SUPPORT YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM: Five Must-Have Immune Support Agents

by the team at Quantum Nutrition Labs

Toxins in the environment can wreak havoc on our health. Scientific studies demonstrate that the average person receives approximately 100,000 oxidative hits to their DNA (per cell) every single day. Over time, that adds up to a lot of bio-stressors that our cells are exposed to, day in and day out. Typical environmental stressors include pollution, unsafe food production, and global electromagnetic technology. Being constantly exposed to these toxins can threaten the body’s immune health.

In times of environmental stress, supporting the body’s immune system is critical. And there’s no better place to look than nature to provide comprehensive immune support. The natural world is filled with immune supporting botanicals that can recharge the immune system and boost the body’s natural defenses against environmental toxins.

Here are five of the most beneficial immune support agents provided by Mother Nature.

Nucleotides are the basic building blocks of every cell in the body. It takes six billion nucleotides to build one single cell. When we are healthy, our bodies store nucleotides for future use. After infection, surgery or trauma, the body uses these stores to repair cells. When we are stressed, these nucleotide stores are exhausted, leaving the body struggling to keep up with cellular repair. Supporting the body with supplemental nucleotides can also promote healthy protein synthesis, energy production, and immune system health. Cells can use these fresh nucleotides to support a healthy immune system response.

Although we might think of garlic as just a delicious addition to meals, this herb has a sterling reputation for use in natural healing. When raw garlic is crushed or chewed, the compound alliinase is naturally released. This alliinase enzyme then helps convert alliin to allicin, which happens to be an incredible immune support compound.

Allicin is the stellar compound that gives garlic extract its incredible, broad-spectrum immune support. This compound supplies antioxidants and can even help reduce inflammation. Consuming a high-quality garlic supplement may be an excellent way to help ward off a broad range of pesky illnesses.

One of the most well-known immune support agents, natural vitamin C, supplies substantial antioxidant support to the body. This critical vitamin helps to manage a healthy inflammatory response and facilitates neurotransmitter formation.

Unfortunately, many vitamin C products contain only “dead” chemicalized ascorbic acid powder. With that in mind, it is imperative to seek out naturally sourced vitamin C which contains a wide array of phytonutrients including tannins, flavonoids and polyphenolic compounds. Natural-sourced vitamin C can boost blood antioxidant levels, help the body fight free radicals, support cellular health and wellness, and even shorten the length of respiratory and systemic infections.

An ideal vitamin C supplement would feature full-spectrum vitamin C concentrates from potent plants, such as amla, a highly revered nutritional Ayurvedic fruit.

A lesser-known support agent, zinc, plays a significant role in immune health. A deficiency in zinc can cause immune dysfunction and an interruption to immune function. Zinc facilitates communication with ligands, which then bind to immune cells and play a key role in complex cell signaling. Researchers estimate that about one-third of the world’s population is zinc deficient. That means that lowered immune function due to zinc deficiency is common.

Zinc is a critical micronutrient, but many supplements on the market are formulated using poor sources of zinc such as zinc oxide or zinc carbonate. Due to their minimal ionic charge, these forms are poorly absorbed in the body. When supplementing with zinc, look for a formula that provides a superior zinc form such as zinc sulfate heptahydrate, an easily absorbable, hydrated form of zinc sulfate.

Medicinal mushrooms have been a treasured part of Eastern diets for centuries as they are shown to support immune function by providing robust phytonutrients, called polysaccharides. These special, naturally occurring agents promote the activation of the immune system—which means a big boost to immune health and overall wellness. Studies have shown that a combination of maitake, shitake and/or reishi mushrooms significantly improved immune system function by increasing natural killer cell activity.

One of the best ways to consume mushrooms is by taking a fermented mushroom powder. Fermentation easily boosts the mushroom’s natural immune compounds, making them easier to digest. In addition, releasing the mushroom’s nutritional payload through fermentation breaks down the chitin in the mushrooms’ cell walls and provides postbiotic metabolites to further support immune health.

Adopting a comprehensive nutritional program, including immune-supporting botanical agents, is one of best ways to support the immune system from daily environmental invaders. There is no better time than now to start!