1891 Beach Blvd., Suite 200
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Phone: 904.249.3743
Fax: 904.249.2047

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Mon – Thurs: 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
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Immune System Support: What Else Can You Do?

If you seem to catch every little illness that goes around and are beginning to feel that you are sick most of the time, or if you cannot seem to catch a break between colds, the flu, and allergies – your immune system may need some extra attention.

What Weakens My Immune System?

As the name implies, the immune system is a system rather than a single organ. To work correctly, your immune system requires balanced support. Researchers have studied the effects of diet, exercise, age, psychological stress, and other factors on the immune response for many years. Some interesting facts are worth taking into consideration to understand why you may get sick often.

  • As we get older, our immune response capability decreases.
  • Micronutrient deficiencies — for example, deficiencies of zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6, C, and E — alter immune responses.
  • Emotional stress is linked to many types of illnesses, including stomach upset and heart disease.
  • Like a healthy and balanced diet, exercise contributes to general good health and a healthy immune system. 

Following a general good-health life plan is the natural first step to keeping your immune system strong and healthy.

Boost Your Immune System

But what if your life is too stressful, and you don’t have time to eat well, sleep enough, or exercise as often as you want? That’s when you need supplements to fill in the gaps. A few of the best choices for immune support include:

  • Vitamin D – Vitamin D stimulates key peptides in your immune system that triggers a strong anti-microbial response, allowing you to quickly and effectively fight off invaders before they can develop into an infection.
  • Vitamin C – Research shows that Vitamin C can reduce the duration of a common cold. Immune system cells accumulate Vitamin C and require it to function.  Also, Vitamin C improves the absorption of iron from plant-based foods.
  • Probiotics – In recent research, probiotics demonstrate therapeutic potential for several immune response-related diseases, such as allergies, eczema, viral infections, and potentiating vaccination responses. Taking a daily probiotic that contains at least 20 billion CFU (Colony Forming Units) is a great way to boost your immune system. 
  • Antioxidants – Adequate amounts of neutralizing antioxidants are required to prevent damage to the immune cells themselves. Oxidant-mediated tissue injury is particularly dangerous to the immune system. Good antioxidants you can add to your diet are Beta-carotene, Vitamin E, and N-Acetylcysteine (NAC).

The immune system is dependent on precise cell-to-cell communication for optimal function, and any damage to the systems involved will result in a reduced immune response.

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