Your immune system protects you from outside bacteria, viruses and other external factors that could harm your body. It is made up of a response system you were born with that includes coughing, mucus development, skin, stomach acid and enzymes that appear in the oil on your skin and in teardrops. You also acquire immunities to various substances once you've been exposed to them. When your immune system lacks the necessary nutrients, you become prone to infections and can develop serious medical conditions.
Causes
You can develop a weakened immune system through a number of avenues, including lifestyle habits such as smoking. Chemotherapy drugs, used to treat cancer, often destroy normal immune responses and lead even healthy bacteria to turn into infections. When your immune defenses are down, you are more prone to infections from outside sources as well, such as from carriers of infectious diseases in the hospital. The human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, is a condition that thoroughly destroys your immune system, leaving it vulnerable to an even wider assortment of diseases. An organ or bone marrow transplant can weaken your immune system. Pneumonia is a direct result of a weakened immune system.
Vitamins
Antioxidants are the molecules in vitamins that attack free radicals and neutralize them. They play a huge role in maintaining a strong immune system by eliminating damaging free radicals that you ingest from food and expose your body to in the environment. The primary vitamins that supply necessary antioxidants are vitamin C, vitamin E and beta-carotene.
Enzymes
Coenzyme Q10 is located in the nucleus of your cells called the "mitochondria." It is the primary source of energy for the cells; it also acts as an antioxidant to scavenge and destroys free radicals that lead to cell damage and tamper with your DNA structures. CoQ10 enhances your immune system and is used to treat heart disease, diabetes, high cholesterol, gum disease and breast cancer. CoQ10 can boost your immunity if you have HIV, infertility problems, stroke or Alzheimer's disease.
Sources
The most effective source of antioxidants is through the food you eat. If you can't ingest enough of the antioxidants, you may need to take a supplement. You should discuss vitamin supplements with your doctor to prevent any interactions with prescription medications and to avoid overdosing. Beta-carotene is found in liver, egg yolks, cantaloupes, peaches, butter and milk. Grains, carrots, spinach and tomatoes also contain beta-carotene. Vitamin C is primarily found in fresh fruits and vegetables, especially citrus fruit, strawberries, cantaloupe and spinach. Get vitamin E though nuts, seeds, wheat germ, fish oil and apricots. CoQ10 is primarily found in oily fish, such as tuna and salmon, whole grains and organ meat, such as liver.
References
- Rice University: Antioxidants and Free Radicals; 1996
- National Institutes of Health: Pneumonia
- Environmental Protection Agency: Guidance for People with Severely Weakened Immune Systems; 1995 (PDF)
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Immune Response
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Coenzyme Q10
