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Astragalus: The King of Herbs
Astragalus, also known as Milkvetch or huáng qí in Chinese, is an herb that has been used for hundreds of years, with its roots in traditional Chinese medicine. One of the few all-purpose herbs used, it is believed to support a wide array of biological functions.
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9 Ways to Strengthen Children’s Immune Systems
The immune system is not one single entity – it’s a complex interconnected system that evolves as we age. Apart from fighting viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, the immune system also plays an important role in tissue repair – wound healing, elimination of dead cells, and formation of gut microbiota.
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Top Immune Boosters: Part 2
We recently posted a blog that discussed some of the top immune-boosting nutrients. This second list of nutrients is not secondary to the first: It includes five immune boosters well worthy of your attention. As with the first list, these are some of the most powerful, scientifically-backed natural substances for long-term use, yet some have…
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Exercise’s Impact on the Immune System
In a study looking at the effects of exercise on immune function, Dr. James Turner and Dr. John Campbell from the University of Bath’s Department for Health challenged the theory that intense exercise provides an “open window” for infectious diseases to set in. In their paper published in the international journal Exercise Immunology Review, Dr.…
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New Study Shows Microbiome Influences Antibody Production
Because the microbiota is so complex, containing hundreds of different bacterial species, it was not known how the presence of microbes in the intestine shaped the antibodies that are present even before we are challenged by an infection. Researchers have now shown how beneficial microbes reprogram white blood B cells that produce antibodies and how…
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9 Ways to Strengthen Children’s Immune Systems
The immune system is not one single entity – it’s a complex interconnected system that evolves as we age. Apart from fighting viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites, the immune system also plays an important role in tissue repair – wound healing, elimination of dead cells, and formation of gut microbiota.
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Key Foods to Boost the Immune System
The immune system provides a robust anatomical barrier that serves as a host defense mechanism. One of these anatomical barriers is the gastrointestinal tract, inside which there are many defense mechanisms such as peristalsis, gastric acid, bile acids, digestive enzymes, flushing, thiocyanate, defensins and gut flora. The gut flora (microbiota) is a key focus for…
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Wash Your Hands and Take Your Probiotics
Most of us know that washing hands, getting plenty of rest, getting your vitamin D and eating a diet rich in antioxidants and various botanicals (such as Echinacea, Astragalus, Elderberry and mushroom blends) can help boost the immune system. But what other immune-boosting tactics might be missing from your medicine cabinet? To keep the immune…
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Research Shows Probiotics Support Immunity
A new animal study shows the effectiveness of probiotics in supporting the immune system. The authors concluded, “Altogether, our data suggest that L. plantarum JDFM LP11 increases the diversity and richness in the microbial community and attenuates the ileal immune gene expression towards gut inflammation, promoting intestinal development in weaned piglets.” Similar results were produced…
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Melatonin supports Lung Health in New Study
Melatonin, a well-known antioxidant molecule that supports healthy inflammation, may protect lung health threatened by viral and other pathogens. A recent study produced data showing that melatonin may act to protect lung health, and could benefit COVID-19 patients.