Do you remember the days when you could rely on your immune system to see you through the flu epidemics? Once upon a time your innate immune response very effectively fought off pathogens before they could start an active infection.Today it is a little more difficult and everyone’s immune system is challenged like never before.
We now live in a world where our diets lack the nutrients that our bodies were designed to have in order to thrive. Consider the adulterated foods we eat: processed, mass-produced foods grown in mineral-depleted soils using petrochemical fertilizers and pesticides. And now we can also add genetically engineered foods to the list – lucky us! We’re eating meat and drinking milk produced in cramped unhealthy conditions where antibiotics and growth hormones are the order of the day. Pollution everywhere means that most of the world’s population is breathing in bad air. The chemicals in most medications rob us of vitamins and minerals that our bodies need.
The good news is, although we may have forgotten the immune system, it hasn’t left us: it just needs recognition and for us to give it a little support against the onslaught of our modern world.
Let’s take a look at the old tried and tested pillar posts that will ensure your immune system has a fighting chance.
A healthy microbiome builds a strong immune system
About 70% of your immune system is housed in the gut, so be sure to get a healthy daily dose of probiotics to keep your immune system strong. A recent study concluded, like so many before, that:
• the bacteria in your gut may play a role in the severity of COVID-19 infection and the strength of your immune system response.
• Imbalance in the microbiome contributes to the severity of COVID-19, and if it persists after viral clearance, could contribute to persistent symptoms
• Restoring the missing beneficial bacteria might boost our immunity against SARS-CoV2 virus and hasten recovery from the disease.
Ensure a healthy dose of D
Apart from a wealth of research showing that it helps to protect one from infection, other research has observed high rates of vitamin D deficiency in people with COVID-19 who experienced acute respiratory failure. These people also had a significantly higher risk of dying.
Apparently we need a minimum of 4000IUs a day to be on the safe side. Our daily 20 minutes in the sun is not going to cut it unfortunately, so a supplement, especially in the Winter months, is non-negotiable. This doesn’t mean you can forego the sun exposure. Fresh air and sunshine is still the best medicine.
This is no time to be zinc deficient
The fact that zinc is essential for the human immune function and activity against infectious pathogens is well established. Research shows a strong correlation between low serum zinc levels and severity of viral infections. The reason behind this could be a combination of immune system imbalance and improved viral replication in patients with zinc deficiency. Prophylactic zinc supplementation is certainly highly recommended for at-risk groups, such as the elderly who are usually deficient, however everyone, including children will benefit.
Zinc that is bound to the organic acids that drive the Krebs cycle, such as the zinc compounds found in Vibrant Health’s Krebs Zinc, is highly bio-available.
Add Vitamin C
Including Vitamin C in this protocol should go without saying. Every one of us should be taking this vitamin daily for protection against any infection. Vitamin C’s powerful immune supporting and antioxidant properties help to protect certain white blood cells from the toxic compounds they produce in their fight against pathogens. Always increase the dose when virally infected.
Maintain a healthy level of Omega-3 essential fatty acids at at all times
The final pillar would be an adequate intake of omega-3 fatty acids. Apart from preventing disease by reducing inflammation, it is now believed that these fatty acids have immune enhancing properties too. They support the immune system by influencing the functioning of immune cells such as white blood cells known as B cells. It is therefore recommended that we ensure a healthy level of these fatty acids in our bodies at all times as a prophylactic. Eating more fish is not recommended because of the risk of taking in contaminants from polluted waters. Rather take a fish oil supplement offered by a reputable company.
Targeted Support with Immune Defense
Immune Defense activates and supports the immune system on a number of different levels. It supports healthy colonies of gut bacteria and prevents adhesion of bad bacteria to the gut lining. This prevents invading pathogens from entering into the blood circulation, effectively stopping them in their tracks. This is why it is important to take Immune Defense as soon as you are feeling run down or immediately you feel that first tingle of a cold. However if you miss that boat, not all is lost. Immune defense provides targeted immune support (antibodies) to stop invading germs. It has anti-bacterial properties and improves cell to cell communication ensuring your immune system responds appropriately and effectively, helping the body to prevent bacteria and viruses from taking hold and thriving.
Make sure you have Immune Defense on hand for the first signs of illness and take 3 to 6 caps immediately and it’ll start to work its magic. Continue taking 3 caps every 3 hours for the next 24 to 36 hours.
Will this be enough?
Following a supplement protocol such as this should keep your immune system well supported through the most challenging times. Needless to say, just as a good diet won’t be sufficient because nutrient-rich foods are hard to come by, all the supplements in the world won’t make up for a junk food diet. So always eat as healthily as you can.
Look after your immune system and it will look after you.