Immune System Health

There are many natural products that can provide an immune system boost. Herbs, botanicals, essential minerals, ordinary vitamins and general good nutrition can all support immune system health.

One of the easiest ways to get an immune system boost is to make sure that you get enough Vitamin C. Vitamin C strengthens blood cells and helps the body assimilate iron and other important nutrients. Strong white blood cells are key factors for overall immune system health. Specialized white blood cells called helper T-cells identify those things that do not belong in the body, such as viruses, while others, killer T-cells, destroy them.

Vitamin C supplements can provide an immune system boost if the amount you get from your diet is inadequate. If you are under stress, taking antibiotics, aspirin, sulfa drugs or if you use tobacco products, you may need additional Vitamin C to support immune system health. Stress and the other substances mentioned have a "canceling" effect on Vitamin C.

Vitamin C gives the best immune system boost when taken with calcium and magnesium. Calcium and magnesium help the cells of the body absorb Vitamin C and other essential nutrients. Most people have heard of Vitamin C, calcium and magnesium, but many people are unfamiliar with herbs, botanicals and plant components that can provide an immune system boost.

Beta Glucans are plant components that have been the subject of numerous scientific and clinical studies. In one clinical study, patients who were given Beta Glucans had an increased number of helper T-cells circulating in the blood stream. In the scientific community, Beta Glucans are known to stimulate immune system health and are being studied for their potential use in diseases which affect the immune system, cancer treatment and cholesterol control. Some health supplements designed to provide an immune system boost include Beta Glucans.

An interesting herb for immune system health is Andrographis Paniculata or AP for short. Many of us have heard of echinacea...and AP is the Indian version of AP, which is believed to be much safer and more effective. 

AP has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for the effective treatment of infection, cold, fever and inflammation. Scientists who study herbs used in traditional medicine have shown that AP may be effective for the treatment of influenza, by reducing recovery time and the risk of complications. While some herbs designed to provide an immune system boost may be toxic when used for extended periods of time, AP has been shown in animal studies to have no toxic effect.

There are a number of herbs and botanicals which are believed to support immune system health. Green tea, Siberian ginseng, piperine, olive leaf are a few more.

The XTendlife company has created a product called Viral Protec which includes many of the natural ingredients mentioned here and more. Viral-protec is recommended to provide an immune system boost for anyone who lives or works in a high-risk environment such as a hospital, who travels a lot and comes in contract with many strangers (frequent air travel), and for anyone who wants an extra immune system boost before and during cold and flu season.