IMMUNITY:

Micro-organisms live in and around us all the time but do not harm us. However, any stress to our system, whether emotional, physical or mental, creates the ideal conditions for micro-organisms to flourish. To strengthen ones immune system – focus on boosting the immune fighters in the body to prevent the bacteria and viruses from thriving. One’s immune system can produce a million antibodies a minute to recognise and disarm billions of invaders (antigens). Unlike antibiotics that poison all bacteria (good and bad), antibodies allow the immune system to specifically recognise pathogens while ignoring the good bacteria that are a part of the body’s normal micro-flora. Therefore to bring about an improvement in health, one should focus on boosting the vital force rather than killing the bacteria.
The most important immune factors are Immunoglobulins, (special immune proteins (‘antibodies”) found and produced in blood and other body fluids), in response to exposure to an antigen (germ). An antigen is any foreign substance that enters the body, (by ingestion, inhalation, or breaks in the skin) that causes an immune response. Antibodies (Immunoglobulins) are specific to a given antigen. HENCE – Immunoglobulin concentrations are a very important measure of immune system health.
IgA antibodies: attack invading bacteria and viruses on surface openings (mouth, nose etc.) to prevent them entering the system further. It is important to note that IgA is the principal immunoglobulin in all mucous secretions. If Vit C levels increase IgA levels – then it stands to reason that this is why it is helpful against bacterial infections. IgM antibodies: are the first to respond to antigens that have entered the system and also activate other parts of immune system to assist in the fight.

IgG antibodies: make up 70% of our antibodies – they protect the body against viruses (Vit C does not increase IgG), they also cross the placenta to the foetus for it’s first antibody protection.

Complement System – C1 – C9: these are activated by other immunoglobulins – with C3 being the most important of the complement proteins, and they are vital in the destruction of invading antigens.
“Oxidative Burst” or respiratory burst is a reaction occurring in Phagocytes, which helps degrade invading particles and bacteria.

Neutrophil: targets bacteria, fungi and inflammation – most of which cause pus in a wound. They have a lifespan of about 8 days and act as the vacuum cleaner in the body.

Eosinophil: targets larger parasites and inflammatory responses in asthma, hay fever and hives

Basophil: stimulates the release of histamine which causes vasodilation in response to an allergy

Lymphocyte: found mainly in Lymphatic system. They bind to pathogens and destroy them, and assist as the “library” of antibody memories.

Natural Killer Cells NK: kill any cells in the body that are infected by viruses, bacteria or become cancerous

Monocytes: are (like the Neutrophil) the “vacuum cleaner” of the body – attack microorganisms and performing phagocytosis removing dead cell debris. Once a Monocyte leaves the blood – it becomes a Macrophage
Macrophage engulfs and digest via phagocytosis any viruses, bacteria or cancerous cells. It also stimulates Lymphocytes and other immune cells into action

Dendritic cells: are antigen presenting cells which activate the T-Lymphocytes
There are many more immune response cells – such as T-Cells, Y8-T, CD8 – all playing specific roles in destroying invading pathogens in the body.

T-cells: destroy cells that have been tagged by antibodies. Vit D is crucial to T-cell activation in order to convert from an inactive form in the bloodstream into an active form that can react to cell fragments of invaders. Without enough Vit D in the bloodstream – the T-cells do not mobilize to produce more T-cells and transform into pathogen-killing cells.
Vitamin D was also found to produce antibacterial proteins that kill bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay.