Immunity is probably the most important resource of our body. However, each individual remains vulnerable to numerous viral diseases, bacterial or parasitic infections. Worse, some serious diseases such as AIDS, cancer and autoimmune diseases involve this aspect of our health. It is therefore extremely important to take good care of your immune system and to correct its slightest deficiencies.
The immune system, a very complex machine
One way to boost your immune system is to increase the activity of thisllulestueuses nnatural (Natural Killer - NK cells) which are lymphocytes found in blood and lymphatic tissue. These NK cells are able to destroy infected cells by secreting cytokines. They act in the same way to destroy cancer cells.
While these NK cells play an important role in immunity, they are not the only ones because the immune system is relatively complex and requires the intervention of other cells such as T-cells. These are cells manufactured in the marrow but which must undergo maturation and programming in the thymus to transform:
- into CD4 (CD4 helper) cells that orchestrate the immune response by activating other immune cells and stimulating antibody production by B cells.
- in CD8 cells(CD8 supressor) whose role is to stop the activity of killer cells by signaling the attack to stop.
Any substance capable of decreasing the number of CD8 cells relative to the number of CD4 cells will increase the CD4/CD8 ratio with a consequent increase in the immune system's ability to defend itself against invaders (viruses, bacteria and parasites). It is this famous CD4/CD8 ratio that is so closely monitored in AIDS patientsA decrease in this ratio indicates an unfavorable disease course.
A third important player in the immune system involves immunoglobulin A (IgA) which is mainly secreted by the mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat and gastrointestinal tract. IgA thus plays an immune role in the respiratory and digestive regions by protecting the surfaces of these mucous membranes against invasion by pathogenic bacteria and viruses. Its presence in colostrum (liquid secreted by the mother's breasts just after the birth of the child, before the secretion of milk begins) is the main explanation for the anti-infectious properties of colostrum in newborns.
Fermented saccharomyces cerevisiae, an accidental discovery
The discovery of this product follows a finding by sick leave experts that employees of an animal feed manufacturer had an unusually low rate of sick leave.
In one family (2 parents and 3 children), the wife and her 3 children had an average of 3 to 5 flu episodes per year, while the husband, who had been working in the company for 9 years, had never been ill for the last 7 years.
These experts thought it was due to a fermented culture of yeast that the company makes for animals. Following these observations, a scientific research group was formed to study this ingredient which is the final product of the fermentation of the brewer's yeast (saccharomyces cerevisiae).
An anti-oxidant power plant
The study revealed that this substance contains essential minerals and vitamins as well as trace elements. In addition, it contains many antioxidant compounds such as phytosterols, polyphenols and resveratrol. More surprising is the presence of squalenes, a compound found only in certain species of sharks. Measurements of antioxidant activity have shown that the substance has a much higher activity than bilberry.
Human Study
The study consisted in verifying what are the changes in immunity after a treatment with fermented saccharomyces cerevisiae . Blood tests of people treated with the product were compared to those of a control group. The fermented saccharomyces cerevisiae group increased its CD4/CD8 ratio to such an extent that it is estimated that the immune system's activity against viruses, bacteria and cancerous cells increased by 2 to 3 times. No pro-immune substance has ever demonstrated such results.
The study also found augmentation of killer cell powernn.
Another interesting parameter in this study was the augmentation of IgA levels in saliva and tears which means increased immunological protection of the mucous membranes of the nose and throat which are usually the gateways for pathogenic organisms to enter our body.
Finally, the absence of toxicity and side effects has been demonstrated. Similarly, fermented saccharomyces cerevisiae does not interfere with the growth of friendly bacteria in the gut flora
↑ Recommended food products
Vitamin C-rich products: blackcurrant, parsley, aromatic herbs, raw red peppers, lemon zest, etc. But also foods rich in antioxidants: leeks, onions, garlic, eggplant, grapes, etc.
↓ Products to avoid
Saturated acids from butter, cheese and fried foods.
→ Recommended dietary supplements
- Stimuliplex Stimuplex reinforces the natural defense system by increasing the activity of natural killer cells.
- Celluboost Celluboost helps to stimulate the immune system and participates in increasing the production of various immune defense elements of the body.
This list is not exhaustive. Do you have other natural products or food supplements to recommend? Tell us in the comments.