Boosting Immune System

When I went to the pharmacy to buy Mucosolvan syrup and sore throat lozenges as I suffered from flu and persistent cough for more than a month, the pharmacist recommended Mucosolvan tablets (3x a day) and Blueberry Naturals lemon-flavored lozenges good for two (2) months, 60 tablets. She said, "One (1) chewable lozenge a day supports the immune system. It has Vitamin C and bee propolis, and gluten-free."

The brand website shows that zinc is an essential mineral that our body needs for immune support, growth and general health.  In the Products tab, there is a dropdown menu which asks "What are you looking for?" and it falls under Minerals. It further says that it "supports bone and muscle function, and promote red blood cell production."

I checked the supplement fact and it shows 15mg of zinc (as citrate, gluconate).

By the way, do not get confused. Blueberry Naturals is a brand, 'inspired by blueberries and its wholesome goodness'. 

I took one (1) bottle of BN zinc lozenges on sale.

Thanks to Mucosolvan and Blueberry Naturals, and to the pharmacist! No more cough and flu in less than a week's time. What a relief! In one and a half months, I consumed about 45 Blueberry Natural lozenges. I gave 15 tablets to my two (2) friends.

Almost a decade ago, my calves got injured due to heavy workout at the gym and I could not walk in two (2) months, with recurring pains for almost two (2) years. Now I feel better.

According to MedicalNewsToday.com, zinc is a trace element that is necessary for a healthy immune system. It helps stimulate the activity of at least 100 different enzymes. Among the health benefits are --

1. It activates T cells or T lymphocytes that help control and regulate immune system responses and attack infected or cancerous cells;
2. It helps treat diarrhea;
3. It has positive effects on learning and memory as it regulates how neurons interact with one another;
4. It reduces the duration and severity of common colds by 40%;
5. It helps treat skin irritation and rashes, heal wounds, and decrease bacterial growth;
6. It helps reduce risks in inflammatory diseases and age-related chronic disease;
7. It helps prevent damage in the retina and prevent AMD (age-related macular degeneration);
8. It helps boost male fertility, and;
9. It may be effective for the treatment of acne, ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), osteoporosis, and pneumonia.

Healthline has this list of best foods that are high in zinc --  

1. meat (beef, lamb and pork);
2. shellfish (lobster, crab, shrimps, oyster and mussels);
3. legumes* (chickpeas, lentils and beans);
4. seeds (hemp, squash, pumpkin, sesame and flax seeds);
5. nuts (cashews, pine nuts, peanuts, and almonds)
6. dairy foods (cheese and milk);
7. eggs;
8. whole grains*(wheat, rice, quinoa and oats);
9. some vegetables (potatoes, beans and kale), and;
10. dark chocolate.

The supplement fact shows 25mg of slippery elm bark powder (ulmus rubra), known also as red elm or Indian elm.

Healthline says that it has therapeutic capabilities.  When the tree's inner bark is mixed with water, it produces mucilage, which is soothing to anything it touches. Native Americans used bark or the mucilage to cure fever, sore throat and wounds. They wrapped their meat to preserve such. During the American Revolution, they used it to heal gunshot wounds.

The same website enumerates the illnesses that slippery elms can help soothe --

1. inflammatory bowel diseases (Chron's disease, ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome or IBS);
2. cough and sore throat;
3. irritation of the urinary tract, and;
4. heartburn or acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD (stomach acid flows back into the esophagus and irritates the lining).

The slippery elm is a demulcent. Now I understand why the irritation of my mucous membranes got relieved.

As we grow old, our immune system gets weak because of air pollutants, lifestyle, foods we eat and stress. We must not ignore the importance of zinc so as not to get sick. Now we know its value to boost our immune system, the body's defense center.  We can get zinc from natural foods and/or dietary supplement. 

Slippery elm trees can be found only in the central and eastern United States, and Ontario, Canada, but there is a way to have it in the form of a lozenge, tablet, powder extract or tea which can be purchased online or over the counter at many pharmacies or stores.

Let us passionately maintain a self-caring attitude and be more informed about what to eat and take. Be well.

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*Legumes and whole grains contain phytates which reduce the absorption of zinc.

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Photo credits:  Pixabay