Fw: Natural alternative therapies for immune dysfunction

[Guest guest]

From: blope (by way of ilena rose) <blope@...>

Sent: Tuesday, February 27, 2001 12:08 PM

Subject: Natural alternative therapies for immune dysfunction

> Dear Ilena I ran across this and found it to contain several answers

> that I have been unable to obtain from my doctors..I thought you might

> pass it along perhaps it can help a few more in the same boat...God Bless

> and again Thanks for all you do....Barb

> Immune Dysfunction

>

> Natural Health Consultants

>

> The immune system is the body's primary defense and maintenance crew. As

> everyoneknows it is responsible for detecting and eliminating pathogenic

> organisms such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. It also detects bad or

> damaged cells from injuries, cancer and so on, eliminating or repairing

> those. Think of the immune system asyour own police and handyman rolled

> into one.When the immune system is working properly you are energized,

> feeling good, and rarelysick. Sickness tends to be minor and

> short-lived.However, when it is not working properly problems occur. In

> fact, almost all diseasesare a result of an immune system malfunction in

> some way including the big two ofheart disease and cancer. A gradually

> failing immune system is even thought by some tobe a primary reason for

> aging itself. Even when it is not directly an immune systemproblem, e.g.

> injuries, genetic defects, or nutrient deficiencies,the immune system is

> still usually involved in damage control. Sometimes it fails to do its

job

> and you experience frequentinfections, or chronic, lingering colds. At

> worst it fails to detect cancer cells whichgrow out of control. If you

> catch colds easily or frequently, if you suffer from a chronicinfection,

> if you get cold sores or herpes attacks quite often, if you lymph glands

> arefrequently sore or swollen, or if you have ever had cancer, your immune

> system is downand you are in danger.Other times it is overzealous and

> overreacts causing inflammatory reactions as in the case of allergies or

> other diseases that end in " itis. " Worse than that it can attack its

> ownbody causing what are called autoimmune diseases such as Rheumatoid

> Arthritis (RA,) Systemic Lupus Erythematosis (SLE,) or Multiple Sclerosis

> (MS.) Many other diseases suchas diabetes, for example, are believed to

> have an autoimmune component.

>

> It is believed that it is the ratio between helper T-lymphocytes and

> suppressor T-lymphocytesthat is at fault here. When the helpers

predominate

> an autoimmune problem arises. When thesuppressors predominate, the immune

> system fails to do its job.

>

> Whatever the immune dysfunction, evidence points to the fact that health

> and immunity inparticular are headed downhill today. Sperm counts among

men

> have dropped by 50%.Between 1981 and 1991, Natural Killer cells in America

> declined by an average of 1%per year. From 1991 to 1997 it accelerated to

> 3% per year. That's a decline of 29% injust 16 years and it is

snowballing

> downhill ever faster.

>

> Something needs to be done and fast.

>

> Important nutrients for maintaining the immune system include Vitamin A,

> carotenes, Vitamin C,Vitamin E, B-Vitamins, Iron, Zinc and Selenium. All

> these are found in our multivitamin-mineralcombinations such as SupraPak1,

> Life Extension Mix, ProGreens, Phyto-Pro, Perfect Food or Chewable

Vitamins

> and Minerals.

>

> Oral consumption of glandulars and the like can stop an autoimmune

> response if the tissue is from the organ related to the disease. Among

> these are <Monographs/adrenal.html> Adrenal glandular, spleen extract,

and

> Sphingolin.

>

> A substance which may protect cell membranes from autoimmune damage is

> <Monographs/calEAP.html> Calcium EAP.

>

> Autoimmune diseases may also respond to a combination of Proanthocyanidins

> and digestive enzymes such as <Monographs/maximizer.html> Maximizer or

> Digestase.

>

> Another substance with considerable power to tame all kinds of autoimmune

> disorders is <Monographs/msm.html> MSM.

>

> Autoimmune diseases are characterized by circulating immune complexes

> (antigens bound byantibodies.) Studies show that proteolytic enzymes (such

> as <Monographs/wobenzyme.html> Wobenzyme N, Serraflazyme or bromelain) are

> effective in reducing these complexes and that clinical improvement

> corresponds with this reduction.

>

> Possibly the most powerful agent against autoimmune disorders is

> sterol/sterolin (<Monographs/moducare.html> Moducare or RevivAll) which

> corrects the imbalance of T-Cells that cause the problem in the first

> place. Studies are showing amazing results in a wide variety of

autoimmune

> problems. Vitamin K (Super K) also works to correct the same imbalance.

>

> The final answer to autoimmune disorders might be the Jaffe-Mellor

> Technique. According to this theory, a pathogenic organism that rapidly

> mutates and hides is responsible. The body does enormous collateral

damage

> trying to destroy the organism but ends up doing more damage to the body

> than to the organism. Using bioenergetic techniques to retrain the immune

> system to quit the war, they report a 75% to 100% success rate.The immune

> system is complicated. It consists of specialized white blood cells (cell

> mediated immunity) or a soup of complement, antibodies and other factors

> (humoral immunity.) All these components work together as a team. When

one

> part of the teamfails to do its job, the entire system is rendered

> ineffective. The HIV virus, forexample, attacks certain T-Cells (cells

> that originate in the thymus gland, the master glad of the immune system)

> leaving the body open for the opportunisticinfections that eventually

kill

> most victims.Conventional medicine has three major approaches to immune

> dysfunction. One is to treat the symptoms (the usual approach.) So if your

> immune system is sluggish, doctors will prescribe antibiotics for

> infections or surgery, radiation andchemotherapy (the notorious cut, burn

> and poison approach) for <cancer.html> cancer. This will havethe natural

> effect of depressing the immune system further.Another approach is to

> suppress an overzealous immune system with anti-inflammatory drugs suchas

> NSAID's like ibuprofen or stronger drugs like corticosteroids

> (cortisone-like drugs.)Unfortunately, these also have serious

side-effects

> and further weaken the immunesystem. Though they may initally relieve

> symptoms they always lead to worsecomplications eventually. It is truly

> amazing how much of medicine revolves aroundimmune suppressants. The

> methods of modern medicine have been surprisingly crude but lately

genetic

> engineering through sophisticated recombinant techniques have managed to

> duplicateparts of the immune system. Horrendously expensive drugs such as

> interleukin or interferon are now marketed for immune system problems

such

> a virus disease, <MS.html> Multiple Sclerosis or <cancer.html> cancer.The

> problem with this approach is best summed up by cancer treatment expert

> Ralph Moss, PhDinterviewed in The Townsend Letter: " You break down - you

> start with Coley's observations on the immune system, and youbreak it

down,

> and you break it down, and you find the tumor necrosis factor, andyou

> synthesize it, and then you inject it into patients and you melt the tumor

> away;and then, six months later, the patient is dead, just as if you had

> never done anything. And you had gone through this entire rigmarole, that

> more and more evenconventional doctors and immunologists are understanding

> that there's more to a humanbeing than just a biochemical system in a test

> tube, or an experimental animal. Evenif we talk about immunology, it's not

> enough to throw one component at the patient;that the natural course is a

> symphony - and it's a symphony made up of many differentinstruments. And

to

> take interferon out, or interleukin out, or any of the cytokines -TNF,

> whatever - and give that as monotherapy - is like an orchestra made up

> entirelyof trumpets. And you like trumpets - so I'm going to give you a

> symphony of trumpets,all playing the same note as loud as they can. That's

> interleukin therapy. Whereasholistically-oriented people understand that

> what we want to do is gently correctimbalances in the body, and restore

> functions that have been lost - that probably youfollow the immunity that

> the average person who doesn't have cancer already has - anduse that as a

> model for how to restore the immune system in a person who does

havecancer.

> And this has been done experimentally. " A gentle, natural approach lets

> nature restore immune functions by working with theentire immune system.

> The restoration of health in most cases requires first therestoration of

> the immune system. Therefore, most conditions mentioned in these

> pagesstart with immune restoration.

>

> Bear in mind that a lower than normal body temperature is a severe immune

> systemdepressant. The first priority is to determine whether your thyroid

> is doing its job. If it isn't it will become very difficult to restore

> immune function. A thyroid test will tell if your thyroid gland is not

> producing enough hormone but that isn't the whole story.

>

> Just as some diabetics produce enough insulin but don't use it properly

so

> some people produce enough thyroid hormone but don't use it properly.

> Conventional medicine doesn't recognize this fact yet but some pioneering

> doctors have invented a simple test to determine if you are among these

> people. See the page on <wilsons.html> 's Syndrome for more

> information.Lack of potassium or heavy metal toxicity can also depress

> body temperature. <basics.html> Detoxification,especially using

> <Monographs/NAC.html> N-Acetyl-Cysteine, can help this condition. If all

> else fails, taking one capsuleof cayenne pepper 3 times daily for at least

> one week will raise body temperature.Many of the products that NHC

> recommends are actually immune system modifiers. Someare stimulating and

> others are modulating, i.e., they normalize immune function.Among these

> products are COQ10, <Monographs/dhea.html> DHEA,

> <Monographs/echinacea.html> Echinacea,<Monographs/ltp.html>

> LTP,<Monographs/BioProTPA.html> ProBoost, Melatonin, Mycoceutics, and

> Nature's Biotics, plus many others.It is sometimes argued that people

> with autoimmune diseases should not take immune stimulants but research

is

> showing that such substances can be beneficial. Among theimmune system

> boosters are Imm-Kine, CoQ10, <Monographs/dhea.html> DHEA,

> <Monographs/7Keto.html> 7-Keto DHEA, Echinacea, LTP, Melatonin ,

> Mycoceutics, Astragalus, Restenoril, N-Acetyl-Cysteine, Methylcobalamin,

> MGN-3,<Monographs/vitaminA.html> Vitamin A, <Monographs/catsclaw.html>

> Cat's Claw, Maitake D-Fraction, IM-Encap, Alkyrol, Transfer Factor Plus,

> Jiaogulan, Germanium, and DMG.Immune system modulators (substances that

> normalize or repair the immune system) includeNatures's Biotics or Primal

> Defense and, Laktoferrin with Colostrum, Bovine Tracheal Cartilage,

> ImmunoFactors, Transfer Factor, Cytolog, MSM, Moducare, Oralmat,

Carnivora,

> Black Seed, Vitamin K (Super K) and possibly CSE7 Growth Hormone.Among the

> immune system stimulants are:

>

> <Monographs/immkine.html> Imm-Kine is almost in a class by itself with

> powerful infection and cancer combatting properties.LTP, or Lyphoactivated

> Thymic Peptides, are essentially thymic hormone. The thymus gland,

located

> under the breastbone, is the master gland of the immune system. It

> shrivels up over time and by maturity is absent in most people. It

> programs T-Cells which have to last a lifetime without continual

> manufacture from the shriveled thymus gland. LTP actslike the absent

> thymus and programs T-Cell activity. Since Nature's Biotics produces

> volumesof unprogrammed white cells, it could possibly be quite effective

> if taken with it. <Monographs/PrimeDefense.html> Primal Defense

issimilar.

>

> <Monographs/BioProTPA.html> ProBoost is similar to LTP but more defined

> and possibly more powerful.

>

> <Monographs/germanium.html> Germanium is an immunostimulant with a wide

> range of activity on many kinds of immune components.

>

> Breast fed babies have a thymus gland that is 20 times the size of a

> bottle fed baby. The lattermay suffer from a lifetime of immune related

> problems. <Monographs/cytolog.html> Cytolog can correct

> this.<Monographs/dhea.html> DHEA stimulates immune functions by several

> different methods. In studies older people hadtheir immune function

> restored to youthful levels. All degenerative diseases are

characterizedby

> low DHEA levels. HIV patients who progress to AIDS also have low DHEA

> levels. A DHEA metabolite, 7-Keto DHEA is more potent and a powerful

> inducer or CD-4 and CD-8 cells as well as Interleukin 2.CoQ10 is also an

> immunostimulant. Its success in <cancer.html> cancer and <AIDS.html> AIDS

> among many other conditionsis proof of its efficacy.Melatonin is a very

> strong immunostimulant. Studies show that Tumor Necrosis Factor,

> Interleukin,and Interferon are boosted by as much as 50% by

> melatonin.Mycoceutics and Echinacea contain mucopolysaccharides which are

> strong macrophage stimulants.Macrophages are sort of the symphony

> conductor of the immune system, directing the activitiesof the other cells

> and stimulating antibody production.

>

> <NAC.html> N-Acetyl-Cysteine significantly enhances T-Cell activity.

>

> <Monographs/restenoril.html> Restenoril is Andrographis, which has broad

> immunostimulant effects and also increases antibody production.

>

> <Monographs/jiaogulan.html> Jiaogulan increases the production and

> activity of lymphocytes including NK cells.

>

> <Monographs/Methylcobalamin.html> Methylcobalamin increased T-Cell

> activity, especially helper T-Cells.

>

> <Monographs/dmg.html> DMG was shown to increase the antiviral activity of

> the immune system from four to five-fold.

>

> <Monographs/vitaminA.html> Vitamin A is an immune stimulant acting on

> several aspects of the immune system.

>

> <Monographs/catsclaw.html> Cat's Claw is immune and digestion enhancing

> herb from the Peruvian rain forest.

>

> <Monographs/astragalus.html> Astragalus has been found in studies to be

> particularly useful in restoring immune function in chemotherapy

patients.

>

> <Monographs/maitake.html> Maitake D-Fraction has a powerful stimulating

> effect on various white cells and mediators.

>

> <Monographs/IMEncaps.html> IM-Encap is a fine combination of traditional

> immune boosters such as the appropriate vitamins, minerals, glandulars

and

> herbs.

>

> <Monographs/alkyrol.html> Alkyrol is shark liver oil which is causing

some

> excitement for its ability to normalize the bone marrow and stimulate

> macrophages.

>

> <Monographs/MGN3.html> MGN-3 is thought by some to be the most powerful

> immune stimulant of all.

>

> Equally as good and possibly better is Transfer Factor Plus, a formula of

> many immune stimulators.A recent study showed that zinc combined with the

> stomach drug Tagamet restored immune functionto youthful levels in older

> people. Other important immune system nutrients include Vitamin C

> andSelenium. These nutrients are found in SupraPak1, Chewable Vitamins and

> Minerals, Life Extension Mix and ProGreens.The immune system modulators

> include: <Monographs/Natbiotic.html> Nature's Biotics and

> <Monographs/PrimeDefense.html> Primal Defense include soil based

organisms

> which have at least 50 immune modulating functions.

>

> One product deserves special mention. Laktoferrin with Colostrum is like

an

> immune system ina pill. It is immunomodulating and a lot more. Be sure to

> read the monograph.

>

> Older people or people who are deficient may benefit from Human Growth

> Hormone (HGH) as in<Monographs/CSE.html> CSE7 Growth Hormone.

>

> <Monographs/BTC.html> Bovine Tracheal Cartilage is a " homeostatic

> regulator. " It stimulates macrophages, B and T cells butslows down the

> autoimmune response.

>

> It would be great if you could import a fully functioning immune system

> and it turns out you canwith the amazing Transfer Factors. ImmunFactors

> exist for AIDS, <fatigue.html> CFS, and Hepatitis. A more generalproduct

is

> Transfer Factor.

>

> <Monographs/msm.html> MSM seems to regulate immune function and is

> especially effective in autoimmune disorders such as Rheumatoid

> <arthritis.html> Arthritis, <lupus.html> SLE, etc.

>

> The most effective immune modulator may be Moducare which is showing

> amazing results in studies of a wide variety of disorders that it is

> possibly the most essential immune substance you can take.

>

> Vitamin K (<Monographs/SuperK.html> Super K) reduces the age related

> increase in inflammatory immune substances.

>

> <Monographs/oralmat.html> Oralmat is the subject of numerous amazing

> anecdotes and some positive studies.

>

> <Monographs/carnivora.html> Carnivora, from the Venus Fly-Trap plant has

a

> host of beneficial properties including stimulating macrophage activity

> and balancing T-Helper and T-Suppressor cells.

>

> <Monographs/blackseed.html> Black Seed does much the same thing.Any or

all

> of these substances may be taken for immune problems.A good selection is

> one or more modulators such as Moducare and Mycoceutics. If over 40 years

> old, or if severeimmune problems are present, <Monographs/dhea.html> DHEA

> or <Monographs/pregnenolone.html> Pregnenolone and Melatonin should also

be

> taken.

>

> A revolutionary discovery, Cytolog, deserves special mention. It consists

> of " Infopeptides, " a sort ofsoftware of the cell, that the body uses to

> direct the cells activity. It has been shown that ingestion ofthese

> substances has perhaps the most powerful effect on modulating the immune

> system to normal of anysubstance yet discovered.

>

> <Monographs/glutamine.html> L-Glutamine is the fuel of the immune system

> and should be considered when the immune system is under sustained

attack.

>

> Carl Germano, R.D. C.N.S. L.D.N. and Zakir Ramazanov, Ph.D., authors of

> Arctic Root recommend the following formula daily for immune function:

> <Monographs/rosavin.html> Arctic Root 200 mg

> <Monographs/restenoril.html> Andrographis paniculata 200 mg

> <Monographs/astragalus.html> Astragalus 200 mg

> <Monographs/mycoceutics.html> Reishi mushroom 100 mg

> <Monographs/mycoceutics.html> Shiitake mushroom 100 mg

> <Monographs/catsclaw.html> Cat's Claw 200 mg

> <Monographs/licorice.html> Licorice 100 mg

> <Monographs/sambucol.html> Elderberry 200 mg

> <Monographs/echinacea.html> Echinacea 100 mg

> <Monographs/suprapak1.html> Antioxidant multivitamin/mineral

> A strong case can be made that eating the wrong kind of foods can wreak

> havoc with the immune system.<eatright.html> Eat Right for your Type

> explores the link between blood type and diet.

>

> Other important modulators of immune function include :

> * Laughter and a positive outlook, which raises all immune components.

> Norman Cousins in Anatomy of an Illness was able to cure his terminal

> disease by watching Candid Camera and Marx brothers movies. * Deep

> sleep, which releases many immune components. Many people have sleep

> apnea and do not get deep sleep. They may awaken hundreds of times a

> night and not remember it. If you awaken tired look into this. See the

page

> on <insomnia.html> sleep disorders. * Avoiding sugar or concentrated

> sweets. The sugar in a can of soda can depress immune function by 50%

> for over 5 hours! It does this by elevating insulin levels and blocking

> Vitamin C receptors, among other things. * Staying lean. <fat.html>

> Obesity decreases immune status considerably and overweight people have

> more infections than their slimmer counterparts. * Avoid alcohol.

The

> more alcohol consumed, the more immune depression. * <CV.html>

> Cholesterol and triglycerides at high levels depress immune function by

> inhibiting the ability of white blood cells to divide, move to an

> infection site or do their job when they get there. L-Carnitine reverses

> this problem.

>

>

>

> *

>

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