We explain why nutrition is pivotal for protection of our health and how vitamins and minerals support the immune system. There are many products on the market that claim to be beneficial in 'supporting' or 'boosting' the immune system but we haven't found one that includes all these essential nutrients which are very important. We have no idea why they have been excluded either.......
Introduction
The immune system is a very complex process and is active at all times. It has evolved to do an incredibly good job at keeping us safe and healthy, and is constantly fighting off and monitoring organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites.
When the immune system activity is increased due to infection, we need more of the key vitamins and minerals as a result of increased metabolism.
Key nutrients in immune function
(All of these nutrients below are included in Dr Marks Immune Support vitamins)
Vitamin A
- Important for normal differentiation of epithelial tissue, immune cell maturation and immune function.
- Deficiency predisposes to respiratory infections, diarrhoea and severe measles.
Vitamin B6
- Supports the activity of natural killer cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- Deficiency causes thymus and spleen atrophy, lower blood T lymphocyte levels, impaired lymphocyte proliferation and impaired T lymphocyte-mediated immune responses.
Vitamin B12
- Supports the activity of natural killer cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- Deficiency decreases phagocytic and bacterial killing capacity of neutrophils.
Folate
- Supports the activity of natural killer cells and CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- Deficiency causes thymus and spleen atrophy (wasting) and decreases circulating T lymphocyte numbers.
Vitamin C
- Helps leucocyte migration to infection site, phagocytosis and bacterial killing, natural killer cell activity, T lymphocyte function and antibody production.
- Deficiency can lead to more susceptibility to respiratory tract infections like pneumonia and Vitamin C supplementation has been shown through meta-analysis to significantly reduce the risk of pneumonia.
- Vitamin C supplementation has also been shown to decrease the duration and severity of upper respiratory tract infections, such as the common cold, especially in people under enhanced physical stress.
Vitamin D
- Vitamin D receptors have been found in most immune cells confirming the importance of this vitamin.
- Directly enhances defence by enhancing epithelial integrity and inducing antimicrobial synthesis in epithelial cells and macrophages
- Also has many other important function in immune defence.
Vitamin E
- Has been shown in animal studies that vitamin E decreases lymphocyte proliferation, natural killer cell activity and phagocytosis by neutrophils.
- Deficiency has shown in animal studies an increased susceptibility to infections.
Zinc
- Helps to maintain T and B lymphocyte numbers
- Inhibits RNA polymerase required by RNA viruses like coronaviruses to replicate, suggesting that zinc may play a key role in immune defence to infections like Covid-19.
- Deficiency has been linked to a number of infections like respiratory and gastro-intestinal.
Copper
- Supports neutrophil, monocyte and macrophage function plus natural killer cell activity. It also promotes T cell lymphocyte responses.
- Deficiency can cause decreased lymphocyte production and lead to more susceptibility to infections.
Selenium
- Important for several components of the immune system
- Deficiency has been linked to diminished natural killer cell activity and increased mycobacterial disease. Deficiency has also shown to permit mutations of certain viruses, which may then make them more virulent and thus potentially make the virulence of infection worse.
Iron
- Irons link to the immune system is complex but studies have shown a link.
- Deficiency causes thymus atrophy and reduced output of niaïve T lymphocytes.
Riboflavin (B2)
- Essential for the formation of flavin adenine dinucleotide and flavin mononucleotide, which are essential for the immune system.
Magnesium
- Several groups leading in Nutrition and Immunology have shown evidence that magnesium plays a key role in the immune response; that is, as a co-factor for immunoglobulin synthesis, C3 convertase, immune cell adherence, antibody-dependent cytolysis, IgM lymphocyte binding, macrophage response to lymphokines and T helper–B cell adherence. Most of these studies have been designed in animal models, mainly focusing on what happens in Magnesium depleted diet fed animals.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/1601689
So it is clear that there are a number of nutrients that are essential and since some of these nutrients are low in the population, we recommend that everyone consider a supplement to help. When deciding, make sure you choose a brand that includes these nutrients. Some brands offer 2 nutrients and others offer various other nutrients with no claims to help immune function. Choose wisely....
Fortunately, we as Doctors understand the importance of these nutrients and how they impact our immune system. That's why you will find ALL of these vitamins and minerals in our Immune Support Capsule. We think we have the most comprehensive Immune Support product on the market.
