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Page 26 | Abby's Magazine | www.AbbysMag.com IMMUNE SYSTEM Supplements to Boost your Natural strategies for strengthening the immune system are in high demand these days, and it's not hard to see why. As the world prepares itself for the uncertainty of what lies ahead, one thing is for certain: ac vely working to maintain a healthy immune system is a trend we'd all be wise to follow. Not only for the health of ourselves, but for the health of our communi es. Ok, so does that mean you should take every supplement that claims to enhance immune health and drink your weight in orange juice every morning? Not exactly, While ge ng a healthy daily dose of vitamin C is certainly a tried- and-true method for boos ng immune health, there are other nutri onal strategies you can adopt to give your immune system an added advantage. But before we jump into the nutri onal research, let's quickly review what the immune system is, and how it helps protect the body from invading pathogens. Immune System 101: What is it and how does it work? Put simply, the immune system is a defense system that helps protect the body from invading pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. It encompasses a diverse group of immune-related cells that can be broadly categorized as either innate or adaptive immune cells, based on their different proper es and mechanisms. Innate immune cells (such as macrophages, neutrophils, and NK cells) serve as the body's first line of defense against pathogens. Although they are quick to respond to threats, innate immune cells carry out less specific responses to individual pathogens. 2 Conversely, adaptive immune cells (namely T cells and B cells) are slower to respond but produce and respond to an bodies, which enables the immune system to remember past infec ons for future defense. For example, B cells develop an bodies against the pathogens they encounter, which enable them to respond more efficiently during a second encounter. Importantly, how well these different immune cells are able to coordinate their ac vi es determines how effec vely the host can mount an immune response, and ul mately, their ability to stay healthy. One of the ways immune cells typically accomplish this task is by secre ng cytokines — molecules that attract other immune cells to the site of infection and regulate their activation or suppression. So, what factors contribute to the quality of a body's immune response? Although a number of different variables (e.g., age, underlying health, stress levels, sleep habits, etc.) contribute to an organism's immune health, the importance of proper nutrition cannot be overstated. Let's discuss some of the nutrients and dietary factors that have been found to have immune-regulatory effects, and benefits for immune health. 1. Omega-3s When you think nutri on for immune health, your mind probably goes straight to vitamins and minerals, right? Well, not so fast—Mother Nature has more than a few "tricks" for op mizing immune health up her sleeve. One such trick is increasing your omega-3 intake. Indeed, research indicates 5 By Nordic Naturals