Vitamin Deficiency Drives Dangerous Inflammation
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 11, 2022
Inflammation is always cast as the bad guy. But the truth is, it has a critical job to do.
When part of your body is damaged it’s inflammation that’s responsible for sending extra blood and immune cells to the area to begin the healing process.
If you twist your knee, for example, inflammation gets switched on to help clear your body of the damage.
Redness and swelling are outward signs of that activity. And when the job is done inflammation gets switched back off again.
Or it’s supposed to. But sometimes things misfire and it isn’t the end of the story.
When inflammation overstays its welcome… hanging around for a long time… it switches from healer to harmer.
In fact, chronic inflammation a contributes to many of the diseases we get as we age. This includes heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune conditions, arthritis, and more.
Some so-called “experts” will insist widespread chronic inflammation is a normal (unavoidable) part of aging. Hogwash! Don’t buy that nonsense.
There are many things you can do to easily and safely REDUCE inflammation. And the first stop on our list of inflammation-busters is something you should be taking every day, anyway.
Researchers recently used new genetic research techniques to uncover an unexpected link between vitamin D and inflammation.
The study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology connected vitamin D (or the LACK of it) with the overproduction of C-reactive protein (CRP).
It’s produced in your liver and increases when you have inflammation. In fact, doctors measure how much CRP you have in your blood to determine the level of inflammation in your body.
The researchers concluded that vitamin D may be the perfect tool to lower inflammation. And considering how many folks don’t get enough of this vital vitamin I would have to agree.
Vitamin D is produced naturally when sunlight strikes our skin. But most of us spend too much time indoors. And the risk for a deficiency worsens in the winter because we spend even less time outside – and there’s less daylight.
Spending more time outdoors and taking a supplement can help you boost sagging D levels. But when you’re fighting chronic inflammation don’t stop there.
Try these other inflammation busters too:
- Add some powerful natural anti-inflammatories to your regular routine. Ones I recommend include fish oil, curcumin, and Boswellia.
- Get some Inflammation increases for about an hour after exercise. But then it plummets to very low levels resulting in an overall decrease in inflammation.
- Avoid processed foods and too much sugar. Both sugar and vegetable oils increase inflammation.
- Eat your veggies. Vegetables help calm inflammation.
- Take a probiotic. Your immune system controls inflammation and 70 percent of your immune cells are located in your digestive tract. So keeping your gut flora topped up with healthy bacteria can fight inflammation.
P.S. This simple mealtime trick DOUSES the fires of chronic inflammation AND fights blood sugar too!
Source:
“Vitamin D deficiency and C-reactive protein: a bidirectional Mendelian randomization study” by Ang Zhou and Elina Hyppönen, 17 May 2022, International Journal of Epidemiology., DOI: 10.1093/ije/dyac087
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
"Sinful Trio" SLASHES Metabolic Syndrome Risk
Are you tired of hearing your doctor’s endless “don’t eat this, don’t drink that” lectures? Well, this Easter Sunday, I’ve got news that might just have you hopping happily to your pantry. Turns out, some of life’s tastiest pleasures could help protect you from one of today’s most common health threats—metabolic syndrome. Let’s dig into...
Microplastics’ Hidden Link to Chronic Disease EXPOSED
By now, you’ve heard about microplastics. These tiny fragments of plastic have invaded virtually every corner of our planet. We’re just beginning to understand the scope of the threat, but we know microplastics pose a serious risk to our health. If you’re like many folks, you’ve shrugged off those dangers, thinking there’s nothing you can...
Shakespeare’s “Remembrance” Herb Protects Memory
You probably have a jar of rosemary sitting in your spice rack. Perhaps you sprinkle it on potatoes or add it to roast chicken. But what if this humble herb could hold the key to fighting one of the most devastating diseases we can face as we age? It turns out a hidden compound inside...
Is Your Gut “Good”? How to Check
I always get asked, “How do I know if my digestion is working right?” Well, the answer is pretty simple, but it’s also a little gross. A simple test you can do at home reveals whether your digestion is normal or not. Your digestive system processes everything you eat—extracting nutrients, and eliminating waste. The time...
Hidden Sugar Trap Fuels Lung Cancer
We’ve long known that smoking is the main villain behind lung cancer. But what if your dinner plate has quietly joined forces with the enemy? A new study from the University of Florida reveals that the typical Western diet could be laying the groundwork for aggressive lung cancer growth by feeding tumors with stored sugar....
Mailbag: Can A Diabetic Enjoy Desserts? The Surprising Answer
“If you have diabetes, may you eat a very few sweets in a week?” —Sweet Tooth Hi Sweet Tooth, Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition where your body either resists the effects of insulin (a hormone that regulates sugar in your blood) or doesn’t produce enough of it to maintain normal blood sugar levels....
Sleepless Nights? Beware of this Deadly Danger
We all have that friend who brags about their four-hour-a-night sleep schedule like it’s some kind of superpower. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead,” they proclaim while chugging their third energy drink of the morning. Well, science has bad news for these sleep-skimping show-offs. You might be accelerating your appointment with the Grim Reaper far more...
Drive-Thru Disaster Hits Fast Forward on Aging
Ever wonder why some of your high school classmates look like they’re aging much faster while others seem frozen in time? It’s not always just good genes or expensive creams—it could be what they’re ordering at the drive-thru. A troubling new study revealed that a fast-food habit doesn’t just expand your waistline—it fast-forwards your biological...
The “Salty” Truth About Your Mood
You know salt gets a bad rap for raising blood pressure. But what if I told you it might be messing with your mood, too? According to a new study out of China, eating too much salt could trigger depression—not just through vague “bad diet” effects, but by activating specific immune cells in the brain....
Ancient Herb Has a Modern Secret for Youthful Skin
You can spend hundreds—maybe even thousands—on anti-aging creams, lotions, and potions that promise to turn back the clock. But let’s be honest… most of them do little more than moisturize and smell nice. Now, a new study is turning that entire anti-aging skincare industry on its head—and the secret comes from an herb that’s been...