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Creating the wellness diet (3)

By Paul Joseph Nanna
16 July 2015   |   5:26 am
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.

Logo-NannaWater and micronutrients as immune system boosters

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.

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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