5-In-1 Immune Defense Formula Helps Boosts Your Immune System

March 03, 2021

The immune system is one of the most complex systems in the entire human body and in this article we will try to simplify it as much as possible. The reason why the immune system has to be so complex is due to the number of bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that it comes in contact with. These are called pathogens and they enter the body on a regular basis. The immune system is what protects the body from these pathogens. To do its work properly, the immune system has three different barriers or lines of defense to protect the body and kill these pathogens.

The first lines of defense are the skin and mucous (which is found in places such as your nose). This is why you get a runny nose when you have a cold. The body is working to get rid of the pathogens any way it can. The second line of defense occurs when these pathogens get past the skin or mucous and enter the body. When a pathogen enters the body mast cells activate which produce an inflammatory or allergic response releasing histamine in the body. Histamine dilates, or widens the blood vessels, which allow more macrophages (phagocytic white blood cells) to head towards the pathogen to consume it and get rid of it. If a pathogen gets past the second line of defense, don’t worry, you have a third line of defense. This one is more specific and what makes our immune systems so amazing. The pathogen getting past the macrophages triggers 2 types of cells, T cells and B cells. T cells help with apoptosis which is when a damaged cell dies and takes the pathogen with it. On the other hand, B cells produce antibodies. Depending on the pathogen and its antigen, the B cells will send these antibodies towards the pathogen, attach to the antigen, and stop it in its tracks. This then allows a macrophage to come and eat it up. I look at it like a key and a lock. The key is the antibody and the lock is the antigen, the body knows which exact key it needs to unlock the door and the ones that are new to the body will figure it out. Once it is figured out which antibody will stop which antigen and pathogen the body will always remember. Therefore, this creates a natural immunity to that virus, bacteria, fungus, or parasite.

However, there must be nothing that interferes with the immune system so that it can continue to function like it was intended to. Below is a list of five key things you can take to make sure the immune system is working properly.

1. Echinacea: has been used in traditional herbal medicine for more than four centuries. Echinacea was discovered by the Great Plains Indian tribes in North America. It has become a popular plant to grow known as Echinacea purpura. Studies show that Echinacea has several beneficial properties such as pain relief, anti-inflammation, upper respiratory relief, and increased immune function. A study done at the University of Wisconsin Medical School showed that Echinacea increases immune-stimulation for the treatment of acute respiratory infections.
   
   
2. Elderberry, like Echinacea, is a plant that the berries and flowers are used for medicinal purposes. Elderberry is found mainly in places like Europe, Africa, and parts of Asia but has become more commonly found in the United States. Elderberry contains flavonoids which have antioxidant properties that help in the prevention of cell damage. Anthocyanins, one of many flavonoid polyphenol phytonutrients, is found in Elderberry along with eggplant, grapes, and blueberries. It is the Anthocyanins which causes these foods to be red, purple and blue in color. The reason why Elderberry improves immune function is because the anthocyanin bioflavonoids it contains have an anti-inflammatory effect that helps boost the production of cytokines. Cytokines are produced by the B cells and T cells to help regulate the immune system.
   
   
3. Zinc is a type of metal that is essential for the body and is one of the best supplements used to fight a cold virus. Zinc is found in the tissue of the body and needed for cell division. It helps reduce free-radical damage and slows the aging process. The people that are most likely going to have a deficiency in zinc are individuals that eat a vegan or vegetarian diet, suffer from severe stomach-acid issues, or have chronic digestive problems. Research found that zinc administered to people with cold-related symptoms recovered significantly quicker than those who did not supplement with zinc.

4. Ginger is believed to help break down dangerous toxins in the body due to its warming effects and also due to the effects it has on the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is the system in the body that gets rid of toxins. Ginger is also a natural anti-inflammatory and helps lower the inflammation in the body that has been caused by parasites, bacteria, and viruses.

5. Vitamin C. Lastly, and probably the most popular vitamin for the immune system is, Vitamin C. Vitamin C was shown to improve all cell function in the immune system and even shown to protect the cells during respiratory inflammation. More importantly, studies showed that taking Vitamin C together with zinc shortened the duration of respiratory tract infections, including the common cold and improved the outcomes of pneumonia, malaria, and diarrhea infections.