resveratrol inhibits replication of herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 1 and 2 at an early step in the virus replication cycle. Studies in mice also show that resveratrol inhibits or reduces HSV replication in the vagina and inhibits varicella-zoster virus and influenza virus, and enhances the anti-HIV-1 activity of several anti-HIV drugs.
My recommendation here is cautious, but hopeful. Since resveratrol and its related compounds have so many potentially beneficial properties and protect against and fight cancer from so many angles, from angiogenesis inhibition to preventing tumor initiation by deactivating carcinogens, 29 I think it likely that supplementing with resveratrol is beneficial; resveratrol may turn out to be an important adjunct, not just preventatively but also for patients who already are diagnosed with cancer. Eating colorful fruits and berries regularly gives us this compound. If you are immune-challenged or susceptible to infections, consider a resveratrol supplement on a regular basis.
Zinc
Zinc, an essential mineral that plays an important role in immune function, is a nutrient that many people are borderline deficient in. The RDI (recommended daily intake) for zinc is 15 milligrams a day, a quantity not usually achieved by those not taking supplements or eating foods fortified with zincâespecially vegans, vegetarians, or flexitarians not eating seafood and meat daily.
Zinc deficiency leads to dysfunction of both antibody-mediated (humoral) and cell-mediated immunity and thus increases susceptibility to infection. There is considerable evidence to suggest that regular supplementation with zinc or deliberate consumption of foods rich in zinc is useful to improve immune function and fight off both infections and cancer.
Studies have been consistently positive in demonstrating that zinc deficiency is associated with an increased incidence and severity of infections and that zinc supplementation is beneficial.
⢠Zinc supplementation decreases incidence of pneumonia and antibiotic use. 30
⢠Zinc supplementation decreases the duration of colds and flu by a day or more.
⢠Maternal zinc supplementation leads to a decrease in infant infections.
⢠Zinc supplementation decreases child mortality by more than 50 percent. 31
The largest and most conclusive analysis of this issue (the respected Cochrane meta-analysis) concluded that once a person had a cold or flu, zinc supplements significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms as well as the length of illness. 32 Among people taking zinc within twenty-four hours of the start of symptoms, the risk of still having symptoms at the seven-day mark was about half that of those not taking zinc. The review found that not only did zinc reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms, but regular zinc use also worked to prevent colds, leading to fewer school absences and less antibiotic use in children. In preventing colds, zinc supplements taken for at least five months reduced the risk of catching a cold to only two-thirds that of people not taking the supplements.
F OODS R ICH IN Z INC
Oysters, farmed, eastern, cooked, 3 mediumâ13 mg
Alaska king crab, cooked, 1 legâ10.2 mg
Beef, top sirloin, 4 ozâ5.6 mg
Raw, unhulled sesame seeds, 2 ozâ4.4 mg
Raw or roasted pumpkin seeds, 2 ozâ4.2 mg
Adzuki beans, cooked, 1 cupâ4.1 mg
Raw pine nuts, 2 ozâ3.6 mg
Raw cashews, 2 ozâ3.2 mg
Sunflower seeds, raw, 2 ozâ2.8 mg
Wild rice, cooked, 1 cupâ2.2 mg
Edamame, cooked, shelled, 1 cupâ2.1 mg
Black beans, kidney beans, cooked, 1 cupâ1.9 mg
Shiitake mushrooms, cooked, 1 cupâ1.9 mg
Fava beans, cooked, 1 cupâ1.7 mg
Broccoli, cooked, 2 cupsâ1.6 mg
Tahini, raw, 2 tbspâ1.4 mg
Kale, cooked, 2 cupsâ1.2 mg
Overall, then, it seems prudent to avoid zinc deficiency and regularly supplement with zinc, with the caveat that zinc supplementation, whether throughout
My recommendation here is cautious, but hopeful. Since resveratrol and its related compounds have so many potentially beneficial properties and protect against and fight cancer from so many angles, from angiogenesis inhibition to preventing tumor initiation by deactivating carcinogens, 29 I think it likely that supplementing with resveratrol is beneficial; resveratrol may turn out to be an important adjunct, not just preventatively but also for patients who already are diagnosed with cancer. Eating colorful fruits and berries regularly gives us this compound. If you are immune-challenged or susceptible to infections, consider a resveratrol supplement on a regular basis.
Zinc
Zinc, an essential mineral that plays an important role in immune function, is a nutrient that many people are borderline deficient in. The RDI (recommended daily intake) for zinc is 15 milligrams a day, a quantity not usually achieved by those not taking supplements or eating foods fortified with zincâespecially vegans, vegetarians, or flexitarians not eating seafood and meat daily.
Zinc deficiency leads to dysfunction of both antibody-mediated (humoral) and cell-mediated immunity and thus increases susceptibility to infection. There is considerable evidence to suggest that regular supplementation with zinc or deliberate consumption of foods rich in zinc is useful to improve immune function and fight off both infections and cancer.
Studies have been consistently positive in demonstrating that zinc deficiency is associated with an increased incidence and severity of infections and that zinc supplementation is beneficial.
⢠Zinc supplementation decreases incidence of pneumonia and antibiotic use. 30
⢠Zinc supplementation decreases the duration of colds and flu by a day or more.
⢠Maternal zinc supplementation leads to a decrease in infant infections.
⢠Zinc supplementation decreases child mortality by more than 50 percent. 31
The largest and most conclusive analysis of this issue (the respected Cochrane meta-analysis) concluded that once a person had a cold or flu, zinc supplements significantly reduced the severity of cold symptoms as well as the length of illness. 32 Among people taking zinc within twenty-four hours of the start of symptoms, the risk of still having symptoms at the seven-day mark was about half that of those not taking zinc. The review found that not only did zinc reduce the duration and severity of common cold symptoms, but regular zinc use also worked to prevent colds, leading to fewer school absences and less antibiotic use in children. In preventing colds, zinc supplements taken for at least five months reduced the risk of catching a cold to only two-thirds that of people not taking the supplements.
F OODS R ICH IN Z INC
Oysters, farmed, eastern, cooked, 3 mediumâ13 mg
Alaska king crab, cooked, 1 legâ10.2 mg
Beef, top sirloin, 4 ozâ5.6 mg
Raw, unhulled sesame seeds, 2 ozâ4.4 mg
Raw or roasted pumpkin seeds, 2 ozâ4.2 mg
Adzuki beans, cooked, 1 cupâ4.1 mg
Raw pine nuts, 2 ozâ3.6 mg
Raw cashews, 2 ozâ3.2 mg
Sunflower seeds, raw, 2 ozâ2.8 mg
Wild rice, cooked, 1 cupâ2.2 mg
Edamame, cooked, shelled, 1 cupâ2.1 mg
Black beans, kidney beans, cooked, 1 cupâ1.9 mg
Shiitake mushrooms, cooked, 1 cupâ1.9 mg
Fava beans, cooked, 1 cupâ1.7 mg
Broccoli, cooked, 2 cupsâ1.6 mg
Tahini, raw, 2 tbspâ1.4 mg
Kale, cooked, 2 cupsâ1.2 mg
Overall, then, it seems prudent to avoid zinc deficiency and regularly supplement with zinc, with the caveat that zinc supplementation, whether throughout
Similar Books
