Category: immune boosting

The immune system fights infections and diseases, producing what is known as an immune response. It consists of a set of tissues, chemical and physical structures, organs and cells which defend the organism, and it is therefore indispensable for combating viruses, bacteria and foreign pathogenic agents

The immune system acts by:

• Recognising anything that shouldn’t be in the body
• Ordering the immune cells to act where there is a problem
• Attacking and eliminating foreign agents

What the immune system is composed of

All the components of the immune system are connected through the lymphatic system, located in various parts of the body and acting in synergy to defend the organism and keep it healthy.

Specifically, the immune system is composed of:

• The lymphatic system, composed of a network of vessels that expel germs and dead cells and tissues from the organism through a fluid called lymph. Lymph passes through specific collection points the size of a pea, called lymph nodes. When there is an infection, the lymph nodes often react by swelling. For instance, a throat infection can cause the lymph nodes in the neck to swell. 
• White blood cells, also known as leukocytes. These move through the bloodstream to find and fight germs and other problems. Once they have fought and destroyed an antigen, they are usually able to remember it. If the white blood cells can remember that particular antigen, the next time it appears in the body they will fight it more quickly.
• Organs, including bone marrow (which produces all the immune cells), thymus (a gland where the immune cells mature), and secondary lymphatic organs (spleen, tonsils, adenoids and Peyer’s patches)

The chemical and physical barriers of the immune system

The immune system is much more complex and widespread than we might think: organs and tissues are not enough to defend the body from external aggression, chemical and physical barriers are also needed. Let’s see what these are: 

• Skin: the skin forms an almost impenetrable barrier that prevents pathogens from entering and protects the body from chemical and physical attacks, while acid pH and sebum offer additional defence.
• Mucosa: present in many parts of the respiratory, digestive, genital and urinary system, physically and chemically preventing pathogens from entering.
• Mucus: the mucus in the respiratory system catches inhaled germs and dust particles.
• Gastric juices: highly acidic, these sterilise food, killing almost all the pathogens ingested.
• Tears: contain chemical and antibacterial substances that eliminate foreign bodies from the eyes.
• Wax: being sticky, it catches and helps to expel any bacteria in the ear canal.
• Eyelashes and nose hairs: catch and remove foreign particles from the eyes and respiratory tract.

Supplements for strengthening the immune system

The basic rules for ensuring the correct functioning of the immune system are those adopted for a healthy, active lifestyle:

• A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals
• Physical activity 
• Regular sleep
• Avoiding alcohol and nicotine

If the immune system has a deficit and cannot meet the body’s needs, recourse can be made to nutritional supplements with an immunomodulating action.

ApportAL® and ApportAL® Vital are nutritional supplements containing vitamins and minerals that help to strengthen the immune defences, restoring the body’s normal physiological balance.

Image sources:

1. https://magazine.x115.it/x115/sistema-immunitario/
2. https://peptidi.net/it/sistema-immunitario-2
3. https://slideplayer.it/slide/12762887/

Vitamins are essential nutrients for the human body, and play a fundamental role in regulating many chemical reactions that are indispensable for life. In particular, vitamins are the vehicle for supplying energy to the body, also ensuring cell renewal.

With the only exception of vitamin D, vitamins are not synthesised by the body but must be taken in regularly through a healthy, balanced diet. Foods of plant origin are those with the most vitamins: this is why doctors and nutritionists insist on the fact that a portion of fruit and a portion of vegetables must be part of every meal.

What to eat to ensure correct vitamin intake

Fruit and vegetables, but not only: a varied, balanced diet that ensures the correct doses is important for guaranteeing a correct nutritional intake with all the essential vitamins for human well-being.

In detail, vitamins are divided into two categories:

• Water-soluble vitamins: these cannot be accumulated in the body, so have to be introduced regularly through the diet. They are found in foods such as meat, milk and dairy products.
• Fat-soluble vitamins: these, on the contrary, can be accumulated and are absorbed in particular by the skin and the liver. They do not have to be taken regularly, as the body stores them and then releases them when needed.

The easiest way to maintain a balanced diet is to follow the indications of the food pyramid (but in case of doubt, you should always consult a specialist).

The food pyramid is a concept that helps to understand the importance of the variety of food and the right quantity in our diet. The broadest section at the bottom shows that fruit and vegetables are the foods that can be consumed in the greatest quantities, and not by chance these carry fat-soluble vitamins.

Essential vitamins and where to find them

• Vitamin A:  is found in yellow and orange fruit and vegetables, green-leaf vegetables, liver and dairy products.
• Group B vitamins: this is a vitamin complex with 8 vitamins, each with specific benefits. Generally, group B vitamins are found in sources of animal origin including meat, eggs, milk and cheese and fish, in addition to vegetable sources including pulses, avocado and yeast.
• Vitamin C: the main sources of vitamin C are almost all fruit and vegetables, including citrus fruits, red peppers, kiwi, broccoli, tomatoes, strawberries, melon, redcurrants and Brussels sprouts.
• Vitamin D: this vitamin is produced directly by our body through exposure to sunlight.
• Vitamin E: it is contained in cereals, nuts and green-leaf vegetables.
• Vitamin K: it is found above all in artichokes and green-leaf vegetables generally, as well as in fruit, cereals and dairy products.

Essential minerals and where to find them

The same goes for minerals: they are also essential for the well-being of the human body, and any deficiencies can cause serious health problems.

16 are considered essential, and are divided into two categories: macro-elements and micro-elements.

The first group (macro-elements) includes:

• Calcium: the main sources of calcium are milk and dairy products, but it is also found in sardines, mussels and oysters.
• Phosphorus: foods rich in phosphorus are those with a high protein content, including meat, fish, milk, eggs and pulses.
• Magnesium: foods rich in magnesium are all green-leaf vegetables, avocado, bananas, aubergines, soy, pulses, whole wheat cereals, oats, nuts, particularly pumpkin seeds, almonds, hazelnuts and peanuts.
• Sodium: an important mineral for ensuring the osmotic balance of our cells, and is found especially in kitchen salt.
• Potassium: the richest food sources of potassium are fruit and vegetables, particularly celeriac, Brussels sprouts, artichokes, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, azuki beans, beetroot, tomatoes, bananas, melon.
• Sulphur: is present in all protein-rich foods, from red meat to pulses, to fish, poultry, milk and, particularly, egg yolk.
  
  

The second group (micro-elements) includes:

• Iron: iron sources come from both animals (liver, beef, ham, bresaola, fish, shellfish and crustaceans) and plants (Brussels sprouts, spinach, cocoa, almonds, dried figs). The first are easily absorbed.
• Manganese: found in whole wheat cereals, whole grain rice and whole wheat bread, oat flour, buts, including hazelnuts and pecans, pulses, spinach, cabbage, pineapple, blueberries, clams, oysters and mussels.
• Iodine: the foods that contain most iodine are fish, crustaceans, milk and eggs.
• Zinc: it is found in fish and meat, cereals, pulses, nuts and pumpkin, sesame and sunflower seeds. It is also found in high percentages in yeast, milk, mushrooms, cocoa, walnuts and egg yolk.
• Copper: the foods rich in this mineral include nuts, crustaceans, liver, green-leaf vegetables and dark chocolate.
• Fluorine: the main food sources of fluorine are fish, shellfish, milk, meat and cheese.
• Chromium: chromium is introduced into the body through meat, whole wheat cereals, some fruits, including apples, banana and oranges, and some vegetables, such as broccoli.
• Selenium: foods containing the greatest amount of selenium include Brazil nuts, tuna, sardines, ham, prawns, beef, turkey, chicken and eggs.

How to integrate vitamins and minerals

Vitamin and mineral salt deficiencies can cause a range of disorders, depending on the type of deficiency. This is why an excellent supply of vitamins and minerals is indispensable for the well-being of the human body, and is the most effective solution for reducing the risk of lowering the immune defences.

Apportal® and Apportal® Vital are nutritional supplements with an immunomodulating function, formulated to integrate vitamins and minerals to stimulate the immune response during particularly debilitating periods, helping to avoid problems and diseases linked to their deficiency.

What is the immune system? This brief overview offers better understanding of how it works and, consequently, how to take care of it.

The immune system has three main functions:

• To protect the body from pathogenic agents, so viruses and other external agents that are responsible for diseases.
• To eliminate dead or damaged cells and tissues and old red blood cells.
• To recognise and remove anomalous cells.

The immune system consists of various factors that can be defined as mechanical and chemical barriers used to defend the body from pathogenic agents. In detail, the immune system consists of:

• Primary Lymphoid Organs, including white blood cells.
• Secondary Lymphoid Organs, which catch the harmful materials that are then eliminated by the red blood cells.

The immune systems also includes:

• The skin: the integrity of the skin represents a physical barrier that is impossible for most micro-organisms to pass through.
• Sweat: the acid pH of sweat ensures effective antimicrobial action.
• Lysozyme: this enzyme is found in tears, nasal secretions and saliva and is able to destroy bacteria.
• Sebum:      lipophilic substance produced by the oil glands in the skin, with a protective action, in synergy with the acid pH of sweat.
• Mucus: substance produced by the digestive, respiratory, urinary and genital systems, which catches pathogenic agents and makes them easier to expel.
• Ciliated epithelium: withholds foreign bodies, making them easier to expel in catarrh.
• acid pH in the stomach: with a very low pH, this destroys micro-organisms introduced through food.
• Body temperature: the normal human body temperature hinders the proliferation of some pathogenic agents.

How to understand if the immune system is debilitated

The body has many ways of warning us that our immune system is temporarily weakened and needs additional support. The most common symptoms are:

• Shivers
• Tiredness
• Muscle pain
• Cold
• A mild fever
• Frequent sore throat
• Herpes
• Intestinal problems
• Dry skin
• Anaemia

The first rule to follow if you think your immune system is in a poor condition is to adopt a healthier and more balanced lifestyle, and secondly, consult your GP to exclude any diseases that may require pharmacological treatment.

Supplements for the immune system

A healthy immune system is therefore fundamental in maintaining a healthy body. However, in some periods and situations, the immune system is more subject to overload. There are various causes:

• Excess stress.
• Common illnesses, such as a cold.
• An excessive or prolonged use of drugs that especially affect the intestines, such as antibiotics.
• Environmental factors such as the change of seasons, drastic reduction in temperature, humidity.
• An unbalanced diet.
• A sedentary lifestyle.
• Not enough sleep.
• Physical fatigue.

In these cases, low immune defences affect the protective functions, causing greater exposure to pathogenic agents which are potentially harmful to the body. This is why in these cases it may be worth taking nutritional supplements of vitamins and minerals.

The ApportAL® product range contains an ideal formula for helping the body to correct its immune response, improving its ability to tackle weakness, fatigue and infections.

This is thanks to its immunomodulating action, promoted by:

• Vitamin D3: regulating the immune system functions and reducing inflammation.

• Vitamin C: strengthening the immune system, helping the body to neutralise free radicals.

• Vitamin E: supporting cell renewal and protecting the cells from oxidation.

• Selenium: It is fundamental for protecting the cells from oxidative stress and the risk of cardiovascular diseases.

• Iron: carrying oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body, contributing to the renewal of connective tissue (including the skin).

• Zinc: It plays a vital role in the development of lymphocytes and the production of antibodies.

• Eleutherococcus: It is important for fighting weakness and excessive fatigue, contributing to recovering strength during convalescence.

Tiredness, irritability and drowsiness can take their toll on children especially in some periods of the year. The main causes include: changes in routine (such as returning to school), climatic changes (the passage from hot to cold seasons) and seasonal viruses (colds, tonsillitis, gastrointestinal problems), often accompanied by a lack of appetite.

These are very common symptoms and behaviour, which should not cause excessive worry, even though it is worth remedying them as soon as possible. First of all, we have to support the immune system, ensuring that it is ready to fight any viruses and pathogens.

Vitamins and minerals that stimulate children’s immune system

The diet is the first source of vitamins and minerals, and this is why it is important for children to learn right from an early age how important it is for them to eat, as this directly affects their health. This does not mean completely eliminating sweets and the occasional tasty snack, but rather being aware that well-being begins at the table, and this will help them to grow strong and healthy.

The EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) has stated that there are at least 10 essential nutrients for normal functioning of the immune system, including six vitamins and four minerals.

• Vitamin A: useful for the health of the immune system, for the development of sight, fertility and bone growth.
  The recommended daily intake of vitamin A is approximately 0.6-0.7 mg.

• Vitamin B6: it has many functions in the body, and is involved in over 100 enzymatic reactions, playing an important role in brain development.
  For children and adolescents, the recommended average daily intake is:
  1-3 years: 0.4 mg
  4-6 years: 0.5 mg
  7-10 years: 0.7 mg
  11-14 years: 1.0 mg

• Vitamin B9: i.e., folic acid, is fundamental for synthesising proteins and DNA, as well as for forming haemoglobin, and must be part of the intake of pregnant women as this vitamin tends to protect and promote embryo development.
  The recommended dose is at least 0,4 mg (400 micrograms) a day.

• Vitamin B12: necessary for the transformation of nutrients deriving from the diet, for the production of red blood cells and the formation of bone marrow. It is also involved in the correct functioning of the nervous system.
  The recommended dose of vitamin B12 is:
  1-3 years: 0.7 mcg/day
  up to 10 years: 1.4 mcg/day
  
• Vitamin C: fundamental for children’s growth, to ensure the healthy development of skin, joints, bones and blood vessels.
  The recommended daily intake is:
  0-3 years: 35 mg
  4-6 years: 45 mg
  7-10 years: 60 mg

• Vitamin D: indispensable for children’s growth, for the absorption and deposit of calcium in the bones.
  infants: 400 Ul per day
  2-5 years: 1,000 UI per day
  over 5 years: 2,000 UI per day

• Zinc: fundamental for the development of children’s immune systems, helping them to fight infections.
  infants up to 1 year: 3 mg/day
  increases gradually up to 9-12 mg/day for adolescents and adults

• Iron: very important for correct physical and mental development. Increases resistance to stress, and is a valid ally for strengthening the immune defences and helps to increase energy levels.
  1-3 years: 7 mg
  4-8 years: 10 mg
  9-13 years:  8 mg

• Copper: reduces the risk of catching infections and problems affecting the respiratory tract, including bronchitis, laryngitis, otitis, rhinitis and allergic reactions.
  0-6 months: 200 mcg
  7 months-1 year: 220 mcg
  1-3 years: 340 mcg
  4-8 years: 440 mcg
  9-13 years: 700 mcg

• Selenium: useful for children’s growth, as it promotes tissue elasticity, and also acts as a barrier against pathogens.
  1-3 years: 20 mcg
  4-8 years: 30 mcg
  8-13 years 40 mcg

This is what should never be missing from children’s diets, to help them top up on these essential nutrients:

• Fruit and vegetables: an irreplaceable source of potassium, magnesium, folic acid, vitamins A, C, E
• Cereals: source of fibre
• Dairy products: source of calcium, group B vitamins, vitamin D
• Legumes: source of potassium, iron, calcium and phosphorus, group B vitamins
• Fish: source of group B vitamins, vitamin A and vitamin D and mineral salts including calcium, phosphorus and iodine

Supplements for children

Protecting the body is by far the most effective solution for reducing the risk of lowering the immune defences. The correct intake of vitamins and minerals is able to act as an authentic defence mechanism.

Apportal® Vital is the nutritional supplement with an immunomodulating function, formulated to provide the body with a complete charge of vitamins and minerals, able to stimulate the immune response during particularly debilitating periods.

As time passes, our body changes and, along with this, the needs to keep it strong and healthy change too. After the age of 50, particularly, the mind and body have to adapt to new nutritional and energy needs. Consequently, we may feel the need for greater support, especially in more intensive periods in which work and other commitments absorb much of our time and energy.

In all phases of life, it is recommended to ensure a varied, balanced diet assuring the body all the nutrients, vitamins and mineral salts it needs. However, after 50, it is harder to top up on energy only through the diet. In fact, the energy metabolism slows down and, at the same time, the body’s ability to absorb some micro-nutrients also changes.

It is therefore necessary, especially after the age of 50, to guarantee the correct intake of micro-nutrients for the body, particularly vitamins and minerals, in order to avoid the risk of nutritional deficiencies.

Vitamins and minerals to take after the age of 50

For the over-50s, the fundamental micro-nutrients are particularly the vitamins with antioxidant properties, which are A, C and E, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin B6 and magnesium. Furthermore, the correct intake of selenium, zinc and potassium should also be assured.

So what is the function of these fundamental nutrients for the well-being of our body after the age of 50? We have to make a brief digression here, explaining the differences between the functional substances for the well-being of women and of men, because the needs, as well as the nutritional deficiencies, change significantly.

Supplements and minerals for women over 50

This is the age when women go through the menopause, a physiological phase characterised by the progressive reduction of oestrogen.

To cope with this reduction in hormones responsible for many metabolic functions, women over 50 need to integrate their intake of some vitamins and mineral salts.

This is what should always be found in supplements for women over 50:

• Vitamin D: to maintain healthy bones and strengthen the immune system
• Zinc: to protect the cells from oxidative stress and support normal cognitive function
• Magnesium: useful for reducing tiredness, supporting the energy metabolism and psychological and muscle functions
• Vitamin C: fundamental for strengthening the immune system
• Iron and vitamin B12: to fight tiredness and fatigue.

And of course we should never forget the importance of a balanced diet, rich in fibre, Omega-3 and Omega-6, which help to ensure the correct functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Vitamins and minerals for men over 50

The vitamins and minerals that offer greatest benefits to men over 50 are part of the same group mentioned above, although men clearly have different needs to respond to. Here are the substances that promote general physical and mental well-being for men over 50:

• Vitamin A:  its antioxidant properties help to protect the sight and stimulate the immune system.
• Vitamin C: vitamin C also plays a decisive role for the immune system, and also supports the correct synthesis of collagen.
• Vitamin E: important for its ability to fight free radicals and maintain normal cardiac function.
• Group B vitamins: used to metabolise foods and transform them into energy, monitoring tiredness and fatigue. Furthermore, they help to prevent cardiovascular and neurological pathologies.
• Magnesium: guarantees correct muscle function, and plays a decisive role in the well-being of the cognitive function.
• Potassium: useful for maintaining normal blood pressure levels, reducing the risk of kidney stones and fighting the negative effects of sodium.
• Selenium: important for protecting the cells from oxidative stress, regularising hormonal activity, normalising thyroid function and the immune system.
• Zinc: zinc also contributes to normal cognitive function, but not only. It is functional for bone, skin and hair well-being and for maintaining normal testosterone levels in the blood.

Also in this case, the diet is an excellent ally for assuring all the nutrients that help to maintain a good level of general well-being.

It is advisable to eat fresh foods rich in proteins and complex (preferably whole) carbohydrates. On the other hand, excessive condiments, fats of animal origin and sugars should be avoided.

Furthermore, it is a good idea to drink at least 2 litres of water a day.

Nutritional supplements for the over 50s

Vitamins and minerals are therefore decisive factors for the well-being of the body after the age of 50, as they help to guarantee the full function of the body and prevent an excess of free radicals.

ApportAL® and ApportAL® Vital are nutritional supplements useful for overcoming any vitamin and mineral deficiencies after the age of 50. In fact, the five minerals contained in ApportAL® (Selenium, Iron, Zinc, Iodine and Magnesium) were developed using Sucrosomial® Technology, which makes them more easily absorbable and immediately bioavailable.

The immune system is that barrier that helps the body to defend itself from foreign agents, such as micro-organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi), parasites, damaged or anomalous cells, or unrecognised tissues.

To defend the body, the immune system activates antibodies, as well as various specialised molecules and tissues, including white blood cells.

The human body also uses physical barriers to defend itself from pathogens. For example, the ciliary epithelium and the cells that produce mucus present in the upper respiratory tract: cilia and mucous membranes are the first barrier against micro-organisms and foreign matter (pollen, dust) found in the air we breathe in.

Some conditions put a strain on the immune system, such as prolonged exposure to smog, periods of intense physical and mental stress, a diet poor in fruit and vegetables, not enough sleep. All these factors, along with the normal risks caused by the change of seasons, weaken the immune system and reduce its ability to react to inflammation.

Advice for strengthening the immune system

When the immune system is weak, there is a risk of falling ill, from the simplest cold to flu with a high fever, migraine, intestinal problems and obstruction of the respiratory tract.

How to run for cover? Taking a few precautions in our everyday lives, and, when needed, making recourse to nutritional supplements that can strengthen our immune defences.

• Healthy diet: a varied, balanced diet, rich in all nutrients, remains the essential starting point for ensuring well-being for the whole body. Fruit and vegetables are particularly rich in vitamins and minerals that effectively help the immune system.
• Sleep: it is very important to ensure at least 7-8 hours of sleep a day. In fact, it is precisely during night-time rest that our body processes the proteins taken in with food, using them to fight potential pathogens.
• Physical activity: regular exercise, without overdoing it, helps to strengthen the immune system, but not only. It also helps to keep cholesterol in check, preventing the risk of developing heart disease, and reduces the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.
• Personal hygiene: taking care of personal hygiene is fundamental for reducing the risk of infections, remembering to wash the hands thoroughly and frequently, especially when you are away from home.
• Avoid crowded places: this advice is particularly useful when we are already feeling a little weak. Being in large crowds increases the risk of contracting viruses when the immune defences are low.
• Avoid sudden changes in temperature: in the winter, don’t keep the temperature too high at home, as the subsequent exposure to the cold outside weakens the immune system.

The vitamins and minerals that help the immune system

When we talk of a healthy, balanced diet, we refer to a diet that completely meets our body’s nutrient and energy needs. At any time of the day, and even the year, our body has to respond to different needs, and this is why it is important to learn to eat foods that are in season.

Which vitamins and minerals are most useful for helping to strengthen our immune defences? Let’s see which nutrients are essential for our well-being and which foods have them in the greatest quantities:

• Vitamin A: strengthens the mucous membranes, which are the first barrier against external aggressions, and help to protect the lungs from infections. Several foods contain Vitamin A, but carrots, spinach, cabbage, pumpkin, chicory, tomatoes, avocado, apricots, peaches and watermelon are particularly rich.
• Vitamin C: it is a very precious substance for stimulating the immune defences and preventing and curing flu syndromes. Moreover, vitamin C helps to protect the body from free radicals.

To top up on vitamin C, the diet should include citrus fruits, berries, cherries, melon, watermelon, pineapple, kiwi and papaya, chilli pepper, sweet peppers, potatoes, tomatoes and green leaf vegetables.

• Vitamin D: is fundamental to maintain healthy bones, as it stimulates the absorption of calcium and phosphorus. It is also essential for stimulating the production of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine, which help to fight stress and depression. Oily fish has a high concentration of Vitamin D, along with eggs, milk and dairy products.
• Zinc: it is a precious oligo-element that helps to fight free radicals, and also has an antioxidant action and antiviral effect.

Foods that help us to top up on zinc include fish, red meat, pulses, walnuts, dark chocolate, egg yolk, mushrooms, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, whole wheat cereals and brewer’s yeast.

• Iron: it is essential for the well-being of the body as it stimulates the production of haemoglobin and red blood cells, ensuring the correct oxygenation of the body’s cells. Iron can be found in both animal and vegetable sources, and beef, ham, bresaola, fish, shellfish, crustaceans, Brussel sprouts, spinach, dark chocolate, almonds, dried figs are all rich in iron.
• Selenium: it has antioxidant properties, supporting the immune system function and promoting the production of antibodies. It is found above all in foods of animal origin, particularly sea food, as well as in numerous cereals, pulses, fruits and vegetables.

Supplements for strengthening the immune system

When a healthy, varied diet is insufficient as the natural vitamin and mineral requirement increases, for example in the winter or when we are particularly tired, stressed or suffer from asthenia, ApportAL® and ApportAL® VitAL can help both to recover energy and support the immune system. With their complete formulation, specific for supporting the immunomodulating function (link) in our body, they help to strengthen our immune defences and increase the ability to shield from viruses and bacteria.