We are not alone! Because we are surrounded by a vast array of organisms and non-human molecules, some helpful, some harmful, we need a sophisticated system to protect us. Immunity is our body’s ‘defence system’, intelligently monitoring incoming molecules, deciding if they are hostile, destroying harmful ones, and also repairing any subsequent damage. We have a potent inborn immune system called innate immunity, which can mount powerful responses, raising inflammation to drive immune cells to the right area to work. This works alongside our adaptive immune system, which enables us to learn about new threats and create a tailored response.

Our immune system needs to be carefully targeted so as not to react to harmless molecules, and also balanced in its response, reacting at the right level and for the right length of time. If our it is too little, we may pick up frequent or prolonged infections. If it is excessive or misfires, it may result in inflammation or allergy. In some cases, the immune system targets our own cells too. So, how can we optimise our immunity to protect ourselves from pathogens, repair any damaged tissue, but not overreact with too much inflammation? How can immune supporting vitamins, plant extracts, live bacteria and other nutrients in supplements help?

Immunity can be affected by many things. The food we eat may not nourish it – vitamin C, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin D and many others are key nutrients for the immune system.  We may have a lack of antioxidant-containing foods (fruit, vegetables) which otherwise nourish and help to prevent damage. Sometimes food can also act as a negative stimulus on the immune system creating food sensitivity responses. Stress and our lifestyle choices have a huge impact, both reducing immunity or driving an excessive response.  The integrity of our skin, lung, and gut ‘barriers’ is important for good protection, as are the natural bacteria that live upon them.

We might have issues at one or many of these levels that are contributing to how effective our immune system is. It’s really all a case of balance and there are some really simple steps you take and nutrients you can use that can have a positive supportive effect. So, we’ve created a range of different supplements, and identified some key lifestyle tips, to support all these areas and help you optimise your immunity.