The Health Diva

Even the most perfect diet can have difficulty meeting our body’s demand for nutrients. We always recommend a good multi vitamin and minerals along with extra vitamin C to ensure our body is getting enough and ward of bugs and viruses.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A enhances resistance to infection by increasing phagocytic cell migration and lymphocyte proliferation. It also enhances responsiveness to antigenic stimuli. Deficiencies have been shown to decrease lymphocyte activation, lower lysozyme and complement levels (both important chemicals of the immune system), impair secretory IgA production (especially important in the intestinal tract) and decrease T-cell dependent antibody responses.

Beta-carotene appears to selectively increase T-4 cells, reacts with free radicals and free oxygen to help prevent genetic and cell wall damage, increases tumor necrosis factor, increases activity of macrophage and natural killer (NK) cells. This changes into vitamin A as the body requires it.

Vitamin B

A good vitamin B complex, is an excellent way to provide all the B vitamins necessary to support the immune system.

Vitamin B2 is important for the production of antibodies, whilst vitamin B5 helps to support the adrenal system helping to protect the body from adrenal stress. B5 also helps maintain the thymus gland and it’s functioning. Vitamin B6 Deficiency inhibits cell-mediated immune functions and antibody production, atrophy of spleen and thymus. Folic Acid: Deficiency impairs lymphocyte function and decreases antibody production. B12 is required for proper lymphocyte function and the production of DNA and amino acids (protein).

Vitamin C

The debate about the value of vitamin C in preventing and treating the common cold has raged for over three decades following the publication in 1970 of Vitamin C and the Common Cold by Linus Pauling.

A Japanese study on vitamin C and colds was published in 2006 in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. The risk of contracting three or more colds in the five-year period was decreased by 66% by the daily intake of the 500-mg vitamin C supplement.

Vitamin D

There is increasing evidence of the immune boosting benefits of Vitamin D also known as Sunshine Vitamin.

The largest study of its kind to date shows that vitamin D each and every day is what will keep the doctor away when it comes to the common cold or the flu. Lower levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk for respiratory infections, such as the common cold and the flu.

Asthma patients with the lowest vitamin D levels had five times the risk for respiratory infection.

Vitamin E

Vitamin E increases resistance to infection, increases antibody levels, stimulates B-lymphocytes and promotes T-4 activity and protects vitamins A, C and B-complex from destruction. It is a free radical scavenger and will protect all cell membranes and genetic material from damage from free radicals.

Iron

Numerous studies indicate that a lack of iron lowers immunity. Adequate levels help maintain cellular immunity and help to protect against some infections. Cell-mediated immune response may be impaired when iron deficiency negatively impacts the iron-requiring enzyme called ribonculeotide reductase, an enzyme that appears to be essential for the proper function of the T-lymphocyte arm of immunity. Resistance to candida, herpes simplex virus and some other pathogens appears to be reduced in those with poor iron status.

Selenium

Because selenium works as an antioxidant, it may provide important health benefits to people whose oxidative stress loads are high. Examples of these are smokers, and those with inflammatory diseases, like rheumatoid arthritis or people who suffer from infections that compromise their cell immunity

Selenium has particular significance for those with infectious diseases. It’s very much needed for the proper functioning of the immune system, and appears to be a key nutrient in counteracting the development of viruses and retroviruses including those responsible for Ebola, bird Flu and Hepatitis.

Zinc

Another supplement that is garnering attention is zinc. I may reduce the duration as well as the severity of a cold. Zinc lozenges, can sooth a sore throat, while the zinc supplements taken daily are important for nearly all bodily systems.