In a friendly town where everybody knows each other, a bunch of cowboys are hanging out at a bar enjoying a beer on a hot afternoon. A stranger walks into the bar, and is noticed by the friendly and peaceful cowboys. The stranger becomes aggressive and starts an argument. The cowboys immediately start to defend there territory - their people and their town. Our immune system works like the cowboys. It is relaxed until a foreign invasion enters and then our immune system mobilizes. For instance, if you cut yourself or being exposed to someone with flu or cold, your immune response (the friendly cowboys) go into action and become your fighter cells. Every cell goes into high gear to protect your immediate problem, and protect your body so the infection will not spread.
The Immune system is the main line of defensive energy for the body. It protects the body from invasion of infectious microorganism such as viruses, bacteria, and invading parasites. These organisms are present in our daily lives in food, water, and exposure to people and animals. Every time you eat or drink, these bacteria's and microorganisms enter the body.
So what happens when these foreign invaders enter the body?
The hydrochloric acid in the stomach is the first line of defense. It is strong enough to kill most bad bacteria's that are natural to food and water, but some can get through. When we do comprehensive digestive analysis for our patients, we often find chronic bacterial infections at high levels in the large and small intestines. The immune system is then asked to battle with these invading organisms. When infections are untreated, they register as chronic, persistent low- grade infections in the intestines. The fighter cells (the friendly cowboys) are like small Pac-Men that moves around the invading bad guys actually overtaking the invaders and destroying them.
Why your immune system could be weak A highly functioning immune system is normal to a baby at birth. It is one of the most important natural survival mechanisms. Babies can eat very dirty things off the floor and not get sick. The Colostrum in mother's milk is what strengthens their immune response. Some people are born with weak immune systems because of their genetics or because of less good health of the mother when the baby is in utero. As we grow, the immune system's job is similar to the cowboys in the bar. As soon as there is a foreign invasion they ramp up to protect the body. The immune cells then will fight a strong battle and most flu's, colds, and infections will be naturally handled by the body's own defensive energy. A fever is a sign that that a big battle is being fought.
Many people are using antibiotic drugs for infections. These drugs became popular only in the last 50 years. They have saved many lives, but the overuse has caused weakness to the immune response system. When I ask some of my patients how many rounds of antibiotics they have taken over the course of their lives, a common answer is 10 to 40. In my practice I have seen this excessive use of antibiotics one of the #1 causes of weak immune response. They are helpful for fighting infection but this chronic overuse causes breakdown in immune response and systemic yeast.
Weaken immune response is also caused by bad diet, lack of exercise, too much daily stress and chronic depression. Immune cells are manufactured by the spleen and bone marrow, and by nutrients that are taken into the body through the breakdown of the vital nutrients in food, vitamins and supplements. When you do not have the proper vital nutrients there is nothing to feed and make immune cells.
Natural products for helping and rebuilding immune response
Acidophilus is a naturally occurring friendly bacteria that lives in the large intestine. It is important for breakdown and digestion of foods and proper digestive functioning and immune response.
Astragalus is a famous Chinese herb that has been clinically tested used in very high doses to increase t-cell and white cell production.
Colostrum is the specific ingredient in mother's milk that makes babies have a strong immune system. This substance can syntheses from cows milk.
Ginseng - A famous Chinese herb used in high doses to boost energy and strengthen the immune system.
Chinese Herbal Formulas - Ginseng and Astragals, Ganoderma,Three Imperial Mushrooms and Zhong Gong Ling have all been proven to enhance immune functioning and drop viral loads.
Monolaurin is a derivative of an amino acid that can be used for fighting and down loading high viral loads. It is especially good for chronic and acute infections of Herpes and Epstein Barr virus.
I hope this article helps to create some understanding of how the immune system works and that it can be enhanced and repaired. We have successfully treated many patients with acute and chronic immune deficiency symptoms.
First, clinical lab testing is done to see where and what the problem is. Based on the results, proper supplementation is then prescribed. Lab testing is redone to make sure proper immune response has been restored. This is a particularly helpful natural and effective treatment for patients who have had chemotherapy, Epstein Barr, CMV, Herpes virus, arthritis, and other immune compromised diseases.
Dr. Barbara Custer, runs a clinic in Mill Valley, California combining natural and western medical techniques. To effectively do this she uses Western Medical Testing, nutritional programs, Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine. Dr. Custer has been practicing Oriental Medicine for seventeen years and was acknowledged by SAN FRANCISCO FOCUS magazine as one of the top alternative medical doctors in the SF Bay Area. Barbara was also voted the "BEST OF MARIN" 2007 by the Pacific Sun.
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