Call it what you will—a health army, a defense network—human immune function
is simply the body’s ability to recognize and protect itself, all else be
damned. By preserving healthy body cells, especially in the face of viruses,
bacteria and other antigens, the immune system helps maintain balanced health
and promote longevity. Natural approaches to strong immunity abound, as healthy
ingredients target very specific aspects of the white blood cells and related
compounds that form the basis of the immune response.
he immune system protects against harmful substances from outside the body,
as well as defective cells and substances created in the body. This covers a
broad range of health issues, from short-term microbial infections to long-term
degenerative disease development. The most familiar infections may be the common
cold and influenza, but immune care has become a year-round concern.
"The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, organs, and
proteins, which work together to protect us against infectious organisms and
other invaders on a constant basis, disregarding seasons or any other
variables," said Cameron Saffari, Ph.D., CEO of Iceberg Labs.
Immune health in conventional medicine focuses on reactive medicine, compared
to a more preventive focus of natural products. And, while over-the-counter
(OTC) cold and flu medications can relieve many of the overlapping symptoms,
they do not shorten the duration of the illness and often come with a list of
undesirable side effects. They also fail to help prevent a cold or flu (the flu
shot only targets strains health officials think will be prominent in the coming
flu season).
Prevention is a loaded word in immune health care, especially in cold and flu
research. However, a few natural products have taken on this challenge,
including vitamin C, zinc and echinacea.
Vitamin C helps maintain healthy white blood cell counts, the strength of the
immune system, and it also helps increase production of interferon,
immune-cell-derived proteins that contribute to the immune response by slowing,
blocking and altering foreign substances. Many people take vitamin C, especially
in high doses, to ward off the common cold and upper respiratory infections (URIs)
or to lessen the duration of such illness, but trials and reviews have produced
mixed conclusions. In 2007, Japanese researchers reported their randomized,
controlled, five-year trial showed "vitamin C supplementation significantly
reduces the frequency of the common cold, but had no apparent effect on the
duration or severity of the common cold."1
Swiss researchers from Bayer stated in a 2006 review that "adequate intakes
of vitamin C and zinc ameliorate symptoms and shorten the duration of
respiratory tract infections, including the common cold."2 The
nutrients also reduce the incidence and improve the outcome of pneumonia,
malaria and diarrhea infections, especially in children in developing countries.
The researchers explained vitamin C concentrations in the plasma and
leukocytes rapidly decline during infections and stress. Vitamin C
supplementation can improve various immune functions, including antimicrobial
and natural killer (NK) cell activities, lymphocyte proliferation, chemotaxis
and delayed-type hypersensitivity. As expected, vitamin C’s antioxidant
properties are protective in cells, especially against oxygen generated during
respiratory bursts. In fact, the most recent Cochrane Database Review of
vitamin C and the common cold revealed vitamin C might be most effective against
cold duration and incidence following intense exercise or exposure to extreme
cold temperatures.3
For zinc’s part, deficiency of this essential mineral weakens cellular
mediators of innate immunity (short-term, infection defense), such as
phagocytosis and NK cell activity. This mineral is also important to the thymus,
the organ where T-cells (special white cells) mature. And zinc helps levels of
other immune cells, phagocytes (ingest microbes) and lymphocytes (T and B
cells).
With zinc, maintaining adequate levels is key to strong immune defense. At
Tufts University, Boston, scientists recently discovered people with normal
serum zinc concentrations experience a lower incidence of pneumonia, fewer new
antibiotic prescriptions, a shorter duration of pneumonia and fewer days of
antibiotic use.4
Another very popular remedy for immune support, including cold and flu
relief, is echinacea. This purple flower may play a role in activating front
line immune cells, including macrophages, which swallow debris and pathogens
(viruses, bacteria, etc.). Thus, echinacea can help boost the immune response
and even shorten cold and flu duration.5,6
"Echinacea would be most appropriate for when you feel those first few
warning signs that a cold is approaching," advised Ann Buchman, marketing
director for Gaia Herbs, who noted there are many different types and parts of
echinacea available, some beneficial for short-term and others for long-term
benefits. "Our research showed that using the right part of the plant at the
right time will make all of the difference in the world with regards to duration
and degree of inflammation."
Im-Plant-ed Immunity
It makes sense that plants contain self-defense compounds that might also
help human immunity. Thus, many natural immune health products are plant-based,
from botanical extracts to plant fibers and related plant components. Buchman
noted SPINS found the immune category represents nearly 20 percent of the $160
million of herbs sold.
There are scores of immune remedies in the proverbial herbal medicine chest,
a few which have recently been credited with flu-fighting mechanisms. A
Norwegian study highlighted the effects of black elderberry extract on influenza
A and B strains.7 Noting influenza A is the culprit behind most flu
epidemics as it mutates more often more often, yielding a new strain every few
years, the scientists reported black elderberry (as Sambucol, from Nature’s Way)
may reduce the symptoms and shorten the duration of both flu types. Symptoms
disappeared an average of four days earlier in subjects taking 15 ml elderberry
48 hours into the flu, compared to placebo.
From traditional Chinese and Indian medicines comes Andrographis
paniculata, an antiviral herb. In a University of Illinois, Chicago, trial,
andrographis was among a short list of herbs shown promising against childhood
illnesses.8 In fact, researcher Gail Mahady, Ph.D., said the science
indicates andrographis has a significant effect on the common cold, flu and
other infections.
Add tea to the list of antiviral botanicals, as green tea has inhibited
infections such as influenza, HIV, herpes simplex type 2 and adenoviruses
(respiratory and eye infections).9,10 Scientists speculate green
tea’s antioxidant flavonoids enhance both humoral (use of antibodies against
identified invaders) and cell-mediated immunity (use of macrophage, NK cells and
other immune cells against invaders).11 Another dietary botanical
favorite with immune powers is cocoa. Intake of cocoa has been linked to
improved antioxidant defenses via differentiation of immune cells in the thymus,
where T cells mature.12 University of Barcelona scientists noted
activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase in the thymus was
dose-dependently increased by cocoa.
Garlic also may stimulate immune cell production and activity, including
macrophages and NK cells, as well as interferon and the cytokines interleukin-2
(IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). In fact, in vitro research has shown
garlic extracts significantly stimulate proliferation of lymphocytes, which
correlates with IL-2 expression and production.13 Garlic is also a
proven antibacterial herb, as are goldenseal, guggul, myrrh, oregano and
rosemary.14,15,16,17,18,19
Plant-based polysaccharides are becoming a decorated area of immune research.
Arabinogalactans, polysaccharides found in the cell walls of various vegetables
and herbs, are known to stimulate the immune system.20 While these
compounds can come from a well-known botanical such as echinacea, another source
is the larch tree. In vivo study of larch arabinogalactans by McGill University,
Montreal, scientists revealed increased immune cell levels, including NK cells.21
Plant cell walls also house other immune-modulating compounds, namely beta-glucans.
These polysaccharides bind to macrophage and other immune cells, supporting
immune function without overstimulation.22 Beta-glucans are common in
mushrooms, such as maitake, shitake and reishi, which are the basis for many
immune supplements on the market today.
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Carlson Mild-C provides powerful immune support; yet is gentle on teeth and
stomachs. Made from calcium ascorbate, it’s a non-acidic form of Vitamin C that
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Maitake beta-glucans stimulate NK cell activity via macrophage activation,23
and enhance immune function by promoting the production of various cytokines,
including interferon-gamma, IL-12 and IL-18.24
Active hexose correlated compound (AHCC) is made from a combination of
mushrooms and features a low-weight beta-glucan mixture. David Wales, president
of American Biosciences, said AHCC beta-glucans not only stimulate NK cell
function,25 but they also favor cytokines, such as T helper cells and
interferon-gamma.26 "With AHCC you’re improving the immune response
to bacterial infection in a way that is more immune regulation than
stimulation," he said, noting NK cells do not act directly in the antibacterial
response. "NK function declines with age, and research shows of all the
age-related changes in immune function, declining NK function is the best
predictor of chronic illness."
A mushroom complex is one of the additions to Enzymatic Therapy’s Cell Forte
inositol line. "Cell Forte with IP-6 and Inositol boosts the body’s natural
cellular defenses by increasing the levels of inositol phosphates (IPs) in the
cells," explained Cheryl Myers, vice president of health sciences for Enzymatic
Therapy. "As a result, this dramatically increases the activity of natural
killer cells; unlike other white blood cells that need to be alerted to the
presence of an invader, natural killer cells are constantly on the prowl,
defending the immune system." A 2006 Chinese study confirmed inositol
hexaphosphate (IP-6) increases NK cell activity.27
Yeast is another source of beta-glucans with pronounced effects on
cell-mediated immunity. These beta-glucans (as WGP-3, from Biothera) have been
shown to improve the ability of innate immune cells to consume and destroy
foreign intruders.28
EpiCor is a proprietary complex of nutrients derived from Baker’s yeast. As
expected, this yeast product, developed by Embria Health Sciences, activates NK
cells and B cells, in addition to modulating mucosal immunoglobulin levels.29
Tested during the height of cold and flu season, EpiCor limited the incidence
and duration of upper respiratory infections; incidence of cold and flu symptoms
fell 21 percent, and observable symptom duration was reduced by 14 percent.30
Illustrating the versatility of fungi, GLPH-1™, from Gourmetceuticals, is yet
another yeast-derived immunomodulator—in this case the polysaccharide AM3 from
Candidus utilis yeast. Studies have shown AM3 increases certain
cytokines, such as interleukins and TNF, in addition to increasing the
phagocytic response to bacteria such as E. coli.31,32
Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are involved in similar immune management
activities. Known throughout the natural marketplace as prebiotic fibers, FOS
(as NutraFlora, from GTC Nutrition) not only improve enteral nutrition and
digestive health, but also improve immune response.33 While Japanese
scientists discovered gene markers with potential to yield the mechanism behind
immune modulation by NutraFlora,34 French researchers found dietary
FOS supplementation in female animals can increase immunoglobulin levels in
colostrum and mother’s milk.35
Colostrum is available as a dietary supplement, from bovine sources.
According to a 2006 New Zealand study, taking colostrum may inhibit upper
respiratory tract infections by greatly increasing mucosal IgA levels,
especially in athletes.36
Selling the Immune Story
There is a sizeable educational component to marketing natural immune health
aids, as the mechanisms can be quite specific in their biochemistry, and not
every consumer understands the difference between boosting immune function and
keeping the defenses in balance for healthy seasons all year long.
"Education is, of course, the very base of preventive medicine, particularly,
when the product is of an effervescent format, which guarantees 100-percent
absorption of all its components," said Saffari, whose company makes Immune
Forté, an effervescent formula featuring vitamins, minerals, Echinacea, ginger
and coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10).
"As consumers become more aware of the role their immune system plays in
their overall health, other more symptomatic results opportunities arise," said
Cheryl Sturm, director of marketing, Embria. "Digestive health, sleep and energy
issues, stress-related ailments, year-round upper respiratory issues and many
other conditions can be linked directly to immune performance."
Unlike a multivitamin, which is generally a long-term tool to flesh out
nutritional status, immune products are judged based on how well the consumer
avoids illness—such as a cold or flu—or how well symptoms are kept in-check.
David Shaw, president of Quantum Health, explained consumer expectations for
cold and flu products are informed by their experience with drug store OTCs,
which work as they claim regardless of brand. "If the claim is that it will
shorten duration and frequency, such as with zinc lozenges or elderberry, than a
consumer expects to see overall relief within a few days," he quipped. "If there
is no easily recognizable benefit, the consumer is likely to conclude that all
zinc or elderberry products are bogus."
Wales noted consumers benefit most from products offered in the same form and
dosages as products proven to work in research studies. "AHCC in research is
same as that sold in health food stores," he explained. "With some other immune
products, there is a difference between the research lab sample and the one sold
in stores."
For all these reasons, it is important for retailers to stay up to date on
the science behind the most popular immune products, including essential
nutrients, botanicals and specialty supplements.
"The immune health category is full of ‘me too’ products, that have not been
shown to work with valid research," Myers said. "If consumers work closely with
a trusted retailer to better understand those products that have been proven
effective in research, they are likely to find a product that is well suited for
themselves and their family."
Buchman agreed, urging retailers and consumers to look for brands that stand
on research and are knowledgeable about the complexities of phytochemistry.
"Natural products retailers tend to recommend products that they know work
because they’ve tried them," she said, noting this keeps the less effective
products off the radar screen for consumers. "More specifically, I would
encourage consumers to recognize that plants change throughout the season and
produce a vast array of compounds throughout the year," she said.
In the case of echinacea, one of the most popular immune herbs, Gaia
recommends preventive care focus on Spring-harvested echinacea tops concentrated
to polysaccharides and arabinogalactans; and for quick response or for onset
conditions Fall-harvested echinacea roots concentrated to alkylamides and/or
isobutylamides.
Despite the scientific complexities and seasonal market volatilities of this
segment, immune products are still a strong category in the natural products
marketplace. "Immune products should continue to show consistent and steady
growth over the next few years," Myers assured. "We don’t foresee the immune
category being a high-growth category, similar to what fish oil and CoQ10 have
done over the last few years, but we anticipate that we’ll continue to see
steady growth in immune health supplements." She added the immune health
category is strong and its growth from year to year will be somewhat dependent
upon the strength of customer’s immune needs in any given year.
6. Randolph RK et al. "Regulation of human immune gene expression as
influenced by a commercial blended Echinacea product: preliminary studies." Exp
Biol Med (Maywood). 2003 Oct;228(9):1051-6.
http://www.ebmonline.org/cgi/content/full/228/9/1051
7. Zakay-Rones, Z et al. "Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral
elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections." J
Int Med Res. 2004;32(2):132-40.
http://www.jimronline.net/
11. Klein C et al. "From food to nutritional support to specific
nutraceuticals: a journey across time in the treatment of disease." J
Gastroenterol. 35 Suppl 12:1-6, 2000.
13. Perez-Giraldo C et al. “In vitro activity of allicin against
Staphylococcus epidermidis and influence of subinhibitory concentrations on
biofilm formation.” J Appl Microbiol. 95, 4:709-11, 2003.
http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/loi/jam
14. Mahady GB et al. “In vitro susceptibility of Helicobacter pylori to
isoquinoline alkaloids from Sanguinaria canadensis and Hydrastis canadensis.”
Phytother Res. 17, 3:217-21, 2003.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/jhome/12567
15. Dolara P et al. “Local anaesthetic, antibacterial and antifungal
properties of sesquiterpenes from myrrh.” Planta Med. 66, 4:356-8, 2000.
16. Saeed MA and Sabir AW. “Antibacterial activities of some constituents
from oleo-gum-resin of Commiphora mukul.” Fitoterapia. 75, 2:204-8, 2004.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/0367326X
17. Oussalah M et al. "Mechanism of action of Spanish oregano, Chinese
cinnamon, and savory essential oils against cell membranes and walls of
Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes." J Food Prot. 69,5:1046-55,
2006.
18. Del Campo J et al. "Antimicrobial effect of rosemary extracts." J Food
Prot. 63,10:1359-68, 2000.
19. Mizuno M et al. "Polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei stimulate
lymphocyte T-cell subsets in mice." Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 62, 30:434-7,
1998.
www.jsbba.or.jp/bbindexj.html
20. Currier NL et al. "Effect over time of in-vivo administration of the
polysaccharide arabinogalactan on immune and hemopoietic cell lineages in murine
spleen and bone marrow." Phytomedicine. 2003;10(2-3):145-53.
21. BW Le Blanc. "The effect of beta-glucan on cytokine transcription in the
macrophages." Presented at Experimental Biology & the 35th International
Congress of Physiological Sciences, April 2005.
22. Yin Y et al. “The immune effects of edible fungus polysaccharides
compounds in mice.” Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16 Suppl 1:258-60.
23. Inoue A et al. "Effect of maitake (Grifola frondosa) D-fraction on the
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