Vitamin D or vitamin that can be obtained from food or produced by human skin who is exposed by sunlight, play an important role in improving the body’s immune system.

The presence of vitamin D is very crucial for the body. Therefore, the weapon T cells of the body, the cells that attack and destroy bacteria and viruses that lodged in the body. Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have found that vitamin D was very important to activate the human immune system. Without vitamin D intake is sufficient, killer cells of the immune system (T cells) will not be able to react and fight serious infections in the body.

Well, that T cells can detect and kill foreign pathogens such as bacteria and viruses, the cells must be triggered first and then transformed from inactive cells and become dangerous killer cells are ready to find and destroy all the attackers.

The researchers found that T cells depend on vitamin D in the activation process. Thus, the body will be vulnerable if the deficiency of vitamin D in the blood. Researchers from the Department of International Health, Immunology and Microbiology, Professor Carsten Geisler said, when dealing with T cells of foreign pathogens, these cells will be held device or antenna signal, known as the vitamin D receptor, which will search for vitamin D.

“This indicates the T cells must have a vitamin D or the activation of the cells will stop. If the T cells are unable to find enough vitamin D in the blood, they will not even begin to mobilize, “said Professor Carsten, as quoted reuters.com.

The results of these discoveries made scientists believe that providing much needed information on the immune system will help regulate the immune response.

This is important because not only to fight the disease, but also in relation to the body’s immune and organ transplant rejection. After an organ transplant, T cells can attack the donor organ as “foreign attackers”. In autoimmune diseases such as arthritis or Crohn’s disease, the fragments of T-cells (cells to attack foreign body) leads to the body to attack itself.

For the research team, identified the role of vitamin D in the activation of T cells has become a major breakthrough. Scientists have long known that vitamin D is important for the absorption of calcium and vitamin has also been involved in diseases such as cancer and multiple sclerosis. But what was revealed is how the true role of vitamin D is essential to activate the human immune system.

Carsten further said, the findings could help overcome the illness and even disease outbreak. The study will also be very useful in developing a new vaccine, which works exactly as the basic formation of the human immune system. And responding well suppress the body’s natural defenses in critical situations (as in the case of organ transplants and autoimmune diseases). Benefits of vitamin D is also recognized by other researchers Chris Griffiths from Queen Mary. Chris said, vitamin D helps increase the body’s immune system’s ability to fight infection.

“We found that a single dose of vitamin D that is large enough to improve one’s immunity against the bacteria.”

Until now there has been no significant research on the optimal intake of vitamin D needed by the body in one day. However, experts recommend for men and healthy women aged 14-50 years, it is recommended to take vitamin D as much as 5 micrograms or 200 international units (IU) per day. Once the age of 51, the recommended intake increased to 10 micrograms or 400 IU per day. Furthermore, at the age of 71 increased to 15 micrograms (600 IU).

The problem, perhaps there is still much to trivialize the role of vitamin D is. Sometimes people only consider the intake of fat, protein, and carbohydrates, but not much notice the little things like vitamins, particularly vitamin D. Macro nutrients are needed, but micro-nutrients are also very important in preventing disease, maintaining the immune system, ensure the body’s energy levels, and various roles of vitamins and other antioxidants.

Vitamin D include vitamin fat-soluble, and are required to maintain the body’s general health. But because these vitamins are fat soluble and stored in fat cells of the body, this vitamin can be toxic if consumed in excess amount. Vitamin D can be found in some foods, including milk, cod liver oil, salmon and mackerel, tuna and sardines, cereals fortified with vitamin D, eggs, and margarine.

Another way the easiest to get this vitamin is silent for a moment in the sun in the morning. Besides drinking milk, this is one of the easiest ways to ensure that you get vitamin D intake is sufficient.

Not necessarily every day if you’re busy. But every person is recommended to get exposure to sunlight for 15 minutes, 2-3 times per week. Make sure as many parts of the body exposed to sunlight. This is to enhance the absorption of vitamin D by the skin.

Vitamin supplements not only provide nutritional needs, but also avoids the signs of aging. Several types of nutrients, like calcium and vitamin D, is not only useful for maintaining health, but also makes us stay young. What are the recommended supplements to maximize health and to keep us young?

Vitamin D
According to Michael F. Holick, MD, PhD, a professor from Boston University School of Medicine, you can reduce your risk of colon cancer, breast and esophagus by 50 percent if you get enough vitamin D.

Vitamin D will inhibit the growth of cancer cells and activate the immune system to fight infection. The best source of vitamin D are egg yolk, fish, and foods that are fortified, such as milk and cereal. Sun exposure is also good for increasing vitamin D levels in the body.

Calcium
This mineral is essential to maintain bone strength and is required for muscle and nerve function. Lack of calcium will cause bone damage occurs more quickly than construction. In addition to bones, research shows calcium supplementation can reduce the risk of polyp formation of colon cancer.

Magnesium
Studies show magnesium deficiency is more common in older people than young people. This happens because for the older people, the body’s ability to absorb magnesium from food is reduced. In addition, medicines such as antibiotics and diuretic medicines also have the same affect. In addition to preventing diabetes, magnesium may also lower blood pressure.

Vitamin B
Several studies have shown, stroke and heart disease could be prevented if we get enough vitamin B6, B12 and folic acid.  Enough of B vitamins can also help us avoid typical elder diseases, like dementia.

Do you want to improve your appearance to look stronger? Do you also want to increase your energy or to keep your body healthy and fit? Appropriate supplements are the answer.

The supplements can help you maintain good health. The following list below are supplements that you can consume as quoted from Carefair:

Multivitamins

Multivitamin supplement is required for anyone, especially for those who rarely or do not like to eat fruits and vegetables. Be sure to buy the supplements created specifically for men.

Multivitamins are devoted to women usually tend to contain iron. That does not mean you do not need extra iron, but too much iron can also increase the risk of heart disorders.

Creatine

For those who want to exercise or sports enthusiast, it is good to consume creatine supplements before and after undergoing a physical training session. Because creatine works to accelerate muscle recovery and increase muscle mass growth.

For your convenience, creatine supplements can be mixed with protein powder when consumed.

Lycopene

This antioxidant which found in red tomatoes has been shown to decrease the risk of cancer, which is one major cause of death for American men. If you do not like to eat tomatoes, you can take supplements that contain lycopene.

Green Tea

Wonders of green tea never ceases to amaze! Content of antioxidants in it play a role against cancer, green tea also works to burn fat.

If you choose not to consume eight or more cups a day, try to move in the form of supplements, such as capsules. Not only that, green tea also work wonders for your skin.

Saw Palmetto

This supplement is very helpful for men especially when they begin to show signs of hair loss.

In the view of health experts, a supplement which contains saw palmetto can slow you experience of hair loss process. In addition, saw palmetto also serves to prevent and treat impotence, improve health and fitness and vitality of men.

Fish oil

If you have a family history associated with heart problems. The experts claim that fish oil (one to two grams per day) can help prevent heart disease. For that, you can take fish oil supplements high quality as this can make your life healthy and free of health problems.

In order to stay active you will need healthy and strong bones. To achieve that condition, it is necessary to make sure that you have an enough calcium intake.

Osteoporosis or bone loss is a metabolic bone disease characterized by decreased density (density) of bone until a bone break easily. If it so, of course, one activity will be disrupted. For that, it takes a sufficient intake of calcium for healthy bones and strong.

One study says, women who get the daily calcium intake from food would have stronger bones than women who got it from tablet supplements.

Calcium is important to prevent osteoporosis, which affects estimated eight million American women, and two million men. As many as 34 million others, have low bone density that increases the risk of osteoporosis.

A study published the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the study of 183 women concluded post menopause, consumption of adequate calcium can help prevent bone density and decrease the required calcium from bone.

In the study, researchers asked the women in detail about the diet and calcium supplement intake for a week. “We assume that this represents the type of diet every woman,” said assistant professor of the Division of Bone and Mineral Diseases Barnes-Jewish Hospital Reina Armamento-Villareal, MD.

Based on the answers of the participants, the researchers divided the women into three groups. One is called the supplement, at least 70 percent of their daily calcium obtained from the tablets. The second group is called the diet, at least 70 percent of calcium intake comes from food products daily. In addition, the last group is the diet plus supplement group, the percentage of calcium intake is not much different between the two other groups.

“Only 35 percent of the calcium in most supplements can be absorbed by the body. Calcium from diet is generally better absorbed. This could be the reason how a woman had a higher calcium and bone density to form a better,” said Armamento -Villareal.

Seeing the results of the study, can be said that calcium derived from natural food is better than that contained in the supplements. However, does not mean that supplements are useless. Especially for those who consume less natural foods that contain calcium.

Studies conducted by Italian researchers reported, L-Carnitine supplementation may reduce fatigue and promote mental function in older people. In fact, it can significantly increase bone density and reduces fat mass.

“L-carnitine, a molecule such as vitamin that has several important roles in the body, helping selsel produce energy from fat. High concentrations of molecules found in parts of the body with high-energy requirements, such as skeletal muscle and heart. On the whole, the concentration of L-carnitine decline after the age of 70, “said researchers from the University of Catania Dr. Mariano Malguarnera and colleagues report in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition as quoted by Reuters.

In the study, Dr. Mariano and randomly selected team of 66 men and elderly women with eating 2 grams of L-carnitine or a placebo every day for 6 months.

The result, a significant decrease cholesterol levels in individuals who received supplements. L-cartinine recipients also increases muscle mass of 3.8 grams and 1.8 kg loss of fat mass.

People given L-carnitine is also able to walk 4 meters farther during 6-minute walking test after treatment than those given placebo.

Participants in the study of L-carnitine group also reported significant changes in the mental, physical, and eliminate fatigue. The placebo treatment with no impact in reducing fatigue.

Vitamin B17 is extracted from apricot kernel and has made a reputation as one of the most powerful alternative-cancer therapies. The Food and Drug Association has not approved all supplements that claim to cure cancer based on this nutrition. Besides apricot kernels there are other food sources that contain this vitaminic element: bitter almonds, barley, bamboo shoots, blackberries, flax seeds, lentils, cashews, cranberries, strawberries, gooseberries, brown rice, walnuts, raspberries, spinach and lots of others.

At the moment, vitamin B17 preserves its reputation for the prevention of cancer, and the most common remedy extracted from it is Laetrile. Lots of doctors and clinics now offer Laetrile as part of their anti-cancer treatment. It seems that this modern day medical practice has deeper roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Masters of traditional Chinese medicine used apricot seeds to make teas for the treatment of throat tumors, infections and ulcers. This nutrition element is not inactivated by heating, nevertheless, anyone can consume fresh seeds. They taste quite pleasantly, and you just have to buy some fresh apricots to get kernels too.

Studies indicate that vitamin B17 does not prevent the DNA changes that transform normal cells into tumorous cells. It actually prevents the spread of the cancer once it has appeared in the body system. After treatments with this vitaminic element, tumors have been reported to shrink in size even if the cancer has not disappeared completely. Moreover, there is reliable evidence that this element can relieve the symptoms and prolong the life of cancer sufferers. Despite the controversies related to cancer and its treatment, doctors continue to consider alternative therapies useful and supportive.

This means that the anti-cancer treatment with vitamin B17 has received quite a lot of negative publicity. Almond seeds are non-toxic, and they do not represent a threat to your health in any way, nevertheless, there have been cases when the association with high dosages of vitaminic element C has led to cyanide poisoning. The relevant thing here is that you should not self-treat for serious conditions like cancer. A balanced, non-toxic diet that can include foods with a high content of vitamin B17 can help a lot, but it is imperative that you follow your doctor’s orders.

For healthy people, vitamin B17 should not be supplemented. The quantity we take from food is enough to help the body function optimally. Stick to a balanced lifestyle, a healthy diet and lots of physical exercises and you have all chances of being safe from chronic disease.