Acute and chronic approaches to support immunity

There are two types of immunity protecting our body: innate and adaptive. Innate immunity exists at birth and gives us our first line of defense against disease. The skin, mucus secretions, and the acidity of the stomach are examples of innate immunity.  Adaptive immunity is our second line of defense. We acquire this immunity as we go through life. The adaptive immune system remembers foes from the past and is therefore ready to defeat them when exposed to them again. Unfortunately, some invaders like viruses can mutate and therefore we constantly have to fight them off again and again.

There are two unique ways to approach immune health: acute and chronic. The acute approach is used when we already have an illness and need to stimulate the immune system respond. The chronic approach supports the immune system and its functionality. Creating a supplement or functional food for either approach will in most cases use different ingredients i.e. acute would be for short term use until the illness goes away and chronic would use ingredients designed to support the functionality of the immune system for an extended period of time i.e. prevention.  

Without a properly functioning immune system, a wide variety of health challenges can occur such as; cancer, HIV, allergies, asthma, diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, cold sores, bacterial and viral infections, digestive health issues, thyroid disorder, yeast infections and even certain skin conditions.

The following are examples for both acute and chronic nutraceutical ingredients for immune health. Keep in mind these are just a few of the numerous immune support ingredients with scientific substantiation.

Acute:

• Vitamin C – acts by increasing lymphocyte activity, phagocyte function, leukocyte mobility, antibody and interferon production.[i][ii][iii]
• Echinacea – acts by activating neutrophils, macrophages, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN), natural killer (NK) cells, TNF-α,  interleukin-10 (IL-10), interleukin-1 (IL-1), interleukin-6 (IL-6)[iv]
• Elderberry – has several effects including; antiviral and immunomodulating effects, inhibits the replication of several strains of influenza viruses A and B[v], inhibits H1N1 'swine' flu[vi]. It also increases production of inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukins and tumor necrosis factor[vii] 
• Andrographis – has activity against avian influenza A and human influenza A H1N1 viruses,[viii] and increases antibody activity and phagocytosis by macrophages[ix] 
• Zinc – is important for neutrophil, natural killer cell, and T-lymphocyte function[x]. Mild zinc deficiency might adversely affect T-cell functions[xi]

Chronic:

• Medicinal Mushrooms – Chaga, Reishi, Maitake, Shitake, Cordyceps – these impact lymphocytes, macrophages, T cells, and natural killer (NK) cells[xii]
• 1,3/1,6 Beta Glucan – increase macrophage phagocytosis of tumor cells, increase the cytotoxicity of natural killer cells (NK), and stimulate the release of interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)[xiii] 
• Probiotics – the beneficial impact of probiotics is by different mechanisms. These mechanisms include the probiotics' capacity to increase the intestinal barrier function, to prevent pathogenic bacterial movement and to modulate inflammation.[xiv]
• Black Seed Oil – antiviral activity has been extensively researched^[xv][xvi]. There are multiple mechanisms of action with regard to how the antiviral effect is realised. It was found to suppress viral load.^[xvii]
• Vitamin D – There are numerous published clinical studies confirming that low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of infections^[xviii]. National Institute of Health warned that low vitamin D levels are associated with frequent colds and influenza^[xix]