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the circulation or mucosal surfaces. Cell-mediated immunity relies on T and B lymphocytes, mast cells, macrophages and others. T-cells regulate other defensive cells, including macrophages and killer cells. Cells of the immune system, turn over rapidly, hence their nutrient requirements are high.

In addition, phagocytic cells generate free radicals and other reactive species to attack invaders. These oxidants contribute to the oxidative burden of organs which, if unchecked by the bodys antioxidant defenses, can damage membrane lipids, diminish T- cell function and injure mucosal cells. Membranes damaged by lipid peroxidation may offer less resistance to infection. The production of radicals from endogenous and exogenous sources consumes antioxidants. Consequently, a variety of nutrients and factors support immune function.

VITAMINS
Vitamin A has long been known to support mucosal cell surfaces and the immune system (1). Vitamin A helps maintain the integrity of lymphatic tissues, antibody levels (especially sIgA), and responses of cellular immunity to challenge by exogenous stimulatory substances. The integrity of epithelial cells and production protective agents, such as mucus secretions, are essential for healthy mucosa. In vitamin A deficiency, the mucosa, glands and ducts are susceptible to disease.

Vitamin C scavenges free radicals and is essential for the function of many systems, including the immune system. Vitamin C is required for eicosanoids that regulate inflammation, and it combats the effects of oxidative stress. Vitamin C is a major antioxidant in the blood and it works together with vitamin E. During periods of stress, urinary excretion of vitamin C increased (2). B vitamin deficiency is characterized by reduced phagocytic activity. Vitamin B2, B6 and pantothenic acid have specifically shown an ability to enhance antibody production. Lack of Vitamin B1reduces the spleens ability to produce antigens (3). Vitamin B2 is necessary for proper thymic function (3).

Vitamin B6 as pyridoxal phosphate, the coenzyme form of the vitamin, is required by transaminases and amino acid decarboxylases in the breakdown of amino acids. As such, vitamin B6 plays a critical role in all rapidly dividing cell types. Human studies, as well as animal experiments, link vitamin B6 deficiency to reduced lymphocyte differentiation, reduced delayed hypersensitivity responses and impaired antibody production (4).

Pantothenate deficiencies are associated with infections of the upper respiratory tract and pharyngitis (5). Pantothenic acid is necessary for immunoglobulin production. Proper adrenal function requires pantothenic acid, ascorbic acid and zinc (6).

CO-FACTORS
Mixed natural carotenoids, isolated from plants, include alpha and beta carotenes and oxy-carotenoids, Carotenoids complement vitamin E as lipid-soluble antioxidants. The natural mixed carotenoids are better absorbed and are more effective antioxidants than synthetic beta carotene in vivo (7). Beta carotene has long been known to have a protective impact on the immune system. Healthy male nonsmokers supplemented with beta carotene revealed increased CD4-CD5 ratio after 9 months compared to controls who had taken a placebo (8). Co-Enzyme Q10 functions both as an essential mitochondrial electron carrier for energy production and as a lipid-soluble antioxidant (9), and dietary coenzyme Q10 can decrease plasma production of lipid peroxides (10). Coenzyme Q10 together with vitamin B6 supported the production of T4-lymphocytes and immunoglobulins (11).

MINERALS
Selenium is a trace mineral that is converted to selenocysteine, which plays a catalytic role in glutathione peroxidase production. Selenium deficiency can lead to depressed immunity and reduced T-cells (12).

Copper, Manganese and Zinc: Superoxide dismutase (SOD) is the only family of enzymes that specifically inactivate free radicals, namely, the superoxide radical. Excessive superoxide production, as well as excessive amounts of other oxidants, is linked to chronic, oxidative stress.

Mitochondrial SOD requires manganese as an essential cofactor, while the cytoplasmic form of SOD requires both copper and zinc. In addition, supplementation with superoxide dismutase of Biotics Research Corporations vegetable culture may increase erythrocyte superoxide dismutase activity in vivo (13).

Zinc - maintaining the health of the immune system. It is a required cofactor for DNA polymerase and RNA polymerase, essential for cell proliferation. Rapidly dividing cells, including mucosal cells and immune cells, require zinc. Zinc deficiency leads to atrophy of lymphatic tissues, decreased skin delayed hypersensitivity response, impaired phagocytes, decreased T-cell function and lowered IgA and decreased thymic hormone activity (14,15).

Bio-Immunozyme Forte contains bovine neonatal thymus, spleen, liver, pancreas, in addition to bovine parotid gland, lymphatic and placental tissues. These glandular preparations are processed to maintain nutrients, enzymes and associated factors. Biotics Research Corporation uses bovine neonatal tissues where possible. The newborn animal has not been subjected to environmental factors to which the adult animal is subjected. The thymus is most active within a few days after birth, when it populates lymph nodes and the spleen. The effects of preparations of thymic factors after oral administration have been studied (16). Thymus extract supported thymic function during environmentally-induced physical stress (17). Spleen extracts can specifically modulate phagocytic activity in vitro (18). Healthy endocrine pancreatic glands are also important. They secrete glucagon, insulin and somatostatin. Somatostatin regulates growth hormone secretion. Healthy adrenal glands support normal immune function. They produce hormones that adapt the body to stress, including epinephrine and glucocorticoids. Cortisol stabilizes mast cells to inhibit inflammation. It also decreased capillary permeability to limit neutrophil infiltration and it reduces phagocytosis. Laboratory analysis of Biotics Research Corporations adrenal glandulars did not detect the presence of the steroid hormones. Salivary glands produce factors that can enhance lymphocyte proliferation and support thymus, spleen and lymph nodes in animal models (19). The major salivary glands also produce antimicrobial factors.

LACTOBACILLUS
Lactobacillus acidophilusis a member of the normal gut flora, which produce vitamins, stimulate the immune system, and produce factors that inhibit growth of less desirable organisms. The effectiveness of supplemental Lactobacillus acidophilus in normalizing GI function has been demonstrated (20).

REFERENCES
1.	Bates C.J. Vitamin A. Lancet 1995; 345: 31-34
2.	Herbaczynska-Cedro K et al. supplementation with vitamin C and E suppresses leukocyte oxygen free radical production in patients with myocardial infarction. Eur Heart J. 1995; 16: 1044-1049.
3.	AM. J. Clin. Nutri.: 35: 417-468, 1982.
4.	Rall LC, Meydani SN. Vitamin B6 and immune competence Nutri Rev. 1992; 50: 145-147.
5.	Nutri. Anti-Infectious Defense: p. 130, 1974.
6.	Vitamins & Hormones: 11:133, 1953.
7.	Ben-Amotz A and Levy Y. Bioavailability of anatural isomer mixture compared with synthetic, all trans beta carotene in human serum. Am J Clin Nutri 1996; 63: 729-734.
8.	Murata J et al. Effect of long term administration of beta carotene on lymphocyte subsets in humans. Am J. Clin Nutr. 1994; 60:597-602.
9.	Stocker R et al. :Ubiquinol-10 protects human low density lipoproteins more efficiently against lipid peroxidation than does a-tocopherol. Proc Natl Acad Sci 1991; 88: 1646-1650.
10.	Weber C et al. Antioxidative effect of dietary coenzyme Q10 in human blood plasma. Int J Vit Nutri Res 1994; 64: 311-315.
11.	Folkers E et al. The activities of coenzyme Q10 and vitamin B6 in immune responses. Biochem Biophy Res Commun. 1993; 193: 88-92.
12.	Taylor EW. Selenium and cellular immunity. Evidence that selenoproteins ;may be encoded in the +1 reaching from overlapping the human CD4, CD8, HLA-DR genes. Biol. Trace Elem Res 1995; 49: 85- 95.
13.	Introna M, Moss J, Ronzio RA. The effect of oral supplementation with legume derived superoxide dismutase on erythrocyte superoxide dismutase in healthy volunteers. Appl Nutr, 1997; 49 (1,2): 12-17..
14.	Castillo-Duran C et al. Controlled trial of zinc supplementation during recovery for malnutrition. Am J Clin Nutr 1987; 45: 602-608.
15.	Chandra RK. Symposium on nutrition and immunity in serious illness. Proc Nutr Soc 1993; 52: 77-84.
16.	Genova R, Guerra A. Thymo-modulin in management of food allergy in children. In J Tiss Reac 1986; 8: 239-242.
17.	Obminska-Domoradzka B, Debowy J. Effect of DTC in humoral response of SRBC- Immunized mice exposed to restraint stress. Comparison with calf thymus extract. Immuno pharmacol Immunotoxicol 1996; 18: 421-431.
18.	Krasowski H et al. Einfluss von Kalbermilz- und Kalber Thymus Extrackten hymopentiund T00uftsin auf du Phagozytosiaktivitat von neutrophilen Giranulozyten. Arzneimiltelforshung 1992; 42: 147-151.
19.	Sabbadini E, Bercz I. The submandibular gland: a key organ in the neuro immuno - regulatory network? Neuroimmunomodulation 1995; 2: 184-202.
20.	Fernandes CF et al. Control of diarrhea by lactobacilli. J Applied Nutri 11988; 40: 32-43.

PRODUCT INFORMATION
Bio-Immunozyme Forte is available in bottles of 90 tablets at a suggested retail price of $25.00

THE STATMENTS MADE HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

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