PORTLAND, OR--(Marketwired - December 13, 2016) - With the coldest months now upon us, it's time to help our bodies guard against sniffles and other seasonal health issues by giving our immune systems a little help. The immune system, that complex network of cells and organs that protect us from invasion by the microbes that surround us, is really two systems, both of which can be strengthened by proper nutrition.

Our body's first line of defense against intruders, know as the innate immune system, includes skin, bodily enzymes (such as those in saliva and stomach acid) and epithelial cells (which line, our body's mucosal surfaces).

The second line of defense, known as the adaptive immune system, deals with specific fragments of any potentially harmful or foreign material. These fragments are called antigens and they are dealt with in the immune system by antigen receptors. Once an antigen receptor adapts to an invading fragment, it retains antigenic memory so that it may quickly neutralize that antigen if it again invades the body.

Both the innate and the adaptive immune systems can be strengthened by certain nutrients, including:

D Vitamins (0380-120, 0428-090, 0422-120, 0378-120, 0434-120)

Studies have indicated D vitamins improve the performance of both the innate and adaptive immune systems.

N-Acetyl Cysteine (0094-100)

Of older adults who took 600 mg of n-acetyl cysteine twice daily for 6 months, only 25% of the subjects developed seasonal health issues (compared with 79% in the placebo group) one study found.

Zinc (0423-150, 0358-120, 0023-100, 0023-250, 0497-016, 0497-008) (Included in Kirkman's Immuno-Aid™ (0426-120))

Zinc is involved in just about every aspect of the immune system, including the immune system enhancing "T" cells that are necessary for immune system response. A recently study found zinc tended to reduce the length of colds by about a day.

Beta Glucan (0050-250) (included in Kirkman's Immuno-Aid™ (0426-120))

Kirkman's Beta Glucan offers active and significant immune system supporting functions. Beta glucan supports white blood cells known as macrophages to stimulate immune system response.

Learn about other immune system supporting products here.

About Kirkman^®:

Founded in 1949, Kirkman^® is the oldest nutritional supplement company serving the special needs community. This experience has allowed Kirkman^® to pioneer effective products in many areas of nutritional supplementation for individuals with special health needs.

Kirkman^® is also a pioneer in the area of purity testing. Their Ultra Tested^® protocol calls for testing every raw ingredient in every nutritional supplement it produces for more than 950 environmental contaminants. No other nutritional supplement company comes close to this level of commitment to producing pure, contaminant free supplements.

To learn more about Kirkman^®, visit the company's website at: www.kirkmangroup.com.