Disease, Illness and Condition Library
Immune System Health
local bank. She loves her job, and her regular customers; most of which she knows on a first name basis. She is a great employee that gets along well with her fellow works. Janet also has two children of which she is very proud. This is the story of Janet, one of the millions of working class moms. This working mom may not realize that she has an invisible friend that makes all this possible; her immune system. Without it, any contact with others could be potentially deadly. So let’s examine Janet’s invisible friend and silent protector. Modern western medicine looks at medicine primarily from a treatment perspective. This would include prescription medications, radiation, and other therapies, but true health can only be achieved by maintaining a healthy immune system. Your secret protector, also known as your immune system fights your unseen battles 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is your immune system that fights off disease causing microorganisms and conducts the healing process. Without it you would be vulnerable to every type of germ imaginable, not to mention the tiniest cut or scrape could be a life threatening event. When the immune system becomes compromised susceptibility to ever imaginable type of illness is increased. Common signs of a weak immune system include: * Allergies * Fatigue * Oral thrush * Candida * Repeated infections * Inflammation * 3 or more colds a year By taking the time to understand how the immune system works and the steps you can take to bolster it can help you avoid illness and achieve better overall health. The immune system is an amazing thing. It knows more about you than your best friend or closest family member. It stands guard to recognize and destroy any foreign or harmful material that doesn’t naturally belong in the body. It is in the truest sense your body guard. It is unlike other bodily systems in that it is not a group of physical structures but a system of complex interactions involving many different structures, and substances including the all important white blood cells, lymphatic vessels and organs, bone marrow, special cells found in the body tissues, and specialized substances called serum factors, that are present in the blood. These components work together to protect the body from disease and infection. The immune is present at birth, but does not yet function well. As time goes on the immune system begins to mature, making the body more effective at defending itself against foreign invaders called antigens. As the immune system gains adaptive immunity it becomes the guard dog that is always waiting for the opportunity to defend its territory. The immune system has the capability to learn to identify, and then remember, specific antigens that have been encountered. It accomplishes this through two basic means, known as cell-mediated immunity and humoral immunity. In cell-mediated immunity, white blood cells identify and destroy cancerous cells, viruses, and microorganisms, like bacteria and fungi. In a healthy immune system the white blood cell count is anywhere from 4,000 to 12,000 per microlitre of blood. The AIDS epidemic has made us all aware of the dangers of not having a enough white blood cells available to fight the battle against disease and infection. The white blood cells mature in the thymus gland. The thymus is positioned just behind the top of the breast bone, and is the most important gland in the immune system. White blood cells are commonly referred to as T cells, due to their origination in the thymus gland. Humoral immunity involves the production of antibodies. Antibodies are not cells but a combination of special proteins whose chemical structures are formed to match the surfaces of specific antigens. When they encounter their specific antigens, these antibodies swing into action, either damaging the invaders or alerting the white blood cells or their presence. The antibodies are produced by another group of white blood cells, the B lymphocytes, which are produced and grow to maturity in the bone marrow. When a B lymphocyte is presented with a particular antigen, it produces an antibody to match it and stores a record of the invader so it can initiate the production of antibodies in case of future exposure. For the humoral immunity system to work each B cell must be created prepared to produce an infinite number of antibodies, so that it can match whatever antigen it is faced with. When the immune system swings into action the first line of defense are the white blood cells. White blood cells are larger than red blood cells and can move independently in the blood stream and have the ability to pass through cell walls. Because of their special abilities they are able to respond to injuries and infections rapidly. The third major component of the immune system is the lymphatic system. It is made up of organs and fluid called lymph, which circulates through the lymphatic vessels and bathes the body’s cells. They lymphatic system provides a type of continuous cleaning which takes place on a cellular level. This system removes the fluid from between the cells taking with it toxins, waste products, and other trash from the tissues. Other elements of the immune system include the spleen, the thymus, and the bone marrow. So What Can Go Wrong? The immune system can only work at its best if it is cared for properly. This means proper nutrition, enough sleep, providing the right environment, and avoiding things or conditions that dampen its effectiveness are vital in staying healthy. Immune system hazards: * Antibiotic overuse * Drug overuse * Stress, Anxiety * Sedentary lifestyle * Lack of sleep * Alcohol abuse * Smoking * Poor nutrition * Diet high in refined foods and fats * Household cleaners * Certain food additives * Mercury amalgam dental fillings * Environmental pollutants * Pesticides * Marijuana use * An under-active thyroid (hypothyroidism) Proper immune system function is a high wire balancing act. While lack of i mmune defense predisposes one to infectious diseases of every type, it is also possible to become ill as a result of an immune response that is too strong or directed at an inappropriate target. There are many examples of this including; rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, allergies, lupus, and pernicious anemia. These conditions are known as autoimmune disorders. The study of the immune system is known as immunology, and is one of the fastest growing fields in medicine today. Researchers in this field have made unbelievable progress in unraveling many of the mysteries of the immune system; with the vast majority or advances being made in the last 15 years. Much continues to be learned, but much more remains to be discovered.
Poor nutrition is the most common cause of a weakened or depressed immune system function. While, historically, research focusing on nutrition to immune has been focused on extreme malnutrition, attention it is slowly shifting toward marginal deficiencies of single or multiple nutrients and the effect of too many calories, sugar, and fat. An overwhelming number of clinical and experimental studies have lead to the conclusion that any single nutrient deficiency can dramatically impair the effectiveness of the immune system. With widespread problems of marginal nutrient deficiency in the Americans, it can be surmised that many are suffering from impaired immunity that will respond to nutritional supplementation. This statement is particularly true of seasoned citizens. Numerous studies have shown that most elderly Americans are lacking in at least one nutrient. Likewise, there are numerous studies that show that taking a multiple vitamin and mineral supplement improves immune function in elderly subjects, whether or not they suffer from obvious nutritional deficiency. Protein There have been numerous studies comparing protein intake to immune system health. The most severe effects of protein deficiency are on cell mediated immunity, although all facets of immune function are eventually affected. Protein deficiency is not, in most cases, a single nutrient deficiency. It is normally linked with multiple nutrient deficiencies, and some immune dysfunctions attributed to severe protein deficiencies which are, in all probability, due to these other factors. Partial deficiencies of dietary vitamins produce a comparatively greater depression in immune function than do partial protein deficiencies. Nevertheless, adequate protein is crucial for optimal immune function. In certain disease states, such as AIDS and cancer, it is suitable to supplement the diet with a high quality protein (e.g. whey protein, soy protein isolate, and egg protein) at a dosage of 0.8 gram per 2.2 pounds body weight. The protein supplementation will help avert the wasting away process (cachexia) associated with these conditions. Sugar Over the last 10 years sugar is perhaps the one food item where conventional thought has been turned upside down. The famous nutritional health advocate Gary Null M.D. referred to sugar as white poison. Today sugar is looked upon, by most health experts, as something that should be avoided or at least curtailed. Consuming roughly 4 ounces of carbohydrate in the form of glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey, or orange juice can significantly reduce the ability of white blood cells to destroy foreign particles and microorganisms. Astonishingly the negative effects start within thirty minutes, last for over five hours, and generally include a 50% reduction in the ability of white blood cells to destroy and engulf foreign particles at the peak of inhibition (usually two hours after ingestion). Since white blood cell function constitutes a major portion of the defense mechanism against infection, impairment of their activity obviously leads to an immune compromised state. Ingesting increasing amounts of glucose progressively lowers white blood cell function, with maximal inhibition corresponding to maximal blood glucose levels. In other words, the more sugar you consume the greater the negative impact on immune function. Conventional wisdom suggests that the negative effects of high sugar levels result from the elevation of insulin levels and the competition with vitamin C for membrane transport sites. This is based on evidence that vitamin C and blood sugar seem to have opposite effects on white blood cell function and the fact that both require insulin for membrane transport into many tissues. Considering that the average American consumes 125 grams of sucrose each day, plus 50 grams of other refined simple sugars, the unavoidable conclusion is that most Americans have chronically depressed immune systems. It is apparent that consumption of simple sugars – even in the form of fruit juice – impairs immune function, particularly during an infection. To aid the immune system during an infection, it is important to stay away from sugar. Also, fasting for short periods of time can help improve immune function by lowering the blood sugar levels, mainly during the first twenty four to forty eight hours of an acute infectious illness. This results in a significant (up to 50%) increase in the ability of white blood cells to destroy microorganisms. The fast should not be continued for an extreme period, since eventually the leukocytes’ energy sources will become depleted. Obesity Being dramatically overweight has been linked with decreased immune function. People who are overweight suffer from more infections than do people of normal weight; in experimental studies, the white blood cells of overweight individuals were less able to destroy bacteria. The levels of cholesterol and other fatty substances (lipids) are usually elevated in obese individuals, which may explain their impaired immune function. Alcohol Animal studies have shown that drinking alcohol increases the risk of infection in animals. Alcoholics are known to be more vulnerable to pneumonia. Studies of human white blood cells show a profound depression in the rate of mobilization into areas of infection after people consume alcohol. To a certain degree the more alcohol you consume the greater the impairment of white blood cell mobility. Vitamin A Once referred to as the “anti-infective vitamin,” vitamin A has recently regained recognition as a major determinant of immune status. Vitamin A affects the immune system in several ways. Chiefly, it plays an important role in maintaining the surfaces of the skin, respiratory tract, gastrointestinal tract, and other body tissues as well as their secretions. These surface systems comprise a primary barrier to microorganisms. In addition to this role, vitamin A has been shown to stimulate and/or enhance numerous immune processes, including induction of anti tumor activity, enhancement of white blood cell function, and increased antibody response. These effects are not due simply to a reversal of vitamin A deficiency, since many of these effects are further enhanced by large doses of vitamin A. Vitamin A has also shown noteworthy antiviral activity and has prevented the immune suppression induced by adrenal hormones, severe burns, and surgery. Some of these effects are probably related to vitamin A’s ability to prevent stress induced shrinkage of the thymus gland and to promote thymus growth. Individuals who are lacking in vitamin A are more susceptible to infectious diseases in general, but especially viral infections. In addition, vitamin A stores typically plummet during the course of an infection. * Vitamin A in Children Low vitamin A levels are a major problem in many developing countries, where five to ten million children show severe vitamin A deficiency. As a result, these children experience a incredible amount of suffering and death due to impaired immune function. Vitamin A deficient children are particularly susceptible to viral infections like measles. Vitamin A supplementation has been considered in the treatment of measles in children in the United States, as well as third world countries. In a study of “well nourished” children in Long, Beach, California, who suffered from measles, it was shown that 50% were deficient in vitamin A. Recently, a number of well designed studies have confirmed an effect first noted in 1932: Vitamin A supplementation can significantly reduce infant mortality among measles patients by at least 50%. Typically, the dosage of vitamin A in double blind studies has been 200,000 to 400,000 IU, administered only once or twice to replenish body stores. Vitamin A therapy seems to be appropriate for other childhood viral illnesses as well. One of the more common viruses nowadays is the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), a common cause of severe respiratory disease in young children. Studies have shown that children with RSV have low serum vitamin A levels. Also, the lower the vitamin A level the greater the severity of the disease, similar to the relationship shown in measles. Because vitamin A supplementation diminishes the morbidity and death caused by measles, a group of researchers decided to determine vitamin A’s safety and absorption pattern in RSV as a first step in determining the therapeutic effectiveness. Twenty on children with an average age of 2.3 months (range: 1 to 6 months) with mild RSV infection were treated with 12,500 to 25,000 IU or oral micellized (emulsified in water by making the fat droplets extremely small) vitamin A. Baseline vitamin A levels were shown to be low, but within six hours after receiving 25,000 IU of vitamin A, normal levels were reestablished. This did not occur with 12,500 IU. Despite their young age, none of the children experienced any obvious signs or symptoms of vitamin A toxicity. Although the study was not designed as a therapeutic trial, the subjects receiving vitamin A had shorter hospital stays than did children with a similar severity of illness that were not enrolled in the study. Placebo controlled trials are necessary to determine the true effectiveness of vitamin A in RSV infection. Vitamin A supplementation is an attractive treatment of FSV infections for many reasons, including its low cost, wide availability, and ease of administration. During an acute viral infection, a single oral dose of 50,000 IU for one or two days appears to be safe even for infants. Vitamin A supplementation must be absolutely avoided during pregnancy. Women who might be pregnant may substitute beta carotene for vitamin A. In a recent study published in the esteemed New England Journal of Medicine demonstrated that dosages greater than 10,000 I.U. during pregnancy (specifically during the first seven weeks after conception) have probably been responsible for one out of each fifty seven cases of birth defects in the United States. Women who are at risk for becoming pregnant should keep their supplemental vitamin A levels below 5,000 IU or, better yet, consider carotenes. Carotenes Carotenes, some of which can be converted into vitamin A, are gaining a great deal of attention as immune system enhancers. Carotenes represent the most widespread group of naturally occurring pigments in nature. They are a highly colored (red and yellow) group of fat soluble compounds. Over six hundred carotenoids have been identified, but only about thirty to fifty are believed to have vitamin A activity. Beta carotene is the most widely studied and has been termed the most active of the carotenes due to its higher pro-vitamin A activity. Nonetheless, several other carotenes exert superior antioxidant effects than do beta carotenes. Because carotenes are better antioxidants than vitamin A, they may turn out to be even better in protecting the thymus gland, since the thymus is particularly vulnerable to free radical and oxidative damage. Carotenes have demonstrated a number of immune enhancing effects in recent studies. However, awareness of such effects goes back to 1931, when an inverse relationship was found between a diet rich in carotenes (determined by blood carotene levels) and the number of school days missed by children. Originally it was though that the immune enhancing properties of carotenes resulted from their conversion to vitamin A. Researchers now know that carotenes are responsible for many immune system enhancing effects independent of any vitamin A activity. One of the most impressive studies was conducted on normal human volunteers. Results indicated that oral beta carotene (180 mg/day; approximately 300,00 IU) significantly increased the number of helper/inducer T cells by approximately 30% after seven days and all T cells after fourteen days. Because helper T cells play a critical role in determining immune status, this study indicates that oral beta carotene function in conditions, characterized by decreased T cell count, play a significant role (AIDS and cancer). However, rather than supplementing the diet with synthetic beta carotene, it may be more beneficial to use natural carotene sources or increase the intake of carotene rich foods. To support this idea, let’s take a look at a comparative study. In the study, 126 healthy college students were arbitrarily assigned to one of the following groups; Group A, the control group; Group B, which took a 15 mg (25,000 IU) beta carotene supplement daily; and Group C, which consumed approximately 15 mg of beta carotene per day from carrots. The group that ate carrots showed the greatest increase in white blood cell number and function. These results are baffling, because absorption studies have shown that beta carotene in pill form is better absorbed than the carotenes from carrots and other vegetables. What can be concluded for these studies is that beta carotene is most likely just one of the immune enhancing compound in whole, carotene rich foods. Therefore, it is recommended that the focus be placed on meeting high carotene intake through diet rather than supplementation. That being said, when immediate immune enhancement is desired, supplemental carotene may be an easier way to raise carotene intake to the 180 mg per day mark – the levels which has been shown to significantly enhance thymus function. While carotenes do not possess the antiviral and tumor killing properties of vitamin A, carotenes are inherently safer and wield multiple beneficial effects on immune function. Vitamin C Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) plays an important role in the natural approach to immune system health. Although vitamin C has been shown to be antiviral and antibacterial, its main effect is via improvement in immune function. Many different immune enhancing effects have been demonstrated, including enhancing white blood cell response and function, increasing interferon (a special chemical factor that fights viral infection and cancer) levels, increasing the secretion of thymic hormones, and improving the integrity of the linings of mucous membranes. Vitamin C has direct biochemical effects on white blood cells comparable to those of the immune enhancing compound interferon. Numerous clinical studies support the use of vitamin C in the treatment of infectious conditions, particularly the common cold. In addition to its well known effects in reducing the frequency, duration, and severity of the common cold, vitamin C has also been shown to be useful in other infectious conditions. Vitamin C levels are quickly depleted during the stress of an infection. It is helpful to supplement with flavonoids – the plant pigments that give color to many fruits, vegetables, and flowers – along with vitamin C, since these compounds raise the concentration of vitamin C in some tissues and increase its effects, in addition to exerting their own effects. Vitamin E Vitamin E exerts very good immune enhancing activity, as it enhances both arms of immunity (antibody related or humoral and cell mediated immunity). A vitamin E deficiency results in significant reduction in immune function. Even without signs of vitamin E deficiency, supplementation with vitamin E has been shown to exert a number of positive effects on immune functions. The benefits of vitamin E are particularly helpful in enhancing immune function in seasoned citizens. A recent research study tried to determine the effect of vitamin E supplementation at different dosages on immune function in eighty eight patients over the age of sixty five years. The researchers measured T cell function as an indicator of immune system condition. Vitamin E was given at 60 IU, 200 IU, or 800 IU for 235 days. While the placebo group only experienced an 8% increase in T cell function, the 60 IU group had a 22% increase; the 200 IU group had a 58% increase; and the 800 IU group had a 65 percent increase. No adverse effects were observed at any of the three dosage schedules of vitamin E. Vitamin B6 Vitamin B6 deficiency results in depressed immune function – both antibody related and cell mediated immunity are suppressed. This suppression becomes evident as the number of white blood cells plummets, creating a tremendous reduction in quality and quantity of antibodies produced, and decreasing thymic hormone activity. Vitamin B6 deficiency may be a consequence of low dietary intake of vitamin B6, excessive protein intake, consumption of yellow food dyes (hydralazine), alcohol consumption, or use of oral contraceptive. Folic Acid and Vitamin B12 A deficiency of vitamin B12, or folic acid, results in significantly reduced white blood cell production and abnormal white blood cell responses. Folic acid deficiency – the most common vitamin deficiency in the United States – has been shown to result in atrophy (shrinkage) of the thymus and lymph nodes and significantly impaired white blood cell function. A B12 deficiency produces identical results and is especially harmful to the ability of white blood cells to engulf and destroy infecting organisms. * Additional B Vitamins Thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), and pantothenic acid (B5) deficiencies lead to reduced antibody response, decreased white blood cell response, and atrophy of the thymus and lymph tissue. Iron Iron deficiency is a common condition that causes immune dysfunction in large numbers of people, particularly children, menstruating women, and elderly people who take aspirin and other drugs that can cause gastrointestinal bleeding due to ulcer formation. Marginal iron deficiency – even at levels that do no lower blood values – can influence the immune system. Marginal iron deficiency can cause thymus and lymph node atrophy, decreased white blood cell response and function, and a decreased ratio of T cells to B cells. Iron is an important nutrient to bacteria as well as humans. During infection, one of the body’s defense mechanisms to limit bacterial growth is to reduce iron levels in the blood. Laboratory studies have revealed that the antibacterial effects of human serum are eliminated by the addition of iron to the serum. As body temperature is raised to fever levels, the growth of bacteria is inhibited, but not at high iron concentrations. These observations lead to the conclusion that iron supplementation is probably contraindicated during acute infection. Nevertheless, in patients with impaired immune function, chronic infection, and subnormal iron levels, adequate supplementation is essential. Zinc The hereditary zinc deficiency disease, acrodermatitis enteropathica (AE), offers an excellent model for understanding the role of zinc in immunity. In this condition, the number of T cells is reduced, white blood cell function is radically impaired, and thymic hormone levels are lower. All of these effects are reversible upon adequate zinc administration and absorption. Other studies have shown that zinc serves a vital role in many immune system reactions; it promotes the destruction of foreign particles and microorganisms, acts as a protectant against free radical damage, acts synergistically with vitamin A, is required for proper white blood cell function, and is a necessary cofactor in activating serum thymic factor – a thymus hormone with profound immune enhancing properties. Zinc also inhibits the growth of several viruses, including common cold viruses and herpes simplex virus. Throat lozenges containing zinc have become popular in the treatment of the common cold for good reason: t hey are effective. Sufficient zinc levels are particularly important in the elderly, and zinc supplementation in elderly subjects results in increased numbers of T cells and enhanced cell mediated immune response. Selenium Selenium plays a vital role in the functioning of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase. As such, it affects all components of the immune system, including the development and activity of all white blood cells. Selenium deficiency results in depressed immune function, whereas selenium supplementation results in augmentation and/or restoration of immune functions. Selenium deficiency has been shown to inhibit resistance to infection as a result of impaired white blood cell and thymus function, while selenium supplementation (200 mcg/day) has been shown to stimulate white blood cell and thymus function. The ability of selenium supplementation to enhance immune function goes well beyond simply restoring selenium levels in selenium deficient individuals. For example, in one study selenium supplementation (200 mcg/day) to individual with normal selenium concentrations in their blood resulted in a 118% increase in the ability of lymphocytes to kill tumor cells and an 82.3% increase in the activity of natural killer cells. These effects were apparently related to selenium’s ability to enhance the expression of he immune enhancing compound interleukin 2 and, consequently, the rate of white blood cell proliferation and differentiation into forms capable of killing tumor cells and microorganisms. The results indicated that the immune enhancing effects of selenium in humans requires supplementation above the normal dietary intake. Enhancing Thymus Function Perhaps the most effective way to reestablish a healthy immune system is to improve the functioning of the thymus gland. Promoting optimal thymus gland activity involves: * Avoiding thymic involution or shrinkage by ensuring adequate dietary intake of antioxidant nutrients * Using nutrients that are required in the manufacture or action of thymic hormones * Using botanical medicines or glandular products that contain concentrates of calf thymus tissue to enhance thymus activity. Breast Feeding for Future Immune System Health Breast feeding is linked with giving a child a better immune function. Breast fed infants tend to have fewer infections and allergies. One of the key benefits of breast milk may involve stimulating the thymus gland to grow. It is important for mothers to breast feed their infants for at least the first four months of life. In a recent study, breast fed infants were shown to have a larger mean thymus index (a volume estimate based on ultrasound assessment) when compared to formula fed infants. The thymic index was assessed in healthy term infants at birth and at four months of age. While there was no significant difference in thymic index at birth, at four months of age the mean thymic index was 383 in exclusively breast fed infants, 27.3 in partially breast fed infants, and only 18.3 in formula fed infants. This finding was independent of weight, length, sex, and previous or current illness. Let us put these numbers in better perspective: the thymus glands of breast fed infants were over twenty times larger than those of formula fed infants. Antioxidants The thymus gland shows maximum development in infancy; the importance of breast feeding is clearly the determining factor in maximal development, based on the previously described study. During the aging process, the thymus gland undergoes a process of shrinkage, or involution. The reason for this involution is that the thymus gland is extremely susceptible to free radical and oxidative damage caused by stress, radiation, infection, and chronic illness. Many patients with impaired immune function as well as conditions associated with impaired immunity (chronic fatigue syndrome, cancer, AIDS, etc.) suffer from a state of oxidative imbalance. This condition is characterized by a greater number of free radicals than antioxidants in their system – a situation that is quite harmful to thymus function. One of the main ways in which antioxidants impact the immune system – particularly cell mediated immunity – may be by protecting the thymus gland form damage. The antioxidant nutrients most important for protecting the thymus include the carotenes, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. Nutrients to Improve Thymus Function Many nutrients function as important cofactors in the manufacture, secretion, and function of thymic hormones. Deficiencies of any one of these nutrients result in decreased thymic hormone action and impaired immune function. Zinc, vitamin B6 and vitamin C are perhaps the most important. Supplementation with these nutrients has been shown to increase thymic hormone function and cell mediated immunity. Zinc is perhaps the critical mineral involved in thymus gland function and thymus hormone action. Zinc is involved in virtually every aspect of immunity. When zinc levels are low, the number of T cells is reduced; thymic hormone levels are lower, and many white blood functions vital to the immune response are severely lacking. All of these effects are reversible with zinc supplementation. Thymus Extracts A large amount of clinical information now supports the effectiveness of calf thymus extracts in restoring and enhancing immune function. The effectiveness of thymus extracts is reflective of broad spectrum immune system enhancement, presumable mediated by improved thymus gland activity. This effect fits neatly with one of the basic concepts of glandular therapy; that the oral ingestion of glandular material of a certain animal gland will strengthen the corresponding human gland. The result is a broad general effect indicative of improved glandular function. In other words, glandular therapy is designed to increase the tone, function, and/or activity of the corresponding gland. Thymus extract may well provide a solution to chronic viral infections and low immune function. The ability of thymus extracts to treat and then reduce the number of recurrent infections was studied in groups of children with a history of recurrent respiratory tract infections. Double blind studies revealed not only that orally administered thymus extracts were able to effectively eliminate infection, but that treatment over the course of a year significantly reduced the number of respiratory infections and significantly improved numerous immune parameters. Thymus extract has also been shown to normalize the ratio of T helper cells to suppressor cells, whether the ratio is low (as in AIDS or cancer) or high (as in allergies or rheumatoid arthritis). Spleen Extracts Like thymus extracts, pharmaceutical grade bovine spleen extracts are helpful in the treatment of infectious conditions and as an immune enhancing agent in cancer. The benefits are attributed to small molecular weight proteins such as tuftsin and splenopentin. Tuftsin stimulates macrophages in the liver, spleen, and lymph nodes. Remember, macrophages are large cells that engulf and destroy foreign particles, including bacteria, cancer cells, and cellular debris. Macrophages are vital in protecting against invasion by microorganisms as well as cancer. Tuftsin also helps mobilize other white blood cells to fight against infection and cancer. A deficiency of tuftsin is associated with signs and symptoms of frequent infections. Splenopentins’s effects are mainly directed toward enhancing the immune system’s response to regulating compounds known as colony stimulating factors. These compounds stimulate the production of white blood cells. Clinical studies performed during the 1930s used spleen extracts to treat depressed white blood cell counts; splenopentin is probably the factor responsible for the results. Splenopentin has also been shown to enhance natural killer cell activity. The principal use of spleen extracts is after a splenectomy, or removal of the spleen. This operation is usually performed after the spleen has been seriously injured, causing severe hemorrhage. It is necessary to remove the spleen after significant trauma because it is difficult to repair. The spleen is also removed in the medial treatment of certain diseases, such as idiopathic thrombocytic purpurea (ITP), and to determine the extent of Hodgkin’s disease. The removal of the spleen is associated with an increased risk for infection, particularly bacterial infection. Spleen extracts can be very helpful in such cases. Spleen extracts are also useful in the treatment of low white blood cell counts and bacterial infections and as an adjunct to cancer therapy. Botanicals A wide range of herbs have been shown to have antibacterial, antiviral, and immunostimulatory effects. While it would not be practical to attempt to cover every herb we will focus on two of the most popular: Echinacea and astragalus. These two herbs were selected based on their ability to exert broad spectrum effects on immune functions. They stimulate the body’s natural defense mechanism and are in many ways the prototypes of the hundreds of plants with known antimicrobial and immunological activity. Echinacea You probably have heard of this herb and may in fact have a bottle in your pantry. This could be the most widely used Western herb for enhancement of the immune system. The two most widely used species are Echinacea angustifolia and Echinacea purpurea. Both have been shown to exert profound immune enhancing effects. Several classes of constituents contribute to this action. Among the most important immune stimulating components of Echinacea are the large polysaccharides, such as inulin, that activate the alternative complement pathway (one of the immune system’s nonspecific defense mechanisms) and increase the production of immune chemicals that activate macrophages. The result is improved activity of many key immune parameters: production of T cells, macrophage phagocytosis, antibody binding, natural killer cell activity, and levels of circulating neutrophils. Echinacea strengthens the immune system even in healthy people. For example, oral administration of an E. purpurea root extract (a dose of thirty drops three times daily) to healthy males for five days resulted in a remarkable 120% increase in leukocyte phagocytosis. In another study of healthy volunteers aged twenty five to forty years, the fresh pressed juice of E. purpurea extract was found to increase the phagocytosis of Candida albicans by 30 to 40%; it also increased the migration of white cells to the scene of the battle by 34%. In addition to immune support, Echinacea exerts direct antiviral activity and helps prevent the spread of bacteria by inhibiting a bacterial enzyme called hyaluronidase. This enzyme is secreted by bacteria in order to break through the body’s first line of defense – the protective membrane such as the skin or mucous membranes – so that the organism can enter the body. Astragalus membranaceus Astragalus root is a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat viral infections. Clinical studies in China have shown it be effective when used as a preventive measure against the common cold. It has also been shown to reduce the duration and severity of symptoms in acute treatment of the common cold, as well as raise white blood cell counts in chronic leucopenia (a condition characterized by low white blood cell levels). Research in animals indicates that a stragalus apparently works by stimulating several factors of the immune system: phagocytic activity of monocytes and macrophages; interferon production and natural killer cell activity; T cell activity; and other antiviral mechanisms. Astragalus appears particularly useful in cases where the immune system has been damaged by chemicals or radiation (e.g. in those undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiation treatment). As with echinacea, the polysaccharides contained in the root of Astragalus membranaceus add to the immune enhancing effects.
Diet and nutrition should be an important part of any program designed to boost immunity. 7 Foods for Immune System Health: * Kelp * Garlic * Vegetables * Fruits * Nuts * Seeds * Grains
Vitamin A – This vitamin is important in the body’s overall defense system. If used in moderate doses vitamin A is rarely toxic. Some medical professionals refer to vitamin A as the anti-infection vitamin. Vitamin C – This vitamin is important for the formation of adrenal hormones and the production of lymphocytes. It also has a direct effect on bacteria and viruses. Vitamin C should be taken with bioflavonoids, which are natural plant substances that enhance absorption and reinforce the action of the vitamin. Vitamin E – This vitamin interacts with the vitamins A and C and the mineral selenium, acting as a primary antioxidant and scavenger of toxic free radicals. Vitamin E activity is an important part of the body’s defense system. Zinc – When zinc intake is kept under 100mg per day this mineral is known to boosts immune response. It also works to promote the healing of wounds Natural Supplements for Immune System Health and Support
ImmunityPlus is a 100% safe, non-addictive natural herbal remedy formulated to safely maintain systemic balance and immune system health, without harmful side effects. ImmunityPlus contains a selection of herbs known for their supportive function in maintaining immune system well-being, thereby helping to keep you healthy and strong. Continue
* Provides seasonal protection against current flu viruses * Increases the body’s ability to fight against invading germs * Improves recovery time from common flu symptoms * Discourages secondary complications of the lungs, chest, throat and ears * Protects against the flu while traveling or on vacation Continue |
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