Immune Health Flashcards
What is the Role of the immune system?
Identify and neutralise pathogens.
Distinguish self vs non-self antigens.
.
Distinguish pathological vs. non-harmful antigens.
Repair the site of any injury or damage.
Tumour surveillance.
.
What are some signs of immune system dysfunction?
- Inability to identify and destroy abnormal cancer cells
- Increased susceptibility to infection
- increased susceptibility to autoimmunity
-Insufficient — incomplete repair, scarring, Cancer, Re-activated
viruses
(e.g., shingles).
Excessive — cell damage, chronic inflammation, autoimmunity , allergic reactions
What is the germ/ terrain theory?
Pasteur’s ‘Germ Theory’: pathogens cause disease
Antoine Béchamp’s Terrain Theory: germs are ‘attracted to the environment of diseased tissue’.
(explain why some people become unwell and others don’t despite the same pathogen exposure)
* Pathogens become harmful in a certain context, depending on the overall health and resilience, immune function, stress levels, emotional state, gut function, microbiome etc.
5 things that effective immunity is dependent on?
- Healthy barrier tissue integrity, pathogens first contact — skin, gut, lungs etc.
- Presence of secretions — tears, saliva etc., which have antimicrobial properties. Healthy mucus production
- Probiotic bacteria occupy space on epithelial surfaces, secreting lactic acid and natural antibiotics.
- Immune activity is concentrated at key points of entry — MALT / GALT (e.g., tonsils, Peyer’s patches), large numbers of immune cells (B cells, secreting sIgA)
- Inflammation — ‘quarantines’ a specific area and ↑ immune activity.
- Many innate immune cells then act as antigen presenting cells (APCs) to the adaptive immune system, which can support with a more tailored response to a specific threat.
What is the function of a TH1 cell, and what triggers it’s differentiation ?
Defence against intracellular pathogens (e.g., viruses). Anti-cancer / tumour. Production of cytotoxic (CD8) T-cells, macrophages, IFN-γ and TNF-⍺/β.
IL-12 promotes differentiation into Th1.
What is the function of a Th2 cell and what triggers it?
Defence against extracellular threats (e.g., parasites).
IL-2, 4 and 5 promote Th2.Production of IL-4, -5, -10 and - 13, ↑ B-cell antibody production (e.g., IgE). Induces eosinophils.
What do Th17 cells trigger, and what are their function?
Produce pro-inflammatory IL-17, IL-6, IL-22 and TNF-α, often involved in the chronic stage of inflammatory diseases incl. allergies and some autoimmune disease.
Cytokine IL-1. IL-6 and TNF-B promote, Defence against extracellular pathogens.
What do T-reg cells do? where do they originate?
Modulate and deactivate the immune response. produce ‘transforming growth factor- beta’ (TGF-β) and IL-10. Both cytokines are inhibitory to helper T-cells.
The majority of peripherally produced T-reg cells originate in the GALT.
What clinical signs and tests would indicate low immunity?
- History of increased susceptibility prolonged infections, e.g., respiratory, urogenital, skin etc.
- Fatigue, loss of appetite, weight loss, fevers, chills, aches and pains, enlarged lymph nodes. soreness / pain, coughing, runny nose, phlegm.
Tests:
* Low WBC count (blood); low sIgA (stool or saliva test).
* Positive test for pathogen or antibodies — e.g., blood antigen test for hepatitis and EBV antibodies, urine testing for STDs, stool testing for gut pathogens, other microbiome testing (e.g., vaginal).
Discuss causes and risk factors for low immunity
- ‘Hygiene hypothesis’ — pathogen exposure is needed for the neonatal immune system to develop
-Poor nutrition (e.g., high refined sugars, alcohol) / nutrient deficiencies, especially zinc and vitamin A, D and C.
- Immunosuppressants e.g., corticosteroids, methotrexate, azathioprine.
- Gut / microbiome — commensals
offer direct immune protection
and programme a healthy
immune response. Compromised
with c-section, formula-fed,
antibiotics, overly hygienic upbringing,
dysbiosis / low sIgA, PPIs, NSAIDs, steroids - Impaired barrier defences — poor skin quality (e.g., topical steroids / irritants, nutrient deficiencies such as zinc and EFAs),damaged lungs, gut permeability, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy, appendectomy.
- Stress: Emotional, chemical and physical(e.g., overtraining) – ↑ cortisol inhibits phagocytes, NK cells and lymphocyte activity.
- Poor sleep — ↓ immune memory, ↓ anti-viral cytokines ↑ inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-6), ↓ lymphocyte blastogenesis.
- Heavy metal toxicity can inhibit lymphocyte proliferation.
- Blood glucose dysregulation — hyperglycaemia activates protein kinase C (PKC), inhibits phagocytosis and superoxide production, altering the innate immune response.
– Blood glucose spikes = ↑ cortisol = gluconeogenesis and so on…). - Poor energy delivery mechanisms (e.g., CFS)
- Disrupted methylation
impairs leukocyte differentiation and maturation. The folate cycle is
important for DNA synthesis and repair (requiring folate, B2 and B3).
How does neonate exposure impact the immune system?
- Neonates are born with a TH2 immune bias, and exposure to pathogens increases TH1, achieving immune learning and balance, in parallel with acquisition of gut microflora. Lack of exposure is linked to increased atopic allergy- Hygiene hypothesis’ — pathogen exposure is needed for the neonatal immune system to develop-
- Additionally, breast feeding (GOS, other prebiotics, colostrum, growth factors, maternal immune cells)
enhance the maturation of immunity and the microflora
Which genes regulate vitamin D, and can cause lo immunity?
- Genetic polymorphisms / SNPs.
Vitamin D regulation with key genes: - VDBP = less effective binding / transport of vitamin D. Likely to require more s sun / food / supplements
to attain adequate levels. - VDR = lower sensitivity to vitamin D. Likely to require higher levels in order to receive / respond to vitamin D.
- Induces ‘cathelicidin antibacterial peptide’
- Represses inflammatory cytokines IFN-γ, TNF, IL6
Nutrients to support immunity?
Vitamin A 2500–5000 iu / day.
- Supports lymphatic tissues and immune cells, maintains lung barrier function. Deficiency associated with RTIs
Vitamin C- Buffered form e.g., magnesium ascorbate, ester-C 1–5000 mg / day.
- Supports the innate and adaptive immune systems and epithelial barrier.
Zinc Chelated form e.g., zinc citrate, gluconate 10–15 mg / day.
Inhibits viral replication, permeability of barriers, and↑ specific anti-viral immune defenses.
Probiotics
1–30 billion, depending on strain.
Act as a ’low level’ challenge to the immune system, Various probiotics boost sIgA, incl. several Lactobacilli spp. and Saccharomyces boulardii.
Vitamin D
Cholecalciferol (D3) 1000‒2000 iu / or test
- Enhances innate immune system, increases regulatory T-cells and downregulates T-cell-driven IgG production.
Shifts towards Th2.
-maintains self-tolerance by dampening excessive immune responses.
Beta glucans 900 mg
1,3 and 1,6 support innate and adaptive immunity and are particularly supportive against upper respiratory tract infections.
-They exert immune-modulating and anti-tumour effects.
Good nutrient options during an infection?
-Vitamin A: 5000 iu.
anti-viral activity, including against measles and norovirus. It reduces infection associated with otitis media.
-Vitamin C Buffered form e.g., magnesium ascorbate, ester-C. 1000 mg per hour for up to 6 hours until bowel tolerance reached
- It inhibits virus multiplication and improves immune cell function.
- Zinc Chelated form e.g., zinc citrate. 15–30 mg / day.
antiviral properties against many
viruses, including Hep C, and HIV. In vitro, low levels inhibit replication of influenza and other viruses.
Vitamin D 5000 iu.
- upregulates production of antimicrobial peptides.
Elderberry Dose: 3–8 g
Contains phytochemicals (including cyanidin-3-glucoside and cyanidin-3-sambubioside) which ‘blunt’ hemagglutinin spikes, preventing viral cell entry.
It strengthens the immune response against influenza,
Echinacea : 4000 mg
Immune enhancing / modulating (alkylamides); activates phagocytes and NK cells. Can decrease the duration / severity of acute RTIs.
Lysine Dose: 1–3 g
Inhibits viral replication. Especially for herpes simplex infection, Also avoid arginine and consider low arginine diet.
What is cytokine storm and how can we avoid it?
Some people are susceptible to immune hyperresponsiveness: ‘Cytokine Storm Syndrome’.
* An excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines which can cause lung tissue damage, respiratory distress, pneumonia, or even death.
- Ensuring use of a combined nutrient protocol (rather than high dose single nutrient) will also help to ensure the effect on the immune system is synergistic. For example, vitamin D is supportive as deficiency may predispose to cytokine storm.
6 risk factors for covid 19?
- Obesity,
-diabetes mellitus,
-CVD
-non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
– Metabolic dysfunction can lead to chronic inflammation — TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β are upregulated in the adipose tissue. - Vitamin D deficiency (immunomodulatory, ↓ inflamm.
cytokines) - vitamins C, B6, selenium, zinc, DHA and EPA.
- dysbiosis = infection, and infection = dysbiosis.
- Depletion of immunomodulatory gut bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp., Faecalbacterium prausnitizii and Eubacterium rectale has been found in COVID-19 patients.
- metabolic endotoxaemia — the spike protein and LPS interaction leads to aggravated inflammation.
What is the naturopathic approach to covid?
Naturopathic Diet, focus on plant protein, less poultry / red meat, less sugar and alcohol
* adequate rest, avoid suppressing symptoms.
* Support holistically — especially stress, sleep, blood glucose,
toxic load, oxidative stress. Healthy weight management.
* Support innate immunity — neutralise
COVID virus by mucosal IgA, E.g., with probiotics, beta-glucans, vitamin C
Support innate immunity as per ‘treatment options during
infection’ covered earlier.
- Ensure optimal ranges of vitamin D.
- For severe or ‘long COVID’ issues, focus on wider system support, esp. supporting inflammation, mitochondrial function, gut, lung dysfunction etc.
- Microbiome support — restore diversity, gut barrier support, reduce inflammation (e.g., with prebiotics such as GOS which can raise Bifidobacterium; probiotics and polyphenols).
How could you specifically support the lungs in covid 19?
Lung tissue contains protective antioxidants, including SOD and GPO: N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) 1.5 g daily — protects lung tissue;
mucolytic, glutathione synthesis (antioxidant effects).
- Cease smoking — associated with more severe COVID symptoms.
- Vitamin D — inhibits microbial entry into lungs (↓ lung permeability).
- Anti-microbial herbs — oregano, garlic, thyme, sage.
- Diluted grapefruit seed oil, colloidal silver, saline gargled or via nasal douche to clear nose (including biofilms).
Specific nutrients to support Covid 19?
- Quercetin (500–1000 mg, twice daily) ― impairs spike protein binding to ACE2; inhibits viral replication
- Resveratrol (200 mg / day inhibits SARS CoV-2 in vitro; a potent antioxidant.
- Turmeric (Curcuma longa) 1.5 g daily — appears to have cytoprotective effects of type II alveolar cells;
- decreases the population of inflammatory macrophages; ACE2 blocking.
- Reducing pulmonary
and cardiovascular complications. - Berberine 400 mg twice daily — interferes with viral replication. Insulin sensitivity; microbiome-balancing.
