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.

Eating enough fiber foods (dietary fiber) every day is an easy way to live healthy. Fruits and vegetables are important to store variety parts for degenerative diseases prevention, in addition to supporting efforts to maintain weight.

Fiber is divided into water-soluble and non-soluble. Components of water-soluble food fiber can form a gel by absorbing water. Examples of this type of fiber is pectin, gums, musilase acid, alginates and gelatin.

What are main functions of water soluble fiber?
- Pursue the process of digestion in the intestine, so the acquisition of energy is reduced.

- Could make you full longer.

- Slowing the rise in blood sugar, so less insulin is needed to convert glucose into energy.

- Helps control weight by slowing the emergence of hunger.

- Improve digestive health by increasing the movement of the large intestine.

- Reduce the risk of heart disease.

- Increase bile acids, fat, and cholesterol, and gets it out of the body.

Meanwhile, food fiber which is insoluble can not be dissolved, either in water or in the digestive tract. Outstanding properties is its ability to absorb water and improve the texture and volume of feces.

The main function of insoluble fiber is to shorten the transit time of food in the intestine and increase fecal mass, reducing the risk of hemorrhoids and colon cancer.

Diabetes clearly increases the risk of one of various cardiovascular disorders, including heart attacks, hypertension, or stroke. To reduce the risk of heart disease, doctors will usually give medicine to restore the abnormal levels of blood fats.

Unfortunately, recent studies show medicine therapy to control blood pressure and lower blood sugar does not help prevent cardiovascular disease. In fact, medicine therapy in some cases cause side effects.

A decade ago, health officials in the United States conducted three studies to see whether the three types of intensive therapy to lower blood sugar, blood pressure or blood fats are effective for preventing heart attacks and strokes in diabetics (diabetes).

A study of the blood sugar was stopped two years ago when researchers look at blood sugar control treatment was not much effect. However, two studies are in progress.

In studies of blood fats (triglycerides) which is done by researchers from Columbia University and involving 5500 people with diabetes who also have the risk factors of other heart disease, namely hypertension and high cholesterol.

All the respondents received statins, cholesterol-lowering medication. Half of the respondents have triglyceride-lowering medicines and the rest a dummy medicine. Five years later the entire group of respondents known to have the same incidence of stroke and heart attack. This means that medicine therapy does not help much.

From the results of research, proven therapies that incentives by medicine-oatan is not able to reduce the incidence of heart attacks, although it is able to prevent a stroke. However, experts do not recommend people with diabetes to stop taking the medication without consulting their doctors.

So what should people with diabetes do? Stay focused on diet and healthy lifestyle and keep trying medications doctors recommended to reduce the risk of disease, according to Dr.Clyde Yancy, a cardiologist and president of the American Heart Association.

For people with diabetes,  they are advised to eat a varied diet in order to achieve a balance between carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Some have diabetes can control their blood sugar by eating only three meals a day and avoid sweet foods. While the rest need a strict diet.

To reduce the risk of heart disease, do the exercise because it increases blood flow through blood vessels smaller and increase the efficiency of heart pumping power.

Acai berry fruit has a very powerful antioxidant which could fight the damaging effects of free radicals that cause cell damage or decreased function of body cells and increase the risk of premature aging.

The fruit which comes from Central and South America is a favorite for the health and diet programs in the United States in recent years.

Acai berry is a natural source of antosianin. which is one type of very strong antioxidant, a pigment that can be found in the fruit berries, red wine, and other healthy foods. Antosianin also helps eye function vision especially at night.

In addition to a strong antioxidant, acai berries also contain essential fatty acids, amino acids and plant sterols which are compounds that resemble cholesterol. Sterols help to maintain a safe level of cholesterol in the normal range. Some compounds are also useful to help maintain prostate health and strengthen the immune system.

Dr. Perriconne Nicholas, one of the herbal health experts who frequently appear in the Oprah Winfrey Show, include acai berries in a list of 10 great foods that can make you look younger, healthier, and prolong life.

He says that the acai berry juice contains an extraordinary antioxidant concentrations that can help fight premature aging, with 10 times the antioxidant power than red grapes and 10-30 times the antosianin level of red wine. Also contain unsaturated fats, diet food, fiber and Phytosterol that can help keep your cardiovascular system and gastrointestinal health.

On the table is served a dish of food which is so tempting. There is a very tasty potato chips. Beside it, there is a biscuit. There is also a plate of fried foods.

You can not resist picking and eating them all? You may have entered the category of eating unhealthy foods addiction. Do not worry, you can stop it. Here’s how:

1. Have Breakfast correctly
Start your day with a healthy breakfast, such as fruit juice, low-fat milk, yogurt, high fiber cereal, and fruit. People who diet high fiber foods digest slowly. As a result, the hunger is delayed and the desire for fatty foods are also reduced.

2. Cut the portions and sizes
Do not even try to abstain from unhealthy foods as a result you are more tempted to get one. If you want to, buy it in small portions and then share it with your friend.

3. Choose quality
If a you like chocolate, choose a high-quality chocolate (which should be quite expensive). Because if it is expensive, so you won’t often buy it.

4. Start exercising
Sports will pump endorphins, the natural morphine in the body, to circulate throughout the body. With exercise, you so have little time to eat. To reduce the desire to eat chocolate or sweet foods after a big meal, try a walk around the house for a moment.

5. Eat regularly
Passing eating time will lower the blood sugar levels. As a result, you’ll grab sweet foods near you so that sugar levels can be normal. Keep your sugar levels to remain normal with three meals a day with balanced nutrition and appropriate portions for you. Remember, do not overdo it.

6. Look for other alternatives
The desire for fatty foods can be a sign of the body needs fat intake.  You should meet the needs of body fat with healthy fats, like avocado and use the salad dressing of olive oil. Eating yogurt, fresh fruit, sorbet, or low-fat ice cream to be able to meet the body’s need for sweet and fatty foods.

7. Consider using supplements
Many people do not realize their lack of minerals zinc, a substance found in shellfish and beef. This mineral deficiency that causes the tongue to be losing sensitivity. As a result, we  need more salt and sugar to enjoy the food.