Vitamin C has a well-known role in supporting the immune system [source]. Though vitamin C has widespread effects on the human body, its function as an anti-oxidant underlies its action to boost the innate defense system and enhance recuperation. Vitamin C can help the body neutralize free radicals and normal inflammation from everyday stress and other activities, which helps to mitigate the activity of immune challenges that thrive under excessive oxidative stress [source]. In addition, vitamin C helps support the body’s immune system response through enhancing the function of B-cells, T-cells, white blood cells, and cytokines [source, source].
Lysine is an essential amino acid that helps to improve calcium absorption, collagen synthesis, and assists the immune system by helping the body interfere with the life cycle of viruses. Increasing lysine intake competes with the use of arginine by host cells in viral replication, helping diminish the growth of infected cells [source]. So while lysine cannot directly kill viruses or cure a viral ailment, in controlled studies, lysine supplements have been shown to help the body reduce the discomfort and frequency of immune challenges [source].
Alpha lipoic acid is an antioxidant involved in cell metabolism and the insulin response. Like other antioxidants, circulating lipoic acid can neutralize free radicals and buffer cellular damage. Additionally, lipoic acid has an indicated role in protecting nerve cells and helps the body preserve memory [source]. Adequate amounts of lipoic acid, vitamin C and lysine can be obtained through healthy diet. However, elevated doses of these compounds are generally well-tolerated and can help assist the body in times of elevated stress. Increasing the availability of these potent antioxidants is a simple strategy for promoting a strong immune system.✝
T-cell, mast cells, and macrophages are major players in the immune system and all utilize zinc as a key signaling molecule [source]. At the molecular level, zinc is a signaling transduction molecule used to activate additional immune cells or directly stimulate the cells to exert their specialized function on the invading pathogen. Since adequate zinc is essential for nearly all cells, one strategy used by macrophages is to engulf and kill the infected cells by either removing all the zinc through sequestration or intoxicating the cell with excess zinc [source].
Selenium is another essential trace mineral that the body utilizes to make antioxidant enzymes [source]. Though selenium cannot directly treat or kill illness-causing pathogens, there is a clear relationship between selenium status and the ability to respond to immune challenges. Deficiency is rare in the United States, however even individuals with marginally low selenium may have an impaired response, so their body can’t mount a proper immune defense. A double-blind study supplemented individuals with marginally low selenium status and assessed their ability to respond to an attenuated virus. Those who received the selenium showed greater elevation of their immune response and a faster clearance of immune challenge [source].✝
Quercetin is a flavonoid found in high concentration in pigmented fruits and vegetables, such as the outer layer of red onions. Quercetin supplementation may have a wide range of benefits, but most importantly it has been specifically shown to help the body interfere with the replication of certain viruses. Though flavonoids have previously been reported to assist with immune challenges, research indicates that quercetin is especially potent at inhibiting viral replication [source].
The combination of flavonoids, immune boosting trace minerals, and antioxidant vitamins and amino acids formulated in ViruTech supplies the body with a formidable defense against threats to the immune system. Exposure to immune challenges is an inevitability given our environment. Therefore, supplementing diet with well-tolerated immune enhancing compounds is a feasible strategy to prevent potentially harmful effects on the human body.✝
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