Boost your Immune System Naturally Preventing illness during the cold and flu season

1. Boost your Immune System NaturallyPreventing illness during the cold and flu season Dr. Jese Anne Wiens B.Sc., N.D. Okanagan Wellness Centre September 22, 2011

2. N.D. = Naturopathic Doctor • Extensive Training: 8 years • Therapies include Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, Traditional Chinese medicine including acupuncture, Physical Medicine, Homeopathy, Counselling. • What do I treat: any acute or chronic disease

3. Principles of Naturopathic Medicine • First, Do no Harm • Doctor as Teacher • Support the healing power of nature • Identify and treat the causes of disease • Emphasize prevention • Heal the whole person through individualized treatment

4. Colds and Flus • Colds and flus are respiratory infections caused by viruses. However, because these viruses are so widespread, it is perhaps more accurate to say that colds and flus are caused by a decrease in immunity that allows one of these viruses to take hold. • Biological terrain vs. germ theory. The state of the body can determine the severity of illness.

5. The Immune System • Through a series of steps called the immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade body systems and cause disease. • Surface barriers • skin, lungs, stomach, tears, saliva, flora • Components of the Immune System: • White Blood Cells circulate via blood and lymph. • Lymph tissue • Organs: thymus, spleen, bone marrow

7. White Blood Cells • Two types of leukocytes 1. Phagocytes, cells that chew up invading organisms. Eg. Neutrophil, monocyte, basophil 2. Lymphocytes, cells that allow the body to remember and recognize previous invaders and help the body destroy them. Lymphocytes start out in the bone marrow and either stay there and mature into B cells, or they leave for the thymus gland, where they mature into T cells. • B cells make antibodies and eventually develop into memory B cells. • T cells are helpers, cytotoxic, have memory, and regulate.

9. Symptoms of low immunity • fatigue • allergies • frequent or severe colds/flus • sore throats • swollen glands • headaches • aching muscles

10. What can lower immunity? • Stress, due to increased cortisol release • Dietary fat imbalance • high trans or saturated fats. Low omega fats • Sugar • Poor GI flora (dysbiosis) • Use of alcohol, smoking • Chemical pollutants • Lack of sleep • Caffeine • Nutrient deficiencies • Some prescription meds (eg. Prednisone)

11. Important Nutrients Vitamin A. Beta carotene from foods is converted to Vitamin A. Stored in the liver. • maintains the protective mucus barriers • increases the number of infection-fighting cells, natural killer cells, and helper T-cells • a powerful antioxidant that mops up excess free radicals that accelerate aging. • It is high in orange and green vegetables.

12. Important Nutrients Vitamin C • Helps to kill viruses, maintains tissue repair & is an antihistamine • It is high in tomatoes, carrots, citrus fruits, peppers, & berries. • As a supplement: • kids up to age 6 can take 250 mg per day. Older kids can take 500 mg per day. Adults 1-3 grams. • Available as a powder, chewable, or capsule. • Most useful at onset of illness or as a boost when exposure to illness increases. • Due to a mutation, humans can’t make it.

13. Important Nutrients • Vitamin E • is an antioxidant. It is high in wheat germ, nuts & seeds. Stimulates the production of natural killer cells & enhances the production of B-cells • Zinc • maintains the immune system and generates new white blood cells. A vital mineral for enzymatic function, blood sugar metabolism, protein metabolism and DNA formation. • Found in pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, & seafood. Children up to age 6 years can take 10 to 20 mg per day. Older kids and adults can take 20 to 40 mg per day. • Esp important for those who suffer from recurrent infections, allergies, have diets high in dairy, or are elderly.

14. Important Nutrients • Iron. • Needed for DNA replication / cell growth. Iron stores can be depleted during periods of rapid growth, such as puberty. • Very important for children and menstruating women. Animal sources of iron are the most absorbable, 10 times more than plant forms. Chose organic beef, chicken, dark turkey meat, eggs. Plant sources of iron include dark green leafy vegetable, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, organic unsulfured dried fruits (raisins, prunes, figs, apricots, cherries), blackstrap molasses, beets, red beans, quinoa, almonds. • Selenium • is a boost to thymus activity, increasing NK cells and cancer fighters. • Found in seafood, brazil nuts, & whole grains.

15. Important Nutrients • Vitamin D ‘the sunshine vitamin’ • Used for regulation of gene expression and so affects health in many ways. • It is helpful in acute illness and to prevent infections. • Recent studies show that deficiency is common and is a risk factor for many chronic diseases like cancer, autoimmune reactions, and diabetes. • Supplementation is recommended for all ages, including breastfed infants. 1000iu per day for children up to age 12, 2000iu age 12 and up.

16. Other Nutritional Tips • Water. The cells lining the inside of the mouth and nose are extremely prone to dehydration. When these tissues dry out, they develop small holes and cracks, thereby offering free passage to cold viruses. In contrast, well-hydrated mucus membranes are plump and more resistant to infection • Avoid sugar! It can paralyze white bloods cells starting at 30 minutes after ingestion and lasts for up to 5 hours. • Decrease dairy to one serving per day. It creates mucus production that can congest the ears, nose, sinuses, intestines, and throat. • Overall: Focus on whole foods, organic when possible. Wash all produce with a veggie wash to remove pesticides and bacteria.

17. Supplements • Probiotics • These are healthy bacteria that live in our intestines and help with our immune system. They inhibit colonization of pathogens in the intestinal tract, degrade toxins, stimulate local and peripheral immunity, promote enzyme activity, and produce antimicrobial substances. • Probiotics are considered safe and well tolerated, making it a great supplement for all ages. • The most studied include Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. sporogenes, Bifidobacterium bifidus and Saccharomyces boulardii. 3-8 billion twice daily depending on age.

18. Botanical Medicine • Echinacea is used to boost immunity to prevent illness and also to decrease the severity of colds and flus. Activates macrophages, increases T cell proliferation, antimicrobial. • Astragalus. Common in Chinese Medicine, this herb has the ability to enhance natural killer cells and increase white blood cell immune activity. Can be used to increase resistance to infection. Found as a piece of bark that can easily can be added to teas and soups.

19. Botanical Medicine • Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma) • is used to boost antibody response and antiviral activity. It can also be used to boost recovery after illness or chemotherapy. ‘the king of herbs’ • Garlic. • stimulates the multiplication of infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural killer cell activity, and increases the efficiency of antibody production. • The immune-boosting properties of garlic seem to be due to its sulfur-containing compounds, such as allicin and sulfides. Best used fresh or lightly cooked.

20. Homeopathic Medicine • Homeopathic Influenzinum / Oscillococcinum • This remedy can be taken prophylactically or at the onset of cold or flu symptoms and is very safe and easily taken by children. This remedy decreases duration and severity of influenza infections without side effects. • Thymulline is used to support thymus activity. • Nosodes • homeopathics from a pathogen and can be used for homeoprophylaxis. These can be used to increase the body’s response to a specific disease, such as whooping cough. This is not equivalent to a vaccine. • The homeopathic ‘flu’ shot • increases the activity of the antiviral white blood cells. This results in a decreased risk of viral infection, and less symptoms and shorter recovery time during illness.

21. Lifestyle • Wash your hands, for 15 seconds with soap and get under your nails. Always before you eat, after you use the toilet, when coming home, and after visiting a public place. • Disinfect your high use areas: doorknobs, fridge handles, light switches, phones, KEYBOARDS. • Get plenty of exercise, preferably in fresh air. • Find ways to reduce stress, as high cortisol inhibits your immunity. • Ensure that you wind down in the evening and get 7-8 hours of restful sleep • Bundle up to keep warm. In Chinese medicine colds and flus are seen as external invasion of cold. Cover your ‘wind gates’, which are between the bottom of your neck and your shoulder blades. Use those scarves!

22. Thank you! • Questions?

23. For more information, please contact me: Dr. Jese Anne Wiens ND Okanagan Wellness Centre 318 Main Street Penticton BC 250-276-9485 Email: drjesewiens@gmail.com