FAMILY LIFE WELLNESS

Can Vitamin D Protect You From Covid-19?

Most of us grew up hearing, “go get some sun, it’s good for you!”, knowing that sunshine was one of the many ways we could get our daily dose of Vitamin D. Knowing that 50% of the population is deficient in this Vitamin, it has become an important topic today in preventing illness, viral infections and creating a robust immune system.

 

According to a new study released July 15th, 2020, the “association between low levels of Vitamin D and increased risk of developing several immune-related diseases and disorders, including psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis, sepsis, respiratory infection, and COVID-19, has been observed”.

 

The connection between Vitamin D levels and optimal health:

 

  • When in active form Vitamin D exerts immunologic activities on multiple components of our innate and adaptive immune systems as well as our endothelial membrane stability.
  • The anti viral component in Vitamin D is specific to respiratory function. What this does is stabilizes the destruction of endothelial tissues and protective against vascular function
  • Vitamin D stabilizes the destruction of endothelial tissues and protective against vascular function
  • The adaptive immune system is stimulated by Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D is known to stimulate natural killer function

What may be preventing you from getting enough Vitamin D?

 

  • Did you know that the overuse of sunscreen blocks UVB light and the absorption of Vit D?
  • When the normal balance of bacterial flow in your gut occurs, a condition called Gut dysbiosis occurs. Gut dysbiosis leads to conditions like candida, IBS, leaky gut and these will lead to difficulty absorbing Vit D.
  • Did you know that the carbon particles in air pollution / quality of our air block UVB light?
  • Obesity contributes to our ability to absorb Vit D because it is absorbed in fat tissues and not easily released. Burning fat is the key here!(aka, ketosis via metabolic flexibility)
  • The temperature of your skin contributes to absorption because warmer skin is better at turning UVB light and turning it into Vit D.
  • Darker skin’s melanin blocks UVB light. So therefore, the tone of your skin determines how much UVB light is absorbed.

Top 3 Ways to Boost Vitamin D Levels

 

Last week I explored the connection between Vitamin D levels and optimal health. What we know now is that when we boost our Vitamin D levels, we boost our immune system which makes it more powerful to fight off viruses, including viruses like Covid-19. However we also know that 50% of the population is vitamin D deficient. Here are the top 3 ways to boost Vitamin D levels:

Boost Vitamin D by absorbing it through your skin:

You can do this two ways, directly from the sun or through red light therapy.

  1. If you’re planning to get vitamin D from the sun, you should spend 10-30 minutes per day, several times a week out in the sun ideally during mid-day and without sunscreen. But, it’s not that easy.
  2. Another way to get vitamin D is with red light therapy, like the JOOVV light, I have one of these in my clinic. Research shows that just 10 minutes of red light therapy can increase both Vitamin D and magnesium deficiency in as little as two weeks.
    Boost Vitamin D by putting these foods in your body:
    Food and oils are a great way to get Vitamin D into your body. These 5 foods are the highest in Vitamin D: salmon, herring, eggs, wild mushrooms, and cod liver oil. Oils have also proven to be precursors to Vitamin D. Plant oils like pumpkin seed, coriander, black cumin,and flax oil have anti-inflammatory effects and raise Vitamin D levels, and are available through my favorite curator, Andreas Seed Oils. Use code PELZ for 10% off a single bottle.

Boost Vitamin D by taking supplements:

There are 3 little tricks to know about taking supplements to get optimal results:

  1. First, take your vitamins with food.
  2. Second, studies show that if you take your supplements with fat, it will increase absorption into your body.
  3. And lastly, it will be best when it is a high quality supplement. My favorite Vitamin D supplement that I recommend to clients is DV3.

RESOURCES:

Share

Related posts

Scroll to Top

Dear Family Life Wellness Community,

It’s with incredible sadness that I bring you the news that as of Friday September 16, 2022 our clinic will officially close. As you can imagine, this decision was not an easy one to make. There has been a tremendous amount of soul searching and thoughtful processing that has gone into this moment. Taking in the considerations of everyone has been a top priority for me as I have navigated this tough decision.

Here’s the first thing I want you to know-you are loved. For the past twenty-six years so many of you have brought your families to our clinic weekly for health, inspiration and community. Please know that I have taken that responsibility as an incredible honor. My team and I have been so blessed to watch your kids grow up, celebrate your wins with you, and cry with you as you’ve moved through turbulent times in your lives. One of the hardest parts of this moment is that we won’t be connected with you in that same way. Know that although our clinic will not operate as it has for the past two decades, our hearts are still connected to you and your families.

As new career opportunities have emerged for me, I want you to know that my passion for chiropractic has never died. I feel so strongly that every human on this planet needs chiropractic care. I personally continue to get weekly adjustments, and hope that you will do the same. To make this transition as smooth as possible we have a list of amazing chiropractors that I have personally reached out to and will welcome you with loving arms. I can tell you with certainty you will get amazing care at any of these clinics. Please lean into them. As far as the biohacking center goes, for now that part of our clinic will be closed as well. New solutions for our space are being explored, but until we have something concrete there will be no biohacking . Lastly, I want to give my deepest gratitude to Dana. She has been the heart of our community for the past decade. I could not have run this practice without her. Yet, I am so excited for her as she has an incredible career opportunity that has presented itself.  As my heart is heavy in making this decision, what fills me with joy is the beautiful life she will be stepping into. A life she greatly deserves.

My practice has never been just a business. It’s been a family. Thank you for entrusting us with your health. It truly will go down as the greatest honor of my life. As far as what’s next, of course there needs to be a celebration. One in which we can gather one last time as a community. Please stay tuned to the exact date of that celebration.

From Dana, myself, and Dr. Tri please know that we believe in you. We know what a miraculous body you are living in and that extraordinary health is a choice you get to step into everyday. We will always be in your front row cheering you on.
With gratitude, love , and a huge hug,
Dr. Mindy
Great chiropractors to connect to:
Dr. T.J. Osborne, D.C.
Discover Chiropractic
1305 N. Bascom Ave #C
San Jose, CA 95128
408-985-1111
amazing adjustor (he’s my chiro)
huge heart
great family practice & close to our clinic
Dr. Samantha Jennings, D.C
1314 Lincoln Ave#1F
San Jose, CA 95125
408-355-3946
used to be an associate in our clinic
does lots of muscle testing & applied kinesiology
great with muscles & sports injuries
Dr. Darla Parr, D.C
718 University Ave Ste 110
Los Gatos, CA 95032
408-960-9909
I went to chiro school with her.
great with brain balancing & neurological symptoms
beautiful heart, warm upbeat personality, and a wonderful integrative clinic
Dr. Nicole & David Congragen, D.C.

Community Chiropractic
16375 Monterey St.Ste B
Morgan Hill, CA 95037
408-778-3020
I also went to school with them
warm loving family practice
focus is on upper cervical care (call to ask more questions)