Nutrition plays a vital role in immune function. Regulating immune function with vitamin supplements has become a major topic of research and study among immunology and nutrition scientists. The roles of various vitamins in maintaining a healthy immune system are better understood than ever before, but their application in conjunction with minerals and other supplements is still being studied.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is the most effective of the vitamins in boosting immunity. It works in various ways. Vitamin C can remove foreign invaders from the body and monitor the body's systems for tumor cells by enhancing the production of white blood cells, which fight bacteria and viruses. Antibodies are more efficiently produced with proper amounts of Vitamin C, as well as interferon, which defends our bodies against viruses and cancerous cells.
Vitamin C also works to protect us from toxins and carcinogens that bombard our bodies through the environment. The production of enzymes from the liver is increased resulting in more efficient detoxification. The antibody interferon coats cell surfaces to prevent viruses from entering the cell body. Vitamin C increases the production of this antibody.
Another way that Vitamin C aids in boosting our immunity is often overlooked. This is the role of Vitamin C in the production of collagen. The health of our skin relies greatly upon collagen and Vitamin C. Since our skin is a major line of defense against external toxins, keeping it in top condition can help reduce the load placed upon the internal immune system.
Vitamin E
When it comes to immunity, Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant that can increase the amount of the body's cells that can destroy germs and cancerous cells. Vitamin E is also able to reduce the effects of aging on the immune system. The production of certain immune cells, which produce antibacterial antibodies, is increased by supplementing with Vitamin E.
B Vitamins
To increase antibody production, take Vitamin B6. It also aids production of white blood cells, which fight infection, as does many of the B vitamins. B12 is responsible for cell division. Without it, white blood cells cannot develop properly. The B vitamins work in harmony, so it is often best to take a B-complex supplement for the most promising results.
Carotenoids
Beta carotene is a carotenoid easily found in a healthy diet. It acts as a powerful antioxidant and also increases production of T-cells that can eliminate cancer cells. Macrophages that produce cancer-killing cells are stimulated by beta carotene. With beta carotene being a precursor to Vitamin A, this makes it even more beneficial to our immune systems, seeing as how Vitamin A enhances the function of white blood cells, infection resistance and the defense of mucus membranes. It is believed that the entire family of carotenoids working together provide the most effective immune boosting effects. Lycopene is just one of many carotenoids that have potent cancer-fighting properties.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, 2000
- "Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing"; Gary Null, Ph. D, 2005
