Boosting your Immune System

Your immune system is the most complex and remarkable in the body. It is key to your health and longevity and without it you would quite simply die. The immune system is what fights off bugs, bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. Bacteria are part of life, some harm us others help us, however the most important point is that the bugs are under control.

If we can maintain a strong active efficient immune system we are less likely to die from diseases caused by these bugs and less likely to suffer from autoimmune diseases (like lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and endocrine disorders). Your immune system is like your internal cleaner - its gets rid of all the rubbish that has accumulated, disposes of all the dead cells and bugs and "womble-like" patrols the body picking up rubbish!.

Your immune system is found collectively in your white blood cells. There are different categories of white blood cells, each of which performs a specific function.

These include: granulocytes:

• Neutrophils - ingest and destroy bacteria
• Eosinophils - ingest and destroy antigen antibody combinations
• Basophils - secrete compounds like heparin or histamine in response to contact with an antigen and lymphocytes
• B-cells (these found in antibodies)
• T -cells (these destroy invading cells)
• Macrophages (these engulf and digest the invader)

At any time there are a small number of these cells roaming the body. In one minute this complex system can produce a million antibodies and disarm a billion different antigens. Pretty amazing wouldn't you say?

The strength of your immune system is dependant on vitamins and minerals - deficiencies of vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B12, folic acid, vitamin C and vitamin E suppresses the immunity as does iron, magnesium zinc and selenium. Of particular importance are the antioxidants, especially vitamin C. As most invaders form free radicals, antioxidant nutrients like vitamin A,C, E and zinc disarm these free radicals, making the invader weak.

The digestive tract is known as the gut associated immune system - incomplete digested foods can result in immune reactions like allergies. Whether you succumb to infections is also linked by your balance of gut flora.

Probiotics produce substances such as lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide which stop harmful bacteria growing. These are natures antibiotics. They keep E coli, enterobacteria, staphylococci, salmonella and campylobacter at bay and help prevent food poisoning. But they don't just stop there - probiotics give pathogenic bacteria a hard time and boost your immune system so are useful if all types of disease from cancer to allergies.

Apart from bad diet, free radicals, radiation, infection, viruses and environmental hazards, by far the largest cause of a depleted immune system is stress. Never underestimate what a real influence on immunity stress has, as does grief and depression. No one really knows the depth of the amount of problems stress holds in the body but while under stress the body releases corticosteroids and these over time suppress the immune system. Overtraining or vigorous exercise, can also deplete the immune system, so calming exercise is best for immunity. In trials the Chinese art of tai chi and meditation raised t-cell counts by 40%.

ymptoms of an impaired immune system include fatigue, repeated infections, inflammation, allergic reactions, oral thrush and slow wound healing. It is estimated that a healthy adult will catch on average two colds per year, people who have more colds and infections are likely to have some problem with their immune function.

In his later life Louis Pasteur (who discovered that micro organisms were responsible for infections) realised that strengthening the body was probably better than conquering the organism

Top tips to boost your immune system

1. Do not smoke or take recreational drugs
2. Drink no more than 1 unit of alcohol per day
3. Sleep 6-8 hours daily
4. Exercise regularly - but don't overdo it!
5. Eat something (naturally!) blue/ red/yellow every day
6. Eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetables per day
7. Don't eat foods that you are intolerant/allergic to
8. Avoid fried foods, barbequed and smoked/cured meats
9. Take a daily antioxidant formula with extra zinc and selenium
10. Take a daily probiotic to help assist the immunity in the gut
11. Do not eat hydrogenated fat and reduce saturated fat 12) Avoid stress or learn to control it
12. Avoid processed, refined foods and white sugar