Tuesday, February 26, 2008

A Good Multivitamin/Mineral Can Enhance the Immune System

Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. A good multivitamin/mineral can enhance the immune system by supporting the body's natural defenses on both structural and cellular levels.


Multivitamins and Healthy Immune Function

A recent article published in the British Journal of Nutrition summarizes the roles of selected vitamins and trace elements in immune function.

Adequate intakes of micronutrients are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immunity by affecting antibody responses, leading to imbalances in the immune system. This situation increases susceptibility to infections, which increases disease and death risk. In addition, infections aggravate micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing losses, and interfering with utilization by altering metabolic pathways. Inadequate intakes of micronutrients are common in people with eating disorders, smokers (active and passive), individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, certain diseases, during pregnancy and lactation, and in the elderly.

Micronutrients contribute to the body's natural defenses on three levels by supporting physical barriers (skin/mucosa), cellular immunity and antibody production. Vitamins A, C, E and the mineral zinc assist in enhancing the skin barrier function. The vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and folic acid and the minerals iron, zinc, copper and selenium work in synergy to support the protective activities of the immune cells. Finally, all these micronutrients, with the exception of vitamin C and iron, are essential for the production of antibodies. Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and minerals may lead to a suppressed immune system, which increases the risk of infections and aggravates malnutrition. Therefore, supplementation with a multivitamin/mineral that includes these micronutrients can support the body's natural defense system by enhancing all three levels of immunity.


It can't be stressed enough that by keeping each one of our body's systems in optimal condition, in this case, the immune system, we can better protect our entire body. In basic terms, gaining whole nutrition through proper diet and supplementation can bolster one's immune system, by providing ample vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients.

For those looking to improve their health, the editors of Whole Nutrition Blog recommend readers begin taking a pharmaceutical-grade supplement, such as USANA's Essentials™, found at www.WholeNutrition.USANA.com. Also, USANA produces specific supplements geared toward absorption of Vitamin E and Vitamin C. You can also find these, aptly called, "E-Prime™" and "Poly-C™" at WholeNutrition.USANA for an added immune system boost!

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