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Protecting Your Immune System from the 20th Century
by Dr. Stefan Kuprowsky, Naturopathic Physician

Today, with the ever-increasing publicity given to the AIDS scare, people
are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the immune system in maintaining health. The immune system is involved, not only with AIDS, but also with bacterial and Viral infections, allergies, candidiasis, chronic Epstein-Barr syndrome, arthritis, cancer and virtually every other disease affecting humans. A healthy immune system should protect us from these diseases. Why then, are the immune systems of an increasing number of people beginning to break down!

Our 2Oth century lifestyle, which has provided us with so many conveniences, has unfortunately become toxic to our immune systems. Every year, over 2,000 new chemical substances which never existed before are created and released into our environment. The average person in Western society consumes around 10 pounds of food additives per year.

Antibiotics, which can be lifesaving, are often over prescribed for minor ailments such as colds and flu. The majority of colds and flu are caused by viruses, for which antibiotics are completely ineffective and inappropriate.
Cortisone, once hailed as a new wonder drug, is a potent immune suppressant, but continues to be prescribed excessively and inappropriately.

With the industrialization of our food supply, we are no longer eating whole, natural, nutrient-rich foods. This has led to an overall decrease of vitality and a specific weakening of peoples immune systems. The pace of 20th living has increased the amount of psychological stress that each person must cope with. Research indicated that long term stress can have an inhibitory effect on the immune system, making people more susceptible to infection of chronic diseases.

The immune system responds to these 20th century stresses in one of two ways. It can become over stimulated in such a way that it is always turned on and cannot shut itself off - a condition known as Hyperimmunity. The other reaction is one where the immune system becomes so weakened that it cannot respond effectively to foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses and funguses. This condition is known as Immunodeficiency.

Hyperimmunity affects most people in the form of Allergies. Allergies result in an immune response being triggered by a normally non threatening substance such as pollens, animal hair, dust, and different foods. People are also developing new allergies to the ever increasing number of new chemicals being introduced into our environment. There are some individuals who are so allergic to everyday substances that they have to live in isolation units where all their air, water and food is filtered and sterilized. Their immune systems have been damaged in a way that their sensitivity selector is switched on to "super-fine." It is thought that exposure to toxic chemicals plays a role in this environmental or "Twentieth-Century Disease."

Other types of Hyperimmunity reactions are Autoimmune diseases, when the body's immune system attacks its own tissues. It is a case of self attacking self. Diseases that fall into the Autoimmune category include: Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Systemic Lupus, Fibromyalgia, and Juvenile Onset Diabetes. The role of Autoimmune disease has been hypothesized (e.g. mercury in M.S.) but remains unproven at this time.

Immune deficiency is a general term to describe weakened immune systems. When the immune system is functioning at a sub-optimal level, then one's resistance to infection decreases and susceptibility to infection increases. Immune deficiency can be caused by a host of factors including poor diet,nutritional deficiencies, vaccinations, chemical toxins, drugs,
environmental pollution, and psychological stress.

The result of a chronically weakened immune system is an increased susceptibility to infections. Viral infections, in particular, have become increasingly problematic during the final half of the 20th century. The increase of viral illness has corresponded with a decrease in the number of life-threatening bacterial infections such as tuberculosis, cholera,
diphtheria, and dysentery. Medical researchers have concluded that the rapid decline of life-threatening bacterial diseases was due more to the vaccinations.

Have viruses become the plague of the twentieth century?

Simple exposure to a virus will not immediately result in a person coming down with that viral disease. If two people are exposed to a flu virus, one may "catch it" and the other will not. The person who comes down with the flu, does so because their immune system has not been able to quickly control the invading virus. The person who stays healthy, does so because their immune system has been able to respond quickly and effectively.

Recent research indicates that every healthy person has approximately 4,000 viruses in their respiratory system at all times. Normally, the healthy persons immune system keeps these 4,000 viruses in check. It is only when one's immune system becomes stressed or weakened that a viral illness takes over. The most important factor is the state of the immune response and not the virus itself, which while necessary, is not the only cause of viral illnesses.

The key to maintaining health in the face of twentieth century stresses to the body is to protect and maintain a healthy immune system. Fortunately, there are positive things you can do for your immune system.

The basis for a strong immune system:

The basis for a well functioning immune system is a healthy diet. Quality food must go in for quality of life to result. A basic healthy diet will include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fresh oils such as safflower, olive and flaxseed and a choice of proteins such as fresh fish, tofu, free-range eggs, raw nuts or cultured dairy
products such as yogurt, buttermilk and cottage cheese.

One should reduce or eliminate intake of refined or processed foods, red meat, saturated animal fats, fried foods, sugar, caffeine beverages and alcohol. The average North American consumes over 100 pounds of sugar per year. Experimental studies have demonstrated that sugar is a potent immune suppressant which decreases the macrophage activity in the blood stream.

If your child is suffering repeated colds or allergies, the first to begin is to reduce their sugar intake. Replace sugar with naturally sweet foods such as fruits, honey or maple syrup. While the best source of one's daily
vitamin and mineral supply is from a balanced, whole diet, there are specific nutritional supplements that may enhance the functioning of the immune system.

The most important vitamins and minerals for the immune system are A, C, B6, Folic Acid, E, Zinc, Selenium, and Germamium.

One of the best ways to maintain a healthy immune function is to avoid exposure to toxins in the first place. There is an increasing awareness of how to build houses that avoid the use of toxic, synthetic building materials. This tecnique originated in Germany, but is spreading to North America. Office environments are also a concern due to their lack of fresh air and inadequate ventilation systems, There is a phenomenon know as the "Sick Building Syndrome," where workers in certain buildings have high rates of illness and allergic reactions. Clearly, there needs to be a concerned effort on the part of government, industries and communities to clean up our environment.

On an individual basis, one can embark on a personal detoxification program. There are many good programs available, and your health store or preventive-oriented doctor should be able to find the program that is most suited for you.

Herbs can have an immune enhancing or immune modulating effect. That is, they can stimulate the immune system to function more efficiently and effectively. The most important Western herbs for immunity are echinacea, lomatia, garlic, licorice and golden seal.

There are many Chinese herbs that have important immune potentiating properties. Astragalus or Huang Ch'i is a popular herb commonly used be the Chinese to protect against "outside evils" such as cold, damp and wind. Astragalus has been used in China to rebuild the immune systems of cancer patients that have been treated with chemotherapy or radiation. Chines researchers have found Astragalus to help stimulate interferon production. Interferon stimulates natural killer cells to destroy viruses and tumors.Astragalus has also been found to reduce excess numbers of T-Suppressor cells which are part of the body's central system to inhibit the immune response. Excess numbers of T-Suppressor cells have been found in AIDS patients.

Ligusticum is another common Chinese herb that has been used in many female tonics. It is primarily a liver herb that assists detoxification and enhances circulation. Ligusticum is a potent immune stimulant and promotes T-Cell and lymphocyte activity.

Schizandra is a famous tonic herb known for its "5 flavors." Like Ginseng, it is used in China as an overall energy stimulant. It is used to build up the protective energy surrounding the body and helps to drive out mucous and protect the llungs. Schizandra has a general response on the entire immune system and increasesone's non-specific resistance to all stresses. Schizandra is a potent adrenal gland stimulant, helping to stimulate adrenal gland hormone secretion and to promote anti-inflammatory action. Schizandra also has antibacterial action and has been used to treat hepatitis, dysentry and bladder infections.

It is important to realize that most natural products that are used to treat diseases such as infections and cancer, operate by stimulating the body's immune response rather than by attacking the offending organism or growth itself. There are many positive things that you can do to protect you and your family's immune systems. The adoption of a more healthy lifestyle is the single most positive factor in determining the overall health of you and your immune system. PROPER NUTRITION, EXCERCISE, DETOXIFICATION and a POSITIVE MENTAL ATTITUDE are all nature's "wonder healers." When faced with a serious health problem, it is always best to get professional guidance from a preventative nutritionally oriented doctor.

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