UNDERSTANDING IMMUNE-SYSTEM TESTS: COMPLEMENTS, VITAMINS AND MINERALS
Complements
The complement system, as we’ve seen, is a vital part of your immune system, whether working on its own or teaming up with other immune fighters. The different complements (called CI, C2, C3, C4, etc.) line up in just the right order to attack, boring holes in invading organisms, altering their molecular structure and otherwise making their life difficult. I look at complement C3, the complement that has been studied the most. It takes less than a month of poor eating to bring C3 down to about 60 percent of normal. Results: Complement C3 is usually between 80 and 155 mg/dl.
Vitamins and minerals
In addition to the protein and immune function tests, I often look at the levels of these vitamins in the blood: vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin BLT vitamin B2, vitamin B6, vitamin C and vitamin E. I may also check zinc levels in the blood, and iron is also included in my regular test panel.
As I pointed out earlier, a deficiency of even a single vitamin or mineral can hamper the immune system. Lack of B[ may cause an increase in infections. A shortage of B2 is associated with depressed antibody formation. A deficit of B6 impairs nucleic acid synthesis and leads to a depression in delayed hypersensitivity reactions. Lowered levels of zinc in the blood are associated with depressed T-cell function (cell-mediated immunity).
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March 10, 2010
Understanding Immune-System Tests- Complements, Vitamins And Minerals
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