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Healthy Diet Plans >>  Fitness Articles >>  Immune System Supplements
Immune System Supplements

Our immune system helps defend the body against infectious organisms such as germs and microorganisms as well as other foreign invaders. It uses a series of steps known as the immune response to attack these organisms and keep you healthy. It is therefore important that we promote a healthy body with the help of a healthy diet, regular exercise, and positive thinking, all of which is necessary for the overall well-being of our immune system. We can also promote the health of our immune system by taking immune system supplements. These supplements not only support your general immunity but also have some specific functions.
Some immune system supplements play an important role in fever management, others help with inflammation. There are also some that increase an individual’s phagocyte activity.  There are many immune system supplements that work really well, but it is important to know what they really protect you against.
Different immune system supplements.

Let’s look at some immune system supplements that are beneficial for us and find out how exactly they work.

1. Vitamin C: Vitamin C helps increase the production of antibodies and white blood cells that help fight infection. The level of interferon, the antibody that prevents the entry of viral infection, also increases.
2. Zinc:  This mineral causes an increase in the production of white blood cells. These white blood cells fight infection. 
3. Probiotics: Probiotics help our digestive system work well, and they are also beneficial in the case of allergic conditions. They help your body get back its balance, especially after a course of antibiotics, thus helping in increasing the immunity of our body.
4. Propolis: The antibacterial and antiseptic properties in propolis helps fight any viruses that you may have.
5. Multivitamin: Multivitamins such as green super food that contains barley grass, spirulina, wheat grass, alfalfa, and barley grass work as great immune system boosters.
6. B vitamins: B vitamins, specifically vitamins B6 and B12, play a great role in supporting your immunity.
7. Vitamin A: Vitamin A has anti-oxidant properties and helps protect you from the adverse effects of free radicals. Your mucous membranes are also kept healthy with the help of vitamin A.
8. Vitamin E: Vitamin E has anti-oxidant properties and is also very good for increasing your immunity.  

Immune system herbal supplements. You also have the option of taking some immune system herbal supplements that are extremely beneficial for boosting your immunity. These herbal and natural remedies help you get your body’s defense mechanism in great shape.

1. Echinacea:  Echinacea helps increase the flow of blood to the tissues of the body and also improves blood circulation. It has anti-viral, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal effects. It has a stimulating effect on various aspects of your immune system such as the interferon and the lymphokines. 
2. Immuno-stimulating herbs: Herbs such as reishi, goldenseal root, licorice root, and ginseng play an important role in boosting an individual’s immune system.
3. Garlic: Garlic is good to treat infections such as the common cold. It also has anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal antihelmetic and expectorant properties. This expectorant property works great for influenza, whooping cough, bronchitis and other respiratory infections. Garlic increases the natural killer cells in the body and in this way supports the immune system.
4. Astragalus: This herb is responsible for increasing antibody levels in your body and also improving the functioning of the natural killer cells. It can be used to treat colds and flus. It also helps fight chronic fatigue and prevent infections.
5. Green tea: Green tea has anti-oxidant properties and helps strengthen your immune system.

An antioxidant rich diet is important to support your immune system. Anti-oxidants are found in abundance in many vegetables and fruits. Opting for foods that contain healthy fats instead of saturated fats is good as it may increase certain compounds that help regulate immunity. 
Submitted on January 16, 2014