Description
Our body’s immune system is a complex and dynamic defense system that comes to our rescue at the first sign of exposure to an outside invader. The dynamic nature of the immune system means that all factors that affect health need to be addressed in order for it to function at peak performance. The immune system is very sensitive to nutrient deficiencies. While vitamin deficiencies can compromise the immune system, consuming immune enhancing nutrients and botanicals can support and strengthen your body’s immune response. This product’s synergistic formula significantly boosts immune cell function including antibody response, natural killer (NK) cell activity, thymus hormone secretions, and T-cell activation. This product also helps soothe throat irritations and nasal secretions, and maintains normal inflammatory balance by increasing antioxidant levels throughout the body.
Why We Love Andrographis Combo
Immune Function In a Pinch
Andrographis Combo is a go to nutritional support formula for the immune system. We utilize this for a variety of viral based challenges our patients encounter because of some of its key ingredients. Elderberry is extremely useful herb that grows on 5 different continents and has been used to help support proper immune system function for centuries. Astragalus is also a core immune balancing herb and together with Andrographis is known to help promote normal function of the upper respiratory tract.
We have some patients who utilize this on a low dose (2/day) as a preventative but most of our use comes with patients who use it at a higher dose of 1-2 capsules per hour for about 3 days when they first start feeling sick. It can really help give your immune system the kick it needs when encountering an invader. Ideally, you want to have this bottle on hand and in your cupboard before you get sick so you can take it at the first sign of feeling unwell.
Counterpunching Lyme’s Immune Inhibition
This is another product, I (Dr. Warren) have become fairly opinionated on over the years. I have utilized several different versions of Andrographis both in isolation and in combination formulas, and I been frustrated with the lack of results with other products. Andrographis is particularly sensitive to processing methods and seems to lose its beneficial activity if not handled with extreme care. Quality of harvest and purification is even more vital for Andrographis than many other formulas which are not as touchy.
Chronic Lyme has to inhibit your immune system from recognizing it as an enemy and getting rid of it. Andrographis is one of the best herbs at helping the immune system function through some of Lyme’s tricks. I am very much a fan of the Andrographis combined with Astragalus and have found the combination to be much more potent than either ingredient individually. By adding in small but important amounts of vitamin A, C, Zinc, and B5 this formula covers a huge foundation of support for healthy immune system function when you are run down from a chronic infection.
Ingredients
Immune Nutrition Base†
This product contains the synergistic nutrient blend of zinc, vitamin C, vitamin A, L-lysine and pantothenic acid which each play a major role in maintaining a healthy, functioning immune system.
Zinc†
Zinc is a mineral that works synergistically with vitamin A in activating thymic factor, a thymus hormone with vital immune supporting properties.1 Maintaining optimal zinc levels also helps maintain helper T-cell lymphocyte function, NK cell activity, macrophage function, and antibody production. 2
Vitamin C †
Vitamin C is well known for its ability to support immune response. Vitamin C concentrations decline rapidly in the body during periods of stress. Dietary intake is therefore crucial during immune challenges.3 Vitamin C has been found to be helpful in supporting specific components of the immune system including NK cell activity and lymphocyte function. 3 Vitamin C also provides antioxidant support by protecting cells against reactive oxygen species that are generated during normal inflammatory response.3
Vitamin A †
Vitamin A helps support mucous membranes. When vitamin A is lacking, mucus-producing cells are replaced by keratin- producing cells, and the membranes become tough and more vulnerable to organisms. Vitamin A is a critical immune supporting nutrient.4 Vitamin A also supports the immune system by stimulating white blood cell function and increasing antibody response.4
L-Lysine†
L-lysine is an essential amino acid that cannot be synthesized in the body on its own. Lysine must be derived from protein sources in the diet in order for the body to function properly. Many biological functions require lysine including boosting immune defense. A study conducted in China examined the immunological effects of lysine. Of eighty-eight families included in the study, half received wheat flour fortified with 3 g of lysine per kilogram of flour, the other half received wheat flour without fortification. Those given the fortified flour showed improved immune function, versus the placebo group, specifically showing an increase of CD3 T-cells, IgG, IgA, and IgM.5
Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract†
Astragalus membranaceus is native to northern China and has been traditionally used to strengthen the immune system.11 The root of A. membranaceus is one of the two commonly used species in traditional Chinese medicine. Research has demonstrated the immune-regulating effects of astragalus which include boosting T-dependent antigens, and lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells and macrophage activity.12 Additional studies have demonstrated that A. membranaceus root extract supports immune response by boosting T3, T4 and T4/T8 cell ratios.13
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5)†
Pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) is a water-soluble B complex vitamin. D-calcium pantothenate is a heat stable form of B5. About 85% of pantothenic acid in food occurs as a component of coenzyme A (CoA). As a component of CoA, pantothenic acid is essential for the production of energy from carbohydrates, fats and protein. Maintaining optimal pantothenic acid levels is crucial for supporting immune system energy, thymic function and healthy white blood cell levels.6,7
Black Elderberry Extract†
Black elderberry (Sambucas nigra) has a long history of traditional use among herbalists and is native to Europe, Northern Africa, and Western and Central Asia. Elderberry preparations range from expressed juice to syrup, tea decoction, powdered extract, and powdered extract in the form of lozenges or capsules.8 The bioactive components of elderberry include the flavonoid anthocyanin.9 This product is standardized to include black elderberry extract with 13% anthocyanins. Black elderberry preparations have also been shown to enhance immune cell killing potential by supporting healthy cytokine production, including IL-8 and IL-10, the cellular pathways used to eliminate foreign invaders.10
Echinacea Purpurea Extract†
Echinacea purpurea is a perennial herb that has been used for centuries in Native American medicine. Current research has supported echinacea’s clinical applications as this botanical has been the subject of more than 300 scientific studies.14,15 Echinacea activates multiple aspects of immune function including enhancing leukocyte and granulocyte counts, activating neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils and
solubilizing immune complexes.16 Echinacea also diminishes hyaluronidase, a compound which increases connective tissue permeability.16
Andrographis Paniculata Leaf Extract†
Andrographis paniculata is a plant that has been used in Asian medicine for centuries. Traditionally, the plant has been used as an infusion, decoction or powder, either alone or in combination with other herbal plants. In a study examining 158 patients, a standardized preparation of A. paniculata dried extract administered for five days significantly supported immune response while decreasing throat irritations and nasal secretions. 17 An additional study examining the effects of A. paniculata found that andrographolide administration significantly improved CD4+ lymphocyte count in patients which immune challenges. 18 A. paniculata has also been reported to provide strong antioxidant support due to its ability to activate highly protective antioxidant reactions including superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione-S-transferase.19
References
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
- Dardenne M, Pleau J, Nabarra B, et al. Contribution of zinc and other metals to the biological activity of the serum thymic factor. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1982;5370-3.
- PDR Health: Zinc. www.pdrhealth.com.
- Wintergerst ES, Maggini S, Hornig DH. Immune- enhancing role of vitamin C and zinc and effect on clinical conditions. Ann Nutr Metab 2006;50(2):85-94.
- Vitamin A. Integrative Medicine: Integrative Medicine Communications; 2000.
- Zhao W, Zhai F, Zhang D, et al. Lysine-fortified wheat
flour improves the nutritional and immunological status of wheat-eating families in northern China. Food Nutr Bull Jun 2004;25(2):123-129. - Melampy RM, Cheng DW, Northrop LC. Effect of pantothenic acid deficiency upon adrenal cortex, thymus, spleen, and circulating lymphocytes in mice. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1951;76:24-27.
- Mahboob S. Thymic weight in pantothenic acid deficiency. Nutr Metab 1976;20:272-277.
- The American Botanical Council. The ABC Clinical Guide to Elder Berry. 2004;http://abc.herbalgram.org/site/ DocServer/Elderberry-scr.pdf?docID=165.
- Monograph. Sambucus nigra (elderberry). Altern Med Rev Mar 2005;10(1):51-54.
- Barak V, Birkenfeld S, Halperin T, Kalickman I. The effect of herbal remedies on the production of human inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Isr Med Assoc J 2002;4(11 Suppl):919-22.
- Tan BK, Vanitha J. Immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effects of some traditional chinese medicinal herbs:
a review. Curr Med Chem 2004;11(11):1423-1430. - Kemper K, Small R. Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceous).1999.http://www.longwoodherbal. org/.
- Sinclair S. Chinese herbs: a clinical review of Astragalus, Ligusticum, and Schizandrae. Altern Med Rev 1998;3(5):338- 344.
- Berrett B. Medicinal properties of Echinacea: a critical review. Phytomedicine 2003;10:66-896.
- Percival SS. Use of Echinacea in medicine. Biochem Pharmacol 2000;60:155-158.
- Pizzorno JE, Murray MT. Textbook of Natural Medicine. (2013) St. Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone.
- Cáceres DD, Hancke JL, Burgos RA, et al. Use of visual analogue scale measurements (VAS) to assess the effectiveness of standardized Andrographis paniculata extract SHA-10 in reducing the symptoms of common cold. Phytomedicine 1999;6:217-223.
- Calabrese C, Berman SH, Babish, SH, Babish JG, et al.
A phase I trial of andrographolide in HIV positive patients and normal volunteers. Phytother Res 2000; 14:333-338. - Verma N, Vinayak M. Antioxidant action of Andrographis paniculata on lymphoma. Mol Biol Rep 2008; 35:535-540.
Warnings
Herbs included in this product can potentially interact with certain medications and/or may have adverse effects for individuals with certain medical conditions or allergies. Make sure to consult with your licensed healthcare provider before taking this product. Not for use during pregnancy or when breastfeeding. Store away from children
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