Protecting your Body

The body reacts to the environment through the immune system by launching a quick and calculated inflammatory response. This protective response is a healthy, necessary series of events that brings immune cells to the scene that are equipped to deal with the situation at hand. Your immune system has two types of responses: innate and adaptive.

Innate Immune Response 

The innate immune system is a non-specific response and is the first line of defense. Skin and mucous membranes form a physical barrier against environmental threats. Cytokines are messenger proteins of the innate immune response that serve to regulate immunity. Essentially, all immune cells produce cytokines. These messengers relay a variety of communications that direct the innate response, the adaptive response, and the production of blood cells.

Adaptive Immune Response

When the innate immune system is overwhelmed with its standard non-specific response, the adaptive immune response kicks in with a more targeted response. This specific response is composed of specialized white blood cells:

• B lymphocytes, also called B cells, produce specialized proteins called antibodies that activate your innate immune system

• T cells are a part of the immune system that focuses on specific foreign particles

Immune System Terminology

Inflammation can be a healthy part of the immune response, as your body “fights” to keep you healthy    

Antibodies are specialized proteins for white blood cells to target

Cytokines are messenger proteins of the innate immune response that serve to regulate immunity

Mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake, turkey tail, reishi, and cordyceps are associated with supporting immune system components. This includes white blood cells – including macrophages, natural killer cells and T cells – antibody production, and cytokine regulation2

Elderberry Research connects elderberry extracts with supporting the immune response3

Whole food fermentate derived from yeast is a novel compound associated with beneficial immune support. Metabolites in whole food fermentate support immune modulation.4,5

Echinacea has long been associated with beneficial immune effects. Research has linked echinacea with supporting dendritic cell maturation, macrophage activation, and natural killer cell activity.6,7

HMO's found most abundantly in human breastmilk, contain important human milk oligosaccharides like 2’-fucosyllactose (2’-FL) that act as prebiotics in the digestive system. To support adults, HMOs are available in a variety of other forms. Prebiotics feed the healthy bacteria of the microbiome, which is linked to whole-body health, especially the immune system. HMOs like 2’-FL support the integrity of the gut barrier in the lower gastrointestinal tract, which includes an immunological barrier important for gut immune health.8

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) that play a number of roles in supporting whole-body health. In the immune system, omega-3s are important regulatory players and act as precursors for molecules involved in the resolution phase of inflammatory response.9

Vitamin A often associated with carrots and visual function, is also an important micronutrient when it comes to maintenance of important immune organs like the thymus. Found in a variety of foods like leafy green vegetables, orange and yellow vegetables, fruits, liver and fish oils, vitamin A has been shown to regulate the life cycle and function of innate immune cells10 discussed previously.

Vitamin C ascorbic acid, is a water-soluble vitamin found in many fruits and vegetables such as citrus, bell peppers, berries and kiwi. Research shows that vitamin C stimulates production of white blood cells, such as macrophages, T cells, and B cells. Vitamin C is also supportive of white blood cells through antioxidant activity.

Vitamin D a unique micronutrient, acting as a hormone rather than as a true vitamin. Ultraviolet B rays in sunlight trigger vitamin D production in the body, where it aids the immune system through B cell homeostasis, and support of regulatory T cells in immune tolerance.12,13 It supports both the innate and adaptive immune responses. Many people require vitamin D supplementation as there are limited whole food options and many have inadequate direct access to sunlight.

Zinc a trace mineral that is vital in maintaining the integrity of your skin, and it plays an important, multi-faceted role in immune health. Found in a variety of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and protein foods such as lean meats, poultry and eggs, zinc supports the integrity of physical immune barriers such as the skin, mucus membranes and epithelial lining.14 Zinc is also important for cellular immunity, T cell, and B cell support.15,16,17

Magnesium an essential nutrient that acts as a cofactor for hundreds of vital enzymatic reactions in the body. Its role in immune health may include supporting healthy sleep and helping to support healthy inflammatory response.18 Emerging research indicates magnesium may also play a role in the human immune system response such as through magnesium transporters. A number of magnesium transporters have been identified in immune cells.19

Prebiotics and Probiotics Prebiotics are substances that support the body by stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria and increasing the functionality of the gut microbiome. They help provide energy to intestinal cells and improve the function of the intestinal barrier.20 

Probiotics also provide important benefits to the body.18 These live microorganisms can influence immune signaling and contribute to the production of antibodies which are critical components of a healthy immune system.18,21 The gut microbiota also affect the immune system beyond the gut, including in the liver, brain, and lung.19