Your Innate Immunity
Aloe Vera helps support your Innate Immunity
60% of your Innate Immune Cells lie alongside the gut and are called Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue (GALT).
This is your first line of Defense. Micro organisms are in the air we breathe and the food we eat, so our epithelial surfaces (skin, respiratory tract, gastro-intestinal and genito-urinary tracts) are continually exposed. Our natural immunity helps defend us against these invaders.
Saccharides (naturally occurring sugars)
Saccharides are derived from the mucilage layer of the plant under the rind, surrounding the inner parenchyma or gel. They form 25% of the solid fraction and comprise both mono and polysaccharides. By far the most important are the long chain polysaccharides, known as biological sugars. When taken orally, some of these bind to receptor sites that line the gut and form a barrier, which may help to assist with the symptomatic relief of mild digestive disorders. Others are ingested whole by cellular absorption.
Vitamins
The plant typically contains many vitamins, including the important antioxidants - Vitamin A and C; Vitamins B1 (Thiamine); B3 (Niacin); B2 (Riboflavin); Choline and Folic Acid are also present. Some authorities suggest that there is also a trace of Vitamin B12 (Coats1979).
Minerals
Sodium, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Chromium and Iron are all found in the aloe plant.
Anthraquinones
These phenolic compounds are found in the sap.
In large amounts these compounds exert a powerful purgative effect, helping keep the Gastro-Intestinal function regular and healthy.
Saponins
When topically applied these soapy substances form 3% of the gel and are general cleansers, having antiseptic properties (Hirat and Suga 1983). Aloe Vera applied to the skin has many healing and restorative properties and is found in abundance in the Grace Cosmetics range of products.
Amino Acids
These are the building blocks of proteins. Aloe Vera Gel typically provides 20 of the 22 necessary amino acids required by the human body and seven of the eight essential amino acids which the body cannot synthesize. These must be obtained from our diet.
Your Acquired Immunity
Your Acquired Immunity is your second line of Defense. This part of the immune system has a ‘memory’ – that is, it learns and remembers the pathogen (invaders) so it can be dealt with more effectively in future encounters.
Your Acquired Immune System has 4 major functions
1) Recognition of Pathogen
The Immune System recognises invaders and marks them for elimination. This requires an effective and speedy network of communication pathways between cells in order to send the messages ‘down the line’ to the parts of the immune system responsible for destroying the pathogen (bad guys)
2) Immune System Response
The Immune System produces a quick and effective response to the invaders. It needs to ‘rally the troops’ and move decisively and powerfully to eliminate the threat.
3) De-Activation of Immune System ("cease-fire")
T-suppressor cells send out the message to de-activate the immune response once the battle has been won.
4) Immune Memory
Remembers ‘how’ it defeated the invading force; making the immune system more able and ready to defeat the same foreign body next time.
Aloe Vera is rich in biological sugars.
These biological sugars both actually polysaccharides (many sugars) and monosaccharides (single sugars)
Aloe Vera has a wide range in the size of its biological sugars molecules. A growing body of research has been carried out into the role of these active compounds, which demonstrates that these sugar-complexes may be closely linked to the healthy functioning of many of our body systems and have direct links to more effectively assisting the function of our immune system.