How to strengthen the body’s first line of defense
 |
How to strengthen the body’s first line of defense
In line with prevention being better than scrambling to find the cure, we need to support the health of our skin, lungs, and gut flora. They are our first line of defense against infections and pathogens. Their health can be supported with the right mix of nutrients, including a combination of food and nutritional supplements (eg. Ensure Gold or Ensure Gold Plant Based) where needed.1, 7
Immunity is Skin Deep
Our skin is the largest organ in the body and its two layers, epidermis (outer layer) and the dermis (inner layer) are responsible for stopping possible harmful pathogens from entering the body. Though good and bad bacteria can be on the skin, good healthy skin should stop entry. The main source of nutrition the skin cells need is glucose for energy. Since eating too much sugar can cause blood glucose related problems, balance diet out with healthy carbohydrates, lean proteins, healthy fats, and amino acids. They will help with keeping skin resilience, renewal rates, and elasticity.1, 3
Breath of Life
Our mucus, saliva, and the special cells that line the nose, throat and other passages act as a first line of defense and filter out those unwanted particulates. These functions rely on the health of the lungs, so it is important to eat food that contains plenty of vitamin E, A, and C. Vitamin E & C (eg. nuts, citrus fruits, papaya) provides support by acting as an antioxidant that reduces inflammation to ease congestion, promote distribution of oxygen via the red blood cells, and protects against cell damage. Vitamin A is another cell protector with properties that help improve asthma symptoms.1, 2
Your Gut Microbiome Friend
The gut has a layer of mucous lining barrier between the gut and the blood vessels to prevent infections from entering the blood. It also has several types of gut flora (also known as good bacteria) fighting the harmful ones to bolster the immune system. Within the collection, their balanced existence is important. For support, a balanced diet consisting of whole, unprocessed foods (eg. plant based items high in prebiotic fiber, fermented probiotic foods), and items rich in vitamin C & zinc (ie. to reduce cell injury in stomach & quicken recovery from bowel issues) should suffice.4, 5
If types of probiotic rich foods are not your preferred items to eat or if you find your options of whole foods or vegetables limiting, nutritional supplements can always help. Keep in mind that though supplements can provide the help you need, it is best to take them along with food for maximum benefits. One such option is Ensure Gold, rated as the No. 1 Physician Recommended Oral Nutritional Supplement in the U.S.*, to help provide a complete balanced nutrition. Ensure Gold has also been scientifically designed with a combination of HMB (β-Hydroxy β-methylbutyric, a metabolite of amino acid Leucine)6 and 28 vitamins and minerals (12 of which helps support immunity, including protein, Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, Folate and selenium, copper, zinc and iron^) to help improve muscle strength** and support overall health.7
Natural immune defenses need to be strong to reduce the risk for any kind of infections. The habits and methods mentioned above can improve the immune system in every way. Nutrition is always the best option to support the body’s first line of defense and it can be done in combination with Ensure Gold (2 servings a day, 185 ml water + 6 leveled scoops per serving). For those who do not like the taste of milk or are non-milk drinkers, Ensure Gold Plant Based is the alternative. Made with the same scientific formulation of 28 vital nutrients, but with plant-based proteins from soy, rice, quinoa, and HMB Ensure Gold Plant Based is the non-milk alternative to help support strength, vitality, and activity.
To sample both Ensure options before committing to the full course, visit Ensure Myanmar today to sign up.7
References:
- https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/177-the-body-s-first-line-of-defence
- https://za.opera.news/za/en/society/335aaa5071a6a0066435e53f1591c189
- https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/health-disease/skin-health
- https://www.news24.com/health24/Medical/Flu/Preventing-flu/your-gut-is-the-cornerstone-of-your-immune-system-20160318
- https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/articles/what_should_you_eat_for_a_healthy_gut
- https://www.nutritionnews.abbott/healthy-living/aging-well/why-hmb-is-important-for-aging-muscles/
- https://www.ensuremyanmar.com/eng/ensure-powder/
* IQVIA, using the ProVoice Survey, fielded 14,459 physicians from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021.
** Berton et al. PLoS One. 2015.
^ Ensure Gold contains protein, Vitamin A, B6, B12, C, D, E, Folate and selenium, copper, zinc and iron, that help support the normal function of the immune system.