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c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Allergy & Immune SupportLecture 4
Therapeutics
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Immune Review
• What weakens the Immune System?
• What are the main players?
• What lifestyle factors balance or strengthen immune function?
• KEY: Think balance - strengthening may increase immune activity, not desirable for allergies, autoimmune
• Remember allergies represent hyperactive state, inflammation
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Immune Regulators
• Lifestyle - stress reduction, sleep, social factors
• Diet – whole, organic• Tonics and herbs• Exercise• Mindbody - attitude, sense of control,
emotional expression, purpose• People - relationships key to balance• Nutrients - essentials Zinc, A, C,
Antioxidants
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Nutritional Factors• Rotation Diet, Elimination Diet
• Eating 4 Health & Rejuvenating Booster Foods– Garlic, mineral-rich sea veggies, flax seeds…..
• Nutritional Supplementation
– Antioxidants to protect against free radicals• Many pathogens and toxins release free radicals• Chemicals released from immune cells can cause
collateral free radical damage
– Essential Fatty Acids - Particularly Omega 3’s– Can turn down inflammatory reactions– Keep cell membranes strong
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Vitamins
• Vitamin A– Enhances cellular immunity and phagocytes, wound
healing– Supports mucous membranes and skin– Essential for T helpers, T & B cell growth, NK activity– Can prevent Thymus atrophy
• Beta & other carotenes– Antioxidants– Stimulate WBC function– Large doses can increase T cell production
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Vitamins, con’t.
• Vitamin C– Enhances T and B production as well as phagocyte activity and
movement to infection sites– Supports Thymus and antibody production– Important in wound healing and collagen production
• Vitamin E– Protects cell membranes from
free radical damage– Supports T & B cell production
• Vitamin D– Required for cytokine synthesis - regulator of immune functions
• B vitamins– B5 and B12 essential for antibody and B cell production
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Minerals
• Zinc - the most important immune mineral– Increases T cell production– Enhances cellular immunity & NK activity– Essential for antibody synthesis
• Selenium– Immune suppressor (helps
with chronic inflammation)– May increase NK activity– May support lymphocyte killing of tumor cells
• Iron - use with caution - phagocytosis
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Innate Immunity Nutrition• SKIN requires Vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin C,
omega 3
• PHAGOCYTES require Vit C, B12, Iron – Excess iron decreases activity, impairs bactericidal
activity and promotes bacterial growth
• INFLAMMATION requires omega 3 to control PGE2
– Quercitin has anti-histamine activity, potentiates Vit C
• WOUND HEALING requires A, C, Zn, protein
• NK require A, Zn, enhance activity with laughter, stress reduction, supportive relationships (against viral infect.)
• ANTIOXIDANTS benefit all of the above
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Nutrients and Acquired Immunity
• Thymus requires -carotene, C, E, Se, Zn
• T cell functions need C, E, melatonin– T helpers req Vit A– Cytokine synthesis by T cells req D
• T & B cell proliferation - A, C, E, Zn, Fe– In HIV lipoic acid increases T cells
• Deficiencies of A, Zn, B6 decrease thymus and T cells
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Nutrients and B cells
• B cell proliferation needs B12
• Antibody synthesis req B5 + B6, D, E, Se– IgG synthesis req CoQ10, IgA synthesis req A
• Deficiencies: – of E decreases antibody production– of B5, less Ig
released into blood
Crystalline structure of antibody
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Other Helpful Nutrients
• Amino Acids– Critical for antibody and cell production– Critical for neurotransmitter & enzyme production– Help in repair of organs and barrier tissues
• Probiotics– Help the body resist bacterial and fungal opportunists– Especially important when on antibiotics which can
weaken immune functions– Work synergistically w fiber, friendly flora to keep the
gut wall healthy.
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Helpful Herbs & Lifestyle Factors • Licorice – spares cortisol; effect = elevation
• Turmeric - inhibits cyclo-oxygenase (COX), prostaglandin production; anti-inflammatory– May also inhibit histamine releases
• Qigong balances immune functions
• Meditation & diaphragmatic breathing move lymph as does massage & exercise
• A sense of control, optimistic attitude can enhance a “wilting” Immune System
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Immune Herbs - Echinacea
• Support for specific & non-specific immunity
• Inconclusive studies implicating echinacea to prevent colds
• Enhances T cell activity - caution in allergies, autoimmune, lymphoma
• Not to be taken continuously
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Antibiotic and Anti-Viral Herbs
• All herbal traditions have long relied upon antiviral & antibacterial herbs– Western: Echinacea, goldenseal, garlic,
cayenne, Pau D’arco, grapefruit seed extract – Ayurvedic: Triphala
A combination of three herbs, harada, amla & bihara, responds to the tridosha of Ayurvedic medicine. A blood cleanser as well as a powerful GI cleanser.
– TCM formulas: • Gan Mao Ling (anti-viral)• Yin qiao (sore throat, a cold with heat) • Chuan xin lian (also for a cold with heat)
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Adaptogens
• Herbs which reduce stress and have a balancing effect on the body
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Adaptogens
• Herbs that balance body’s resistance to stressors while boosting resistance to viruses and bacteria– Astralagus: Increases WBCs and stimulates
macrophages
– Schizandra: supports detox and supports liver
– Medicinal mushrooms: • Enhance and stimulate the Immune System• Complement chemotherapy and radiation• Anti-viral, anti-bacterial and liver supportive
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Blood & Lymph Tonics• Blood Purifying:
– Sarsaparilla, burdock, dandelion, red root, echinacea - Time-honored formula: 40% red clover, 20% each of sarsaparilla, burdock and dandelion.
• Lymphatic Support– Echinacea, lobelia, mullein, burdock and
cayenne– A good tonic would combine equal parts of
these– Rebounder exercise is a good complement
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Digestive and Liver Tonics
• Digestive support: – Gentian, ginger, fennel, garlic, mint and
papaya• Liver Tonics and healers:
– Milk Thistle, dandelion, yellow dock, burdock and nettles
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Gastrointestinal & Kidney Tonics
• Many herbs support gastrointestinal cleansing– Examples: Golden seal, cascara, red raspberry leaf,
turkey rhubarb root, ginger, aloe and papaya– Correcting constipation VERY important—you cannot
detox if exit routes aren’t working!
• Kidney Tonics– The kidneys must remain strong to provide important
filtering– Key to kidney health: hydration– Classic kidney herbs include: uva ursi, corn silk,
juniper, marshmallow, parsley, watermelon seed, gravel root and slippery elm
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Stress and Immune Effects
• Stress depletes B vitamins, Vitamin A, zinc
– Zinc also depleted by high fiber, cancer, excess exercise
• Stress-induced immune suppression can be reversed by vitamin E
• Stress hormone epinephrine increases suppressor T cells, lowering immune response
• Elevated cortisol is also immuno-suppressive
• Impaired sleep decreases NK activity
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Social & Psychological Factors
• Psychoneuroimmunology (PNI): The brain can have a profound effect on immunity!
• It communicates directly with components of the Immune System & receives msgs in return.
• The following factors are associated with improved and/or optimal immunity:– Regular exercise– Positive attitude– Visualization/Affirmation– Stable environment– Expression of emotions– Enjoyment and purpose
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Detoxification
• The process of clearing toxins from the body or neutralizing or transforming them.
• Detoxification is also concerned with clearing mucous and congestion from the body.
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
DetoxificationMethods
• Fasting• Food/Antigen Elimination
– General elimination of “usual suspects” and common allergens
– Specific elimination of an identified suspect food• Saunas and Baths
– Bottom line: Heat works! Far infrared, near infrared, steam—all are useful! Remember to rehydrate!
• Enemas and Colonics– Coffee enemas stimulate liver to “cleanse”– Pre and Probiotics are important after colonics
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Fasting
• The avoidance of solid food; liquids only
• Most severe is water fasting—not recommended because provides our detox organs with no nutrients, but extra demands
• Occasional fasting better than one big fast—avoid overwhelming body detox systems
• Raw juice fasting better; organic veggie/fruits
• Fasting rests GI tract, allows energy for repair as well as detox
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Fasting by Example Drink as much as you like!Drink as much as you like!
• Breakfast: – Hot herb tea—look for a good detox tea– Freshly-juiced, organic fruit juices: green apple w/
ginger; or watermelon; or orange/lemon/grapefruit• Lunch:
– More herb tea– Freshly-juiced organic seasonal veggies: carrot/celery;
carrot/spinach; carrot/beet/cucumber; • Dinner:
– Slow-simmer, mineral-rich veggie (potassium) broth, strained
Clear a space for this—don’t fast while working a full Clear a space for this—don’t fast while working a full schedule!schedule!
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Detox Baths• Detox baths induce perspiration
for toxin removal – use hot water• Short baths to begin: 5 min even• Take Vitamin C before/after ___________________________________________________________
• Epsom Salts: 1-2 cups/bath• Sea salt & baking soda: 1# of
each (strong) to counter radiation exposure
• Apple cider vinegar bath for sunburn
If you feel weak or dizzy, get out of If you feel weak or dizzy, get out of bath!bath!
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Rejuvenation
A process, often requiring detoxification, which results in a renewal of youthful vitality.
c. 2008 Bauman College Rev 3-08
Exercise
Conduct an interview with a fellow student using the Health Evaluation Profile & the Allergy Symptoms Questionnaire.
– Discuss student’s response to reintroduced food from last week.
– Determine whether to continue eating the food on a selective basis (rotation diet, etc.) or eliminating it for a second time.
– Identify immune risk factors– Identify a weak immune defense organ– Give one suggestion for each: dietary, herbal,
supplement and lifestyle support
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