Immunity & a Healthy Immune System

GET EDUCATED TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH

The ultimate protection – a healthy immune system.

The undercut of any pandemic or even contagious diseases is to have a healthy immune system.

The better idea is to start building your immune system’s health now.

Definition of Immunity:
1. the ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells. 2. Lack of susceptibility, especially to something unwelcome or harmful

The root Latin definition of the word means “safe”.

Your immune system is your personal safety system against disease. It can be tuned up like any system of the body.  You can build a healthy immune system.

Here is information and hatting on various immunity subjects.  There is a lot of research being done by nutritionists on immunity and putting the information into understandable articles so you can understand how immunity works and allowing you to be knowledgeable about your immune health.

This page is being expanded so you will be getting a lot more information in the future,

How Immunity is Created

The immune system is a network of biological processes that protect an organism from pathogens which threaten the body. It detects and responds to a wide variety of pathogens, from viruses to parasitic worms, and anything else that can be a threat to the body, distinguishing these threats from the organism’s own healthy tissue.

The human body has two major subsystems of the immune system.

The innate immune system which provides a response to broad groups of situations which put the body at risk.

The adaptive immune system provides a tailored response to each stimulus by learning to recognize molecules it has previously encountered.

Both use molecules and cells to perform their functions.

What are Antibodies? How do they protect you? 

A blood protein produced in response to and counteracting a specific antigen. Antigens are things like viruses, bacteria, toxins, cancer cells, and other foreign substances.  Antibodies combine chemically with substances which the body recognizes as alien, such as bacteria, viruses, and foreign substances in the blood.

Things you need to work on to create better Immunity   Things that build a healthy immune system. 

Sleep

Sleep provides essential support to the immune system. Getting sufficient hours of high-quality sleep enables a well-balanced immune defense that features strong innate and adaptive immunity, and less severe allergic reactions.

In contrast, serious sleeping problems can interfere with the healthy functioning of the immune system.

Stress & Fear – Stress results in cortisol being pumped into your body by the adrenals, not good for your immune system. A suggestion is not to listen to opinions and commentary in the newspapers and TV, get the facts, not the opinion which can seem like facts. It can be very stressful. *****

When most people think of improving the immune system, they often think of getting more vitamin C or making diet changes. While these can be beneficial, there is one aspect that many forget about: stress.

When your body is in a stress state, it isn’t just mental—there’s something going on at a physical level. Your muscles get tense, and your body produces a number of hormones that flood your body and change the way it functions.

Temporary stress isn’t the issue here. Stress naturally comes and goes, and it can even be beneficial for the body in small amounts. However, chronic stress is a huge problem—especially when it comes to your immune system. When stress hormones flood your body, they begin to create several problems in the immune system.

If you feel like you are affected by chronic stress and your immune system is taking a hit, then you’re in the right place!

See more education on this and what to do Stress & Your Immune System

Effects of Stress on the Immune System and What you can do.

Gut Health – 70% of your immune function is in the gut.

Why Probiotics? In an ideal world, probiotics would not be necessary, in today’s world imbalances in the intestinal bacteria are the norm. Why?

Overuse of antibiotics, reduced contact with environmental bacteria, overuse of antibacteria soaps, unhealthy diets low in fiber and high in processed foods and added sugar (and carbs), sedentary lifestyle and poor sleep habits.

See more from Dr. Michale Roscio, DNM, DC Why Probiotics are important.

Gut Bacteria, Viruses and Your Immune System

There is a really interesting relationship between gut bacteria and your immune system. There are trillions of microbes that live in and around your body, they are called the microbiome, and they provide immune protection.

People douse their hands in sanitizer and their homes in disinfectant. Why? To get rid of bacteria. If just the thought of bacteria is enough to send chills down your spine, you might find it interesting to know that your own body is actually home to trillions of bacteria. But something else that’s really good to know is that a lot of this bacteria is actually there to help you. In fact, you have friendly gut bacteria that can be very beneficial for your immune system.

Let me explain why not all bacteria is as scary as it seems, and how much of your good bacteria are fighting to keep you healthy. Know more about these friendly bacteria by watching this.

Gut Bacteria

What is the Microbiome?

• The Human Gut Birome
• The Microbiome and the Immune System

Your Microbial Balance   If you need to re-energize your immune system and support your microbial balance.
Read about How the Gut-Brain Axis Can Affect Your Health & What to do about this.

What about your Liver?

Even if you only have 5% fat on your liver, it is a Fatty Liver and it won’t be working as well as it should.

Read What Is a Fatty Liver?

It has been shown that having a fatty liver is a key reason for Long Haul Post Pandemic Symptoms 

What can you do to improve your metabolism, your gut and a Fatty Liver?   Improving Metabolism

Being Overweight – How does Obesity affect your Immune System

Remember to eat for your health and not for your taste buds.   But do you know how to eat right?   Do you know how to build a healthy body?
Go to What is a healthy diet? 

How Sugar Affects Your Immune System

Sugar can be very destructive to your health. Here’s how sugar affects the body—specifically the immune system. Remember how High Blood Sugar (hyperglycemia) is a big contributor to mortality when a person gets the flu?

Viruses Love Sugar by Tatia Nelson, M.H.

When viruses hit and you are trying to restore health, bingeing on sugar like it’s Halloween night is not the best idea.

In 2018, a scientific study concluded that, “A high-sugar diet (HSD)…severely threatens human health.” (1) The most concerning results of a similar study showed it can interfere with immune system communication, especially pathways that respond to influenza viruses. (2)

So, bingeing on sugar could give viruses a great advantage. (3) Since January 2020, people have been flooding health food stores to find antivirals or to boost their immune system with herbs, supplements, food, sanitation supplies, and anything needed to quarantine. You think toilet paper goes fast? You should see the immunity section.It is interesting that all the sweets and treats are selling out too. Why the sugar rush? Aren’t we trying to build immunity, not impair it?Dr. John R. Christopher, the founder of the School of Natural Healing, always taught what to do for illnesses and what not to do.The immune system can be hindered for 1 to 2 hours after consuming too much sugar and these effects linger 5 hours later. During this time a high sugar diet interferes with immune communication, but it also dumps filth into the body. Sugar breaks down into toxic acids like lactic acid, butyric acid, and aspartic acid.

The lymphatic system helps clean up these acids much like taking out the trash in your home. If piles of trash stack up, as is the case with a high sugar diet, it takes extra energy and resources to remove it. In fact, “the trash” now becomes the new priority of the immune system until the mess is cleaned up. Whenever the immune system turns its attention away from a full-blown attack against pathogens, like viruses, it is not to your advantage. (4) An high sugar diet suppresses the production of immune cells like T-cells, B cells, NK cells, and specifically phagocytes. These are the “garbage men” of the immune system. Remember the game Pac-man? A character goes around eating things in its pathway. This is how phagocytes work. They travel around eating viruses, bacteria, and all sorts of garbage. (5) This helps clean up the body and gives a great advantage to the immune system. We need as many phagocytes on our side as we can get, but high blood sugars lower their production. Not only that, studies show that high blood sugars impair phagocytes from doing their jobs.When you are trying to decide what to do for your immune system, consider cutting out refined sugars–especially when you want to empower your immunity. Take a No-Sugar challenge today. Eliminate refined sugars for 5 days. I bet you will feel a lot healthier when you are done!

Tatia Nelson is an SNH Master Herbalist, Iridologist, Wellness Trainer, Natural Medicines Researcher/Presenter, and Product Formulator.
1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29727694/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4136289/
3. http://www.diabetesincontrol.com/diabetes-mellitus-and-infectious-diseases-controlling-chronic-hyperglycemia/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCsyTd29i9Y
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21390224/ https://arphysmed.com/2017/10/the-amazing-similarities-between-this-toxic-sugar-and-alcohol/ https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-pH-level-on-various-types-of-sugar
5. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hematopoietic_stem_cell https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3975817/ https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article-abstract/26/11/1180/4732762

Chronic Inflammation & Immunity

Inflammation is an integral part of your body’s natural defenses. When threatened by harmful substances, such as a bacteria or viruses, your immune system sends wave after wave of white blood cells and chemicals to seek and destroy the offending organisms. This “inflammatory cascade” produces the heat, redness, and swelling which characterize acute inflammation. Once the offenders are destroyed the inflammatory cascade stops and healing begins. During chronic inflammation……See what to do about Chronic Inflammation

How Age influences your immune system

There are changes in the body as you age that can affect your immune system.

For those with underlying health conditions including autoimmune diseases

Beta Glucan

Beta glucan is an incredible Immuno-Modulator meaning, it “wakes up” your body’s natural immune response so your immune cells can better protect your body from harmful invaders.

Beta-glucans do not kill germs directly, but they work with your body’s immune system. Simply put, beta glucans give your immune system the extra infection-fighting power it needs to protect your body from incoming pathogens (Something that causes disease, especially a virus, bacterium, or fungus)

Beta-glucans boosts the immune system in people whose body defenses have been weakened by health conditions.

“Over the past few years, we’ve come to understand that beta-glucans have an effect on our innate immune system, which is the first line of defense in people and practically every animal. It takes care of 99% of all invasions before the human body’s adaptive immune system manages to react.” Dr. David A. Stevens

RECOMMENED: (Products we researched and found to do what they say they will do)

Beta Glucans

Other Supplements to build a healthy immune system.

Vitamin D There is a lot to be said about Vitamin D. The implications of vitamin D deficiency on the immune system have become clearer in recent years and in the context of vitamin D deficiency, there appears to be an increased susceptibility to infection. (See Vitamin D Studies below)

Echinacea Helps enhance healthy immune system function and supports upper respiratory tract health and helps promote the body’s normal resistance function.

Elderberry The berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that boost your immune system. They can help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too. Some experts recommend elderberry to help prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms

Zinc – Important to understand Zinc Deficiency as it is important to your immune system, and so many others. Find out what and why a deficiency can harm your health. Find out about Zinc Deficiency

The Benefits of Salt for the Immune System
What does salt do to help your immunity – a lot. Here is an educational video on Salt and what it does for the body.

From your Food All the recommended vitamins can usually be gotten from food.
Quercetin improves your immunity. Quercetin rich foods include onions and shallots, apples, broccoli, asparagus, green peppers, tomatoes, red leaf lettuce, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, cranberries, black currants and green tea (It can also be gotten from supplements.

Recommended Supplements

Here are the different things you can do to build immunity. More to come.

We always recommend products that we have found works.

Emergency Immune Support Berg’s Formula = Multi-Level Immune System Support

And individual help from:

Read Research on the Anti-Viral Properties of Vitamin C
The Vitamin C we recommend: Vitamin C Complex Chewable by Dr. Berg

Zinc in a base of 70+ trace minerals

Probiotics

Dr. Berg’s Healthy Keto Diet   Building health (and also losing weight if needed)

We have been bringing you more information about Health for Your Immune System as we find it. We will continue to do so.

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Studies

*Immunity & Inflammation

**Echinacea

***Elderberry Studies

****Zinc
Zinc

*****Anxiety
Mental Health

******Studies on Beta Glucans

Vitamin D Studies

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