Have you ever asked yourself the question - can a person never get sick? I have. 🙂
My answer is that they can't, but they can get sick rarely. And what do you need to do to get sick rarely? Improve your immune system. But here's the trouble, how to do that you will not be answered by doctors or even whole scientists 🙂
In some of my posts I've already written about immunity, but I didn't reveal much about it. The thing is that this is a very broad and interesting topic, and of course I am not a guru that understands everything in this topic 100%. I am a practitioner who sometimes puts experiments on himself making interesting conclusions. And yes, I will note that if I share something here, my words are backed up by analysis/research and other objective observations, which other "bio-bloggers" usually don't do or do wrong. Therefore, in this post I will make a top immunity supplements that objectively helped me to cope with infections, especially in the winter season.
First, a small disclaimer. These supplements can only be taken by people who do not have any autoimmune diseases! The supplements increase the activity of immunity towards tissues (activation of Th1\NK cells).
Second digression. If you are one of those who think that "some herbs" is not a cure, I suggest you work on your intelligence 🙂. To understand the fact that modern pharmacology is basically the daughter of naturopathy. I also advise you to read organic chemistry to understand that some substances are easier to find in nature than to synthesize de novo in the laboratory... For example, the drug metformin by chemical structure is similar to Galegin, an alkaloid from the plant Galega officinalis. and there are millions of such examples. In general, I understood these things even before biology education and graduate school, and some medics do not understand and still argue with me to this day 🙂
So, uh:
Top 1. Astragalus Quail extract. The substances in this plant have a bunch of properties concerning immunity and not only. In short, according to my observations, the main immune-stimulating properties of this extract are manifested by stimulating the "release" of stem cells into the bloodstream. From which then appear and leukocytes of different phenotypes, NK cells and other tissues. Due to these properties Astragalus is used in Korea and China to enhance the growth of children in puberty. I haven't noticed any anabolic properties on tissues, but I have noticed an effect on blood cells. In me, it increases the concentration of red blood cells and Nk\Th1 cells (protection against intracellular infections such as viruses). It may increase blood pressure in some individuals!
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26196400/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21309574/
Top 2. Methyluracil. A very old remedy, which is forgotten in the West, but remembered in the former CIS. Imho works similarly to astragalus, but the mechanism of action on the release of stem cells is different. This substance reminds the body of the pyrimidine base Uracil 🙂 Which enters the blood only when cells are destroyed, or rather their DNA/RNA. Thus, taking this drug we simulate cell damage, activating the mechanisms of immunity and tissue regeneration. I do not recommend taking long courses. The duration of the course is a week at most. Sold in tablets and in suppositories. Can increase blood pressure, especially in large doses.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/5028442/
Top 3. Reishi mushrooms (or Ganoderma lucidum)
A remedy that boosts the effectiveness of Th1 immune response through the regulation of various cytokines. This mushroom can even treat some tumors. There are many studies about this. But in the context of this post, it is an effective means of preventing seasonal viral diseases such as influenza and coovid. Skeptics can see the effectiveness by doing an immunogram before and after taking it. Take it in courses of 20 days.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26917384/
Top 4. Fucoidan. This is a new supplement for me and I haven't had a chance to lab test it yet. However, I continue to take it and am actively researching it through other people's studies. It is a substance from algae. Its properties are very interesting. Regarding immunity, it modulates different responses, i.e. it creates the right balance of Th1\Th2 Which makes it possible to take this supplement consistently, and possibly even for patients with autoimmune diseases. Fucoidan also blocks the entry of viral particles into cells through non-immune mechanisms. For example, this has been tested in covida. It also increases the expression of the SIRT6 protein, which is responsible for repairing double-strand breaks in DNA (anti-aging properties).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35698330/
Top 5. Berberine. Another remedy from Asian medicine. There is a lot of research on it and even clinical studies on humans. Regarding immunity, berberine has the ability to activate Treg cells. These are the cells that are responsible for inhibiting excessive immune response (inhibition of pro-inflammatory cytokines). I.e. we can say that berberine has anti-inflammatory properties in cytokine storms, etc. Also berberine is an activator of AMPK, I have already written about this. Let me remind you that this mechanism puts cells into energy saving mode, so you can inhibit viral reproduction during the course of the disease. I do not recommend taking this supplement for people with low glucose.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31827685/.
Conclusions:
My experience confirms that it is possible to reduce the frequency of seasonal illnesses using the above supplements. In my case, the basic regimen consists of Astragalus and Berberine. I take these supplements on a regular basis during the winter season. Other supplements from the list I take in courses. For three years of such a regimen I have been sick only twice, lasting 3 days without consequences for the body. Not afraid to hang out with covid patients, not afraid to shake hands, touch my face, etc. At a time when my loved ones and acquaintances (vaccinated 🙂) get sick consistently several times a year for weeks at a time.
Oh yeah, forgot to add that the only supplements for people with autoimmune from this list are berberine and fucoidan. And there is certainly more research on these supplements, I just picked links to some of them.
