Submitted by YHR on Mon, 04/05/2010 - 11:51
Whether you have an autoimmune disorder, or an overactive or underactive immune system, the key is to create and maintain a strong and balanced immune system.
As we have discussed in this three part series on the Immune System, an overactive immune system can cause allergies, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis and autoimmune disorders, while an underactive system can allow viral and bacterial pathogens such as colds, flu, and infection, as well as serious illnesses such as cancer and hepatitis, to take hold.
Balancing an immune system that may not be reacting properly is crucial to staying healthy and fighting disease. 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.
Vitamins and Minerals
Vitamins A, C and Vitamin E - These antioxidants vitamins help eliminate the free radicals which damage our cells, which leaves our immune system free to fight off disease and infection. Vitamins A, C and E also increase the number and responsiveness of the lymphocytes, which fight off foreign invaders in our body.
Copper - Essential to immune system function, it appears to be a strong stimulant of white blood cells.
Selenium - Stimulates the Natural Killer (NK) cells if the immune system, improves thyroid function, and balances the immune system.
Zinc - Enhances immune function at 25-35mg; excessive amounts (more than 50-100mg) may over-stimulate it.
Herbs and Food Extracts
Arabinigalactan - This herbal prebiotic enhances immune cell function in the intestinal tract and increases killer cells.
Astragalus - One of the most important things you can take to balance the immune system, this herb increases T cell and T helper cell (the mobile command centers of the immune system) counts.
Garlic - Contains numerous cancer-fighting compounds.
Blueberry Fruit - Potent antioxidant and bioflavonoid.
Elderberry Fruit - May cut flu symptoms by inhibiting viruses and stimulating immune response.
Pomegranate fruit - Rich in antioxidants, it may also reduce inflammation and oxidative stress.
Reishi and Shiitake Mushrooms – These three have varied benefits to the immune system, from stimulating a weakened one to balancing an overactive one, and may have a positive effect on allergies, cancer and HIV.
Olive Leaf - Has an antimicrobial effect, and hinders the growth of harmful microorganisms.
Eleuthero Root or Siberian Ginseng - Increases T-lymphocytes, and increases resistance to stress, fatigue and illness.
Other Compounds
L-Glutamine - This amino acid is an energy source for immune cells and enhances the ability of the intestinal lining to resist invasions by harmful microorganisms.
Inulin - A fiber-like prebiotic that increases the friendly flora of the GI tract and prevents virus and yeast from adhering to the GI tract.
Glucono-delta-lactone - Creates a barrier against the bad bacteria that might invade the body through the GI tract.
Lactobacillus - This beneficial bacteria is important for immune health in the gastrointestinal tract.
Special Notes:
The herbs Echinacea and goldenseal are useful for short periods of time to help you get over a cold or flu, but it is not recommended that they be used long-term or on a daily basis.
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 – including vitamins, minerals, extracts, enzymes, bioflavonoids, and marine oils – needed to maintain a basis of good health.
I have an over-active immune system which is destroying my cells. I don't need to stimulate it but to tone it down a great deal. It seems to me that some of the vitamins, minerals and herbs recommended in this article would definitely be counter productive to an over-active immune system.
You are right that people with autoimmune disorders do not want to excessively stimulate their already overactive immune systems. But a healthy, balanced immune system is still the goal, which is what the ingredients in Immunity Support are meant to support, especially in the moderate amounts found in the formula. Certain ingredients that can over-stimulate the immune system, such as echinacea and goldenseal, are not included for that reason.
Of course, you should always talk to your doctor before beginning a new supplement program, especially if you have a diagnosed condition and/or are taking medication.
God Bless.
Dr. Cherry,
I have some concerns about my sleep. I seem lately to be too sleepy during the daytime. It seems more than usual to me. I find myself actually nodding in the very early afternoon. Even when I feel I have had an adequate amount of sleep, I am 57 years old and it just seems like that's too young to be nodding. The other thing is that sometimes I know I don't get enough sleep but the reason seems to be because I have develop a habit of getting up really early in order to have my prayer time before work, and now I wake up at that time no matter what time I go to bed. Early or late. This means that I may end up only getting about 5-6 hrs. per day. I would like to hear what you have to say on this subject. Thanks and God bless you!
You should start by having your doctor rule out any underlying problems, whether a sleep disorder such as apnea (which results in poor sleep quality), or a medical condition (such as hpothyroidism or many others) for which sleepiness is just a symptom.
If those have all been eliminated, the most likely cause is simply not getting adequate sleep, and if that is the case you may have already identified the problem. It sounds like you have a strong “internal alarm clock” so when you go to bed late but still wake up early you end up sleep-deprived. The most important thing might be for you to stick to a regular sleep schedule; work backwards from your set wake-up time and go to bed early enough to get 7-9 hours of sleep. Keep adjusting backwards by 15 minutes until you find the bedtime that leaves you feeling rested the next day.
Along with that, establish consistent, healthy mealtimes, exercise regularly, take short naps (early in the day) if necessary, and consider ingtry a supplement such as Sleep Support to help promote restful sleep.
Not getting enough good sleep has been associated with high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and weight gain, so it’s good you are addressing the problem. God Bless.
This comes in the form of a question. How do these immune system supplements help MS patients and do any of you readers have a testimony after taking these supplements for this particular problem? I would appreciate any comments in this area. Thank you, Donna
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