The immune system. This term is frequently used to describe
one of the major systems of the body. There are different ways to look at its
actual components. In some circles the entire body is considered the immune
system because everything influences immunity. In the wholistic approach, the whole
body - the skin, digestion, hormones, circulation, etc. all play a role in
keeping us healthy.
The immune system has two roles:
to kill and to remember. Pathogens
release certain chemicals and proteins that our immune system recognizes as not
part of us which triggers a kill response. Once this occurs the system
“remembers” and we can reduce the impact of future attacks of a similar
pathogen and thus have “immunity.”
This parallels the two main
parts to the immune system. The primary or innate immune system and the
secondary or acquired immune system. The innate immune system is for immediate
response to pathogens. The acquired immune system develops after. It creates
highly specific antibodies for foreign (“not self”) or body (“self”) proteins
(antigens).
The lymphatic system plays a major role in the immune
response. The primary organs of the lymphatic system are the thymus gland and
the bone marrow. The secondary organs are the lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils,
liver, Peyer’s patches in the small intestines, and appendix.
The thymus gland is located beneath the breastbone and is the
place where T cells mature. T-cells are a form of white blood cells that
recognize and attach to foreign molecules (antigens). White blood cells are made in the bone marrow.
Bone marrow also produces red blood cells and platelets. White blood cells include
lymphocytes, neutrophils, monocytes, eosinophils, and basophils.
There are two types of lymphocytes – the previously
mentioned T cells and B cells. B-cells make antibodies. These are chemicals
that latch onto foreign substances inactivating them or marking them to be
destroyed by other immune cells. Natural killer (NK) cells are a type of T-cell
- the first line of defense for the body versus an infection. Lymphocytes
migrate to areas of inflammation throughout the inflammatory process. Remember
that infection produces inflammation.
Phagocytes are immune cells that engulf and digest foreign
particles. They follow the lymphocytes into battle. The lymphocytes have marked
the invaders for destruction. The phagocytes complete that task. The most
important phagocytes are neutrophils and monocytes. Neutrophils are the first
to respond to an infection. They will be elevated at the onset of an infection
and decrease as the body fights the infection. They are the primary defense
against microbial infections and respond to inflammation.
Monocytes are the body’s second line of defense against
infection. They will remove dead cells, microorganisms, and other waste
materials from circulating blood. Monocytes tend to be elevated towards the end
of the infection. They will stay elevated due to high levels of inflammation,
during an extended recovery from an infection, and in cases of extended
infection such as parasitic infections.
Eosinophils help to remove and breakdown the by-products of
protein catabolism. They can ingest antibody-antigen complexes and are active
in the later stages of inflammation. They are not effective against bacteria,
but do respond to allergic and parasitic issues. Eosinophils will remain
elevated in cases of intestinal parasites or food or environmental
sensitivities. They are phagocytes that contain histamine, heparin, and
serotonin.
Basophils also contain histamine, heparin, and serotonin.
They play an important role in the inflammatory process by releasing heparin
and other substances to prevent clotting in the inflamed tissues. They will
often be elevated in cases of continued inflammation and allergies.
On a side note: Most
blood tests will include what is known as the WBC (white blood cell count) and differential.
The differential is the composition by type of white blood cell and adds up to
100%. Many times a client will be told that their blood test results are
“normal.” However, in truth, their lab results are far from optimal. When
taking a closer look at a client’s WBC and differential I often find the
patterns of either acute or chronic infection or inflammation which supports
the findings of my nutrition response testing.
Lymph is a fluid that contains lymphocytes, proteins and
some fatty molecules formed from the fluid around the body cells. Its function is to filter this material and
return it to the blood stream. The lymph
removes waste materials from cells, so they can be disposed of properly by the
body. The material moves through lymphatic capillaries and lymphatic vessels on
its way back to the circulatory system. The lymph nodes are where the lymph is
filtered and purified.
The spleen filters the blood and lymph. It removes old red
blood cells and destroys bacteria. The tonsils protect us against bacteria that
enters via the nose and mouth. The liver produces half of the lymph in the body
and stores and detoxifies blood. The Peyer’s patches monitor intestinal
bacteria populations and prevent the growth of pathogenic bacteria. The
appendix makes antibodies.
Following is a basic example of how the immune system works
to defend the body against a virus with a four-step process.
1.
The invading virus is detected by white blood
cells called macrophages. These cells
are also known as the “frontline defender”.
As they encounter a foreign organism such as a virus, they begin to
destroy the antigens or toxins produced by the virus. These activities are noticed by helper
T-cells. They have identified that the
macrophages need more help, so they signal the spleen and lymph nodes to
produce additional cells to help fight the infection.
2.
The full involvement of the immune system. The spleen and lymph nodes are producing
Killer T-cells and B-cells. Killer
T-cells begin to multiply and arrive to fight the invading virus. At the same time B-cells produce antibodies
which are effective at targeted a specific invader.
3.
Fighting off the virus. By this time the virus is also doing its own
fight for survival. It has entered some
of the body cells and is replicating and multiplying on its own. The Killer T-cells are killing the infected
cells and the antibodies are working to prevent further growth of the virus.
4.
The virus has been contained and the thymus
sends out suppressor T-cells to slow down the immune response. At the same time Memory cells are recording specific
information about the virus, so that should it appear again, the body will be
able to fight it more efficiently and effectively.
The above are the basic mechanics of the immune system. We
tend to think of our immune system as fending off invading foreign substances
that create an infection - such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungus.
However, it is important to understand that other factors have great influence
on our immune response. The wholistic approach. These factors include: food and
nutrition, the environment, and stress.
The food we eat is critical. Foods that we are allergic to
or that we have sensitivities to will produce an inflammatory response. This turns on the immune system, utilizing
resources that may otherwise have been required to fight a pathogen. Sugar is
known to depress the immune system for up to five hours after being consumed.
And, general nutritional deficiencies make it easier for pathogens to invade
our body and reduce the effectiveness of the immune system. Our susceptibility
to secondary infection is greater and recovery will be slower after infection
or illness.
Environmental toxins are known to compromise the immune
system, particularly exposure to heavy metals such as: Mercury (found in dental
amalgams, fish); Lead (found in drinking water, paint, pollution, and pipes); Cadmium
(from cigarette smoke, shellfish, and industrial waste); Aluminum (in antacids,
antiperspirants, pots, foil, and water); and Arsenic (found in rice, tobacco
smoke, pesticides, and glues). Again, dealing with environmental toxins
distracts the immune system from pathogens. It is quite common to see heavy
metal toxicity accompanying pathogen activity.
Signs of a toxic body include: fatigue, lethargy, depression, headaches,
allergies, muscle aches, chronic infections, frequent colds, sluggishness, nervousness,
irritability, sensitivity to perfume and other odors, and joint pains.
Once the body begins to show signs of toxicity, the immune
system is over-burdened and autoimmune disorders begin to occur. Did you know
the current list of autoimmune diseases is now over 150 and continues to grow?
We can truly say there is an autoimmune epidemic underway in the United States.
We all know at least one person who suffers from an autoimmune condition.
In most cases they are offered little help
from traditional medicine. The best case is to “manage” it to keep the symptoms
as reduced as possible. There is never any mention of a possible reversal of
the condition. Fortunately, many natural/holistic practitioners across the
country are having success in preventing and reversing autoimmune conditions
every day. For further reading please read the article
Natural Solutions for Preventing and Reversing Auto Immune Conditions. Click
here:
http://brwellness.com/nutrition-news/?p=742.
Bernard Rosen, PhD is a Nutrition Consultant and
Educator. He works with individuals, groups, and at corporations to create
individualized nutrition and wellness programs. His office is in Mequon, WI. To
learn more or to schedule an appointment, e-mail at bernie@brwellness.com, call
(262) 389-9907 or go to www.brwellness.com.
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