Part 2: Important Nutrients to Boost your Immune System

It is important to understand that the nutritional status of a person greatly influences how their immune system will cope with a viral infection such as hepatitis, Epstein Barr virus or influenza. If you are deficient in certain important nutrients, the severity of an infection will be greater with a higher risk of complications.

What are the most important nutrients for a strong robust immune system?

Selenium

Selenium is a mineral which is vital for the healthy function of your immune system. There is a widespread deficiency of selenium in the soils in many parts of the world including Australia, New Zealand and parts of China. Every year new strains of the influenza virus evolve in the selenium deficient areas of China which provides ideal breeding grounds for transmission of viruses from animals (such as poultry and pigs) to humans. These viruses spread and can easily make their way to other countries. Selenium deficient soils are considered an important factor for the much faster spread of the AIDS virus in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to North America. I often call selenium “the viral birth control pill” to describe just how important it is in helping us fight viral infections. In a person who is deficient in the mineral selenium a normally harmless or low pathogenic virus can become far more destructive (virulent). Selenium acts on the genetic material of the virus (its RNA) which is situated in the centre of the virus. The RNA of the virus is the control centre of the virus and tells the virus to replicate itself; selenium can inhibit this process. Selenium has a direct and powerful effect against the group of viruses known as “RNA viruses”. These include the influenza virus, HIV, hepatitis B and C viruses, measles and polio. I strongly advise you to start taking a regular supplement of the organic form of selenium known as selenomethionine in a dose of 100 to 200mcg daily. You must be regular with this as it takes time to overcome a deficiency.  Many children are deficient in selenium and require a supplement of 50 mcg daily which would improve their immune systems in leaps and bounds. The selenium content of the soils in which plant food grows will affect the selenium content of the foods. Although fish is high in selenium, plenty of the fish produced for human consumption is grown in fish tanks and the fish are fed pellets. Thus I do not think it is wise to rely on the diet alone for your intake of selenium. It is not possible to accurately determine a person’s selenium status, as this mineral is found inside the cells and not predominantly in the plasma; thus tissue biopsies would be required.

Zinc

The mineral zinc is essential for a healthy strong immune system. Zinc has proven anti-viral effects and viral infections will be more virulent in zinc-deficient people. To boost zinc levels quickly, zinc lozenges can be used; these release zinc ions into the mouth. The most common types of zinc in lozenges are zinc gluconate or acetate – these forms of zinc release positively charged zinc ions that directly inhibit viruses in the nose & throat. Lozenge dose – 15mg to 20mg of zinc (as zinc gluconate or acetate) every 2 hours – at first sign of symptoms & take until symptoms go – do not take high doses like this for more than 2 weeks. Suitable forms of zinc as lozenges are – gluconate, acetate, chloride, sulphate, oxide, stearate or borate. No evidence of toxicity from lozenges releasing zinc ions exists; occasionally mild irritation of the mouth may occur. Don’t buy lozenges that contain citric acid or tartaric acid – they may block zinc’s antiviral action.

Zinc deficiency

It is widely accepted that zinc deficiency is harmful to the function of certain immune cells that fight infections. Zinc deficiency is particularly harmful to T lymphocytes and the thymus gland. Deficiency causes a decrease in natural killer cell activity and increased susceptibility to infections.

Vitamin C

The importance of vitamin C to human health was enshrined by the work of two-time Nobel laureate Linus Pauling. Many other great researchers have proved the life saving properties of this powerful antioxidant vitamin.  It seems surprising that today there are so many people deficient in vitamin C when it is so widely available in supplement form. One of the world’s experts on vitamin C, Dr Thomas Levy, provides compelling evidence for its healing power in his book “Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases and Toxins: Curing the Incurable”. Dr Levy has found that vitamin C exerts a killing effect (virucidal effect) against all viruses provided enough vitamin C reaches the virus, especially in acute infections.

How does vitamin C help us to fight viruses?

1.      It inhibits the protein called neuraminidase, which is produced by viruses, as it’s needed for viral replication. 2.      It increases the production and killing power of immune cells such as neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes. 3.      It increases the body’s production of immune fighting chemicals such as interferon and nitric oxide. 4.      It increases the immune cell production of antibodies that inactivate viruses. 5.      It directly inhibits the virus and its replication. We do have good evidence that vitamin C reduces the severity of colds and flu. Indeed more than 20 controlled studies of vitamin C against the common cold have been published which show that doses of at least 1 gram (1000mg) daily are able to reduce the severity and duration of colds.

A suggested program for vitamin C supplementation in someone with a severe acute influenza infection would be –

1.      Start with one gram every hour taken orally 2.      If this causes diarrhoea or abdominal cramping, halve the dose to 500mg hourly 3.      If you don’t get diarrhoea or cramping you can take two grams hourly but make sure you drink 2 glasses of water every hour. Some people find the ascorbic acid form of vitamin C is too acidic and upsets their stomach and bowels. If this occurs you will probably find that the ascorbate or ester forms of vitamin C are better tolerated.

Preventative

I suggest that you start taking 1000mg of vitamin C twice daily as a preventative and to keep your immune system strong.

Is there any danger in taking large doses of vitamin C?

In patients with severe kidney disease (renal failure) or liver failure or cardiac failure, the doses of vitamin C and the quantities of fluid with which it is administered need to be controlled strictly by a doctor. If you have a past history of kidney stones you would need to ensure that you drink plenty of water whilst taking high doses of vitamin C.

Table of Immune boosting nutrients in foods

Nutrient Food sources Benefits
Vitamin C & bioflavonoids Citrus fruits, blackcurrants, capsicums (bell peppers), kiwi fruit, guava fruit, all types of berries, buckwheat

Anti-viral effect Immune strengthening Anti-inflammatory Reduces cardiovascular disease Slows down the rate of ageing
Zinc Whole grain cereals, seafood, red meat

Reduces infections Reduces inflammation Speeds healing of wounds
Selenium Brazil nuts, mushrooms, mussels, tuna, haddock, sunflower seeds, kidneys

Reduces infections Reduces inflammation Reduces cancer rates Reduces skin disorders
Vitamin E Nuts – especially hazelnuts & almonds, wheat germ, wheat germ oil, avocado, pears, sunflower seeds, sweet potatoes – note these foods must be very fresh and kept at cool temperatures in airtight containers or the vitamin E will be destroyed

Reduces inflammation Strengthens blood vessel walls Strengthens cell membranes Protective for the heart muscle
Vitamin D Sunshine, oily fish, eggs, exposure of the skin to sunshine

Strengthens the immune system Fights infections Builds strong bones & joints
Beta-carotene = pre-cursor to vitamin A All yellow & orange coloured fruits & vegetables, dark green leafy vegetables

Reduces cancer rates Reduces inflammation especially of the mucous membranes
Omega 3 fatty acids Oily fish, fish oil supplements, flaxseed oil, whole ground flaxseeds, green leafy vegetables, omega 3 eggs, walnuts

Reduces inflammation Reduces blood clots Lowers cholesterol Reduces the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer’s Improves brain function Reduces skin disorders