Five Ingredients To Strengthen Your Immune System This Season

The leaves are changing, temperatures are dropping, and that means it’s time to get the right nutrition for your immune system. Don’t wait! Now is the time to step up your defenses.

With fall and winter closing in, Isamune® with Zinc can help keep you and your family feeling well by delivering a range of ingredients shown to help bolster defenses and keep immune cells in top fighting condition. These five ingredients found in Isamune work together to provide targeted support.

1. Zinc. As the name suggests, this is one of the most important immune-supporting ingredients found in Isamune. Zinc is a mineral known for its role in promoting the function and development of immune-fighting cells. A compromised immune system and an increase in oxidative stress have been observed in those who are deficient in zinc (1-6). Isamune features zinc gluconate, selected for its ability to maintain zinc reserves to guard against a compromised immune system (7).
2. Bovine Colostrum. The very first milk produced by a cow after giving birth, colostrum enables the mother to provide her calf with a variety of immune-supporting substances. Unlike other dietary supplements, bovine colostrum is so unique because it provides a natural range of compounds intended to support immune health including immunoglobulins, proline-rich polypeptides, and lactoferin. Research shows that colostrum supplementation has the same immune-strengthening, supportive effects in humans as it does in calves (8-10).
3. Bilberry and Blueberry. These two fruit extracts are both rich in flavonoids, which are a class of compounds with high antioxidant activity, specifically anthocyanin, and are easily recognized by their dark blue or purplish pigment. Studies have shown that anthocyanin boosts the production of cytokines that play an important role in the regulation of the immune response (11).
4. Echinacea.  A flowering plant from the daisy family native to North America, Echinacea has been used for centuries for its medicinal qualities by many cultures including Native Americans. Echinacea has been the focus of many studies, confirming that this ancient plant does have a beneficial effect on the immune system (12-14).
5. Reishi Mushroom. This mushroom has traditionally been used in Japanese medicine to promote youthful vigor and vitality in the form of a tea. Studies have shown the mushroom’s immune-modulating effects and overall health benefits (14-18).

Along with taking care of your body by getting seven to nine hours of sleep a night, consuming a nutrient-rich diet, and getting regular exercise, the targeted ingredients in Isamune work synergistically to guard against and help fight off “foreign invaders” in the body.

This season, don’t react to feeling miserable, but instead be proactive and bolster your immune system’s defenses with Isamune so it’s ready to combat whatever comes its way.

References

1. Hemila H. The Open Respiratory Medicine Journal. 2011 (5):51-58.
2. Prasad. Zinc: Mechanisms of Host Defense. J Nutr 2007, May; 137(5):1345-9.
3. Mossad SB et al. Ann Intern Med 1996;125:81-8.
4. Godfrey et al. J Int Med Res 1992;20:234-6.
5. Weismann K et  al. Dan Med Bull 1990;37:279-81.
6. Eby GA et al. Antimicrob Agents and Chemother 1984;25:20-24.
7. Prasad AS et al. Am J Clin Nutr 2007 Mar; 85(3):837-44.
8. Cesarone MR et al.. Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis 2007; 13(2): 130-136.
9. Shing CM et al. Effects of bovine colostrum supplementation on immune variables in highly trained cyclists. J Appl Physiol 2007; 102: 1113-1122.
10. Crooks CV et al. The effect of Bovine Colostrum Supplementation on Salivary IgA in Distance Runners. Inter J Sport Nutr and Exercise Metabolism 2006; 16: 47-64.
11. Lila MA. Anthocyanins and Human Health: An In Vitro Investigative Approach. J Biomed Biotechnol. 2004; 2004(5): 306-313.
12. Noguchi et al. Randomized clinical trial of an ethanol extract of Ganoderma lucidum in men with lower urinary tract symptoms. Asian J Androl.  2008;10(5):777-785.
13. Noguchi et al.. Asian J Androl. Jul 2008;10(4):651-658.
14. Wachtel-Galor et al. Ganoderma lucidum (“Lingzhi”), a Chinese medicinal mushroom: biomarker responses in a controlled human supplementation study. Br J Nutr. 2004;91(2):263-269.
15. Gao  et al. Immunol Invest. 2003;32(3):201-215.
16. McGuffin  eds. American Herbal Products Association’s Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
17. Hobbs C. Medicinal Mushrooms. 3rd ed. Loveland (OR): Interweave Press; 1996.
18. Tao and Feng. Experimental and clinical studies on inhibitory effect of Ganoderma lucidum on platelet aggregation. J Tongji Med Univ 1990;10:240-3.

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