Immune system booster as a treatment to combat allergy symptoms

Allergy

Allergy, known as an exaggerated response of the immune system to harmless substancessuch as pollen, dust mites, food, among others, involves a complex range of symptoms that can include sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes and skin, and in severe cases, respiratory problems and anaphylaxis.

In fact, the word allergy comes from a construction formed by the term allo’s, which in Greek means different, and ergon, whose meaning in Greek is reaction.
Thus, allergy is an unusual and atypical reaction to an agent that is usually harmless.

Conventional allergy treatments focus on reducing symptoms and preventing reactions.
However, there is growing evidence to suggest that boosting the immune system – contrary to what was previously thought – may be an effective strategy to combat the symptoms associated with it.

Without a doubt, nutrition is a key determinant of maintaining good health.
Key dietary components such as vitamins A, C, D, E, K, zinc, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids have well-established immunomodulatory effects, with allergy benefits, among other conditions.

The role of selenium

Selenium is an essential micronutrient that functions in the body primarily in the form of selenoproteins.
The number of selenoproteins differs by taxon and 25 have been described in humans exhibiting a different set of functions.
Most of these proteins are involved in redox reactions, due to the high reactivity of the selenium atom located in their catalytic center, and therefore have a possible antioxidant protective capacity.
That is why they have immunomodulatory functions and can improve the immune system’s ability to regulate itself in various ways, which can have a preventive effect on diseases related to the immune system.

Let’s remember that, for example, food allergy is a specific immune response that has been increasing in recent years, significantly reducing quality of life and posing a great threat to human health.

When selenium is deficient, the body’s ability to synthesize immunoglobulins decreases, and the ability of T cells to differentiate and proliferate declines as well.
The nutritional level of selenium or a certain range of intake above the nutritional level, could improve people’s immunity, improve the production of antibodies, increase the activation and proliferation capacity of B lymphocytes, improve the function of T lymphocytes, increase the number of neutrophils, and can promote the penetration of this micronutrient into immune organs such as the spleen, the liver and lymph nodes. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14153133

More Vitamin D Functions

Vitamin D is a precursor of the fat-soluble steroid hormone that arises from exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation of 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC) in the epidermis of the skin, where it is transformed into the circulating precursor cholecalciferol.
In the liver, cholecalciferol is hydroxylated to form 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is transformed into the active hormone 1,25-hydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) in the kidneys.

Vitamin D has roles in a wide range of body systems, including immune responses, both innate and adaptive. Vitamin D enhances innate cellular immunity through stimulation of the expression of antimicrobial peptides, such as cathelicidin and defensins.
Defensins maintain tight and communicating junctions, adhere and enhance the expression of antioxidant genes.

Vitamin D also promotes anti-inflammatory cytokines by Th2 cells and indirectly suppresses Th1 cells, diverting pro-inflammatory cells to an anti-inflammatory phenotype and stimulating suppressive regulatory T cells. https://doi.org/10.4049/jimmunol.0803217

The inevitable zinc

Zinc is an essential metal that is involved in a wide variety of biological processes due to its function as a cofactor, signaling molecule, and structural element.
It is involved in the regulation of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, as well as in the functioning of the reproductive, cardiovascular and nervous systems.
At the same time, zinc’s most critical role for the immune system is demonstrated.
Briefly, zinc regulates the proliferation, differentiation, maturation, and function of leukocytes and lymphocytes.

Zinc plays a signaling role involved in modulating inflammatory responses.It is also a component of nutritional immunity.
Consequently, altered zinc status significantly affects the immune response, resulting in increased susceptibility to inflammatory and infectious diseases.

Zinc deficiency significantly increases pro-inflammatory cytokines, an effect that can be partially counteracted by taking supplements.

In addition, this micronutrient plays an important role in neutrophil granulocyte recruitment and chemotactic activity and has positive effects on NK cells, phagocytosis, oxidative burst generation, and CD4+ and CD8+ T cells.
Zinc deficiency reduces lymphocyte count and alters lymphocyte function; in fact, zinc supplementation increases the number of T cells and NK cells and increases the expression of IL-2 and the soluble IL-2 receptor.

Zinc deficiency can affect the absorption of water and electrolytes, delaying the termination of episodes of gastrointestinal illnesses that are normally self-limiting.
During chronic deficiency, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines increases, influencing the outcome of a large number of inflammatory, metabolic, neurodegenerative and immune diseases. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autrev.2014.11.008

Omega-3 fatty acids

Omega-3 fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and their derivatives, play a key role in resolving inflammation.
Higher intake has been linked to decreased morbidity in several diseases.

Within the context of diet, biologically active fatty acids are assumed to play an important role in potentiating and resolving inflammation at the systemic level.
Omega-3 fatty acids, both plant-derived (α-linolenic acid, ALA) and forms found primarily in fish (eicosapentaenoic acid, EPA, and docosahexaenoic acid, DHA) give rise to pro-resolutive anti-inflammatory mediators such as protectins, resolvins, and maresins and protect against pro-inflammatory stimuli.

Conversely, omega-6 fatty acids, such as linoleic acid (LA) found in vegetable oils, nuts, and seeds, are precursors to pro-inflammatory eicosanoids and leukotrienes, and may counteract the beneficial effects of omega-3 intake.

Through cell-specific actions mediated through selected receptors, these pro-resolution mediators are potent regulators of neutrophil infiltration, cytokine and chemokine production, and apoptotic neutrophil removal by macrophages, promoting the return to tissue homeostasis. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejphar.2015.11.001

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the most well-known antioxidants, therefore any effect may be more prominent in conditions where oxidative stress is elevated.
It seems evident that any effect of supplementation with this vitamin may be more prominent when the initial level is particularly low.

Vitamin C levels in white blood cells are tens of times higher than in plasma, which may indicate functional functions of the vitamin in these immune system cells.
In turn, vitamin C has been shown to affect phagocyte functions, interferon production, virus replication, and T cell maturation, etc. in laboratory studies.
Some of vitamin C’s effects on the immune system may be nonspecific, and in some cases, other antioxidants had similar effects. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu9040339

What about the microbiota?

The effects of diet on commensal bacteria structure changes in the composition of the microbiota, since they could alter intestinal and systemic immune homeostasis. Cell survival, proliferation, and function are energy-demanding processes, fueled by different metabolic pathways.

Immune cells, like any other cell, will adapt their energy production to their function with specific metabolic pathways characteristic of resting cells, inflammatory or anti-inflammatory.
This concept of immunometabolism is revolutionizing the field of immunology, opening the doors to new therapeutic approaches aimed at altering immune responses through immune metabolic manipulations.

The food ingested by the host is a source of energy for the microorganisms that inhabit the intestinal lumen, particularly in the colon.
Byproducts released through the processing of specific nutrients by gut bacteria also influence immune cell activity and differentiation. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030823

Immune cells can detect nutrients through numerous mechanisms.
This may involve intracellular nutrient sensors, such as the mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) and the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), which binds to cruciferous vegetable-derived ligands, or the metabolite-detecting G-protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that binds to a variety of host-derived and microbial metabolites.

Complex carbohydrates or carbohydrates accessible to the microbiota are found in dietary fiber and resistant starch, and are an important source of energy for colon bacteria.
Gut bacteria can extract energy from complex carbohydrates through the fermentation process, releasing short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) as byproducts.
They also have prebiotic properties by promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria that can use these substrates. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13030823

The role of Salengei

As you may already know, our focus is always on offering solutions and tools capable of promoting positive changes in our health.
This is how we have developed Active Ω-3 Immunity and Active Flora as dietary interventions capable of modulating the actions of our immune system.

All the components mentioned above are a fundamental part of these products, and through the bibliography provided, we agree that they are beneficial for our health.

Strengthening the immune system can improve the body’s response to allergens and reduce allergy symptoms, but we would also like to leave you with some of the methods to strengthen the immune system that, beyond being scientifically proven, will not only contribute to improving allergy symptoms, but will also result in numerous health benefits:

1. Healthy diet: A healthy, balanced diet is essential for maintaining a strong immune system.
   The diet should include fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, healthy fats, and complex carbohydrates.
2. Exercise: Regular exercise can improve immune system function.
   Exercise helps increase blood circulation and immune cell production, which can improve the body’s response to allergens.
3. Stress reduction: chronic stress – distress – can weaken the immune system.
   Stress reduction through relaxation techniques, meditation, and deep breathing provides positive modulatory effects of immune capacity.

Conclusion

Beyond the incorporation of supplements that are proven in their action through the modulation of the immune system, the creation and maintenance of healthy habits is the key to reducing symptoms, whether allergic or other diseases.

It would be useless to incorporate large amounts of supplements with proven positive effects, if our diet is deficient, our level of exercise is poor and our sleep habits do not accompany our routine.

Remember that our suggestions are always aimed at promoting beneficial changes to a lifestyle free of addictions, with a mentality set on well-being, since the preservation of health is not given by specific actions but by the synergy between different beneficial interventions.