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Nutrients to support the Immune System

Do you get one or two colds a year, have cold sores breaking out, feel tired all the time or have sore itchy joints? These are only a few of the symptoms seen in people with immune system problems. Your immune system is the bodys internal army. It fights bacteria, parasites and viruses and regulates many other systems in the body. When it is not operating at peak performance you get sick. Stress, inadequate nutrition, not enough sleep and environmental toxins cause our immune system to fail us. A good diet and certain nutritional supplements can quickly fix a poor functioning immune system.

The following are 10 key nutrients that are important for immune health:

Vitamin A deficiency will make you prone to infections, allowing viruses to flourish and cause colds and the flu. Wounds and stomach ulcer will not heal quickly.

Vitamin C has important antiviral, antibacterial and anticancer properties. Only nine percent of North Americans get adequate vitamin C in their diet everyday.

Vitamin E, along with vitamin C and selenium, increased our resistance to infections and protects us against the damaging effects of stress. It also reduces inflation in joints and muscles.

Vitamin B6 with B complex is essential for maintaining optimal hormone levels and a healthy nervous system. Without vitamin B6 the immune system is like an army without weapons, waiting for attacker to descend.

Magnesium is required for over 300 enzymatic reaction in the body and it effectively reduces pain and swelling for those with fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.

Zinc truly is the most important immune mineral with powerful antibacterial and antiviral action. Zinc increases the size of the thymus gland, the conductor of the immune orchestra. Without a healthy thymus the immune system is powerless.

Selenium deficiency may be one of the causes of cancer. It was found that women who lived in areas where soil selenium levels were poor had higher rates of breast cancer per capita. Selenium is also needed to fight off bacteria and viruses.

Coenzyme Q10 has been found to halt tumors, and has antibacterial and antiviral properties. By the time we are 50 years old, our coenzyme Q10 levels are half what they were in our twenties. Q10 is also essential to a healthy heart.

Reduced L-Glutathione, a potent antioxidant is the regenerator of immune cells and the most valuable detoxifying agent. Low levels are associated with early death and viral infections. Optimal levels control insulin, halt inflammatory process, detoxify alcohol, eliminate carcinogens, and keep cholesterol from oxidizing.

Alpha Lipoc Acid, another potent antioxidant, is a more effective detoxifier that vitamin C or vitamin E. It is well researched for the treatment of diabetes as it improves insulin sensitivity. Lipoic Acid also inhibits the ability of viruses to replicate.