The function of the immune system is to defend the body against invaders. Microbes (germs or microorganisms), cancer cells, and transplanted tissues or organs are all interpreted by the immune system as nonself against which the body must be defended. Although the immune system is intricate, its basic strategy is simple: to recognize the enemy, mobilize forces, and attack. Understanding the anatomy and components of the immune system makes it possible to see how this strategy works.

Immune Busters
Lack of adequate sleep
Excessive sun exposure
Stress of any kind
Excessive sugar intake

Important herbs and nutrients involved in supporting a healthy immune system:
AHCC mushroom extract and for more ahcc discussion, and even more AHCC research information.
Arabinogalactans are getting some attention lately
Colloidal-Silver may be helpful in certain conditions when used carefully
Astragalus herb. You can find Astragalus for sale. Chinese doctors have used astragalus to fight the common cold and the flu.
Andrographis herb. You can buy Andrographis here.
Beta glucan nutrient. Glucans are glucose polymers that constitute a structural part of fungal cell wall. They can stimulate the innate immunity by activation of monocytes and macrophages.
Cat's Claw herb
Citrus bioflavonoid compounds
Cordyceps mushroom influence the immune system. Cordyceps has a broad range of pharmacological and biological actions on the liver, kidneys, heart, and immune system.
Echinacea herb. For more echinacea herb info.
Garlic works against fungal infections and parasites, and that it may increase the body's resistance to viruses, including the common cold.
Olive leaf extract
Probiotics bifido bacteria. Enhancement of immune system in the elderly by good bacteria. The aging process can lead to a decline in immune function. In an article published in the December 2001 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, thirty healthy elderly volunteers (age range 63–84 y) participated in a 3-stage dietary supplementation trial lasting 9 weeks. During stage 1, subjects consumed low-fat milk for 3 weeks as a base-diet control. During stage 2 (intervention), they consumed milk supplemented with bifidobacteria for 3 wk. During stage 3 (washout), they again consumed low-fat milk for 3 weeks. The results showed an increase in the ability of white blood cells to attack organisms or kill tumor cells after bifidobacterium consumption. The greatest changes in immunity were found in subjects who had poor pretreatment immune responses. Dr. Sahelian says: bifidobacteria and other probiotics may be an effective dietary supplement for enhancing some aspects of the immune system in the elderly. These supplements are usually found in the refrigerated section of health food stores and come in liquid or capsules. Tea - Drinking tea appears to boost the immune system. Non-tea drinkers who downed five to six small cups of black tea per day for two weeks appeared to be better able to fight off bacterial infections. As an explanation for tea's benefits, experiments in the lab revealed that an ingredient found in black, green, oolong and pekoe teas boosted the ability of immune system cells to attack a bacterial invader. The experiments used ethylamine, which is produced when the tea ingredient L-theanine is broken down in the liver.
Selenium
Vitamin C supplement
Vitamin E supplement

Natural Immune Enhancers
Deep Sleep is one of the most important ways to boost one's immune system.

Common words used to describe parts of the immune system
Antibody: A protein, made by B lymphocytes, that reacts with a specific antigen.
Antigen: Any molecule capable of stimulating an immune response.
Cell: The smallest living unit of tissue, composed of a nucleus and cytoplasm surrounded by a membrane. The nucleus houses DNA, and the cytoplasm contains structures (organelles) that carry out the cell's functions.
Immunoglobulin: A synonym for antibody.
Leukocyte: A white blood cell. Lymphocytes and neutrophils, among others, are leukocytes.
Lymphocyte: The main cell of the lymphatic system, further categorized as B lymphocytes (which produce antibodies) and T lymphocytes (which help the body distinguish self from nonself).
Macrophage: A large cell that engulfs (ingests) microbes after they have been targeted for destruction by the immune system.
Molecule: A group (aggregation) of atoms chemically combined to form a unique chemical substance.
Natural killer cell: A type of lymphocyte that can kill certain microbes and cancer cells.
Neutrophil: A large white blood cell (leukocyte) that ingests antigens and other substances.
Peptide: Two or more amino acids chemically bonded to form a single molecule.
Protein: A large number of amino acids chemically bonded in a chain. Proteins are large peptides.
Receptor: A molecule on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm that fits another molecule like a lock and key

Caloric restriction and immune system
Restrict calorie intake - Limiting consumption of calories seems to boost key infection-fighting cells in the immune system. As people age, changes in the immune system dramatically increase susceptibility to infectious diseases. So-called T cells, which make up an important component of the immune system response, appear to be the part of the immune system most affected by aging. Calorie restriction has been shown to reduce the aging of the immune system in rats. And calorie restriction has also been shown to increase the life span of yeast, worms, flies, zebrafish, and spiders. This same benefit may also hold true for monkeys and humans. Calorie restriction improvesd T cell function and reduces the production of inflammatory compounds. Limiting calories can delay immunological aging, and, in turn, life span maybe increased by providing longer-term resistance to infectious diseases.

Vitamin B6 immune system effect
Vitamin B6 supplementation increases immune responses in critically ill patients.
Eur J Clin Nutr. 2006 Oct;60(10):1207-13. Critical Care and Respiratory Therapy, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan, Republic of China.
To investigate whether vitamin B6 supplementation has a beneficial effect on immune system in critically ill patients. The study was performed at the Taichung Veterans General Hospital, the central part of Taiwan. Fifty-one subjects who stayed over 14 days in the intensive care unit completed the study. Patients were randomly assigned to one of three groups, control (n = 20), a daily injection of 50 mg vitamin B-6, or 100 mg vitamin B-6 for 14 days. Plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate (PLP), pyridoxal (PL), 4-pyridoxic acid (4-PA), erythrocyte alanine (EALT-AC) and aspartate (EAST-AC) aminotransaminase activity coefficient, and urinary 4-PA were measured. The levels of serum albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and immune responses (white blood cell, neutrophils, total lymphocytes count (TLC), T- (CD3) and B-(CD19) lymphocytes, T-helper (CD4) and suppressor (CD8) cells) were determined. Plasma PLP, PL, 4-PA and urinary 4-PA concentrations significantly increased in two treated groups. T-lymphocyte and T-helper cell numbers and the percentage of T-suppressor cell significantly increased on day 14 in the B6 -50 group. Total lymphocyte count, T-helper and T-suppressor cell numbers, the percentage of T-lymphocyte cells and T-suppressors significantly increased in the B6 -100 group at the 14th day. There were no significant changes with respect to immune responses in the control group over 14 days. A large dose of vitamin B6 supplementation (50 or 100 mg/day) could compensate for the lack of responsiveness of plasma PLP to vitamin B6 intake, and further increase immune response of critically ill patients. This study was supported by the National Science Council, Taiwan, Republic of China.

Immune system questions
Q. I have started taking Immutol for immune system per advise of a health conscious friend since I’m a nurse & felt a need to keep my immune system boosted. Are you familiar with Immunol product & what do you think? I have been able to avoid a lot of illnesses recently even though exposed to many.
   A. We are not familiar with Immunol. The immune ssytem is extremely complicated with countless interactions between various immune cells and immunoglobulins, and it is difficult to say whether an initial positive response to an immune system supplement will continue over time or even be counterproductive over time.

Q. Does Acai berry enhance the immune system?
   A. Perhaps although we have not seen specific research regarding acai supplement use and immune system function.

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