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Nutritional Supplement Treatment Options
Vitamin A – according to practitioner instruction. Vitamin A plays an important role in immune system function and helps mucous membranes, including those in the lungs, resist invasion by microorganisms. However, research is controversial as to whether supplementation in the developed countries is justified during infection.
Vitamin C - 1 to 4 grams daily. Vitamin C has antiviral activity and may help prevent viral infections and / or reduce the severity and duration of an infection. Most studies researched used 1 to 4 grams of vitamin C per day.
Multivitamin – according to practitioner instruction. In a double-blind study, supplementation with a multiple vitamin and mineral preparation for one year reduced the risk of infection by more than 80%, compared with a placebo.
Zinc – 30mg to 60mg daily. Marginal deficiencies of zinc result in immune function impairments. In a double-blind study of healthy people, supplementing with 45 mg of zinc per day for one year significantly reduced the frequency of infections. Long-term zinc supplementation should be monitored carefully due to its antagonistic reaction with copper.
Botanical Treatment Options
Echinacea - 3 to 5 ml QDS, or 300 to 600 mg of powdered herb TID . Human studies have found that Echinacea taken orally stimulates the function of a variety of immune cells, particularly natural killer cells. The balance of evidence currently available from studies suggests that Echinacea speeds recovery from viral infection, via immune stimulation (as opposed to killing the virus directly).
Asian (Panax) Ginseng – 100mg of a standardized extract, or tincture equivalent, BD. Asian (Panax) ginseng has a long history of use in traditional herbal medicine for preventing and treating conditions related to the immune system. A double-blind study of healthy people found that taking 100 mg of a standardized extract of Asian ginseng BD improved immune function.
Cat’s Claw - according to practitioner instruction. Substances found in Cat’s claw, called oxyindole alkaloids, have been shown to stimulate the immune system.
Barberry - according to practitioner instruction. Barberry is both immune supportive and antimicrobial.
Green Tea - Green tea is an herb that directly attack microbes.
Other herbs that support a person’s immune system against microbes and directly attack microbes include the following: elderberry, Goldenseal, Licorice, Oregon grape , Astragalus and Wild indigo.