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What
is Immune Support
Our immune system is actually composed of different organs and different cells all over the body. It includes white bloods cells, the lymphoid organs and tissues the spleen, the thymus gland, the gut associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) in the small intestine known as Peyer’s patches, part of the bone marrow, the tonsils, lymph nodes and ducts. It is through the networking of these tissues with the white blood cells that our immune system fights off bacteria, viruses and other foreign invaders.
White blood cells include: lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, basophils, and eosinophils. These are active in our body all the time but the lymphocytes take importance. The T lymphocytes are active in what is called cellular immunity, while B lymphocytes and their produce antibodies to provide humoral immunity. Defects can impair the activity of any of these processes; some are genetic, and some we acquire.
In general when the immune system is compromised whether it is from chronic illness such as cancer or other insults to it, infections can become chronic, debilitating and in some cases even dangerous. Low immune systems may be associated with some conditions such as HIV and AIDS, cancer, chronic fatigue syndrome, food intolerances, and even stress.
Symptoms
of a low immune system
Some signs that your immunity may be low are if you catch colds easily or have more than two colds a year; if you have sore or swollen lymph glands; if you have a frequent sore throat; if you have frequent skin problems such as cold sores or acne; or if you have any of these symptoms in association with fatigue.
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Diagnosis
Many of the above signs of a low immunity can be observed and a health care practitioner can make an evaluation from a through intake. However some tests are useful and important.
A complete blood count with a white blood cell differential can show the quantity of red and white blood cells, and which type of cell predominates. Other test may be useful, such as assessing levels nutrients associated with immunity: zinc, selenium and others.
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Lifestyle
and Dietary Modifications
The immune system is suppressed during times of stress. Chronic mental and emotional stress can reduce immune function, but whether this effect is sufficient to increase the risk of infection or cancer is less clear. Nevertheless, immune function has been increased by stress-reducing techniques such as relaxation exercises, biofeedback, and other approaches.
The effect of exercise on immune function depends on many factors, including frequency and intensity of exercise. Regular moderate physical activity has positive effects, at least on some measures of immunity, and has been shown to reduce risk of upper respiratory infection. However, very intense and prolonged exercise, such as running a marathon or overtraining, can, in the short term, actually increase the risk of developing infections. The positive effects of moderate exercise on immunity may also partly explain the apparent reduced susceptibility to cancer of physically active people.
Both excessive thinness and severe obesity are associated with impaired immune responses. Obesity increases the risk of infection, at least in hospitalized patients, according to some research. However, these effects may not occur with mild to moderate obesity in otherwise healthy people, and attempts to lose weight through stringent dietary restriction may actually be harmful to the immune system. The detrimental effects of both excess weight and weight-loss diets appear to be offset when people regularly perform aerobic exercise.
A reduction of refined sugar is thought to reduce problems with infections. All forms of sugar (including honey) interfere with the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria. Sugar consumption also leads to an overall increase in the hormone insulin, which can also contribute to chronic low immune function. Alcohol intake, including single episodes of moderate consumption, interferes with a wide variety of immune defences. Alcohol’s immune-suppressive effect may be one mechanism for the association between alcohol intake and certain cancers and infections.
Many studies, in both animals and humans, have demonstrated immune-stimulating effects from yogurt which contains live cultures, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and other probiotics (friendly bacteria). The effects of probiotics observed in humans include increasing the activity of several types of white blood cells. In studies, consumption of live culture-containing yogurt has been associated with a reduced incidence of several immune-related diseases, including cancer, infections of the stomach and intestines, and some allergic reactions.
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Nutritional
Factors Shown to be Beneficial
Multivitamin-
Mineral supplement
Most studies have shown that elderly people have better immune function and reduced infection rates when taking a multiple vitamin-mineral formula. Burn victims have also experienced fewer infections after receiving trace mineral supplements in double-blind research..
Dose: as directed on bottle
Beta-carotene
Placebo-controlled research has shown positive benefits of beta-carotene supplements in increasing numbers of some white blood cells and enhancing cancer-fighting immune functions in people.
Dose: 25,000–100,000 IU per day.
Vitamin
C
Vitamin C stimulates the immune system by both elevating interferon levels and enhancing the activity of certain immune cells. When taken at the onset of a cold, it does significantly reduce the duration of a cold.
Dose: 2-6 grams a day
Vitamin
A
Vitamin A plays an important role in immune system function and helps mucous membranes, including those in the lungs, resist invasion by microorganisms. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children with measles be given short-term supplementation with high-dose vitamin. .
Dose: 5,000-25,000 IU a day
Acidophilus
Supplements of probiotics (friendly bacteria) such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, or the growth factors that encourage their development in the gastrointestinal tract may help protect the body from harmful organisms in the intestine that cause local or systemic infection. The effective amount of probiotics depends on the strain used, as well as the concentration of viable organisms. Infectious diarrhoea in children has been successfully reduced with supplements of friendly bacteria in several trials, some of which were double-blind.
Dose: One to two billion colony forming units (CFUs) per day of acidophilus is considered to be the minimum amount for the healthy maintenance of intestinal microflora.
Thymus gland
extracts
The thymus gland is responsible for many immune system functions. Preliminary studies suggest that a thymus extract may improve immune function, and double-blind trials in children and adults with a history of recurrent respiratory-tract infections have found reduced numbers of recurrent infections with supplementation. Thymus extracts have also been shown to improve immune function in cases of exercise-induced immune suppression, and to improve immune function in people with diabetes and in elderly people.
Dose: 100-500 mg 1- 2 times a day
Vitamin
B12
A deficiency of vitamin B12 has been associated with decreased immune function. In a controlled trial, people with vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia were also found to have markedly decreased levels of white blood cells associated with immune function. Restoration of vitamin B12 stores by means of injections improved levels of these immune cells, suggesting an important role for vitamin B12 in immune function..
Dose: 1000 mcg a day
Glutamine
Glutamine, an amino acid, is the preferred fuel for the cells of the gastrointestinal tract, which may be under constant attack when faced with allergies and chronic infections. Glutamine may also play a role in supporting the immune system.
Dose: 2-4 grams a day
Plant Sterols
Sterol compounds from plants, naturally occurring fats also called phytosterols, have been shown to have significant activity in humans. It is a natural immune modulator, helping to provoke a stronger response of the T-helper cells, which are very active cells needed during some conditions, in particular chronic infections.
Dose: 100 mg three times a day, away from food and dairy products
Beta Glucan
Beta-glucan is a fiber-type polysaccharide (complex sugar) derived from the cell wall of baker’s yeast, oat and barley fiber, and many medicinal mushrooms, such as maitake. Numerous experimental studies in vitro and in animals have shown beta-glucan to activate white blood cells. In fact, there have been hundreds of research papers on beta-glucan since the 1960s.
Dose: 500-1500 mg a day
Echinacea
augustifolia or Echinacea purpurea
In general, echinacea taken orally stimulates the function of a variety of immune cells. The balance of evidence currently available from studies suggests that echinacea speeds recovery from the common cold, via immune stimulation (as opposed to killing the cold virus directly).
Dose: 500-1500 mg a day
Andrographis
paniculata
Andrographis has been shown in a double-blind trial to successfully reduce the severity of the common cold. A preliminary study also suggests it may prevent the onset of a cold in healthy people. These actions are thought to be due to the immune system enhancing actions of the active constituents known as andrographolides.
Dose: 500–3,000 mg a day
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Recommended
NaturalMeds Products for Immune Support
LifeForce
Multiple
Life Force Multiple, the most complete daily formula available, is scientifically designed to deliver essential cellular energy and balance to vital systems and organs..
Dose: 4 capsules with food Pack size: 60 & 120 capsules
Vitamin
C Ascorbic acid crystals
Vitamin is an astounding nutrient, as supplementation not only helps with immune function but as an antioxidant protects against free radical damage associated with cholesterol. Powdered forms of vitamin C are easy to take.
Dose: ½ teaspoon two to threes times a day Pack size: 8 ounces (226.796 g)
Beta
Carotene
Beta carotene is a nontoxic precursor (building block) of vitamin A and a major component of the body's natural antioxidant defenses.
Dose: one to four softgels a day Pack size: 100 softgels
L
glutamine 500 mg
L-glutamine, an amino acid, ‘feeds’ the cells of the intestines, helping to heal intestinal inflammation.
Dose: 2 capsules away from meals 3-4 times a day Pack size: 50 capsules
Methylcobalamin
Vitamin B12
Methylcobalamin, an active coenzyme form of vitamin B-12, is essential for cell growth and replication. It is more concentrated than other forms of B-12 in the cerebral spinal fluid where it can be used by the central nervous system. This form is cherry flavoured; and dissolved under the tongue instead of swallowed for greater absorption.
Dose: 1 tablet a day Pack size: 60 tablets
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