COPD & Emphysema Support Group
COPD is a progressive disease characterized by airflow obstruction or limitation. Emphysema is characterized by loss of elasticity of the lung tissue, destruction of structures supporting the alveoli and of capillaries feeding the alveoli. Both have symptoms that include shortness of breath, among other respiratory troubles. If you are a COPD or Emphysema sufferer, join...
It's been known vitamin D plays a crucial role in our immune system, but new research reveals why lacking the nutrient prevents the body's soldiers -- T cells -- from fighting off serious infections.
T cells are dormant immune cells until they are activated to detect and kill bacteria and viruses. A new study shows without vitamin D in the blood, activation would not take place.
According to Professor Carsten Geisler, of the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, when T cells are exposed to foreign pathogens, they expose a vitamin D receptor that searches for vitamin D. If the cells do not receive the nutrient, the cells will not activate.
"Scientists have known for a long time that vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and the vitamin has also been implicated in diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, but what we didn't realize is how crucial vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system, which we know now," Geisler was quoted as saying.
Researchers say the findings could help tackle infectious diseases or epidemics whose effect is widespread. "They will be of particular use when developing new vaccines, which work precisely on the basis of both training our immune systems to react and suppressing the body's natural defenses in situations where this is important -- as is the case with organ transplants and autoimmune disease," Geisler stated.
Source: Nature Immunology
I thought you might be interested in reading this.
Love
Holly
T cells are dormant immune cells until they are activated to detect and kill bacteria and viruses. A new study shows without vitamin D in the blood, activation would not take place.
According to Professor Carsten Geisler, of the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology at the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, when T cells are exposed to foreign pathogens, they expose a vitamin D receptor that searches for vitamin D. If the cells do not receive the nutrient, the cells will not activate.
"Scientists have known for a long time that vitamin D is important for calcium absorption and the vitamin has also been implicated in diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis, but what we didn't realize is how crucial vitamin D is for actually activating the immune system, which we know now," Geisler was quoted as saying.
Researchers say the findings could help tackle infectious diseases or epidemics whose effect is widespread. "They will be of particular use when developing new vaccines, which work precisely on the basis of both training our immune systems to react and suppressing the body's natural defenses in situations where this is important -- as is the case with organ transplants and autoimmune disease," Geisler stated.
Source: Nature Immunology
I thought you might be interested in reading this.
Love
Holly
Good article and timely as I know there are plenty of new resolutions that include taking better care of ourselves so Vit D is an easy and inexpensive way to start.
Vitamin D is so important to our health and I think there are many people who are vitamin D deficient and unaware that they are.
For the body to absorb vitamin D naturally from the sunshine, its necessary to expose the skin 20-30 mins 5-7 days a week during the warmer months, without any cream on the skin. Those experiencing winter temperatures at the moment, exposure between May and September are the months to take advantage of. Try to expose arms, legs face during safer parts of the day to avoid skin damage from the sun.
Vitamin D may also improve breathing for COPD patients:
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=144487
And Lung Function in Asthma patients:
http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/09/17/vitamin-d-improve-lung-function-asthma/