At a Glance:
- The majority of your immune system and serotonin (happiness hormone) live in your gut. Make sure you keep it strong and healthy!
- Natural killer cells’ primary function is to kill infected and tumor cells. They live in your immune system, and there’s a lot you can do today to increase them in your body.
- Specific herbs included in Immune Complete support your immune system and natural killer cell activity.
Your immune system is at the center of your physical and mental health. If you don’t read anything else, remember this: A supported immune system = a healthier and happier you.
Why should I care about my immune system?
In simple terms, your immune system is your body’s personal security and repair team for physical and mental health. A healthy immune system isn’t just there for when you get sick—it’s working every minute of every day to help keep your body in balance. Therefore, it is something we all should be focusing on more than we realize, which is why we wrote this blog!
What should I know about my immune system for breast cancer recovery?
Here are the basic stats about your immune system, and below we will dive into the details:
- About 70% of your immune system lives in your gut, and your gut health deeply impacts your mental and physical health. This is why gut health plays such an important role in immune function, inflammation, nutrient absorption, and overall wellness. (Study)
- Chronic stress can suppress immune function in as little as a few days. Prolonged psychological stress increases cortisol and other stress hormones. This can reduce the activity of important immune cells (including Natural Killer cells) and increase inflammation throughout the body. (Study)
- Herbs and mushrooms can effectively support your immune system and significantly increase Natural Killer (NK) cell activity after just eight weeks of supplementation. (Study) This is why we are such big advocates of taking Immune Complete daily.
- 90–95% of the body’s serotonin (a neurotransmitter supporting mood, sleep, and digestion) is created in your gut. Mental health is made in your gut. This happens through the constant communication of the gut-brain-immune axis. It’s a network of trillions of microbes that regulate immune cells and the release of cytokines, the proteins that communicate with both your immune system and your brain. (Study)
- One night of poor sleep can reduce Natural Killer (NK) cell activity by up to 30%. (Study). Chronic insufficient sleep is associated with even greater immune dysfunction. Another reason we focus on whole-body healing: finding ways to rest and repair your mind, body, and soul. Click here for more sleep tips.
The above stats are among the reasons we believe healing happens when you support the whole body. That’s why our Integrative Oncology Approach goes beyond focusing solely on the tumor. We look at the interconnected systems that influence your health every day, including your gut, your immune system, and even your emotional well-being. These systems are constantly communicating with one another, and when one is out of balance, the others often feel the effects.
Your Immune System Is Always Protecting You.
What is my immune system?
Your immune system is an incredibly sophisticated network of organs, tissues, and billions of specialized cells working together to keep you healthy. Every day, it identifies viruses, bacteria, toxins, and even abnormal cells that don’t belong.
However, when it is not being properly cared for, compromised, or weakened in any way, your immune system can’t do its job. That’s when dis-eases, illnesses, autoimmune issues, and almost every health issue begin.
What are Natural Killer Cells? (NK Cells)
Regarding cancer prevention and healing, one of its most remarkable defenders is a type of white blood cell (part of your immune system) called a Natural Killer (NK) cell. This army consists of: Natural Killer, T cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. You are born with them, and their primary function is to kill infected and tumor cells, hence the intimidating name.
But their job doesn’t stop there.
NK cells also release signaling proteins called cytokines, which help coordinate communication throughout the immune system. These chemical messengers tell other immune cells when and where they are needed, helping create a balanced immune response instead of one that is either underactive or overactive.
To learn more about NK Cells, therapies available, and natural ways to support them, please review this blog post.
Your Gut Is the Foundation of Immune Health.
Every part of your body is beautifully connected, and your gut is a perfect example. As mentioned in the stats above, about 70% of your immune system is housed within your gut.
What is my gut?
Your gut is home to trillions of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms collectively known as the gut microbiome. When these microbes are balanced, they help train immune cells, regulate inflammation, strengthen the intestinal lining, produce beneficial compounds, improve nutrient absorption, regulate mood, balance hormones, influence detoxing, and so much more
When the microbiome becomes imbalanced (often due to processed foods, antibiotics, chronic stress, environmental toxins, or lack of sleep), it can contribute to intestinal permeability (“leaky gut”) and chronic inflammation throughout the body. Because your immune system relies so heavily on a healthy gut, these imbalances may also affect how efficiently immune cells, including Natural Killer cells, perform their functions.
Does gut health impact breast cancer treatments?
Yes, it absolutely does. Your gut microbiome can influence how well chemotherapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy work. A healthy microbiome can also lead to fewer treatment complications and side effects. (Study) Additionally, an unhealthy microbiome increases chemotherapy-induced inflammation and reduces treatment tolerance, making it more toxic and less effective. (Study)
This is one reason gut healing is such a foundational part of the Breast Cancer Conqueror philosophy. Restoring the gut isn’t just about improving digestion; it’s about creating a stronger immune foundation that prevents cancer from growing.
To learn more about daily actions to support your gut health, please read this blog post.
Your Mental Health Shapes Your Immune Health.
The relationship between your brain and your immune system is far more connected than many people realize. When you’re experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, unresolved trauma, or poor sleep, your body produces stress hormones like cortisol. While cortisol is helpful during short-term emergencies, elevated levels over long periods of time may interfere with healthy immune function and contribute to chronic inflammation.
Research continues to reveal that your nervous system and immune system are in constant communication. Chronic stress doesn’t simply affect your mood. It can influence immune cell activity, inflammatory pathways, and even the health of your gut microbiome.
This creates a cycle that’s easy to overlook.
Stress can disrupt the gut → an unhealthy gut can weaken immune function → reduced immune resilience can make it harder for the body to maintain balance.
How can I decrease my anxiety and stress during breast cancer recovery?
The good news is that small, consistent habits can make a meaningful difference.
Practices such as meditation, prayer, deep breathing, spending time in nature, journaling, gentle movement, quality sleep, and connecting with supportive friends and family all help calm the nervous system. Click here to learn more about ways to consciously lower stress levels.
Calming stress and anxiety is also a key reason why many women join The Conqueror Community. It’s only $97 a month and provides weekly guidance sessions, expert monthly workshops, an on-demand library, support from women around the world, and so much more!
When your body feels safe, it can shift out of “survival mode” and devote more energy to repair, restoration, and healthy immune function. When your mind is thriving, so will your body!
Effectively Strengthen Your Immune System with Our Immune Complete Supplement.
In our toxic, stressed-out world, supplementing is necessary, and when you add in a cancer diagnosis, it becomes non-negotiable. That’s why we strategically formulated Immune Complete.
Rather than providing general immune support alone, Immune Complete was specifically designed to support healthy Natural Killer (NK) cell activity and promote a healthy balance of cytokines.
The formula contains standardized herbal extracts, meaning each serving provides optimal and consistent amounts of the herbs’ most active compounds for dependable support. It’s suitable for long-term use and can be taken year-round to support healthy immune function.
Key Ingredients in Immune Complete & How They Support Immune Health
Below are a few of the main ingredients and why they should be part of your daily supplement protocol.
Supports Natural Killer (NK) Cells
Echinacea, Astragalus, Reishi, Maitake, Shiitake, Cordyceps, and Beta 1,3 Glucan help support healthy NK cell activity—important immune cells that continuously patrol your body and are part of its natural immune surveillance.
Helps Calm Chronic Inflammation
Echinacea, Andrographis, Reishi, Green Tea Extract, and Elderberry help support a healthy inflammatory response, allowing your immune system to work efficiently while protecting healthy tissues.
Strengthens the Gut-Immune Connection
Arabinogalactan feeds beneficial gut bacteria, helping support the microbiome where approximately 70% of your immune system resides.
Protects Healthy Cells from Oxidative Stress
Elderberry and Green Tea Extract provide antioxidants that help protect healthy cells from free radical damage, supporting overall cellular health.
When paired with gut healing, quality sleep, stress management, nourishing nutrition, and other healthy lifestyle practices, Immune Complete becomes an extremely valuable tool for supporting your body’s natural defenses.
Healing Is About Creating the Right Environment.
Your body is constantly working on your behalf.
Every nourishing meal you eat, every morning you start with strategic supplements, every night of restorative sleep, every moment spent calming your nervous system, and every step you take sends a message to your immune system:
Healing is about consistently creating an internal environment where your body has the support it needs to function at its best.
By caring for your gut, reducing chronic stress, supporting healthy Natural Killer cell activity, and nourishing your immune system every day, you’re giving your body powerful tools to protect, repair, and thrive. And all the above create a body where cancer can no longer survive!
Take charge and empower your body to do what it was beautifully designed to do!