The immune system is our first line of defense to keep the body safe from infections. It includes the skin, thymus,gastrointestinal lining, tonsils/adenoids, spleen, lymph nodes, bone marrow and more. We discuss natural therapies, such as herbs, food and stress reduction techniques that support the natural activities of the immune system.
Statistical modeling in pharmaceutical research and development.
Immune Support by Ellen Kamhi PhD RN, The Natural Nurse
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By: Ellen Kamhi, Ph.D., RN
“The Natural Nurse® ”
www.naturalnurse.com
FACEBOOK The Natural Nurse
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The Amazing Human Body
*Optimum Immune System Function May be Compromised through neglect,
abuse and overuse
•Immune function can be maximized and balanced through
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nutrition- organic whole food
reducing stress
immune-specific nutrients
moderate exercise
emotional balance & spiritual well-being
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Immune System Defense
Immune System :
* is a highly specialized front-line defense
• identifies, remembers, attacks and destroys pathogens, (disease-causing
invaders)
* attacks abnormal or infected cells.
When the Immune System is Functioning Optimally:
* invaders such as viruses, cancer cells, bacteria, fungi,
parasites are engulfed and dissolved
The Immune System is so Determined to Annihilate Invaders:
* it can sometimes go awry and do damage to the body itself
This is referred to as “autoimmune diseases”: lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and
multiple sclerosis. Body Wellness Programs &
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A Look At Our Immune
System
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Healthy Immunity Newsletter
Skin is the largest
immune organ. It protects
us when it’s healthy. It
excretes immune agents
that fight bacteria when it
is wounded.
Gastro-Intestinal Lining-
The most active immune
area In the body- IGG
All of the entrances to the
body – eyes, nose, mouth,
vagina and anus – contain
potent immune factors in
their secretions to protect
the body.
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A Closer Look At Immune Function
When a Pathogen Enters the Bloodstream:
* One type of immune cell-macrophage-
engulfs and absorbs
* Macrophage then releases chemical messengers that activates
two other types of immune cells. - B cells and T cells.
* B cells produce antibodies to fight the invader directly.
* T cells help in various other ways via different types of T cells.
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A Closer Look At Immune Function
The Role of T Cells
Killer T Cells (cytokines) destroy the intruder
Helper T cells (2 types- Th-1 & Th2) activate the immune
response by alerting other immune system cells that an
invader is present;
Th-1 cells suppressed: colds, flu, infectious disease,
Th-2 cells are overactive: allergies, autoimmune disorders,
inflammation
plant fats called sterols, sterolins, optimize immunity by balancing Helper
T- cells. (Sterols/Sterolins,Natural, Nontoxic Immuno-Modulators:Their Role in the Control of Rheumatoid
ArthritisProf. Patrick JD Bouic, Chief Specialist Scientist, Head: Immunology, Department of Medical Microbiology,
Tygerberg Hospital/University of Stellenbosch, Faculty of Medicine, PO Box 19063, 7505 Tygerberg, South Africa..
http://www.garynull.com/documents/Arthritis/Sterols-Sterolins.htm
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A Closer Look At Immune Function
Suppressor T Cells regulate & turn off immune
activity when job is done.
The immune system remembers the
chemical signature of that particular pathogen
and responds more rapidly with antibodies
next time, if same pathogen tries to invade.
A Healthy Immune System is a
powerful force against would-be invaders.
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Immune System Can Become Compromised
* Environment - toxins in air, food, water, synthetic chemicals
* Stress – A BIG FACTOR!! - shuts down immune system function.
* Extreme Emotional Imbalances – Anger, sadness, loneliness, self pity.
The slightest pathogen becomes a problem with a weak immune system.
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Immune System Can Become Compromised
* Foods (SAD) – Standard American Diet, chemical laden, over processed, over cooked,
devoid of nutrients.
- processed foods
- fried foods
- soda pop
- refined sugar
- artificial sweeteners
- chemicals
- preservatives
- GMO ( genetically modified?)
Sanchez, A., et al. Role of Sugars in Human Neutrophilic Phagocytosis, American
Journal of Clinical Nutrition. Nov 1973;261:1180_1184. Bernstein, J., al. Depression of
Lymphocyte Transformation Following Oral Glucose Ingestion. American Journal of
Clinical Nutrition.1997;30:613
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10.
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Natural Immune System Boosting
Good Nutrition
* Essential to keeping the immune system healthy & strong
Critical Nutrients That Stimulate a Strong Immune System
* vitamins A, C, E, B6 * essential fatty acids * manganese
*selenium *zinc *copper *iron * sulfur.
* magnesium * germanium
These nutrients can be obtained from organic whole-foods diet.
Such as fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, and whole grains.
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Natural Immune System Boosting
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Plant Fats
Phyto-Sterols
Optimize immunity by balancing Helper T- cells. They occur naturally in
fruit, vegetables, seeds and nuts.
(Piironen V, Toivo J, Puupponen-Pimia R, Lampi AM. Plant sterols in vegetables, fruits, and
berries. J Sci Food Agric. 2003;83:330-337. )
These substances also offer protection for the heart
(FDA Authorizes New Coronary Heart Disease Health Claim for Plant Sterol and Plant Stanol
Esters. FDA Talk Paper.http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/~lrd/tpsterol.html Accessed October 4,
2006)
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Natural Immune System Boosting
Probiotics
Van de Water, J, Keen,CL, Gershwin ME. The Influence of Chronic Yogurt Consumption on
Immunity. Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:1492S-1495S.
Department of Rheumatology, Allergy and Clinical Immunology and * Department of Nutrition,
University of California, Davis, Davis, CA 95616
Yogurt consumption, especially for the live-culture groups, was
associated with a decrease in allergic symptoms in both age
groups. Seniors in the control group experienced an increase in
both total and LDL cholesterol, whereas those in the yogurt
groups remained stable during the course of the study
( Gill, H S. Dietary probiotic supplmentation to enhance cellular immunity in the elderly
British Journal of Biomedical Science 2001 )
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14. The Effect of a Vitamin and Mineral Supplement on Infection
and Self-Reported Health
4 March 2003 | Volume 138 Issue 5 | Page I-40 – ANNALS OF
INTERNAL MEDICINE
Outcome: A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement appears
to reduce the number of infections, especially in persons with
type 2 diabetes, a group that is at risk for vitamin and mineral
deficiencies.
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Natural Immune System Boosting
The Power Of Herbs
* Echinacea - a very potent immune system stimulant.
* Combining Echinacea w/other herbs: Maitake Mushroom & Wild Indigo Root
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can form powerful synergistic blends.
* Echinacea shown to improve the cell’s resistance to viruses when used before
viral infection, so use preventatively if exposed to colds or flu.
•If a cold or flu is already in progress, Echinacea with Goldenseal soothes sore
throats and shrinks swollen glands.
•Shah, S.A. The Lancet, July 2007; vol 7: pp 473480.
16. Evaluation of echinacea for the prevention and
treatment of the common cold: a meta-analysis
Sachin A Shah, Stephen Sander, C Michael White,
Mike Rinaldi, Craig I Coleman
The Lancet Infectious Diseases –
Vol. 7, Issue 7, July 2007, Pages 473-480
Echinacea decreased the odds of developing the
common cold by 58%... significant reductions were
maintained in subgroup analyses… Published evidence
supports echinacea's benefit in decreasing the incidence
and duration of the common cold.
17. Vitamin D
Get level tested- deficient or low in many people
There are two vitamin D tests:
1,25(OH)D and 25(OH)D.
25(OH)D is the better marker of overall D status. It is this marker that is most
strongly associated with overall health.
Correct Test: 25(OH) D also called 25 hydroxyvitamin D
Optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D values are:
45-50 ng/ml or 115-128 nmol/l
Normal 25-hydroxyvitamin D lab values are:
20-56 ng/ml 50-140 nmol/l
Your vitamin D level should NEVER be below 32 ng/ml.
Below 20 ng/ml increases your risk of breast and prostate cancer and
autoimmune diseases like MS and rheumatoid arthritis.
(Holick MF. Calcium and Vitamin D. Diagnostics and Therapeutics. Clin
Lab Med. 2000 Sep;20(3):569-90)
18. Immune Support Herbs
ACTIVE ANTIMICROBIAL INCREASES PRODUCTION
& ACTIVITY OF
WHITE BLOOD CELLS
INTERFERES
WITH VIRAL
REPLICATION
19. Low Vitamin D decreases immunity:
Yu S, Cantorna MT.The vitamin D receptor is required for iNKT cell
development. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Apr 1;105(13):5207-12.
Low Vitamin D associated with depression:
Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Low Mood and Worse
Cognitive Performance in Older Adults
Consuelo H. Wilkins, M.D., Yvette I. Sheline, M.D., Catherine M. Roe, Ph.D.,
Stanley J. Birge, M.D., and John C. Morris, M.D. From the Department of
Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Nutritional Science (CHW, SJB), Alzheimer’s
Disease Research Center (CHW, CMR, JCM), the Department of Psychiatry (YIS),
the Department of Neurology (YIS, JCM), and the Division of Biostatistics (CMR),
Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Am J Geriatr
Psychiatry 14:1032-1040, December 2006
20. Sambucus ( Black Elderberry)
Sambucus has been shown to decrease viral
duplication, by interfering with their ability
to enter host cell membranes and take over
the nucleus.
21. Homeopathy
Homeopathics can be the best form of therapy
for kids, since they taste good and are easy
to take.
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Natural Immune System Boosting Continued
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Exercise:
* Low to moderate exercise is beneficial to health, enhances immunity.
* Walking - most potent immune-enhancing activity, providing movement to
the body while clearing the mind.
* intensity & duration of exercise = stress & immune system function.
*Marathon runners, body builders in competition, prone to negative side effects of
strenuous, relentless exercise.
* “Weekend Warriors” can cause immune suppression.
* Professor Patrick Bouic and other researchers - discovered that the function of
T cells, and killer T cells, our cancer-fighting cells, are suppressed due to exercise
overexertion.
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Natural Immune System Boosting Continued
Other Immune Boosters
* A Positive Attitude * Yoga * Positive Self Talk
* Prayer * Meditation * Massage * Chiropractic
* Stress Reduction Techniques
Laughter & feelings of satisfaction increase and enhance the actions of our immune cells.
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The Minds Role In
Boosting Your Immune System
*All body systems are intricately connected to the immune system.
*Research at University of Rochester, New York; The nervous system is in
direct communication with the immune system, and therefore thoughts and
emotions affect our immunity:
PSYCHONEUROIMMUNOLOGY
* Loneliness is now recognized as the number one predictor of disease
due to its immune suppressing action.
* Happiness and feelings of self-worth are paramount to good immune health.
Prayer, a positive attitude and spiritual well-being have been proven to
enhance T-cell activity. BE HAPPY = BE HEALTHY