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How The Immune System Keeps You Healthy

Within us there is an amazing mechanism that protects us from the millions of bacteria, microbes, viruses, toxins and parasites that enter our body through a variety of ways. This mechanism is called the immune system. If the immune system is working efficiently, none of these harmful organisms would have an effect on our body once they enter our system. I like to think of the immune system as being the police department of the city or an army that protects its country. If any foreign element enters our friendly environment with the intention of doing harm, the army or police department is able to effectively disarm the foreign invasion. Like the army of a country, the immune system never sleeps. It works around the clock in thousands of ways without us knowing that it is protecting our body 24/7. However, our immune system can be compromised by an unhealthy lifestyle from malnutrition, alcohol, tobacco, stress, excessive exercise and any factor that will strain our metabolic function. These foreign invaders such as viruses and bacteria or whatever they may be can enter the body through breaks in the skin, cuts, or a puncture wound; food, water and the air we breathe can also be a source of harmful, foreign bacteria. We all are subject to a certain amount of harmful bacteria daily, but the immune system, if it's not under stress, can function efficiently and rid the body of the foreign invasion. Sometimes the foreign substance can be overwhelming to the immune system such as a case of food poisoning or a source of E.coli. This can also happen during the cold and flu season for someone who is weakened by other unhealthy conditions or the aging process, which initiates a weakened immune system.

Like any protection agency, in order for it to function as a strong army, it must be fed and supplied with all the nutrients to maintain a healthy mechanism. Our immune systems are exactly the same. I will discuss some of the nutrients that are extremely important for a healthy immune system. There are many kinds of human disorders that are caused by an ineffective or compromised immune system. For example, some people have allergies. Allergies are really just the immune system overreacting to certain stimuli that other people don't react to at all. Some people have diabetes which is caused by the immune system inappropriately attacking cells in the pancreas and destroying them. Some people have rheumatoid arthritis which is caused by the immune system acting inappropriately in the joints. In many different diseases, the cause is actually an immune system error or overreaction. The major components of the immune system are the thymus gland, spleen, lymph system, bone marrow, white blood cells, antibodies, complement system and hormones. For more information on the thymus and spleen see my article entitled Immunity: Thymus Gland and Spleen.

We also have red blood cells and white blood cells in our blood that are part of our immune system. The white blood cells are probably the most important part of our immune system. White blood cells are actually an army of different cells that work together to destroy bacteria and viruses. I'm sure that you've heard of several of them such as killer T cells, T cells, natural killer cells, leukocytes and macrophages. It's far too complex and lengthy to explain all the various aspects of the immune system. It would be like trying to identify each individual soldier in a battalion. Our major concern is the outcome of the entire battalion or immune system rather than the individual components. However, each of the different types of white blood cells has a special role in the immune system and many of them are able to transform themselves in different ways. Several very powerful nutrients have been identified. When taken as a supplement, it can provide an ability to strengthen and enhance the immune function. Certain berries contain compounds that when clinically studied have shown a strengthening of the immune system. Two of the most powerful berries, elderberry and blackcurrant, have been used effectively to destroy viruses and bacteria and strengthen the immune system. Zinc and selenium are minerals that have a pronounced effect on the immune system. It is far superior to supplement the diet with a variety of nutrients since they can work on different functions of the immune system and provide a greater effect. As we know, the sum total is greater than the individual parts. We know how important the thymus gland is to the overall function of the immune system. The thymus gland shrinks in size as we get older with some experts believing that it initiates the aging process. However, a supplement of zinc can double the size of the thymus gland providing additional immune system support. Medical experts believe that a large percentage of our immune system is in our intestinal tract. Therefore, it makes good sense to have a very healthy intestinal tract.

Elderberry, blackcurrant, selenium and zinc are major contributions to the immune system and I would also add a very effective probiotic to enhance the health of the intestinal tract. One of the most effective probiotics is Bacillus coagulans (L.sporogenes). This form of bacteria has many advantages over other commonly prescribed probiotics. Clinical studies have revealed that L.sporogenes can be successfully implanted in the intestines. There are three major benefits to using this form of friendly bacteria.

1. It contains a large number of viable lactobacilli that retain viability during preparation for encapsulation and during storage before consumption. The spores are heat stable versus viable L.acidophilus cells which may not withstand pharmaceutical preparation and storage.
2. The spores survive in gastric secretions and bile of the upper digestive tract and will reach the intestines safely. They are digestive acid and bile resistant.
3. They settle in the digestive tract and produce enough natural lactic acid and other antagonistic substances to inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria. (Refer to my article on the highly effective benefits of the antiviral, antibacterial and antiparasitic effects of certain essential oils).

An additional component of a highly effective immune enhancing formula, however a small factor, but important part of the immune protection system carried out by a specialized protein, is called lactoferrin. Extensively researched and more than 30 peer-reviewed studies support lactoferrin's role as a barrier against common viruses and mutating viral strains. In fact, one study showed a 95% success rate in preventing the cold virus from attacking living cells. Simply put, lactoferrin stops viruses from attaching to host cells. Lactoferrin has also been shown to strengthen the immune system increasing the production of inborn antibodies that work to fight infection. Lactoferrin, in a recent study, was found to be highly effective in reducing rotavirus infections even at very low concentrations. In the case of herpes simplex virus, lactoferrin showed 100% inhibition of viral infections. The benefits of lactoferrin are antimicrobial, immune system modulating and promote intestinal cell growth. Lactoferrin contributes to the defense against pathogens by activation of cells involved in the anti-inflammatory response during the course of microbial infection. Lactoferrin binds iron, resulting in an iron deficient environment that limits the microbial growth of a variety of bacteria, yeast and fungi. It is also involved in direct interaction with the bacterial cell surface killing sensitive organisms. Lactoferrin inhibits absorption and prevents entry of viruses like herpes into human cells. Lactoferrin prevents oxidative damage by prohibiting the production of free radicals thus reducing the susceptibility to the aging process and disease. It is also an excellent iron carrier and increases the bioavailability of iron.

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