Understanding our own immune system is as important as understanding the foods that we eat.
When we are talking about our immune system we need to think about an immune response. There are two types of immune response; one is innate immunity, which is responsible for a rapid and non-specific response to a virus, bacteria or a tumour cell. Innate immunity is a bit like a knee jerk reaction. The second type of immune response is the adaptive response, which is more specific to whatever pathogen (disease causing organism) has entered the body.
Our immune system needs careful direction so that it knows how to react and two types of cells known as T-helper cells (Th) are key players. They are lymphocytes (types of white blood cells) that recognize foreign pathogens, or in the case of autoimmune disease, normal tissue. In response to this recognition, they produce cytokines, which are hormonal messenger proteins that are responsible for the biological effects of the immune system.
They are divided into subgroups Th1 and Th2. Th1 cells are involved in what is called “cell-mediated” immunity, which usually deals with infections by viruses and certain bacteria. They are the body’s first line of defense against pathogens that get inside our cells. They tend to be pro-inflammatory and are involved in the development of organ-specific autoimmune disease.
Th2 cells are involved in what is called “humoral-mediated” immunity, which deals with bacteria, toxins, and allergens. They are responsible for stimulating the production of antibodies in response to extracellular pathogens (those found in blood or other body fluids). They tend not to be inflammatory and are involved in systemic autoimmune disease and other chronic conditions.
In a well-functioning immune system, both groups of these T helper cells work together to keep the system balanced. One side might become more active to eradicate a threat, before settling back to a balanced level. However in the case of an autoimmune disease this balance is lost and a situation involving dominance of Th1 or Th2 may develop.
When this happens we have the body attacking itself. Autoimmune diseases are on an ever upwards incline and no one seems to be asking why. When we have Th1 dominance we may see Alzheimer’s, Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, MS Hashimoto’s thyroid disease, Psoriasis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type 1 diabetes. With Th2 dominance we may see Asthma, Eczema, Cancer, Lupus and Ulcerative Colitis, allergies, Scleroderma and chemical sensitivities.
It’s vital to have immune system balance if there is to be any control of these conditions. How do we know if we are Th1 or Th2 dominant? A doctor can arrange for a cytokine blood panel test via Nutrisearch in New Zealand. This is not a cheap test but it could be well worth it to know what one is dealing with and to know whether one’s efforts should be going into stimulating either the Th1 side or the Th2 side.
There are various herbs such as echinacea, astralagus, licorice root, ashwagandha, ginseng, grape seed extract and medicinal mushrooms that are capable of stimulating Th1. Antioxidants such as resveratrol, curcumin from turmeric, quercetin and green tea can stimulate Th2. I have written in the past about a very interesting drug known as Naltrexone which can be taken in very low doses (low dose naltrexone LDN) that seems to be very effective in achieving balance with autoimmune conditions. I have personally seen life changing outcomes. There is a very interesting website www.ldnscience.org that has a wealth of information about LDN which is available in New Zealand on prescription from a GP. The dose starts out at 0.5 mgs and over a period of time one builds up to 4.5 mgs.
As we are so often told whether it’s what we eat or drink, it’s all about balance and so it is with our immune system.
John Appleton 09 489 9362 www.johnappleton.co.nz john@johnappleton.co.nz
