Viva For Your Health

The immune system is under attacks more now than ever in the history of mankind. Reduced to simplest terms, the immune system has tow functions: identify self from non-self and to destroy or eliminate non-self. This can only work when the immune system functions optimally. With an intact immune system there can be no chronic or severe disease. In the hostile environment in which we live, we need protection from the multitude of microorganisms and toxins that are omnipresent. Our sole protection against them is our immune system.

Then, why is there so much sickness and disease running rampant through our society? Why our senior citizens die from viruses that they have successfully combated their entire lives? Why there are deaths caused by bacteria (e.coli) from improperly treated water? Why is there so much sickness and disease running rampant through our society? SARS is killing hundred worldwide. The public is being warned at large against bird flu and West Nile virus. The answer is easy…jeopardized immune systems.

If we are distinct as an individual and separate entity is because of our immune system. Medical research has established that every severe and chronic disease is directly associated with immune dysfunction. Also, research has shown that decreased NK (Natural Killer) cell activity levels are present with almost all illnesses. There are over one hundred and eighty-seven cell types identified with the immune system. Cells known as helper T cells are the brain of the immune system. They coordinate the response to any immune threat. B cells lead to an antibody response to bacterial and viral invasion. Cytotoxic T cells respond to viruses and cancer. Suppressor T cells are used to diminish the actions of the immune system after the threat has been eliminated. Macrophages are involved in all aspects of the immune response. Natural killer cells function to kill tumor and virus cells, bacteria and parasites on contact without need of direction from the immune system. This combat between self and non-self can only work when immune system functions optimally.

Complications arise when our immune system

- incorrectly identifies an invader and/or attacks “self” (auto-immune diseases such as multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and many more), pure example of disease when the body attacks itself;

- fails to identify an invader (or wrongly manufactured cell such as cancer);

- is compromised due to poor nutrition, toxicity or stress to the extent that it is unable to overcome immune insult.

All these errors result in some form of disease. There are several areas that can stress the immune system and most of these can be affected beneficially by our actions.

Since nutritional deficiencies decrease a person’s capacity of his immune system, in that case to boost the immune system is a must to protect himself from diseases .Choosing food wisely can help., but the vast majority of the population consumes less than 66% of the recommended daily allowance for one or more nutrients. Since our food sources have been deficient in both vitamins and minerals and since that it is almost impossible to get adequate nutrition from our current food supply, there is ample evidence to suggest that the public will benefit from the adoption of healthy dietary patterns and healthy lifestyle habits including the regular use of nutritional supplements. There is ample evidence that supplementation can replace what is missing to better support our immune system and decrease risk of diseases.

Gilles Coulombe B.A. B.LL D.S.A.

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