Is your immune system dysfunctional???

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Understanding Immunity

How to tell if your immune system is dysfunctional:

frequent colds and flus

Herpes (cold sores) outbreaks

allergies

continual fatigue

candida yeast overgrowth

painful joints and muscles

parasite infections

psoriasis and eczema

inflammatory disorders

Skin and mucus membranes are the first line of defense against infection. It

that remains intact, it is easier for the rest of the immune system to work.

Saliva, tears, and vaginal secretions also help to wash microbes away.

Phagocytes

Phagocytes will eat and digest foreign matter. There are two kinds of

phagocytes - granulocytes and macrophages. These cells will rush out and

destroy whenever there is an alarm raised. They are not particular in what

they attack as long as it is foreign to the body. They will not attack the

body.

Fever

Fever is another method used to combat infection. A high fever will slow down

or stop invaders. Pyrogens released from the Phagocytes cause fever.

Inflammation

Within moments of injury or invasion, the immune system is activated.

Redness, swelling, pain, and heat are all active protective responses of the

immune system to prepare for healing and prevent further damage.

Complement

A complement is an immune agent that is actually a combination of protein

enzymes that circulate in the blood and act as catalysts in antibody

reactions. When an invader appears, a complement releases the first enzyme

that attracts the phagocytes to the area. Each enzyme is released in order

and activates certain immune functions.

Natural Killer Cells (NK cells)

These are the body's first line of defense against invaders of all types.

These cells will also seek out and destroy cancer cells. NK cells do not need

to be told to attack. They act on their own. They do not have a memory, so

they deal with each invader as if that is the first time it has been seen. NK

cells are similar to cytotoxic T-cells because they release toxic enzymes to

destroy the invader. They are more voracious then cytotoxic T-cells. They

release interferons that stop viruses from replicating. These interferons

also help the NK cells be more aggressive and calls other NK cells to the

site.

Parts of the immune system:

Thymus - is a flat, soft, pinkish-grey gland in the upper chest in front of

the heart. It continues to grow until puberty when it weighs about 1.2

ounces. Then it may start to shrink slowly.

T-Cells are matured in the thymus, which gives them the specific structures

needed for fighting foreign organisms. They then migrate into the Lymphatic

system.

The Lymphatic System is made up of lymph fluid, lymphatic vessels, bone

marrow, lymph nodes, spleen, and tonsils. It helps to eliminate toxic waste.

Fluid is moved by the muscles, not the heart. Lack of exercise will cause a

sluggish lymph system. When the body is trying to fight off infection, the

lymph nodes will become swollen. Lymph nodes are located in the neck, arm

pits, groin, and other areas.

B-Cells develop in the bone marrow. They are not affected by the thymus, but

are modified by certain T-cells. They reside in the lymph nodes.

If we provide the immune system with proper nutrition, food supplements,

stress reducers, and exercise, it will be able to do a good job in protecting

us.

It was thought that the Thymus Gland shrinkage was due to age, it is now

known that it is not inevitable, and the shrinkage may even be reversed. When

the thymus gland shrinks, it produces less of the hormone that causes the

T-cells to mature. Without mature T-cells, B-Cells are unable to make

antibodies, resulting in an increase of infections, cancer, and autoimmune

disorders.

There are two main types of cells in our blood - red cells and white cells.

One type of white cell is the Lymphocytes, which has a long term memory of

past infections. Some lymphocytes become B-Cells, and others circulate in the

blood where they become T-cells when they go through the thymus gland. In the

thymus gland, they are taught how to recognize a specific antigen and the

difference between invading cells and self.

Normally, the immune system will only attack invading, foreign cells. When it

gets confused, it may attack the body. It is possible that some invading

cells have a role in confusing the immune system and set the stage for

autoimmune disorders such as Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and others. These

arise when there is an overproduction of lymphokines which promote the

B-Cells to make antibodies. These antibodies then attack the body and the

cycle continues.

" Cytokines and proteins secreted by monocytes called monokines and

lymphocytes called lymphokines that regulate the magnitude of and

inflammatory or immune response. "

T-Cells

There are three types of T-cells: helper T-cells, cytotoxic T-cells, and

suppresser T-cells.

Helper T-cells are also known as T4 cells or CD4 cells. They sound the

emergency alarm and help the cytotoxic T-cells and secrete interleukin-2

(IL-2) that stimulates the growth, abundance and killing ability of cytotoxic

T-cells. Helper T-cells give permission to all the other immune components to

do their jobs.

Helper T-cells can be further differentiated into 2 types, Th1 and Th2. They

produce 2 different kinds of lymphokines and must be in balance for the

immune system to be healthy. Th1 cells produce Lymphokines that enhance the

ability of the immune system to fight virus, bacteria, fungi, or parasites

and activate the other T-cells.

Th2 is more involved in allergic reactions and antibody production. Th2

releases interleukin-6 (IL-6) which is involved in the inflammatory response

in Rheumatoid Arthritis. Ideally, Th1 is stronger than Th2. This balance can

be achieved by the use of diet and nutritional supplements.

Cytotoxic T-cells travel to the site of invasion and kill the invaders by

injecting a cytokine into the cell. They also secrete a factor that invites

other macrophages to the site of infection. They also secrete interferons,

which can stop viruses from reproducing. Cytotoxic T-cells are especially

effective against the slower growing bacteria and cancer cells.

Suppressor T-cells shut down portions of the immune system when it is no

longer needed. They will slow down Cytotoxic T-cells and stop the production

of antibodies. When Suppressor T-cells are reduced, the B-cells have no

brakes and can wreak havoc in the body.

Every day, there are millions of communications between the various

components of the immune system to try and keep us as healthy as possible.

There are many things that can disrupt these communications and that is when

we get sick.

Interleukins

There are more than 30 different Interleukins (IL) discovered up to now.

There are 4 discussed in more detail in the book.

Interleukin-1

IL-1 is the Cytokine that induces fever. (There may be others that do the

same thing) This slows down or destroys the invading virus or bacteria. Once

IL-1 is released, the T-cells are encouraged to release IL-2.

Interleukin-2

IL-2 helps to tell the cytotoxic T-cells to destroy an invader. It stimulates

other T-cells to produce more IL-2 and also to make more T-cells. It is very

good against tumors.

Interleukin-4

IL-4 enhances the ability of B-cells to make antibodies. It also helps Helper

T-cells and Cytotoxic T-cells do their job. When too much IL-4 is produced,

there are problems with allergic responses. Lowering the levels of IL-4 will

reduce the allergic responses. But we don't want to completely eliminate IL-4

or the B-cells would not be able to function adequately. We need to have a

balance.

Interleukin-6

IL-6 is released by macrophages, monocytes and some T-cells and induces

B-cells to produce antibodies. Abnormal production will produce an unwanted

inflammatory response and allergic reaction, and is seen in the autoimmune

diseases.

Interferon

Interferon goes after viruses. There are 3 kinds of interferon-gamma, beta,

and alpha. These substances will help uninfected cells to resist infection.

Viruses can only duplicate themselves if they can get inside of a host cell.

Interferon interferes with that process.

Tumor Necrosis Factor

TNK is release by macrophages and induces fever. Its primary targets are

cancer cells.

Interleukin, Interferon, and TNK have all been synthesized in the laboratory

and are used in fighting cancer. When used in this fashion, there can be

severe side effects, and they may not be very effective because there is no

balance. It is better to try to bring the immune system into balance, then

there will be no side effects and good results.

B-cells

B-cells are produced in the bone marrow, and set up housekeeping in the lymph

glands. They do not circulate in the blood. Their role is to produce specific

antibodies for specific organisms. The T-cells signal to the B-cells which

antibody to release.

For example: You have had the Chicken Pox. You have recovered and developed

antibodies for it. Now you are exposed to Chicken Pox again. The T-cells see

the Chicken Pox virus and send a message to the B-cells. Those B-cells tuned

to the Chicken Pox virus now release the Chicken Pox antibodies which attack

the new viruses. This happens so fast, you don't have time to get sick with

the Chicken Pox again. If your immune system is malfunctioning for some

reason, you may get the Chicken Pox again.

When an invader is present, T-cells tell the B-cells to start producing

antibodies. Some of the B-cells turn into Plasma cells which start producing

antibodies. Plasma cells only live for 4-5 days. The B-cells that do not

become Plasma cells remain as memory cells. Antibodies can be produced at the

phenomenal rate of 2,000 molecules per second.

Antibodies

There are 5 classes of antibodies called immunoglobulins (Ig) and include

IgA, IgE, IgG, IgM, and IgD. IgD is rare and its function is not clear.

IgA is found in tears, milk, sweat, and saliva as well as on mucus membranes.

When the IgA found in the intestinal tract is low, immune deficiency is

common.

IgE is involved in allergic reactions, in which mast cells are encouraged to

release histamine. IgE's protective mechanism triggers inflammatory responses

which help to protect against parasite infections. This is supposed to be a

protective reaction, but those of us who suffer with severe allergies will

obviously think otherwise. Severe allergic reactions (anaphylactic) can cause

death if not reversed promptly.

IgG is the most abundant antibody and is divided into 4 subclasses which will

not be discussed. It specializes in killing certain bacteria and viruses. It

can punch holes in cell membranes, allowing access to the inside of a cell.

If the 4 subclasses of IgG are out of balance, the immune system will not

work properly.

IgM is a large molecule and operates in the blood stream only. It engages in

disabling bacteria.

Joanne C. http://pbcers.org/