Vitamin A:
Vitamin A, a fat soluble nutrient is best known for its ability to support vision and its antioxidant properties; however Vitamin A has been shown in current research to provide a benefit for the immune system regulation as well as its benefit for activating and growing lymphocytes, one of the body’s main type of immune cells. Vitamin A has also been shown to reduce inflammation and to treat autoimmunity.
Vitamin C:
This antioxidant provides immune enhancing properties as well. Vitamin C is actually a sugar acid. It is known that many cells in the immune system can accumulate ascorbic acid and actually need this water soluble nutrient to perform its normal immunological duties. It has been shown that a diet that is deficient in Vitamin C can reduce resistance to some pathogens while a diet high in Vitamin C increases the effectiveness of certain immune functions.
Vitamin E:
Also a fat soluble antioxidant, Vitamin E, specifically the alpha tocopherol form which is the most biologically active form of Vitamin E in mammals, is known to protect the immune system by protecting macrophages, a large white blood cell that is an important part of the body’s immune system. By protecting macrophages from the inside of the membrane, Vitamin E is able to provide support against oxidative stressors.
Zinc:
This important mineral is a cofactor in hundreds of enzymatic processes and plays an important role in immune health. Zinc is found in cells throughout the body. It helps the immune system fight off invading viruses and bacteria. Additionally the body needs zinc to make DNA and proteins which are the genetic material in all cells.
Immune Enhancing Blends:
The citrus bioflavanoids including in this blend, quercitrin, tangeritin, hesperidin and rutin, have shown benefits in reducing the growth of certain damaging types of cells in the body in addition to reducing heart disease. Citrus bioflavonoids have also shown many anti-microbial properties.
Echinacea extracts have been used in the treatment of a variety of infectious diseases. Preparations containing Echinacea have been shown to activate certain receptor types allow this herb to play a role as an immune modulator and a potential anti-inflammatory agent.
Bee Propolis is utilized as a powerful natural anti-inflammatory due to its ability to influence many types of immune responses especially its immunoregulation of T lymphocytes. A T cell is a type of lymphocyte which develops in the thymus gland and plays a central role in immune response.
Oral garlic research shows its benefit for the regulation of cytokines (a large group of proteins, peptides or glycoproteins that are secreted by specific cells of the immune system and are considered signaling molecules that mediate and regulate immunity and inflammation) in human immune responses and is a favorite as one of the front line immune enhancing supplements.
Yarrow extract have been used in natural medicine for the treatment of liver disease, asthma, inflammation and fever. Recent research shows Yarrow can increase antibody responses which help reduce these conditions.
Mushroom extracts from Maitake, Shiitake and Reishi, have been included in the Viva Immune Enhancing Blend. Research with Maitake mushroom extracts; have shown cancer preventative properties due to activation of macrophages, NK (natural killer cells), T cells, and increases in serum interleukin1. Maitake also shows anti-cancer actions by causing apoptosis (programmed cellular death) within the cancerous cells. Shittake contains B- Glucan and is used as an approved clinical drug in different countries due to its anti-cancer properties. Research shown Shiitake mushroom extract increases gamma interferon, decreases tumor formation and increases phagocytosis (ingestion of bacteria by phagocytes) in macrophages. Reishi mushrooms have been used for hundreds of years, mainly is Asian countries for treating infections, pulmonary diseases and cancer. All these medicinal mushrooms are used and are approved adjuncts to standard cancer treatments in both Japan and China and have an extensive clinical history of safe use as single agents or combined with chemotherapy.
Astragalus:
Astragalus is an herb that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Its health benefits include immune boosting but certain anti-aging and anti-inflammatory properties have been exhibited as well. Astragalus is believed to treat a wide variety of ailments like allergies, colds, fatigue, heart disease and diabetes. Astragalus has been shown to increase the production of white blood cells which are the cells in the immune system responsible for preventing illness.
Goldenseal contains alkaloids known to increase the body’s defense. The Berberine found in Goldenseal has been shown to contribute to enhancing the body’s immune system by increasing the production of interleukin12 in macrophages and increasing their ability to produce gamma interferon.
Horehound:
The herb horehound serves as an immune system regulator and an anticancer agent.
Adaptogenic Blends:
An adaptogen is a term used for natural supplements that increase the body’s resistance to fatigue, anxiety, trauma and stress.
Eleuthrococcus (Eleuthro) was first used as in herbal remedy in China over 200 years ago. In traditional and herbal medicine, Eleuthro has been used to treat numerous conditions:
Increasing energy and reducing fatigue
Improving Cognitive Function
Managing Cancer
Enhancing Exercise
Healing wounds and preventing ulcers
Increasing Low Blood Pressure
Reducing Osteoporosis
Managing Menopause
Reducing/Limiting Respiratory Tract Infections
Improving Lymphatic Function
Preventing/Repairing Nerve Damage
Lowering/Stabilizing Blood Sugar Levels
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