Blood tests are available that can measure immune system markers. Other blood tests can measure such factors as levels of different types of white blood cells known as T lymphocytes or autoimmune responses.
Healthy immune function depends on several critical factors. It is important to manage stress and get a full night’s sleep. Eating a diet that includes plenty of fruits and veggies, including mushrooms, garlic and onions, and skipping out on sugar is a good idea. In addition, supplementing with vitamins D and C, zinc and beta-carotene can help give the immune system the nutrients it needs to do its job. Reishi mushroom, beta-glucan or the herb andrographis can also provide support.
Over time, individuals become less able to respond to age-related environmental changes. This immune senescence correlates with a decrease in naive T-cells, which respond to new invaders, and an increase in T-memory cells, which hold the memory of previously encountered invaders. Many individuals proactively support naive T-cell and memory T-cell immune balance by using botanicals cistanche and Reishi mushroom.
