Natural Ways to Strengthen the Immune System - Strengthening the Immune System

Natural Ways to Strengthen the Immune System

It is virtually impossible for people to effectively avoid toxins. As discussed, toxins are in the air, soil, water, and many foods, and once they enter the body, they must be eliminated. The rest of this chapter describes how the immune system eliminates toxins and how it can be strengthened through detoxification programs. The most important components of the immune system are discussed below, along with vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements that have proven effective in detoxification programs.

The skin, the body's largest organ, is also the first line of defense against external toxins because it can prevent the entry of most microorganisms, while the mildly acidic surface of the skin neutralizes harmful bacteria. A number of toxins are also eliminated through the skin, principally through sweat. The skin needs to be strong, supple, and moist. Natural supplements which detoxify the skin include PABA (ointment) and beta carotenes. The herb dandelion root is used in Europe as a skin detoxicant and to treat various skin problems.

The mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs also protect against toxic substances. These membranes secrete enzymes that degrade toxins and eliminate them naturally from the body. Tears wash away toxins from the eye, and ear wax protects the ear canal.

As Murray and Pizzorno explain, “the spleen is the largest mass of lymphatic tissue in the body. In addition to producing lymphocytes which engulf and destroy bacteria and cellular debris, the spleen is responsible for destroying worn-out blood cells and platelets. The spleen also serves as a blood reservoir,” and during emergencies such as hemorrhage, releases stored blood to prevent shock. Goldenseal improves spleen function by enhancing blood flow through this important organ.

The liver performs more than 1,500 different functions, many of which directly maintain the body's immune system. Except for some fats, the liver processes all foods absorbed by the intestines before they are released into the bloodstream. It filters the blood by removing, deactivating, or reprocessing wastes, toxins, and bacteria. The liver also helps eliminate the byproducts of alcohol and pesticides. Perhaps most importantly, it helps produce interferon, the special chemical agent that activates white blood cells to destroy and eliminate disease-causing microbes and toxins. Several nutrients are known to enhance the liver's production, including zinc, manganese, and vitamin C. Lipotropic formulas or silymarin from milk thistle ( Silybum marianum ) and vitamin C help detoxify the liver, as do echinacea and goldenseal.

The kidneys are important because they remove toxins from the blood for elimination in the urine and reabsorb valuable nutrients which are recycled for further use in the body. The kidneys gradually decline in efficiency with age and excessive toxicity due to diet, drugs, or pollutants that place stress on them. Cranberry juice has been used to treat bladder infections by toning the kidneys. Several compounds isolated from rubia, cassia, and aloe vera also help maintain healthy kidneys. Murray and Pizzorno recommend the following nutritional supplements to detoxify the kidneys: vitamin B ₆ and K supplements, glutamate, magnesium citrate, and potassium citrate.

A healthy, intact intestinal lining allows properly broken down particles of fats, proteins, and starches to be assimilated into the blood. When the intestinal lining becomes disturbed, it loses its effectiveness as a filter, and allergies and food sensitivities can develop, along with chronic infections and inflammation. Shortages of beneficial bacteria can damage the intestinal lining. Caprylic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid, has been reported to be an effective intestinal compound. Lactobacillus acidophilus , the type of bacteria found in natural yogurt, also strengthens the intestine's natural microflora and retards the growth of Candida , a dangerous bacteria linked to AIDS. Garlic has proven effective in preventing fungi from growing in the intestine. The common barberry plant has been used to prevent a wide range of harmful bacteria in the intestines, including Candida albicans.

The colon probably contains most of the dangerous toxins in the body, many of which lead to the production of free radicals that may be responsible for systemic degenerative autoimmune conditions such as cancer, arthritis, arteriosclerosis, and possibly AIDS. Many of these diseases can be prevented by continually eliminating toxins that collect in the colon. Herbs that help eliminate toxins from the colon include alfalfa, bentonite, goldenseal, and echinacea. Buckthorn has long been used as a laxative to increase the peristalsis (the muscular activity of the colon). Cassia senna leaves are also commonly used for their laxative properties, as is psyllium seed powder mixed with a full glass of water.

When bacteria, viruses, pollen, microorganisms, or dangerous chemicals enter the body, the organs discussed above attempt to neutralize them. The result of this process is the production of specific protein molecules called antibodies and special blood cells called lymphocytes. In a strong immune system, antibodies and lymphocytes inactivate the toxins, which are then removed by macrophages and phagocytic cells in the blood. Macrophages and phagocytic cells are transported throughout the body by lymphatic vessels, which run parallel to arteries and veins and drain waste products from tissues. Important nutrients that detoxify the lymph are vitamins A, B ₆ , and C, and the trace mineral zinc. Herbs recommended by Murray and Pizzorno that enhance lymphatic function include goldenseal, echinacea, Korean ginseng, Siberian ginseng, and licorice. Picrorrhiza ( Picrorrhiza kurosa ) has also been used for treating liver ailments and strengthening the immune system.

Exercise.     Aristotle seemed to anticipate the discoveries of modern immunology when he wrote more than 2,000 years ago, “A man falls into ill health as a result of not caring for exercise.” Today, according to the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), more than 85% of physicians prescribe exercise as an aid in treating stress or immune system-related disorders. Researchers disagree on how much exercise is enough to maximize immunity. Dr. David Nieman, in his book Fitness & Your Health , states that “while the risk of infection may decrease when one engages in moderate exercise training, risk may rise above average during periods of excessive amounts of high-intensity exercise.” A sedentary lifestyle, however, is not immunity-inducing because non-exercisers in Nieman's studies reported twice as many infections as moderate exercisers. Those who maintained aerobic activity, strength training, and even flexibility programs enhanced their immunity. Whatever the regimen, three variables, according to Nieman, dictate moderation: duration, frequency, and intensity. Duration refers to how long exercise lasts. The American College of Sports Medicine officially recommends that all people exercise for 20–60 minutes three to five days per week ( frequency ). Two days of rest are suggested for allowing the immune system to adapt to the stress of exercise.

Intensity refers to how hard an exerciser works. Moderately intense exercise means that an exerciser is working out somewhat hard, but not overdoing it (most people can carry on a conversation, for example). At least six weeks of regular training are required, according to Nieman, to attain an increase in the number and activity of immunostimulatory cells.

Nutritional Therapies.     According to Charles Simon's Cancer and Nutrition , nutritional deficiencies decrease a person's capacity to resist infection and its consequences and decrease the capability of the immune system. This is especially true in elderly people. In old age, Simon states, there is a decrease in skin hypersensitivity reaction, a decreased number of T cells, and impairment of some phagocytic functions. Surveys of elderly Americans, for example, have disclosed that the gradual impairment of immune functioning with aging may be due to one or more nutrient deficiencies. Poor nutrition adversely affects all components of immune functioning, including T cell function, the ability of B cells to make antibodies, the functioning of the complement proteins, and phagocytic function. Simon cites 1989 research conducted at the Shriner's Burn Institute in Cincinnati that showed that administration of a special liquid diet to severely burned patients the day they were burned reduced the risk of infection by 50%. The special diet consisted of protein vitamins, including A and E, minerals, and iron, as well as omega-3 fatty acids.

Nutritionist Ann Louse Gittleman agrees with Simon that supporting the immune system with foods rich in vitamins C, E, and betacarotene, as well as zinc and selenium, is a good first line of defense against infections, especially parasitic infection. She notes in Guess Who's Coming to Dinner that additional vitamin and mineral supplements may be prescribed in specific cases, along with botanicals such as echinacea, ginseng, and astralagus. These vitamins, minerals, and botanicals, she states, have been shown in numerous studies to enhance immunity.

Vitamin C Therapy.     Vitamin C is probably the most important vitamin in building a strong immune system because it binds with toxins in the body and helps eliminate them. If people are deficient in vitamin C, they become much more susceptible to environmental pollutants; conversely, exposure to various toxins, such as lead or benzene, directly depletes their vitamin C stores. Evidence also suggests that vitamin C deficiency hampers the body's own detoxification process.

According to Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide , Dr. Robert Cathcart, III, of Los Altos, California, has successfully treated over 11,000 immune deficient patients with vitamin C therapy. Cathcart's vitamin C therapy involves taking controlled, large doses of vitamin C supplements daily, along with vitamin C-rich foods.

Chelation Therapy.     Chelation therapy involves intravenously administering EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) which binds to various toxic metals in the blood such as lead, cadmium, and aluminum. The toxins are quickly eliminated though the kidneys, and according to Alternative Medicine , “many doctors have found that EDTA can remove the calcium and plaque present in the walls of arteries in atherosclerosis.” Chelation therapy has been used safely and effectively for more than 30 years on more than 500,000 patients.

Hydrotherapy.     According to Dr. Zane Gard, quoted in Alternative Medicine , hydrotherapy can also remove calcium deposits from the blood vessels and break down scar tissue from their walls. She also notes that hydrotherapy can remove chemicals such as DDE (a metabolite of DDT), PCBs, and dioxin from fat cells. According to Gard, many studies show that hydrotherapy can affect numerous body systems, including the cardiovascular, endocrine, neurological, neuromuscular, bronchopulmonary, blood, skin, and immune.

Dr. Erich Rauch, director of a health spa in Austria specializing in holistic therapies, has also effectively used hydrotherapy to strengthen the immune systems of patients with chronic disorders. A review of his book Naturopathic Treatment of Colds and Infectious Disease in the December 1993 issue of Townsend Letter for Doctors details how Rauch uses warm baths to facilitate sweating, extraction baths to eliminate toxins, dry brushing, and inhalations of chamomile or sage fragrances. Botanical and homeopathic remedies are also used at his spa. Rauch also recommends taking herbal teas, including lilac tea and elder blossoms, to induce perspiration; licorice tea and horsetail for catarrh; and rose hip tea, high in ascorbic acid, to promote the eliminatory function of the kidneys.

Colon Therapy.     Colon therapy, one of the most effective ways to cleanse the large intestine of accumulated toxins and waste products, can be used in combination with massage, fasting, and special diets. With the help of a trained professional and a colonic machine, purified water (which sometimes contain vitamins, herbs, friendly bacteria, or oxygen) is introduced directly into the rectum.

Fasting.     Partial or total fasts are two inexpensive and effective methods of strengthening the immune system through detoxification. Fasting is often combined with enemas and bowel stimulation to help rid the body of bacteria and toxins trapped in the bowels. One by-product of fasting is weight loss. It is generally advisable to consult with a doctor or qualified holistic health professional before initiating a fast. Long fasts require medical supervision as well as prior assessment of nutrient status, such as vitamins and minerals, to insure that deficiency does not occur. Short weekend fasts are safe for most people, although consulting a specialist is recommended.

Juice Fasts.     Juice fasts have become a popular and effective way of strengthening the immune system. Dr. Evarts G. Loomis, founder of Meadowlark, one of the first live-in health and growth retreat centers in the U.S., pioneered the juice fast. His fasting program, outlined in Alternative Medicine , prescribes vegetable juices (equal parts of carrot–diluted with water 1:1–and celery) for detoxification. Green vegetables, including green beans, zucchini, watercress, and parsley, can be added if desired. He also prescribes a “detoxifying cocktail” combining garlic, lemon juice, grapefruit juice, and olive oil. This is normally taken at bedtime because the liver, a major immune system organ, is most active, according to Traditional Chinese Medicine, between 11:00 P.M. and 1:00 A.M.

Breathing Exercises.      Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide cites a study conducted by Dr. Jack Shields, a lymphologist in Santa Barbara, California, that demonstrated that simple breathing exercises can help build immune response. Using cameras inside the body, Shields found that deep, diaphragmatic breathing stimulates the cleansing of the lymph system by creating a vacuum effect that sucks the lymph through the bloodstream. This increased the rate of toxic elimination by as much as 15 times the normal rate of elimination.

Lympathic Massage, Osteopathy, and Chiropractic Lymphatic Draining.     According to Jared Zeff, a naturopath cited in Alternative Medicine: The Definitive Guide , lymphatic circulation can be enhanced by lymphatic massage, osteopathy, and chiropractic lymphatic drainage techniques. According to Zeff, massage builds immune response by accelerating the flow of lymph throughout the body. Other techniques he uses with patients include light beam generators (LBG), which emit photons of light and high-frequency electrostatic fields to correct the electromagnetic charge on cells. He notes that Rena Davis, of Davis Nutrition Consultants in St. Helen, Oregon, has successfully employed LBGs to stimulate the lymph system of patients by breaking open sealed and calcified blood vessels, increasing blood circulation, reducing edema, and transporting waste products in tissue out of the body.

Basic Detoxification Programs.     As discussed above, the immune system can naturally eliminate most external toxins to which everyone is exposed to varying degrees. However, if people are exposed to high levels of certain toxins, or lower levels of other toxins over an extended period of time, their immune system may be weakened. Given that more than 100,000 new potentially toxic chemicals have been released into the environment during the past 50 years, it is important for everyone to consider regularly detoxifying their bodies.

The most important components of any detoxification program are the organs specifically targeted for detoxification; the diet, vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements, and botanical medicinal formulas prescribed; and the exercise regime (aerobics, meditation, yoga, visualizations) incorporated. People should contact a holistic physician for recommendations about a specific diet for their program, whether to fast, and which vitamins, minerals, and botanical supplements will most efficiently and gently detoxify their bodies.

Before starting a detoxification program, it is important to be aware of the possible side effects. These side effects are not dangerous, but may cause slight discomfort. Before taking any vitamins, herbs, or supplements, it is important to consult with a physician.

Many people today have less than optimal health because their bodies contain potentially dangerous toxins. While a normally functioning immune system can eliminate most toxins, if the body has an excess of these substances, the immune system may become depressed and unable to function effectively. The best protection against the adverse effects of toxins is to regularly eliminate toxic debris through gentle detoxification programs that rejuvenate the immune system. Given the right proportions of nutrients; vitamin, mineral, and botanical supplements; exercise; meditation; and relaxation, the body has the miraculous ability to maintain the health of all its systems. This ability of the body to detoxify largely determines an individual's life energy ("chi” or elan vital) and health.