If you are one of the 55 million Americans who suffer from allergies or allergy-related ailments, you are actually dealing with an immune system disorder.

Immune system disorders occur when the immune response to a situation is inappropriate, too little, or too much. Allergies fall into the last category, with an over-reactive immune responding to a “false alarm,” or a substance that, in the majority of people, the body would perceive as harmless.

When a normally benign substance such as dust, dander or pollen is encountered by an allergic person, the immune system reacts dramatically, by producing antibodies that "attack" the allergen (substances that produce allergic reactions). The result of an allergen entering a susceptible person's body may include wheezing, itching, runny nose, and watery or itchy eyes, and other symptoms.

There are some factors that can’t be controlled when it comes to allergies. Allergies run in families and appear to be hereditary, although family members may not be allergic to the same things. And while the only way to really prevent allergies is to completely avoid the allergen, this may not be possible if the allergen is dust or a common pollen.

However, you can support your immune system so that it is in the best possible position to handle an encounter with allergens. The key is in immune system balance – one that is robust without being overactive.

Some simple ways to maintain a healthy immune system are to get adequate sleep, eat a healthy Mediterranean diet, exercise and find ways to cope with stress. In addition, research is showing more and more that daily vitamins, minerals and other nutritional supplements are tremendously beneficial in supporting the immune system. See Keeping Your Immune System Strong.

Our Immunity Support contains the 23 immune-balancing nutrients, herbs extracts and compounds recommended to achieve optimal immune function, in a convenient formula that is safe enough to take every day. It has been designed to be taken with Basic Nutrient Support, which supplies the full spectrum of nutritional support needed to maintain a basis of good health.

Balancing an immune system that may not be reacting properly is crucial to staying healthy. By taking the right combination of vitamins and minerals, along with other proven fruit and plant extracts, you can keep your immune system in balance and reap the health benefits that God intended for all of us.