The COVID-19 Coronavirus has us all on edge as the world struggles to confront an as yet unexperienced global pandemic that serves to show just how fragile we are against such a tiny, yet pretty lethal microbe.
Being exposed and at risk does not mean we are defenseless!
In addition to the public health measures of social distancing and quarantine that we are seeing implemented around the globe, with a little discipline and effort you can practice pro-active prevention, as well as support your body should you indeed need extra support to help your body stage an immune attack.
Before I share some key immune-strengthening strategies that ought to be part of your Self-Care EVERY season as a preventive measure, let’s briefly understand what your Immune System is comprised of.
Say Hello to Your Immune System
The primary function of your immune system is to protect your body against infections. Below I focus on TWO key parts of the Immune System that all need to work in synergy to be most effective.
Lymphatic System
An often ignored organ system comprised of the Thymus gland, spleen, tonsils, lymphatic vessels and lymph nodes, it plays a key role in the so-called cell-mediated as well as antibody-mediated immunity, offering resistance against bacteria, viruses, parasites, yeast and other organisms. It even releases hormone-like factors and other compounds that regulate immune function as well as producing different white blood cells, more on these below.
I would like to highlight the role the lymph vessels and lymph nodes play, as we cancer thrivers are often affected by a “compromised” lymphatic response in certain body parts due to the removal of cancerous lymph nodes and the ever-present risk of developing lymphedema (chronic and permanent swelling of certain tissue).
Lymphatic fluid is collected from the fluid we all have in the space between our cells – the Interstitium – and flows into vessels that run parallel to our blood vessels. Its main purpose is to drain waste from our tissues. The lymph nodes which are scattered all over the body, filter the lymph fluid and harbor specialized immune cells called macrophages that engulf and destroy foreign matter.
Why You Need to Move…
As this expansive system of vessels and nodes is not connected to a pump, as in the case of blood vessels and the heart, there is only one way in which lymphatic fluid can be transported around the body – via muscular contraction, or movement. If we are not moving, we create a sluggish lymphatic system that struggles to clear waste from our body. That is why movement and exercise forms such a crucial component of your overall immunity and should be part of a daily Self-Care routine.
White Blood Cells
If you have undergone cancer treatment, you will know how important your “WBC” count is to ascertain treatment continuity, success and vulnerability to infections. White blood cells are the backbone of your immune system and are comprised not of a homogenous group of cells, far from it, rather this is an intricate and super specialized group of highly differentiated cells.
- Neutrophils engulf and destroy foreign invaders such as bacteria and viruses, but also act on tumor cells and other dead particles
- Basophils and Eosinophils play a role in allergic reactions, secreting histamine, and sometimes too much of it (mast cell irregularity)
- Monocytes are garbage collectors and clean up dead cell debris
- Lymphocytes comprise the ultra-important T-Cells that help, support and suppress over-stimulated white blood cells. You have both helper T-Cells and suppressor T-Cells, and the Ratio between the two is what defines a “normal” immune response versus an overactive, autoimmune one such as with Rheumatoid Arthritis or Lupus.
- Various white blood cells, as well as the liver and spleen, also produce what is known as “Special Chemical Factors”, such as Interferon, Interleukins and other Complement Fractions which are hormone-like and play a key regulatory role in the ability of the immune system to respond in a coordinated and health-enhancing way.
What suppresses the Immune System?
The immune response is affected by 5 key influencing factors:
- Nutritional Deficiencies and Inflammatory Conditions associated with inflammation-causing foods such as excess sugar which, by the way, competes with Vitamin C for access into the cell membrane, and can reduce WBC function by up to 50%
- Hormonal Imbalances, such as chronically elevated stress hormones cortisol and adrenaline and other inflammatory cytokines
- Neurological Imbalances associated with an overreactive nervous system
- Environmental Stressors such as an overloaded toxic burden
- Psychological Factors such as emotional stress and the inability to relax and regenerate
Nutrients to Strengthen your Immune System
Ensure you are not deplete of these 5 Vital Nutrients to ensure an efficient immune response.
Vitamin A & Beta-Carotenes
- Especially important in the lining of the respiratory tract
- Stimulates and enhances numerous immune responses
- Protects the Thymus Gland (beta-carotenes)
Deficiency can predispose a person to an infection, can cause visual problems such as night blindness or poor dark adaptation, skin disorders such as acne, psoriasis, adrenal and thyroid function and impair nerve cell function
Vitamin A levels can be severely depleted during an acute infection.
Acute Supplement Dosage: 10 000 IU a day for a SHORT period of time for the duration of the acute illness (7-14 days), otherwise this may cause toxicity
Foods to Focus on (in order of potency): Beef liver, chili peppers, dandelion root, chicken liver, carrots, collard greens, kale, sweet potatoes, parsley, spinach, cantaloupe, Squash, apricots, broccoli
Vitamin C
- Potent anti-viral, anti-bacterial & anti-oxidant function
- Improves a person’s resistance to infections
- Levels in white blood cells deplete rapidly during an acute infection phase and thus supplementation should be increased, and done twice a day rather than in a single dose
- Vitamin C is destroyed by exposure to air, so cut raw foods just before consuming and eat within the next 2-3 hours
- Excretion of Vitamin C via urine is increased during times of stress (emotional, psychological, physiological and chemical such as cigarette smoke, pollutants, allergens)
Deficiency leads to poor wound healing, bleeding gums, increased susceptibility to infection, hysteria and depression
Acute Supplement Dosage: 500mg 2-3x/day
Foods to Focus on (in order of potency): red peppers, kale, parsley, collard greens, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, red cabbage, strawberries, papayas, spinach, oranges, lemons, grapefruits, Asparagus, raspberries
Vitamin D
- Potent protective hormone with countless studies to boot (just google pubmed on the benefits of Vitamin D in all aspects immunity)
- White Blood Cells actually have Vitamin D receptors on their cell membranes
- Most people are deficient in their blood serum levels and need to supplement accordingly KNOW your serum levels, have them checked annually so you can adjust your supplement dosage. Cancer Thrivers are advised to keep their levels higher than standard recommended levels, but this needs to be evaluated on a person by person basis
SPECIAL NOTE on Vitamin D
- Vitamin D can be produced in our bodies when sunlight changes its precursor into Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is then converted in the liver by an enzyme into the much more potent 25-OHD3 (25-hydroxycholecalciferol) form, which is converted again in the kidneys by another enzyme to 1,25-OHD3 (1,25 -dihydroxycholecalciferol) which is the most potent form of Vitamin D.
- A disorder of the liver or kidneys thus can impair proper Vitamin D conversion.
- When testing for Vitamin D, make sure to test BOTH your 25-OHD3 as well as 1,25-OHD3 levels which is not commonly done. If levels of 25-OHD3 are high, yet 1,25-OHD2 are low, as is often the case with osteoporosis, there is a conversion problem, and this can affect whether or not you can properly absorb supplemental Vitamin D.
- Vitamin D is crucial for bone health as it stimulates the absorption of calcium into bone.
Foods to Focus on (in order of potency): Cod liver oil, canned sardines, salmon, mackerel, tuna, egg, beef liver
Zinc
- Vital mineral that assists in destroying micro-organisms, including viruses
- Protects against free radical damage
- Is required for proper white blood cell function
- Protects Thymus Gland – remember how I noted above how important this gland is – from cellular damage
Deficiency increases susceptibility to infections, poor wound healing, decreased sense of taste or smell, low sperm count, prostate enlargement, skin disorders
Acute Supplement Dosage: 30 – 60mg / day for duration of illness
Foods to Focus on (in order of potency): oysters, pumpkin seeds, ginger, pecans, Brazil nuts, whole wheat, rye, oats, almonds, walnuts, buckwheat, hazelnuts, green peas, turnips, parsley, potatoes, garlic, carrots, black beans
Selenium
- Supports the anti-oxidant enzyme Glutathione Peroxidases
- Works with Vitamin E to prevent free radical damage to cell membranes
- Helps with the creation and differentiation of White Blood Cells in particular Natural Killer cells and tumor-killing lymphocytes
Deficiency increases resistance to infections, risk for cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory diseases like asthma, premature aging and cataract formation
Acute Supplement Dosage: 200mcg / day
Foods to Focus on (in order of potency): wheat germ, brazil nuts, swiss chard, oats, brown rice, salmon, pork, beef, turkey, egg, lamb
BOTANICAL TREASURES
Many herbs promote and enhance the body’s natural defense mechanism by strengthening its resistance against disease such as influenza, upper respiratory infections and fungal infections.
Unlike with drug formulations, the healing effect of herbs is not due to a single active ingredient, but rather a synergy between its various constituents. Often herbs need to be taken together to enhance response, rather than isolate a single part of a herbal remedy on its own. There is no single magic herbal bullet, rather the herb itself in its entirety is comprised of a multitude of magic bullets.
Below are 4 of my most favorite botanicals.
Word of Caution: Botanicals can interfere with prescription medications, if you are taking any, please consult the Herb-Drug interactions section below FIRST and educate yourself before taking any of these botanicals below. If you are pregnant, the same caution applies and before taking any botanicals you need to consult a clinical healthcare practitioner first.
Astragalus
- Useful in proactive prevention as well as modulating / balancing the immune response during an acute infection
- Supports blood, kidneys, spleen and liver
- Complements conventional cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy
- Helps reduce the severity and duration of symptoms associated with an acute infection
HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS
People taking prescription medications need to know…
- Autoimmunity: Use needs to be assessed first by a practitioner in any person diagnosed with an autoimmune disease
- Immunosuppressants (Calming an overactive immune response): Astragalus may enhance the effects of immunosuppressants such as tacrolimus and cyclosporine, people on these drugs should not take Astragalus. Astragalus may decrease immunosuppression (suppressing the immune system) following cancer treatment with cyclophosphamide,
- Cancer Treatment: When used in combination with Aldesleukin used in the treatment of kidney or skin cancer, it can increase the anti-tumor potency of this drug while at the same time reducing side effects (
Mushrooms
- Been used for their medicinal effects for thousands of years
- Immune-enhancing polysaccharides – beta-glucans have an anti-viral, anti-bacterial, fat-lowering and blood-sugar-lowering effect
- Used to counteract toxicity from chemotherapy and radiation therapy
HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS – these may differ depending on the type of mushroom
People taking prescription medications need to know…
- Use needs to be assessed first in any person diagnosed with an autoimmune disease
- Immunosuppressants (calming overactive immune response): May enhance the immune response which may be contraindicated in people taking immunosuppressant drugs
- Antihypertensives (blood pressure reducers): May lower blood pressure so people taking medication against high blood pressure may need to be evaluated
- Anticoagulent / Antiplatelet (blood thinners): May increase the risk of bleeding in those people taking blood thinning medication
- Chemotherapy: some mushrooms can affect certain metabolic liver pathways (part of the Cytochrome P450 system), potentially interfering with the break-down of certain chemotherapy drugs that also use these pathways. Some mushrooms can also increase anti-oxidant capacity and can theoretically interfere with certain chemotherapy drugs that rely on free radical action.
Umckaloabo (Pelargonium Sidoides)
- Also known commercially here in the US simply as “Umcka”, this is an extract from the South African pelargonium plant.
- Useful with upper respiratory infections including bronchitis, sinusitis, sore throat, tonsillitis and the common cold.
- In Germany the root extract is an approved therapy in treating respiratory infections, that is how I first came to know of it as my German Dr suggested I get it from our local pharmacy, no prescription needed!
- It is thought to work by killing bacteria, and/or preventing bacteria from attaching to surfaces, as well as increasing the body’s normal response to infection.
HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS
People taking prescription medications need to know…
- Anticoagulent / Antiplatelet (blood thinners): Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding in those people taking blood thinning medication
Ginger (Zingiber Officinale)
Ginger is one of my most favorite immunity treasures, particularly also as it is a whole food and generally readily available. You can find references to the medicinal properties of this gnarly little rhizome in ancient Chinese, Indian and Middle eastern literature, dating back centuries to Confucius. In fact the Romans imported it from China!
Besides its well-known use to calm digestive disorders and alleviate nausea (indispensable during pregnancy, chemotherapy and to combat motion sickness), it also has potent anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
During this current viral crisis, I infuse freshly sliced ginger together with lemon slices in hot water daily, see how I do that here. My entire family is drinking from this elixir which we make fresh every day, and keep on filling up with hot water throughout the day. Drinking it warm will help loosen phlegm that this virus is notorious for, but even cooled this makes a truly refreshing and potent health-boosting drink.
HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS
People taking prescription medications need to know…
- Anticoagulent / Antiplatelet (blood thinners): Ginger may increase the risk of bleeding in those people taking blood thinning medication
- Proton Pump Inhibitors / H1-Blockers (stomach acid blockers): Ginger may antagonize activity of these drugs by increasing stomach acid production
- Antihypertensives (blood pressure reducers): Ginger may lower blood pressure so people taking medication against high blood pressure may need to be evaluated
- Hypoglycemics / Insulin (Diabetics): Ginger may lower blood glucose levels and could affect the action of these drugs
Elderberry (Sambucus Nigra)
- Elderberry flower and leaf extracts have been used for centuries in traditional Western medicine to support respiratory health, helpful to alleviate cold and flu symptoms, runny nose, cough, sore throat, fever and muscle pain.
- It is a potent anti-viral with its anti-influenza capability being much studied in Switzerland and Israel.
- Other benefits include antioxidant support, microbial balancing effects, lowering LDL cholesterol and strengthening bone structure.
HERB-DRUG INTERACTIONS
People taking prescription medications need to know…
- Antidiabetic drugs: Elderberry has blood sugar lowering activity and may increase the effects of antidiabetic drugs
- Diuretics: Elderberry promotes urination and may exacerbate the effects when taking with diuretics.
- Laxatives: Elderberry may improve bowel movements and thus exacerbate the effects of any laxatives taken
REFERENCES
- “Adaptogens in Medical Herbalism” by Donald R Yance, CN, MH RH (AHG)
- “The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods” by Michael Murray, ND, Joseph Pizzorno ND, Lara Pizzorno MA, LMT
- “The Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine”, Third Edition by Michael Murray, ND, Joseph Pizzorno ND
- “Herb-Drug Interactions in Oncology” by Barrie R Cassileth, K. Simon Yeung, Jyothirmai Gubili, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
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