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With all the present debates on vaccinations here, I wanted to start a topic concerning the importance of Vitamin A and D (or lack thereof) when it comes to all Infectious Disease and IMHO, our need to include it in our Preps.
In a serious SHTF or TEOTWAWKI scenario, I personally feel that vitamins like these are going to be invaluable when sanitation and hygiene are poor and infectious diseases become more rampant. Without medical care available and all vaccinations unavailable, I'm betting that infectious diseases and diseases that are not common due to the "herd effect" (sanitation, medical care, vaccinations), will rear their ugly head once more.
As always, I believe that most here agree that a healthy immune system can/will help protect against initial infection and alot of the secondary nasties, ie, pneumonia, asthma exacerbation, sepsis,...if not prevent them entirely in some cases.
Since my days in pre-med, I've used A, and D many times when sick, and I'd vouch for their effectiveness, especially when added to the more commonly known immune enhancing vitamin, C, and the mineral zinc.
Some well know facts about Vitamin A: (In the US, the NHANES II study showed 20% or more of the population was receiving less than 70% of the RDA of vitamin A.)
1. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most profuse nutritional deficiencies worldwide. No nutritional deficiency is more consistently synergistic with infectious disease than that of vitamin A.
2. Increased infectious disease morbidity and mortality occur with vitamin A deficiency
3. Vitamin A and its active metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (RA), regulate the antibody response
4. Vitamin A deficiency impairs innate immunity by impeding normal regeneration of mucos membranes damaged by infection, and by diminishing the function of neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells.
5. Vitamin A supplementation reduces mortality and complications resulting from Measles!
6. Vitamin A also has a role as an anti-inflammatory agent.
7. Vitamin A has been found to be beneficial in a number of inflammatory conditions, including skin disorders such as acne, broncho-pulmonary disease and some forms of precancerous and cancers.
8. Vitamin A supplementation of HIV-infected infants and children is beneficial in reducing all-cause mortality and morbidity
9. Vitamin A may help heal gastric ulcers and repair the skin and mucus membranes of the digestive tract
10. Vitamin A and retinoids have been found to inhibit tumor development in some epithelial tissues.
Although it is toxic when taken in very large amounts, it is safe when taken within the RDA limits.
Infants up to 1 year old - 1,250 IU per day
Children 1 through 3 years old - 1,333 IU per day
Children 4 through 6 years old - 1,667 IU per day
Children 7 through 10 years old - 2,333 IU per day
Males 11 years and older - 3,333 IU per day
Females 11 years and older - 3,333 IU per day
Pregnant/Lactating 1st 6 months- 4,333 IU per day
Pregnant/Lactating 2nd 6 months - 4,000 IU per day
For disease,...ie, colds and flu, I increase my dosage to 10,000 IU's per day for 7 to 10 days.
Vitamin D:
1. Vitamin D has direct anti-viral effects particularly against enveloped viruses, like the common cold and flu's.
2. Vitamin D is important in defenses against respiratory tract pathogens. Studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency increases risk of respiratory infections. This increased risk may contribute to wheezing in children and adults and cause asthma exacerbations.
3. Studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency predisposes one to viral respiratory tract infections like influenza and mycobacterial infections and that vitamin D may play a role in the development and treatment of asthma.
4. Multiple sclerosis, Type I diabetes, Systemic lupus erythematosus and Rheumatoid arthritis, are associated with vitamin D deficiency.
(Both vitamins are fat soluble, and should be taken with foods that contain some fat content.)
Anyway, I wanted to at least touch on the subject and see if others here have added these 2 important Vitamins to their arsenal, and perhaps share some important info (IMO) with those just starting their preps. I would also love to hear about the others vitamins, herbs and minerals you all have added and your experiences with them.
Thanks!
**** Disclaimer; Info here is from my own personal opinion, recent medical research and experiences. If you have a medical condition, or take daily medications, please check with your Dr. on the safety of all vitamins, minerals and herbs for yourself and loved ones.
In a serious SHTF or TEOTWAWKI scenario, I personally feel that vitamins like these are going to be invaluable when sanitation and hygiene are poor and infectious diseases become more rampant. Without medical care available and all vaccinations unavailable, I'm betting that infectious diseases and diseases that are not common due to the "herd effect" (sanitation, medical care, vaccinations), will rear their ugly head once more.
As always, I believe that most here agree that a healthy immune system can/will help protect against initial infection and alot of the secondary nasties, ie, pneumonia, asthma exacerbation, sepsis,...if not prevent them entirely in some cases.
Since my days in pre-med, I've used A, and D many times when sick, and I'd vouch for their effectiveness, especially when added to the more commonly known immune enhancing vitamin, C, and the mineral zinc.
Some well know facts about Vitamin A: (In the US, the NHANES II study showed 20% or more of the population was receiving less than 70% of the RDA of vitamin A.)
1. Vitamin A deficiency is one of the most profuse nutritional deficiencies worldwide. No nutritional deficiency is more consistently synergistic with infectious disease than that of vitamin A.
2. Increased infectious disease morbidity and mortality occur with vitamin A deficiency
3. Vitamin A and its active metabolite, all-trans retinoic acid (RA), regulate the antibody response
4. Vitamin A deficiency impairs innate immunity by impeding normal regeneration of mucos membranes damaged by infection, and by diminishing the function of neutrophils, macrophages, and natural killer cells.
5. Vitamin A supplementation reduces mortality and complications resulting from Measles!
6. Vitamin A also has a role as an anti-inflammatory agent.
7. Vitamin A has been found to be beneficial in a number of inflammatory conditions, including skin disorders such as acne, broncho-pulmonary disease and some forms of precancerous and cancers.
8. Vitamin A supplementation of HIV-infected infants and children is beneficial in reducing all-cause mortality and morbidity
9. Vitamin A may help heal gastric ulcers and repair the skin and mucus membranes of the digestive tract
10. Vitamin A and retinoids have been found to inhibit tumor development in some epithelial tissues.
Although it is toxic when taken in very large amounts, it is safe when taken within the RDA limits.
Infants up to 1 year old - 1,250 IU per day
Children 1 through 3 years old - 1,333 IU per day
Children 4 through 6 years old - 1,667 IU per day
Children 7 through 10 years old - 2,333 IU per day
Males 11 years and older - 3,333 IU per day
Females 11 years and older - 3,333 IU per day
Pregnant/Lactating 1st 6 months- 4,333 IU per day
Pregnant/Lactating 2nd 6 months - 4,000 IU per day
For disease,...ie, colds and flu, I increase my dosage to 10,000 IU's per day for 7 to 10 days.
Vitamin D:
1. Vitamin D has direct anti-viral effects particularly against enveloped viruses, like the common cold and flu's.
2. Vitamin D is important in defenses against respiratory tract pathogens. Studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency increases risk of respiratory infections. This increased risk may contribute to wheezing in children and adults and cause asthma exacerbations.
3. Studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency predisposes one to viral respiratory tract infections like influenza and mycobacterial infections and that vitamin D may play a role in the development and treatment of asthma.
4. Multiple sclerosis, Type I diabetes, Systemic lupus erythematosus and Rheumatoid arthritis, are associated with vitamin D deficiency.
(Both vitamins are fat soluble, and should be taken with foods that contain some fat content.)
Anyway, I wanted to at least touch on the subject and see if others here have added these 2 important Vitamins to their arsenal, and perhaps share some important info (IMO) with those just starting their preps. I would also love to hear about the others vitamins, herbs and minerals you all have added and your experiences with them.
Thanks!
**** Disclaimer; Info here is from my own personal opinion, recent medical research and experiences. If you have a medical condition, or take daily medications, please check with your Dr. on the safety of all vitamins, minerals and herbs for yourself and loved ones.
