By Frank Auenson
For the past 19 months, we have been quarantined, mask-mandated, and inundated with vaccinations of all kinds and yet, not one mention of the human immune system and the work it does for us.
Everything But….
The FDA has approved the antiviral drug Veklury (remdesivir) for adults and certain pediatric patients with COVID-19 who are sick enough to need hospitalization. The FDA may authorize the use of unapproved drugs or unapproved uses of approved drugs under certain conditions. This is called an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA).
The FDA has issued EUAs for several monoclonal antibody treatments for COVID-19 for the treatment of mild or moderate COVID-19 in adults and pediatric patients.
Of course, there is the different vaccinations that were forced through development, testing and implementation without FDA approval. Between Pfizer, Moderna and the Janssen vaccine, it’s anyone’s guess what truly works and what doesn’t.
But what about the Immune System?
Why is everyone so hushed up about the immune system? Since all the way back in high school, I have been taught how important our immune system is and how we needed to support it and even boost it whenever possible. Has something change that I do not know of? Have I been living under a rock? Perhaps had my head in the sand? Or maybe I have just had my head up my…. well, we will leave that one there. So, what gives?
How our immune system works;
According to John Hopkins Medicine, the immune system protects our body from outside invaders, such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and toxins (chemicals produced by microbes). It is made up of different organs, cells, and proteins that work together.
There are two main parts to our immune system:
- The innate immune system, which you are born with.
- The adaptive immune system, which you develop when your body is exposed to microbes or chemicals released by microbes.
These two immune systems work together.
The innate immune system is a rapid response system sort speak. It is like a first responder, patrolling our bodies and systems. When the system recognizes an invader, it goes into action by surrounding and engulfing the invading element before it can really harm us.
The adaptive immune system works with the innate immune system, producing antibodies to protect our body from the specific invader. The antibodies are developed by cells called B lymphocytes after the body has been exposed to the invader.
The antibodies stay in our body. It can take several days for the antibodies to develop but after first exposure, the immune system will recognize the invader and defend against it. The immune system also changes throughout our lives.
The cells of both parts of the immune system are made in various organs of the body, including:
- Adenoids- Two glands located at the back of the nasal passage. They look like small lumps of tissue and are part of the immune system and help protect the body from viruses and bacteria.
- Tonsils- Two oval masses in the back of the throat.
- Lymph nodes- Small rounded or shaped like beans clusters of cells. Inside lymph nodes are a combination of different types of immune system cells.
- Lymphatic vessels- the network of capillaries (microvessels) and a large network of tubes located throughout your body that transport lymph away from tissues. Lymphatic vessels collect and filter lymph
- Peyer’s patches- play an important role in immune surveillance of materials within your digestive system. Immune surveillance refers to the process by which your immune system recognizes and destroys potential pathogens.
- Spleen- fights invading germs in the blood (the spleen contains infection-fighting white blood cells) it controls the level of blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets) it filters the blood and removes any old or damaged red blood cells.
- Thymus- is an organ that is critically important to the immune system which serves as the body’s defense mechanism providing surveillance and protection against diverse pathogens, tumors, antigens and mediators of tissue damage.
- Bone marrow- The soft, spongy tissue found in center of bones.
Now that you have had a refresher’s course on the benefits of your immune system, one must ask; why isn’t your immune system good enough to combat Covid-19?
The quick answer is that it does in fact, combat against the Covid 19 virus but only within certain people. Researchers are still trying to figure out why one person is highly inflected with the symptoms of Covid-19 and other, not so much.
If I had to gander a guess, I would find it fairly reasonable to say it’s all about the strength of our immune system. If mine is stronger than yours, one would say I would fair better than you when combating virus, right?
Is it really that simple?
What if it was that simple? What if it was more to do with doing things to support and boost one’s immune system rather than needing a vaccination that as it turns out, doesn’t really do much for you or the person next to you. Of course, that is for the politicians and pharmaceutical companies to sort through.
As a certified nutritionist, I am always research ways to boost the immune system and put myself in the best position to survive most viruses know to mankind.
My research has brought me to several deficiencies that as we get old, the body lowers production of or shuts down completely, depriving the body of important nutrients that help our immune system fight off all those invaders that try to do it harm.
The following are vitamins and nutrients that you should consider taking regularly;
Vitamin C – is necessary for the growth, development and repair of all body tissues. Is also an antioxidant that helps protect your cells against the effects of free radicals and supports many body functions, including the formation of collagen, the proper function of the immune system, absorption of iron, healing wounds, and help maintain bones, teeth, and cartilage.
Vitamin E – The body need vitamin E to boost its immune system to help it fight off invading bacteria and viruses. It also helps to widen blood vessels and keep blood from clotting within them. In addition, cells use vitamin E to interact with each other and to carry out many important functions.
Helps prevent coronary heart disease, prevents inflammation, and promotes eye health. Vitamin E deficiency can cause nerve pain (neuropathy).
Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine HCI) – for normal brain development and for keeping the nervous system and immune system healthy. Helps the body metabolize fat and reduce water retention which can jumpstart weight loss. Vitamin B6 also supports many functions in the body that are necessary for weight loss.
Zinc – Helps your immune system and metabolism function. Zinc also helps heal wounds and supports your sense of taste and smell. Zinc also helps to make proteins and DNA, the genetic material in all cells.
L-Gutamine – is an energy source for intestinal and immune cells. It also helps maintain the barrier between the intestines and the rest of your body and aids with proper growth of intestinal cells.
Elderberry Fruit Extract – The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They could help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart. Some doctors even recommend elderberry to help ease and prevent cold and flu symptoms.
Echinacea Powder – Helps to shorten the duration of the common cold and flu as well as reduces symptoms, such as sore throat (pharyngitis), cough, and fever. Echinacea is also known to help boost the immune system and help the body fight infections.
** Echinacea supplementation may assist with the symptoms of acute respiratory infections (ARI) and the common cold, particularly when administered at the first sign of infection; Echinacea is also used in the prevention and/or treatment of conditions similar to COVID-19.
Garlic Powder – Garlic powder has a large combination of minerals and antioxidants that help in strengthening the immune system. Consuming garlic powder regularly can ward off the flu and bacterial infections. Various studies have shown that consuming garlic can reduce the risk of catching colds and similar infections. Garlic improves cholesterol levels; lowering total and LDL cholesterol as much as 10-15%. Also helps as an anti-inflammatory compound that limits the effects of pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Turmeric 95% Curcuminoids – In its most active compound, curcumin — have many scientifically proven health benefits, such as the potential to improve heart health and prevent against Alzheimer’s and cancer. It’s a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. It may also help improve symptoms of depression and arthritis. Studies have found that turmeric can protect against oxidative damage and sleep deprivation. Another way in which turmeric helps is in losing weight by regulating sugar levels and further preventing insulin resistance. This results in excess fat that is not retained in the body.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus – helps put good bacteria into the intestines. This often stops diarrhea. It may also help treat vaginal yeast infections. Helps reduce cholesterol, reduces diarrhea, improves symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and promotes weight loss.
10 Vitamins and Nutrients Missing From Our Diets
What if there was a product that actually had all the vitamins and nutrients that you are missing in one place? Something you could take every morning that would give your immune system the boost it needed to keep you healthy and help provide for a longer life. You would be interested in that, right? Almost like discovering the fountain of youth. Now I really have your attention.
Well, do I have a surprise for you!
My searching had brought me to a product that supplies my body with the vitamins and nutrients it needs to support and boost the body’s immune system.
Immune Up, a product you can count on to aid your body’s natural defenses. Containing the 21 immune-boosting ingredients, this powerful supplement can help you to fight off disease and stay healthy, all year round. Just to name a few;
- Vitamin C – for growth, development and essential tissue repair
- Vitamin E – antioxidant that promotes health in blood, brain and skin
- Vitamin B6 – boost mood, memory and immune response
- Zinc – key to helping the body fight off viruses and bacteria
- Combined natural extracts – for immune boost and digestive health
And for as little as $1.16/day, you can’t go wrong with this discovery. Some might call it the fountain of youth but I would most likely say, “you owe it to yourself and your immune system to try a product like Immune Up, your life could depend on it!”