contributing to the mitochondrial inefficiency and deterioration linked to aging and disease processes.

The human body is made up of an amazingly complex set of highly integrated systems that act as a whole. The foundation of all body and mind functions lies in the almost inconceivable number of chemical reactions and electrical impulses that take place in our cells, molecules, atoms and subatomic particles. As an essential coenzyme, NAD acts as a critical partner, or helper molecule, to regulating proteins, called enzymes, facilitating and enabling the chemical reactions that form the base of the life processes and functions of cells. NAD is essential to the processes involved in the generation of energy by the mitochondria due to its dual function of receiving and providing electrons.

Understanding the Forms NAD Takes

NAD is a term used to encompass the two forms it takes (NAD+ and NADH) while giving or receiving electrons during energy production and transfer processes. When NAD is oxidized, it becomes NAD+, with one of its nitrogen atoms having a positive charge. NAD+, in its role in breaking down glucose into usable elements, receives the electrons and hydrogen produced by that metabolic process. The breaking down of glucose involves chemical reactions called redox reactions.

In its coenzyme role, NAD+ has been linked to the function and health of the mitochondria and sirtuins, which help regulate cellular metabolism and a cell’s response to various types of cellular stress, including oxidative stress. Sirtuins have been linked to the aging process and longevity, as well as some disease processes, including many of those related to the metabolic system and inflammation.

When NAD+ receives hydrogen and two electrons, it shifts into its high energy form, NADH. This is the NAD form that transports and donates electrons, giving it a critical role in energy production. After donating its electrons, eventually NADH is converted to NAD+ again. During the glucose metabolism process, each molecule of glucose yields two NADH molecules. The ratio of NAD+ to NADH tends to skew toward NADH because NAD+ levels go down as we get older. Science has not yet confirmed the ideal ratio between the two, but do theorize that disruptions of that ratio can contribute to aging and disease processes.

How NADH Benefits Health and Well-Being

NAD, via its two forms – NAD+ and NADH – impact health and well-being in a variety of ways. The role of NAD in metabolizing glucose and receiving, transporting and donating electrons is critical to life itself. However, its role in health extends well beyond that vital function. NAD+ and NAHD benefits have been getting a lot of attention from scientists specializing in anti-aging and aging-related disease prevention. That’s not surprising considering the connection between mitochondrial deterioration and aging.

In animal studies and test tube studies done with human muscle tissue, increasing NAD+ has been shown to improve age-weakened muscles. This is thought to relate to the impact of the increased NAD+ and NADH on mitochondrial health. Studies have connected the use of NAD supplements to a number of health benefits relating to the role of this substance in mitochondrial energy production.

These NADH benefits include better cognitive performance, improved circadian rhythm regulation, reduced fatigue, decrease in symptoms in those suffering from chronic fatigue syndrome, healthier skin and protection against age-related vision problems. Some studies show a link between NAD+ levels and better cardiovascular health.

NAD has a vital role in many essential processes that protect health and well-being. Among these are DNA repair, oxidative stress mitigation on a cellular level and metabolic efficiency. As the body of information grows concerning the function of NAD+ and NADH, scientists are looking at how to translate this new information into effective treatments for such diseases as Alzheimer’s and dementia, as well as developing effective strategies to protect against the diseases and physical frailties associated with aging.

New Knowledge Builds Upon Old

While much of the newest knowledge concerning NAD+ and NADH benefits is based on animal studies, it is built upon a foundation of older knowledge that goes back more than 100 years. This value of this vital coenzyme has long been recognized for its critical role in overall health and well-being.

Vital to cellular energy and function, NAD+ and NADH support health at the most foundational levels. NAD supports DNA health and function, the energy producing metabolic system and is firmly linked to the aging process via its coenzyme action in relation to sirtuins. If you choose to use supplements to boost NAD+, do your research and choose a high-quality, fully bioavailable supplement.

Research Update: Gut Microbes Influence Mood, Bone Strength and Cancer Risk

Jan 22 by Ewcopywriting

In recent years, a great deal of new information has been uncovered by scientists regarding the role of the gut microbiome in overall health and well-being. That body of information is rapidly expanding as scientists increase their understanding of just how vital maintaining a healthy gut microbiome is to immune system function, disease prevention, heart health and optimal mental health. New information links gut microbes to bone strength, mood and cancer risk. Diet is a major influence on gut microbiome health, underscoring the critical importance of healthy eating.

How Gut Microbes Impact Mood

While there are already established links between gut microbiota and brain functioning and mood disorders, a new study suggests yet another connection. Published by the North American Menopause Society (NAMS), the study found a connection between the amount of fiber in the diet and the risk of depression in premenopausal women. Researchers attributed this to the link between dietary fiber and gut microbiome health, as well as the role of gut-brain interactions in mood regulation and brain function.

According to the study, postmenopausal women didn’t experience as much depression risk reduction connected to dietary fiber as the premenopausal women did. Researchers suggested that this has to do with the way estrogen impacts the balance of gut bacteria, pointing to the difference in estrogen levels between the two categories of women. This study confirmed the importance of diverse and balanced gut bacteria.

The Role of Gut Microbes in Bone Strength

A number of studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiome plays a role in bone strength. Researchers have found that gut bacteria are involved in the modification of bone tissue, impacting overall bone strength. Gut microbiota also have a role in the regulation of bone density loss as estrogen levels decrease.

Researchers using mice demonstrated with fecal transplants containing segmented filamentous bacteria (SFB), a gut microbe that breaks down bone, that the gut microbiome can affect bone structure and density. The eventual goal of such research is to improve treatments for diseases and chronic health conditions that target the bones, such as osteoporosis.

Gut Bacteria and Cancer Risk

Microbial balance and a robustly diverse, healthy gut microbiome are important for keeping undesirable microbes in check. Enterotoxigenic Bacteroides fragilis (ETBF), a microbe typically located in the colon, has been connected to increased breast cancer risk, as well as to colon cancer. In animal studies involving mice, colonizing their breasts or gut tissue with this microbe consistently resulted in tumor cell growth and metastatic progression of those cells.

In another intriguing cancer related study, researchers found some evidence that a healthy gut microbiome may contribute to better breast cancer outcomes in relation to chemotherapy treatment success. This was a very small study, involving just 42 women; 21 with early stage breast cancer and 21 healthy women. However, the results have led researchers to plan further research and larger studies.

Gut Bacteria Impacts Numerous Health Issues

Scientists have connected the health of the gut microbiome to a wide range of health conditions. These include type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and obesity. Some studies show that gut microbiome health can even influence how severely a person is impacted by Covid-19. People who had to be hospitalized due to severe Covid-19 symptoms were more likely to have a less healthy gut microbiome and a poor balance between good and bad gut bacteria. That probably relates to the role of gut bacteria in immune system function, which is essential to fighting off illness and disease.

New research, building on established links to cognitive development and function, indicates that the gut microbiome may even play an important role in the sleep-wake cycle, influencing the circadian rhythm and the production of serotonin and dopamine. Part of the influence of gut bacteria in these processes has to do with their role in the chemical reactions involved in the production of those substances, as well as their part in the chemical reactions that help make up the brain’s communication system.

A Healthy Diet is Essential to Gut Health

The daily diet is the key element when it comes to the health of the gut microbiome. In fact, researchers have been able to connect specific microbes to specific foods. In the future, that may be able to help produce detailed, food-specific diets to help people with a high risk of a particular disease reduce that risk via modification of their gut bacteria. The typical Western diet, all too often based heavily on overly processed foods, tends to be high in fat and sugar, and low in fiber and nutrition. This diet damages the diversity of gut bacteria that is so essential to overall health and well being.

Feed Your “Health Partners” Well

Your gut bacteria operate as important partners in your physical health, mental well-being and cognitive function. Feed them – and yourself – well for optimal health. Enjoy a varied, diverse diet and you’ll have a diverse collection of gut bacteria. Include real, whole foods, including plenty of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes and beans in the daily diet. Reduce the use of highly processed foods with a goal of eliminating them altogether. Taking a high-quality supplement that provides both prebiotics and probiotics can also help promote a healthy balance of gut bacteria. Ensuring you are feeding your body what it needs to keep your gut microbiome healthy and diverse will undoubtedly improve your overall health.

Complete Guide to the Health Benefits of Curcumin

Jan 13 by Ewcopywriting

One of the hottest trends in health and wellness is curcumin, a compound found in the popular spice turmeric. Turmeric is actually comprised of over 100 distinct compounds. The most significant of these compounds is curcumin. Here is what you need to know about the health benefits of curcumin and why many health enthusiasts are diligent about making it an integral part of their diet.

What is Curcumin?

The health benefits of curcumin, a compound found in the spice turmeric, are becoming more widely known. Turmeric is a plant that hails from Central America and India whose root is used as a common ingredient in most Indian cuisines. Its distinctive bright yellow color is easily recognized; it is the curcumin it contains that gives turmeric this unique color.

The Mayo Clinic defines curcumin as a functional food. This designation means that the food has potentially positive health benefits above and beyond the basic nutrition that it provides. Here are a few of the standout nutritional facts when looking at one tablespoon of ground turmeric.

approximately 25 calories
4.4 grams of carbohydrates
less than one gram of fat
1.4 grams of fiber
measurable amounts of iron, manganese, vitamin B6 and potassium

Health Benefits of Curcumin

Boasting a host of antioxidants and numerous anti-inflammatory benefits, there is no doubt that curcumin is a nutritional superstar. While it can be challenging to list all of the health advantages of this spice, here are a few of the key benefits that you need to be aware of.

Anti-inflammatory Agent

One of the most promising bodies of research regarding curcumin suggests that it acts as an anti-inflammatory agent in the body. This makes it potentially beneficial for people fighting inflammatory conditions such as diabetes and arthritis.

Improves Skin Health

Curcumin’s anti-inflammatory properties also make it an effective compound for promoting the health of your skin. In addition to boosting the radiance of your complexion, curcumin can also soothe acne symptoms, help to protect against psoriasis and eczema flare-ups and increase the rate of wound healing.

Promotes Cellular Health

One of the most studied potential benefits of curcumin consumption is how the compound may be able to help protect cellular health. A growing amount of research is beginning to demonstrate that curcumin may target cells that can lead to cancer development. The strongest correlation has been seen in the protection against unhealthy cell growth in the breast, bowel, stomach and skin. This protection can be largely attributed to the ability of curcumin to guard against free radicals.

Supports Weight Loss Efforts

Many people turn to curcumin as a tool to help them in their weight loss efforts. Preliminary research shows that this herbal compound is supportive in the quest to maintain a healthy weight.

Helps Maintain a Healthy Mood

In a study on rats, it was demonstrated that a higher intake of curcumin increased levels of the body’s brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Lower levels of BDNF have been linked to an increased rate of depression.

Protects Cognitive Health

Like depression, the onset and acceleration of Alzheimer’s disease is also related to a decrease in BDNF. By helping to keep the critical nerve cells healthy and functioning at optimal levels, the addition of curcumin to the diet may also help protect against degenerative cognitive conditions. The way curcumin works to guard the memory and boost overall brain function may also be related to its ability to promote healthy levels of BDNF.

How to Incorporate Curcumin Into Your Diet

Now that you understand all of the healthy benefits of curcumin, you are probably wondering how you can incorporate this spice into your diet. Here are just a few of the ways that you can make this compound found in turmeric an integral part of your healthy eating routine.

Blend it Into Your Next Smoothie

Fresh turmeric root is a great addition to your morning smoothie. You can also add a bit of the ground spice to get in your daily dose of curcumin. While it normally possesses a strong flavor, putting turmeric in a smoothie will usually disguise it when used in moderation.

Here is a great, easily customizable recipe that will give you all of the health benefits of curcumin in a convenient and delicious smoothie that can be enjoyed daily.

Turmeric Fruit Smoothie

Ingredients

1 – 1 1/2 c. dairy-free milk of choice (coconut or almond milk works great!)
1 banana, peeled and chopped
1 c. fruit of choice, chopped (mango, blueberries, goji berries, pineapple, orange and papaya all work well)
2-3 inches fresh turmeric root, peeled and chopped (or 1-2 tsp. turmeric powder)
1 tsp. fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
1 tsp. coconut oil

Directions

Place all ingredients into a blender; blend until smooth.
Pour into cups and enjoy!

Topping Vegetables

The peppery aftertaste of turmeric makes it a good addition to nearly any roasted vegetable recipe. The spice works particularly well with roasted cauliflower or any type of root vegetables such as potatoes or carrots. You may also want to try sprinkling it on your favorite greens, including kale and collards.

This yummy recipe for roasted vegetables with turmeric gives you the anti-inflammatory and other health benefits of curcumin, and makes a healthy and flavorful addition to any meal.

Turmeric Roasted Vegetables

Ingredients

2 c. potatoes of choice, peeled and cubed
1 c. broccoli florets
1 c. cauliflower florets
1 c. carrots, peeled and chopped
1/2 c. radishes, cut in half
1/2 c. turnips, cut in half
3 tbsp. olive oil
1-2 tsp. turmeric powder
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. black pepper
Salt to taste

Directions

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
In a large bowl, combine all vegetables with olive oil. Toss until completely coated. Add salt to taste.
Spray a large baking sheet with cooking spray. Place vegetables in a single layer, arranging them evenly across the sheet.
Roast vegetables for 30 – 35 minutes, or until vegetables reach desired tenderness, stirring halfway through.

Take a Supplement

Because curcumin is not easily absorbed into the bloodstream, you will see the greatest benefits by taking it in supplement form. It is easy to find curcumin in supplement form online or at nearly any health food store. The product Oncochron also provides cucumin, in addition to a variety of other natural substances that support healthy cell growth and help maintain healthy cellular inflammatory processes.

When the genetic material of the body’s cells becomes irreparably damaged, they are programmed to destroy themselves via a natural mechanism called apoptosis. When this process is not working properly, unhealthy cell growth can result. Curcumin works specifically to support the healthy functioning of apoptosis within the body’s cells.

Once you realize how easy it is to incorporate curcumin into your diet, you will wonder what took you so long to do so. Because there are no serious side effects to being purposeful about increasing your intake of moderate amounts of curcumin, you have nothing to lose by giving it a shot.

Melatonin Protects Against Free Radicals and Promotes Healthy Aging

Nov 19 by Ewcopywriting

Melatonin boasts remarkable antioxidant properties, making it a powerful tool in fighting against premature aging and the onset of disease. In short, there is no limit to the ways that melatonin can boost your overall health and well-being. Here is what you need to know about this naturally occurring hormone and how melatonin can help protect against free radicals in the body while promoting long-term health.

Understanding Free Radicals

In its most basic definition, melatonin is a hormone produced by the body’s pineal gland. The functions of melatonin are many. While most people understand that melatonin is the driving force behind the body’s sleep and wake cycles, its importance goes far beyond the regulation of sleep. While the body naturally produces melatonin, it is also possible to take a melatonin supplement to boost its natural functions.

In order to understand how melatonin protects against free radicals, you need to know what free radicals are. Also known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), free radicals are compounds that form as a result of oxidation. These unstable chemical molecules are triggered as a reaction to pressures from the surrounding environment. Free radicals may occur as a result of the food that you eat, medications, irritants in drinking water and even the quality of the air you breathe. While it is normal and not unhealthy to see some free radicals in the body, too many of these compounds can accelerate the aging process. In turn, this premature aging will inevitably lead to a greater risk of disease and illness.

Free Radicals, Premature Aging and Disease

Many scientists promote the free radical theory of aging. This widely accepted theory explains how free radicals damage cells, leading to premature aging. During the younger years, the body employs a protective system known as the superoxide dismutase (SOD). This defense system keeps free radicals from inflicting too much damage on the body’s cells. However, as we age, these free radicals are able to infiltrate cells and kill them.

The presence of excessive free radicals has been blamed for numerous diseases and health conditions. Some of these include cancer, heart disease, arthritis, obesity, asthma and dementia. This list is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the damage that free radicals can cause.

How Melatonin Protects Against Free Radicals

In recent years, medical researchers have discovered that melatonin can protect against the infiltration of free radicals. This is due in large part to the powerful antioxidant properties of melatonin. Not only does melatonin have antioxidant properties of its own, but it also stimulates the body’s antioxidant production.

For example, the presence of melatonin and its antioxidant effects guards skeletal muscles, mitigates cellular damage, boosts total antioxidant capacity and shields the body from the overall dangers of oxidative stress By neutralizing free radicals in the body, antioxidants like melatonin can also boost overall health. This benefit makes melatonin a vital tool in your arsenal for fighting premature aging and disease.

How to Promote Optimal Melatonin Levels in the Body

The encouraging news is that there are a number of steps that you can take today to promote optimal melatonin levels in the body.

Avoid Looking at Blue Light in the Evening

One of the worst habits to come out of the digital revolution is the increase in the use of phones, tablets and computers at all hours of the day. The blue light emitted from these devices can disrupt the production of melatonin, making it important to avoid these devices for at least two hours prior to bedtime.

Seek Sun in the Morning

In order to boost production of melatonin in the evening, you need to increase the levels of serotonin in the morning. You can support serotonin production by exposing your body to sunlight in the morning.

Eat Foods Rich in Melatonin

Melatonin can also be found in many of the foods that we eat. Eating these melatonin-rich foods a few hours before going to sleep can help to support healthy sleep cycles. Good foods to add to your diet include olives, corn, asparagus, cucumbers, pomegranate, flax seed, walnuts and rolled oats.

Go the Supplement Route

Many people swear by the use of a melatonin supplement for optimal sleep and health. These non-addictive supplements can provide a host of health benefits while also helping you to fall asleep faster at night, ensuring that you get a good night’s rest.

Being diligent about supporting melatonin function in the body can have far-reaching effects on a number of profound health functions. There is simply no reason not to learn more about how supporting healthy melatonin levels can help you to live a longer and healthier life.

Resveratrol and Caloric Restriction: Can a Plant Compound Influence Lifespan?

Sep 18 by Ewcopywriting

Resveratrol is a beneficial compound that’s commonly found in the skin of dark fruits and vegetables. It’s widely known as a powerful antioxidant and researchers continue to find new ways that it can benefit the body in this regard. It’s also been found to possess antitumor and antiviral properties, which suggests it may help protect against unhealthy cell growth and certain viral infections. This special compound may also play an important role in anti-aging medicine: Research has shown that both resveratrol and caloric restriction may help slow aging and extend longevity by altering the metabolic rate.

What is Resveratrol?

Resveratrol is particularly interesting for its antioxidant properties because it can help mitigate cell damage. Under normal circumstances, free oxygen molecules roam the body and attach themselves to healthy cells. The damage these free radical molecules cause through the process of oxidation harms cellular health and increases the risk of disease and infection. However, antioxidants like resveratrol protect the cells in the body by fighting free radicals. Antioxidants can reverse the oxidative damage caused by free radicals by helping to reduce the number of free radicals in the body and protecting healthy cells.

As previously mentioned, resveratrol is found naturally in the skins of dark plant-based foods. However, certain foods have higher concentrations of the compound than others. Here is a short list of natural sources of resveratrol that you can add to your diet. Eating these foods frequently will help you enjoy the benefits that this compound provides. You can find resveratrol in:

red grapes or red wine
peanut butter
dark chocolate
blueberries

How Does Caloric Restriction Affect Aging and Longevity?

A diet based on caloric restriction involves reducing dietary intake below the body’s energy requirements while still providing the vitamins and nutrients that the body needs. By choosing foods based on calories and nutritional content, it’s possible to slow the aging process and extend longevity by up to five years. This process benefits longevity by improving the metabolic rate, which is why it’s also an effective weight loss strategy.

In a study of 56 rats, researchers looked at how cells were affected by a restricted-calorie diet. They examined over 168,703 cells, which were taken from various parts of the rats’ bodies, including the liver, kidneys, aorta, brain, muscle and bone marrow. They found that rats on the restricted diet exhibited slower cell aging than the rats on a regular diet. The researchers noted that 57 percent of the normal signs of aging that a cell exhibits over time were not present or reduced in the rats on the restricted diet. Cell functions that were most notably affected were related to immune function, lipid metabolism and inflammation.

The results of the study suggest that the inflammation that causes many age-related diseases can be reduced through calorie-restricted diets. The findings support the idea that the types of foods we eat as we get older can influence our quality of life and our longevity. Since eating high-calorie foods and consuming too many calories affects health at a cellular level, limiting your calorie intake can positively impact the length and quality of life. These findings have led other researchers to explore how other compounds affect longevity. Some studies have focused on the effects that resveratrol has on cellular aging, leading to new findings that could impact how we define nutrition as we age.

Research Finds Resveratrol and Caloric Restriction Have Similar Effects on Longevity

In order to benefit from a calorie-restricted diet, it’s necessary to stick to the diet without deviation. This can be problematic in that everyone “cheats” on their diet from time to time, which can undermine the diet’s positive health effects. Fortunately, new research suggests resveratrol and caloric restriction can have similar effects on longevity, so it may not be necessary to strictly follow a restricted-calorie diet.

Research has found that resveratrol mimics the results of a calorie-restricted diet, helping those eating a high-calorie diet achieve similar results. In one study, researchers studied two groups of rats who were all fed a high-calorie diet. One group was given resveratrol in addition to their high-calorie diet, and that group showed slower signs of cellular aging than the other group. The rats who consumed resveratrol showed a lower risk for heart disease, diabetes and other age-related conditions. The researchers found that the rats taking resveratrol were similar in health status to rats who consumed an average amount of calories.

It has also been found that resveratrol benefits health in other ways in addition to better regulating the metabolism. For example, the compound helps the body become more sensitive to insulin, resulting in lower blood sugar levels. Additionally, motor function is improved and mitochondrial energy production is boosted.

Research into resveratrol and longevity found that the compound also reduced risks of atherosclerosis and heart disease even when the subject was eating a high-calorie diet. It has been estimated that resveratrol reduces the risk of death from a high-calorie diet by up to 31 percent.

The best way to get enough resveratrol to make an impact on your health is to take a daily supplement. Even though red grapes, wine, dark chocolate and blueberries are foods with the highest quantities of the compound, they still provide insufficient levels. On average, a resveratrol supplement contains 220 times the amount of the compound when compared to red wine. However, adding these foods to your diet may still offer some protection over time as the amount of the compound builds up in your body.

Vitamin D and COVID-19: Could Adequate Levels Protect Your Health?

Jul 08 by Ewcopywriting

As new research reveals a link between vitamin D and COVID-19, finding natural ways to get sufficient levels of vitamin D becomes more vital to our health.

Why is Vitamin D Important?

In some areas of research, the to endeavor to prove the efficacy of vitamin D in promoting physical and emotional health is still underway. For instance, we know that there’s a relationship between depression and vitamin D, but research still seeks to confirm that vitamin D is effective in boosting the mood.

Even if it does not turn out to be useful in treating depression, vitamin D has been proven to benefit human health in a variety of other ways. Here are just a few ways that getting sufficient daily doses of vitamin D can help people live healthier and happier lives.

Protects Against Viruses

In a recent Japanese study, it was found that supplemental vitamin D drops administered to school-aged children reduced their likelihood of developing the flu and other wintertime illnesses. This led the researchers to confirm that the vitamin plays an important role in building up or maintaining the immune system.

Positively Impacts Multiple Sclerosis

In simple terms, multiple sclerosis (MS) is the result of the immune system attacking the central nervous system. Although there is no cure, there have been some breakthroughs in developing treatments that reduce the symptoms. One study found that maintaining a sufficient supply of vitamin D can help prevent individuals from developing this condition. Additionally, those who already have MS can reduce the severity or frequency of symptoms by taking vitamin D supplements.

Reduces Certain Cancer Risks

Studies have found that the risks of developing colon, prostate and breast cancer are decreased by getting enough vitamin D. Those risks are further lowered when the supplement includes calcium.

Protects the Bones

The primary role of vitamin D is to help protect against bone-density loss. As people age, their bodies lose the ability to create more bone to replace that which is lost naturally over time. Increasing your intake of vitamin D can help combat this problem, which is why those suffering from osteoporosis and osteomalacia are advised to get more vitamin D.

The Link Between Vitamin D and COVID-19

Reviewing past reports from various countries around the world has led researchers to find that mortality rates among hospital patients are higher in those suffering from a vitamin D deficiency. They also found the opposite to be true, meaning that patients with higher vitamin D levels were more likely to recover from their illness. These previous findings have led researchers to establish a link between vitamin D and COVID-19 in a more recent study.

The new study found that vitamin D can help prevent an overload of cytokines, which are released by the immune system and attack healthy cell tissue in the often-mentioned “cytokine storm” associated with serious COVID-19 cases. Since these are the first findings of this kind, more research is needed to confirm the effect that of vitamin D on immune functioning.

An observational study in the U.K. found that that there was also a significant instance of vitamin D deficiencies in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. The researchers in that study also confirmed that patients lacking sufficient amounts of the vitamin were more likely to die from the virus.

Here in the United States, a Northwestern University study found that an insufficient intake of vitamin D raised the risks of contracting COVID-19 by 17 percent. There was a 14 percent risk of getting the virus for those who had good levels of vitamin D. Meanwhile, researchers in Louisiana and Texas found that 11 of the 20 patients admitted to hospital ICU wards for COVID-19 also had insufficient vitamin D. Conversely, there were only four patients with optimal vitamin D levels admitted for COVID-19. An Indonesian study added more observational proof that there was a link between vitamin D levels and the novel coronavirus. They reported that most of the 780 COVID-19 fatalities also showed evidence of insufficient vitamin D levels.

Natural Ways to Get More Vitamin D

While more research is needed to confirm that vitamin D does have a positive effect in the treatment of COVID-19, getting more vitamin D is still beneficial to your health. Here are a few ways you can naturally boost your vitamin D intake.

Spend More Time Outdoors

Exposure to the sun is the best way to get more vitamin D. While too much exposure to the sun should be avoided, getting sun exposure in short bursts will help you maintain your vitamin D levels for longer.

Eat More Seafood

Adding more seafood to your diet is another good way to boost vitamin D levels. In particular, fatty fish, such as tuna, oysters, shrimp, sardines and anchovies, provide higher amounts of the nutrient. Even wild-caught salmon provides a hearty supply of the nutrient.

Take a Daily Supplement

If you are concerned that you’re not getting enough vitamin D through sun exposure and your diet, you can take a supplement. A daily vitamin formula with a sufficient supply of vitamin D can help you boost your exposure to healthier levels.

Look for Fortified Foods

Vitamin D is also added to certain foods that you can buy in any grocery store. In addition to fortified cereals, you can also find vitamin D in orange juice, milk, yogurt, tofu and milk alternatives. It’s important to note, however, that many fortified foods contain vitamin D2, not the more ideal form of vitamin D, which is vitamin D3. As you shop, be sure to check the ingredient lists of each product to ensure it is a good source of vitamin D.