Allergy & Immune Support Lecture 4

1. Therapeutics Allergy & Immune SupportLecture 4

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. Innate Immunity Nutrition • SKINrequires Vitamin A, beta carotene, vitamin C, omega 3 • PHAGOCYTESrequire Vit C, B12, Iron • Excess iron decreases activity, impairs bactericidal activity and promotes bacterial growth • INFLAMMATIONrequires 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.)‏ • ANTIOXIDANTSbenefit all of the above

9. Nutrients and Acquired Immunity • Thymusrequires -carotene, C, E, Se, Zn • T cell functionsneed 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

10. 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

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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)‏

15. Adaptogens • Herbs which reduce stress and have a balancing effect on the body

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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.

23. 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

24. 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

25. Fasting by ExampleDrink 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 schedule!

26. 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 bath!

27. Rejuvenation A process, often requiring detoxification, which results in a renewal of youthful vitality.

28. 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