Immunity ingredients and strategies to reduce the risk of infection and maintain your body’s healthy functioning.
During times of stress and disruption, we are more susceptible to the onslaught of disease, germs and viruses, so now is the perfect opportunity to boost your immune system and protect the marvellous machine that is your body!
The concept that ‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure’, was popularised by Benjamin Franklin in 1736, but the quote can be dated back to the 13thC and this adage is still as relevant today as it was 800 years ago. The first line of defence against communicable disease is to avoid the risk of exposure.
Keep it clean.
Common sense actions, such as observing good hygiene practices like effective hand washing and antibacterial cleaning of communal surfaces, can mitigate against the chance of exposure to viruses and bacterial infections.
Be kind to yourself.
Treating yourself with TLC by getting adequate sleep, managing stress levels and making the most of your once a day outside exercise is vital to keep the immune system in top form and equipped to resist possible assault. However, the pace and demands of modern life mean that sometimes we don’t treat ourselves with as much care as we should.
Thankfully, for periods when the demands of our lives are more taxing normal or when our diet is lacking in enough of the good stuff, there are bountiful supplementary options on offer to keep your immune defences at an optimal level.
A cause and effect relationship exists between Vitamin C and a functioning immune system.
Across the globe and for several generations, Vitamin C has been the first choice supplement for sufferers of colds and flu. In 2015 the European Food Safety Authority Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergy established that a cause and effect relationship exists between the dietary intake of Vitamin C and functioning of a normal immune system. Due to the fact that the human body does not store vitamin C (it dissolves in water, and any excess leaves the body in urine), this nutrient needs to be taken on a daily basis.
Vitamin D – New kid on the block for preventing respiratory tract infections including pneumonia.
The studies explored the effect of Vitamin D in preventing acute respiratory tract infections including flu and pneumonia. Vitamin D varieties include Ergocalciferol and Cholecalciferol products and are also available as Vegan options.
A relative newbie in the immune health conversation, Vitamin D has been generating much interest – within the health industry and also the wider community – as a rival to Vitamin C’s dominance. In a study published in the British Medical Journal, researchers determined that supplementing food with Vitamin D would prevent millions of cold and flu cases, and possibly save lives.
Bovine colostrum – Beneficial for all ages.
Colostrum is a milky fluid that’s released by mammals that have recently given birth before breast milk production begins. For newborns, it is a vital source of nutrients that promote growth and fight disease. However, it’s unique combination of vitamins, minerals, fats, carbohydrates, disease-fighting proteins, growth hormones, and digestive enzymes can offer all of us significant immune benefits. Bovine colostrum is rich in the antibodies IgA, IgG, and IgM. These proteins, also known as immunoglobulins, are essential for our immune system to battle bacteria and viruses. Lactoferrin is another powerful protein in Colostrum. This nutrient has been demonstrated to have antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties in addition to promoting healthy gut flora.
What can be better for the immune system than Beta Glucans?
The benefits of Beta glucans have been well studied and utilised in Japan for over 5 decades. They are referred to as immunomodulator agents, which means that they ‘trigger a cascade of events that help regulate the immune system’ and boost health. They create processes which help to help the body to identify and attack pathogens, viruses and disease.. Beta glucans have the added benefit of being shown to reduce total and LDL cholesterol. They are not produced naturally, therefore beta glucans must be obtained through diet – from foods such as cereal grains, like barley, oats, rye, and wheat – or through supplementation.
Make some room for powerful mushrooms.
A kitchen staple that many are unaware of as an adjunct to building a resilient immune system is the mushroom. Research determined that the mushroom Agaricus blazei Murill (AbM) activated the branch of the immune system that elicits both anti‐infection and even antitumour effects. The Chaga mushroom (AKA The King of Mushrooms) has the appearance of something rotten rather than something restorative, but it is exceptional for fighting inflammation and infection. This material has been shown to promote the formation of beneficial cytokines — specialized proteins that regulate the immune system. Chaga stimulates white blood cells, which are essential for fighting off harmful bacteria and viruses.
So, in summary:
To help you resist the infection risks of the modern world and be the healthiest version of you, why not try to:
- Be kind to your body – rest and play is essential for optimum immune function
- Be kind to those around you – if you do think that you are unwell, try not to expose others to germs. Not all sharing is good!
- Eat well – a balanced diet, with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants is a potent deterrent against infection
- Get help – when your diet is not providing all the benefits that you require to keep you in top form, it is ok to ask for help and we will be there for you!
We can advise you about the best Nutritional Supplements to stay in optimal health in a world of change.
We would love to discuss your individual needs – whether they are single ingredients; a selection of vitamins, minerals and herbals or a bespoke immune-boosting blend.
NIGEPRT000405 Colostrum Bovine 30% IgG Freeze Dried (Allergen – Milk)
NIGEPRT000405-SAORG Colostrum Bovine 30% IgG Freeze Dried (Allergen – Milk) Organic
NIGEPRT000401 Colostrum Bovine 30% IgG Spray Dried (Allergen – Milk)
NIGEHER033101a Reishi Mushroom Fruiting Body Extract 30% PS 5% Beta Glucans 2% Triterpenes (Ganoderma lucidum) #
NIGEHER000701 Acerola Cherry Fruit Extract 17% Vitamin C (Malpighia glabra) (Pale)
NIGEHER000691 Acerola Cherry Fruit Extract 17% Vitamin C (Malpighia glabra) (Pink)
NIGEHER000702-SAORG Acerola Cherry Fruit Extract 17% Vitamin C 2:1 (Malpighia glabra) Organic Certified
NIGEHER000701N Acerola Cherry Fruit Extract 17% Vitamin C Natural (Malpighia glabra) (Pale)
NIGEHER000704 Acerola Cherry Fruit Extract 22% Vitamin C (Malpighia glabra)
NIGEHER000705 Acerola Cherry Fruit Extract 25% Vitamin C (Malpighia glabra)
NIGEHER000709 Acerola Cherry Fruit Extract 27% Vitamin C (Malpighia glabra) (Pink)
NIGEHER000680 Acerola Cherry Fruit Extract 6% Vitamin C Natural (Malpighia glabra)
NIGEHER007852 Camu Camu Berry Fruit Extract 10% Vitamin C (Myrciaria dubia)
NIGEHER007855 Camu Camu Berry Fruit Extract 5% Vitamin C Natural (Myrciaria dubia)
NIGEHER034241 Rosehip Fruit Extract 12% Vitamin C (Rosa canina)
NIGEHER034238 Rosehip Fruit Extract 5% Vitamin C Natural (Rosa canina)
NIGEHER034245 Rosehip Fruit Extract 50% Vitamin C (Rosa canina)
NIGEHER013602 Echinacea Angustifolia Extract 4% Polyphenols (Echinacea angustifolia)
NIGEHER013612 Echinacea Angustifolia Powder (Echinacea angustifolia)
NIGEHER013581 Echinacea Purpurea Extract 10:1 (Echinacea purpurea)
NIGEHER013701 Echinacea Purpurea Extract 4% Chicoric Acid (Echinacea purpurea)
NIGEHER013575 Echinacea Purpurea Extract 4:1 (Echinacea purpurea)
NIGEHER013571 Echinacea Purpurea Flower Tops Powder (Echinacea purpurea)
NIGEHER013585 Echinacea Purpurea Herb Stem & Leaf Powder (Echinacea purpurea)
NIGEHER013601 Echinacea Purpurea Root Extract 10:1 (Echinacea purpurea)
NIGEHER013591 Echinacea Purpurea Root Powder (Echinacea purpurea)
NIGEHER016390 Ginger Root Extract 1% Gingerols Water Soluble (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016402 Ginger Root Extract 10% Gingerols (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016325 Ginger Root Extract 100:1 (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016251 Ginger Root Extract 10:1 Water Extracted (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016328 Ginger Root Extract 120:1 (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016410 Ginger Root Extract 15% Gingerols (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016301 Ginger Root Extract 20:1 (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016415 Ginger Root Extract 25% Gingerols (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016501 Ginger Root Extract 40% Gingerols Oleoresin (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016200 Ginger Root Extract 4:1 (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016401 Ginger Root Extract 5% Gingerols (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016201 Ginger Root Extract 5:1 (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016801 Ginger Root Powder (Zingiber officinale)
NIGEHER016801-SAORG Ginger Root Powder (Zingiber officinale) Organic Certified
NIGESWE001301 New Zealand Manuka Honey Powder (Leptospermum scoparium)
NIGEHER024915 Lemon Extract 10% Bioflavonoids (Citrus limonum)
NIGEHER024918 Lemon Extract 45% Bioflavonoids (Citrus limonum)
NIGEHER024920 Lemon Extract 45% Bioflavonoids (Citrus limonum) 29% Ethanol Extraction
NIGEHER024916 Lemon Extract 50% Bioflavonoids (Citrus limonum)
NIGEFLV000410 Lemon Flavour PEA0013
NIGEHER024901 Lemon Juice Powder (Citrus limonum)
NIGEHER024905-SAORG Lemon Juice Powder (Citrus limonum) Organic Certified
NIGEHER024911 Lemon Peel Powder (Citrus limonum)