Immune System
Yellow Fever immunization: Everything You Need To Know
Author Admin
The following is everything you need to know about yellow fever and how to go about receiving a immunization.
What is yellow fever?Yellow fever is a serious disease caused by the yellow fever virus. It is spread through the bite of an infected mosquito.
Who’s at risk for yellow fever?Yellow fever is found in certain parts of Africa and South America.
Can I catch yellow fever from another person?No. Yellow fever cannot be spread person to person by direct contact.
What are the symptoms of yellow fever?Fever and flu-like symptoms. In advanced stages, yellow fever can cause jaundice (yellowing around the skin and eyes), bleeding from multiple body sites, organ failure, and death.
Is there a yellow fever immunization available?Yes, but you can only get a yellow fever immunization at a designated immunization center.
Is there one nearby?Travel Clinic of New York is located right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan on Madison Avenue between 39th and 40th. Visit www.TravelClinicNY.com or call (212) 696-5900 for more information.
Will I receive proof of my yellow fever immunization?Yes. Travel Clinic of NY provides travelers with all of the immunization documentation needed to complete their trip. After getting the yellow fever immunization, you should be given a stamped and signed “International Certificate of immunization or Prophylaxis”. You will need this yellow card to enter certain countries. Travelers without proof of immunization could be given the vaccine upon entry or detained for up to six days to make sure they are not infected.
How long will yellow fever immunizations last?The vaccine becomes fully effective 10 days after it is given, and lasts for up to 10 years. Vaccine boosters are recommended after 10 years.
What other precautions should I take to avoid yellow fever when traveling?Stay in well-screened or air-conditioned areas. Wear clothes that cover most of your body. Use an effective insect repellent, such as those containing DEET.
Will the yellow fever immunization hurt?Probably not, and if so not much and not for long. The yellow fever immunization is a live, weakened virus given as a single shot. The yellow fever vaccine may be given at the same time as most other vaccines.
Who should get the yellow fever immunization? People between one year and 59 years old should get the yellow fever immunization if they are traveling to, or living in, and area where there is a risk of contracting yellow fever. Also, lab personnel who might be exposed to the yellow fever virus should be vaccinated.
Can I donate blood after getting a yellow fever immunization? You should wait two weeks before donating blood after getting the yellow fever immunization.
Is there any reason I shouldn’t get the yellow fever immunization. People with severe allergies to any component of the vaccine should not get it. These include allergies to eggs, chicken proteins, or gelatin. If you have a comprised immune system due to HIV/AIDS, steroid use, or chemotherapy, you should not get the yellow fever immunization. Children under six months old and adult over age 60 should not get the vaccine. Also, if you’ve had a bad reaction to a previous yellow fever immunization, don’t get another one.
What kind of adverse reactions should I look for following the yellow fever immunization?Soreness, redness, or swelling at the site where the shot was given. These problems may occur in as many as one out of every four people who receive the yellow fever immunization.
Are there any severe reactions associated with the yellow fever immunization?Severe reactions are very rare. About one in every 55,000 people who receive the shot will have a severe allergic reaction to one of the vaccine components. Severe nervous system reactions are seen in about one of every 125,000 people, and life-threatening illness is report in about one person in every 250,000.
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Stress Will Harm your Immune System
Author Admin
Many studies have shown a link between stress and illness. Stress seems to have become a constant factor in today’s fast-paced society which can weaken the immune system and accelerate the aging process.
We talk about the three most significant stressors, namely, unwanted aloneness, loss of control, and loss of hope.If you can address those three stressors, you can enhance the power of the immune system,which may have an effect on how it’s able to fight those cancer cells and lessen the effects of cold and flu symptoms.
What we are looking at is if you can enhance the power of the immune system by doing things that make you happy, you will be healthier. Immune cells spend much of their lives circulating in those blood vessels.Immune systems of optimistic people have been found to fare much better under stressful conditions than those with a negative attitude.Chemotherapy has an affect on many cells in your body.
There is no question that good nutrition is necessary for a healthy immune system and that means a healthy variety of proteins, carbohydrates, fat, minerals, vitamins, fluids, etc. Your nutrition choices as well as your emotions can have a big impact on your body’s ability to keep up your energy levels and immune system.
In one small study, researchers found that moderate exercise (three or more times a week) increased the immune cell counts of women undergoing breast cancer treatment back to normal levels, and also improved the women’s mood and ability to handle their feelings comfortably. A healthy immune system regulates our body’s healing process and protects it against infections and diseases. Premature aging and fatigue are just part of the problem with stress and your immune system. Sleep time is when your body and immune system do most of its repairs and rejuvenation. Tea is a wonder drink as it has the ability to strenghten your immune system and fight off germs.
The field of study that examines the link between stress and the immune system is known as psychoneuroimmunology. Several studies in this area indicate that physical and emotional stress can have either good or bad effects on the immune system’s response. Autoimmune diseases are a result from this attack; the more commonly occurring examples include systemic lupus erythematosus (lupus), Grave’s disease of the thyroid, and rheumatoid arthritis. Autoimmune diseases are very sensitive to any kind of stress and symptoms worsen during that time. It is also interesting to note that many autoimmune disorders, such as lupus and Grave’s disease, occur more commonly in women than in men. A positive attitude, connecting to other human beings, and minimizing stress all have a lot to do with immune system health, as well.
Part of the solution to living longer and being healthy is to protect your immune system. A healthy system regulates our body’s healing process and protects it against infections and diseases. Stress influences our health so profoundly because of the way it affects our nervous and immune systems. Because of the connection between stress and health, stress management should be a cornerstone of your healthy lifestyle. Think about your state of health for a moment. And also the health of those you know. How we learn to deal with stress makes a huge difference in how healthy we are. Studies have shown that how a person deals with stress affects your health.
Related Immune System Articles
Weakened Immune System- Prevetion and Treatment
Author Admin
We know the immune system, which is the set of cells and their activity against antigens, or infectious agents that comprises of the body’s defense system against diseases. The immune system does a great job of keeping people healthy and preventing infections. However, sometimes problems with the immune system can lead to illnesses and infections.
Therefore, in order to strengthen the immune system, we must know what foods in our diet can nurture our defense system to defend against any virus attacks.
Prevention and treatment for weakened immune system with nutritional supplements and herbs.
1. Mushroom
Mushrooms have an immune substance that enhances immune response by helping the production of white blood cells. It brings vitality to the cells by increasing cellular metabolism, removing toxins and preventing free radical damage. Also mushrooms have been reported to significantly reduce stress and has shown beneficial in relieving joint pain and strengthening the skeletal and neuro-muscular systems of the body. The best kind of mushroom is shiitake.
2. Yogurt
Yogurt has great protective anti-infection agents. Increased yogurt consumption may help increase one’s resistance diseases such as cancer and infection, particularly gastrointestinal infection. This increase in resistance is in part because of the live and active cultures (LAC) found in yogurt.
3. Broccoli
Broccoli contains the properties of 3,3′-diindolylmethane (DIM), a chemical produced from the compound indole-3-carbinol when broccoli is chewed and digested. DIM is effective in augmenting the immune response for our body, and we know that the immune system is important in defending the body against infections from many kinds of cancer and virus.
4. Vitamin C
Study shows that vitamin C supplements have a beneficial impact on the serum levels of IgA, IgM, and C3, in effect strengthening some important parts of our body’s immune system. Vitamin C intake also helps to increase the virus-fighting cytokines that helps to validate the popular assumptions about vitamin C having effect on the immune system.
5. Fax seed
Flax seed is a great source of both soluble and insoluble fiber which may reduce the risk of developing hormone-sensitive cancers, such as prostate and breast cancer. Also flaxseed helps to better regulate blood sugar levels, eases inflammatory tissue conditions, controls attention deficit disorder and enhanced immune system.
6. Green tea
Green tea is loaded with powerful antioxidants which may protect against cell damage that leads to aging, and helps prevent heart disease and cancer. Study shows that the anine in green tea may help the body’s immune system respond better when fighting infection, by boosting the disease-fighting capacity of gamma delta T cells.
7. Blueberry
Blueberry is known to boost the effectiveness of vitamin C, a major strengthener of the immune system and reduce inflammation production. Blueberries also can help manage the stress on the immune system by being a free radical scavenger, leaving the immune system to help protecting your body from the formation and growth of cancer cells.
8. Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6, through its involvement in protein metabolism and cellular growth is important to the immune system. It helps maintain the health of lymphoid organs that make your white blood cells. Studies show that a vitamin B6 deficiency can decrease your antibody production and suppress your immune response.
9. Vitamin E
Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies to destroy bacteria. Study shows that vitamin E helps to stimulate the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells.
10. Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is naturally present in very few foods. It is also produced endogenously when ultraviolet rays from sunlight strike the skin and trigger vitamin D synthesis. Vitamin D are antioxidants. It is very important to our health, including modulation of neuromuscular, immune function and reduction of inflammation.
11. Echinacea
Echinacea, or the “purple cornflower,” has been used as a medicinal remedy by Native American Indians for over 400 years. Unlike antibiotics, which are directly lethal to bacteria, echinacea makes our own immune cells more efficient in attacking bacteria and viruses. In other words, unlike a vaccine which is active only against a specific disease, echinacea stimulates the overall activity of the cells responsible for fighting all kinds of infection.
12. Bee Pollen
Bee pollen is often referred to as nature’s most complete food. It contains many healing components and has been used for centuries as a source of nourishment. Today it is used not only for achieving better human health but also used in strengthening the immune system.
13. Vitamin E
Vitamin E enhances the production of B-cells, the immune cells that produce antibodies to destroy bacteria. Study shows that vitamin E helps to stimulate the production of natural killer cells, those that seek out and destroy germs and cancer cells.
14. Goldenseal Roots
Goldenseal Root contain the powerful alkaloids like berberine and hysdratine to help maintaining a strong inmune defense. and exhihit anti-microbial and anti- bacteria properties. Goldenseal root is often used to boost the medicinal effects of other herbs it is blended or formulated with.
15 . Usnea
Usnea is a lichen; a combination of an algae and a fungus growing together. Also known as Old Man’s beard, it grows in little hair-like tufts, with the green algae covering the white string like fungus. Usnea might be used in acute situations as well as for long term immune enhancement and general prevention.
16. Shitake
Like other mushrooms, these specialty mushrooms are as mysteriously unique as they are delicious. Shitake contains an active compound contained in these mushrooms called lentinan that has the ability to power up the immune system, strengthening its ability to fight infection and disease.
17. Hyssop oil
Hyssop oil is great for cleansing the aura and breaking energetic cords. The oil is mild enough to be applied directly on almost any of the chakras. Hyssop boosts the immune system and fights viruses, fungi and bacteria. One safe way to apply it is to rub a drop into the soles of each foot so that it will be absorbed.
18. Siberian ginseng
Specialized cells which eliminate bacterial and viral infections are made as needed by the immune system. Richly supply your immune system with nutrients, and it easily counters infection, building healthy white blood cells to kill anthrax and other germs. Starve your immune system and it will falter, leaving your lymph nodes and other tissues open to infection and destruction.
Kyle J. Norton
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Green Tea Extract and Immune Health
Author Admin
Green Tea helps to stimulate immune health, which is your body’s first line of defense against disease and infection! The immune system consists of white blood cells, or leukocytes. The main organs in the immune system are the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes. Incredibly, your bone marrow manufactures 1 billion white blood cells every day!
The Immune System
There are different types of leukocytes such as neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytles, monocytes and macrophages. These patrol the body and protect it from germs and other foreign bodies. Each of these targets specific pathogens like parasites, bacteria, fungi, allergies, pathogens, virus, tumor cells, and other foreign bodies. Leukocytes are found all over the body and in the bloodstream. These natural sentries of the body have an in-built memory system that helps the body to become immune to a second attack.
Cellular life is very intriguing! There are about 200 kinds of cells in your body and your body is engaged in a continuous process of replacing old cells with new ones. Every second there are about 50 million cells in your body that die and are replaced by new ones. This process is so controlled that your body has the right number of cells of each type at any given time.
Sometimes cells commit suicide, which is called apostosis. Apostosis is the body’s way of self-destroying cells that are not normal. Abnormal multiplication of cells could be caused by free radical activity and can lead to cancer.
It is interesting to note that all the cells in your body recognize each other. Cells that belong to one organ or tissue also recognize each other and this is what keeps cells from the same organ or tissue together. Leukocytes recognize cells that are abnormal or are foreign to the body. Leukocytes quickly work to prevent them from invading your system.
This is basically how the immune system works. It is therefore very vital that we take pro-active measures to support the function of our immune system.
Immune Health and Nutrition
Immune health works at the cellular level where basic health begins. Cellular function is supported by good nutrition. The relationship between nutrition and immune health is explained by Dr. George L. Blackburn, M.D., Ph.D., associate director, division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He says, “Nutrition plays an important part in maintaining immune function. Insufficiency in one or more essential nutrients may prevent the immune system from functioning at its peak.”
David Katz, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Yale Prevention Research Center in New Haven, Connecticut reinforces this, “There’s no question the immune system fundamentally is influenced by overall health—and a balanced diet is key. Not only are essential nutrients critical for the production and maintenance of key germ-fighting cells in the immune system, but a balanced diet also has a strong effect on vascular function, and the immune system is dependent on blood flow. The bloodstream is the route along which infection-fighting cells travel throughout the body to where they’re needed.”
Doctors and nutritionists recommend that you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoid saturated fats and red meat, and exercise regularly to help nutritionally support immune health.
Green Tea and Immune Health
Because immunity is battled at the cellular level, antioxidants play a key role. Consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants helps your body manage free radical activity. Dark-colored fruits and vegetables usually have the highest antioxidant value. Drinking green tea can significantly help boost your immune health.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In vitro and animal studies show that green tea may considerably support immune health. These studies indicate that green tea may be beneficial for immune health in many ways:
Green Tea Shows Anti-Viral, Anti-Fungal and Anti-Bacterial Properties.
In vitro studies suggest that EGCG inhibits the adenovirus from replicating itself. This virus is one of many that are responsible for causing the common cold according to studies conducted at the University of Sherbrooke in Canada and also at the University of Florida. The latter study indicated that Green Tea drinkers had an enhanced ability to fight common colds and flu because of an increase in a specific type of immune cells known as interferon gamma T cells. The study showed that Green Tea drinkers had a 28% increase in interferon gamma T cells with a 26% increase in the secretion of antigens as opposed to those who did not consume Green Tea.1,2
EGCG also helps to inhibit the influenza virus from replicating and also exhibits antifungal properties.3-4
Green Tea Helps to Protect the Liver
Green tea protects the liver by stimulating the immune system because of the action of powerful antioxidants reducing the damage done by toxins due to excess alcohol consumption and cigarette smoke. The result of such studies indicates that a dietary supplement of Green Tea can help to reduce early toxin-induced liver injury by neutralizing oxidative stress.5-6
Green Tea Helps to Promote the Production of Immune Cells.
Tea polysaccharides (TPS), one of the main components in green tea, stimulate the production of cytokines in the bone marrow. Cytokines are used in cellular communication and are critical to the body’s immune response to pathogens.7
A balanced diet along with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and exercise will help support good health. With numerous studies that strongly suggest Green Tea’s beneficial effects it only makes sense to protect immune health through Green Tea supplementation. Instead of reaching for coffee, substitute your coffee drinking with cups of Green Tea. Six cups of green tea a day is said to increase your immunity 5 times faster than plain coffee. You can brew fresh cups of Green Tea every day, but supplements like Green Tea Plus are convenient and packed with antioxidant power. Green Tea Plus contains 6 times the antioxidant power of a freshly brewed cup of Green Tea.
References:
Inhibition of adenovirus infection and adenain by green tea catechins, Antiviral Res. 2003 Apr;58(2):167-73. PMID: 12742577
Specific Formulation of Camellia sinensis Prevents Cold and Flu Symptoms and Enhances T Cell Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 5, 445-452 (2007), American College of Nutrition
Antiviral effect of catechins in green tea on influenza virus, Antiviral Res. 2005 Nov;68(2):66-74. Epub 2005 Aug 9. PMID: 16137775
Multiple effects of green tea catechin on the antifungal activity of antimycotics against Candida albicans.J Antimicrob Chemother. 2004 Feb;53(2):225-9. Epub 2003 Dec 19. PMID: 14688042
Green tea extract protects against early alcohol-induced liver injury in rats, Biol Chem. 2002 Mar-Apr;383(3-4):663-70. PMID: 12033455
Imai K, Nakachi K. Cross sectional study of effects of drinking green tea on cardiovascular and liver diseases. BMJ. 1995 Mar 18;310(6981):693-6.
Epigallocatechin Gallate Modulates Cytokine Production by Bone Marrow–Derived Dendritic Cells Stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide or Muramyldipeptide, or Infected with Legionella pneumophila, Experimental Biology and Medicine 230:645-651 (2005). Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine
Find More Immune System Articles
Green Tea Extract and Immune Health
Author Admin
Green Tea helps to stimulate immune health, which is your body’s first line of defense against disease and infection! The immune system consists of white blood cells, or leukocytes. The main organs in the immune system are the bone marrow, spleen, thymus and lymph nodes. Incredibly, your bone marrow manufactures 1 billion white blood cells every day!
The Immune System
There are different types of leukocytes such as neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytles, monocytes and macrophages. These patrol the body and protect it from germs and other foreign bodies. Each of these targets specific pathogens like parasites, bacteria, fungi, allergies, pathogens, virus, tumor cells, and other foreign bodies. Leukocytes are found all over the body and in the bloodstream. These natural sentries of the body have an in-built memory system that helps the body to become immune to a second attack.
Cellular life is very intriguing! There are about 200 kinds of cells in your body and your body is engaged in a continuous process of replacing old cells with new ones. Every second there are about 50 million cells in your body that die and are replaced by new ones. This process is so controlled that your body has the right number of cells of each type at any given time.
Sometimes cells commit suicide, which is called apostosis. Apostosis is the body’s way of self-destroying cells that are not normal. Abnormal multiplication of cells could be caused by free radical activity and can lead to cancer.
It is interesting to note that all the cells in your body recognize each other. Cells that belong to one organ or tissue also recognize each other and this is what keeps cells from the same organ or tissue together. Leukocytes recognize cells that are abnormal or are foreign to the body. Leukocytes quickly work to prevent them from invading your system.
This is basically how the immune system works. It is therefore very vital that we take pro-active measures to support the function of our immune system.
Immune Health and Nutrition
Immune health works at the cellular level where basic health begins. Cellular function is supported by good nutrition. The relationship between nutrition and immune health is explained by Dr. George L. Blackburn, M.D., Ph.D., associate director, division of Nutrition at Harvard Medical School in Boston, Massachusetts. He says, “Nutrition plays an important part in maintaining immune function. Insufficiency in one or more essential nutrients may prevent the immune system from functioning at its peak.”
David Katz, M.D., M.P.H., director of the Yale Prevention Research Center in New Haven, Connecticut reinforces this, “There’s no question the immune system fundamentally is influenced by overall health—and a balanced diet is key. Not only are essential nutrients critical for the production and maintenance of key germ-fighting cells in the immune system, but a balanced diet also has a strong effect on vascular function, and the immune system is dependent on blood flow. The bloodstream is the route along which infection-fighting cells travel throughout the body to where they’re needed.”
Doctors and nutritionists recommend that you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, avoid saturated fats and red meat, and exercise regularly to help nutritionally support immune health.
Green Tea and Immune Health
Because immunity is battled at the cellular level, antioxidants play a key role. Consuming foods that are rich in antioxidants helps your body manage free radical activity. Dark-colored fruits and vegetables usually have the highest antioxidant value. Drinking green tea can significantly help boost your immune health.
Green tea is rich in antioxidants, especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In vitro and animal studies show that green tea may considerably support immune health. These studies indicate that green tea may be beneficial for immune health in many ways:
Green Tea Shows Anti-Viral, Anti-Fungal and Anti-Bacterial Properties.
In vitro studies suggest that EGCG inhibits the adenovirus from replicating itself. This virus is one of many that are responsible for causing the common cold according to studies conducted at the University of Sherbrooke in Canada and also at the University of Florida. The latter study indicated that Green Tea drinkers had an enhanced ability to fight common colds and flu because of an increase in a specific type of immune cells known as interferon gamma T cells. The study showed that Green Tea drinkers had a 28% increase in interferon gamma T cells with a 26% increase in the secretion of antigens as opposed to those who did not consume Green Tea.1,2
EGCG also helps to inhibit the influenza virus from replicating and also exhibits antifungal properties.3-4
Green Tea Helps to Protect the Liver
Green tea protects the liver by stimulating the immune system because of the action of powerful antioxidants reducing the damage done by toxins due to excess alcohol consumption and cigarette smoke. The result of such studies indicates that a dietary supplement of Green Tea can help to reduce early toxin-induced liver injury by neutralizing oxidative stress.5-6
Green Tea Helps to Promote the Production of Immune Cells.
Tea polysaccharides (TPS), one of the main components in green tea, stimulate the production of cytokines in the bone marrow. Cytokines are used in cellular communication and are critical to the body’s immune response to pathogens.7
A balanced diet along with plenty of fruits and vegetables, and exercise will help support good health. With numerous studies that strongly suggest Green Tea’s beneficial effects it only makes sense to protect immune health through Green Tea supplementation. Instead of reaching for coffee, substitute your coffee drinking with cups of Green Tea. Six cups of green tea a day is said to increase your immunity 5 times faster than plain coffee. You can brew fresh cups of Green Tea every day, but supplements like Green Tea Plus are convenient and packed with antioxidant power. Green Tea Plus contains 6 times the antioxidant power of a freshly brewed cup of Green Tea.
References:
Inhibition of adenovirus infection and adenain by green tea catechins, Antiviral Res. 2003 Apr;58(2):167-73. PMID: 12742577
Specific Formulation of Camellia sinensis Prevents Cold and Flu Symptoms and Enhances T Cell Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study Journal of the American College of Nutrition, Vol. 26, No. 5, 445-452 (2007), American College of Nutrition
Antiviral effect of catechins in green tea on influenza virus, Antiviral Res. 2005 Nov;68(2):66-74. Epub 2005 Aug 9. PMID: 16137775
Multiple effects of green tea catechin on the antifungal activity of antimycotics against Candida albicans.J Antimicrob Chemother. 2004 Feb;53(2):225-9. Epub 2003 Dec 19. PMID: 14688042
Green tea extract protects against early alcohol-induced liver injury in rats, Biol Chem. 2002 Mar-Apr;383(3-4):663-70. PMID: 12033455
Imai K, Nakachi K. Cross sectional study of effects of drinking green tea on cardiovascular and liver diseases. BMJ. 1995 Mar 18;310(6981):693-6.
Epigallocatechin Gallate Modulates Cytokine Production by Bone Marrow–Derived Dendritic Cells Stimulated with Lipopolysaccharide or Muramyldipeptide, or Infected with Legionella pneumophila, Experimental Biology and Medicine 230:645-651 (2005). Society for Experimental Biology and Medicine
www.nucleusinc.com This 3D medical animation shows how antibodies stop harmful pathogens from attaching themselves to healthy cells in the blood stream. The animation begins by showing normal red and white blood cells flowing through the blood stream. Next, a single pathogen appears onscreen slowly moving toward its destination on the surface of a cell. The tubular extensions on the pathogen are surface proteins which attach to corresponding surface proteins on a white blood cell, or leukocyte. As the animation continues, more pathogens continue to attach to the white blood cell, rendering it ineffective. During the immune system response, Y-shaped antibodies begin attacking the pathogen, binding to its surface proteins as the pathogen attempts to anchor to the blood cell. The antibodies completely block the pathogen from attaching to the blood cell, “tagging” the pathogen so that one of the immune system’s leaner cells, a macrophage, appears onscreen to engulf and digest the pathogen. Nucleus Medical Art is a leading creator and licensor of medical illustrations, 3D medical animations and interactive multimedia for medical devices, pharmaceutical companies, education, biotechnology, advertising agencies, lawyers, and more. Online at www.nucleusinc.com
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Your Immune System – What Is It and How Does it Work?
Author Admin
Your immune system is very complex. What is it, how does it work, and how can you keep it strong? Learn all about how to have a healthy immune system, the immune response, and how to avoid illness here.
Very simply, your immune system is your front line of defense against all invaders to keep you healthy. “Invaders” include pathogens, bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Collectively, these make up a group of antigens. The response to these is invaders is called the antigen response. The word comes from the generation of antibodies to fight them off.
This sophisticated system is made up of proteins, cells, organs, and tissues. These all interact in a very sophisticated network of partnership towards one goal – keeping you healthy.
To make it simpler, we will refer to all invaders as “the bad guys.” The cells and tissues that are normal and healthy, part of your “self”, are “the good guys.” At any given time, we have lots of these foreign invaders in our body. And we are constantly taking new “bad guys” in through our food, air and water. This defensive system has a tall order to fill, and a healthy immune system never takes a break.
To function properly, it must be able to decide whether or not what enters the body is a good guy or a bad guy. In a properly functioning immune system, the friends and foes are identified correctly. To make matters more complicated, pathogens or “bad guys” can adapt and change quickly, fooling or tricking this system into accepting them, and then you can become sick. So it’s war between the good guys and the bad guys!
When a pathogen enters the bloodstream, there is an immune response. The large white blood cells engulf the pathogens and eat them up. The smaller lymphocytes have to be a little more clever – they have to adapt a specific defense to them. The B Cells identify pathogens as bad guys, then the Killer-T cells kill them. Helper-T cells help out, and when the carnage is over, suppressor T-Cells turn off the immune response.
When it comes to immunity, there is a delicate balance to be maintained. If the immune system is too weak, referred to as immunodeficiency, or too strong, as in auto-immune disorders, problems can result. Immunodeficiency occurs when a person’s immune system is not strong enough to fight off infection. One of the best known examples of immunodeficiency is HIV.
By contrast, an overactive system is referred to as an auto immune disorder or autoimmunity. Here, the normal cells and tissues are identified as enemies, and then the killers (T-cells) and eaters (White Blood Cells) go in and destroy this healthy tissue. Some examples of autoimmune disorders are Rheumatoid Arthritis, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Lou Gehrig’s Disease, and Lupus.
The immune system you are born with is called your innate immune system. The things that we do to increase our resistance to disease, is part of what is called our adaptive immune system. An example of adaptive immunity is receiving a vaccination, so that your body builds up a defense or antibodies to the vaccine. As a result, if and when you are exposed to the virus that was in the vaccine, your immune system will fight it off and you won’t get sick. In this way your immune system has memory.
The study of all aspects of this and how it relates to human health is called immunology. This is an ever growing field, and with complexities that are continually uncovered each day, we learn more about how we can protect ourselves and our health through better understanding of our immune system, both innate and adaptive.
Genes play their part, and we can do the rest. This is our front line of defense against all foreign invaders, so we can certainly strengthen our army of good guys to keep out the bad guys.
In order to do this, it is important to exercise regularly, eat well, get regular rest, maintain a healthy body weight, and supplement with what is missing. It is also important to avoid ingesting toxins wherever possible, and where it is not possible, to eliminate them as soon as they are ingested. And it goes without saying that smoking, alcohol abuse, and inappropriate drug use will do harm to this complex system as well.
Often, when our immunity is down and we get sick, we go to the doctor. At this point the approach is reactive. We are finding more and better ways now to be pro-active, and to prevent this in the first place by stopping the invaders in their tracks . This is done by building a very strong defense – a healthy immune system.
Glutathione has been shown to optimize the adaptive immune system, and so it is very important to boost glutathione levels in order to stay healthy and ward off illness. Glutathione is a balancer, so if your are immuno-deficient , you will get stronger. If you have an autoimmune disorder, glutathione will re-balance it. It “knows” what to do, and gets busy doing it.
Our immune system is very complex, and requires very precise interaction and raw materials to do its job well. We can do our part to have a healthy immune system by eating well, resting, exercising, and optimizing our immune system by raising our glutathione levels.
So keep your immune system strong by preventing disease before it strikes. You will be happy and healthy as a result!
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Boost your Immunity, Herbs for Immune System
Author Admin
The immune system strengthens the body against attacks by pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and microorganisms. Daily access these pathogens to us to make us sick but not as long as the immune system is functional. If complaints, this is a sign of excessive demands on the immune system.
The self-healing powers of the body are found mainly in the immune system. The immune system is a complex system of different blood cells and organs; working together to combat diseases in the human body.
In order for man to survive attacks from bacteria, viruses and other pathogens, we need defenses. Even for disorders of the inner body needs a cleanup patrol the old and diseased cells removed to the healthy cells to make room.
All of these tasks do the immune system in the body. It has blood cells and substances that act against the general interference and other blood cells and antibodies, to meet the specific pathogens more accurately and develop immunity to these pathogens. To resist diseases as possible good can it is helpful to strengthen the immune system.
If you have problems with immunity, is more likely to have frequent bouts of colds, flu and minor infections. Antibiotics are drugs indeed great, but recklessness in their use is not recommended.
It is a wrong notion that antibiotics can treat and cure all viral and bacterial infections. Antibiotics have no effect on viruses and unnecessary administration may actually be counterproductive. You can make your body immune to the drug and bring down immunity. A natural antibiotic alternative that can help prevent further damage that drugs can potentially cause and relieve symptoms also.
The low immunity is primary or acquired. The primary conditions are mainly due to a genetic predisposition. The low immunity acquired conditions are greatly affected by dietary habits, lifestyle and abuse of medication for minor ailments like the common cold and so on.
The immune system is your body’s first line of defense against foreign invaders: bacteria, pathogens, viruses, parasites or anything that can potentially cause disease. The spleen, thymus, lymph system and tonsils are all part of this extensive network of organs, tissues and cells including the white blood cells that help in curing yourself. The herbs for the immune system and natural remedies should be part of their daily routine to build this complex system. There is scientific evidence that a natural diet, herbal antibiotics and an active lifestyle, enhance immune system health and help prevent diseases like common cold or simple life-threatening diseases like cancer.
* Vitamin A, C and E are the most essential to maintain immune system health. A daily handful of almonds will provide sufficient amounts of vitamin E, oranges and other citrus are a natural source of vitamin C.
* Garlic is perhaps the oldest cultivated plant in the world and its history as an effective herbal antibiotic and booster for the immune system dates from the days when the pyramids were built. It is the natural builder of white blood cells, one of the most important components of the immune system.
* The carrots and other vegetables red, orange and dark green contain carotenoids, which are converted into vitamin A by the liver. These are extremely helpful for the thymus gland. The thymus gland is an endocrine organ at the base of the neck that produces lymphocytes. It plays an important role in producing immunity and preventing atrophies due to advanced age
* Zinc is another element that is essential for immunity. The element is followed by iron concentration in the body. Deficiency may affect the immune system in more ways than one. It acts as a catalyst in the immune responses to pathogens and ensures that the white blood cells perform their functions. Peanuts, peanut butter and dark meat of chicken, beef and lamb are excellent sources of zinc.
* Six ounces of plain yogurt and fresh daily, maintain healthy intestinal flora for proper digestion. Yogurt bacteria convert the lactose in milk into lactic acid, which is perfect for maximizing absorption and prevent vaginal infections and bladder.
* Among the herbs for the immune system the Ayurvedic herb, Ashwagandha is known for its stimulating effect on the immune system.
There’s an old saying that goes: Whenever you are in doubt, go back to nature. A natural lifestyle and homemade food with daily exercise will prevent many ailments.
Herbs for immune system
* Aloe
* Horehound
* Chlorella
* Rowan
* Eleutherococcus
* Ginseng
* Rose hip
* Raspberry
* Elder
* Lapacho
* Horseradish
* Coneflower or Echinacea
* Spirulina
* Centaury
* Tea Tree
* Eupatorium
Weak Immune System and Home Remedies for Weak Immune System
Author Admin
The immune system is the body’s defense next to infectious organisms and other invaders.
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Through a series of steps called the immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade body systems and cause disease.
The immune scheme is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body.
The immune system has a series of dual natures, the most imperative of which is self/non-self recognition.
The others are: general/specific, natural/adaptive = innate/acquired, cell-mediated/humoral, on the go/passive, primary/secondary.
Parts of the immune scheme are antigen-specific (they recognize and act against particular antigens), systemic (not restricted to the initial infection site, but work throughout the body), and have memory (recognize and mount an even stronger attack to the same antigen the next time).
The most central function of the immune system is its defensive role in the human body.
The immune system has an inbuilt ability to detect and challenge foreign substances and organisms within the body, acting as the crucial first line of defense.
The immune systems plays a role in eliminate harmful organisms and substance by recognizing, destroy and finally remove various types of foreign particles and malignant growth like cancers wherever it detect them in the human system.
Causes of Weak Immune system
A weak immune system is a major reason why populace get sick. If we would eliminate the causes that suppress our fit immune system, we would increase the possibility of not getting sick.
1. People are putting hugh amounts of toxins (mostly unknowingly) in their bodies on a regular basis and
2. Their elimination channels are clogged, slow or sluggish.
Symptoms of Weak Immune System
Here is some symptom of weak immune system like chronic infections, common colds and flu, universal cold sores, sore or swollen lymph glands and cancer also.
The weak immune system is caused due to the malnutrition, cancer, HIV/AIDS, inflammatory bowel disease, low white blood cell count, acidity and any kind of surgery and illness.
Treatment of Weak Immune System
It is suggested that exercise can be working as a model of temporary immunosuppressant that occurs after severe physical stress.
The exercise-stress model can be easily manipulated experimentally and allows for the study of interactions between the nervous, the endocrine, and the immune systems.
The mechanisms of exercise-associated muscle damage and the instigation of the rabble-rousing cytokine cascade are discussed.
Given that exercise modulates the immune system in healthy persons, considerations of the clinical ramifications of exercise in the deterrence of diseases for which the immune system has a role is of consequence.
Home Remedies for Weak Immune System
Baybarry has antibiotic belongings for sore throat, coughs, clods and flu.
Garlic is effective alongside at least 30 types of bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. It has anti-inflammatory and astringent properties.
Echinacea boosts the immune system and enhances lymphatic function.
Goldenseal strengthens the immune system, cleanses and detoxifies the body. It has anti bacteria properties.
In a small town call Chirchik, Russia, a flu epidemic swept the town.
Include in the diet chlorella, garlic and pearl barley. These foods contain germanium, a trace ingredient helpful for the resistant s
Strong immune system keeps ailments away
Author Admin
A weak immune system can attract ailments and diseases. Basically, the weak immune system is developed when person’s resistance power towards infection becomes low. White blood cells which are known to be soldiers of our body do work efficiently and therefore are not in state to protect the body from infections and diseases. To stay fit and healthy a person has to develop a good immune system which can be helped by healthy eating habits. Conditions like stress, emotional tension, lack of sleep, over exercising, chemical exposure, and harm due to radiations like UV rays can also result into a weak immune system.
One really needs to eat a healthy diet to maintain good immune system or else even bad eating habits can harm it. Having a diet that has excessive fat, refined sugar or even consumption of excessive alcohol can result into poor immune system. People not consuming a diet that has adequate protein, calories, vitamin and mineral also affects the immune system badly.
Various infections and conditions can put the immune system under stress and weaken its tolerating capacity. This makes it unable to deal with diseases. Nutrient deficiency is the major cause of poor immune system. This state of immune system can also be genetic, therefore expecting mothers should always be more careful about their diet, and it should be healthy and full of nutrients. Also, after giving birth to a baby, mother and baby must get adequate nutrition.
For adults to keep their immune system healthy, they should exercise but not over exercise. They should also do proper stress management, eating healthy diet and consuming good supplements like TMG, Zinc, Vitamin C. Apart from these, one of the most effective supplement is ‘Immune RX’. It is formulated to increase the tolerance power of a weak immune system. This particular drug provides the fighting power to the immune system. Immune RX also does a great job of providing power to the white blood cells boosting the immune system fast.
Immune RX helps the immune system a lot by promoting optimal T-cell and White blood cell, fights viruses, fights common cold and flu. It effectively helps in boosting the immune system fast. If anyone takes help of Immune RX at the start of the illness then it can reduce the ailment period. People must know that Immune RX is not a total cure for all the viruses and bacteria that a person must have been exposed to in the past. It is advantageous to the body because it stimulates the overall immune system.
On daily basis people should get adequate sleep and remain stress free to maintain a good immune system. Give your body proper rest at regular interval of time between work schedules. Eat healthy and timely. Also exercise regularly as it helps in blood circulation, to keep body fit and detoxify the body. Also it is important to consume all nutrients through food and it must also have high antioxidant levels. All these and Immune RX can help the person get rid of poor immune system.
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STIMULATING CHILDREN IMMUNITY
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In order to assure a harmonious development of a child, his body must be prepared to fight viruses and bacteria in the surrounding environment, especially before joining a community: kindergarten, preschool, school, etc. As far as children are concerned, it is recommended that they should undergo stimulation and fortification cures at the beginning of each season, as there is a strong connection between the planetary and nature’s rhythm and the flow of energy into the body. These energies have to be tuned with the planetary and nature’s rhythm. In addition to that, immunity is merely developing in children; their bodies need external support to cope with the hardening conditions of the environment: enhanced solar radiations, higher pollution, bacteria and viruses aggressiveness, diminishing supply of oxygen. Wrong use of antibiotics adds to that, – namely in situations where it is not necessary or without medical advice – a thing that upsets cell and tisular activity. Emotional traumas or various traumas suffered both by pregnant woman and by infant is a particular cause of diminished immunity in a child. Children feel their parents’ stress, their inquietude and agitation, as well as the family conflicts. Another thing that may trigger mental blockages, the kind of which is reflected at somatic level by metabolic and immune disorders, is children neglect or overstraining.
Immunity stimulating cures for children have no adverse effects, as the active substances found in the phytotherapeutical products are quickly metabolized by the body. They increase the body’s general and specific immunity. Stimulation of acupuncture centers regulates and balances the energy network of the meridians; pulmonary oxygenation; blood circulation in skin and lungs. A good circulation of blood is vital in maintaining a strong immunity; blood stagnation biases bacterial and viral development and infections.
Our herbal products have a certain concentration of active substances. The substances regulate body’s immune reactions and the activity of the organs involved in the production and the behavior of the immune cells. The effects of the respective herbal products may be enhanced by stimulating the energy centers governing the immune system and the organs involved: thymus, adrenals, spleen-pancreas, spinal marrow and lymph nodes. In the cold season, the acupuncture treatment is focused on strengthening the immune barrier of the upper loge, where the lungs are.
The main immune cells are the T-type lymphocytes, produced by the thymus and the B-type ones, produced by the spinal marrow. The thymus originating ones are involved in cellular immunity (which is vital against viral infections). B-type lymphocytes are involved in humoral immunity, in antibodies production; they also protect the body against bacterial infections. The strength of the immune system is made by maintaining an optimum ratio of T&B lymphocytes and by the good function of the thymus, spleen-pancreas, adrenal glands and lymphatic system.
The thymus is the gland governing cardiac activity and ageing rhythm. After puberty, it grows smaller and it reduces its functions. As far as children are concerned, a good function of the thymus assures a healthy growth, by the production of thymopoietin (children growth hormone). From the perspective of the traditional Chinese medicine, spleen and pancreas are a single organ involved in maintaining immunity and vitality; in body warmth-regulating mechanisms; in tissue formation; in intellectual and emotional activity. Spleen is part of lymphocytic circuit; splenic disorders trigger immune dysfunctions; they also make the body prone to infections. Adrenals are located above the kidneys. By their production of cortisone, they play a major part in maintaining immunity, as they stimulate lymphocyte growth.
Video podcast introducing the human immune system. Bothe the humoral and cell-medicated immune response are covered. Images from ‘Biology: Concepts and Connections’ (6th Ed.) by Campbell, Reece, Taylor, Simon, Dickey; Pearson Education
Video Rating: 5 / 5