Immune System
Strengthen Your Immune System in 30 Days
By Lorna R. Vanderhaeghe, M.S.
Your immune system is a highly specialized front-line defense army that identifies, remembers, attacks and destroys disease-causing invaders and transformed or infected cells. The immune system seeks, recognizes and destroys the body’s enemies. When functioning optimally, the immune system is a powerful protector. Few viruses, bacteria, fungi, cancer cells and parasites are allowed to set up house and wreak havoc if the immune system is operating at peak performance. So determined to destroy invaders that the immune system can often go awry and start damaging the body itself. We see this with autoimmune diseases like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Boosting the immune system is not the answer as that can worsen allergies and autoimmune diseases. Creating a strong and healthy immune system that keeps you protected and does not become overactive is the answer.
Symptoms of Immune Dysfunction
- Frequent colds and flu
- Herpes (cold sore) outbreaks
- Allergies
- Painful joints and muscles
- HPV and abnormal PAP smears
- Psoriasis, eczema, hives or rashes
- Rhinitis or constant runny nose
- Autoimmune disorders
- Candida overgrowth
- Parasite infections
- Bowel disorders
3 Super Immune Nutrients
To ensure a healthy immune system that protects us from colds, flu, viruses, bacteria, cancers and other invaders we can take immune nutrients that keep our immune system strong. Immune boosters are not the answer as they can cause the immune system to become overactive promoting inflammation and autoimmune disease. Daily immune support is the answer. The following immune nutrients to be taken on a daily basis should ensure you make it through flu season unscathed.
Beta 1,3/1,6 Glucans
Beta 1,3/1,6 glucans are a natural gluco polysaccharide derived from the cell walls of a highly purified, proprietary strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Beta glucans support a healthy and strong immune system. Several peer-reviewed research studies have shown that when beta 1,3/1,6 glucan are swallowed the immune cells in the digestive tract transport them to the immune system throughout the body. One double-blind, placebo-controlled trial lasting 90 days in 100 healthy people given 250mg of beta 1,3/1,6 glucans who had developed upper respiratory infections had the total number of days they were sick and symptoms reduce significantly.
We know that those who exercise strenuously are more prone to colds and flu due to the stress on the body. In one study it was found that those who took beta 1,3/1,6 glucans had improved immune response and less colds and flu post work out. .Experts don’t recommend immune boosters be taken as they can have a negative effect in the body. Several conditions like allergies are associated with an already overactive immune system and immune boosters can make symptoms much worse. Beta 1,3/1,6 glucans are not immune boosters but balance and normalize the immune response making for a strong immune system. One study that allergy sufferers taking beta 1,3/1,6 glucans the severity of their allergy symptoms, runny nose and itchy eyes reduced and quality of life improved.
Vitamin C Super Nutrient
Vitamin C also known as ascorbate and ascorbic acid is the most important immune vitamin. Vitamin C is antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer. Vitamin C has been found to increase antibodies. Antibodies are produced to teach your immune system to recognize a virus and kill it quickly if you are exposed to that same virus in the future. Only 9 percent of North American’s are getting enough vitamin C in their diet. Vitamin C protects against viral infections by causing the immune system to send out special immune cells (phagocytes) that engulf and destroy invaders. In the elderly simply taking 500mg of vitamin C per day for 10 days before a flu vaccine will cause the immune system to make more antibodies to the vaccine thereby improving the benefit of the vaccine. Many older individuals do not benefit from vaccines because their immune system is too weak to make antibodies. Vitamin C also enhances glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that aids the immune system. Vitamin C also dramatically enhances natural killer cells the cells that destroy malignant cells. Buffered vitamin C – magnesium ascorbate, potassium ascorbate, calcium ascorbate which are far more absorbable forms and much easier on the stomach than straight ascorbic acid or ascorbate.
Zinc: The Thymus Booster
The thymus gland is like the commanding officer of a very large army. Without a healthy thymus, the immune system can’t do its job. Zinc is the most important mineral to the thymus gland. It is so important that if you have an undersized or malfunctioning thymus just simply taking zinc citrate can reverse or rejuvenate the thymus. Over 300 enzyme systems in the body require zinc. As little as 10mg of elemental zinc per day given to the elderly was found to improve the action of T-cells, immune cells that attack invaders. Zinc’s antiviral activity was looked at in 37 cold-infected people in a double-blind, placebo controlled study where zinc citrate was given over 7 days. After 1 week over 85% of the participants were symptom free compared to half the group not taking zinc. Zinc deficiency causes a reduction in T-cells, natural killer cells and thymic hormone which are all important components of a healthy immune system.
Remember to wash your hands with soap and water often throughout the day as most viruses and bacteria enter the body because we touch our eyes, nose and mouth with infected fingers. Do not use antibacterial soaps as Tuft’s University researchers found that over time these anti-bacterial agents are making super-bug strains of bacteria. Drink several glasses of water to stay well hydrated. The fluid around your eyes, nose and mouth are rich in immune army cells that destroy invaders but if we are dehydrated they can’t do their job of protecting us. And reduce your consumption of sugar. One teaspoon of white sugar will turn off your immune army for 6 to 8 hours.
Lorna Vanderhaeghe is the author of 11 books. With degrees in biochemistry and nutrition she is a nutritional medicine expert. Her first two books were written on the immune system including The Immune System Cure and Healthy Immunity. Visit her website at www.healthyimmunity.com for more information.
