Prescribe for Yourself

By Betty Kamen, Ph.D., and Michael E. Rosenbaum, M.D.

It happens every winter: You’re working frantically to get those last few projects off your desk before the holidays, there’s still shopping and cleaning to do, and the relatives are flying into town in the morning. Slowly you become aware of a tiny tickle in your nose, then a sneeze. Then another. By evening, you’re flat on your back shivering under the covers.

This wasn’t supposed to happen. After all, you’re taking your vitamin C.

Luckily, we’ve discovered a lot about enhancing immunity since the days of Linus Pauling’s first experiments with vitamin C. Spurred by our progress, a variety of supplements are now available to bolster immunity. Some of these substances or their derivatives have a long history of supporting good health; others are the result of modern research.

Colostrum
Also known as “first milk,” this thin, white fluid that newborns receive doesn’t provide many calories or fill the tummy, but it packs a punch when it comes to immune protection.

Colostrum overflows with antibodies in the form of immunoglobulins—molecules that bind to specific antigens in bacteria, viruses, fungi and certain chemical toxins—facilitating their destruction and removal by white blood cells and other components of the immune system. Research suggests that colostrum may increase the number of T4 lymphocytes, a type of white blood cell that orchestrates the immune response.

Among the many vitamins and minerals found in colostrum in especially high quantities is the immune-booster zinc. Colostrum, also contains lactobacillus bifidus, a “friendly” organism (or probiotic) that prevents the growth of dangerous fauna in your intestines. Colostrum is full of lactalbumin, shown to have anticancer action under certain conditions, and it contains cytokines, which among other functions help to attract the right kinds of white blood cells to sites of infection. Add to this lactoferrin, a substance that selectively binds and releases iron and has a wide range of other immune-enhancing effects.

Transfer factors
Inject a cow with a disease-producing pathogen—a form of salmonella, for example. Let the disease run its course. When the cow gives birth, collect the colostrum and use it as a supplement for one group of humans exposed to the same form of salmonella. Give another group of people colostrum from a cow that hasn’t been exposed.

This experiment has been repeated many times, and there’s no longer any debate that the group treated with the salmonella-exposed colostrum fares better than the group receiving colostrum from salmonella-free cows. Although immunologists are still searching for the precise mechanism by which immunity is transferred in this classic experiment, we do know that it works.

Consumers can buy both broad-based transfer factors, which are meant to work against a variety of pathogens, and designer transfer factors that are derived from animals immunized with specific germs (such as in the cow experiment). As you might expect, specific transfer factors are more effective, but also more costly, than general ones.

Lactoferrin
Lactoferrin, a constituent of colostrum, is particularly interesting because of its apparent effectiveness when used alone as a supplement. Lactoferrin is a protein present in both the colostrum and the milk of mammals, such as humans, that have a high binding affinity for iron—hence the name: “lacto” for milk and “ferrin” for iron. Besides its presence in colostrum, lactoferrin is found in sweat and mucus, where it works with other substances to defend against infection.

Most microorganisms require iron to multiply. But if another substance shows a stronger affinity for iron, the iron will bind to it instead, and the growth of the microorganism will be inhibited. This is one of the primary modes of action of lactoferrin: The lactoferrin released by certain white blood cells called neutrophils absorbs iron and therefore inhibits the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. During periods of infection or immunological stress, it is thought that lactoferrin also helps increase neutrophil production.

In addition to its role with neutrophils and iron affinity, evidence suggests that lactoferrin allows more of the antibodies that fight specific pathogens to be produced and prevents certain viruses from entering host cells.

Antioxidants
When a white blood cell destroys a pathogen, it breaks down the cell membranes and proteins of that pathogen. Unfortunately, this “oxidation” can start a chain reaction by releasing reactive free radicals. A free radical, in chemistry jargon, is a molecule or a molecular fragment with a net electrical charge due to an excess or deficient number of hydrogen electrons. To achieve a more stable configuration, free radicals go in search of a partner with the opposite charge. (Yes, even in chemistry, opposites attract!) In the process, free radicals may steal electrons from healthy cells, initiating a destructive cycle.

Seen in this context, the body’s process for destroying pathogens is something like using a burning candle to remove an unwanted page of advertising from this magazine: If you’re not careful, the whole issue could go up in flames. Think of antioxidants as the fire extinguishers that keep your body from destroying the good cells along with the bad.

Most antioxidants serve as sacrificial absorbers of free radicals, neutralizing themselves and the free radical, and thus ending the chain reaction. All antioxidants stimulate white blood cells like neutrophils and macrophages that ingest and destroy bacteria, yeast and certain tumor cells. Widespread immune-system damage is thereby minimized with reinforcements of antioxidants.

Goldenseal
The dominant activity of goldenseal is that of a natural antibiotic that kills yeast and bacteria. So once again, mixing it with echinacea is perfect. The echinacea ingests and destroys while goldenseal directly kills, thus you are mixing an immune stimulant and an antibiotic when you combine these substances. Caution: Too much for too long can cause liver damage. For extended use, no more than one or two capsules or tablets a day is recommended.

Mushrooms
Among the major sources of beta glucans, the mushroom is the favorite son. Beta glucans, essentially sugars, help stimulate immunity by turning on macrophages and T-cells. Because mushrooms stimulate macrophage activity, they work against bacteria and yeast. Thus, they prove helpful against candida, sinus infections, infected wounds, bladder infections and so on; they also help combat viruses. Remember, any mushrooms eaten for health should be organic, as mushrooms are highly efficient at sucking contaminants from their environment.

Reishi, maitake and Coriolus versicolor mushrooms all contain beta glucans, but each work differently. Many companies offer mixtures of the various mushrooms—up to ten varieties may be assembled together—to serve as general immune stimulants.

Other good sources of beta glucans are baker’s yeast, chlorella and barley. People who are allergic to mushrooms, fungus and yeast, but are interested in the beneficial glucan effect, can use barley and chlorella. [To learn more about the immune-enhancing effects of mushrooms, read “The Magic of Medicinal Mushrooms,” Issue 36/July 2000.]

Echinacea
Echinacea, a daisy commonly known as purple coneflower, is familiar to just about everyone seeking an alternative way to overcome respiratory infections. Echinacea stimulates the activity of macrophages, which directly digest and destroy bacteria. (And it contains sugars that increase the efficacy of macrophages against tumor targets.) So echinacea has an indirect effect on amplifying the entire immune response, but precisely how it does so is still unknown. Furthermore, it has recently been found to have an interferon-like effect on natural killer cells.

Some experts find it best to rotate the use of echinacea. One month on and two weeks off is commonly recommended to allow for a “wash-out” period.

Astragalus
Astragalus is a potent immune booster and, along with echinacea, one of the most intensively studied immunity-enhancing herbs in the Western world. And because it is a direct T-cell stimulant, it is a perfect complement to echinacea. Thus, both aspects of the immune response can be stimulated by mixing together these two herbs. It also boosts antiviral action. Caution: Because astragalus inhibits T-suppressor cells, you should not use it if you have an autoimmune disease, such as lupus.

Aloe
This popular ingredient in skin products, shampoo and soap has a long history as a healing agent for wounds and burn injuries, but it’s much more than that. The ancient Egyptians referred to aloe as the “plant of immortality” and included it among the funerary gifts to the pharaohs. Aloe turns on the immune system by activating macrophages, causing the release of immune-activating (and anticancer) substances such as interferons, interleukins and tumor-necrosis factors, and it promotes the growth of normal cells. One extract of the aloe plant—a sugar called mannose—has also been shown to stimulate T-cells. Aloe can also inhibit the autoimmune reaction associated with certain forms of arthritis.

Garlic
The story goes that during plague years, garlic-eating French priests were able to visit the sick, while the English clergy, left unfortified by garlic, fell victim to the Black Death. Whether or not the story’s true, it’s a fact that garlic is rich in antioxidants. Recall that all antioxidants have a similar effect on the immune system because they stimulate white blood cells. Because garlic is so rich in sulfur-containing antioxidants, it’s a natural antibiotic, destroying bacteria and yeast directly. Studies in China also show that garlic protects against lung and stomach cancers. Other researchers attribute some of garlic’s immune-boosting qualities to the idea that it makes the brain release serotonin, a neurotransmitter that helps us feel good and stay calm.

Zinc
Zinc plays an important role in antioxidant protection and immunity. When your body isn’t getting enough zinc, the functioning of certain white blood cells such as lymphocytes, neutrophils and natural killer cells can be harmed.

Vegetarians, take note: Zinc deficiency is common whenever protein intake is marginal, and zinc is better absorbed from animal protein than from vegetable sources. Phytic acid, from cereals, also inhibits zinc absorption. Since zinc isn’t stored in the body, it must be consumed continuously. Be aware that large amounts of iron and calcium may compete with zinc for cell-binding sites.

Probiotics
In the battle between good bacteria and bad, these white knights displace the potentially harmful bacteria in your digestive system by raising acidity. Since most bacteria can’t thrive in an acid environment, they are automatically eliminated in the presence of probiotics. So probiotics help the body mount better defense mechanisms against pathogens. They also help stimulate the host-defense mechanism itself.

Probiotics are the main stimuli for the development of immune cells in the bowels and in the GI tract. [See “Adding a Little Culture to Your Life,” page 94, for more on probiotics.]
Given our lifestyle at the dawn of this century, we can no longer survive in a state of total well-being without a combination of at least a few of these supplements. Sadly, a simple dose of vitamin C probably isn’t enough to ward off colds and flu this winter.

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