It is that time of the year again. It is after the holidays and all the extra eating. Our immune systems have taken a battering with all the extra sugar. Stress, (either physical or emotional), sugar, alcohol, toxins, poor diet, and lack of rest all contribute to weakening the immune system. The holiday season is full of these. Remember – consuming white sugar immobilizes your immunity for up to 3 hours. So, the logical consequence of this merrymaking is that we catch whatever is going around; either a cold or the flu.
Our immune systems have no single central location in the body and no chief organ. Instead, it is a cooperative system of biochemicals and white blood cells (leukocytes), tissues and organs which are distributed throughout the body in various locations. Constantly challenged, these cells work together, detecting any foreign substance in the body, defending and abolishing what does not belong.
To keep our immune system strong, we need a diet rich in yellow and green leafy vegetables, high antioxidant nutrients like onions and garlic, citrus fruits, whole grains, legumes, sesame seeds, nuts, low fat protein, pure water, occasional detoxification, exercise, adequate rest, meditation, gratitude, and nutritional supplements. Supplements are essential for the immune system.
Following are the supplements that I have found to work in building my immune system:
Soy protein provides the essential building block for all cells including our immune cells. The amino acids are the ‘bricks’ needed to build/repair all body parts. It is an essential raw material for the antibodies in our immune system. It also alkalizes the body.
A good multivitamin and multimineral, that contains zinc, (crucial to the bacteria-killing activity of B and T cells, important to stop the shrinkage of the thymus gland), copper (needed by thymus gland to produce its hormones) and iron (needed by T cells). It will also contain the main vitamins like B, C, D, E, etc. listed below.
Vitamin D3 boosts general resistance to disease, improves production of antibodies, and increases the effectiveness of macrophages.
B Vitamins especially B6 support healthy mucous membranes (first line of defence) and helps with the production of antibodies.
Vitamin E with selenium boosts general resistance to disease, protects against free radical damage, increases production of B cells, improves production of antibodies, enhances cooperation between T helper cells and B cells, and increases the effectiveness of macrophages.
Carotenes are crucial for the integrity of skin (first line of defence), protecting mucous membranes, tears, sweat, saliva, stimulating immune function, supporting the thymus and protecting against free radicals.
Essential fatty acids help nerves, brain and communication chemicals needed for the nervous, endocrine and immune systems.
Bifidus and acidophilus (the friendly bacteria) help boost the whole system as 70-80% of our immunity is in the Peyer’s Patches in the intestines. The caplet needs to be triple encapsulated to protect these essential bacteria from the acidity of the stomach.
Alfalfa absorbs contamination, alkalinizes the bloodstream, and fights viruses and bacteria. I take 30 when I feel any symptoms coming on.
Three of my favourite immune products are:
NutriFeron that was developed and extensively tested by immunologists in Japan, and clinically proven to support and stimulate the natural immune response process at the cellular level. It supports and stimulates the immune system, by increasing the activity of macrophages and inducing natural interferon production. It optimizes immune response against environmental irritants and airborne substances (as with allergies and asthma). I take this one daily for prevention.
Defend & Resist Complex activates the immune system, promotes the production of white blood cells, enhances resistance to infection, viral and bacterial, especially flu and herpes, and reduces mucus. It provides four clinically proven immune-supporting ingredients including echinacea and zinc. It works best when started at the onset of cold or flu symptoms when you feel that first tickle.
Vitalized Immunity contains as much Vitamin C as 16 oranges. It is a delicious effervescent drink for an occasional boost when your immune system needs fast support. Vitamin C is a natural antihistamine, helps iron be absorbed, helps form red blood cells, fights bacterial infection, helps macrophages, can increase production of interferon, increases the power of macrophages, protects against free radicals and has an anti-stress function.