How the Immune System Functions by Jerry Hickey, R. Ph
The purpose of the immune system is to keep infectious microbes such as dangerous bacteria, viruses, parasites and yeasts, out of the body, and to destroy any infectious microorganisms that do invade the body hopefully before they have time to cause infection and disease.
The immune system is made up of a complex and vital network of cells and organs that protect the body from infection. Specialized cells known as macrophages and neutrophils wrap around microbes engulfing them in a special chamber. The chamber then floods with acids dissolving the microbe. So when you are diagnosed with an infection and are under attack by a microbe the supplements in Table 1 improve the immune systems ability to contain these organisms.
Good immune system function is a balance between regulation and activity. At times, it may act inappropriately, identifying harmless substances such as a food or pollen as an invading microbe and this is the essence of an allergy. Another scenario is that the immune system may mount a persistent but mismanaged attack and this is what occurs in arthritic pain or in asthma; individuals with these conditions should choose from the correct nutrients in Table 2 to assist their therapy.
Table 1Supplements that Promote Immune System Function
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Table 2Supplements that Help Inhibit Haywire Immune System Activity
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Table 3Supplements that do not Directly Promote or Inhibit Immune Function but Have an Effect on Microbes
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It is a good idea to visit with one of our nutritionists at no cost to you and yours, or to contact us at [email protected] and a qualified nutritionist will assist you in making a correct choice of supplements important for helping to manage your particular condition or to address your health concerns.
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