The H1NI flu vaccine has been in the news and you have concerns about whether or not to immunize your family. You will have to make that decision according to the best available information.

If I have not talked to you personally about Vitamin D and you have not been tested for Vitamin D levels then I want to tell you why it is one of the most important vitamins in the prevention of colds and flu.

Vitamin D has been called the “sunshine vitamin” because it is made in the body only when the skin is exposed to sunlight. Many people do not get nearly enough sun exposure and if they do they have covered the skin with sun block or clothing which prevents Vitamin D from forming. We have always known that Vitamin D is the escort of Calcium into the bones but in the last decade many more uses for Vitamin D have been discovered.

If you think about when we are getting colds and flu and it’s during the darkest months of the year due to a lack of sunshine among other factors. Vitamin D’s main role is to help maintain a healthy immune system. It can also prevent colds and flu. Since the 1940’s milk has been fortified with Vitamin D which was the first vitamin to be manufactured in a lab and added to our food supply. Vitamin D2 was formulated at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and it was very cheep to produce. The problem with D2 is it does not convert well to activated Vitamin D in the body and at high doses it can be toxic. The RDA recommended daily allowance was set at 400IUs which turns out to be extremely low. Now we are finding that due to our lack of Vitamin D and the inferior quality of the fortified foods, Vitamin D deficiency is at epidemic proportions.

Three simple ways to guarantee you get enough Vitamin D

1. First of all get your blood tested for Vitamin D. I can order an inexpensive test for you. Ask me about this at your next appointment or e-mail me.

2. Buy foods that contain Vitamin D. They are the foods with fat. Low fat foods will not provide Vitamin D. The food highest in Vitamin D is Cod Liver Oil. Other sources are deep water fatty fish like salmon, oysters, organ meats, egg yolk and butter. Fortified foods include dairy products and cereal grains but the amounts added can be erratic and if the form is Vitamin D2 it is not easily assimilated in the body. Also these fortified products need to be eaten with fat so nonfat milk is not going to help Vitamin D levels.

3. Use a supplement to get sufficient levels of Vitamin D. Like I mentioned first get your blood tested so I can help you determine your level of deficiency. Then I can help you supplement accordingly.

In order to get enough Vitamin A, the easiest way to do this is by consuming fresh fruits and vegetables. Cod Liver Oil is also a source of Vitamin A. It is important to not to get too much vitamin A in supplement form as it can be toxic so eating lots of fresh fruits and veggies is the safest way to get Vitamin A in your diet.

In addition to getting more Vitamin A and D think about what daily habits may be contributing factors in compromising your resistance to colds and flu:

* Are you trying to get by on 6 hours of sleep or do you get enough sleep? * Are you snacking throughout the day or are you eating nutritious food regularly? * Do you have good digestion and are not taken tons of antacids? * Do you get regular exercise each week?

All the above factors sound very simple but they do take a personal plan and some effort to take care of ones self. I can help you by designing a personal plan to enhance your immune system to help you deal with the cold and flu season. Give me a call to discuss your options.

Susan Wallace is a licensed acupuncturist serving the San Francisco bay area. She has treated over 1000 patients over the last 25 years. If you are looking to find out how to use acupuncture and herbs to improve your health , then visit Susan’s website to find the best advice on colds and flu prevention.