Your Immune Stem - Your Best Defence
Your best defence against infections is something that is frequently forgotten - your immune system. That is why it is worth looking after. People tend to know more about their cars and houses than their immune system and certainly put more effort into looking after the former than the latter.
Two Types of Infections
The two main types of infection we need to defend ourselves against are 1) infections circulating in the environment (viruses and bacteria) and 2) re-activation of the viral and bacterial load we all carry in our bodies. These should remain dormant and non-symptomatic if we want to stay well. A good example of re-activated infection from within is when chickenpox breaks out as shingles following a breach of normal immune defences.
Examples of reactivation of dormant infections are two common debilitating viruses - Epstein Barr Virus (glandular fever) and Coxsackievirus which most of us have encountered in our lives. Your immune system therefore needs to be in good shape both to repel new infections as well as keep old ones at bay.
Immune cells are team players
The different parts of your immune system work like a team. You need functioning Th1 and Natural Killer cells to go after viruses and bacteria. Th stands for T helper cells. You also need a functioning Th2 immune response to go after infections in the hollow spaces of the body (sinuses, gut, urinary tract, lungs etc) and a healthy Th17 response to go after parasites. You also need regulatory T cells which promote varying levels of immune tolerance. Problems arise when any arm of the immune system becomes unbalanced and one side becomes ‘dominant’ over the other.
Th2 dominance
A typical example of immune imbalance is someone living with gut dysbiosis (bacterial imbalance) for years due to poor food choices and other toxins. This predisposes them to fungal and bacterial overgrowth and parasites. Hollow space infections will over activate the Th2 immune cells and the person may experience more allergic reactions as a result. Because overactive Th2 cells suppress Th1 and Natural Killer cells like the action of a see saw, the scene is now set for the blooming of previously dormant systemic infections like herpes viruses. Fungus and mould also use strategies to evade detection by the immune system which further suppresses the ability to kill viruses and bacteria. Thus someone ends up being a 'Th2 dominant’ patient.
Lab tests point the way
Lab tests provide the immune roadmap to help you navigate your way out of immune imbalance and vulnerability to infection. A Th2 dominant situation can show up with reduced numbers of cells which fight viruses and bacterial infections (CD3 and Natural Killer cells), active systemic infections like Coxsackievirus, Strep, Epstein Barr Virus and elevated eosinophils (a type of white blood cell) which points to increased Th2 activity. A history of allergy, asthma and hollow space infections can push a person into entrenched Th2 dominance. If hollow space infections persist too long, this can also tip the person in the direction of autoimmune disease where the Th17 cells trigger a situation of immune damage to one’s own tissues (known as ‘friendly fire’). When the target tissues are in the brain, this is called autoimmune encephalitis or PANS/PANDAS, in the thyroid this is Hashimoto’s, in the joints this is Rheumatoid arthritis etc.
Immune modulation is key
From the above, you may begin to get the idea that immune ‘boosting’ is not always the right thing to do. The danger of indiscriminate ‘boosting’ is that you may turn the ‘friendly fire’ on harder and cause more tissue damage and symptoms. In autoimmunity, the trick is to quieten down the overactive parts of the immune system while enabling the other parts to wake up and get on top of the infections driving the damage in the first place. You certainly need an immune roadmap for this job. It is not an overnight job, but more like playing a game of chess where you move the pieces in one direction and note the reaction for the next move.
Age and your immune system
It is worth being aware that the scientific data points to a reduction of immune effectiveness as we get older. The medical name for this is immunosenescence. That is one reason why the elderly are more vulnerable to infections. However, we can do something about this by taking responsibility for our immune health as we get older instead trusting to luck or chance or the latest drug to bail us out. There are a few tips on what to do and what to avoid below.
Subtractions …
First of all, let’s look at some obvious subtractions or things that can actively damage your immune health:
Inflammatory foods - gluten, cows’ dairy and refined sugars.
Processed nutrient-devoid fake foods/drinks.
Toxic heavy metals (includes mercury amalgam fillings).
Chronic infections of all kinds (systemic, oral/dental, hollow space i.e. gut, sinus, urinary tract etc.) which are a huge drain on immune resources.
Pesticides/insecticides/chemicals in the home.
Excess exposure to wi-fi radiation and/or geopathic stress (underground electromagnetic fields).
Chronic stress (the unpleasant kind which makes you feel less causative in life)
Fear
Mouldy/damp living conditions.
A negative outlook on life (often comes from negative associates).
Lack of spiritual orientation.
High risk behaviours like drugs/smoking/excess alcohol.
Any source of chronic, unresolved inflammation.
Poor sleep pattern.
Nutrient deficiencies.
The viewpoint that someone else is responsible for your health.
Inability to observe.
The feeling of not being in control of your decisions.
Lack of health knowledge/motivation.
Symptom suppression/ not handling root causes of medical conditions.
Additions …
And now, some things that can help your immune system to be healthier (like the above, some are not solely physical!) …
Fresh organic real foods cooked from scratch.
An abundance of vegetables.
Ancestral diet - high in fibre and good fats, adequate in protein and low in carbs, no refined sugars.
Adequate Vitamin C on board.
Adequate Vitamin D on board (needed to kill viruses).
A clean mouth free of heavy metals and dental/jawbone infections.
Getting on top of infections quickly before they take hold and become chronic - at first sign of trouble, Vitamin C to bowel tolerance.
Use of herbals/homeopathics when required.
Judicious use of supplements (because our soil is depleted of nutrients compared to a century ago).
Freedom from fear.
Handling root causes of medical conditions, rather than just symptom suppression.
Ability to spot negative stress and handle it so it does not get you.
Ability to observe.
A cheerful outlook on life.
A spiritual orientation in life.
Feeling in control of your life.
Basic knowledge of how to look after your immune system and the willingness to take responsibility for your health.
A clean, unpolluted living space devoid of mould and chemicals.
Good sleep pattern.
If you would like to like to improve your immune defences, please email the Good health Clinic on goodhealthclinic@outlook.com or ring on 07836 552936.