Water and micronutrients as immune system boosters
Water is the most abundant Water is the most abundant nutrient in nature,
yet it is the most deficient in the human body,
simply because we do not drink enough of it. It
has been found out that lack of water is the
most significant and commonest cause of
immune system suppression.
In a state of dehydration, the tissues become
acidic as the blood pulls water from the cells to
maintain its pH at 7.365. Histamine is the first of
the neurotransmitters released in order to
redistribute water to the five vital organs. Excess
histamine, as in a state of dehydration,
suppresses the production of white blood cells in
the bone marrow.
The white blood cells are the main components
of the immune system. They are also known as
lymphocytes. Suppressing their production in the
bone marrow definitely leads to a suppression of
the immune system. Moreover, histamine causes
increased production of a chemical known as
vasopressin, a well-known immune system
suppressor. in nature,
yet it is the most deficient in the human body,
simply because we do not drink enough of it. It
has been found out that lack of water is the
most significant and commonest cause of
immune system suppression.
In a state of dehydration, the tissues become
acidic as the blood pulls water from the cells to
maintain its pH at 7.365. Histamine is the first of
the neurotransmitters released in order to
redistribute water to the five vital organs. Excess
histamine, as in a state of dehydration,
suppresses the production of white blood cells in
the bone marrow.
The white blood cells are the main components
of the immune system. They are also known as
lymphocytes. Suppressing their production in the
bone marrow definitely leads to a suppression of
the immune system. Moreover, histamine causes
increased production of a chemical known as
vasopressin, a well-known immune system suppressor.
Apart from this, histamine in excess in the body
blocks the production of interferon, an important
anticancer chemical. All these negative effects
of dehydration on the immune system, to
suppress it, can be avoided by drinking sufficient
amount of water [alkaline water] daily, so as to adequately hydrate the body. Water is a known immune system booster.
Having said that we will now look at the
micronutrients to see how they function in boosting the immune system. Micronutrients are
vitamins and certain minerals that function in the
metabolic processes that take place in the body
in very small amounts. Some of them function in
the production and differentiation of the immune
system cells and deficiency of such will cause a suppression of the immune system.
Among the phagocytes for example, a large
amount of free radicals are released which join
in the destruction of pathogens. A situation such
as this is commonly seen where there is vitamin E deficiency.
Vitamin E functions in the balanced production
and differentiation of the T-helper and T-
suppressor cells.
T-suppressor cells are
responsible for controlling the inflammatory response to prevent damage to the surrounding
cells not involved in the inflammation. Deficiency
of vitamin E suppresses the immune system by
causing damage to the surrounding cells, a phenomenon that may lead to what is known as autoimmune response whereby the immune system is said to attack and destroy the host cells and organs.
Vitamin E deficiency may be due to failure to
absorb it in the intestines due to the mal-
absorption syndrome or in the elderly in whom absorption reduces with age. Also, vitamin E may be deficient or absent in the diet.
Common sources of vitamin E are vegetables such as spinach, pumpkin, broccoli, red pepper, carrots
and fruits – mangoes and paw paw. Other sources are sunflower seeds and nuts. Apart from these that should form part of our diet, the immune system can be boosted by taking vitamin E supplements.
Vitamin C has been found to improve the first line defence of the immune system by enhancing
the function of the phagocytes. There is a lot of ongoing research work on the ability of vitamin C
to boost the immune system. There is evidence
that vitamin enhances various aspects of the immune system. For instance, vitamin C helps to
regenerate vitamin E thereby extending the immune system enhancing effect of vitamin E.
Vegetable sources of vitamin C include Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, kiwi, broccoli, kale, red and yellow peppers, moringa oleifera and sweet potatoes. Fruits that have a high concentration of vitamin C are mangoes, oranges, grapefruit
and other citrus fruits, paw paw, strawberries and berries in general.
Other vitamins and minerals that boost the immune system include, vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin D, the carotenoids and B-carotene, Co-enzyme Q10, glutathione, selenium, zinc, iron and copper.
All these vitamins and minerals, except vitamin D can be sourced from fresh raw vegetables and
fruits which should be eaten as such or slightly steamed.
Vitamin D, as we know is produced in the skin by the sun. The vitamins and minerals that are essential for
boosting the function of the immune system and the antioxidant defence system are in most
cases the same and also come from the same sources – vegetables and fruits.
Apart from the vitamins and minerals, the vegetables and fruits also contain enzymes which help in the digestion
of food in the gastrointestinal tract. Other
contents of the vegetables and fruits which
make them important and indispensable in a wellness diet shall be revealed as we continue in this series.
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