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Combating the suppressed immune system with dietary supplements

People who have lots of colds, get the flu every year or suffer from a suppressed immune system for other reasons often ask, “How do I improve immune system function?” Everyone can benefit from dietary supplements that have been scientifically proven to improve immune system function, some more so than others.

People who live or work in a high risk environment, such as a hospital or nursing home; people who work with the public, have children in school, college students or even those who eat out frequently are exposed to more germs, viruses and bacteria. Those who have been taking immuno-suppressant drugs, corticosteroids or suffer from conditions like HIV/AIDS and have a suppressed immune system are more susceptible to infections from all sources.

Good health habits, which include washing hands frequently and avoiding touching the nose or mouth after contact with the public, good nutrition and adequate rest, can help prevent many viral and bacterial infections. If you practice good health habits, eat right, take a daily multivitamin get plenty of sleep and you still ask “how do I improve immune system function” then you may want to consider supplementation with an immune system booster. There are a number of herbs, botanicals and essential vitamins and minerals that play important roles in proper immune system function.

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. Those who are under stress, taking antibiotics, aspirin, sulfa drugs, use tobacco products or have a suppressed immune system for any reason need additional Vitamin C. Stress and the other substances mentioned have a “canceling” effect on Vitamin C. Vitamin C supplementation is probably not the ultimate answer to how do I improve immune system function, but the suppressed immune system needs all the help it can get. Vitamin C is most effective when taken with calcium and magnesium.

Beta Glucans are plant components that have been the subject of numerous scientific and clinical studies. In one clinical study, patients who had a suppressed immune system were given Beta Glucans and showed an increased number of helper T-cells (specialized white blood cells that “help” killer T-cells identify and destroy viruses, bacteria and infection) circulating in the blood stream. Beta glucans are being studied not only to find an answer for “how do I improve immune system function”, but also for potential use to treat cancer and control cholesterol.

Andrographis Paniculata (AP) has a history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for the effective treatment of infection, cold, fever and inflammation. Scientists trying to answer the question “how do I improve immune system function” by studying 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 recommended for building immune system help may be toxic when used for extended periods of time, AP has been shown in animal studies to have very low or no toxicity.

AP, Beta glucans and Vitamin C are only a few of the natural substances that may may be beneficial to the suppressed immune system. Green tea, Siberian ginseng, piperine, olive leaf are a few more. For the answers to more questions like “how do I improve immune system function” or for information about a natural product that contains all of the immune system boosters mentioned here visit www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

About the author
Patsy Hamilton has more than twenty years experience in health care and currently writes informational articles for the Immune System Booster Guide. Read more at http://www.immune-system-booster-guide.com.

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