Recent research has uncovered interesting characteristics about natural killer, or NK, cells. Natural killer cells provide a crucial first defense against infectious agents and diseased cells. Until now, scientists took

for granted that NK cells came equipped with the ability to do their job properly.

In the February issue of The Journal of Immunology, researchers led by Christian Munz, Ph.D. and Guido Ferlazzo, Ph.D. of Rockefeller University, published two separate papers exploring their discovery that NK cells require activation and mobilization from another source to search out and destroy diseased cells. These scientists also hypothesized that natural killer cell function can be “tailored” or “targeted” toward specific healthy immune support activity.

Immune System Basics

Components of the Immune System: Organs and Cells

Many organs throughout your body have an essential role in the development and structure of the immune system, including your bone marrow, thymus, lymph nodes, spleen, tonsils and adenoids and

appendix. These organs are responsible for the growth, development and deployment of lymphocytes, the white cells that are the key laborers of the immune system. The primary lymphocytes are Bcells, Tcells, natural killer cells, macrophages and dendritic cells. Each has a specific role in keeping your body and immune system healthy.

The Immune Response

Primary Immune Response

The first time your body is exposed to particular viruses or bacteria, it takes time for your immune system to recognize the invading organisms and to figure out how to kill them. During this elapsed time, bacteria

and viruses grow exponentially, thus increasing the amount of time it takes to completely eliminate the infection.

A cut in the skin damages cells and allows bacteria into the body signaling an immune response from macrophages and other scavenger immune cells. Mast cells release chemicals that trigger inflammation, allowing other immune cells to rush to the problem area. Before reinforcements arrive, macrophages and other prestationed immune cells start attacking bacteria; chop them up into bits called antigens.

They are then transported to lymph nodes where these macrophages attach to B cells and T cells. B cells begin producing antibodies specifically for the particular antigens or germs the body is exposed to.

The antibodies trigger responses from certain immune cells like NK cells, macrophages and killer T cells to engulf and kill the bacteria‐infected cells. Helper T cells signal the antibodies and killer T cells to go directly to the wound. While the immune cells are taking care of the germs, other cells called platelets begin healing the wound by forming clots which close the wound.

Secondary Immune Response

The second time the body is exposed to a particular virus or bacteria; the immune system recognizes the invading organism more quickly and immediately knows how to fight it off. Because the amount of time in

these steps is shorter, the infection can be eliminated more quickly. Transfer Factor triggers a secondary immune response by borrowing the immune memory of the cow or the chicken. A cut in the skin damages cells and allows bacteria into the body signaling an immune response

from macrophages and other scavenger immune cells.

Mast cells release chemicals that trigger inflammation, allowing other immune cells to rush to the problem area. Before reinforcements arrive, macrophages and other prestationed immune cells start attacking

bacteria, chop them up into bits called antigens. B cells, set in motion by previous immune responses, begin producing antibodies specifically for the particular antigens or germs the body is exposed to. The antibodies trigger responses from certain immune cells like NK cells, macrophages and killer T cells to engulf and kill the bacteria infected

Cells. Helper T cells signal the antibodies and killer T cells to go directly to the wound. While the immune cells are taking care of the germs, other cells called platelets begin healing the wound by forming clots which close the wound.

Immune System and Other Body Systems

The immune system is closely connected to virtually every other

System of the body. When it isn’t functioning at its best, the rest of your

body suffers and you’re left vulnerable to a host of foreign invaders. And like every other part of your body, the immune system needs nutrients to function optimally. If you treat your body badly with junk food, little or no exercise and a stressful lifestyle, your immune system

has to work overtime to protect you.

The Role of Inflammation

Inflammation is an immediate response by the immune system to an infection or injury, such as when you get a cut on your arm. In most cases, as the immune system deals with the problem, the immune cells then retreat from the area and inflammation and swelling go down.

But occasionally, the immune cells do not withdraw and the inflammation

continues, creating a chronic problem within the body. Chronic inflammation has gained recent attention with the medical and scientific

communities because of its role in driving many of the most feared

illnesses of middle and old age. Scientific research supports that

managing the inflammatory response and supporting the immune system in the first place is the best approach for lifelong health.

Other Body Systems

Allergies and the Immune System Alzheimer and the Immunes System

Diabetes and the Immune System Heart Disease and the Immune System

The Immune System Connection: Allergies

Q1: What are allergies and who do they affect?

A: Allergies are caused by a mistake within the immune system, referred to as an autoimmune condition. In allergic situations, the immune system strongly reacts to something that would otherwise be totally harmless. Every year, more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies, including food and seasonal allergies and asthma. It is the sixth leading cause of chronic disease in the United States. (American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology) Allergies occur when the body reacts inappropriately to an otherwise harmless substance. Allergic symptoms include: runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, hives, headaches, coughing, nasal congestion, fatigue and wheezing.

Q2: How does the immune system work?

A: The immune system’s ability to protect your body is both instinctive and learned—in other words, it fights invasions with both innate and acquired responses. Each individual is born with innate immunity—

the ability of the immune system to generally recognize foreign invaders. Along with passive defenses like skin, stomach acid and mucus, the innate immune system also contains active immune response

mechanisms that include Natural Killer, or NK cells, and macrophages. Like all innate front line defense agents, NK cells do not need prior exposure to an infectious microbe in order to act. They simply

recognize foreign cells and go to work. Any substance that triggers an immune response is called an antigen. Sometimes a germ makes it past

your immune system and you catch a cold, the flu or worse. An illness is a visible sign that your immune system failed to stop the germ. But you do get better; and that’s proof that your immune system is doing

its job. It gathered knowledge about the invader, mounted a defense and eliminated it properly. If your immune system didn’t do anything, the infection would eventually overrun your body. Unfortunately, even the strongest innate immune system can’t handle all the various microbes we

encounter daily. That’s where acquired immunity comes in. Immune cells learn new skills and build new tools to deal with ever-increasing

microbial invaders. But for this system to adapt for attack, it first must

recognize a threat before it can build the tools to fight, which is why you sometimes feel like you’re “coming down with something” for several days. The good news is that after the acquired immune system

builds the tools for a specific infection, it remembers it and is ready for the next attack. Inflammation is an immediate response by the immune system to an infection or injury, such as when you get a cut on your arm. In most cases, as the immune system deals with the problem, the immune cells then retreat from the area and inflammation and swelling go down. But occasionally, the immune cells do not withdraw and the inflammation continues, creating a chronic problem within the body. Researchers

are beginning to discover a link between chronic inflammation and a host of conditions, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Sometimes the immune system makes a mistake and acts inappropriately to a certain situation. One such mistake is autoimmunity. For reasons not entirely understood by scientists, the immune system begins to attack the cells, tissues, and organs of the body the same way it would normally react to a germ.

Autoimmune conditions include allergies, fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue syndrome and many others.

Q3: How are allergies and the immune system connected?

A: As previously discussed, allergies are an autoimmune disorder, or a situation in which the immune system makes a mistake. In allergic situations, the immune system strongly reacts to something that

would otherwise be totally harmless. The immune system incorrectly identifies the allergen as an invader, and immune cells overreact and cause harm to the body. The allergen might be a certain food, a certain

type of pollen or a certain typeof animal fur. For example, a person allergic to bee pollen may experience a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing or even hives, whenever he or she is in the vicinity of the pollen.

Some other common allergy symptoms include headaches, coughing, nasal congestion, fatigue and wheezing.

Q4: What are some important nutrients to combat allergies?

A: Scientific research has uncovered several important nutrients that can support the immune system and protect your body against the damaging effects of allergies.

· Transfer factors

Transfer factors, tiny molecules that transfer immunity from one entity to another, can boost or balance the immune system, whatever your body’s particular situation requires. They promote the immune

system’s ability to remember past invasions, allowing your body to more quickly respond to similar health threats. Transfer factors also educate naïve immune cells about a present or potential danger in your

body, along with a plan for action, as well as speed up the recognition phase of an infection. Because of the unique immune situation surrounding allergies, ingredients that simply boost the immune

system response will not help remedy the problem. In fact, it could make the problem worse by helping the immune system continue to overreact to an otherwise benign substance. What is needed is something to calm down the overactive immune system and restore balance. Transfer factors have the unique ability to suppress the immune system and help it stop overreacting to a particular substance. Transfer factors can be extracted from a variety of sources, the two most powerful and most abundant

being cow colostrum (first milk) and chicken eggs. Combining these two sources of transfer factors provides a broad spectrum of support, utilizing the strength of two animals for maximum power for your immune system.

· Acidophilus:

Acidophilus is a probiotic, or good bacteria. Probiotics help us fight disease, metabolize hormones and nourish new cells. Sensitivities to food can be caused by a lack of good bacteria. Acidophilus replenishes

the levels of good bacteria within the body and works to prime the immune system against dysfunctions like allergies.

· Digestive enzymes:

Enzymes help your body break down the proteins, sugars, carbohydrates and fats that you absorb every day. As we get older, our ability to properly digest foods decreases. Enzymes can be of particular help for

people suffering from food allergies by breaking down undigested proteins into smaller pieces, reducing the chance of allergic reactions.

Q5: What are some nutrients to protect against Alzheimer’s Disease and other brain disorders?

A: Science has uncovered some important nutrients that can support the immune system and help protect your body against Alzheimer’s disease and other debilitating brain disorders.

· Transfer factors

Transfer factors, tiny molecules that transfer immunity from one entity to another, can boost or balance the immune system, whatever your body’s particular situation requires. They promote the immune system’s ability to remember past invasions, allowing your body to more quickly

respond to similar health threats. Transfer factors also educate naïve immune cells about a present or potential danger in your body, along with a plan for action, as well as speed up the recognition phase of an infection. Transfer factors can be extracted from a variety of sources, the

two most powerful and most abundant being cow colostrum (first milk) and chicken eggs.

Combining these two sources of transfer factors provides a broad spectrum of support, utilizing the strength of two animals for maximum power for your immune system. In the case of Alzheimer’s disease, transfer factors can suppress an overactive immune system and turn off

the inflammatory response. Once the inflammation is under control, the brain can function normally again.

· Vinpocetine

In studies, vinpocetine has been shown to enhance blood circulation and oxygen utilization in the brain, increase tolerance of the brain toward diminished blood flow, and inhibit abnormal platelet aggregation that can interfere with circulation or cause a stroke. In a clinical trial to study the

effects of vinpocetine in the treatment of acute ischaemic stroke, the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score was significantly better in the vinpocetine treated group after three months of followup.

· Phosphatidylserine

Phosphatidylserine (PS) is a naturally occurring phospholipid or “good fat” that is essential to the functioning of all cells in the body. Brain tissues are especially rich in PS, which functions as a brain cell regulator with regard to neurotransmission and synaptic communication, both key

elements in maintaining memory, the ability to learn and sustained concentration.

· Huperzia serrata

Huperzia serrata (Huperzine A) works by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks down acetylcholine, an important brain chemical for learning and memory. Research shows that people with common brain dysfunction often have less than normal acetylcholine levels.

Q6: What is diabetes?

A: The World Health Organization reports that 177 million people around the world are afflicted with diabetes, a disorder of the metabolic and endocrine systems. In the United States alone, 18 million people

live with the disorder, according to The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The World Health Organization predicts that by the year 2025, at least 300 million people worldwide with

live with the disease. Most of what you eat everyday is broken down into glucose, the main source of energy for your body.

Insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas, allows your body cells to accept glucose and utilize it for energy and growth. When someone has diabetes, their body fails to use the glucose from food efficiently.

Too much sugar builds up in the body and can lead to symptoms of diabetes, which include: frequent urination, excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, increased fatigue, irritability and blurry

vision.

Diabetes is divided into two major subgroups: Type 1 and Type 2. The sugar level problem in Type 1 diabetes is thought to be caused by an autoimmune response of insulin deficiency. Insulin deficiency

means there is not enough, or any, insulin being made by the pancreas due to a malfunction of its insulin producing cells. In Type 2 diabetes the problem is generated by insulin deficiency and/or resistance.

Insulin resistance occurs when insulin is being made by the pancreas but the cells of the body are resistant to its action, which results in sugar levels being too high.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that of the 18 million people who have diabetes in the United States, five million do not even know they have the disease yet.

People with diabetes are two to four times more likely to have heart disease or a stroke and their heart disease tends to be more severe. (American Heart Association)

Q7: What is the immune system connection to diabetes?

In both types of diabetes, the immune system plays a crucial role. Type 1 diabetes, or juvenile onset diabetes, is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system overreacts and attacks the

pancreas, effectively shutting off insulin production, the important link to utilizing glucose within the body. There is also increasing evidence that lowgrade inflammation is involved in the progression of Type 2

diabetes and associated complications. Elevated levels of some inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)[

alpha] and interleukin (IL)6, may predict the development of Type 2 diabetes. Several drugs with anti-inflammatory properties lower such markers, as well as blood sugar levels, while possibly decreasing the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. This mild state of inflammation may be the common precedent of both Type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries). Diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2, are often more susceptible to infections as a result of their bodies not being able

to properly utilize glucose. These diabetesrelated complications include problems of the heart, kidneys, eyes, feet and skin, nerves, teeth and gums.

Q8: What are some nutrients to combat the problems associated with diabetes?

A: Scientific research has uncovered several important nutrients that can protect your body against the damaging effects of diabetes.

· Transfer factors

Transfer factors, tiny molecules that transfer immunity from one entity to another, can boost or balance the immune system, whatever your body’s particular situation requires. They promote the immune system’s ability to remember past invasions, allowing your body to more quickly

respond to similar health threats. Transfer factors also educate naïve immune cells about a present or potential danger in your body, along with a plan for action and speed up the recognition phase of an infection. Transfer factors can be extracted from a variety of sources, the two most powerful and most abundant being cow colostrum (first milk) and chicken eggs.

Combining these two sources of transfer factors provides a broad spectrum of support, utilizing the strength of two animals for maximum power for your immune system. Transfer factors have the ability to suppress an immune system that is overreacting and help

restore balance, as in the case of Type 1 diabetes. Transfer factors can also lend important support for Type 2 diabetes, helping to combat inflammation. Diabetics, both Type 1 and Type 2,

are often at a higher risk of infection as a result of their bodies not being able to properly utilize glucose. Transfer factors can greatly boost the immune response, allowing the body to respond quickly and efficiently to health threats.

· Pterocarpus marsupium (Indian kino)

Pterocarpus marupium has been used for centuries in India specifically for the treatment of diabetes. It regenerates and revitalizes the insulinproducing beta cells of the pancreas.

· Momordica charantia (bitter melon)

Bitter melon has become a widely used traditional supplement for diabetes.It acts as a mediator between the body’s cells and insulin already produced by the pancreas. It blocks the formation of glucose in the bloodstream and breaks down the barrier that prevents cells from using their own natural insulin.

· Gymnema sylvestre

Gymnema sylvestre is well known for its ability to balance blood sugar levels within the body. Like Indian kino, gymnema sylvestre also works to rejuvenate and regenerate function within the insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas.

· Alpha lipoic acid

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA), known as the metabolic antioxidant, helps support the body against the often damaging secondary effects of diabetes, such as nerve damage, optical damage and heart complications. Alpha lipoic acid has also been shown to decrease insulin resistance and thus help control sugar levels within the body.

The Immune System Connection: Cardiovascular Disease

Q9: What are the problems associated with cardiovascular disease?

A: Cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, is a major cause of death for both men and women around the world. (World Health Organization) The American Heart Association reports that

over 61 million people in America alone live with cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and heart palpitations. More than 16 million people around the world die each year from cardiovascular diseases, as reported by the World Health Organization. By 2010, cardiovascular disease is expected to be the leading cause of death in developing countries. (World Health Organization). The major identified risks for cardiovascular disease include smoking, obesity, alcohol, diabetes, physical inactivity, family history, elevated levels of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and high blood pressure. In the last several years, new research has also pointed to two new important elements in cardiovascular disease, elevated homocysteine levels and inflammation associated with infection.

Cardiovascular disease affects so many of us, in one way or another. Family members, friends, fellow employees—we all are touched by the magnitude and scope of this disease. And even if you don’t currently live with cardiovascular disease, you could still be at risk. A family history of the disease and poor lifestyle choices, as well as any of the risk factors listed above, could make you a prime target.

In 2003, cardiovascular disease and its complications cost the United States over 360 billion dollars. (American Heart Association)

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer of women throughout the world, accounting for one third of deaths in women worldwide. And women die from heart attacks more often than men do. (American

Heart Association)

Q10: What is the immune system connection to cardiovascular disease?

A: Medical science has now established that inflammation is a major component in heart disease. Inflammation is a normal response generated by the immune system to threats by invading bacteria or

germs that can sometimes become a chronic situation within the body. In the case of the cardiovascular system, bacteria and viruses can sometimes find their way into arteries and become embedded in the

walls. This sign of infection signals the immune system to initiate the inflammatory response to clean out the problem. Inflammation often attracts LDL, or bad cholesterol. The cholesterol becomes oxidized in the

swollen portion of the arterial wall and the inflammation continues, trying to clean out the problem, but in actuality, making it worse. Swelling caused by inflammation reduces the flow of blood through that vessel,

affecting the health and integrity of the entire cardiovascular system, possibly causing a future cardiovascular episode such as a heart attack.

Q11: What are some important nutrients to support the health of my cardiovascular system?

A: Scientific research has uncovered several important nutrients that can protect your body against the damaging effects of cardiovascular disease.

· Transfer factors

Transfer factors, tiny molecules that transfer immunity from one entity to another, can boost or balance the immune system, whatever your body’s particular situation requires. They promote

the immune system’s ability to remember past invasions, allowing your body to more quickly respond to similar health threats. Transfer factors also educate naïve immune cells about a present or potential danger in your body, along with a plan for action and speed up the recognition phase of an infection. Transfer factors can be extracted from a variety of sources, the two most powerful and most abundant being cow colostrum (first milk) and chicken eggs. Combining these two sources of transfer factors provides a broad spectrum of immune support, utilizing the strength of two animals for maximum power for your immune system.

When dealing with the cardiovascular system and the inflammatory situation outlined previously, transfer factors support the immune system’s suppressor cells to enable the body to control the

inflammation. Once the inflammation is controlled, the arterial wall is free to repair itself and recover its normal function.

· Red Rice Yeast

Red rice yeast extract is an important ingredient for lowering levels of LDL cholesterol. It contains a variety of compounds called monacolins, which have been shown in clinical tests to inhibit the activity of an enzyme in the liver that is needed to produce cholesterol. In addition, red

rice yeast contains other ingredients such as sterols (sitosterol, capesterol and stigmasterol), isoflavones and unsaturated fatty acids which also contribute to maintaining healthy cholesterol levels.

· Antioxidants: Coenzyme

Q10, zinc, Vitamins A, C and E

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