Immune System

Ten Top Supplements to Help Boost Your Immune System....

The immune system is made of various bodily components including organs, bone marrow, cells, antibodies and chemicals, as well as the nutrients that help nourish and generate them. Listed below are the Top Ten supplements to help keep your immune system strong and you healthy.

Vitamin C: Gives all round support to your immune system and may also have antiviral properties. When dealing with health problems such as viral infections, colds, stress, surgery and progressive diseases, the bodies Vitamin C levels are compromised.

Vitamin E: This essential vitamin is most useful for its antioxidant effects on oxidized fats and cholesterol, both of which are suspected causes heart disease. Vitamin E also helps to protect cell membranes and DNA from free-radical damage.

Selenium: Selenium helps in 2 ways: As part of the body's detoxification system. It is particularly helpful in getting rid of chemical irritants such as heavy metals.
As an antioxidant it prevents or slows the aging process of tissue.
This may benefit the cardiovascular system and protect against cancer.

Vitamin A: This antioxidant reduces the rate of infection and supports normal cell reproduction. It helps protect the body from the irritating effects of smoke and other pollutants. It may also reduce your chances of getting such health problems as ulcers, atherosclerosis, stroke and high blood pressure.

Beta-carotene: This nutrient converts to Vitamin A in the body, however it does not have the same antioxidant effect as Vitamin A. Beta-carotene has been shown to strengthen the immune response by stimulating T-helper cell activity. It also appears to prevent the development of cancer. A number of studies have shown people with a higher beta-carotene intakes have a reduced rate of lung and colon cancer.

Zinc: Zinc is essential to several immune-system functions. It helps with healing and reduces infection. It supports the parts of the immune system that helps the body fight infection and produce antibodies. By helping to regulate the function of white blood cells zinc can improve antibody response to vaccines and cell-mediated immunity.

Echinacea Angustifolia: Echinacea has been named the "king of blood purifiers". It is used to purify the blood and lymph system and to treat infections. Recent studies show that it can increase white blood cell counts and as a result increase our ability to fight bacteria and viruses. It also stimulates the lymphatic system to clear wastes.

Acidophilus: This beneficial bacteria inhabits the human digestive system. It is best known for assuring the return of normal body functions after a course of antibiotics, by reintroducing friendly bacteria into the colon. It acts as a mild antibiotic, and regular use can replace the harmful bacteria in your colon (or vaginal tract in women, where acidophilus is also used to treat yeast infections).

CoEnzyme-Q10: CoEnzyme-Q10 is made in the body and works alongside other enzymes to support the body's bioenergetic functions. It seems to act as a mild stimulant to the immune-system. It has been shown to help lower blood pressure and enhance the pumping action and electrical function of the heart. It may also improve energy production in heart muscle cells.

Thymus Glandulars: These are derived from animal glands and are thought to supply basic nutrients such as amino acids, oils and vitamins. Studies suggests that when eaten, they reach, and influence, human glands. Thymus Glandulars contain the active hormone thymosin which is of particular importance to the immunological function because help to stimulate T-lymphocyte production and activity in the body.

Stroke.....

Recent research has revealed that an increase in dietary folate (folic
acid) can significantly reduce the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.

The study done by Dr. Jiang He a researcher from Tulane University School of Public health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans involved 9,764 patients both men and women all participating in the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES 1) Epidemiologic Follow-Up Study.

Medical records and death certificates were used to determine the incidence of stroke and cardiovascular disease. Between 1971 and 1992 there were 926 strokes and 3,758 cases of cardiovascular disease among the 9,764 patients.

The study was published in the May (2002) issue of Stroke, the journal of American Heart Association in which Dr. His team said that patients with folate (folic acid) intake of at least 300 micrograms a day had a 20% lower risk of stroke compared with those who consumed less than 136 micrograms per day.

The risk of cardiovascular disease was some 13% lesser in patients with a daily intake of at least 300 micrograms when compared with those of
136 micrograms.

These are significant findings which further emphasize the recommendation to maintain optimum daily folate (folic acid) intake.

For your reference . . . the following Vitamin Power products are formulated with at least 300 micrograms (mcg.) of Folate (folic acid) per
dosage:

a.. Super-Vite
b.. Nutra-Stress 1200
c.. Power Source 100
d.. Ultra Multi 90 Plus
e.. Ginkgo Plus
f.. Super Headway
g.. PMS Multi-Nutrient
h.. Nutra Femin
i.. Women's Day Cal 1000
j.. SuperFem Multiple
k.. Super B Complex 50 mg
l.. Super B Complex 100 mg
m.. Super B Complex 150 mg
n.. Folic Acid 800 mcg
o.. B Complex 50 Nutra-Caps
p.. B Complex 100 Nutra-Caps
q.. Mega Multiple 85 Nutra-Caps
r.. Thera-M Tablets
s.. Multiple Immune Factors
t.. Vita-Max 1

Why Is Thiamin – Vitamin B1 So Important?......

What Is Thiamin?
Known as Vitamin B1, thiamin was the very first B-Vitamin discovered. As an integral part of the B-complex spectrum of vitamins, thiamin is primarily involved in energy metabolism – turning foods into a useable energy source for the body, known as ATP (adenosine triphosphate). All of the B-vitamins work together to produce ATP, and each different vitamin is also involved in more specific aspects of the human body. Thiamin helps support healthy nerves and a healthy heart, is involved in positively influencing mood, and is also now considered useful for soothing heartburn.

How does Thiamin Work?
Besides playing an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein, thiamin is also necessary to maintaining heart health. The human heart pumps blood in and out of its chambers numerous times a day, feeding blood through vessels to the various parts of the human body – it is the hardest working organ in the human body. Regular daily intake of Thiamin is essential to people suffering from congestive heart failure (CHF) because it has been shown to improve the heart’s “pumping power.” Thiamin has been found in very low levels in those people with CHF. Long term use of diuretic drugs, which are often prescribed to CHF patients, deplete the body’s storage of Thiamin. One study of CHF patients on diuretics showed that taking at least 200 mg. of Thiamin each day for 6 weeks improved the heart’s pumping power by 22%.

Not only does Thiamin help support a healthy working heart, it also helps promote healthy nerve function throughout the body. Although there are a number of diseases that affect nerve health, diabetics especially suffer from nerve damage, if the disease is uncontrolled, resulting in a numbing of the extremities, usually detected first as a tingling in the hands and/or feet. Thiamin may be used to support overall nerve health, ultimately minimizing numbness and tingling and helping to protect against this condition.

Often recommended by health professionals for mood disorders, the intake of Thiamin to boost mood is valuable, even when the vitamin is not deficient in the body. One study of a group of college-age women who were not deficient in Thiamin reported improved mood, energy and alertness after just 2 months of taking 50 mg. of Thiamin a day. And yet another study showed that taking 10 mg. of thiamin each day for 3 months improved energy levels in the elderly, along with lowered blood pressure, healthy weight loss and an improved quality of sleep. Recent reports claim that Thiamin may be helpful in treating the memory-loss associated with Alzheimer’s disease, although this has not yet been fully proven.

Like all of the B-complex Vitamins, the body requires a steady dose of Thiamin each day to function at optimal levels because it is water-soluble.
Deficiency can have a negative effect on mood, including increased irritability and depression, as well as result in increased muscle fatigue.
Severe deficiency results in a condition known as beriberi, resulting in nerve damage, muscle loss, loss of mental abilities, paralysis and eventually death. Since Thiamin is a water-soluble vitamin, any excess that is taken in and not used by the body, will simply be excreted in the urine, so toxicity is not a concern.

Thiamin is commonly added back to milled foods marketed (as “enriching”) to
prevent deficiency. Thiamin is found specifically in enriched grain
products, dried bean, nuts & seeds, lean pork and whole grains. It is important to be aware that drinking diuretics, such as coffee, tea, or soda, can deplete Thiamin levels so it is important to drink those in moderation, or be sure to take extra Thiamin.

For your reference, the following Vitamin Power formulations supply high-potency, essential Thiamine for daily nutritional support:

#1036 - B-Complex 50 Tablets

#1038 - B-Complex 100 Tablets

#1049 - B-Complex 150 Tablets

#445 - Nutra Stress 1200 (Homocysteine Formula - Vite C plus complete B
complex) Tablets

#1090 - Ultra Multi 90 Plus (Ultra-Potency Multi Vitamins & Minerals) Tablets

#3090 - Power Source 100 (Phytonutrients Multi Vitamins & Minerals) Tablets

#1034 - Super-Vite (Full-Spectrum Multi Vitamins & Minerals) Tablets

#5086 - Super Fem Multiple (Women’s Multi Formula) Tablets

#774 - Nutra Femin (Specific Nutrient Formula For Mature Women) Tablets

#267 - Nutra-Stress 1200 (Homocysteine Formula - Vite C plus complete B
Complex) Nutra Caps

#262 - B Complex 50 (Homocysteine Formula - Vite C plus complete B Complex) Nutra-Caps

#263 - B Complex 100 (Homocysteine Formula - Vite C plus complete B Complex) Nutra-Caps

The information presented is for information purposes only. It is based on scientific
studies or traditional usage. Consult a health care professional before using supplements or making any changes in prescribed medications.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.