Immune Boosters to Protect Yourself From the Flu Virus

Immune Boosters to Protect Yourself From the Flu Virus
by Chris A. Harmen

vitamin C and Zinc.

The Immune Booster That You May Not Be Familiar With

An immune booster that is gaining attention from scientists is Elderberry extract.
Elderberry is a fruit-bearing shrub found in temperate zones around the world and it
has been used for food, drink and medicine for countless centuries. In the early
1900's elderberry elixirs were given to school aged children to prevent illness.

The polyphenolic and phenolic compounds now known to be found in elderberry fruit
are the antioxidants that help to boost the immune system. Elderberry extract is the
best way to get the benefits of the immune boosting abilities. The extract has an
unusually rich content of phytochemicals known as flavonoids. Anthocyanins, a class
of flavonoids that is found among all fruit, but with the highest concentration in
elderberries, act as powerful antioxidants that boost the immune system and protect
the body's cells from harm. They have a significantly greater antioxidant capacity
than the better-known antioxidant, vitamin C. One study demonstrated that the
anthocyanins found in elderberry actually modulate the production of cytokines, the
proteins that act as messengers within the immune system and thereby serve to
enhance the body's response when a virus enters the body.

Attack The Virus At Its Source

While elderberry extract is an excellent immune booster, it's also an effective flu
remedy that attacks the flu virus at a cellular level. When the flu virus enters a cell
and starts to multiply, antibodies immediately go to work to destroy the virus. If
one's immune system is working optimally, then the virus may not take hold and the
person won't even be aware of the fight that's going on at a cellular level. But if one
hasn't been getting enough antioxidants, free radicals are formed which start chain
reactions that damage other cells.

The discovery that has scientists so excited is that elderberry extract can work after
the flu virus has already multiplied and the person has started having symptoms of
the seasonal flu or H1N1 flu.

In a double blind, placebo-controlled study, 93 percent of the people in the group
treated with elderberry lozenges were relieved of their flu-like symptoms within 24
hours. Fever and headaches were greatly reduced or eliminated completely, while the
placebo group's symptoms became worse.

Another study conducted at the University of Oslo demonstrated that products
containing elderberry extract aide in the prevention of the influenza virus by
preventing viruses from attaching to host cells, thereby preventing infection. In a
2005 London based study, researchers found that elderberry extract was 99%
effective against the Avian Bird flu.

Get The Benefits

Eating elderberries doesn't pack the same punch as taking concentrated elderberry
extract. One excellent way to ingest elderberry extract is in the form of elderberry
lozenges. Elderberry lozenges work by inhibiting viral invaders from entering into host
cells, thereby halting their spread within its human subjects. Elderberry lozenges can
be chewed or allowed to dissolve in the mouth, quickly delivering to the bloodstream
a consistent dose of the proprietary elderberry extract.

While the CDC touts vaccination as the best prevention of coming down with the
seasonal flu or H1N1 strain, boosting one's immunity can be an outstanding
precaution for maintaining respiratory health. Vitamin C, Echinacea and garlic are
excellent immune enhancing aides, even though data on their ability to fight influenza
A and B is inconclusive. Elderberry extract is an excellent immune booster to have on
hand to reduce the symptoms of the flu.

About The Author

Chris Harmen is a writer for Respiratory Guard . The lozenges
deliver elderberry extract to the bloodstream and are an effective .

When the cold and flu season is in full
swing, it's essential to take extra
precautions. Along with a healthy
diet, plenty of rest, staying hydrated
and exercise, effective supplements
are an extra step necessary to keep
viruses at bay. Antioxidants that have
been proven to be an effective
immune booster are the key to
staying healthy.

Taking supplements including herbs,
minerals and vitamins can be the
difference between getting sick and
staying healthy. Proven immunity
boosters include Echinacea, garlic,

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The content on
this website is for educational purposes only. Please consult with your physician before using natural
remedies and before making any drastic changes to your diet or exercise program.