If you suffer from chronic infections — yeast overgrowth; a long history of bacterial or fungal infections; constipation, diarrhea, and bowel irritation; or chronic sinus infections — or if you’ve had to take several doses of antibiotics over the years, your immune system has probably been compromised. In most cases, this means that the bad bugs living in your gut are winning the battle against the good bugs.
Your doctor can order blood tests with an immune panel to determine whether your immune system is functioning within range.
Your digestive tract is responsible for about 70 percent of your immune response, serving as a key barrier to prevent bad things from entering into your systemic (whole body) circulation. To restore the delicately balanced ecosystem within your gut and boost your immune system, take any or all of the following key nutrients (the more the better) in the recommended doses:
Colostrum: Bovine colostrum, derived from pre‐milk that a cow secretes to feed a newborn calf, provides a rich source of immunoglobulin G (IgG, the most abundant antibody) and proline‐rich polypeptides (PRPs, which modulate the immune system). Numerous scientific studies have shown that colostrum supports the human immune and cytokine (immune cell signaling) systems. (Bovine colostrum is 40 times richer in immune factors than human colostrum.) Dosage: 10,000 mg daily.
Andrographis: Andrographis extract supports the body’s natural defenses against viruses in the respiratory tract. Dosage: 400 mg daily.
Beta glucan: Numerous clinical trials show that beta glucan, a unique complex carbohydrate, is a powerful immune system modulator. It directs immune cells to the infection site and facilitates the removal of infectious agents. Dosage: 700 mg daily first thing in the morning or last thing at night with 8 ounces of water.
Probiotics: Probiotics protect the intestinal tract and restore beneficial intestinal flora. Choose a probiotic blend containing live organisms of 5 billion CFU (colony forming units) Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell and 1 billion CFU Bifidobacterium longum Rosell. Buy from a reputable company that takes great care in the manufacturing, storage, and shipping of its probiotics. Take twice daily, before or during meals.
Vitamin D3: Look for a product that uses extra virgin olive oil as its carrier. Many companies use soy oil, typically derived from genetically modified organisms. Dosage: 1,000 to 10,000 IU, depending on your blood levels.
Vitamin C (mineral ascorbates): A product that combines vitamin C with black pepper extract may increase vitamin C bioavailability as much as 40 percent. Dosage: 1,000 to 10,000 mg daily, depending on bowel tolerance, in divided doses. If you experience diarrhea, take less.
Other nutrients: The following supplements also support a healthy gut and digestion. Take the dosage specified.
Nutrient Dosage Bee propolis 100 mg daily Cinnamon bark extract 100 mg daily Grapefruit seed extract 100 mg daily Grapeseed extract 100 mg daily Olive leaf extract 50 mg daily Monolaurin 200 mg daily