Natural killer cells are white blood cells (lymphocytes) that seek out and kill cancerous cells or mutating cells that can harm the body. They are also known as NK cells or just K cells. These natural killer cells are a part of our immune systems.
Considering that one third of the population is expected to get cancer sometime in their life, it would be advantageous for all of us to boost our body’s natural ability to reduce cancerous tumors and virally infected cells.
Killer cells are cytotoxic. That means that they are bad for a cancer cell and good for us. Small granules in a killer cell cytoplasm contain proteins called perforin and protease (granzymes) that help to kill unwanted, or diseased cells.
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New findings show that natural killer (NK) cell activity is modulated by outside factors, including stress and dietary factors. Numerous studies point out how various foods or substances can naturally activate our immune system’s natural killer cells to assault cancer cells. One example is how sea cucumber, found to kill 95% of various cancer cells, can activate NK cells. Other research points to turkey tail mushroom for increasing the number of natural killer cells and their function activity after ingestion.
Here are 3 More Ways to Boost NK Cells:
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1. Take More Vitamin C - This vitamin is not only good for fighting colds and flu, but it boosts the activation of both T-cells and NK cells, so that your immune system has extra armor to protect you against a host of diseases, including cancer. The Journal of Immunology confirms that ridiculously high doses aren’t required. Just 1,000 mg a day can help boost the immune system.
2. Get Your Daily E – In addition to boosting the production of killer cells, vitamin E also supports the making of B cells – also utilized by our immune systems to produce antibodies and kill bacteria. You can get the recommended 60 mg a day from nuts, grains, seeds and vegetable oils. If you take a vitamin E supplement, make sure that the vitamin E is derived from a natural source and is not synthetic.
3. Eat Your Beta Carotene - As the name suggests, this important vitamin found in carrots can help boost killer cells as well as helper T-cells. Foods full of beta carotene include carrots, sweet potatoes, kale, turnip greens, spinach, dried herbs and mustard greens.
Preventing cancer may be as simple as eating whole, natural foods.
Consult with your pharmacist to make sure there are no contraindications to any food, supplement or herb that you may want to start consuming, with any medication that you are currently taking.
For More Information:
http://naturalsociety.com/5-ways-boost-natural-killer-cells-assault-cancer/