Your Immune System is still your best tool to stay healthy.

June 11th, 2020
I just turned 65, which puts me squarely in the "high risk" category with the current pandemic. While this virus has demonstrated that it doesn't always play by the rules, my age group has the highest mortality rate. The reason for this are many and varied but the one issue that makes you a target crosses all the demographics, a "compromised immune system". That phrase covers a lot of ground. For me, it is simply a fact that our bodies' natural ability to fight invaders diminishes as we age. So I went on a search for the best natural sources to help support my immune response. I have detailed the highlights of that work below.

• Beta-Glucans & Graviola Leaf                                                                 
• Beta-glucans are kinds of harmless polysaccharides (sugar-chains) that occur in many kinds of bacteria and fungi. The body associates beta-glucans with pathogenic microorganisms, so when the body encounters beta-glucans it is prepared. There are healthy, edible sources of beta-glucans (such as from Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that are known to support the immune system. There has been a lot of exciting research about Graviola (soursop, Annona muricata) leaf in recent times. Various studies have concluded that Graviola has the potential for the support of the immune system.
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• Green tea supports immunity                                                                              Green tea antioxidants offer antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral effects that support immunity. Bonus: Its antibacterial properties also fight bad breath. In addition, green tea acts as a prebiotic, food for the beneficial gut bacteria tied to healthy immunity. 
• Mushroom Complex                                    
• Maitake is a culinary and medicinal mushroom that has shown anti-cancer activity on breast cancer, melanoma, and hepatoma cells in animal studies. Proteoglucan, a component of maitake, has been associated with the immune-stimulating effects of the mushroom. In mouse models, proteoglycan has been shown to decrease mammary tumor cell behavior. Further, in in-vitro and animal studies, polysaccharides found in maitake have been shown to exert antiviral activity against hepatitis B and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).                                                             
•  Reishi is commonly referred to as the “king of mushrooms” or the “mushroom of immortality”.  It has been shown to prevent or treat various diseases and modulate the inflammation associated with a high-cholesterol diet. The health effects of this mushroom may be a result of its ability to regulate microbiota composition, as the polysaccharides found in reishi demonstrate prebiotic effects and may increase counts of beneficial bacteria in the host. 
• Shiitake mushrooms have been traditionally used to treat conditions such as the common cold. A four-week clinical trial suggests that shiitake intake was associated with favorable changes in secretion patterns of various immune compounds. These changes may indicate an improvement in gut immunity and anti-inflammatory response. (4) As with many other mushroom varieties, shiitake may have anticancer effects. Lentinan, which is a glucan derived from shiitake, is currently used as a complementary treatment for tumors, particularly in China and Japan.

There are a lot more, but I'm not going to write a novel here, you get the idea. :) I have included a copy of the label for Bionatures' new product below so you can get the full picture. I believe this is the most complete immune support natural product on the market today. Check it out HERE
As usual, if you have any questions pertaining to this or any other formula, email me directly at mikem@bionatures.com. Until next time, stay safe, stay healthy, and enjoy life!