Learn how to improve your immune system the NATURAL way!

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If you are suffering from depression, mood disorders or low immunity functioning, help may be at hand in the form of a bit of good, honest soil bacteria, report scientists from Bristol University, UK.

According to Dr Chris Lowry et al (2007), the bacteria bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae might be able to help in the fight against depression, mood disorders and certain immunity deficiencies; it may be able to significantly improve the quality of life for those suffering, it is suggested.

Bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae “boosts happiness” levels and could help restore healthy immune functions in Lung cancer patients, who are very often depressed and prone to infection, says Dr Lowry.

Mice exposed to bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae, it was observed and noted, made more of the brain’s “happy” chemical serotonin, the Bristol based team told the journal Neuroscience.

Popular selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as Fluoxetine and Paroxetine work by boosting this brain chemical, of course, and are used by millions of people in the UK each year.

The link between serotonin, mood and immunity is an intriguing one, and the benefits of exposure to bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae are being taken very seriously by serious scientists, and much progress has been made in the initial research.

For example, a team at Georgetown University Medical Center has just discovered that serotonin is passed between key cells in the immune system, and that the chemical can activate an immune response; importantly, this suggests that serotonin may indeed be able to help restore healthier immune functioning in people who are depressed and prone to infections.

The research is still at an early stage and more work obviously needs to be done to clarify the normal role of serotonin in immune cell functioning. Moreover, and importantly, no-one involved in the research is suggesting that a roll in bacterium Mycobacterium vaccae by itself is a cure for low immunity or depression, but it certainly looks encouraging.

At the very least, a good roll around in the dirt and mud of “Mother Earth” is likely to produce a hearty laugh for those involved, and this surely can only be a good thing, washing bills not withstanding.

Acne can be treated with any number of therapies; sufferers have long gone in search of the miracle remedy that will release them from the effects of recurring acne. Cleansing regimes, medications, surgical procedures, and a host of over-the-counter topical creams bombard acne patients on a daily basis. But much of the success in curing acne comes from comprehensive care of the body from the inside out.
Studies have shown that dietary changes dramatically impact the look and health of the skin. But just as significant is the use of vitamins for acne treatment. Much of the reason that introducing natural, healthy foods into the diet reduces acne is because these foods address existing vitamin deficiencies within the body.
Vitamins for acne control garner noteworthy success for many acne sufferers. Acne is often an outward sign of internal conflict. Your body is literally crying out for what it needs. The implementation of a consistent program to introduce vitamins for acne treatment can dramatically increase your chances of defeating acne.
First in the list is Vitamin A – a natural inhibitor of excess oil and an innate antioxidant. Vitamin A can be found in a variety of foods such as carrots, green vegetables, oranges, and bananas.
Vitamin B – found in such foods as sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and green peppers – is a compilation of many different vitamins and also acts as an antioxidant.
Best known for fighting the common cold, Vitamin C increases immunity – which helps to eradicate acne. Found in citrus fruits, Vitamin C is an excellent component of your vitamins for acne treatment.
Vitamin E – the healing vitamin – does just that in its battle against acne. It helps to heal the skin and protect it from further outbreaks.
Getting essential vitamins from whole foods is the best way to implement your vitamins for acne treatment; this is the most natural and healthy way to proceed. Taking vitamin supplements can also be done, however, keep in mind that taking too much of any vitamin – in supplement form – can be dangerous.
Talk to your doctor about steps you can take to increase your consumption of essential vitamins. Vitamins for acne treatment will allow you a greater sense of control over your complexion and a tool you can use for a lifetime.
Vitamins for acne control are one of the most natural ways to approach the battle against acne. When you begin fueling your body with the things it needs the most, you will be rewarded with increased health and a clear and glowing complexion.

TRENDS: POOR NUTRITION AND HIGH STRESS = POOR MEMORY

Today, memory decline and mental insufficiency has become a standard complaint with all age groups. Parents are concerned and frustrated wondering how to help their children’s noticeable brain fatigue. Poor retention goes beyond lack of sleep or boredom.

The majority of difficulty lies with our short term memory, whereas the long term memory tends to remain stable.

Maintaining brainpower is largely due to quality nutrition and managing stress levels throughout ones life. Whether the effects are sudden as seen following a stroke or associated with a gradual erosion of ones mental capabilities, dietary supplementation has shown to lessen deterioration while proving extremely beneficial. A malnourished, overworked brain will eventually become fatigued and short out.

“PICKING UP” DEFICIENCIES IMPROVES BRAIN FUNCTION

Nutritional deficiencies have been identified as a possible factor with many patients from adolescent’s selective memory to Alzheimer’s disease. The symptoms of poor brain function are improved through diet alterations, extra nutrients and other remedies. Abnormally low levels of folic acid, B12 and zinc have been recognized as a contributing factor. A diet rich in antioxidants is best; for instance garlic, blueberries, fruits, vegetables, variety of fresh greens, green tea, nutritional flaked yeast, nuts, seeds and raw food whenever possible.

KEY NUTRIENTS FOR A SHARP MIND

Omega 3 fatty acids (EFA’s) are important for maintaining a sharp, clear mind. These essential fats are often low in the North American diet. Good sources include krill, sea vegetables, seeds, eggs, whole grains, fish oils, flax seed oil, evening primrose and borage oil.

Lecithin is a multipurpose supplement; a rich source of choline which is necessary for brain functions and has the ability to transport fat out of the body. Lecithin will retain its effectiveness when heated or may be consumed as a supplement. This soy based product is available in some grocery or health food stores in fresh granules, liquid or capsules.

MEDICINAL HERBAL TRENDS OUT OF EUROPE

Herbs that feed the Brain

The following suggestions and recipes will boost brainpower and improve memory.

Many pharmaceuticals have originated from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) herbs. Huperzine A, for example is derived from the herb Huperzia serrata, is used to treat senile dementia.

Ginkgo biloba extract or GBE is the most frequently used phytomedicine in Europe. Germany has approved GBE for the treatment of dementia related memory deficits, concentration problems and depression; and for vertigo, tinnitus and compromised blood flow. Ginkgo has unique flavonoids with chemical properties similar to vitamin P, which are found nowhere else in nature. The whole leaf extract has many active components shown to have pharmacological actions including free radical destruction, reduction of lipids and reduced blood platelet aggregation.

Daily dosage: 120mg to 240mg. * Gingko can affect blood clotting if blood thinners such as Coumadin or warfarin are also used.

STUDIES VALIDATE THE BENEFITS OF GINSENG

Long valued in Asia as an adaptogenic herb, Ginseng has become one of the top three herbal products in the United States. All varieties of ginseng are recognized as brain rejuvenators and enhancers. Thousands of studies have been done with beneficial effects on fatigue, weakness, exhaustion, loss of concentration, neurological disorders, impotence and immune boosting.

Dosage: 200 to 600 milligrams of extract or 0.5 to 2 grams of dry ginseng root daily.

OTHER KEY HERBS OF EASTERN TRADITIONS

In Ayurvedic medicine, the herb Gotu kola is one of the most regarded herbs for brain function. In China, gotu kola is used extensively to aid the brain in coping with huge amounts of stress, intense mental activity and for memory.

Dosage: 3 capsules twice a day or ½ to 1 teaspoon of tincture/extract two times a day.

Ashwagandha has a reputation for enhancing the thyroid. In addition, this herb has key amino acids that boost the brain, while calming the nervous system, clearing the mind and inducing deep sleep. Dosage: 450mg to 900mg daily.

RECIPES: BRAIN BALLS AND SEASONING SPRINKLE = BRAIN POWER

Rosemary Gladstar’s herbal brainpower recipes are an excellent supplement for younger and older generations alike. (Director of Sage Mountain Herbal Retreat Centre and author of the best seller Herbal Healing for Women)

Brain Balls

A delicious treat that you will remember to take each day.

• Tahini or other nut butter

• Honey

• 2 parts powdered ginkgo

• 1 part powdered gotu kola

• 1 part powdered Siberian ginseng

• ½ part powdered lyceum berries

• ¼ part powdered rosemary

• Carob or chocolate chips (optional)

• Coconut (optional)

• Lycium berries or raisins (optional)

• Carob powder

1. Mix together equal parts of tahini and honey, or mix to taste.

2. Combine the powdered herbs. Add enough of them to the tahini-honey mixture to make a thick batter or paste.

3. Mix in whatever goodies you prefer – carob or chocolate chips, coconut, lycium berries, or slivered almonds.

4. Add enough carob powder to thicken into a dough. Roll into small balls. Store in the refrigerator, where they will keep for 2 or 3 months. Eat one ball a day.

Brainpower Seasoning Sprinkle

Use this seasoning sprinkle on salads, popcorn, in soups, and in any main course dish.

• 3 parts sesame seeds

• 4 parts nutritional yeast

• 2 parts kelp

• 1 part powdered ginkgo

• 1 part powdered gotu kola

• 1 part lecithin granules

• 1 part spirulina (algae)

• ¼ part powdered rosemary

• Kitchen herbs of choice, powdered (I like to use thyme and garlic)

1. Toast the sesame seeds in a heavy skillet, then grind them in a seed or nut mill.

2. Combine the sesame seeds with the remaining ingredients, adding kitchen herbs of choice to taste.

=== IN CONCLUSION ===

Healthy eating as well as good sleeping habits and regular exercise, help give the body the best possible chance to heal itself. Prolonged stress and strain from being overburdened will cause physical fatigue of the brain. Just as specific nutrients support our memory process so to will a calm relaxing environment. Clearing the mind through enjoyable activities and hobbies lowers stress while improving mental acuity. To maintain internal balance and physic health, rest the mind and body with calming techniques such as yoga, meditation, walking outdoors – anything which promotes peace.

Aloe Vera has long been known for its great healing properties particularly when applied to the skin for burns, abrasions etc. However, there is far more to it than that. By drinking a good quality aloe vera you can improve your health in so many ways.

Here are ten benefits you can derive from a daily intake of aloe vera:

Great health tonic
Aloe vera contains 19 of the 20 amino acids needed by the body and seven of the eight essential ones that cannot be made by the body. So drinking it enables the body to get its complex enzyme systems working really well. This means that the body can function at its optimum level and as a result you feel great!

Great source of vitamins
Aloe vera contains a large range of vitamins, even some vitamin B12 which is rarely found in plants.Apart from vitamin A, it contains B group vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E and folic acid. Many of these vitamins cannot be stored by the body so they constantly need to be topped up from food. By drinking aloe vera you are obtaining all these vitamins from one source.

Great source of minerals
Aloe vera also contains many of the minerals the body needs to function effectively. These include calcium, sodium, potassium, iron, chromium, magnesium, manganese, copper and zinc. This is because the plant generally grows in areas where the soils contain a plentiful supply of these minerals so its roots absorb them and makes them available to the body in a very digestible form.

Great anti-inflammatory and painkilling properties
Aloe vera has been identified as containing natural anti-inflammatory and painkilling substances. Regular ingestion of aloe vera has been found by many people to help with the symptoms of their inflammatory conditions. This is why it can be very beneficial to those who suffer from disorders of an overactive immune system or autoimmune disorders.

Great for the gut
Aloe vera is very good at stabilising bowel function. It is known as an adaptogen which means that it adapts to the condition it is working with. Thus it is great for dealing with both diarrhoea and constipation, and may be beneficial to sufferers of irritable bowel syndrome.

Great for the digestive system
Aloe vera has been found to cleanse and repair the digestive tract thus enabling it to absorb the nutrients from food more efficiently, particularly protein.

Great for gut flora
Aloe vera naturally balances the inside of the gut, where it helps to regulate the various bacteria and yeasts that live there. If, for example, there was too much yeast in the gut, drinking aloe vera on a regular basis would help to keep this in check.

Great for the skin
Aloe vera is one of the few substances with the natural ability to penetrate down to the dermis layer of the skin, the area where new skin cells are formed. So it is nourishing and moisturising the cells for the 28 days it takes them to reach the skin surface. Consequently, the skin stays healthy and is able to perform its tasks better, as well as looking good.

Great for fibroblasts
Aloe vera increases the activity of fibroblasts, specialised cells found in the skin. They produce fibre such as collagen and elastin which gives the skin it structure and makes it look plump and elastic.

Great for viruses
Aloe vera contains a long-chain sugar or polysaccharide which has the capacity to help defend against attack by various viruses from the common cold to more nasty viruses, and it could help to balance the immune system.

HPV also known as Human Papilloma Virus are more than 100 types.A little known fact about the HPV is that,the symptoms are

treatable while the virus itself is not curable.Human Papilloma Virus is the known cause of Genital warts,Plantar

warts,common hand warts,Flat warts and juvenile warts.In infected people,HPV symptoms might manifest themselves at an early

stage or at a later date depending on the condition of your immunity at the time of the infection.

It is very important therefore to maintain a healthy lifestyle at all times in order to have a good immune system that will

fight the virus incase it shows up unexpectedly.In other words your antibodies need to be alert and in good working order

because the fight is internal.This could be an uphill task for anyone who could be having a weak immune system and fighting

the HPV symptoms becomes an unattainable target.

HPV symptoms come in many forms like Pink, or flesh colored lesions,moisture of the affected area, itching of the affected

areas or a burning sensation on the affected area.sometimes you will find single or multiple warts appearing,muscle pains,

swollen glands, fever,backaches and headaches. Unfortunately not everbody will display this HPV signs and symptoms and one

could be walking around with the virus unknowingly.When the HPV symptoms manifests itself in form of warts,again it does not

mean there will be pain and discomfort definately experienced.

Warts as a result of HPV vary in appearance and size.They may look similar to small parts of a cauliflower, or may be very

tiny and difficult to see or large, raised lesions,Although HPV is not curable,one can opt for their removal or go for the

prescribed medication.There are various ways that can be used to achive your goal.

over-the-counter medications are available too but not recommended for use without a doctors attention.This is because of

their strong nature and dangerous to use in sensitive areas such as the genitals.

The better the immune system, the faster the healing process.As soon as you are diagonised with the HPV symptoms start

building on your immune system for prescise results.Do not forget that this also depends on the overall health of your body.

Anytime is a great time to prepare your own vegetable and fruit juices in a juicer or other extractor. You can acquire the antioxidants, vitamins, and nutrients straight from nature and instantly get a wealth of health benefits. Experts indicate that juices, even if healthy, are no replacement for complete fruit and vegetables in the every day diet and recommend having many servings of whole fruits and vegetables in addition to any juicing diet that you may indulge in. Normal juices from vegetables and fruits contain a many good properties as well as assist with detoxifying, digestion, fatigue, and skin quality.

Healthy Living Drinks One really delicious smoothy is prepared using a powerful antioxidant, fresh raspberries, along with aloe Vera (which can aid digestion) and peaches, ground almonds and soy milk. Apple, pear, carrot, mango, berry, tomato, as well as green vegetables too produce healthy and tasty juices. Another great smoothie is a tasty combination of fresh-squeezed orange juice, banana, mint leaves, strawberries, ground almonds plus soy milk.

One fantastic pre bedtime drink consists of carrots, kale, salt apple, along with pumpkin seeds. Kale provides phytonutrients, assists in detox and helps an individual to calm down. Apple and carrots help equalize blood sugar for a fine nighttimes’ snooze. Pumpkin seeds are plentiful in the amino group acid tryptophan, an originator to melatonin; a hormone that helps regulate the bodys sleep.

Lycopene looks to contain a defensive outcome in opposition to prostate cancer and lutein can help maintain healthy eyes. Peaches include plenty of lutein and lycopene, among other nutrients. Strawberries help maintain the finest health with beta- carotene and antioxidants that generate the light red color that the fruit has. It helps fight against irritation as well as heart illness. One of my favorite drinks consists of watermelon, naval oranges, batch and grape. Watermelon includes the amino acid citrulline that can act as a water pill and could aid detoxification. Oranges have loads of vitamin C, as well as fiber and can assist in lowering cholesterol. A purple or red grape consists of resveratrol that assists to decrease irritation and advances healthy arteries and good heart health. Yet another favorite consists of pineapple, oranges, ginger and red apple. Ginger helps sustain the immune system and assists in fighting things like the common cold. Pineapples have an anti-provocative outcome and oranges again are vitamin C rich. Additional, the enzymes in pineapple fruit can help clear mucus in the respiratory area. My last suggestion is a good one, consisting of beetroot, cucumber, carrots and red apple.Beetroot, affluent in beta-carotene and iron, can help backs up the livers healthy function. Apple consists of pectin, a kind of fiber that can help fight toxin buildup. Carrots are loaded in vitamin A and help almost any drink taste better All these significant nutrients will aid you look good and feel great. In addition , now you have some great ideas on delicious all natural smoothies that you will love. Heres to your health.

Have you thought about what probiotics can do to improve your life? Probiotics are an amazing additions you can add as a supplement to improve your health. It does not matter if you are in perfect health or have health problems, probiotics can improve your life and protect you from getting ill.Probiotics are benevolent bacteria, which sometimes include yeast as well. Your digestive tract is full of microbes, or “intestinal flora”. This flora is made up of “good” microbes and “bad” microbes that need to be in a certain balance for your health. When this balance is messed up it can lead to disease. It can be something minor such as a sour stomach. Prolonged issues in this flora can lead to worse health issues.In these current times there are many things that can imbalance your intestinal flora. Diet, stress, and antibiotics can all cause problems in your GI tract. Stress can cause issues throughout the body and this is no different in your guts. What you eat plays a big role in your digestive flora. It may not  you to know that a modern diet can mess with your intestinal flora. The usual modern diet contains a lot of sugar, which can lead to the bad microbes flourishing throughout your intestinal tract. Fermented foods, such as yogurt, are great for adding and feeding helpful bacteria. Unfortunately many people do not ingest these foods very much if at all. Antibiotics are indiscriminate and kill all bacteria, harmful and helpful. This can be bad news for your digestive tract.There are a lot of issues that can mess up your digestive flora. This can lead to issues that you may not even think could start in your digestive tract. Taking a quality, preferably the best probiotic supplement will provide your intestinal flora with all the good bacteria to keep your system working properly. Having a healthy balance ensures the good microbes are plentiful, giving any bad microbes a lot of competition when they are trying to get established. This means that they probably won’t be able to flourish in great numbers and cause you issues. Having a healthy balance also benefits your immune system, as your GI tract is your first line of defense against all the bad microbes you take in every day. Having a good population of helpful bacteria also makes your intestinal tract much more efficient. This allows you to absorb more nutrients from the foods you eat giving you more energy and making you feel good.Having a healthy digestive flora has many bonuses. Why would you not want to be taking a probiotic supplement to keep it that way?

After going through puberty, our bodies gradually decrease in the production of immune and growth factors that generally combat disease. After losing these vital components, we are much more susceptible to the aging process, which shortens our life expectancy. Colostrum and its other components have the ability to fight off bacterial and viral invaders as well as stimulate tissue repair, which is something that becomes increasingly vulnerable as we age by boosting the immune system. For all of these reasons, it is important for an adult to supplement with colostrum.
Colostrum should be collected during the first 24 hours after birth. Also, a colostrum supplement should be processed in a USDA licensed facility. This insures the consumer that USDA guidelines are being followed. Additionally, consumers should make sure that products labeled Colostrum are actually 100% colostrum, not colostrum or concentrates of milk whey. Lastly, colostrum that is mixed with other supplements or herbs and additives may have a diluted colostrum concentration, which means the benefits you could obtain from this supplement may be compromised.
Even though colostrum has no interactions with drugs, side effects may be experienced from a cleansing or healing crisis, which is a necessary but somewhat inconvenient and adverse result. Fortunately, once the healing crisis is complete, you will feel substantially better and in good terms of health. Mediations may need to be re-evaluated by your medical profession for dose and need.
Although colostrum is generally believed to be very safe for those mothers who are pregnant and nursing, one should probably ask their medical professional prior to taking colostrum or its specific agents while they are pregnant. Just like any other supplement or drug, it is better to be overly safe and check with a healthcare provider before jeopardizing a pregnancy.
Colostrum is recommended specifically for children who have not already received the mother’s breast milk, as breast milk would have already provided the benefits that would be obtained through colostrum supplementation. Those children with flu, colds, bacterial or viral infections, or children who have been on long or short-term antibiotics or other drugs are good candidates for colostrum supplementation. Therefore, colostrum supplementation is safe and may be recommended for these types of children.
Many people wonder if colostrum products can pass on mad cow disease. At this time, no case of mad cow disease has been reported in the United States. With awareness of the disease being so high, it is extremely unlikely that one would contract mad cow disease from a colostrum product.
The overall supplementation of colostrum and other products that contain derivatives of colostrum has been shown to extremely safe. Additionally, it has been shown that colostrum is equally effective, whether it be taken by injection or by mouth. It has also been shown that the long-term administration of colostrum preparation is very safe to the human body. Because infants and the elderly are the two main groups that are especially at risk for infections, many people may wonder just how safe colostrum products are for these two groups of people. Not only is oral administration safe, it is also very effective and easily accepted by both of these groups.
Colostrum is available in capsule of tablet forms at your local or internet health food store. Look for name brands like Kal and Source Naturals to ensure quality and purity of the product you purchase.
*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Colostrum is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.

Natural dog immune system boosters can be extremely beneficial for aging dogs, dogs with cancer, or dogs whose immunity has been compromised for any reason. In this article, you’ll learn about important herbs that can be used as part of a program to get your pet back on the road to health.Using herbs to increase natural immunity for dogs is hardly a new concept. Even your dog intuitively knows that herbs are good for him and you will recognize this if you’ve ever witnessed your dog chewing on certain plants in your backyard. In fact animals who live in the wild often search out certain plants for their healing properties. But now homeopathic companies have made things easier by creating formulations that are remedies for specific health problems.Just like humans, pets need a daily dose of natural dog immune system boosters to heal from disease or treatments such as chemotherapy and to maintain good health. This is particularly important if your dog eats commercial kibble which is often lacking in essential vitamins and minerals. Taking these supplements can also counteract the exposure to household toxins and environmental stress.The chemicals and artificial dyes in commercial dog food and exposure to household cleaners or pesticides can have a detrimental effect on natural immunity for dogs, which is why supplements are essential, even if your dog is not sick or does not have cancer. Giving a daily supplement in combination with healthy food, lots of fresh, clean water, love and exercise can make an important difference in your pet’s health.There are many herbs and plants that help boost immunity and fight disease. The best include Echninacea, Huang Qi, Indian Ginseng and Mistletoe. Finding a standardized formulation (so every dose contains the right amounts of these important herbs) is the best natural dog immune system booster and will beef up immunity, while increasing vitality and good health overall. Mistletoe stimulates the immune response which increases a dog’s ability to fight off illness or fight existing disease. To fight cancer, Echinacea works well because it cleans out the lymph system. Huang Qi works on the whole body, promoting good circulation and improving appetite, while stimulating the immune system to become more effective. Indian Gingseng supports strong energy, health and growth.Wild animals naturally gravitate to plants for their healing properties. Domesticated animals will also chew on the plants available in your backyard. Build natural immunity for dogs by giving your pet a daily supplement. By doing so, you’ll be giving your faithful friend the nutrients need to lead a long, healthy and vibrant life.

Discount vitamins can give the first responders in our bodies the equipment they need to fight disease and aging by boosting our immune systems. So much depends upon this misunderstood, complex collection of organs and glands, yet most people take their immune system for granted. They don’t know they have low immunity until a problem breaks out elsewhere. The immune system is not only the dragon at the door battling all attackers, but the canary in the cage — the first system to be compromised when a person’s health takes a turn for the worst.
Our society depends upon first responders, like firefighters, police, and medical teams. They can’t respond to emergency without the proper tools, and neither can our immune systems. That means good nutrition. When human beings were still hunter-gatherers living in trees and caves, they had a more balanced diet; now much of the junk food people consume is actually harmful to the body. Stress, aging, prescription drugs, tobacco and alcohol, poor diet, too little sleep, and too much work all contribute to a weakened immune system. Plus every year brings new threats from bird flu and other emerging viruses until humanity is virtually under siege.
Now it’s time to reinforce the immune system with those important vitamins, amino acids, and enzymes that make a difference in the body. It’s never too late to begin a vitamin regimen for general good health, especially when multivitamins have become so common. Several recent studies have shown the benefits of adding supplements to the average diet to boost the immune system.
Vitamin D-3
The importance of Vitamin D in all its forms have been known for centuries, for as long as humans have consumed milk. In the Journal of Immunotherapy, 2000, Volume 23, scientists reported how Vitamin D-3 treatments in mice enhanced the immune system’s reaction toward tumors. Studies showed that Vitamin D-3 increased T-cell immune activity against tumors and lessened the chance of spreading to other tissue, or metastasis. In mice and humans, a tumor leads to an increase in a bone marrow cell called CD34, which naturally suppresses the effectiveness of healthy T-cells to fight the tumor. Vitamin D-3 give T-cells a boost, lowers CD34, and keeps the tumor from spreading. This is exactly the kind of help the immune system needs.
Enzymes
Enzymes are one of the least understood of proteins, but also one of the most important for healthy immunology. Enzymes catalyze chemical reactions in the body — they’re like the sewage system, treating substances entering the body. Because enzymes can be inhibited or accelerated by other substances and conditions, they can sometimes do more harm than good. A stomachache is a simple example of this, and a common remedy is taking an antacid, which attempts to inhibit digestive enzymes in the stomach. Telomerase is an interesting enzyme that’s been getting a lot of press. Found in stem cells, it allows cells to grow faster and live longer, and it’s one of the reasons that stem cells duplicate so quickly. Whether Telomerase is the Fountain of Youth or one of the reasons for rapid cancer growth is still being researched, but common enzymes are known to help eyesight, digestion, and cell regeneration.
Antioxidants
In both the human body and the lawn furniture, oxidation is a chemical process best avoided. There’s growing research that antioxidants help to protect virtually every cell in the human body, and we are discovering more and more antioxidants all the time. Alpha-lipoic acid is showing up more frequently in discount vitamins, because it reverses aging in cells. Melatonin protects the membrane cytoskeleton of red blood cells from structural changes due to oxidation. Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and beta-carotene all do their best to protect the cells that make up our most important senses, plus our skin and hair. Selenium has been shown to block cancer growth in the breast tissue of rodents. Alpha-lipoic acid even increases the retention of Vitamin E in the cells of older people, as one vitamin helps another.
Good Old Vitamins
Thiamine, Riboflavin, and Niacin are also known as Vitamins B1, B2, and B3, respectively. They help the body convert carbohydrates and fat into energy, while they promote proper function of the heart, nervous, and digestive systems. Vitamin B2 is needed to form red blood cells and antibodies, so it’s essential to the immune system. Riboflavin also helps prevent many types of eye diseases, including cataracts, which afflict many people in old age. Niacin is needed for a healthy liver and metabolism, and it aids in repairing cells and DNA. Vitamin E, Vitamin K, and Omega 3 fatty acids are all popular supplements that help to maintain a healthy immune system.
The effect of garlic on the immune system has long been debated, but there’s no debate that garlic contains a natural antibiotic, anti-fungal agent called allicin. Calcium and Vitamins K and D are needed for good blood clotting and bone formation. A person could make a life-long study of dietary supplements and their uses, but the simplest way to start is with a good multivitamin from a reputable firm.
Junk in, Junk out
Common sense is integral part of the immune system, because protection starts with what we put into our mouths. Studies reported in Cancer Letters have shown that a diet rich in n-6 fatty acids (corn oil) promotes inflammation and the growth of tumors. Whereas a diet rich in fish oil, which contain lots of Omega 3 fatty acids and Vitamin E, slowed inflammation of the colon and other cancer-prone tissue. Hydrogenated cooking oils are now in such disfavor they’ve been banned from the city of New York. Whole books have been written on the dangers and empty calories found in refined sugar and refined flour, so there’s no need to go into that here. Suffice to say that no attempt to improve the immune system can survive a lousy, careless diet.
Almost every week and especially during flu season, we get treated to the usual articles stating that merely washing our hands more often will help us avoid the sniffles. It sounds simple — it is simple — but how many people heed these warnings? No, we’re more likely to stay out of drafts, when it’s been proven that drafts do not cause colds. Regular check-ups with a doctor, regular blood tests, getting the proper vaccines, and giving up bad habits — such as smoking — are all known to keep human beings healthier. Nobody even debates that anymore, but how many of us take these simple preventive steps to aid the immune system? Common sense goes hand in hand with being healthy.
When Dr. Linus Pauling reported that Vitamin C helped the immune system fight the common cold, it was big news in 1970. Almost forty years later, there is really no excuse for ignoring the beneficial effects of vitamins, minerals, and other dietary supplements. Multivitamins are sold all over town and the internet, often tailored to gender and age, so anyone can start a vitamin regimen with complete confidence. So take your discount vitamins, and give your immune system every break it deserves.