Multivitamins and Healthy Immune Function

Adequate nutrient intakes are required for the immune system to function efficiently. A good multivitamin can enhance the immune system by supporting the body's natural defenses on both a structural and cellular level.

A recent article published in the British Journal of Nutrition summarizes the roles of select vitamins and trace elements in immune function.

Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immunity by affecting antibody responses, leading to imbalances in the immune system. This situation increases susceptibility to infections, which increases disease and death risk. In addition, infections aggravate micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing losses, and interfering with utilization by altering metabolic pathways. Inadequate intakes of micronutrients are common in people with eating disorders, smokers (active and passive), individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly.

Micronutrients contribute to the body's natural defenses on three levels by supporting physical barriers (skin/mucosa), cellular immunity, and antibody production. Vitamins A, C, E, and the mineral zinc assist in enhancing the skin barrier function. Vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E, and folic acid, and the minerals iron, zinc, copper and selenium work synergistically to support the protective activities of the immune cells. Finally, all these micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and iron, are essential for the production of antibodies.

Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and minerals may lead to a suppressed immune system, which increases the risk of infections and aggravates malnutrition. Therefore, supplementation with a multivitamin that includes these micronutrients can support the body's natural defense system by enhancing all three levels of immunity.

Lowering Homocysteine Levels / Ray D. Strand, M.D.

Most people seem to know their cholesterol level; however, they rarely know their homocysteine levels. Physicians just do not order this test routinely. The homocysteine level should be below 7, and higher levels cause greater risks of developing cardiovascular disease. Even though physicians may tell you that a homocysteine level of 12 or lower is fine, I would encourage you to try to get this level below 7. First, I would recommend taking 1,000 mcg of folic acid, 50 to 150 mg of vitamin B12, and 25 to 50 mg of vitamin B6. If you are one of those individuals who does not totally respond to B vitamins, you can consider adding Betaine (Trimethylglycine or TMG) to reduce your homocysteine levels. I recommend starting with 1 gram daily and building up to as much as 5 to 6 grams if necessary to get your homocysteine level down below 7, or at least below 8.

There have now been over 50 clinical trials that have shown that those individuals who have elevated homocysteine levels are not only at higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease but also Alzheimer’s dementia and various cancers. Yet, there have not been any good studies showing that lowering your homocysteine levels actually decreases your risk of heart disease and stroke. My personal feeling is that they do not lower the homocysteine level enough and that there is very little difference between the control subjects and the treated group. Since we know that elevated homocysteine levels are definitely a risk factor for patients, wouldn’t it be best to lower their homocysteine levels to the safe range?

If you would like to know your homocysteine level and your doctor will not order it, members of my “Online Medical Practice” located at http://www.drraystrand.com/ can order this blood test in the US through my web site.

RAY D. STRAND, M.D.
Specialist in Nutritional Medicine