Maintaining Immune Health with Vitamins & Supplements
Written by Scientific Director and Pharmacist Jerry Hickey
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The purpose of the immune system is to keep infectious microbes (such as dangerous bacteria, viruses, parasites and yeasts) out of the body, and to destroy any infectious microorganisms that do invade the body, hopefully before they have time to cause infection and disease.
The immune system is made up of a complex and vital network of cells and organs that protect the body from infection. Specialized immune system cells known as macrophages and neutrophils wrap around microbes, engulfing them in a special chamber. The chamber then floods with acids, dissolving the microbe. So, when you are diagnosed with an infection and are under attack by a microbe, the supplements in Table 1 may improve the immune systems ability to contain these organisms.
Good immune system function is a balance between regulation and activity. Sometimes, the immune system acts inappropriately identifying harmless substances such as a food or pollen, as an invading microbe and this is the essence of an allergy. Another scenario is that the immune system may mount a persistent but mismanaged attack and this is what occurs in arthritic pain or in asthma; individuals with these conditions should choose from the correct nutrients in Table 2 to assist their therapy.
Table 1Supplements that promote immune system function
- Astragalus
- Beta-carotene
- Black Seed
- Cordyceps
- Echinacea
- Evening Primrose Oil (Omega-6 Fatty Acids)
- Mushrooms (Maitake, Shiitake, Reishi)
- Nucleotides
- Zinc
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Table 2
Supplements that help inhibit hatwire immune system activity
- Alpha-Lipoic Acid
- Fish Oil (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)
- Flax Seed (Omega-3 Fatty Acid precursors)
- Grape Seed Extract
- Green Tea
- Perna Canaliculus green lipped mussel
- Perilla seed frutescens
- Resveratrol
- Rosemary
- Quercetin
- Stinging Nettle
- Vitamin C
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Table 3
Supplements that do not directly promote or inhibit immune function but have an effect on microbes
- Green Tea
- L-Lysine
- NAC or Milk Protein Isolate (help protect immune system cells so they can do their job)
- Olive Leaf
- Oregano
- White Tea
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Immune system vitamins with targeted, specially engineered, highly effective formulas can assist greatly in maintaining a strong, powerful immune system. To help boost your overall immunity and avoid getting sick, it’s extremely beneficial to invest in our immune system supplements.
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Assisting Scientific Director and Pharmacist Jerry Hickey is a team of nutritional professionals - a group of hand chosen, dedicated experts, available at each and every InVite® Health retail location - there to provide you with a FREE, personalized, and professional nutritional consultation. Visit an InVite® Health retail location near you for assistance in selecting the correct nutrients to address your health concerns.
You can also e-mail an InVite® Nutritionist or call us directly with any of your nutritional questions. The InVite® Health team is always available to assist you.