Chinese Wolfberry and Immune System

Strengthen Immune System with a Shot of NingXia Red™ AM & PM

It was predicted that 2000 would be the start of the decade of increased awareness of the importance of the immune system. And it's now true that consumers are beginning to understand that it is more important to support the immune system now than to pay for illness later. By providing immune system support today, the wise consumer will reap vital health in the years to come.

The immune system is diverse and complex. One important segment of immunity is comprised of the antibodies called immunoglobulins and gammaglobulins. These antibodies are produced by white blood cells, and they bind themselves to toxins, disabling the chemical action of the toxin.

Once one of these antibodies binds to the outer portion of a virus or bacteria, it is no longer able to move through cell walls and cause illness or disease. The more immune system antibodies, the better the protection against invading viruses and bacteria.

Here again, wolfberries have been found to be a valued immune system support.

In a 1988 report published by the State Scientific and Technological Commission of China, researchers discovered that after eating 50 grams of wolfberries, human volunteers showed a 700-point increase in white blood cell count and a 75 percent increase in white blood cell count and a 75 percent increase in the antibody immunoglobulin A (IgA).

In more recent studies, Ningxia wolfberry polysaccharides stimulated production of interleukin-2, another part of immunity that protects against cancer cells and microbial invasion.

Health consultant Dr. Zheng-Xian Liu (with a doctorate in biochemistry and nutrition) commented on the unparalleled ability of Ningxia wolfberries to enhance the immune system, stating, "Among the various species of Chinese wolfberries, Ningxia wolfberry fruit is the most potent one, and it has the highest levels of immune-stimulating polysaccharides." 1

In a 2002 study done at a hospital in Beijing, the wolfberry and two other traditional Chinese medicines were found to be effective in animal studies inhibiting three kinds of inflammation. The researchers found that wolfberry polysaccharides were found to stimulate interleukin-2 and gamma interferon, which are anti-inflammatory rather than pro-inflammatory. 2

This study was confirmed by further research on wolfberry polysaccharides done at Huazhong University in China where scientists stated: "Administration of LBP3 (Lycium barbarum polysaccharide-protein complex) increased the expression of interleukin-2 [and] may induce immune responses."

Young Living scientist Sue Chao (with Marc Schreuder, D. Gary Young, Karen Nakaoka, Lynn Moyes, and Craig Oberg) followed up on this study by testing wolfberry juice and the other juices (raspberry, blueberry, apricot, and pomegranate) used in Berry Young Juice* for their modulating effect on immunity in a study recently published by the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Nutraceutical Association.

This animal study concluded that "wolfberry juice and its mixtures were shown to have immunomodulatory effects in mice by increasing splenic (spleen) macrophages and splenic weight." There are a number of studies that correlate increased spleen weight and improved immunological function. 3,4

* NingXia Red™ (NXR) is the new and improved Berry Young Juice (BYJ). BYJ had only the juice of the Ningxia wolfberry. NXR contains the WHOLE Ningxia wolfberry--skin, seeds, pulp, everything. Any benefits achieved with BYJ should be even better with NXR.
1. Rebecca H. Madley, "Immunity: Examining nutraceuticals that can boost or modulate the body's defenses," Nutraceutical World. July 1, 2002.
2. Wei R, et al., "Study on Antiinflammatory Effect of a Compound TCM [Traditional Chinese Medicine] Agent Containing An Extractive in Animal Models," China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica, Vol. 27, No. 3, March, 2002.
3. Keil DE, et al., "Immunological function in mice exposed to JP-8 jet fuel in utero," Toxicol Sci. 2003 Dec;76(2):347-56.
4. Peden-Adams MM, et al., "Pyridostigmine bromine (PYR) alters immune function in B6C3F1 mice," Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2004 Feb;26(1):1-15.

This text excerpted from "The NingXia Red™ Advantage: Seven Pillars of Health", Young Living Magazine, Oct-Dec 2005. Reprinted with permission of Young Living Essential Oils, LC, Lehi, UT 84043 U.S.A. No reprinting without the express written permission of Young Living Essential Oils, LC is allowed. Young Living is not responsible for the content posted on this Web site.