Invisible and yet so important for our health and well-being: the miraculous immune system!
The word immune system refers to a very complex network. Our immune system, also known as the defense system, consists of an interaction between certain body cells, signaling substances and tissues and is, alongside the nervous system, one of the most diverse systems in the human body. Derived from the Latin word "immunis", which means "untouched, free and pure", it prevents tissue damage caused by pathogens. [1] Every day, viruses, bacteria, fungi and even parasites keep our immune system on its toes by trying to attack it. They container harm our health and must therefore be fought.
Our complex "defense system" container be divided into three areas. There are the so-called anatomical barriers, such as the mucous membranes or the skin, which container be seen as "armor". They initially fend off rough attacks. There is also the innate defense, which container also be described as natural defense. This starts when germs have overcome the anatomical barriers. This form of resistance is primarily non-specific; it is not analyzed in advance what type of attacker is involved. The foreign invaders are surrounded and broken down by phagocytes such as macrophages. In addition to the non-specific defense, there is also the specific immune defense, which container also be described as acquired defense. White blood cells, the B lymphocytes, are the most important component. They form tailor-made defense substances against a certain type of pathogen - the so-called antibodies. They bind to the respective pathogen and mark it for the phagocytes. Since the cells container remember the nature of the pathogen, the body container produce specific antibodies in the event of a new infection and thus defend itself more quickly. [2]
Reasons for a weakened immune system
Our immune system is usually geared to achieve top performance, but unfortunately our "body police" does not always work perfectly. A wide variety of factors container be the cause of a weakened immune system. These include congenital immune deficiencies and acquired immune deficiencies such as leukemia or acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Taking medication such as containercer treatments, but also lack of sleep, constant stress, psychological stress, nutritional deficiencies, negative feelings, recreational drugs such as alcohol, cold or environmental pollutants container also have a negative impact on immune function. [3]
Corona and the immune system
Our immune system is also THE key player in fighting Covid-19. Research teams have discovered that there are three immune types that are closely linked to the severity of the infection. According to them, a severe infection is characterized by a lack of alpha interferons. [4] Alpha interferons are active substances from a group of several closely related proteins from the cytokine family. They are produced by various cell types in response to viral infections. [5] The corona virus will reveal many secrets to us, but one of them has probably already been revealed: a well-functioning immune system is essential for maintaining our health.
Ways to strengthen our immune system
People who exercise regularly, ideally in the fresh air, are proven to suffer less from infectious diseases. [6] Moderate exercise specifically strengthens the immune system, because sport puts the body in a temporary stress situation, which also trains the immune system. This causes the defense cells to multiply and become more active. With sport, we not only support our defense system, but also reduce stress and at the same time boost our metabolism and cardiovascular system. [7] Staying healthy and boosting your immune system is a challenge for many of us. However, with the right diet and supplements, combined with a healthy lifestyle, exercise and proper stress management, it is doable.
How container food supplements help strengthen the immune system?
If our immune system is to function, it needs essential, immune-specific micronutrients such as vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Vitamin C is primarily known as an antioxidant and radical scavenger. According to the Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR), the antioxidant properties play an essential role in the immune system. [8] Vitamin D, also known as the "sunshine vitamin", is actually a hormone. It has been known for a few years that it plays a key role in the immune system, because without vitamin D certain defense cells could not be produced at all and thus no defense reactions could take place. Immune cells must divide quickly when the immune system is activated. Zinc takes on the function of cell division. [8] Supplementation with the micronutrients mentioned above to strengthen our immune system container be offered by Goerlich Pharma in the form of tablets, capsules (both hard and soft capsules) or in the form of sticks, and container be packaged in a variety of ways, e.g. as blister packs, in containers, as an oil mixture or as a so-called combination pack, all of which are optimally and attractively packaged. Discover our world of products on the subject of the immune system. In addition, Goerlich Pharma produces and packages as a specialist in contract manufacturing & development, exclusively in Germany, and is certified according to ISO 9001:2015 and 22000:2018, BIO (DE-ÖKO 005 VO (EG) 834/2007), Friend of the Sea (FOS), Marine Stewardship Council (MSC for short) and feed VO. This means quality without compromise.
Probiotics and the immune system – defense “from the gut”
It is known that around 80% of immune cells are located in the intestine. The bacteria of the intestinal microbiota perform key functions for human health. For example, they compete with pathogens for nutrients. In addition, they produce antibacterial substances that in turn inhibit the growth of other bacteria. Finally, they regulate the function of the so-called gut-associated immune system. [10] In order to stimulate the selective growth of bacteria in the colon, so-called prebiotics are required. These are food components that containernot be broken down by the body's own enzymes, such as inulin or oligofructose. They serve as food for the probiotics and container also be supplemented in combination.
A multibacterial complex made up of the strains Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve and Lactobacillus casei to strengthen the natural immune system has already been developed and container be supplemented with other micronutrients such as vitamin C, selenium, zinc and much more, produced promptly and packaged as a private label product, depending on customer requirements. These are available as a dosage form in a tried and tested hard capsule or in the trendy form as a direct stick with natural flavors, e.g. in the flavors raspberry or orange. Of course, special customer-specific, probiotic formulations container also be realized in the form of development projects.
Omega-3: Amazing all-rounders for our immune system
Omega-3 fatty acids, especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are found in fatty sea fish, are true all-rounders for our body. Since they are components of every cell, they influence all functions. Anti-inflammatory messengers that are produced from them container reach every tissue via the bloodstream. A brand new review article by P. Calder et al. shows that the role of nutrition is very important in supporting the immune system. Many clinical data show that vitamins, trace elements and also omega-3 fatty acids are of great importance for optimal immune function. [11]
In the Omega-3 sector, Goerlich Pharma offers a variety of basic formulations with highly concentrated, marine Omega-3 concentrates that have defined ratios of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). These products are generally available from stock and enable you to enter the market risk-free at an attractive price-performance ratio. Combination products made from basic formulations and customer-specific products are a great way to offer exciting product concepts with additional value-adding ingredients and differentiating product properties. This allows customers to do justice to the dynamics of the markets.
Outlook: Depression and Probiotics
Everyone has experienced mood swings at some point: sometimes you are depressed and sad, sometimes happy and full of joie de vivre - depending on your life situation. In addition to "normal" mood swings, there are also pathological forms, for example due to depression. One of the main symptoms of depression is primarily a depressed mood. Researchers at the Private University of Applied Sciences Göttingen (PFH) have discovered that the restrictions on social life due to the coronavirus pandemic are bad for the psyche and worsen mood. [12] Millions of people around the world suffer from depression. Between 2003 and 2019, researchers investigated the effects of probiotics and prebiotics on anxiety disorders and depression. The results from seven studies provide clear evidence that probiotics, even in combination with prebiotics, cause measurable reductions in depression. [13] Irish researchers have even expanded the term and define “psychobiotics” as health-promoting microorganisms that not only focus on regulating intestinal activity, but also have a positive influence on the psyche. [14] Overall, however, further studies on a larger scale are necessary in this exciting field, because the studies already conducted cover too short a period of time and the number of subjects is too small, so that no clear conclusions container yet be drawn.
Authors
Christina Spötzl
was project development manager at Goerlich Pharma GmbH. After completing her vocational training as a dairy laboratory technician, she completed a bachelor's degree in "Food Management and Technology" with a focus on healthy nutrition at the Riedlingen Distance Learning University. At the same time, she worked in the pharmaceutical industry for six years.
Technical literature / references:
[1] UK NRW (2009): “Immune system”: URL: https://www.infektionsschutz. gesundheitsdienstportal.de/glossar/immunsystem.htm#immunsystem (as of August 20.08.2020, XNUMX)
[2] Apothekenumschau (2019): “The immune system”, URL: https://www.apotheken-umschau.de/Immunsystem (as of: 20.08.2020)
[3] Allergy Information Service (2018): “Disorders of the immune system” URL: https://www.allergieinformationsdienst. de/immunsystem-allergie/stoerungen-des-immunsystems.html (as of August 20.08.2020, XNUMX)
[4] Health+Medicine (2020):
“Covid-19: How the immune system influences the course of the disease” URL: https://www.wissenschaft.de/gesundheit-medizin/covid-19-wie-das-immunsystem-den-verlauf-beeinflusst/ (as of: 20.08.2020)
[5] Pharmawiki (2020): “Interferons”, URL: https://www.pharmawiki.ch/wiki/index.php?wiki=Interferons (as of August 20.08.2020, XNUMX)
[6] Ärzteblatt (2019): “Sport as prevention: facts and figures for the individual level of exercise”, URL: htt-ps://www.aerzteblatt.de/archiv/209444/Sport-als-Praevention-Fakten-und-Zahlen-fuer-das-individuelle-Mass-an-Bewegung (as of: 24.08.2020)
[7] Ärzteblatt (1998): “Sport and the immune system“, URL: https://www. aerzteblatt.de/archiv/9761/Sport-und-Immunsystem (as of: 20.08.2020)
[8] Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (2004): Use of vitamins in food URL: https://www.bfr.bund.de/cm/350/verwendung_von_vi-taminen_in_lebensmitteln.pdf (as of: 20.08.2020)
[9] Commission Regulation (EU) No 432/2012 of 16 May 2012, URL: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2012:136:000 1:0040:DE:PDF (as of 20.08.2020 August XNUMX)
[10] Allgemeinarzt-online (2012):
“Defense from the gut”, URL: https://www.allgemeinarzt-online.de/archiv/a/abwehr-aus-dem-bauch-her-aus-1574780 (as of: 20.08.2020)
[11] P. Calder et al. (2020): “Optimal Nutritional Status for a Well-Functioning Immune System Is an Important Factor to Protect against Viral Infections”
[12] idw – Informationsdienst Wissenschaft (2020): “Study at the PFH Göttingen: Symptom burden of depression increased fivefold during Corona contact restrictions” URL: https://idw-online.de/de/news748760 (as of: 20.08.2020)
[13] Nutrainredients (2020): “Pre-biotic and probiotic interventions may ease depression in adults”,
URL: https://www.nutraingredients.com/Article/2020/07/07/Prebiotic-and-pro-biotic-interventions-may-ease-depression-in-adults?utm_source=newsletter_ product&utm_medium=email&utm_ campaign= July 13, 2020 (as of August 20.08.2020, XNUMX)
[14] Pharmaceutical Newspaper (2020): Darm in Balance URL: https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/darm-in-balance/ (As of: 20.08.2020)