October 2020

Optimal Immunity (part 1)

The presence of the coronavirus is on everyone’s mind. And, as the world waits for a vaccine, many are beginning to understand that having a strong immune system is the first step in fighting this potentially deadly virus. Older adults typically have weakened immune systems. But this doesn’t necessarily have to be the rule. At every age, lifestyle habits can affect immunity. The immune system is your 24-hour personal army that must respond to invasions and threats, and must be ready to attack. We cannot feel our immune system, but certainly become aware when it breaks down. Modern immunology tells us that there are factors in our world that erode our immune function. Over the next several weeks I am going to address these factors so you can learn to build your immune army to its fullest strength. The acronym I will use for these harming factors is PITS:

P = Poor nutrition
I = Infections and Inactivity
T = Trauma and Toxins
S = Stress and Sleep

Today, I will address the first factor, Poor nutrition. The immune system is a voracious user of vitamins and minerals, and most people do not consume the nutrients they need for optimal immune function. Many of our foods are overly processed and have chemical additives. Fast-paced lifestyles have led to fewer fruits and vegetables and increased sugar intake. Because of this,

few people consume the recommended daily vitamin and mineral amounts without taking a supplement. Even carefully-prepared diets often fall short of immune-essential nutrients. Vitamins D and C are especially important for a healthy immune system. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and key member of the Coronavirus Task Force, admits to taking vitamin D and C supplements. There’s good science behind his recommendation with plenty of evidence that being deficient in either nutrient can make one more susceptible to infections. There are an assortment of other antioxidants and phytochemicals that contribute to the efficiency of various cellular functions. Garlic, spirulina, turmeric, bioflavonoids, the B vitamins, and many other nutrients have important roles in immune function. If a vast array of colorful fruits and vegetables and whole grains are not in your daily diet, you may want to consider taking a high quality multi-complex supplement to further support your immune system. Take a look at Body Wise International’s Right Choice AM/PM and Beta C. They are nutritionally-loaded, and fit the bill to complete the P part of the PITS, thus giving your immune system a fighting chance.

However, not all Supplements are created equal

Most people do not give much thought to nutritional supplements they purchase, assuming that they are basically the same. However, the quality of dietary supplements varies tremendously from different manufacturers. Unfortunately, many products are not what they are represented to be. Some supplements, when tested, have been shown to not even contain the listed active ingredients in any effective amount. Buying cheap supplements to save money is therefore more likely to be a waste of money with no real benefit. So how can a consumer make an educated choice when purchasing the nutritional supplement that is right for them? With assistance of their trusted Healthcare Professional. They can recommend products with which they have confidence, based on consistent and effective clinical results.

Some manufactures, select ingredients not because they are better, but because they are cheaper or easier to use in the manufacturing process. While dietary supplement manufactures are required to perform identification testing on raw materials, they are not required to test their material for things such as residual solvents that may be used in the ingredient production process. While some of these contaminants pose little or no risk, others have the potential to be harmful, especially if consumed over a prolonged period of time.

Why Healthcare Professionals Recommend Products

Your Healthcare Professional relies on a variety of products for a variety of reasons, not the least of which is Quality control procedures. They are tested at state-of-the-art laboratories using modern scientific methods. Finally, all finished products undergo testing prior to their release for shipment. Your Healthcare Professional knows that they have gone the extra mile to ensure products are safe and effective.
More and more people are choosing a natural approach to complement their healthcare, but they are unaware of the possible interactions that can occur between prescriptions and nutrients. Many prescriptions can negatively affect the status of vitamins, minerals or other nutrients in different ways. Your Healthcare Professional can offer input needed to avoid interactions between drugs and micronutrients. Suggestions can be made when not to use certain supplements or when supplementation is necessary.

Talk with Your Healthcare Professional about Your Current Regimen