Expert's Corner

Supplementation Blog

Our supplementation expert addresses a wide spectrum of topical health related issues every month to enhance your lifestyle. We hope to shed some light on a number of confusing issues in the world of nutritional supplementation to help you make the best decisions to support the health of you and your family.

We welcome your response to each article as this creates a positive platform for discussion and knowledge sharing for us all.

Latest Blog

The Immune System

The old adage “you are what you eat”, was first coined in 1826, to describe that the food one eats has a bearing on the state of one’s mind and health. There is considerable evidence that bad nutrition can play a key role in the development of disease and illness, and that the diet can hold the key to overcoming health issues.

The body consists of millions of cells which require a regular supply of daily nutrients in order to function optimally. Food affects all of these cells, including how the body functions, one’s mood, energy levels, thinking capacity and mental state. Providing the body with the correct nutrients enables it to function properly leading to a healthful body and mind. The body is able to produce some nutrients but the essential nutrients are nutrients that can not be synthesized by the body.

Food should provide the body with the nutrients that it requires. These nutrients are absorbed by the body as it passes through the digestive system. However, with the busy lives that we lead, it is not always easy for us to choose the foods that our bodies need to perform optimally.

Adequate intake of vitamins and trace elements are required for the immune system to function efficiently. Micronutrient deficiency suppresses immune functions by affecting the immune response and adaptive antibody response. This increases the susceptibility to infections. Infections increase micronutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake and increasing loss.

Insufficient intake of micronutrients occurs in people with eating disorders, in smokers (both active and passive), in individuals with chronic alcohol abuse, in patients with certain diseases, and in the elderly.

Antioxidant vitamins and trace elements (vitamins C, E, selenium, copper, and zinc) counteract potential damage caused by radicals to cellular tissues.

Adequate intake of vitamins B6, folate, B12, C, E, and of selenium, zinc, copper, and iron supports and maintains an effective immune response and avoids a shift to an increased risk of extracellular infections. Supplementation with these micronutrients enhances the innate immunity of the body. Vitamins A and D also play an important role.

Overall, inadequate intake and status of these vitamins and minerals may lead to suppressed immunity, which predisposes the body to infections.

Supplementation such as with the Unique Multivitamin range can assist in maintaining and enhancing one’s immune system. Unique also offers the antioxidant micronutrients in the Blistene range. There is also a zinc supplement which can support one’s innate immune response.

Latest Comments

LUCY STEYN

06/12/2011 | 15:27

I was having terrible migraines and as a result had some memory loss. Unique's Ginkgo Biloba has helped me tremendously in overcoming this problem and so far no migraines again. Taking this treatment had no side effects for me. Their mulitvitamins are excellent too! Thanks Unique!!!! Regards, Lucy

winile lama

29/11/2011 | 16:23

hey got a huge problem with digestion,heartburn and a very long menstruation circle thats unpredictable and i am 22 years old....

Riekie Oosthuizen

13/10/2011 | 15:43

I had a huge Ulcer and the Meds dont work. I try Pawpaw on my emty stomic then my husband boud UniuquePawpaw diet tabs. ter three monts my Ulcer was nearly gone. I bought all the orher Tabs that my body need. Love Riekie

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Did you know? While recent studies show a glass of wine or one drink a day can help protect against heart disease, drinking more than that can cause health problems such as liver and kidney disease and even cancer.

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