Optimizing Immune System

There is a misconception in this society regarding “immune defense”. It’s common to think that cold/flu symptoms appear when our immune system is weak, which then viral attack take place in our body. So people go out and buy supplements to boost our immune system. An overactive immune system is actually the problem. The message is to better understand immune function and act accordingly with nutritional and proper lifestyle changes.

General cold and flu symptom (acute phase response) is caused when the immune system actively releases excess amounts of certain inflammatory chemicals called cytokines. Also, psychologically stress activates immune system in a similar fashion as viruses; inflammatory cytokines are produced in excess, which causes an acute phase response that commonly interpreted as “catching a cold virus.” It is important to learn to manage the various stressors to keep the immune system from being over-active. Proper exercises, adequate sleep, stress-less and good nutrition will reduce the expression of acute phase responses like cold/flu symptoms.

There are a number of nutritional supplements to help support healthy immune response and they are generally anti-inflammatory to suppress an acute phase response. Vitamin C has anti-inflammation function and support a healthy immune response. Many spices like ginger, garlic, and other spices have multiple anti-inflammatory functions. Probiotics are supplemental bacteria that are beneficial gastrointestinal (GI) system. Research has demonstrated that probiotics reduce overall body inflammation and support a healthy immune response. Vitamin D reduces pro-inflammatory immune activity and improves anti-inflammatory immune activity. Omega-3 Fish Oil supports a healthy immune response and has anti-inflammatory functions.

Remember, the immune system has two functions, pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory. Too much or too little of one or the other is not healthy. When the immune system is working properly, it helps defend against dis-ease and fight against bacteria and viruses. Focus on avoiding the foods that promote inflammation and focus on consuming foods that reduce inflammation.

Powerful Mind

Lindsey Vonn, two times Gold and Silver Medalist in World Championship, alpine ski racer is reported wrapping her shin injury with Austrian cheese – topfen – to reduce inflammation. “It is not bizarre at all,” said Ralph Reiff, certified athletic trainer and director of Sports Medicine and Sports Performance for St. Vincent Hospital of Indianapolis, Indiana. There is no scientific research to prove that it works for injuries. However, the placebo effect that plays a major role for the athletes at the highest level of their performances. “Regardless of whether it’s a home remedy or passed down from generations or something someone thought of, if the athlete believes in it, there is significant value in that,” said Reiff.
Reiff recalls a baseball player who used lard on feet for cracking calluses and problem was solved.
If one believes in spreading cheese will work, it will work for them. On the other hand, one can receive the best treatment possible in this world and does not believe in it, then it will not work.
"The physician's belief in the treatment and the patient's faith in the physician exert a mutually reinforcing effect; the result is a powerful remedy that is almost guaranteed to produce an improvement and sometimes a cure." -- Petr Skrabanek and James McCormick, Follies and Fallacies in Medicine, p. 13.

BJ Palmer

"A Chiropractor doesn't TREAT anything.  He ADJUSTS cause of disease. 'Nerves' are a substance.  THEY cannot be stimulated or inhibited.  If they could, we could work on corpses, for a DEAD man has as many 'nerves' as a live one.  It is the LIVING mental impulse supply flowing into and through 'nerves' in LIVING bodies that is vital."


- BJ Palmer, DC, PhC -

Good Fat vs. Bad Fat

For optimal health, human body should have a balanced ratio for Omega 3 and Omega 6. 1 to 1 is most ideal. But most of the western diet does not allow this to happen. Omega 6 fatty acids are known to cause inflmmation and Omega 3 fatty acids do exactly the opposite (anti-inflammation). It is after the industrial revolution that we relied on factory made foods which skyrocketed all the common dis-ease we encounter today, such as diabetes, hypertension, cancer and cardiovascular problems. Dis-ease caused by an unbalanced diet and bad eating habits, that caused by exaggerated consuming of fully hydrogenated oil, and processed food that contains a lot of chemicals. Once this exaggerated consumption became a part of the society's regular diet, the morbidity increased.

Fish oil (Alaskan salmon oil) aka Omega 3 has been shown to down-regulate inflammatory arachidonic acid (AA), significantly improving the balance of inflammatory AA to anti-inflammatory EPA. The latest medical research suggests that cold-water fish oil must be incorporated into your body’s cell membranes. EPA and DHA are two essential fatty acids the human body cannot produce on its own, serve to nourish brain, heart, eye, and kidney tissues. They have been shown to help cardiovascular, immune system, brain, and digestive health. Studies also indicate Fish oil may decrease C-Reactive Protein (a indicator for inflmmation level) and help maintain healthy cholesterol levels and other inflmmatory conditions.

Prevention is the key...