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Winter’s coming!!!
No, that’s not a quote from Game of Thrones, but a fact! As temperatures drop, our immune system is put under a lot of strain, and dietary supplements can play an important role in boosting our defences. Knowing the best dietary supplements for boosting the immune system can make all the difference!
We know that 50 per cent of people are deficient in vitamin D, the ‘sunshine vitamin’.
It is precisely this vitamin that plays a key role in supporting the immune system. In winter, with limited exposure to sunlight, it therefore makes perfect sense to supplement your diet with vitamin D.
In a recent study published on 3 September 2020 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA Network), researchers reported that 489 patients taking part in the retrospective, single-centre cohort study were deficient in vitamin D.
What is interesting about this study is that vitamin D treatment helped to reduce episodes of viral respiratory tract infections, particularly among patients with a vitamin D deficiency.
This confirms the importance of vitamin D in regulating the immune system and reducing certain inflammatory cytokines.
Research over the years has shown that lactoferrin, acerola, vitamin C, quercetin and other polyphenols are important antioxidants for the body, capable of reducing inflammation. Selenium, N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and zinc are also important antioxidants for the body that can help reduce inflammation.
When a viral particle enters the body via the nose, mouth or eyes, and then reaches the lungs, the immune system recognises the virus and releases immune signalling molecules called cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF). Normally, these cytokines play a beneficial role by activating our innate immune response, triggering the intervention of certain white blood cells known as macrophages, neutrophils and natural killer (NK) cells, which destroy and kill certain dangerous pathogens, bacteria and viruses. These white blood cells are like ‘Pac-Man’s’ – that is, phagocytic killers that release free radicals known as reactive oxygen species (ROS), thereby killing bacteria and viruses. At the same time, these ROS radicals damage normal tissue and can cause inflammation and cell death. These white blood cells are therefore effectively a double-edged sword: they kill dangerous viruses and bacteria, but they can also go out of control and cause severe inflammation, cell damage and organ failure.
Antioxidant nutrients such as lactoferrin, acerola, polyphenols, selenium, zinc and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) have been shown in the scientific literature to be powerful scavengers of ROS and free radicals, thereby helping to reduce inflammation in the lungs and other organs and tissues. Polyphenols such as quercetin and extracts from grape skin and seeds are effective and act synergistically with vitamin C as antioxidants, with anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. Quercetin appears to prevent viruses from entering cells, thereby reducing the viral load (Virus, December 2016). Polyphenols also act as prebiotics and help to promote a healthy bacterial flora.
Curcumin, a polyphenol found in the spice turmeric, also possesses anti-inflammatory properties. There are no studies showing that curcumin prevents or reduces viral infections in humans, but what is interesting is that curcumin may increase the expression of the ACE2 receptor, which facilitates the virus’s entry into the cell. In light of these findings, a controversy has arisen which should be clarified by further, more in-depth studies.
Lactoferrin is a glycoprotein composed of 703 amino acids, extracted from cow’s milk, which has been shown to possess excellent immunostimulant and antioxidant properties and to promote gut health. Lactoferrin has also been found to be beneficial in cases of iron-deficiency anaemia, digestive disorders and states of exhaustion.
Finally, acerola is a plant extract that plays an important role in supporting the immune system as it is also a natural source of vitamin C.
Lactoferrin and acerola are among the main ingredients in Tn Pharma Immuno-Strong, a dietary supplement that stands out for the purity and biological value of its raw materials, making it one of the leading immune-support supplements.
The best dietary supplements for boosting the immune system
It is important to emphasise that, at present, the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has consistently stated that there are no products or dietary supplements scientifically proven to strengthen the immune system to the extent of combating or preventing diseases. However, in light of the latest research, we can still ensure our immune system functions at 100 per cent efficiency through a healthy diet, regular exercise and appropriate dietary supplementation:
All dietary supplements are formulated by the research and development team at Tsunami Nutrition and TN Pharma. These are high-quality products, made from carefully selected ingredients, which can be combined to createan ‘immune stack’ that provides all the support your immune system needs.
