A healthy immune system naturally!
The Immune System and Interferon
The immune system is our hardest working system whose job it is to protect us 24 hours a day from bacteria, and viruses and invading pathogens.That's a good thing since germs can live several hours on surfaces like:
- Cafeteria tables
- door knobs
- desks
- telephones (#1 surface for viruses)
We're also under attack from environmental toxins. And stress and poor nutrition can lower the bodies defenses, as can the aging process.
Immunity has become a global issue because we are literally jet-setting pathogens across the world every day. The good news is that scientists and researchers are making new discoveries every day about the immune system and how it works. One of the most promising of those discoveries had to do with the important role interferon plays in keeping the immune system healthy and strong.
Interferon is a family of cytokines (Cytokines are small secreted proteins which mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation.) that are active participants in host cell defense because they possess antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory effects. More simply put, interferon is a natural substance produced by the body that's activated when a cell is attacked by a virus. Interferon has two main functions:
- When a cell has been an attacked, it signals to neighboring unaffected cells and triggers their defenses. It acts as the body's first responder and triggers the bodies defenses. Once the surrounding cells get the message they can produce certain proteins to protect themselves. That way the infection stays localized and can't spread.
- Interferon activates other immune system support cells that search out, kill and dispose of the invading pathogens. It does this by signaling natural killer cells (NK cells), macrophages and other immune cells so they can mobilize and proliferate and then kill invading pathogens.
Factors that challenge the body's immune system
- Stress of everyday life
- Poor nutrition deficient in key nutrients
- Lack of exercise
- Inadequate sleep
- Intense exercise
- Aging
The effects of aging on the immune system
There is a well recognized progressive decline in immune function that is associated with aging. This particularly effects the T-cells, a type of white blood cell. This decline is also linked to an increase in infectious diseases, especially viral diseases, such as upper respiratory diseases and shingles. Recovery from an illness often takes longer in older people. That can often be a result of declining immune function.Effects of stress on the immune system
Stress is a major factor in compromised immune health. Clinical research is showing that chronic, severe or unrelenting stress diminishes immune function. In fact, an entire field of study called psyconeuroimmunology has emerged in response to the growing link between stress and illness.The effects of lack of sleep on the immune system
Sleep deprivation and insomnia have a similar effect as depression has on lowering immunity. Even modest amounts of sleep disturbance can produce a 30-50% transient decrease in natural killer cell activity. Natural killer cells, also known as NK cells, are activated to kill invading pathogens.Dietary factors effecting the immune system
Low caloric intake may lower immunity. Undernourished people are at increased risk of infection and very low caloric intake can also lower immunity.On the other hand, eating too much can also lower the body's immune system. We know that obesity is linked to many cancers and that is a sign of an under functioning immune system. Diets that are high in fat may also depress the immune response and result in infection.
Overuse of antibiotics on our immune system
Global travel
Today pathogens can be spread quicker than ever. In very recent news we've read about pandemic concerns regarding SARs, influenza and Avian Flu. Since antibiotics do not affect virus, we are dependent on vaccinations and our immune system to keep viruses at bay. In past years there have been shortages of vaccine which has caused concern. The elderly and the chronically ill need this vaccine to protect them from this ever changing virus.What can we do to keep our immune system strong?
- Eat healthfully
- Take appropriate supplements
- Get adequate sleep
- Manage your stress levels
Why not just take interferon?
Ever since it's discovery in 1954 scientists have been studying interferon and how to use it to treat disease. There are a variety of synthetic interferons that have been developed. Each of these synthetic interferons is specific to a particular disease, in other words each synthetic interferon drug is used to treat one disease, most often a specific type of cancer. These interferons are actually chemotherapy drugs and are quite toxic with many side effects. So these are drugs used as treatment once you're sick, not a form of of prevention. Also since they are drugs with serious side effects they are only prescribed to people already ill with serious diseases.
Boost interferon production naturally!
Interferon production in the body can now be boosted naturally in healthy individuals though a new dietary supplement. Developed by Dr. Yasuhiko Kojima, who first discovered interferon in 1954 while conducting studies on virus replication in rabbits, it is the result of more than 40 years of research on natural interferon-inducing compounds. After screening, testing and evaluating more than 200 different herbs, Dr. Kojima successfully isolated a combination of botanicals that naturally increase the body’s production of its own interferon.
This dietary supplement is designed to be taken daily and is a blend of four botanicals that, when combined together, naturally allow the body to increase the production of interferon without added stress to the body*:- Pumpkin seed (Cucurbita moschata) extract, which has been found to induce interferon production
- Plantago seed (Plantage asiatica), which contain chemicals called polysaccharides that are thought to stimulate the immune system
- Safflower flower (Carthamus tinctorius) polysaccharides, which has been found to prompt development of macrophages, a type of white blood cell
- Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) flower buds, used in Asian medicine
Buy this breakthrough immune boosting supplement
* | These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
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