If
lymphoid tissue is affected, look to the thymus as the most possible
source of the immune problem.
Normally, during preprocessing of lymphocytes in the
thymus and bone marrow most if not all clones specific to the body's
own tissues will be destroyed during exposure and matching against to
the body's antigens. In a healthy body this matching goes well and all
reactive cells are destroyed before release to the lymphoid tissues.
Failure
of the tolerance mechanism causes autoimmune diseases.
With increasing age there is more chance that a person
will form immunity to their own tissues.
Autoimmunity
This autoimmunity usually happens after a destruction of
some of the body's tissues releasing self-antigens into tissues causing
acquired immunity of activated T cells or antibodies.
Diseases
resulting from autoimmunity
Rheumatic fever (joints, heart) - the body becomes
immunized against tissues in the joints and heart valves, after
exposure to a strain of streptococcal toxin.
Glomerulonephritis(kidney) - at least one type where
immunization occurs against glomeruli basement membranes
Myasthenia Gravis(muscle) - immunity occurs in the
neuromuscular junction acetylcholine protein receptors - result is
paralysis.
Lupus Erythmatosis(systemic) - immunization against many
tissues all at the same time resulting in severe cellular damage and
very often, death.
Vaccination
Vaccination causes acquired immunity against specific
diseases. Here are some methods used for vaccination.
Dead organisms with chemical antigens still intact are
injected to protect against diseases such as typhoid fever, whooping
cough, diphtheria and other bacterial diseases.
Chemically treated toxins with their toxic nature inactive but their
antigens for causing immunity intact. Used for vaccination against
tetanus, botulism and similar toxic diseases.
Attenuated live organisms. Organisms that have been
cultured or passed through a series of animals until their mutations no
longer cause disease but still carry the specific antigen. Used to
protect against poliomyelitis, yellow fever, measles, smallpox and
other viral diseases.
Function
of the Immune System
The immune system is a network of interacting cellular
and soluble components. The function is to distinguish entities in the
body as self and non-self and to eliminate the non-self. The main
non-self entities are microorganisms, but neoplasms, transplants and
foreign substances (toxins) are also important. The immune system uses
specific and non-specific immunity which are linked and influence each
other.
Nonspecific(Innate) immunity is
present at birth, does not need an encounter with an offending
substance and does not develop memory. This includes physical barriers
such as skin and gastric acid.
There are two cellular components. The phagocytic system
which ingests and digests invading microorganisms and natural killer
cells which kill some tumours, microorganisms and virally infected
cells. Phagocytes include neutrophils and monocytes in the blood and
macrophages in the tissues. Macrophages are widely spread at the
interface of tissues and blood and cavity spaces. For example, alveolar
macrophages in the lungs, Kupffer cells in liver sinusoids, synovial
cells in joint cavities, perivascular microglial cells in the Central
Nervous System (CNS) lining and mesangial phagocytes in kidneys.
The soluble components are complement proteins, acute
phase reactants and cytokines. Cytokines are nonimmunoglobulin
polypeptides secreted by monocytes and lymphocytes in response to a
specific antigen, a non-specific antigen or a non-specific soluble
stimulus such as an endotoxin or other cytokine. Cytokines affect the
magnitude of inflammatory or immune responses. Cytokines are not
antigen specific and cover innate and adaptive immunity.
Specific
immunity can learn, is adaptable and retains
memory. The cellular component is the lymphocyte and soluble component
is the immunoglobulins.
As we have discovered, lymphocytes are either thymus (T
cell) or bone marrow (B cell) derived. Lymphocytes are clonally
distributed and the thymus reacts each lymphocyte clone with a specific
antigen via the antigen receptor. The lymphocytes antigen receptor gene
can combine in what may be limitless combinations and arrangements.
The B cells antigen receptor is mediated by Surface
Immunoglobulins. As with the T lymphocytes - antigen arrangements, the
B cell binds soluble antigens via their surface immunoglobulins. A
series of events results in the secretion of immunoglobulin which is
the specific antibody for that antigen. Immunoglobulin gene
rearrangements generate antibodies during B cell maturation in the bone
marrow. To add to the diversity of possible immunoglobulin - antigen
arrangements there is the addition of random nucleotides, by somatic
point mutations and by segmental inaccuracy.
Genes that encode the T cell receptor belong to the
immunoglobulin gene superfamily and subject to recombination resulting
in an even larger number of T cell clones each with its own antigen
response.
Other
ideas on treatment
Stem cell
therapy.
Stem cell therapy may well help with treatment. There is
a relatively new idea using an autologous stem cell therapy.
Here, dormant stem cells are harvested by liposuction of about 100ml of
abdominal fat, cleaning up, activating the stem cells and reinjecting,
all performed in four hours and the patient goes home or back to work.
No side affects or rejection is possible as the stem cells are from
their own body. Costs for this treatment vary across countries but as a
guide it will be twenty to thirty thousand dollars.
Improve the
immune response using antioxidants
As with all diseases there is no known 'silver bullet'.
As such it is recommended to apply a holistic approach to improvement
over time. Exercise is an important part of any health improvement - it
moves toxic lymph, helps detox the body and stimulates the immune
system when done in moderation.
Excessive exercise can lead to health issues and is not
recommended - use a common sense approach - don't push beyond a
sensible level.
Use a powerful antioxidant formula such as CoQ10Sport
(read more on the website) as a base protocol and then add supplements
such as mineral formulations (Cell Food - available in most countries)
and amino acids to help support the function and structure of tissues.
Primarily, it is important to stimulate the mitochondria. CoQ10Sport
contains both coenzyme q10 and lipoic acid - this powerful blend
supports the immune system and aids the mitochondria to proliferate
thereby producing substantial energy as adenosine triphosphate(ATP).
ATP is a most important ingredient in supporting the health and
function of cells.
Diet
Employ the advice of a suitable practitioner for
appropriate diet. A diet consisting of fresh and raw food will beat any
other diet when it comes to health improvement - it is advised to get
assistance. As a disease is the result of multiple and random
variations in the immune system, it is a compelling argument to support
the function of the immune system.
It is recommended to use a suitable practitioner to
manage any protocol.
