Your Immune System Support
Components of the immune system:
Lymphatic vessels and organs (thymus, spleen, tonsils, lymph nodes)
White blood cells
Specialized cells
Specialized serum factors.
The thymus
The major gland of our immune system lies just below the thyroid gland above the heart. The thymus is responsible for many immune system functions, including the production of T-lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell responsible for cell-mediated immunity. Immune mechanisms are controlled or mediated by antibodies. Cell-mediated immunity is extremely important in the resistance to infection (mold-like bacteria, yeast including Candida Albicans, fungi, parasites, and viruses [including herpes simplex Epstein-Barr (EBV), and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)] and viruses that cause hepatitis.) If an individual is suffering from an infection from these organisms, it is a good indication that their cell-mediated immunity is not functioning up to par.
Cell-mediated immunity is also critical in protecting against the development of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and allergies. The Thymus gland releases several hormones, and when those are low, depressed immunity and increased susceptibility to infections may occur. Typically, the thymic hormone levels are low in the elderly as the thymus function decreases with age. Simply stimulating the thymus by tapping on it every morning and evening might help support the immune system.
The immune system is a complex mechanism that continuously protects the body from microbial and cancerous attacks. The immune system is truly a holistic association of psychological, neurological, nutritional, environmental, and hormonal factors with immune function. Supporting the immune system is critical to good health. Conversely, good health is critical in supporting the immune system.
Comprehensive plans involving lifestyle, stress management, exercise, diet, nutritional supplementation, avoidance of toxins, and use of botanical medicines are the best approaches.
Emotional state and immune function
The first steps in supporting the immune system. Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) or psychoneuroendocrinoimmunology (PNEI) is the term used to describe the interactions between the emotional state, nervous system functions, and the immune system. Our mood and attitude have big impacts on the function of our immune system. A stressor does not have to be a major life event to cause depressed immunity, but the greater it is, the bigger the impact it makes.
Stress
Personality and attitude contribute to suppressing the immune system, as well as the development of many diverse diseases. Stress increases blood levels of the adrenal hormones (adrenaline and cortisol), leading to an immune-suppressed state and leaving the host susceptible to illnesses. Increased cortisol, pro-inflammatory compounds called cytokines, and adrenalin, result in a significant decrease in white blood cell function, thymic function, and the formation of new white blood cells. Stress not only disrupts the immune system and the ability to fight infection but also can lead to the development of allergies and/or autoimmune diseases.
Fortunately, the effect of stress on the immune system can be overcome with positive a mood, effective stress reduction techniques, humor, and guided imagery (mind-body intervention of using words and music to evoke positive imaginary scenarios in a person to bring a positive effect).
Diet
Dietary factors that depress immune function include nutrient deficiency, excess sugar consumption, and the intake of allergenic foods. Dietary factors to enhance immune function include all essential nutrients, antioxidants, carotenes (yellow, orange and red pigmented veggies), and flavonoids (a group of plant metabolites having antioxidant properties).
Optimal immune system function requires a healthy diet that:
Is rich in whole, natural foods such as fruit and vegetables, grains, beans, seeds and nuts.
Is low in unhealthy fats (trans and too much of omega 6) and refined sugars
Contains adequate but not excessive amount of protein (average recommended protein intake is 0.8g of protein per kilogram of body weight.)
Adequate intake of water is also important (the recommended amount in ounces is a person’s weight in pounds divided by 2.)
Sugar
Glucose, fructose, sucrose, honey, or orange juice significantly reduce neutrophil phagocytosis (infection fighters killing potential viruses) and other parameters of immune function are undoubtedly affected by sugar consumption. Some hypothesis suggests that vitamin C and glucose are competitors in absorption into white blood cells that requires insulin to happen. In the case of hypoglycemia (a chronic condition where blood sugar is permanently low due to excessive release of insulin by the pancreas) is recommended to switch the simple sugars for complex carbohydrates that release, lower, and prevent the blood sugar spikes.
Antioxidants
One of the primary ways in which antioxidants affect the immune system, particularly cell-mediated immunity is protecting the thymus gland from damage. The antioxidant nutrients are most important for protecting the thymus with carotenes, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and selenium.
Vitamin A and Carotenes
Besides vitamin A benefitting skin conditions such as acne and eczema (as it helps to maintain the integrity of the skin and linings of the respiratory and gastrointestinal tract), vitamin A prevents and reverses stress leading to thymus shrinkage. Additional vitamin A can promote thymus growth.
Vitamin C
Besides being antiviral and antibacterial, its main effect is improving a person’s ability to resist. Numerous studies support the use of vitamin C in the treatment of infections and possibly even cancer at very high intravenous dosages. Vitamin C levels are quickly depleted during stress, infection, and chronic disease. It is useful to supplement concurrently with flavonoids which raise the concentration of vitamin C and multiply both of their effects.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is important in protecting against viral and bacterial upper respiratory infections. Some recent studies suggest a correlation between high levels of vitamin D and decreased risk for breast cancer. There is not enough evidence yet, but they might be coming from the fact that vitamin D allows micronutrients to be absorbed better. For instance, calcium from either supplements or foods must be delivered to the bones where it belongs, not the kidneys as stones in this organ sometimes happen due to lack of vitamin D.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E enhances both antibody production and cell-mediated immunity. A vitamin E supplementation (30-150IU) has been shown to:
Increase white blood cell response
Prevent free radical-induced thymus atrophy
Increase antibody response and phagocytosis “destroying the bad bacteria”
Zinc
Promotes the destruction of foreign particles and microorganisms, acting as a free radical fighter, works synergistically with vitamin A, is required for proper white blood cell function, and is a necessary cofactor in activating serum thymic factor. Zinc also directly inhibits the growth of several viruses, including common cold viruses and the herpes simplex virus. Some studies have shown good results in testing supplementation with zinc sulfate against HPV. Zinc also is very helpful in acne and eczema cases as it has anti-inflammatory properties and increases the resurfacing of a skin wound with new epithelium (skin layer). Zinc oxide paste – non-nano, has been used as a soothing anti-itch agent supporting the healing of scars in acne.
Selenium
Selenium deficiency has been shown to inhibit resistance to infection as a result of impaired white blood cell and thymus function, while selenium supplementation (200mcg per day) has been shown to stimulate white blood cell and thymus function. Foods highest in selenium are Brazil nuts. Just two a day are enough to reach the recommended amount of selenium required.
Botanicals
Echinacea, goldenseal, umcka, astragalus root, and some medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake, reishi, and cordyceps, exert significant immune-enhancing effects. Much of this activity is due to the presence of molecules known as beta-glucans that activate white blood cells by binding to receptors on the outer membranes just like a key in a lock the binding of the beta-glucan to cellular receptors turns white blood cells on and triggers a chain reaction leading to increased immune activity. A good source of the beta-glucans can be baker’s yeast (different from nutritional yeast or brewer’s yeast) taking it internally with topical support for healing skin conditions and scarring.
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