ANP Reader/Commenter Old_Auslander posted a Public Service Announcement in yesterday morning's article comment section about over-the-counter medications (and other items) that are being recalled by the FDA over feces contamination. Old_Auslander noted that some of the items being recalled are Tylenol, Advil, Benadryl, DayQuil, NyQuil, Excedrin, Alka-Seltzer, and Motrin products all of which are used by many to combat symptoms of colds and flu. A full list of items being recalled can be found here in pdf format. Of course, that post spurred an investigation into how to strengthen one's immune system and this article is the result of that investigation.
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and solely as a self-help tool for your own use. I am not, nor am I holding myself out to be a doctor/physician, nurse, physician's assistant, advanced practice nurse, or any other medical professional ("Medical Provider"), psychiatrist, psychologist, therapist, counselor, or social worker ("Mental Health Provider"), registered dietician or licensed nutritionist, or member of the clergy. I am not providing health care, medical or nutritional therapy services, or attempting to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any physical, mental, or emotional issue, disease, or condition. The information provided in this article pertaining to parasites is not intended to be a substitute for the professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by your own Medical Provider or Mental Health Provider. Always seek the advice of your own Medical Provider and/or Mental Health Provider regarding any questions or concerns you have prior to implementing any recommendations or suggestions from this article. Do not disregard medical advice or delay seeking medical advice because of information you have read in this article. Do not stop or start taking any medications without consulting your Medical Provider or Mental Health Provider. The information contained in this article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is for educational and informational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and does not establish any kind of patient-client relationship by your access of this article. Although I strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice. Always consult a professional in the area for your particular needs and circumstances prior to making any professional, legal, medical, financial, or tax-related decisions.
You are born with an immune system that is your body's first defense against germs called innate immunity. Acquired immunity is what happens when your body remembers how to handle germs over time.
The Cleveland Clinic defines an immune system as a large network of organs, white blood cells, proteins and chemicals. An immune system keeps germs out of your body, destroys germs that have invaded your body, limit how much damage germs do once they have invaded your body, heals the damage germs have done to your body, and helps your body remember which germs have invaded and adapts to new germ threats. A healthy immune system can protect you against bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, and cancer cells. If your immune system is weak, you can be more susceptible to various illnesses or infections. If your immune system is too strong, it can continue to react to a threat that has already been eliminated leading to autoimmune diseases or allergic reactions. The CDC adds that a healthy immune system can help protect you from chronic diseases as well. The main components of your immune system are:
White blood cells - attack and eliminate harmful germs
Antibodies - bind germs then destroy them
Cytokines - chemical messengers directing the system
Complement system - proteins that promote healing & defend against germs
Lymph nodes - filter waste products
Spleen - stores the white blood cells when not needed, filters your blood, recycles damaged cells & makes new cells
Tonsils and adenoids - trap germs as soon as they enter the body
Thymus - helps the white blood cells known as T-cells mature
Bone marrow - makes both red and white blood cells
Skin - produces oils creating a protective barrier against germs
Mucosa - secrete mucus that capture germs
Some disorders and diseases that can affect your immune system are: Allergies; Autoimmune diseases (like Lupus and rheumatoid arthritis); Primary immunodeficiency diseases; Infectious diseases (like HIV or Mononucleosis); Cancer (like leukemia or lymphoma); and Sepsis (extreme immune response causing possibly life-threatening inflammation throughout the body).
There are also medications that can compromise your immune system such as corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and chemotherapy.
In addition, micronutrient (like zinc, selenium, iron, copper, folic acid, and vitamins A, B6 (chicken, salmon, tuna, bananas, green vegetables, potatoes with skin on), C (citrus fruit, tomatoes, broccoli, spinach), D, and E (almonds, sunflower and safflower oil, sunflower seeds, peanut butter, spinach) as well as probiotic and protein) deficiencies can alter immune response.
Inflammation, rashes, or redness anywhere on your body
Swollen lymph nodes in your neck, armpits, or groin
How can you know if your immune system is compromised? Your healthcare professional can order an antibody test, complete blood count (CBC), or complement blood test to check specific proteins. Be sure to ask your healthcare professional to check your Vitamin D level.
1. Exercise regularly (usually 30 minutes 3 times a week) Emerson Health says the key is consistency, if you can't do 30 minutes at once, short bursts of activity can help keep your body resilient
2. Stop smoking
3. Manage your stress - try taking small daily breaks (step outside for air, play with your pet, doodle or color, etc.)
7. Practice good hygiene - not only washing your hands frequently with hot soapy water but also taking care to brush your teeth as well.
8. Eat a balanced diet that is high in fruits (citrus, berries, lemons, grapefruit, oranges, clementines, tangerines, limes, papaya, kiwi) and vegetables (ginger, leafy green vegetables, garlic, mushrooms, sweet potatoes, red bell peppers, spinach, turmeric, broccoli), nuts (almonds), lean proteins (eggs, chicken (and other poultry), tuna, salmon, shellfish (oysters, crab, lobster, mussels)), whole grains, fermented foods (yogurt, kefir), green tea (has EGCG - epigallocatechin gallate); limit fats, salt, processed foods, white flour, and added sugars. Franciscan Health divides a "balanced" diet by color groups:
Red - Plants like strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes and red bell peppers possess some of the strongest antioxidants known to science. Antioxidants trap and absorb free radicals, those unstable oxygen molecules in the body that can damage cells and lead to cancer. Free radicals are also linked to heart disease.
Orange/yellow - Mangos, carrots and sweet potatoes are loaded with the antioxidant beta-carotene. They're also packed with vitamin A, which boosts your immune system and is crucial to healthy eyes and strong bones. Besides being a powerhouse of vitamin C, oranges contain disease-fighting chemicals known as limonoids and flavonoids. (One flavonoid found in oranges, hesperetin, is thought to protect against cancer, heart disease and infections.) Bananas are full of potassium, which can prevent or reduce high blood pressure (and may help keep plaque from forming in the arteries).
Green - Chlorophyll, the phytochemical that makes plants green, is not a huge disease-fighter. Still, green vegetables are stuffed with other nutrients and substances essential to good health. Broccoli, for example, is the king of cancer-fighters, with its rich supply of vitamins C and K (used in photosynthesis), as well as specific cancer-preventing compounds like indoles (thought to be especially effective in fighting breast cancer). In addition, spinach is a rich source of vitamin K, folic acid and lutein, which help prevent age-related macular degeneration (and may reduce cataracts, as well).
Blue/purple - Blueberries are extremely rich in antioxidants and contain nearly 100 phytochemicals, which help protect against cancer, bacteria and ulcers, among other things. They may also help protect the brain against aging.
9. Support gut health - probiotics, Mediterranean diet
10. Follow good food practices - keep food safe before, during, and after cooking. The USDA provides food safety basics: Be clean (wash hands and surfaces often), Separate (don't cross-contaminate raw & cooked foods or raw proteins and raw vegetables), Cook (to proper temperatures, use a food thermometer), and Chill (refrigerate promptly).
11. Stay hydrated - remember to drink 6 to 8 (8 oz) glasses of adequate fluids a day with water being the fluid of choice but you can substitute unsweetened herbal teas, fruit-infused water, or a light broth if you find plain water unpalatable.
12. Talk to your healthcare professional about taking a zinc supplement
13. Get at least 10 minutes of sunshine a day, especially in winter, so your body can generate Vitamin D
14. Try to skip the supplements and increase your food intake of those food items that have the supplement you need (try eating an elderberry instead of taking a capsule of elderberry that also contains fillers)
15. Don't skip preventative medical care - including annual checkups and screenings
Vitamins (the upper limit does not apply to adults who are taking supplements under the supervision of a healthcare professional):
A - safety for adults is up to 3,000 mcg/day
C - safety for adults is up to 2,000 mg/day
D - safety for adults is up to 4,000 IU/day
E - safety for adults is up to 1,000 mg/day
Minerals
Selenium - safety for adults is up to 400 mcg/day
Zinc - safety for adults is up to 40 mg/day
Botanicals
Andrographis - safety for adults is up to 1,200 mg/day
Echinacea - while generally safe at any dose, some people experience gastrointestinal upset (diarrhea), sleeplessness, and/or skin rashes.
Elderberry - flowers and ripe fruit are generally safe at any dose. The bark, leaves, seeds, and raw/unripe fruit contain a potentially toxic cyanogenic glycoside and can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration due to diuresis, and cyanide poisoning. Cooking destroys this toxin.
Garlic - generally safe at any dose; however, garlic is known to cause bad breath and body odor. It might also cause a skin rash. It might interact with warfarin (Coumadin or other blood thinners) or antihypertensive medications.
Ginseng - generally safe at any dose. Adverse effects include headache, sleep difficulty, or gastrointestinal symptoms. Doses higher than 2.5 g/day might cause insomnia, tachyarrhythmias, hypertension, and nervousness. It could interact with antidiabetes meds.
Tea and tea catechins - moderate amounts of tea are safe. Green tea extract can cause nausea, constipation, abdominal discomfort, or increased blood pressure. Doses over 800mg EGCG/day may cause liver damage. Drink your green tea with food to minimize this risk. Beware that caffeine can be toxic at 15 mg/kg (about 1,000 mg for a 150 lb adult) and cause nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, seizures, cerebral edema, or death.
Other
Glutamine - generally safe but could cause nausea, bloating, belching, pain, and flatulence.
N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and Glutathione - safety for adults is up to 3,000 mg/day but could cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion, or epigastric discomfort. Could have an additive effect if taken with anticoagulants or antihypertensive meds.
Omega-3 fatty acids - generally safe but doses over 900 mg/day of EPA or 600 mg/day DHA for several weeks might reduce immune function by suppressing inflamatory responses.
Probiotics (include certain bacteria (e.g., Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium longum) and yeasts (e.g., Saccharomyces boulardii)) - generally safe for most people but could cause gastrointestinal symptoms. Antibiotic or antifungal medications could interfere with the effectiveness of some probiotics.
What about vaccinations (almost of the sites I consulted included getting vaccines as a immune system booster)? I think vaccines are a personal decision. Research, consult with your healthcare professional, then decide if some, none, or all of them are right for your health situation.
Bottom line?
To boost your immune system, watch what you eat, get enough sleep, exercise, stop smoking, drink alcohol in moderation, practice good hygiene, manage stress, check in with your healthcare professional at least yearly, and take supplements if needed.
Those are some of the exact words used by Google’s censors, aka 'Orwellian content police,' in describing many of our controversial stories. Stories later proven to be truthful and light years ahead of the mainstream media. But because we reported those 'inconvenient truths' they're trying to bankrupt ANP.
