Healthy Immune System

[Guest guest]

http://healthy.net/scr/article.asp?Id=2378

 

Healthy Immune System

 

© Ellen W. Cutler D.C., M.D.

 

Health practitioners and writers from many different

disciplines emphasize the importance and complexity of

the immune system and its interconnectedness with

other parts of the body. At my BioSET clinic/institute

in Mill Valley California, I mention the immune system

hundreds of times daily to patients. This system does

not have one central regulating organ like other body

systems; for example, the circulatory system ahs the

heart, the respiratory system has the lungs and the

digestive system has the stomach and intestines. The

immune system’s components are located throughout the

body and communicate with one another through the

immune cells. The primary function of the immune

system is to be sensitive to invaders and to be able

to distinguish them from the body's own cells.

Anything foreign to the body is a potential enemy,

called an antigen. Once the antigen has been sighted,

a complex immune response comes into play.

 

The immune system is composed of the lymphatic

vessels, the lymph nodes and the lymph they contain,

as well as organs such as the thymus, spleen and

tonsils. It includes white blood cells, such as

lymphocytes, neutrophils, basophils, eosinophils, and

monocytes, as well as specialized white blood cells

called macrophages, and mast cells.

 

When the immune system is not functioning properly, a

number of problems may develop, some of which are

apparent, others that are more subtle. More and more

researchers and health practitioners are acknowledging

the role of immune dysfunction in may unexplained

illnesses. When the immune system responds

appropriately and quickly, we are able to resist

infections. When the response is inadequate, the

result is illness from a common virus to a more

serious autoimmune problem such as rheumatoid

arthritis, lupus or even cancer.

 

I often comment that our immune system is overbuilt

for success. We have many parts of this system that

are back up mechanisms to fight the battle when the

artillery is needed. And many chronic healthy maladies

are signs of the immune system overworking to defend

our bodies. But these signs are warnings to search for

the stress to our system.

 

When the load to our bodies far exceed the immune

systems defense, dis-ease erupts. This is not

something that occurs overnight. It happens over many

years.

 

I strongly believe the underlying cause of immune

system dysfunction is poor digestion and allergies.

This is the other topic I also discuss in my clinic

every day with many people, and this is the focus of

my next book, (Enzymes, the miracle healer, due out

April 2005), when the body doesn't digest food

properly, the undigested food is absorbed into the

bloodstream, and the immune system targets it as a

foreign invader and starts attacking it. This response

creates circulating immune complexes (CIC's) which can

inhibit certain immune system backup mechanisms from

functioning and ultimately cause autoimmune problems.

And every year, there are new undiagnosed autoimmune

conditions plaguing individuals. In autoimmune

problems, such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid and

osteoarthritis, thyroiditis, lupus, colitis, an

chronic fatigue, the immune system has lost its

ability to distinguish between " self " and " not self, "

and the body starts attacking its own tissues as if

they were antigens. When the CIC’s lodge in different

parts of the body, the immune system attempts to

destroy them and in so doing, destroys its own healthy

cells. Our white blood cells, such as macophages and

neutophils, attack and destroy these CIC’s At the same

time, they send out chemicals that trigger

inflammation and summon other defensive cells to act

upon the inflammation which can trigger an autoimmune

reaction. If these CIC's grow to large, the

macrophages and neutrophils cannot destroy them, and

the CIC’s attach to different tissue cells, creating

inflammation and causing autoimmune reactions,

accelerated aging and fatigue. Enzymes, especially

protease, or proteolytic enzymes, enzymes that break

down protein or foreign invaders, are instrumental in

fighting antigens and preventing the production of

CIC’s. Good digestion is paramount because it prevents

undigested food particles from entering the

bloodstream. Every one of my patients, whether they

are 6 years old or 98 years old, is suppmented with a

plant digestive enzyme. This not only will prevent

these CIC's, it will also allow the full delivery and

absorption of vitamins and minerals from foods or

supplements, strengthening the body's physiology and

immune system as well as enlivening your energy and

vitality. Enzymes are the key to longevity, optimal

health and fitness. There is no other supplement that

offers this complete package. And it is natural, safe

and wholesome.

 

To learn more about enzymes, read chapter 10( Enzyme

Therapy) in The Food Allergy Cure (Three Rivers Press)

and keep your eyes open to my upcoming book on Enzymes

due out April 2005. (the most concise bible on enzymes

every written). And remember to browse the website

bioset-institute.com. for seminars on Enzymes and

BioSET home treatment.

 

Dr. Ellen Cutler has just opened the first BioSET

clinic/institute in Mill Valley California. Patients

are treated there with BioSET and this is the site for

teaching BioSET and practitioners of all disciplines

apprenticing under Dr. Cutler. The phone number for

the clinic/institute is: 415-384-0200.