Strengthen the immune system
The immune system is an amazing collection of cells, proteins and organs in the body. He is responsible protect us against infection by external agencies, as well as toxins and other substances. All parts of the immune system need to work together for optimal defense against foreign invaders. When parts of the immune system is compromised or corrupted, and the disease can occur. When invading micro-organisms enter the body, they will soon be recognized by the general immune cells that send signals to more specialized immune cells. General immune cells release chemicals that dilate blood vessels to help more cells specialized immune enter the infected area. Therefore, it is usually swelling and redness (inflammation) during an infection. The immune system may also assist the body in other ways, including the fight against certain cancers.
One of the main invaders of the body are virus. Most viral infections usually last one or two weeks, during which the immune system is an effective fight against the invading virus. After infection, the immune system for certain special cells, called memory cells, remember certain characteristics virus, so the next time the virus invades the body, the rest of the immune system will be more than ready to fight. This is called enhanced immunity a particular organism invasion, and is also the basis for most vaccines. The vaccine is average parts of a virus or bacteria, or the micro-inactivated whole organism, which is injected into a person. If all goes well, the person injected (inoculated) will mount an immune response against minor vaccine components. If they ever meet the real micro-organism in the outside world, their immune system will be ready to destroy the foreign body before the person becomes seriously ill.
Unfortunately, some viruses are constantly changing their exterior coating (capsid) to help them escape the immune system. The viruses that cause colds and flu as well use this "chameleon" mechanism to thwart our immune system. It is why a vaccine against the common cold can be made, and current vaccines against avian May not work, depending on what strain of influenza is the most active season. In addition, certain viruses to combine their DNA into the DNA of the person, thus remaining with the person for life. The virus may sleep for years or decades before going out again and stimulating our immune system. Examples of viruses that integrate into our own DNA family include herpes virus and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There are also other ways for micro-organisms in order to deceive the immune system. Some bacteria and parasites can hiding in some small areas of the body, escape immune detection, where they multiply and get ready to come out and do battle over Later, with our immune system. Antibiotics and other medications may need to be used to deal with these wily invaders.
However, it is the immune system that only struggle against the invaders from outside the body. The underlying basis of the immune system that cells Immunity is able to distinguish your body against foreign substances such as chemicals or invading organisms. This is also called the distinction self from nonself. Sometimes this recognition fails, and the immune system of a person ends up believing certain molecules and tissues of the person are unknown and attempts to destroy them. This is called autoimmune diseases. In addition, certain immune system error May otherwise innocent substances like foods, pollen, animal dander, etc. as a threat and mounts an immune response against them. This is the basis for allergic reactions to substances also safe in our environment. Another factor that may disrupt the immune system is stress. Stress causes the release of a hormone called cortisol, which suppresses the immune system. A suppressed immune system is an invitation for infection by other organisms.
As mentioned above, the immune system may attack its own body, or it could also not respond to foreign substances and invaders. Why Is this it? There is a wide range of immune function related to the immune response and inappropriate. At one end spectrum are the immune systems that are excited, which may contribute to diseases such as lupus erythematosus (SLE). Another condition in which the immune system is much too asthma. Serious, sometimes fatal allergic reactions are also a conditioner of overstimulation immune system. Not exactly are overstimulated immune-based mild to moderate allergies and sensitivities, such as hay fever and sensitivity to cigarette smoke. A normal immune system is not over-or understimulated (immunosuppressed or immunocompromised). It discusses the substances both internal and external correctly, identifying exactly what is safe and what is harmful.
On the other side of understimulation spectrum is, as mentioned above. Demotivated or immunocompromised immune systems can not fight against many infections properly. At the extreme of this scale would be the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by the immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Somewhat less immunosuppression occurs with otherwise normal people who are on their host immunosuppression drugs such as corticosteroids. Slightly immunocompromised immune systems are very common, and a good example would be people living in constant environmental stress. This constant stress will often raise naturally produced steroid hormones such as cortisol, which is a well known immunosuppressive. Examples of some foods and supplements that can affect the immune system in various ways.
Immune stimulating factors: beta-carotene (1), vitamin A (less 25,000 IU / day) (2), manganese (3), L-Taurine (4), moderate doses of selenium (less than 200 ug / day) (5), and coenzyme Q10 (6).
Immunomodulator (moderating) factors: vitamin C (5), beta-carotene (2), fish oil and fish oil combined with dietary Low Fat (7), moderate amounts of dietary protein (8), and L-arginine (9).
Immune factors depressants: alcohol (6) the diet rich in fat (10), intakes of vitamin E over 600 IU / day (11), low dietary iron (8), excessive intake of selenium (more 200 ug / day) (10), excessive consumption of zinc (100 mg / day or greater) (12), deficiency of L-glutamine (13), vitamin A (14), VAD B1 (14), vitamin E (14), zinc deficiency (14), magnesium deficiency (14), a folic acid deficiency (15), riboflavin (vitamin B2), deficit (15), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), deficit (15), vitamin B6 (16), vitamin B12 (8), vitamin C (2) Vitamin D deficiency (17), and iodine deficiency (2).
Some supplements also deserve mention for their beneficial effects on the system immune. Fish oil has powerful anti-inflammatory. In one study, supplementation of at least 1.8 grams of fish oil daily for six weeks resulted in a reduction of 37% of a major inflammatory molecule, arachidonic acid. The authors of the study suggest that some immune cells called neutrophils are responsible for reducing the rate of arachidonic acid (18). Supplementation with vitamin E 200 IU / day seems be the ideal dose for a healthy immune system (19). As noted elsewhere in this article, megadosing vitamin E at 600 IU / day May more or weaken the immune system (11). In one study, patients hospitalized older people supplemented with vitamins A, C and E for four weeks showed improvement of the immune system (20).
Here are some general tips on improving immune function, and also some advice on some supplements that affect the immune system. Always drink purified water or spring water. Do not drink distilled water for more than a few months at a time --- it leaches minerals both good and bad of the organization and should be used as a therapy detoxification temporary. Eat only organic, pesticide and antibiotic free meats, cereals, fruits and vegetables. Fish oil and vitamin E should not be used with blood thinners like aspirin, NSAIDs (eg ibuprofen), warfarin (Coumadin). Supplements Iron should not be used in people with liver problems.
References:
1. Hughes, D., et. al. The effect of supplementation of beta-carotene on immune function of blood monocytes of healthy male non-smokers. Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine (1997) Mar 129 (3): 309-317.
2. Chandra, R. nutrition and immunity - basic considerations. Part I. Contemporary Issues in Clinical Nutrition (1986) 11:11.
3. Smialowicz, R., et. al. Manganese chloride enhances natural cell-mediated function of immune effector cells: effects macrophages. Immunopharmacology (1985) 9: 1-11.
4. Masuda, M., et. al. Influences of taurine on neutrophil functions in rats. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology (1984) 3491): 116-118.
5. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR, 2001.
6. Golan R. Optimal Wellness. New York: Ballantine Books / Random House, 1995.
7. Meydani, S., et. al. Effect of low-fat, low cholesterol (LF-FCHL) diet enriched in n-3 fatty acids (FA) on the immune response in humans. FASEB Journal (1991) 5:1449 A.
8. Levy, J. Nutrition and immune system. In: Basic and Clinical Immunology, 4th ed. Los Altos, CA: Lange Medical Publications, 1982.
9. Daly, J., al. al. Immune and metabolic effects of arginine in the surgical patient. Annals of Surgery (1988) 208 (4): 512.
10. Werbach, M. Nutritional Influences on Illness, 2nd ed. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1996.
11. Prasad, J. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on leukocyte function. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1980) 33: 606-608.
12. Bogden, J., et. al. Effects of one year of supplementation with zinc and other trace elements on cellular immunity in the elderly. Journal of the American College of Nutrition (1990) 9 (3): 214-225.
13. Kafkewitz, D., & Bendich, A. Enzyme-induced asparagine and glutamine depletion and immune system function. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1983) 37: 1025-1030.
14. Holford, P. The Optimum Nutrition Bible. Berkeley, CA: Crossing Press / Ten Speed Press, 1999.
15. Beisel, W. Single nutrients and immunity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1982), Suppl 35: 417-468.
16. Axelrod, A., & Traketellis, A. Relationship of pyridoxine to immunological phenomena. Vitamins and Hormones (1964) 22: 591-607.
17. Toss, G., & Symreng, T. delayed hypersensitivity response and vitamin D. International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (1983) 53 (1): 27-31.
18. Lee, T., et. al. Dietary enrichment with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids in neutrophils in vitro and monocyte production of leukotrienes and neutrophil function. New England Journal of Medicine (1985) May 9, 312 (19): 1217-1224.
19. Reavley, N. The new encyclopedia of vitamins, minerals, dietary supplements, and herbs. New York, NY: Evan & Co., 1998.
20. Penn, N., et. al. The effect of dietary supplementation with vitamins A, C and E on the cell mediated immune system in elderly long-stay patients: a randomized controlled trial. Age and Aging (1991) May 20 (3) :169-174.
About the Author
Dr. Jensen is both a consultant and author in the BioMedical and Nutrition fields. He has previously written a book on both topics, The Failures of American Medicine, published in 2002. Dr. Jensen has also written a doctoral dissertation on how Vitamin C can reduce stress and allergies via its antihistamine effect. He has worked in a broad range of BioMedical fields, such as gene regulation, cancer research, and HIV vaccine development. However, Dr. Jensen eventually decided that helping people more directly would be more rewarding for everyone involved. He has since helped clients with dozens of different ailments. Dr. Jensen is a practitioner in the field of Metabolic Typing, which characterizes different biochemistries among people based on certain physical and behavioral traits they have.
You can contact Dr. Jensen at 1-800-390-5365, or mail him at drjensen@individualizednutrition.com.
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