Many things get better with age—but believe it or not, your immune system actually tops the list.
That’s because a young immune system is also an untrained one—leaving infants and children more vulnerable to more violent viral attacks as a result. From antibody production by T-lymphocytes primed to retain their immune “memory” to your army of white blood cells, a little maturity and a lifetime of exposure goes a long way to sustain your body’s efforts to survive any serious exposure to disease causing bacteria, fungi and viruses. And the statistics attached to this year’s flu season—in which older patients are faring far better than young people—provide undeniable proof of that.
So, does that mean anyone under 50 should start to panic? Luckily, no—in fact, there are several natural, needle-free ways to build up your immune system’s fighting efficiency and “memory” regardless of your age.
For clinically proven immune enhancement, start with epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG)—a constituent of green tea with unmatched immune-modulating powers. One placebo-controlled study revealed that supplementing with this polyphenol increases gamma-delta T-lymphocyte proliferation—a fundamental aspect of immunological memory—while significantly decreasing duration and severity of cold and flu symptoms.1 And additional research has shown that the natural chemicals in green tea can actually inhibit flu virus replication.2
EGCG isn’t your only option for all-natural flu prevention, though—and when it comes to priming your immune system, medicinal mushrooms should always be part of your first line of defense. Rich in a class of immune-balancing polysaccharides called beta-1,3- glucans, these time-tested botanicals cover all of the most critical bases of a healthy immune system—from immune activation to pathogen recognition.
Research shows, for example, that Lentinula edodes (better known as Shitake) can have a dramatic effect on both natural and acquired immunity by increasing the ability of your macrophages (a type of “Pac Man” white blood cell) to engulf and destroy invading pathogens.3 Shitake’s abundant beta glucans also boost the activity of your immune system’s T-lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.4-6
Other well known immune-enhancing mushrooms include Agaricus blazei, Cordyceps sinensis and Coriolus versicolor—each of which have been shown to increase populations of both cytotoxic and helper T-lymphocytes.7-12 Then there are the popular mushrooms Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi) and Grifola frondosa (Maitake): Studies reveal that Reishi is able to activate macrophages and NK cells, while increasing the pathogen-fighting power of your T-lymphocytes by as much as 100 percent.13-16 And Maitake’s beta glucans have been shown to enhance all of these immune function, in addition to boosting your antibody response.17-18
What’s more, each of these powerful medicinal mushrooms can be hybridized to maximize their most critical benefits—delivering far more potent immune system support than any other common varieties available on the market today. Look for specially-cultivated versions of all six of these powerful mushrooms—blended with a purified, highly bioavailable dose of EGCG—in a single protective formula called ImmuneAssist® 24/7 from Vitamin Research Products.
References:
1. Rowe CA, Nantz MP, Bukowski JF, et al. Specific formulation of Camellia sinensis prevents cold and flu symptoms and enhances gamma,delta T cell function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Oct;26(5):445-52.
2. Song JM, Lee KH, Seong BL. Antiviral effect of catechins in green tea on influenza virus. Antiviral Res. 2005 Nov;68(2):66-74.
3. Zheng R, Jie S, Hanchuan D, et al. Characterization and immunomodulating activities of polysaccharide from Lentinus edodes. Int Immunopharmacol. 2005 May;5(5):811-20.
4. Bohn JA., BeMiller JN. (1-3)Beta-D-Glucans as biological response modifiers: a review of structure-functional activity relationships. Carbohydrate Polymers. 1995;28: 3-14.
5. Chihara G. Immunopharmacology of Lentinan, a polysaccharide isolated from Lentinus edodes: its applications as a host defence potentiator. International Journal of OrientalMedicine. 1992;17:57-77.
6. Aoki T. Lentinan. In Immune Modulation Agents and Their Mechanisms. Femchel RL, Chirgis MA (editors). Immunology Studies. 1984;25:62-77.
7. Takimoto H, Wakita D, Kawaguchi K, et al. Potentiation of cytotoxic activity in naive and tumor-bearing mice by oral administration of hot-water extracts from Agaricus brazei fruiting bodies. Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 Mar;27(3):404-6.
8. Mizuno M, Morimoto M, Minato K, et al. Polysaccharides from Agaricus blazei stimulate lymphocyte T-cell subsets in mice. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 1998 Mar;62(3):434-7.
9. Cheng Q. Effect of cordyceps sinensis on cellular immunity in rats with chronic renal insufficiency. Zhonghua Yi Xue Za Zhi. 1992 Jan;72(1):27-9, 63.
10. Tsukagoshi S, Hashimoto Y, Fujii G, et al. Krestin (PSK). Cancer Treat Rev. 1984 Jun;11(2):131-55.
11. Chen GZ, Chen GL, Sun T, et al. Effects of Cordyceps sinensis on murine T lymphocyte subsets. Chin Med J. 1991;104:4-8.
12. Ng TB. A review of research on the protein-bound polysaccharide (polysaccharopeptide, PSP) from the mushroom Coriolus versicolor (Basidiomycetes: Polyporaceae). Gen Pharmacol. 1998;30:1-4.
13. Gao Y, Zhou S. The Immunomodulating Effects of Ganoderma lucidum (Curt.: Fr.) P. Karst. (Ling Zhi, Reishi Mushroom) (Aphyllophoromycetideae). Internation Journal of Medicinal Mushrooms. 2002; 4(1).
14. Gao Y, Zhou S, Jiang W, et al. Effects of ganopoly (a Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide extract) on the immune functions in advanced-stage cancer patients. Immunol Invest. 2003 Aug;32(3):201-15.
15. Oh JY, Cho KJ, Chung SH. Activation of macrophages by GLB, a protein-polysaccharide of the growing tips of Ganoderma lucidum. Yakhak Hoeji. 1998; 42: 302-6.
16. Lei LS, Lin ZB. Effect of Ganoderma polysaccharides on T cell subpopulations and production of interleukin-2 in mixed lymphocyte response. Yao Hsueh Huseh Pao - Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica. 1992; 27:335-9.
17. Suzuki I, Hashimoto K, Oikawa S, et al. Antitumor and immunomodulating activities of a beta-glucan obtained from liquid-cultured Grifola frondosa. Chem Pharm Bull. 1989;37:410-413.
18. Ross GD, Vetvicka V, Yan J, et al. Therapeutic intervention with complement and beta-glucan in cancer. Immunopharmacology. 1999;42:61-74.
