When it comes to your immune system and how your body defends itself from the pathogens that you encounter on a daily basis, you have three lines of defence all working at any given time for your protection.

The first line of defence is made up of the physical and chemical barriers that block invading pathogens from entering your body. Your main physical barriers are your skin, mucous membranes and hair. The chemical barriers are enzymes that can be found in your saliva, tears, sweat and digestive juices.

The second line of defence is within your body and activates when something manages to get past the initial barriers and into your blood and tissues. Your response stimulates immune cells to migrate to the infected area and engulf foreign bodies. Inflammation and fever also help to combat infection.

The third line of defence is called specific resistance and is part of your acquired immunity. This is where the pathogen is recognised by your immune system and can initiate the mass production of antibodies to prevent the infection from spreading.

You are exposed to millions of strains of bacteria and some viruses daily, but many factors determine whether they make you sick.

One of the things that you can do as part of your daily routine is take an immune-supporting product to support your immune system’s lines of defence.

Lighthouse Olive Leaf Plus contains high-quality olive leaf, herbal extracts of echinacea and garlic, plus zinc and vitamin C. Olive leaf’s active ingredient, oleuropein, is responsible for its antioxidant, antiseptic and immune-supporting qualities. A great preventative formula when taken daily, it can also be used to get you back on your feet when sickness strikes.

Combine Olive Leaf Plus with Lighthouse Vitamin D3 to support a healthy mood and immune system, particularly during seasonal lows. Vitamin D plays a critical role in supporting the function of your immune cells to protect your body from invaders.