Well-beingOur assets 18/11/2024

Immunity: how to boost yourself naturally?

To stay healthy, boost your body and stay in shape, it's important to support your body and its natural defenses. And what better way than to turn to food supplements? Based on vitamins, minerals, trace elements and antioxidants, they offer a wide choice, especially for preserving and boosting the immune system. So, do you prefer multivitamins or natural active ingredients to boost immunity?

What is the immune system and immunity?

The immune system is a complex set of biological mechanisms that protect the body. Immunity, in turn, is the body's ability to defend itself against these threats.

In other words, the immune system is our body's guardian and protector. Without it, a simple scratch could become fatal. It protects us against bacteria, viruses, parasites, toxins and allergens by identifying them, fighting them and then eliminating them. Often compared to an army, this defense system is made up of a set of specialized organs and cells that act in coordinated fashion to protect our body. 

Why support your immune system?

Our good health and vitality depend on the state of our immune system. Exposed daily to various pathogens such as bacteria, viruses and parasites, our immune system works around the clock to protect our bodies from infection and other aggressions and diseases.

Maintaining good immunity is essential all year round, as fatigue, stress, cold, pollution or dietary deficiencies can weaken our defense mechanisms. However, certain periods, such as autumn and winter, call for special attention due to the proliferation of germs.

That's why it's often advisable to take food supplements during this period, and for a minimum of 3 months. A real daily ally, they help maintain a healthy immune system and provide energy and vitality.

 

Choosing the right supplement to boost your immunity

Multivitamins: why they're not for everyone

Multivitamins, while very popular, are not suitable for everyone [1]. Firstly, they are often composed of synthetic vitamins, which are not as well absorbed by the body as natural vitamins. What's more, they often contain low doses of vitamins, including some that are more expensive to synthesize, which can reduce their effectiveness [1]. Finally, they are not adapted to the specific needs and deficiencies of each individual. Indeed, nutrient requirements vary according to many factors, such as age, gender, level of physical activity and health conditions, making the use of a standardized formulation often inadequate to specific needs.

What's more, this type of dietary supplement is often in the form of gummies or tablets, which can also impact on the efficacy and bioavailability of the vitamins contained. Gummies often contain additives and sugars, and processing into gum can alter the quality of the vitamins and active ingredients. Tablets, on the other hand, may be subject to slower absorption of vitamins.

What about natural active food supplements?

Nature is a treasure trove for our health. And the same goes for immunity! Vitamins and antioxidants are often cited as the best allies when it comes to boosting the immune system.

How does curcumin affect the immune system?  

A powerful antioxidant, curcumin is said to have 10 times the antioxidant action of vitamin E. It influences immunity mainly through its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It modulates the activity of immune cells such as T and B lymphocytes, macrophages and neutrophils, helping to regulate the inflammatory response [2]. It also modulates the production of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators such as TNF-alpha, IL-1, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-12 [3]. 

In summary, curcumin has complex effects on both innate and adaptive immunity, acting as a modulator that can both stimulate and attenuate the immune response depending on the context [2,3]. However, this effect can also make us more vulnerable to certain infections by attenuating the immune response [3].

How does pomegranate affect the immune system?   

Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants, such as flavonoids, punicalagins and tannins [4], and vitamin C, which help boost natural defenses and balance intestinal flora [6].

Antioxidants help reduce oxidative stress in the body, protecting immune cells from damage [4].

Vitamin C plays a crucial role in strengthening the immune system, notably by stimulating the production and activity of white blood cells, essential for fighting infection [4]. In addition, pomegranates contain other vitamins that support immunity, such as vitamin E [5].

By promoting a balanced intestinal flora, the large intestine inhibits the growth of "bad" bacteria and encourages the development of "good" bacteria in the intestine. This balance of intestinal flora improves nutrient absorption and boosts the immune system [6].

In short, pomegranate acts on immunity in several ways: by strengthening natural defenses, reducing inflammation and balancing intestinal flora.

How does Klamath algae affect the immune system?

With its antioxidant and detoxifying properties, Klamath seaweed boosts the body's natural defenses. It contains 14 vitamins, including vitamin C and B12, and over 60 minerals and trace elements, boosting the immune system and providing essential nutrients [7].

It helps boost the body's immune defenses [8] and reduces the risk of catching common winter ailments such as rhinitis and bronchitis.

Conclusion: Opt for natural supplements to boost immunity

To support your immune system, it's essential to opt for a healthy, seasonal diet and a good night's sleep. At the same time, to boost immunity, supplements may be appropriate, but only if they are rich in vitamins and antioxidants and of natural origin.

It's also important to check the composition of the products you choose to maximize the product's active ingredient content and quality, and to ensure that dietary supplements contain ingredients that enhance their bioavailability and potentiate their beneficial effects on the immune system. 

 

Sources :

[1] National Geographic (2023). Not everyone should be taking a multivitamin. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/premium/article/multivitamin-supplement-decision

[2] Nutripure (2024). Health benefits and risks of curcumin. https://www.nutripure.fr/fr/blog/bienfaits-et-danger-du-curcuma-pour-la-sante-n23

[3] Plantes et Santé (2020). Covid-19: Should you eat turmeric? https://www.plantes-et-sante.fr/articles/maladies/3785-covid-19-le-curcuma-a-bien-sa-place-comme-anti-inflammatoire

[4] Welcome Pharmacie (2024). The 5 benefits of pomegranate. https://welcome-pharmacie.com/les-5-bienfaits-de-la-grenande/

[5] Darwin Nutrition (2023). Pomegranate, the immunity-boosting fruit. https://www.darwin-nutrition.fr/super-aliments/grenade/

[6] Tua Saude (2024). 11 benefits of pomegranates (and how to eat them) https://www.tuasaude.com/fr/grenade/

 [7] Nutrixeal Info (N.D.). Klamath. https://nutrixeal-info.fr/index/klamath/

[8] Dr. Max (2024). Alga Klamath: Proprietà e Benefici. https://www.drmax.it/blog/alga-klamath-proprieta-e-benefici