Guest guest Posted November 27, 2005 Report Share Posted November 27, 2005 Immunity Boosters by Meg McGowan home away from home: Spiritually_Speaking Human beings have spent ages searching for immunity boosters--almost as long as we have been seeking the fountain of youth. If living forever is out of the question, we can at least lead death on a merry chase! Marry of the " new " immune system enhancers have actually been rediscovered rather than invented. What is new is the more specific information on the their benefits. Garlic is perhaps one of the most ancient medicinal plants. The Egyptians fed garlic to pyramid construction crews for strength. The Romans gave garlic to both workers and soldiers, intending to affect both strength and courage. Mentioned in Hindu writings, in works attributed to Hippocrates, and in a medieval disquisition, garlic is enjoying a revival in popularity, which seems less surprising than the fact that its virtues were ever forgotten. During London's plague, garlic is credited with protecting households from the black death. Similarly, stories are told of garlic-eating French priests who were able to visit and minister to the sick during a later epidemic in London, while the English clergy, whose diets were not fortified by garlic, were unable to expose themselves without falling victim to the disease. Through modern scientific study, garlic has been found to possess antiseptic, antibiotic, and antiviral qualities. Some of its effect on the immune system, however, may also be linked to its ability to lower stress. In Dr. John Heinerman's book, The Healing Benefits of Garlic, he discusses evidence presented at the World Garlic Congress, in the early part of the decade. Based on information set forth by Dr. Richard Kvetnansky of the Slovak Academy of Sciences in Bratislavia, Heinerman concludes that virtually all forms of raw garlic would " exhibit anti-stress activity to varying extents. " A French researcher claims specifically that garlic elicits a calming effect, as it triggers release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, and in his book, Garlic for Health, Benjamin Jau, M.D., Ph.D., cites significant results in a study done on stress-beleaguered rats. The rats in the study that had been fed garlic performed nearly two times better than the control group in a test for physical endurance. Perhaps the answer to mystery of how the pyramids were built lies not in the heavens, but under our feet, where the garlic bulb grows. Garlic can be consumed in non-odor producing capsules, but don't overlook its potential in the kitchen. Much of the current inquiry into the benefits of garlic was undertaken upon realization that the garlic-eating populations of the world experience a level of resistance against disease. Simply put, remember where it all began. Of course, garlic's strength is also its weakness. As it blazes its trail through the body, evidence of its power remains in the air. Garlic applied to the skin, even on the soles of the feet, will be exhaled in the breath. The effects of eating garlic can be neutralized by chewing coffee beans, parsley, raw apple slices, or baked beet root. Alternatively, finely chopped garlic, swallowed without chewing, greatly reduces breath odor. Despite the new jargon, antioxidants have also been around for eons--like Norma Jean Baker before she became Marilyn Monroe. She was still the same person, someone just realized what she could do (and of course, intended to capitalize on it), so he gave her a new name to go with the new image. Antioxidants include many of the vitamins and minerals we grew up with, like A, C, E, iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc, only they are now being recognized as having greater potential than we knew . Antioxidants function as a damage control team, limiting the destruction wrought by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules with an extra hydrogen electron. The electrons that are not paired seek partners, stealing electrons from healthy cells and initiating a destructive cycle. Under ideal circumstances the body is able to keep the number of free radicals in check through its own antioxidant production. When they are not kept in check, the results are illness and aging. Free radicals have been implicated in diseases ranging from cancer to rheumatism, from heart attacks to senility. Although some free radicals occur naturally in the body, we are also bombarded from without, through exposure to or consumption of: radiation, asbestos, carcinogens, toxic pesticides and herbicides, air pollution, heat, smoke, stress, and alcohol, among others. The irony of modern life is that we are exposed to ever increasing numbers of free radicals in our environment, while our diets are deteriorating--effective antioxidant nutrients are processed out of our foods. There are still many theories as to which supplements are best. Vitamins C, E, and A are firmly established as immune system enhancers. Debate continues, however, over effective doses (most sources recommend amounts much greater than the rda guidelines, though vitamin A can be toxic in high doses), and the best form in which to make these nutrients available to the body. Some experts suggest that vitamin A is best taken as an individual supplement, rather than taking beta-carotene, because not all people are able to convert beta-carotene well. Others tout the additional antioxidant benefit of beta-carotene apart from its vitamin A function. Elizabeth Hiser, Nutrition Editor for Eating Well magazine, claims that beta-carotene isn't actually any more beneficial than its other carotenoid relatives which also act as antioxidants. For maximum health benefits, she recommends " eat[ing] the widest possible variety of fruits and vegetables. There's no way in the foreseeable future that this exquisitely complex chemical structure could ever be reproduced in a laboratory and put into pills. " Recent studies seem to be in agreement that antioxidants may be most effective when taken together in a balanced formula. Each appears to contain elements which complement another. Bioflavonoids, for example, are useful in their own right, but are also required in order for the body to properly assimilate vitamin C. Bioflavonoids (also called vitamin P), are also considered to be potent antioxidants. Like vitamin C, they are water-soluble and must be taken on a daily basis. Quercetin, hesperidin, naringin, rutin, citrin, flavones, flavonols, and silymarin are all bioflavonoids. Proanthocyanidins have recently come to the forefront of the biflavonoid family. Also known as pycnogenols and leucoanthocyanins, they were first extracted from pine bark and later, from grape seeds of the species Vitis vinifera. American Health claims that pycnogenol is 50 times more powerful than vitamin E in neutralizing free radicals, has no side effects and remains in the body for 72 hours. Herbal immune-modulators are also gaining recognition. Echinacea has nearly achieved household name recognition. Less familiar are: Picrorhiza kurroa, an alpine herb which protects the liver; Astragalus membranicus, a Chinese tonic herb which replenishes bone marrow; Tabebuia impeteginosa (Pau D'Arco), an antioxidant which increases red blood cell count; and Uncaria guianensis and Uncaria tomentosa ,(two species of Cat's Claw), Peruvian herbs which have anti-tumor properties. All are immune system enhancers. A trio of mushrooms is also proving to have immune-stimulating properties--maitake, reishi, and shiitake. The Block Medical Center in Evanston specializes in building up patients' immune systems, focusing on cases of cancer. Dr. Keith Block combines Eastern and Western medicine, his underlying premise being that supporting the immune system through proper nutrition can not only prevent cancer, but aid in recovery, not just from the illness but from radiation and chemotherapy as well. His patients' success stories suggest that he may be right. A macrobiotic diet forms the base of his regimen, which includes vitamin and herbal supplements, as well as stress management techniques and exercise. Block creates tailor-made programs for his patients, an important aspect since individual needs for antioxidants vary, and excessive doses can actually cause fatigue. When taking large doses of supplements, or dealing with potentially toxic herbs, it is important to deal closely with a knowledgeable health care professional. Block puts supplements in their place, however. To him they are just what their name says, supplements. " Food is undoubtedly the foundation, " he says. " You can't compromise on a healing diet when it comes to cancer, and you can't cancel out harmful dietary habits with supplements. " As our bodies are called on to do more with less support, information on how to keep ourselves equal to the task will become increasingly valuable. Too often, however, small, flawed, or inconclusive studies receive extensive media coverage. It is important that we evaluate the information we are presented with and keep an open mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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