Increase resistance

Every day, we are exposed to countless germs that our immune system then manages to fight off. The skin and the mucous membranes form the first layer of protection. Their defensive function is reinforced by antibodies present in mucus, saliva and tears, most commonly these antibodies are known as secretory immunoglobulin A (IgA).

If the first barrier does get battered down by a germ, further actions are taken by the innate and adaptive immune systems depending on whether this is the first or a subsequent encounter with the pathogen, respectively.

The non-specific part of our immune system consists of different "eater cells" including granulocytes and macrophages. These cells offer a quick and decisive first defense against intruders. For instance, in skin damage the germ is phagocytized ("eaten up") and intracellularly lysed ("disintegrated in the cell"). The non-specific immune system, as its name implies, is not focussed on a specific germ but defends against various intruders. This branch of the immune system is more prominent when the body encounters an enemy for the first time. It has not had the chance to study or understand the enemies strategy or what tools it uses to attack, meaning the body utilizes everything it has to defend itself.

The adaptive part of our immune system consists of specialized defense cells. These cells have so-called immune system regulating tasks and can also produce large amounts of antibodies, which are more specific defense substances. The adaptive immune system adjusts itself over the course of your life and allows for a strong, focused (specific) immune reaction. Special memory cells – that may easily live upwards of 20 years – enable a quick and massive counterattack if you come into contact with a germ for a second time: the very principle of immunization.

The non-specific and the acquired part of the immune system work together and are invaluable in our health.

For building up a good resistance it is important to have a healthy lifestyle. Three important pillars are:

• Good nutrition. Eat healthy and varied food (with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables) and drink sufficiently (water, herbal tea, freshly squeezed orange juice)
• Adequate relaxation and sleep (avoid stress as much as possible)
• Frequent physical exercise, preferably outdoors: physical exercise where the body gets a lot of oxygen, such as cycling or swimming, enables a better blood circulation and therefore a good supply of nutrients and proper discharge of waste.

• Natural, minimally processed food gives your body what it needs and helps build up a good resistance. For instance, brown rice contains nine times more mineral substances than white rice and whole grain products are richer in substances like fibre than products made of white flour.
• Everybody knows that it is important to eat enough fruits and vegetables. Not as well known is the fact that it is better not to mix fruit and vegetable together in a meal, as the rapid breakdown of sugar from the fruit may delay the digestion of the vegetables.
  Furthermore, robust natural nutrition should consist of partly cooked and partly raw vegetables. Raw veggies also contain many important nutrients that may be broken down by certain ways of cooking.
• And finally, very important; take time for each meal and chew very well. Saliva neutralizes certain substances and prepares the food for digestion through a compound known as amylase which begins to digest carbohydrates while they're still in the mouth.

Nevertheless, we still sometimes get sick. This could be from exposing ourselves to large inoculums of germs, such as from eating contaminated food or during an epidemic.
When so many germs invade our body at once, they temporarily overwhelm and dominate the immune system.
This would certainly be more likely to occur with a compromised immune system as high stress, lack of sleep, a recent surgery or an unhealthy diet can impact how effective the system functions. In these situations it is especially important to bolster our resistance.

A strong immune system can minimize the chance of getting the flu. To prevent the flu, you should also avoid contact with the virus through the following.
Because the flu virus is spread through talking, coughing or sneezing, you can protect yourself by avoiding situations that put you near those with flu-like symptoms. You can also adopt the following measures:

• Keep your elbow or handkerchief on your mouth if you sneeze or cough
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes as much as possible
• Use paper tissues for coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose, and use them once. Throw them in the bin afterwards
• Clean common objects such as doorknobs regularly
• Ventilate living and sleeping areas

Want to know everything about the flu? Go now to the special flu page!

Echinaforce Tablets
The best tip with insufficient resistance, the flu or a cold? Echinaforce tablets.
Echinaforce tablets contain proven and effective compounds known as alkylamides which reinforce the immune system. Subsequently, the resistance increases against bacterial and viral infections.

You are less likely to acquire infections and get sick and if you do, you will recover more quickly! One clinical trial on the product demonstrated those taking Echinaforce recovered 1.5 days faster than the placebo group and were less likely to develop secondary infections. More info

Do you suffer from a sore throat, and also feel fatigued as you battle a fever?
Then you probably have the flu. If you want to know whether is the common cold or the flu, do the test!