GUARD your Immunity (I)

  

IMPORTANCE

In recent times, new communicable diseases surfaced, resulting in widespread illnesses and in the worst scenario - death. Some new strains of pathogens have found their way to a faraway destination with the help of infected travelers. The risk is elevated when the spread occurs in a densely populated city.

The immune system is the body’s first line of defence against infectious agents, such as chemicals, drugs, bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites, as well as engineering the healing process. Coated on them are large molecules or antigens the immune cells should be able to spot and destroy. At the front line are our skin, stomach acid and mucus - assisted by the lymph nodes and other components of the immune system which help to keep the antigens at bay. A well-functioning immune system is capable of distinguishing between normal body cells and foreign bodies/abnormal cells, and thus destroying cancer cells as and when they are spotted.


WEAKENING SIGNS

Decades of over-reliance on antibiotics puts a strain on the immune system whilst the newly transformed super microbes are harder to eradicate and thus spread and infect easily.

Weakening of the immune system results in increased susceptibility to virtually every type of illness. Some common signs of impaired immune function include fatigue, listlessness, repeated infections, inflammation, allergic reactions, slow wound healing, chronic diarrhea and manifestation of an overgrowth of some normally present organism as in oral thrush, systemic candidasis or vaginal yeast infections.

COMPOSITION

The immune system comprises specialized tissues, organs, cells and bio-chemicals with the skin and mucous membrane, of which the prominent ones involved are white blood cells, bone marrow, the lymphatic vessels and organs, specialised cells found in various body tissues and organs, specialised substances called serum factors found in the blood.

In the spongy tissue of the bone lies the red marrow where immature stem cells are produced. They have the capacity of turning into different types of cells - white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets and plasma.

Proper functioning of immune system

At birth, the immune system is not functional yet. The bone plays catch-up in a child's formative years by producing only immune cells in the red marrow, forgoing the yellow marrow (for bone, cartilage and fat tissue which explains why children below 5 years old are vulnerable to leukemia (see next para).

A drop of blood can contain anywhere from 7,000 to 25,000 white blood cells at a time.
Although white blood cells account for only about 1% of our blood, their impact is significant as they are essential for good health and protect us against illness and disease. Produced from stem cells inside the bone marrow, some of them have a short lifespan of 1-3 days. When leukemia strikes, overproduction of white blood cells which are often partially developed, crowd out the space for white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Majority of kids with leukemia developed in the lymphatic tissue and can be treated successfully with drugs and radiation. On the other hand, majority of adults with leukemia developed in the bone marrow and can undergo intensive therapy to bring abut remissions averaging 12-18 months if detected early. Chronic infection is not so lucky as treatment has not shown to improve survival significantly. Also, they are prone to hemorrhage and infection to cause fatal death.

Low count of WBCs can happen for a number of reasons eg. when an invader is destroying the cells more quickly than the body can replenish them or when the bone marrow stops making enough white blood cells to keep you healthy and vulnerable to any illness or infection. Under normal circumstances, higher-than-normal white blood cell count usually indicates some type of bacterial/viral infection as more are produced to destroy an enemy. 


The initial response to an antigen is inflammation eg. when cold virus is inhaled, the nasal passage becomes inflamed and releases histamine. The swelling also helps to contain the antigen from spreading to other body tissues. Other immune cells can then response to aid in destroying the antigens or damaged cells. The two types of cells most actively involved are:

1.  Antibody mediated immunity – B-cells originate from bone marrow and residing primarily in outer cortex of lymph nodes. The B-cells produce antibodies which either damage the invasive cells or alert the white blood cells to attack. A blueprint of the invader is stored to initiate the production of antibodies for subsequent exposure. They become plasma cells and stand guard in the lymph nodes awaiting further action.

2.  Cell-mediated immunity – T-cells produced by the thymus gland (located behind the top of the breastbone) and residing primarily in inner area of lymph nodes, blood and immune organs. All T cells are trained to recognise what is “self” to be tolerated and those “non-self” to be destroyed, Also, each T-cell is trained to identify a specific type of antigen that penetrate cells to reproduce and interfere with cell function. Those with faulty programming (like unable to differentiate “self” and “non-self”) are eliminated. With increasing age, the T cells decrease in numbers and potency.

Other active immune cells include:


*The most abundant WBC - neutrophil also known as the "immediate response" cell, accounts for 55-70% of the total white blood cell count. 


*  Natural killer cells patrol the body and mark cancer or viral infected cells. Once identified, the NK cells attack in packs by releasing substances that destroy the invader in minutes. However, as some potent viruses are capable of changing forms, this capability can be rendered useless.


*  Scavenger cells known as monocytes and macrophages which engulf foreign particles as well as expiring blood cells, including the red ones.

Working hand in hand with the blood circulatory system, the lymphatic system operates at the cellular level (inside and outside the cells) by cleansing and draining fluids, removing toxins, waste products and other debris. Fluids collected are drained into the capillaries of the lymphatic system known as lymph before filtering through the lymph nodes. Whilst most of the nymph nodes are smaller in size widely distributed throughout the body, the spleen, thymus and tonsils are the enlarged ones.


OUT OF BALANCE

(1)  Over-activity of immunity leads to allergies and autoimmune diseases -

+  An autoimmune disease is one in which the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own tissues. Some of the most common autoimmune diseases include arthritis, lupus and possibly inflammatory bowel disease. They may be caused by genetic factor, infections and injuries. Stress and emotional factors also seem to contribute to a certain extent.

Supporting the immune system through diet and lifestyle is vitally important in the treatment of autoimmune diseases.

+  An allergy is an inappropriate response or trigger by the immune system to a substance that is usually harmless. There are many causes of allergy - the most common being airborne particles such as mold, dust and pollen, certain foods, chemicals and drugs causing many disorders, including asthma and hay fever.

Supporting the immune system is instrumental in the treatment of allergic disorders.

(2)  Under-activity increases the risk of infections -

Poor diet, medications, pollution, toxic chemicals, stress levels and emotional state are external factors that can work adversely on the immune system.  For instance, overuse of antibiotics is prevalent today and may weaken the immune system in dealing with infectious agents. Often medications like steroids are prescribed for long periods in the treatment of disorders such as arthritis and asthma that can tax on the immunity gradually.


CORRECTIVE ACTIONS

The best way to keep the immune system working well is to stay in good general health. It is important not to allow infections to persist as this puts a strain on the immune system.

+  Improving lymphatic circulation through prolonged exercise, massage and herbal remedies help to boost the immunity. Studies conducted had shown that moderate to intense exercise for 2 hours or more can help to boost circulating phagocytes and lymphocytes, involving the bone marrow, spleen, pulmonary and systemic blood vessels releasing more white blood cells. There are several herbs which have powerful immune-enhancing effects eg. echinacea, astragalus, goldenseal, licorice, ginseng, garlic, cat’s claw and mushrooms such as shiitake, reishi and maitake.

+  Adopting the right diet approach is a pre-requisite to proper health status.  Nutrition plays a pivotal role in the functioning of the immune system and a poor diet increases the susceptibility to infection and exacerbate autoimmune diseases.  Also, infections increase the demand for nutrients to help fight infection and repair the damage to tissues.  Note that a single nutrient deficiency can compromise the immune system. However, any defect can usually be reversed after 2 weeks of correct nutrient therapy.


A healthy diet should comprise:

-  High carbohydrate diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables and fiber.

-  Minimal fat derived from polyunsaturated vegetable oils and related products as they readily form free radicals that damage immune cells. One type, the essential fatty acid is helpful in treating cancer and autoimmune disorders.

-  High protein diets are damaging as residues of protein metabolism can cause irritation, especially in people prone to allergy and autoimmunity. Foods of animal origin (including dairy products) frequently contain residues of antibiotics and steroid hormones that irritate and weaken the immunity system.

-  The effectiveness of the immune system declines with age and older people are naturally more susceptible to infection than younger people and are at greater risk of low intake of several vitamins and minerals, which are vital in maintaining optimal immune function as they act to prevent free radical damage to immune cells and to the thymus gland, responsible for ensuring optimal immune function. Supplementing the elderly with single nutrients or mixtures of vitamins and minerals at levels that exceed the RDAs significantly should see good improvement.

1.  Vitamin A is known to stimulate and enhance many immune functions, including antibody response and the activity of various white blood cells such as T helper cells and phagocytes. This immune-enhancing function promotes healing of infected tissues and increases resistance to infection. The body’s store of vitamin A may be depleted from bouts of acute infection eg. respiratory attacks. Severe shortage can result in death and susceptibility to infection and diarrhea for children and HIV-positive patients.

2.  Beta-carotene can assist in increasing the numbers of immune cells, including the natural killer cells.  It protects macrophages, the white blood cells which engulf and destroy foreign substances. It also facilitates communication between immune cells and makes the stimulatory action of interferon on the immune system more powerful.

3.  Vitamin C is critical to immune function as it is involved in antibody production, and function and activity of white blood cells. Other functions include the production of interferon, an antiviral and anticancer substance.  It is commonly used to reduce the duration of the common cold and the severity of symptoms such as sneezing, coughing and sniffling. Severely ill elderly patients admitted to hospital with acute respiratory infections can benefit much from it too.

4.  Vitamin E protects the thymus gland and circulating white blood cells from damage, especially during times of oxidative stress and chronic viral illness. More antibodies are produced when used it against hepatitis B and tetanus infection.

5.  Selenium is part of the antioxidant enzyme, glutathione peroxidase, known to protect white blood cells from free radical damage. It also appears to increase antibody production, and accelerate the production of white blood cells and enhance their effectiveness in attacking and destroying harmful micro-organisms.

6.  B Vitamins can affect the quality and quantity of antibodies and the number of white blood cells. An impaired antibody response causes increased susceptibility to infection, especially amongst the older people. Vitamin B6 plays a vital role in maintaining a healthy immune system by affecting functions such as cell multiplication and antibody production.

7.  Vitamin D is involved in the regulation of the immune system. It has several functions, including effects on white blood cells known as monocytes and lymphocytes, and seems to suppress some immune functions. Many researchers are investigating the possibility of using vitamin D and related compounds to treat autoimmune disorders and to suppress rejection of transplanted organs.

8.  Copper is important in developing resistance to infection. A deficiency can lead to lowered resistance to infection as white blood cell activity and cellular immune responses are reduced. The ratio of zinc to copper may also affect immune system effectiveness. Susceptibility to disease seems to increase when copper intake is high and zinc intake is low.

9.  Iron is involved in the maintenance of a healthy immune system and the immune response can be impaired in iron-deficient people suffering from chronic yeast infections and herpes infections. Certain types of immune cells rely on iron to generate the oxidative reactions to rid bacteria and other pathogens. When iron levels are low, these cells cannot function properly. However, overloading of iron can be bad as well with reduced ability to eliminate bacterial growths and more free radicals generated that damage the immune system.

10.  Zinc deficiency results in activity of the thymus gland, thus a decrease in the numbers of several types of T cells, natural killer cells and other components of the immune response. This leads to increased susceptibility to infection and wound-healing time. Zinc supplements have also been shown to boost levels of interferon vital to fight bacterial and viral infection.


In general, nutrients taken should:


1.  Increase antibody production and improve antibody response (Vitamin A, B, C, selenium, copper, zinc, germanium)
2.  Increase the count of immune cells (Vitamin B, beta-carotene, selenium, copper, zinc)
3.  Improve communication between immune cells (beta-carotene)
4.  Strengthen/produce/adjust interferon (Vitamin C, beta-carotene, germanium)
5.  Protect against free radical damage (Vitamin E, C, beta-carotene,  selenium)


CONCLUSION

The immune system can function well if properly cared for.  Even the aging process may be more closely related to the functioning of the immune system than to the passage of time.

Getting the right nutrients, providing the right environment and avoidance of causative agents that compromise its defensive abilities eg. antibiotics, drugs, pesticides, additives, pollution, stress.


Remember, as with all body systems, immune balance is the key and IMMUNITY is HEALTH.

VIVA corner

+  VIVA Green Barley contains abundant antioxidants, fibers, minerals and protein, essential for proper functioning of the immune system which include higher count of immune cells and improve communication between them. Vivashield, with its winning combination of potent antioxidants can eliminate free radicals effectively. Its Vitamin A and E contents are anti-infection whilst Vitamin C is essential for the formation of adrenal hormones and the production of white blood cells, including antibodies and initiate proper response.

+  VIVA Omega3 to reduce inflammation and improve blood circulation. VIVA Germanium helps to produce the right interferon so the immune system gets the correct signal fast to attack intruders.