b'CHAPTER THREEKeeping Immunity in BalanceW hile there are definitely times when its important to fortify your immunity, keeping your immune system on high alert 365 days a year isnt ideal. Instead, maintaining a balanced defense helps ensure that your immune system provides the right response at the right time. Think of it as the Goldilocks Effectnot too much and not too little, but just right. Balanced immunity is easy to acquire, as long as you pair a healthy lifestyle with two essential things. The first is the right ratio of plant100:1compounds called sterols and sterolins. The second is a targeted probiotic. Heres a closer look at how these two types of nutrients can help optimize your immune system. Sterols and SterolinsThe Perfect PairA growing number of studies show that a combination of sterols andThe right ratio of plant sterolins may be the most important botanical constituents to helpsterols and sterolins balance your immune response. Sterols are beneficial fats found inplays an important all plant-based foods. Sterolins are glucosides, which are molecularrole in maximizing structures fixed to the sterol.the bodys immune Exciting research reveals that these simple plant compoundsfunction. When found improve the balance of Th1 and Th2 cellstwo types of white bloodin nature, plants cells that enhance cellular immunity when needed and down- never contain sterols regulate an overactive immune response. Sterols and sterolins alsoexclusively. Sterols help modulate inflammation and aid in the destruction of abnormalare always associated cells. Whats more, they help maintain a normal ratio of the adrenalwith their glucoside hormones cortisol and DHEA, subsequently protecting against thesterolin. Research has immune-altering effects of stress. shown quite clearly Several clinical trials involving patients with either rheumatoidthat the blend of sterols arthritis, seasonal allergies, asthma, or sinusitis have found thatand sterolins in a 100:1 a combination of plant sterols and sterolins provided significantratio provides the best immune benefits. During one randomized, double-blind, placebo- immunomodulating controlled intervention study, asthma patients were given eitheractivity.plant sterols or a placebo each day. After four weeks, all the participants were vaccinated against hepatitis A. Those in the sterol group experienced a higher number of antibodies after being vaccinated compared to the placebo group. They also showed a more balanced immune response.Healthy people can also benefit from the immune-balancing benefits of plant sterols and sterolins. This was shown in a group of athletes gearing up for a marathon. People participating in marathons and other endurance sports typically experience a dip in their immune function and become more prone to upper respiratory infections postevent. However, during the study that appeared in the International Journal of Sports Medicine, the runners who took a prerace dose of sterols and sterolins OPTIMAL IMMUNIT Y9'