Immune System Boosters – II
How to boost your immune system- Part II
Immunity Boosters and Health II
Vitamin E:
Vitamin E is a crucial immuno-booster. Surveys conducted showed that 40% of older Americans consumed two thirds below the recommended dietary allowance. Research studies show when elderly people consumed 400 to 800 IU vitamin E, there was a significant reduction in infections. Megadoses of vitamin E may be immuno-suppressive.
Chromium
Chromium is a mineral which is an insulin cofactor and blood sugar regulator. Researches done on laboratory animals show that chromium improves the ability of white blood cells to respond to infections.
Copper
Copper is believed to affect the immune system of humans. Diets deficient in copper reduce the activity of some cells which attack invading bacteria. Whether supplementation with copper in individuals who are not deficient in copper enhances their immune system functions, is an area of further research.
Iron
Iron has a two fold effect on immunity. Immune responses are paralyzed in iron deficiency. Iron deficient individuals respond marginally to tetanus vaccines. But remember that excess of iron is harmful to health and immunity. Lactoferrin is found in the intestine and in breast milk. Lactoferrin is a specific immune defense substance, with the help of which the immune system keeps the invading micro organisms in check by depriving them of iron. Hence, giving excess iron is more deleterious to health.
Also read Immune Boosters – Part I
Manganese
Manganese supplementation has shown to enhance natural killer cell and macrophage activity.
Selenium
AIDS patients need selenium as a crucial mineral in immune response functions and survival. Selenium deficiency may allow viruses to become more dangerous pathogens. Selenium plays a key protective role in combination with antioxidant glutathione. Selenium also protects humans from heart damaging effects of CMV (cytomegalovirus).
Zinc
Zinc supplementation restores depleting immunity levels. The direct benefit has been observed on administering zinc lozenges for colds. Daily doses of 100 mg or more of zinc may be immunosuppressive.
Some key supplements which are neither vitamins nor minerals also play a crucial role in building immunity:
Arginine
L-arginine, an amino acid promotes T-cell response and hastens recovery from surgeries, cancer and AIDS. Care should be taken before giving arginine as high levels of arginine compete with lysine, another amino acid with keeps specific viruses under control.
Alkylglycerol
Alkylglycerol is found in ratfish liver oil in the North Atlantic. This stimulates production of white blood cells, the natural policemen of the body. Several medicos use alkylglycerol to restore white blood cell counts of chemotherapy patients.
CoEzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 powers the cellular batteries of microbe devouring macrophages and thus promote immunity.
DMG or Dimethylglycine
DMG is a nutrient which has the ability to enhance vaccine efficiency which depends on optimal host immune response to take effect.
Phytonutrients
Immune system enhancing abilities are present in a number of plant derived substances. These are garlic, Echinacea, cat’s claw, arabinogalactan from larch tree bark, maitake mushroom, astragalus, yeast derived beta 1,3 D-glucans.
This clearly indicates that immune boosting foods and immune system supplements with various vitamins, minerals and nutrients from plant derived factors optimize immune system functions and capabilities
