Immune health is of the utmost importance to helping maintain a happy and comfortable life. A lot of different parts of the body contribute to the function of the immune system, from mucus membranes in the eyes, nose, and throat to the bacteria found on the skin and in the gut—and everywhere in between.

Unfortunately, if one area of the body suffers health challenges, it causes imbalances and can leave bodies underdefended. One health challenge in particular that can heighten the risk of immune system dysfunction is high blood glucose levels.

Immune Systems At Risk
According to an article published in the Journal of Diabetes Investigation, adults with type 2 diabetes have lower natural killer cell activity compared to individuals with balanced blood glucose levels or even prediabetes.¹ This is because high blood sugar impairs white blood cell function, and then bad bacteria are able to feed off of the sugar for an imbalanced microbiome, as well as other complications that arise throughout the body.²

Type 2 diabetes is commonly recognized as a major health issue, but recent research by Stanford into the effects of prediabetes on immune health found that even moderately higher blood glucose levels and insulin resistance is worrisome. The study found that insulin-resistant subjects had more difficulty launching a proper immune response than people with healthy blood glucose levels.³ Unfortunately, more than 33% of Americans are prediabetic and about 9% have type 2 diabetes. This means that, at a time when a strong immune system is so critical, almost half of the U.S. population is at higher risk of immune system dysfunction and therefore a higher likelihood of health complications.

Natural Solutions
A proper diet and regular exercise can do a lot to help normalize blood glucose levels, and should always be implemented.^4-7 Fortunately, nature has also delivered many solutions to help support proper blood glucose levels, one of which is via citrus bioflavonoids.

Citrus bioflavonoids—eriocitrin, hesperidin, and naringin specifically—are able to take a multifaceted approach to blood glucose management by taking a tri-pronged approach to a particular interaction of associated issues. The rise in blood glucose is associated primarily with a buildup of insulin resistance, but as levels rise, it begins a cycle of excessive inflammation and oxidative stress production. This combination acts to further increase blood glucose levels and weaken the immune system as things get worse. By relying on citrus bioflavonoids, the bitter cycle can be addressed and the body is able to recover.

Multifaceted Support
Clinical research has shown that citrus flavonoids act as powerful antioxidants and also help reduce systemic inflammatory processes. But the discovery of an interrelated approach was found to be most effective. Elevated blood glucose levels, oxidative stress, and inflammation further aggravate each other in an ongoing cycle. Focusing on all three issues at the same time will provide better overall support. A combination of eriocitrin, hesperidin, and naringenin works to each bioflavonoid’s strengths to deliver optimal results. This is done by helping to improve insulin sensitivity, reducing inflammatory cytokine production, and increasing antioxidant capacity, all of which works together to increase glucose tolerance. With improved glucose tolerance, many individuals may be able to more effectively lower their fasting blood glucose levels to a normal range.⁸

As citrus flavonoids help to normalize blood sugar levels, the immune system will see similar improvements to its ability to protect the body. Additionally, with citrus flavonoids providing support to the inflammatory response and antioxidant capacity, the immune system is further strengthened as well.

References

1. https://www.healio.com/news/endocrinology/20190214/type-2-diabetes-weakens-immune-function
2. https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-prediabetes-and-why-does-it-matter-2017012511025#:~:text=High%20blood%20sugar%20impairs%20the,These%20facts%20scare%20me
3. https://scopeblog.stanford.edu/2019/05/
4. 29/what-happens-when-a-person-with-prediabetes-get-a-viral-infection-new-study-provides-in-depth-look/
5. Minato, K., Miyake, Y., Fukumoto, S., Yamamoto, K., Kato, Y., Shi- momura, Y., Osawa, T. (2003). Lemon flavonoid, eriocitrin, suppress- es exercise-induced oxidative damage in rat liver. Life Sci, 72(14), 1609-16. PMID: 12551749.
6. Parmar, H.S., Jain, P., Chauhan, D.S., Bhinchar, M.K., Munjal, V., Yusuf, M., Choube, K., Tawani, A., Tiwari, V., Manivannan, E., Kumar, A. (2012). DPP-IV inhibitory potential of naringin: an in silico, in vitro and in vivo study. Diabetes Res Clin Pract, 97(1), 105-11. doi: 10.1016/j. diabres.2012.02.011.
7. Nyane NA, Tlaila TB, Malefane TG, Ndwandwe DE, Owira PMO. Met- formin-like antidiabetic, cardio-protective  and  non-glycemic  effects of naringenin: Molecular and pharmacological insights. Eur J Phar- macol. 2017 May 15;803:103-111. doi: 10.1016/j.ejphar.2017.03.042.Epub 2017 Mar 18. Review. PubMed PMID: 28322845.
8. Zaidun, N.H, Thent, Z,C, Latiff, A.A. (2018). Combating oxidative stress disorders with citrus flavonoid: Naringenin. Life Sci, 208, 111- 122. doi: 10.1016/j.lfs.2018.07.017
9. Ribeiro, CB, Ramos, FM, Manthey, JA, Cesar, TB. Effectiveness of Eriomin® in managing hyperglycemia and reversal of prediabetes condition: A double-blind, randomized, controlled study. Phytotherapy Research. 2019; 33: 1921– 1933. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.6386