FEATURE possible mechanisms of why and how they work. These simple strategies for improv-ing immune function are based on two main premises that are interrelated: 1. Lower baseline inflammatory burden 2. Support immune balance REDUCE BASELINE INFLAMMATION NUTRITION Pro-active vs re-active Encouraging healthy immune balance BY DR. VICTORIA COLEMAN The immune system has a coordinated order in managing threat. The ability to detect, signal for help, fight, and then reach resolution is an intricate balance the body knows how to co-or-dinate, as long as there is minimal in-terference or background noise. Smoldering inflammation or inflam-matory-based chronic diseases (obe-sity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, cardiovascular disease) are co-morbid-ities that create background noise that disadvantage immune function. The what, why and how of a few simple supplement strategies for im-mune health are discussed, although far from a complete list, these few cover the more researched and commonly known nutrients. VITAMIN D A Es75 / Adobe Stock question that has per-sisted through the decades is why does one person get deathly ill, another develops mild to moderate symptoms, and yet another develops no symptoms from the same virus? Dr. Robert Murphy, professor of medicine and director of the Center for Global Communicable Disease at Northwestern University, summed it up well, “that’s not the virus, that’s the host.” (1) What actions can we take to support ongoing healthy immune function? Taking self-responsibility to cultivate your own healthy terrain is an essential step in maintaining health. Waiting for a crisis or relying only on outside sources is reactionary, removes locus of control from the individual, and is often not timely for a successful out-come. The role that a host’s terrain in the outcome of health and disease is a concept that is far from new in the world of natural health care. The goal of this two-part article is to pick a few strategies (supplements and lifestyle) and explore some of the DR. VICTORIA COLEMAN is a 25-year veteran in health care delivery both clinically and in business development. A graduate of the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Victoria has successfully run two wellness clinics delivering well health care from an integrative approach. Victoria is also a Certified in Functional Medicine and also holds a Master’s degree in Human Nutrition Encouraging proactive health care is a passion for Victoria along with a love for fitness. www.Cndoctor.ca The role vitamin D plays in immune function and inflammation has been a popular topic in nutritional science. Although there continues to be debate as to optimal serum levels, or daily dosing for supplementation, there is agreement that deficiency negatively affects health and is very common in today’s society. Why: Vit D is thought to be highly pleotropic having numerous influences on health function and gene expres-sion. The discovery of the specific molecular and signaling effects Vit D has on inhibiting the inflammatory cascade when at adequate levels was published in The Journal of Immunol-ogy in 2012.(3) More recently, the role of Vit D in both facilitating and atten-uating the cellular immune response has been suggested, specifically in re-sponse to respiratory infections. Vit D deficiency may contribute to the devel-opment of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). (4) How: When a pathogen is detected, macrophages will increase their uptake of Vit D, resulting in an increased June 2020 Chiropractic and Naturopathic Doctor 21
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