Immunschutz: Unterstützten Sie Ihre Abwehrkräfte jetzt

So how can we help support our immune system?

The best place to start for the prevention of infections is actually to boost our levels of good bugs! When researchers gave young children probiotics with a little vitamin C every day, they found that the children got fewer coughs and colds. If they did get an infection the symptoms weren’t as bad and they didn’t need as much medication. They also needed less time off school.[1] Further research shows that the bacterial strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was effective in reducing the number, severity and duration of respiratory tract infections in children.[2],[3] So probiotics, including L. rhamnosus GG, may be the best thing to take all winter to prevent coughs and colds.

Other nutrients that play an important role in the prevention of infections include the following:

• Vitamin D enhances the immune system’s ability to recognise pathogens and initiate a response against them especially influenza (which causes the flu), tuberculosis and respiratory tract infections.[4] The main natural source of vitamin D is sunlight, and as our sun exposure becomes very limited during winter, it is essential to supplement vitamin D to prevent deficiencies and boost immunity. Read more about Vitamin D and its impact on the immune system in our separate Blog.
• Vitamin A is crucial for strengthening the gut lining which acts as a barrier against pathogens. It can also boost the activity of immune cells.[5],[6]
• Zinc is important for enhancing the activity of immune cells.[7]
• Antioxidants are molecules that prevent damage to the cells and tissues and reduce inflammation. These include different plant chemicals (flavonoids) found in rosehip, bilberry and other berries, as well as rutin and hesperidin that are naturally found in citrus fruit. Read more about antioxidants in our separate Blog.

Although the above can be used as a preventative protocol against infections, they can also be very beneficial during an infection alongside the following nutrients for further immune support:

• Vitamin C improves the function of immune cells and can decrease the duration of infection.[8]
• Elderberry contains plant chemicals that ‘blunt’ the spikes on viruses and stop them from entering the cells.[9] It also increases immune system activity against flu.[10]
• Sage inhibits bacterial growth[11] including the bacteria causing tuberculosis, skin infections and food poisoning.[12]
• Lysine inhibits reproduction of certain viruses like herpes[13] and boosts immunity. [14]
• Beta Glucans are natural sugars found in certain types of mushrooms. They can activate the immune cells[15] and reduce the symptoms and duration of respiratory tract infections in elderly[16] and children.[17]

What’s best to eat when we are ill?

When you are ill, you start to feel really tired, achy and feverish. This is a sign that your body is trying to fight the infection and it’s trying to make you rest. Rather than fighting the symptoms and reaching for pills, it is better to support your body naturally by resting and having plenty of fluids and nutrients. You can include the following foods:

• Natural anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory foods – garlic, ginger, turmeric, sage, coconut oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice with warm water and honey (locally sourced and raw if possible).
• Bone broths – use organic chicken carcass or beef bones, add a mixture of vegetables such as carrots, leeks, onions and herbs. Cover with water and gently simmer for a few hours. Strain and drink the broth daily.
• Vegetable juices – if you have a low appetite, fresh vegetable juices can be a great source of nutrients and antioxidants.
• Probiotic foods – sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, natural yoghurt, kefir and kombucha.
• Essential fats – oily fish such as sardines, mackerel and wild salmon, seeds such as flax, chia, and hemp seeds.
• Coconut water – for hydration and replenishing electrolyte stores.

Got a question? The brand you can talk to:

We have a team of Clinical Nutritionists at the end of our advice line, open to you, for product support and advice (5 days a week). 0121 433 8702 or clinicalnutrition@biocare.co.uk. Or send an e-mail to info@nourishme.ch

[1] Garaiova I et al. Probiotics and vitamin C for the prevention of respiratory tract infections in children attending preschool: a randomised controlled pilot study. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2015; 69 (3): 373-9.

[2] Hojsak I et al. Lactobacillus GG in the prevention of gastrointestinal and respiratory tract infections in children who attend day care centres: A randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled trial. Clinical Nutrition. 2010; 29 (3): 312-6.

[3] Kumpu M et al. The use of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and viral findings in the nasopharynx of children attending day care. J Med Virol. 2013; 85:1632-8.

[4] Yamshchikov et al. Vitamin D for treatment and prevention of infectious diseases: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Endocrine Practice. 2009; 15 (5): 438-49.

[5] Hall et al. The role of retinoic acid in tolerance and immunity. Immunity 35 (1), 13-22

[6] S. van de Pavert et al. “Maternal retinoids control type 3 innate lymphoid cells and set the offspring immunity,” Nature, doi:10.1038/nature13158, 2014

[7] Encyclopaedia of Human Nutrition. Caballero B, Allen L, Prentice A (eds.). Academic Press, San Diego, 447-454

[8] Douglas et al. Vitamin C for preventing and treating the common cold. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2000;(2):CD000980.

[9] Mumcuoglu. 1995. Sambucus nigra (L), Black Elderberry Extract: A breakthrough in the treatment of influenza. RSS Publishing.

[10] Kong. Pilot Clinical Study on a Proprietary Elderberry Extract: Efficacy in Addressing Influenza Symptoms. J Pharmacol Pharmacokin. 2009; 5: 32-43.

[11] Jesus et al. Antimicrobial Activity of Oleanolic and Ursolic Acids: An Update” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine.2015; 2015: 620472.

[12] Jesus, Jéssica A. et al. “Antimicrobial Activity of Oleanolic and Ursolic Acids: An Update.” Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine : eCAM 2015 (2015): 620472. PMC. Web. 21 Aug. 2015.

[13] Rubey. Could lysine supplementation prevent Alzheimer’s dementia? A novel hypothesis. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2010; 6: 707-10.

[14] Liu Y et al. Histone lysine methyltransferase Ezh1 promotes TLR-triggered inflammatory cytokine production by suppressing Tollip. J Immunol. 2015 Mar 15;194(6):2838-46

[15] Goodridge et al. β-glucan recognition by the innate immune system. Immunological Reviews. 2009; 230: 38-50.

[16] Fuller R et al. Yeast-derived beta 1,3/1,6 glucan, upper respiratory tract infection and innate immunity in older adults. Nutrition, 2017;39-40:30–35.

[17] Meng F (2016) Baker’s Yeast Beta-Glucan Decreases Episodes of Common Childhood Illness in 1 to 4 Year Old Children during Cold Season in China. J Nutr Food Sci 6:518.