Author: Darrell Miller | Total views: 91 Comments: 0
Word Count: 1174 Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2007 12:24 PM

Low Immunity Problems? Start A Regular Vitamin Regimen

Low immunity problems can be serious to your health, and a regular vitamin regimen can frequently help.

The function of your immune system is to protect your body from foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, rogue cells such as cancer cells and anything else the body is led to believe is not normal. It will even attack healthy cells if the cell messaging system is disrupted by a lack of the glyconutrients that inform the immune system of their identity.

There are two arrows to the human immune system’s bow: specific and non-specific defense mechanisms. The non-specific mechanism is exemplified by the hairs in our nostrils that trap large particles before they get into the trachea, the mucus in our respiratory tract that clears out unwanted debris, the fever that increases the body temperature above that safe for bacteria and other nasties to thrive and tears that wash out debris from the eyeball.

The specific defense mechanism is more sophisticated and complex, and consists of leukocytes and lymphocytes that attack specific invaders. These involve white blood cells and antibodies that are formed to attack very specific types of pathogen and are the basis of modern vaccination protection against known viruses.

The immune system can be strengthened by increasing the body’s supply of the antioxidants vitamins C and E, and also vitamin A. The effect of vitamin C on the common cold was reported by Doctor Linus Pauling in 1970, and it caused a bit of a storm. At that time the workings of the immune system was not known as much as it is now. Much of current knowledge has been gained by investigations into the causes, effects and potential cure for AIDS.

Also needed are certain minerals that act synergistically with these vitamins to boost the immune system. Selenium and zinc are two that are known to be effective. Although these vitamins are available in supplement form, they are much more effective when taken naturally in green leafy vegetables that are also high in b-carotene such a kale and broccoli, and also carrots.

A strong immune system allows you to fight simple viral infections such as the common cold and also potentially fatal diseases such as measles. It is the human immune system that allows the white blood cells to form antibodies against the measles virus when it is introduced into the body in the form of a vaccine. The antibodies register the structure and geometry of the virus so that if it ever invades the body again, it is attacked and destroyed. That is the basis of all vaccines.

The immune system now has more demands made upon it than ever before, with new strains of the common cold, flu and even the more serious diseases being found every year. It even has to fight against the bacterial infection of a cut, and manifests itself in the pus that you get if the wound is not cleaned out properly. The pus is composed of dead white blood cells that laid down their lives to save you from the invading bacteria.

There are certain vitamins that can be taken to bolster the immune system and help it to do its job. The B vitamins are essential for the correct functioning of the immune system. Vitamin B2, or Riboflavin, is necessary for the formation of antibodies while Niacin, vitamin B3, helps to repair damage cells and also keeps your DNA in good condition. The other vitamins that are used by the immune system are vitamins E and K.

Omega 3 fatty acids that obtainable from fish oils are also needed to maintain healthy immune system and included among useful supplements for this essential and mysterious part of human biochemistry is garlic that, although undoubtedly contains a natural antibiotic, is also believe by many to aid the immune system. It certainly aids immunity from vampires!

There are now no doubts that nutrition in the form of certain vitamins and minerals, and also some non-specific substances present in many herbs and natural sources, have an effect on the health and effectiveness of the immune system. Also becoming more understood are the external and internal factors that affect it.

Extreme stress can weaken the body’s defenses against infection, as can a poor diet. The diet can be understood, now that the effect of nutrition on the immune system is more accepted, if not fully understood. It is also known that the gastrointestinal tract plays a significant part in the immune system. The stomach acid, hydrochloric acid, is very concentrated in the stomach and fatal for many organisms that are not prepared for it. Enzymes fatal to many micro-organisms are synthesized in the liver and passed into the bile that is used in the digestion of fats. Any microorganisms that are unfortunate enough to get in the way are destroyed.

In fact, as much as 70% of the human immune system is the first line defense against ingested bacteria located in the gastrointestinal tract. A good probiotic supplement is one way of boosting this part of the bodies defenses against attack from external elements determined to enter your body and do you harm. These supplements are commonly available from health stores and supermarkets, and are a simple way of helping to maintain a healthy immune system.

What you must keep in mind when considering your immune system is that without you will die. It is as simple as that. You must therefore do what you can to keep it healthy and efficient. Let us, therefore, recap on what has been discussed on how you can achieve this.

The main vitamins needed by the immune system are vitamins A, C and E. Vitamin A is available from green leafy vegetables such as kale and broccoli, and brightly colored fruits and vegetables such as peppers and carrots. Vitamin C is available from fresh fruit and vegetables, so you can get both at the same time with a well chosen diet, and Vitamin E comes from green leafy vegetables and oily foods such as olives, nuts and seeds.

You also need Vitamins B1, B2 and B3, available from brewer’s yeast, liver, bananas, chicken and oatmeal, though all are not necessarily found together. Omega 3 fatty acids obtained from oily fish or hemp oil help to maintain the immune system, and minerals such as selenium and zinc are needed to help the vitamins carry out their part.

Taking all that into account, the simplest way to ensure that you get all of these nutrients is to take a multivitamin and mineral supplement and omega 3 capsules. A probiotic supplement drink will help to keep your digestive system in trim. It is important that you maintain your immune system as well as you can since its failure will be fatal. A regular vitamin regimen should resolve your low immunity problems.

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For more information, visit http://vitanetonline.com/ where a large selection of vitamin supplements can be found to boost the immune system or fight what ails you.