There are lots of immune system support products in the marketplace. Some of these were used historically in conventional medicine and a few have been analyzed for their efficacy in treating immune system disorders. It’s a typically a blend of historical use with laboratory and scientific evidence that contributes to the supposed effectiveness of immune system support products.
Good to know
Most clinical and laboratory studies regarding natural botanical and herbal immune system support products are complete in countries apart from the United States. In america, the study and research of immune system disorders typically dismisses the concept that natural products may be effective remedies. Some American schools and universities do conduct research regarding immune system support products, but most research in America is conducted by pharmaceutical firms who cannot patent naturally occurring materials and are therefore uninterested in them.
So, while we have evidence that supports the use of immune system support products both for the prevention and treatment of bacterial and viral infections and for treating immune system disorders, it’s sometimes discredited as it was conducted outside the United States. Immune system support products may contain Beta-glucans. Found in the cell walls of yeast, barley, oats, edible mushrooms and other plants, Beta-glucans are the subjects of countless scientific research and have been demonstrated again and again to increase the production and activity of T-cells.
T-Cells
In studies of immune system disorders, where T-cell creation and action has been damaged or is restricted, there was a noted increase in T-cell operation after supplementation with Beta-glucans. It’s not clearly known how Beta-glucans work, just that they do. Immune system support products may contain plants or herbs used in traditional medicine to treat common colds, flu, viral and bacterial diseases. Andrographis paniculata (AP) is one such herb.
There are many studies concerning the use of AP by people who suffer from immune system disorders. It’s thought to boost white blood cell production and inhibit viral replication. Viruses can’t replicate without invading cells. Those who suffer from immune system disorders where viruses play a variable (HIV-AIDS) have shown improvement after supplementation with AP. Again, it’s not clearly known how AP functions, but scientific studies have concluded that it’s among the more effective immune system support products. There’s concern among some physicians that the use of immune system support products could conflict with the use of prescription drugs.
Conclusion
Those who suffer from immune system disorders should advise their physicians about any immune system support products which they could be using. Natural doesn’t necessarily mean safe, AP for instance demonstrates infertility action and is therefore not suggested for use by pregnant women or those who would like to become pregnant. Echinacea, one of the popular immune system support products is thought to have a toxic effect on the liver, when used for long intervals. If one’s physician is not familiar with the ingredients in immune system support products, an herbalist or doctor of naturopathic medicine ought to have the ability to offer information regarding potential side effects related to the use of organic products by people who have immune system disorders.