The human body's immune system is the first line of defense against pathogens and attacks from the outside world. It allows us to fight bacteria, viruses and parasites, and to resist infections. But to function well, the immune system must have access to different micronutrients that we sometimes lack due to our diet or certain disorders. To remedy these deficiencies, vitamin/mineral supplements and dietary supplements may be necessary.
During the flu season or periods of illness, we often seek vitamin and mineral supplements to strengthen our immune system. The dynamics of our immune system is complex and influenced by an ideal balance of many factors, and by the joint action of several micronutrients.
A balanced diet consisting of a range of vitamins and minerals, combined with healthy lifestyle factors like adequate sleep and exercise and low stress, prepares the body most effectively to fight infections and infections. diseases. On a daily basis, we are constantly exposed to potentially harmful microbes of all kinds. Our immune system, a network of complex body pathways, protects us against these pathogens as well as certain diseases.
It recognizes foreign invaders like bacteria, viruses and parasites and takes immediate action. Malnutrition or micronutrient deficiency is one of the major contributors to a weakened immune system. In a 2007 study published by the British Journal of Nutrition , researchers show that micronutrients support the body's immune system at three distinct levels:physical barriers (e.g. skin and mucous membranes), cellular immunity, and antibody production.
Vitamins C, E and zinc strengthen physical barriers. Vitamins B6, B12, C, D, E, folic acid, zinc and selenium all support immunity at the cellular level. Finally, all of these micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and iron, are essential for the production of antibodies. It can also be interesting to use natural food supplements to boost your immune system. Many guides are available to explain how to choose a food supplement.
For example, acerola is an excellent element. In a study of various vitamin C-containing fruits and their relative amounts, acerola outperformed all others, especially when grown organically. The fruit is said to have higher amounts of vitamin C than oranges and strawberries. Acerola has also been shown to be a very important source of vitamin A.
Vitamin C is a necessary nutrient and a water-soluble vitamin and is not stored in the body, so you must take a source of water-soluble vitamins daily. Along with vitamin A, vitamin C is a known antioxidant, helping to prevent free radical damage and certain diseases. Recent studies claim that acerola is rich in antioxidants.
Vitamin C also builds collagen, protects mucous membranes and prevents scurvy. Vitamin C is important for keeping the immune system functioning and helping the body fight infections, viruses, and even cancer. Although more research is needed, one study has shown that in the laboratory, berries rich in antioxidants and vitamin C have the ability to help the body stop the growth of colon cancer.
Acerola, when eaten as a food, also contains good amounts of the following nutrients:calcium, iron, vitamin B3, phosphorus riboflavin (vitamin B2) and thiamin (vitamin B1).
Among the other food supplements of interest, we also find spirulina. Spirulina is an organism found in both fresh and salt water. It is a type of cyanobacteria, which is a family of single-celled microbes often called blue-green algae. Spirulina is packed with special phytonutrients, which function as the basic nutritional building blocks of plants. Spirulina also contains many necessary minerals and vitamins, such as vitamins A, B and K as well as iron, copper, potassium and magnesium.
Oxidative damage can harm your DNA and your cells. This damage can lead to chronic inflammation, which contributes to cancer and other diseases. Spirulina is a fantastic source of antioxidants, which can protect against oxidative damage. Phycocyanin can fight free radicals and inhibit the production of inflammatory signaling molecules, providing an impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect.
This immune system support action supports the role of vitamin D. Vitamin D is necessary for the proper functioning of your immune system. This vitamin plays a vital role in promoting the immune response. It has both anti-inflammatory and immunoregulatory properties and is crucial for activating the defenses of the immune system.
Vitamin D is known to improve the function of immune cells, including T cells and macrophages, which protect your body against pathogens. In fact, the vitamin is so important to immune function that low levels of vitamin D have been linked to increased susceptibility to infection, disease, and immune disorders.
