Tag: Immune System

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Best Ways to Slow Down Your Immune System

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There are several habits that many people have that can negatively affect the immune system. Your activity level, sugar and carbohydrate intake, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, how much caffeine you have each day, and many other things can potentially lower your immune system’s ability to fight off infections. Fortunately, you can change these things and implement healthy, daily habits to give your immune system what it needs to function optimally. In this week’s podcast episode we’ll go over the best ways to slow down your immune system, and what you can do instead.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Immune Essentials – Immune Essentials supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea.† This formula provides beta 1,3/1,6 d-glucan and a range of bioactive compounds that have been shown to potentiate immune response.† Grown in the USA under rigidly controlled conditions, these mushroom extracts are made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

Micellized Vitamin A – Vitamin A is an important nutrient for vision, immune system function, bone and cartilage development, and the maintenance and repair of epithelial tissue.† This formulation combines two forms of vitamin A—palmitate and betacarotene—that have been micellized into extremely small droplets that are easily absorbed into the bloodstream. Potassium sorbate provides a safe, well-tolerated, and hypoallergenic stabilizing agent for the liquid Micellized Vitamin A preparation. Each drop supplies 1,507 mcg RAE of vitamin A.

You can also listen to Best Ways to Slow Down Your Immune System on our YouTube channel here.

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Is it COVID, Flu, or Allergies?

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With flu season approaching and seasonal allergies starting, it can be difficult to know what the differences of each of these issues are, and how to support the immune system throughout the fall and winter. In this week’s episode we’ll review some of the differences between these issues, and discuss if it could be COVID, flu or allergies. We will also talk about what vitamins and minerals may help support a healthy immune system, as well as some dietary and lifestyle changes you can consider making.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

GI Immune – AC-11® is a patented, water-soluble botanical extract of Uncaria tomentosa shown to uniquely support immune function, healthy inflammatory response and the body’s natural defenses at the molecular level against oxidative stress, supporting DNA integrity.† This formula combines AC-11® and larch arabinogalactan to support immune responsiveness and the body’s natural DNA repair capacity.† Arabinogalactan is a polysaccharide that stimulates beneficial immune cells resulting in a powerful immunomodulating effect.†

Immune Essentials – Immune Essentials supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea.† This formula provides beta 1,3/1,6 d-glucan and a range of bioactive compounds that have been shown to potentiate immune response.† Grown in the USA under rigidly controlled conditions, these mushroom extracts are made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

Hista-Plex – Hista-Plex is a targeted blend of flavonoids, antioxidants, proteolytic enzymes and botanicals designed to provide comprehensive support for seasonal challenges caused by common environmental allergens. This formula includes quercetin, a powerful flavonoid, to support healthy histamine levels. It also includes bromelain which enhances the absorption of quercetin and supports mucosal tissue health. Stinging nettles leaf help balance hyper-immune responses and N-acetyl cysteine help clear the airways by promoting normal viscosity of mucus. This powerful combination actively promotes healthy nasal and sinus passages for individuals with elevated histamine and respiratory irritation.

You can also listen to Is it COVID, Flu, or Allergies? on our YouTube channel here.

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Supporting Immune System Health Naturally

Fruits in crates; supporting immune system health naturally.

Many people have been wondering what they can do to help support their immune system and respiratory health. In addition to good handwashing habits, there are some things you can do to help support immune health naturally. Cutting out processed foods and replacing them with natural, nutrient-dense foods is a great place to start, and there are also some supplements that may help support immune system function as well as respiratory health. Let’s go over some potential benefits of mushrooms, the importance of adequate nutrient levels, and what can help support the lungs.

Mushrooms

Consuming mushrooms has been shown to improve cognitive function, energy levels, and immune system health. Cordyceps, for example, have been shown to increase natural killer cells, which are a type of white blood cell that may help the body fight off infections, and they’ve also found that cordyceps may help increase the ability of cells to utilize oxygen, which could potentially improve respiratory health. Turkey tail is another type of mushroom that may help support the immune system by activating certain beneficial immune cells. In one study, shiitake mushrooms were found to improve immune system markers on blood work and decrease inflammation levels. These are just a few benefits of the many mushrooms found to have health benefits.

Vitamins

It’s important to get all of the necessary vitamins each day, but a few vitamins may be particularly beneficial for the immune system. One of the most common things people think of when they want to support their immune system is vitamin C. Vitamin C is an essential vitamin, which means your body cannot produce it, so you must get it from your diet and/or supplementation. It can be found in oranges, bell peppers, kiwi, strawberries, broccoli, etc. Vitamin C has many important jobs in the body like growing and repairing tissue, keeping cartilage healthy, and fighting off free-radicals that may contribute to the development of certain cancers and other health conditions. Explaining the immune-enhancing effects of vitamin C can get quite technical, but to summarize it, vitamin C supports many different cellular functions of the immune system, and helps support the body in making B- and T- cells, which are a crucial part of an immune response.

Vitamin D is another vitamin that is great for immune system health and many other things. It has effects on the immune system similar to vitamin C, but vitamin D may also help prevent autoimmune disorders by supporting T cells. In autoimmune disorders, the body has usually lost its ability to differentiate between what is healthy tissue, and what is a dangerous invader, causing the body to attack healthy tissue. T cells help the immune system know what is healthy and what needs to be attacked, so it is very important to make sure you are getting enough vitamin D each day. Supplementation is often recommended due to how common vitamin D deficiency is, and how difficult it can be to get enough from sunshine and your diet.

Respiratory Health

Things that help support the immune system will also generally help maintain respiratory health, but there are a few things that can directly affect the lungs. Certain mushrooms have been researched for their potential respiratory benefits, and reishi mushrooms in particular have been shown to have a positive effect on lung health. Immune Essentials contains reishi mushrooms, as well as turkey tail, cordyceps, and shiitake mushrooms which can help support respiratory health and immune system function, as well as other potential benefits like increased energy and focus. Certain strains of probiotics like some of the ones found in Probio-Ease may also help support respiratory health, as well as support the gut which is where many of the functions of the immune system are carried out.

While taking care of yourself doesn’t guarantee that you won’t ever get sick, it can give your body a better chance at being able to fight things off. So, consider taking some of these supplements, and make sure you’re eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and high-quality meats and fats. Exercise has also been shown to improve immune system health, so be active when you can, even if it’s just a short walk. Remember to continue practicing good hand-washing habits, and support your body’s natural defenses with good nutrition. Fear can lead to stress, which has been shown to dampen the immune system, so focus on the positive!

You can listen to our Is it COVID, Flu, or Allergies? podcast episode on our website here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.

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What You Should Know About Vitamin D

Sunlight on grass; what you should know about vitamin D.

Vitamin D deficiencies are one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the United States. One of the main reasons for this is that the average person spends most of their time indoors, and gets very little sunlight. If you naturally have a darker skin tone, it is even more difficult for the body to synthesize vitamin D from sunlight. Supplementing with vitamin D is recommended for most Americans, but why is it so important? Let’s take a look at what you should know about vitamin D, including what it does in the body, and how much you should supplement with.

What is Vitamin D?

Even though it’s called vitamin D, it’s actually a hormone, not a vitamin, and it plays a role in many different functions in the body. Vitamin D is necessary for the body to properly absorb calcium from the gut and into the bloodstream, making it one of the most important nutrients for bone growth and healthy teeth. It also helps regulate the amount of phosphate in the body, promote a healthy immune system, support hormonal balance, and some studies have even found that optimal levels of vitamin D may help prevent certain diseases. Vitamin D deficiencies have also been linked to emotional disorders such as depression, anxiety, insomnia, and unstable moods.

How Much Should You Take?

It’s recommended that most adults take 5,000 IU’s of vitamin D daily. However, some people absorb only a small percentage of what they take, and for those people higher doses may be recommended, but always check with your healthcare professional first. Vitamin D is also fat-soluble, which is why it’s often recommended that you take your vitamin D supplement with a meal containing fat to help it absorb properly. While you can get some vitamin D from sunlight and certain foods, taking a supplement each day can help ensure your levels are optimal.

You can listen to our How Much Vitamin D is Right for Me? podcast episode here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.

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How Much Vitamin D is Right for Me?

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Most people know that vitamin D deficiencies are very common, and many people supplement with vitamin D daily, but how do you know how much to take? The ability to absorb vitamins can vary widely from person to person, so it can be difficult to know how much to supplement with each day. In this week’s show we’ll discuss how much vitamin D is right for you, what can help make it more absorbable, and we’ll go over a few of the many benefits of having adequate vitamin D levels.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Vitamin D3 5000 – Vitamin D receptors are widely distributed in the body, including colon, prostate, breast and ovary, where it acts to inhibit the excessive growth of body cells and tissues and helps cells mature normally.† Adequate amounts of vitamin D, an essential, fat-soluble vitamin, come from consistent exposure to sunshine and are difficult to obtain from dietary sources. Postmenopausal women, older individuals, and those with malabsorption, limited sun exposure, or certain illnesses may need higher intakes of vitamin D. Vitamin D3, the naturally occurring form, is supplied in high-potency amounts for those needing to conveniently augment dietary intake.

D3 + K2 Ultra– Vitamins D3 and K2 are structurally similar, fat soluble vitamins. Synergistically, they support healthy calcium metabolism and bone mineralization throughout the body. Often referred to as “the sunshine vitamin,” vitamin D supports normal calcium and phosphorus absorption, which are essential for healthy bone formation. Vitamin K2 supports normal function of the protein osteocalcin, which helps bind newly absorbed calcium to the bone matrix to support healthy bone mineral density (BMD).

Multi-Element Buffered C – Vitamin C is important for immune function and antioxidant protection, as well as collagen and connective tissue production.† Multi-Element Buffered C adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium to ascorbic acid to create a buffered product that is gentle on the stomach. This formulation includes zinc, manganese, and copper in well-utilized forms. Quercetin, a powerful bioflavonoid, and reduced L-glutathione, an antioxidant, are included to potentiate the function of vitamin C.†

You can also listen to How Much Vitamin D is Right for Me? on our YouTube channel here.

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Are You Having Trouble Breathing?

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We’ve been getting questions about what you can do to help support the health of the respiratory system. Fortunately, there are several things you can do for respiratory health like taking certain strains of probiotics and certain mushrooms that can help support the lungs. Consuming foods and supplements that support the immune system can also help support the lungs, as well as increase the body’s ability to fend off illnesses. In this week’s show we’ll discuss some things you can do if you are having trouble breathing, as well as what can help support immune and respiratory systems.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Probio-Ease – This shelf-stable, 50 billion CFU formulation contains a blend of 7 select probiotic species with Sunfiber®, a low-FODMAP certified prebiotic. This formulation provides comprehensive microbiome, immune, and healthy inflammation support in one convenient capsule.†

Immune Essentials – Supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea.† This formula provides beta 1,3/1,6 d-glucan and a range of bioactive compounds that have been shown to potentiate immune response.† Grown in the USA under rigidly controlled conditions, these mushroom extracts are made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

Multi-Element Buffered C – Vitamin C is important for immune function and antioxidant protection, as well as collagen and connective tissue production.† Multi-Element Buffered C adds calcium, magnesium, and potassium to ascorbic acid to create a buffered product that is gentle on the stomach. This formulation includes zinc, manganese, and copper in well-utilized forms. Quercetin, a powerful bioflavonoid, and reduced L-glutathione, an antioxidant, are included to potentiate the function of vitamin C.†

D3 + K2 Ultra – Clinical research suggests that the combination of vitamin D3 plus K2 together help provide support for healthy cardiovascular function, bone health, and immune system function.

You can also listen to Are You Having Trouble Breathing? on our YouTube channel here.

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How Blood Sugar Affects Immunity

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Blood sugar problems are more common than ever, and are still rising. There are many things that can affect blood sugar, with diet having the biggest impact. Imbalanced blood sugar levels can contribute to things like decreased immune system function, decreased energy, impaired vision and vision loss, nerve damage, weight gain, etc. In this week’s show we’ll discuss how blood sugar affects immunity, as well as some things you can do to help control your blood sugar levels.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Probio-Ease – This shelf-stable, 50 billion CFU formulation contains a blend of 7 select probiotic species with Sunfiber®, a low-FODMAP certified prebiotic. This formulation provides comprehensive microbiome, immune, and healthy inflammation support in one convenient capsule.†

Gluco Support – Supplies a powerful mix of nutrients and botanicals that efficiently help support normal glucose metabolism, structure and function of basement membranes such as nerve tissue, and insulin sensitivity.†

Perfect Plant Protein – This formulation combines USA-grown, sustainable pea protein with microbiome-nourishing prebiotics and antioxidants. This great-tasting, bioavailable, and easy-to-digest protein formulation is 100% dairy-free and non-GMO.†

Active Mag – Active Mag is a blend of four bioavailable forms of magnesium, designed to provide optimal absorption and utilization of magnesium. Magnesium is an essential mineral for health, strength, and longevity; it functions as the required bio-inorganic catalyst in over 350 enzyme reactions.† Magnesium is necessary for energy (ATP) production; sustaining heart health and healthy blood vessels; maintaining adequate blood flow to the brain to support healthy neurons and nerves; and for optimal skeletal muscle function.†

You can also listen to How Blood Sugar Affects Immunity on our YouTube channel here.

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Staying Strong Through the Storm

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With fear and anxiety heightened due to current world events, many people are spending each day worrying about many different things, often things that are out of their control. This worry and stress takes a toll on both mental and physical health, and doesn’t do any good. In this week’s episode we’ll talk about staying strong through the storm by keeping your mind focused on the positive, and staying busy while you’re at home. Spending this extended time at home to complete chores you’ve been putting off or start a workout program you’ve been wanting to try are just a couple of the many ways you can stay busy and productive during this time. We have also received many more questions about what can be done to help support immune health, so we’ll answer some more of those questions in this episode.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

EZ Relax – We’ve teamed nature’s greatest stress management ingredients to create a uniquely effective combination. Formulated with Ashwagandha, valerian extract, L-theanine, and GABA.

GI Immune – AC-11® is a patented, water-soluble botanical extract of Uncaria tomentosa shown to uniquely support immune function, healthy inflammatory response and the body’s natural defenses at the molecular level against oxidative stress, supporting DNA integrity.† This formula combines AC-11® and larch arabinogalactan to support immune responsiveness and the body’s natural DNA repair capacity.† Arabinogalactan is a polysaccharide that stimulates beneficial immune cells resulting in a powerful immunomodulating effect.†

You can also listen to Staying Strong Through the Storm on our YouTube channel here.

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Immune System Must-Haves

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With all the news recently about the importance of washing your hands and staying away from sick people, you may be wondering what you can do to help bolster your immune system since you can’t always guarantee that you won’t be around someone who’s sick. Washing your hands often, not touching your face with unwashed hands, and keeping a distance from others, especially those who are coughing or sneezing is all good advice. However, you can’t always tell who is sick, and the average person touches their face around 23 times an hour without realizing it. So, your immune system may benefit from some extra nutritional support. In this week’s episode we’ll discuss some supplements that are immune system must-haves, and how they can help give your body the nutrients it needs to stay healthy.

Products Mentioned in Today’s Show

Immune Essentials – Immune Essentials supports immune health with a blend of highly researched and effectively concentrated mushroom extracts combined with the polyphenol nutrient support of green tea.† This formula provides beta 1,3/1,6 d-glucan and a range of bioactive compounds that have been shown to potentiate immune response.† Grown in the USA under rigidly controlled conditions, these mushroom extracts are made with 100% certified organic ingredients.

Olive Leaf Extract – Olive leaf extract contains significant qualities of phenolic compounds, such as oleuropein, oleuropeoside, and hydroxytyrosol, that have been shown to have antimicrobial properties, as well as antioxidant power. These properties may protect against intestinal or respiratory infections. It has been shown that olive plant tissue can reduce plasma cholesterol, protect from heart disease, and inhibit platelet aggregation. The polyphenols of the olive plant also have blood sugar-lowering properties.

You can also listen our Immune System Must-Haves podcast episode on our YouTube channel here.

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Supporting a Healthy Immune System

Nutrient-dense foods and supporting a healthy immune system.

Autoimmune diseases are being diagnosed more and more frequently, and the causes are still not exactly known. Genetics, environmental toxins, inflammation, hormonal imbalances, poor eating habits, and sedentary lifestyles are all believed to contribute to the development of certain autoimmune diseases and other serious health conditions. Many people are looking for ways to decrease their risk of developing an autoimmune disease, and while there is no way to guarantee you never develop one, there are several things you can do to help support a healthy immune system.

Possible Causes of Autoimmune Issues

The average person can encounter thousands of different chemicals every day, with some of these being labeled as carcinogens or possible carcinogens. Many of these chemicals are also known endocrine disruptors, meaning they can interfere with hormone production and hormonal balance, which can lead to many other problems. These chemicals can be found in certain processed foods and drinks, plastic containers, tap water, household cleaning products, cosmetics, perfume and cologne, soap, etc. Many of these chemicals can also contribute to inflammation in the body, potentially contributing to many different health conditions.

Chronic inflammation may also contribute to autoimmunity because the body may lose the ability to tell the difference between healthy tissue and something that needs to be attacked by the immune system. When inflammation occurs steadily over a long period of time, it can be difficult for the body to differentiate between the healthy tissue and something that needs to be attacked. This could eventually cause the body to mistakenly attack healthy parts of the body like the thyroid gland, skin, hair follicles, the nervous system, or other areas of the body that can be affected by autoimmune conditions.

Suppporting Immune Health

The good news is that there are many things you can do to help provide your body the nutrients it needs for a healthy immune system. Replacing any processed foods and drinks in your diet with whole foods like organic fruits and vegetables, healthy fats like coconut oil and avocados, and grass-fed and antiobiotic-free meats. A ketogenic diet (very low-carb and high-fat) is also a good diet to try out as it cuts out carbohydrate-rich foods like sugar and grains. These dietary changes may also help decrease gut inflammation and improve gut health, which in turn may help improve immune health.

You should also try to switch to natural products as much as possible. There are natural options for most products ranging from makeup and soap to household cleaning products like laundry detergent. There are also some supplements that can help ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need each day, which can be difficult through food alone. Taking a good multivitamin is always a good habit to get into, along with products like GI Immune that can help stimulate beneficial immune cells, and SBI Support that contains immunoglobulins which some people with certain autoimmune conditions may be deficient in. While doing these things doesn’t guarantee that you won’t ever struggle with an autoimmune condition, you can at least give your body the best chance you can of being healthy by sticking to healthy habits throughout your life.

You can listen to our Possible Symptoms of Autoimmune Disease podcast episode here. You can also listen on our YouTube channel here.