The immune system is your body’s defence system. It protects you against pathogens, like viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, that can cause disease, keeping them in balance with the health-promoting microbes of your microbiota, the ‘friendly’ bacteria, yeasts, and fungi occurring throughout your body.
Signs your immune system is not as healthy as it should be:
- Frequent or persistent colds or flu-like viruses
- Severe hay-fever or other allergies
- Autoimmune conditions
Nutrients for a healthy immune system
The foundation for a healthy immune system is a good diet that provides sufficient energy, essential fats, protein and micronutrients. Diets that are high in processed and refined foods, and especially those high in trans-fats and sugar, could worsen responses to infections as the result of varying factors including increased inflammation, downregulated immune responses, and microbiota dysbiosis.
In addition, many nutrients have been shown to help support immune health, such as:
- Omega-3 fats – help to regulate immunity and inflammation in conjunction with the ‘pro-inflammatory’ omega 6 fats. Omega 3 fats are found in fatty fish and in vegan sources like flaxseeds and in algae.
- Vitamin A – intricately involved in immunity and sufficient Vitamin A associated with immunity to illness and infections.
- Vitamin C – contrary to popular belief, vitamin C probably won’t cure the common cold. However, research suggests that it might help to reduce symptoms of colds and shorten their duration, and might even help to prevent the occurrence of colds in athletes and others prone to higher levels of stress when taken regularly.
- Vitamin E – has anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects
- Vitamin D – a key immune regulator and has shown promise to aid several auto-immune conditions like systemic lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Antioxidants – compounds found in foods that scavenge and neutralise free radicals in the body thus protecting our cells from damage which could lead to illness or disease.
Nuzest Good Green Vitality is a high quality multi-nutrient supplement that contains many of these immune-supporting nutrients. With vitamin C, D, E, A, as well as zinc, probiotics, turmeric and rosemary, one daily serve of Good Green Vitality will provide your body with a combination of nutrients that will work synergistically together to support your immune health.
Note: many serious conditions can result in these signs and symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these, consult with your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.
By Cliff Harvey, PhD (nutrition), DipFit, DipNut, MNMHNZ, FCNA
