Go Get Your C and D

There is much talk about vitamin D and C in the Coronavirus world. There is not much talk on the media and social media, but health professionals are waking up to the power of vitamins like D and C. They are being used to fight this nasty SARS-CoV-2 virus. Both vitamins D and C are more difficult to get during the winter months, especially if you live in the northern part of the US. The sun doesn’t shine much, and the fruits are not as highly available in the stores. Broccoli has plenty of vitamin C, but you would have to eat broccoli. I love broccoli, brussels sprouts, leafy greens, winter squash, green and red peppers, and sweet potatoes. So even if there are no fruits because it is winter, there are plenty of veggies that are packed with vitamin C.

Vitamin D is not plentiful in foods. Vitamin D is created in your body when ultraviolet rays hit your skin. There is a wonderful chemical process that creates vitamin D, and it uses the boogie man, cholesterol to do it. Vitamin D and C are essential to your immune system functions. Both not only build the immune system, thereby created an opportunity for a better immune response, but both actually kill viruses and bacteria.

It is interesting to note that when vitamin C isn’t as available (although in our modern society, it is plentiful all year long), and vitamin D is not abundant, it is when we have the “cold and flu season.” That is not a coincidence! So here we are in April. Spring has sprung and it is time to soak up some rays. We have so much power. We have the power to eat plenty of vitamin C rich foods and the power to get out in the sun. You don’t need much sun. Although experts disagree on how much, it is safe to say that 30 minutes of exposure is good for you and will satisfy your body with enough vitamin D. You need more than your face exposed, so roll up those sleeves and puts some shorts on if you dare. For the fair-skinned among us, you may want to start with 15 minutes because you are not going to be using any sunscreen. Sunscreen blocks UVA and UVB rays, which is what you need for the creation of vitamin D.

So get outside, breathe fresh air, get some rays, eat some broccoli or and orange (or both), and enjoy how God designed you to fight off viruses and bacteria through an excellent immune system.