Dietary supplements are intended to make up for deficiencies in the diet, they are optimal for boosting the immune system.
Did you know that 70% of your immune system resides in your intestine?
In fact, the immune system is made up of a coordinated set of recognition and defence elements that discriminate between the self and the non-self (foreigner). It is inherited at birth, but is autonomous, adaptive and highly plastic. It then evolves according to the contacts it has with microbes or environmental substances.
What is recognized as non-self is destroyed, these are pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, certain particles or “foreign” molecules (including certain poisons).
The main effectors (responding to the stimuli it receives) of the immune system are the immune cells called leukocytes (or white blood cells) produced by stem cells, within the red bone marrow.
Thus, the immune system is all that makes up the body’s defences.
The maintenance of health, protection and strengthening of the immune system is primarily achieved through nutrition. The latter needs to be rich in various vitamins and minerals.
If the immune system is properly supplied with adequate nutrients, its activity increases and the body becomes more resistant to various infections and diseases.
It fights against :
- Bacterial infections
- Viral diseases
- Intestinal inflammation
- Stress
- Nuisances and toxins.
If you often feel tired or stressed, the reason may be your immune system, which no longer functions properly. As soon as the immunity drops, we produce fewer white blood cells, which are no longer able to repel the increasing number of toxins.
At what point, is it necessary to boost yourself?
- Suffering from frequent infections, such as sinusitis or pneumonia, is a clear sign that something must be done.
- If you are on a diet, it is essential to maintain the balance by providing vitamins and minerals. This, in order to neutralise the acidification due to the higher protein intake.
- It also happens that the immune system becomes too reactive. This indicates a functional immunity disturbance. Furthermore, the appearance of allergic reactions such as skin allergies, hay fever, asthma, certain intestinal diseases, drug or food allergies are alerts.
Essential Vitamins and Mineral for your immune system
Among the vitamins that strengthen the immune system, we can think about vitamins B, C, D and E, as well as selenium (mineral). They all have the antioxidant effect that stimulates the effectiveness of the immune system. The question often arises as to whether or not to take vitamins every day. The body fundamentally needs them in order to be able to maintain health. In principle, the intake should be daily, especially in the case of water-soluble vitamins.
Ingesting vitamins in the diet is still preferable, and if this is not possible, then vitamin preparations should be taken.
Natural extracts, to be preferred
Ginger, whose root and essential oils of the plant, make the body more resistant and produce an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effect. In addition, ginger is excellent for respiratory infections and stimulates digestion.
Thanks to its high content of flavonoids and tannin, the essential oil of oregano has medicinal virtues, particularly promoting immune strengthening.
The stem, leaves and root of ginseng are used to make the body more resistant to diseases and infections. Ginseng contributes to the proper functioning of the body by stimulating immune cells (B-, T cells, macrophages, etc.). According to several researches, where 200mg of ginseng was used, the number of colds decreased and it also proved to be very effective in fighting the flu. Elderberries and elderflowers have been used in medicine for thousands of years to treat colds, flu and inflammations.