Category Archives: Antioxidant Supreme

Antioxidant Supreme, General Health & Nutrition, True Food Natural Vitamin E, Vitamin E

An e-ssential vitamin? Why Vitamin E’s so important – and where to get it

Everybody is surely – or, at least, should be – aware of how good vitamins are for their bodies. What fewer people are aware of, though, is that they need to consume an adequate amount of vitamins on a very regular basis not just to keep their body healthy but to keep it functioning properly at all. No question then, vitamins are brilliant; they’re essential. And a great example is one that’s maybe not as heralded as one of two of the others – Vitamin E.

Also known as tocopheral (in all its different naturally-occurring forms), Vitamin E’s a fat-soluble nutrient, which means it can be dissolved by lipids (fats in the body); this feature obviously plays a crucial role in how it operates in the human body, ensuring it helps to maintain eyesight1, aid the tackling of gout2 and proves critical for those suffering from arthritic symptoms3, to name just a few of the things it does.

Vitamin E benefits

But let’s take a closer look at Vitamin E’s multiple health benefits. There really are so many. Perhaps more than anything else, it’s well known for its antioxidant qualities4; contributing greatly to boosting and preserving the health of cell membranes and the tissues of the breast, eyes, liver, skin and testes5. And, like all antioxidants, it’s highly effective at swinging into action and ceasing molecules known as ‘free radicals’ from their harmful behaviour when they’ve found their way into the body6.

What do they do? Well, a free radical is uncharged (it lacks an electron), thus it likes nothing better to than try and chemically ‘complete’ itself by pairing with another electron-carrying molecule; but an antioxidant likes nothing more that stopping a free radical in its tracks – and ensuring its behaviour doesn’t cause oxidative stress7. This, in turn, can help pave the way to serious ailments like neurodegenerative disease8, while free radicals are also associated with arthritis, heart disease, hypertension, senility and even cancer5.

More than just an antioxidant

Vitamin E’s nothing if not versatile, though. For instance, in combination with Vitamin A, it works to reduce cholesterol and prevent general accumulation of fat around the body5. Moreover, owing to its antioxidant properties (which ensure it can minimise clotting and thus aid in the healing process of wounds), it’s felt to be useful when consumed immediately prior to and after surgery – that is, if a daily prescribed dosage is no higher than 200-300 IUs; otherwise it may work towards suppressing healing5.

It’s a vitamin that’s also particularly beneficial for the skin, specifically when it comes to helping to repair burns, lesions and ulcers9, and appears (to some extent) to help relieve menstrual pains – in addition to mitigating other menstrual-related symptoms like headaches, hot flushes and vaginal itching5. And, just to round things out, Vitamin E’s also believed to aid the treatment of leg cramps, muscular dystrophy10, restless leg syndrome11 and diabetes-caused circulatory issues12.

Vitamin E foods and supplements

Quite frankly, any nutritionist is likely to tell you that, ideally, your best sources for Vitamin E are foods rich in the nutrient that you can incorporate into your daily – or, at least, regular – diet. Of particularly high Vitamin E-content are the likes of safflower oil, wheat-germ oil and sunflower oil and seeds, as well as nuts like hazelnuts and walnuts, and vegetables including asparagus, broccoli, celery, cucumber, green peas, kale, spinach and tomatoes5.

However, whether or not you truly can incorporate those foods into your diet is, unfortunately, a moot point; too many of us – for whatever reason – eat too little of truly healthy foods nowadays, with modern food processing techniques and the increasing use of pesticides in farming negatively impacting on even supposedly nutrient-rich foods’ actual nutrient content. In which case, to successfully boost your intake of vitamin E – especially if a medical expert has informed you you’re deficient in it – your best bet is to turn to supplementation. Now, don’t doubt it; you want to go for naturally-derived Vitamin E supplements here, not their often dubious synthetic substitutes (which contain laboratory-manufactured vitamin content that’s usually nowhere near as nutritious). Indeed, among those available through us at The Finchley Clinic, you might well consider the following:

true-food-natural-vitamin-E

True Food Natural Vitamin E – in addition to Vitamin E, this highly bioavailable supplement contains B vitamins, beta glucans, glutathione, choline, inositol, amino acids and other phytonutrients; it may help protect cell membranes from oxidative damage, support healthy skin as the body ages and, when combined with True Food Super Potency Soyagen, it may help ease menopausal symptoms.

antioxidant-supreme

Antioxidant Supreme – an all-encompassing natural antioxidant supplement solution for fighting free radicals and to boost anti-ageing and general health; contains the essential Vitamins A, C and E, as well as the equally critical minerals that are copper, manganese, selenium, zinc and co-enzyme Q10.

super-antioxidant-protection

Super Antioxidant Protection – a powerful formula designed to supply the body with the key fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients that are Vitamins C and E (which work to reduce oxidation, not least in the arteries), as well as glutathione (absorbed into the body to form glutathione peroxidase, a major antioxidant enzyme), n-acetyl cysteine that works to maintain glutathione levels and Vitamin B2 that aid its regeneration; additionally, the minerals manganese, selenium and zinc promote antioxidant enzymes throughout the body.

Super Antioxidant Protection – a powerful formula designed to supply the body with the key fat-soluble antioxidant nutrients that are Vitamins C and E (which work to reduce oxidation, not least in the arteries), as well as glutathione (absorbed into the body to form glutathione peroxidase, a major antioxidant enzyme), n-acetyl cysteine that works to maintain glutathione levels and Vitamin B2 that aid its regeneration; additionally, the minerals manganese, selenium and zinc promote antioxidant enzymes throughout the body.

References:

1. Larsen P. D., Mock D. M. and O’Connor P. S. ‘Vitamin E deficiency associated with vision loss and bulbar weakness’. Ann Neurol. 1985 Dec; 18 (6): 725-7

2. Hsu, D-Z et al. ‘Therapeutic Effects of Sesame Oil on Monosodium Urate Crystal-Induced Acute Inflammatory Response in Rats’. SpringerPlus 2, Dec 2013): 659. PMC.

3. Choi E. J., Bae S. C., Yu R., Youn J. and Sung M. K. ‘Dietary vitamin E and quercetin modulate inflammatory responses of collagen-induced arthritis in mice’. J Med Food. Aug 2009; 12 (4): 770-5.

4. ‘Vitamin E: Health Sheet for Consumers’. National Institute of Health. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminE-Consumer/. Last updated: May 2016.

5. Haas E. M. and Levin B. ‘Chapter 5: Vitamins: Vitamin E.’ from ‘Staying Healthy with Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine’. Berkeley: Celestial Arts; 2006.

6. Lobo V. et al. ‘Free Radicals, Antioxidants and Functional Foods: Impact on Human Health’. Pharmacognosy Reviews 4.8; Jul-Dec 2010: 118–126. PMC.

7. Jakus V. ‘The role of free radicals, oxidative stress and antioxidant systems in diabetic vascular disease’. Bratisl Lek Listy. 2000; 101 (10): 541-51.

8. Uttara Bayani et al. ‘Oxidative Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Review of Upstream and Downstream Antioxidant Therapeutic Options’. Current Neuropharmacology 7.1 Mar 2009: 65–74. PMC.

9. Thiele J. J., Hsieh S. N. and Ekanayake-Mudiyanselage S. ‘Vitamin E: critical review of its current use in cosmetic and clinical dermatology’. Dermatol Surg. Jul 2005; 31 (7 Pt 2): 805-13; discussion 813.

10. Berneske G. M. et al. ‘Clinical Trial of High Dosage Vitamin E in Human Muscular Dystrophy’. Canadian Medical Association Journal 82.8; Feb 1960: 418–421.

11. Ayres S. Jr. and Mihan R. ‘Leg Cramps (Systremma) and ‘Restless Legs’ Syndrome — Response to Vitamin E (Tocopherol)’. California Medicine 111.2; Aug 1969: 87–91.

12. Jain, A. B. and Jain V. A. ‘Vitamin E, Its Beneficial Role in Diabetes Mellitus (DM) and Its Complications’. Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research: JCDR 6.10; Dec 2012: 1624–1628. PMC.

Antioxidant Supreme, BioCare Reduced Glutathione, Glutathione, Immune health, Liposomal Glutathione

Glorious glutathione: ace antioxidant, detoxifier and immunity booster

You may not be aware of it, but there’s a substance – available as a supplement – that’s said not just to act as an effective antioxidant and an efficient detoxifier, but also a first-rate immunity booster. The blurb’s in no doubt that glutathione’s the bee’s knees; it can aid the body in its efforts to put right damage from ageing, infection, injury, pollution, radiation, stress and trauma. But can it really do all this? Is it really that good?

Well, tiny molecule though it is, some experts believe that glutathione is the most important – and one of the most effective – antioxidants in the entire human body because it naturally likes to reside in every cell1. This means that when the body has to fight infection, repair damage from injuries or burns and tackle the ageing process, glutathione is right there on hand to get on with the job; it’s already on the front line, as it were, in the body’s cells where the work has to be done.

Not least in the cells of the immune system, of course, whose responsibility it is to fight infection and disease and prevent the body from getting ill from them in the first place – as much as possible1. Moreover, it’s believed glutathione plays an important role in aiding the liver to extract harmful chemicals like drugs and pollutants1.

Antioxidant Function

A naturally occurring amino acid, glutathione tends to play a pivotal antioxidant role in not just humans, but plants, fungi, animals and a number of bacteria and archaea (single-celled micro-organisms). Throughout the planet’s flora and fauna then it’s called on to deploy its antioxidant properties to neutralise damaging reactive oxygen species like peroxides, lipid peroxides, heavy metals and free radicals2.

Free radicals are, of course, the single-electron molecules that can notoriously cause havoc in the cells of human bodies, searching for other molecules for another electron with which to pair their own. Thus, as glutathione already exists in the cells it gets immediately and importantly called on to do this work. Some of the best known and most effective antioxidants are Vitamins C and E, but as the experts point out, it only seems fair to add glutathione to this list.

Further Benefits

Thanks to its properties and propensity for locating itself inside cells, glutathione – as mentioned above – can have a big positive effect on your overall health. Its antioxidant, detoxifying and immunity-boosting nature is believed to ensure it throws itself into battling practically any infection or disease, especially those that have anything to do with the ageing process (free radicals can cause many old age-related diseases, after all)1. Indeed, medical professionals have called on people to consume additional glutathione for a roster of major conditions; the likes of Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, cataracts, high blood pressure, infertility and Parkinson’s disease1.

Moreover, it’s generally acknowledged that severe, life-threatening conditions, such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), can be in part treated by boosting the glutathione levels in the body; as you may have guessed, an AIDS sufferer is bound to have depleted levels of the substance, among the many other issues and symptoms they face1. Right now, the reasons why glutathione levels plummet in this scenario aren’t clear and understood, but experts are in no doubt of the substance’s critical role in maintaining intracellular health; in other words, glutathione benefits ensure cells run smoothly and efficiently.

Glutathione Sources – Diet and Supplements

As you’d have guessed, glutathione’s abundance in the cells of so much flora and fauna means it occurs naturally in many types of food, especially organic fruits and vegetables. Thus, those who maintain a balanced, high quality diet are likely to receive the right sort of glutathione levels from their food. However, if you find yourself suffering from one of the aforementioned illnesses, conditions or diseases associated with deficiency of the substance, then you might well conclude that natural supplementation to boost your levels makes for a sensible, effective course of action.

There are a number of well-regarded glutathione supplements on the market, two of the very best, both available through us at The Finchley Clinic, are:

liposomal-glutathioneLiposomal Glutathione – one of a new class of bio-available supplements produced using nano-particle technology (which ensures much higher absorption of its contents than that of similar supplements); supports detoxification, immune and skin health.

 

Reduced_GlutathioneBioCare Reduced Glutathione– comprises a reduced form of the amino acid; some believe that in its reduced form glutathione’s more biologically active.

 

 

References:

1. ‘Glutathione: New Supplement on the block’. Webmd.com. http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/glutathione-new-supplement-on-block#1. 30 July 2001.

2. Pompella A., Visvikis A., Paolicchi A., Tata V. and Casini A. F. ‘The changing faces of glutathione, a cellular protagonist’. Biochemical Pharmacology. 66 (8): 1499–503. doi: 10.1016/S0006-2952(03)00504-5. Oct 2003.

Antioxidant Supreme, Cell Fuzion, MicroCell NutriGuard Plus

The importance of antioxidants for fighting the threat of free radicals

All things considered, the term ‘free radicals’ sounds more like some sort of grassroots political movement than tiny little things that, once inside our bodies, can cause serious disruption and damage. However, don’t doubt it; they’re most certainly the latter. For decades now, free radicals are something that many of us have heard about, but how many of us actually know what they are, the dangers they pose and how to stop them and mitigate their effects?

Fundamentally, what free radicals do in our bodies is to corrupt molecules like fats, proteins and DNA; while antioxidants target and reduce their damage, by scavenging and combating them.

The dangers of free radicals

To be precise, free radicals are actually atoms, ions or molecules, so microscopically small they’re extraordinarily small; but far from insignificant. Indeed, they pose the danger they do because they come with an unpaired electron. This means they’re extremely reactive; they’re constantly searching for something from which they can get another electron to pair with their single electron.

And it’s during cellular metabolism that free radicals show themselves up in the body1, for during this process – when the body’s cells use oxygen to convert food into energy, Adenosine triphosphate(ATP) – free radicals pop up and, via what’s called oxidation, steal electrons from other molecules; everything from proteins to fats and cell membranes to DNA. This then – often referred to as oxidative stress (or damage) – can dramatically alter the make-up of those molecules, thus contributing to the ageing process and aiding the development of countless degenerative diseases. So, the likes of arthritis, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, hypertension, heart disease and muscular dystrophy can all be caused, in part, by free radical damage.

But how do free radicals get into our bodies in the first place? Well, harmful environmental factors often play a role; pollution, cigarette smoke, alcohol, toxic metals, industrial chemicals and radiation2. Yet, at the same time, it would be foolish to try to consume no free radicals – it wouldn’t be possible anyway – because, like it or not, at low levels they’re of genuine benefit to the immune system, as it uses them to fend off hazardous pathogens to ensure it functions effectively3.

The power of antioxidants

So, as with many things in nature and inside our bodies, it’s a matter of balance. We require help to ensure the volume of free radicals inside us don’t get out of control; we require something to ensure there’s balance. And that thing is antioxidants. How so? Because by regularly consuming antioxidants, we’re offering up something that actively donates an electron to individual free radicals during oxidation, thereby preventing the latter to cause oxidative stress and major damage to other molecules4.

And, handily, there’s an abundance of antioxidant sources out there. You can consume them by maintaining a nutritious, balanced diet, as many common fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants:

  • Anthocyanins – occurring in berries, red cabbage, grapes and many boldly-coloured foods (indeed, they account for the colour of blueberries and raspberries), anthocyanins actually provide many health benefits5
  • Curcuninoids – effective at activating the immune system, they help promote brain health among many other things

Buffered-Vitamin-C

  • Vitamin C – aids the immune system and general good health; found in oranges, lemons, kiwi fruits, broccoli, cabbage and red and yellow peppers

 

MicroCell-Vitamin-E-100

  • Vitamin E – a common component of multivitamins and supplements, it’s known for its antioxidant properties and naturally occurs in sunflower oil, green vegetables and nuts

 

selenium

  • Selenium – highly important for thyroid health, it can be consumed via nuts, lima beans, chia seeds and brown rice.

Antioxidant supplements

Unfortunately, though, due to the long list of environmental factors that can expose us to free radicals (see above), for some people a decent diet on its own many not be enough to supply them with an adequate number of antioxidants. This then is where supplementation can come to the rescue.

And, if you’re looking for the best antioxidant supplements on the market (and why wouldn’t you be?), you might want to try MegaHydrate. Available from us at The Finchley Clinic, it’s proven to deliver full-body hydration for optimal health – and great protection against free radical damage. This is because it’s rich in silica hydride, the only component known to dramatically increase zeta potential, as well as offering a rich, powerful blend of antioxidants that, together, amount to a free radical-combating effect about 10 times stronger than vitamin C alone.

Other supplements we provide and highly recommend for their antioxidant properties include:

Cell Fuzion – an advanced antioxidant formula that energises the work of mitochondria in the body’s cells (critical to cellular metabolism) to prevent DNA damage

MicroCell Nutriguard Plus – contains comprehensively powerful antioxidants such as Vitamins C and E, zinc citrate, alpha lipoic acid, lycopene, beta-carotene and selenium

NADH – aids the supply of ATP to the brain, nerves, muscles and heart, as well as other organs (often also referred to as CoEnzyme 1).

References:

  1. Cadenas E. and Davies K. J. ‘Mitochondrial Free Radical Generation, Oxidative Stress, and Aging’. Free Radical Biology & Medicine. vol. 29, 18 Oct. 2000, pp. 222–230.
  1. Lobo V. et al. ‘Free Radicals, Antioxidants and Functional Foods: Impact on Human Health’. Pharmacognosy Reviews 4.8 (2010): 118–126. PMC.
  1. Gemma C., Vila J., Bachstetter A. et al. ‘Oxidative Stress and the Aging Brain: From Theory to Prevention.’ Brain Aging: Models, Methods, and Mechanisms. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/ Taylor & Francis; 2007. Chapter 15.
  1. Nimse S. B. and Pal D. K. ‘Free Radicals, Natural Antioxidants, and Their Reaction Mechanisms’. RSC Advances, vol. 5, no. 35, 12 Mar. 2015, pp. 27986–28006.
  1. Lila M. A. ‘Anthocyanins and Human Health: An In Vitro Investigative Approach’. Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology 2004.5 (2004): 306–313.
Antioxidant Supreme, Selenium, selenium supplements

Super selenium – a crucial nutrient for us

Back in the summer, you may have read an article on this blog about ‘heavy metals’ (e.g. mercury, lead and cadmium) and why they’re toxic to the human body. Well, all things being equal, there are also, of course, metals and similar nutrients that the human body can’t do without – the likes of iron, calcium and magnesium. One such nutrient that belongs in this group but isn’t talked about as much as the other three is selenium.

Derived from metal sulphide ores, selenium is a chemical element that can be found on the periodic table (symbol ‘Se’; atomic number ‘34’); its biggest commercial uses nowadays being in glassmaking and pigment creation. But what about selenium and the human body? Some experts may point out that it’s dangerous for us to consume too much selenium; yet, while that’s true (and the fact you’d have to consume it in huge amounts to do you serious harm), there’s no question it’s critically important for your body to function properly and effectively.

Role in the body

So what exactly does selenium do? Specifically, it plays a crucial role in:

  • Reproductive health1 – in the male body, the selenium level in the testes rises during puberty, while in the female body, low levels of selenium may help cause infertility2
  • Thyroid health – the nutrient combines with iodine to support the thyroid; together with iodine it helps produce the gland’s hormones3, 4, while it’s also found in enzymes that regulate these hormones5
  • DNA synthesis – studies suggest selenium can potentially enhance DNA’s capacity to repair itself6, owing to the nutrient’s natural association with antioxidants whose job it is to fight free radicals
  • Protect the body against oxidative damage – being a great support to antioxidants throughout the body, selenium aids in reducing oxidative damage and the major health problems this can lead to7
  • Combining with selenoprotein enzymes to help regulate important physiological processes8.

Deficiency

Quite clearly then, selenium’s a nutrient that our bodies just can’t do without. Indeed, if the selenium levels in your body drop too low then there’s a chance you could develop disorders affecting your muscular, cardiovascular, immunity, neurological or endocrine systems. Obviously that’s a worrying thought. But what signs should you look out for…?

  • Memory issues – short-term (or even long-term) memory difficulties may not merely be a sign of ageing; low levels of selenium could interfere with your cognitive function, which includes concentration and analytical skills, as well as memory9
  • Tiredness – without adequate selenium in your body, you risk developing hypothyroidism, which brings symptoms such as lethargy, depression and weight gain10
  • Viruses and infections – as selenium supports the immune system, it plays a role in helping to build up the body’s natural defence against colds, flu and other viruses and infections; moreover, hypothyroidism can jeopardise the efficacy of the immune system, not least because (thanks to its antioxidant nature) selenium supports communication between the immune system and the body’s cells11
  • Wound healing issues – if you’ve got a cut or bruise and it seems to be taking forever to heal, yes, it could be because your selenium levels are particularly low; being an antioxidant, the nutrient aids cell-tissue-repair, which is why studies point to selenium helping to reduce the time it takes for wounds to heal12

Diet

Obviously then, as selenium performs such a crucial role in our bodies, it’s important we make sure it’s genuinely present in our individual diets. Selenium can be found in many different foods – both seafoods and organ meats (or offal) are both particularly rich in the nutrient, while dairy products, cereals/ grain foods and muscle meats (essentially lean meats) also contain their fair share.

However, it should be recognised that not everyone does – or is able to – get enough selenium through their diet on its own. So, if you’re not getting enough through food, you may want to consider trying selenium supplements.

Supplements

The following supplements are available through The Finchley Clinic – needless to say we highly recommend them all:

nutrisorb-selenium

Nutrisorb Selenium (15ml) – ideal for helping to protect cell membranes from oxidative damage

 

selenium

Selenium 200mcg (60 capsules) – supports the immune system and provides the body with important antioxidants

selenium-complex

 

Selenium Complex (60 tablets) – contains two different forms of yeast free selenium for antioxidant support and vitamins B2 and B6 for additional nutritional value.

References:

1 Mistry, H. D., Broughton-Pipkin, F., Redman, C. W. G. and Poston, L. ‘Selenium in Reproductive Health’. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 206.1 (2012): 21-30. PubMed.

2 Bedwal, R. S. and Bahuguna, A. ‘Zinc, Copper and Selenium in Reproduction’. Experientia 50.7 (1994): 626-40. PubMed.

3 Drutel, A., Archambeaud, F. and Caron, P. ‘Selenium and the Thyroid Gland: More Good News for Clinicians’. Clin Endocrinol Clinical Endocrinology 78.2 (2013): 155-64. PubMed.

4 Nussey, S. and Whitehead S. ‘Endocrinology: An Integrated Approach’. Oxford: BIOS Scientific Publishers; 2001. Chapter 3, The thyroid gland.

5 ‘Iodine’. Micronutrient Information Center. Oregon State, 2001.

6 Soumen, B. et al. ‘Does a Role for Selenium in DNA Damage Repair Explain Apparent Controversies in Its Use in Chemoprevention?’ Mutagenesis 28.2 (2013): 127–134. PMC.

7 Battin E. E. and Brumaghim J. L. ‘Antioxidant activity of sulfur and selenium: a review of reactive oxygen species scavenging, glutathione peroxidase, and metal-binding antioxidant mechanisms’. Cell Biochem Biophys. 2009; 55 (1): 1-23. doi: 10.1007/s12013-009-9054-7.

8 Bellinger, F. P., Raman, A. V., Reeves, A. M. and Berry, M. J. ‘Regulation and function of selenoproteins in human disease’. Biochem J. Jul 29 2009; 422 (1): 11-22.

9 Pillai R., Uyehara-Lock J. H. and Bellinger F. P. ‘Selenium and selenoprotein function in brain disorders’. IUBMB Life. 25 Mar 2014. doi: 10.1002/iub.1262.

10 Moreno-Reyes, R., Suetens, C., Mathieu, F., Begaux, F., Zhu, D., Rivera, M. T., Boelaert, M., Nève, J., Perlmutter, N. and Vanderpas, J. ‘Kashin-Beck Osteoarthropathy in Rural Tibet in Relation to Selenium and Iodine Status’. New England Journal of Medicine. 1998; 339:1112-1120. DOI: 10.1056/NEJM199810153391604

11 Arthur, J. R., McKenzie, R. C., and Beckett, G. J. ‘Selenium in the Immune System’. The Journal of Nutrition. May 1 2003. vol. 133 no. 5 14575-14595.

12 Gumustekin, K., Seven, B., Karabulut, N., Aktas, O., Gursan, N., Aslan, S., Keles, M., Varoglu, E. and Dane S. ‘Effects of sleep deprivation, nicotine, and selenium on wound healing in rats’. International Journal of Neuroscience. Nov 2004; 114 (11): 1433-42.

Aerobic O7, Antioxidant Supreme, Curcumin Plus, Immune health, Immune products, Tapioca Vitamin C, Vitamin D3

Helping to fight the good fight: how to boost your immune system

As the year gathers speed and summer drifts into autumn, people’s thoughts turn to the weather changing and temperatures dropping. Which means they start to adjust their wardrobe and – in some cases – lifestyle accordingly. They start to think about being more vigilant about protecting themselves from the potential infections and ill health that lower temperatures can bring. In short, they start to think in terms of trying to boost their immune system. But why should they? Why is the immune system so important? What does it do for us? And what can we do to keep it operating as effectively as possible?

Put simply, the immune system is the part of the body that protects us from certain harmful organisms and toxins (some of which can be absorbed into the body when we catch infections in the forms of colds, flu and the like), which stop our body from functioning properly and so, yes, make us feel ill. The system itself is made up of a combination of cells, tissues and organs that, working together as an efficient network, prevent unwelcome pathogens from doing their dirty work in our bodies. In practice, the system’s actually made up of two parts – the innate immune system (protects against infections and aids the healing of cuts and bruises) and the adaptive immune system (protects against viruses, of which there are millions generated each year, thus this part of the system is distinguished by its ability to adapt to fight them).

Even more specifically, the nuts and bolts of both these halves of the immune system are white blood cells (or leukocytes). Once they’ve formed, these cells travel through the blood stream and enter the lymphatic system (something of a sub-section of the wider immune system) where they stimulate its organs, including the tonsils and thymus, to produce antibodies that find bacteria and other harmful organisms’ antigens, adhere to them and destroy them.

Disorders

Unfortunately, for some people the efficacy of their immune system isn’t what it should be. This could be down to many different factors, but one thing’s for sure; a weak immune system can be really bad news as you age. Lack of exercise, bad diet and the changes aging brings to the body can all contribute1. The three major types of immunity disorder are:

  • Autoimmunity – these conditions (of which 80 are known to exist, including type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis2) see the immune system attack healthy tissue it’s supposed to be protecting
  • Immunodeficiencies – these disorders may not ensure enough white blood cells are produced; they can be caused by overexposure to the likes of tobacco smoke, certain toxic metals and pesticides3
  • Hypersensitive/ over-reactive immune system – this one involves immune cells targeting and attacking harmless allergens, potentially damaging tissue and organs and increasing the chance of the body suffering from serious diseases.

Support

So to prevent such disorders, what can we do to support our bodies’ immune systems? Well, here are four headline behaviours everyone should make a priority:

  • Develop a healthy diet – processed foods and those containing refined sugars and flavourings, as well as soda, are out; vitamin- and antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, such as broccoli, blueberries, kale, spinach, lemons, avocado, oregano oil4 and garlic5, are in (especially if organic)
  • Exercise – helping to increase your oxygen intake and thus lung capacity, exercise is terrific at getting your metabolism going and promoting a healthy heart and efficient circulation; note: consistent exercise is key
  • Destress – becoming stressed increases inflammation and so will aggravate your immunity; trying to destress and finding ways to properly relax then are important (talking through problems isn’t a bad idea, nor is meditation)
  • Plant extracts – the nutrients and vitamins packed full in many easily available plant extracts are terrific for boosting your immunity; you might try echinacea (a favourite in traditional medicines for centuries and effective at fighting off colds and flu4), ginseng (especially good at tackling stress) and aloe vera (rich in antioxidants and the immunity-aiding compounds acemannan and aloctin A3, 6).

Supplements

Of course, another fantastic and easy way to consume enormously beneficial vitamins and nutrients is through supplements. The following – all of which are great immune system supplements – are available through The Finchley Clinic and, naturally, we highly recommend every one of them:

Tapioca Vitamin C (1,000mg; 90 capsules) – as this supplement’s sourced from tapioca (cassava root), it’s almost unheard of to cause allergic reactions and contains 99.9% vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, renowned as an excellent anti-viral antioxidant, immune booster and major facilitator to anti-aging and building collagen

Tapioca-Vitamin-C

 

Vitamin D3 (5,000iu; 90 tablets) – chewable and with a natural apricot flavour, this supplement provides great support for both the immune and skeletal systems; it’s also kosher

Curcumin Plus (90 capsules) – a powerful antioxidant that aids good immune response, not least as it contains both ginger and sage extracts (specifically gingerols and ursolic acid, respectively)

Aerobic-07

Aerobic O7 (70ml) – a stabilised liquid oxygen product that’s excellent at prompting the creation of new white blood cells, which (as made clear above) play a crucial role in the efficacy of the immune system

Antioxidant Supreme (90 capsules) – a great all-rounder but especially for fighting free radicals, thus it can importantly contribute to boosting the immune system.

 

References:

  1. MedlinePlus. ‘Aging changes in immunity’. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/004008.htm
  1. MedinePlus. ‘Autoimmune diseases’. https://medlineplus.gov/autoimmunediseases.html
  1. Winans B., Humble M. C. and Lawrence B. P. ‘Environmental toxicants and the developing immune system: a missing link in the global battle against infectious disease?’. Reproductive toxicology (Elmsford, NY). 2011; 31(3): 327-336. doi:10.1016/j.reprotox.2010.09.004.
  1. Georgetown University Medical Center. ‘Oregano Oil May Protect Against Drug-Resistant Bacteria, Georgetown Researcher Find’. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2001/10/011011065609.htm
  1. Lissiman E., Bhasale A. L. and Cohen M. ‘Garlic for the common cold’. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD006206.pub4.
  1. Bany J., Siwicki A. K., Zdanowska D., Sokolnicka I., Skopińska-Rózewska E. and Kowalczyk M. ‘Echinacea purpurea stimulates cellular immunity and anti-bacterial defence independently of the strain of mice’. Pol J Vet Sci. 2003; 6(3 Suppl): 3-5.