(23-04-13) Sunshine vitamin - A potent defense against deadly new tuberculosis strains

by Carolanne Wright

(NaturalNews) With antibiotic resistant tuberculosis superbugs on the rise
around the world, natural remedies are increasingly important to combat the
spread of this serious disease. Consuming adequate levels of vitamin D is
crucial not only for a healthy immune system, but also to trigger production of
antimicrobial peptides that specifically inhibit the bacterium. As an
inexpensive and extremely effective defense, this humble vitamin should play a
leading role in everyone's daily diet.

The rise of tuberculosis superbugs
As revealed in the Natural News article, "Health experts warn untreatable
tuberculosis threatens world," dangerous new strains of the tuberculosis
bacterium (TB) are becoming alarmingly more prevalent. Modern medical
intervention may prove to be completely worthless in the near future due to the
fact that 30 percent of new tuberculosis cases are antibiotic resistant TB
(MDR) varieties. But we don't have to hide in our homes and hope we won't be
exposed. Instead, a measure of preventative action can keep families and
communities safe.

Vitamin D provides a ray of hope
Once again, vitamin D offers protection against disease where mainstream
medicine fails. In a study published by Science, researchers found vitamin D
not only triggered a heightened immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis,
but also supported an "induction of [the] antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin"
which destroys the bacterium. Additionally, research in Indonesia discovered
recovery was hastened by the use of vitamin D in those who were ill with the
disease. 67 tuberculosis patients were evaluated for eight months at the
Pulmonary Clinic of Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in Jakarta. Participants were
given either vitamin D or a placebo in a random, double-blind trial during the
sixth week of treatment. 100 percent of those who received vitamin D showed
significant improvement compared to 76.7 percent of the placebo group.

Sunshine vitamin historically used to prevent and treat tuberculosis
In the form of cod liver oil and sunlight, vitamin D was used extensively in
the 19th and early 20th centuries to battle tuberculosis. Professor Sir Malcom
Green believes the widespread 'prescription' of cod liver oil by doctors during
that time played a noteworthy role in lowering the rate of illness.
Heliotherapy, otherwise known as sunshine therapy, was also common. In
"Tuberculosis - How Effective Is Cod Liver Oil?" Green observes:

"A role for vitamin D in combating tuberculosis gives a rational basis for
sunshine therapy, which was widely practiced for patients in sanatoriums before
chemotherapy became available, as vitamin D is synthesized in the skin when
exposed to the sun. Patients were put out on their beds to lie in the sun in
summer and winter, and many were sent to Switzerland and other sunny countries
for treatment."

With antibiotics progressively unsuccessful in preventing and treating
tuberculosis, it seems as though we have come full circle. The traditional use
of vitamin D may soon surpass the limitations of conventional medicine. As an
economical and powerful nutrient, vitamin D proves to be an outstanding ally
against the very real dangers of this life-threatening disease.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.naturalnews.com

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/239486.php

http://www.sciencemag.org/content/311/5768/1770.abstract

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16479024?dopt=Abstract

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19463105

News

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