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No More Heartburn - Part 7 The Immune System
Posted by Jackie
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No More Heartburn - Part 7 The Immune System February 09, 2008 07:49AM |
Registered: 6 years ago Posts: 18,881 |
<[www.afibbers.org]> -Part 1 DGL
<[www.afibbers.org]>-Part 2 GERD, Digestive Issues & Health
<[www.afibbers.org]>- Part 3 GERD & Digestive Ailments Includes References
<[www.afibbers.org]> Part 4 Stress & Digestion; Diaphragm Function
<[www.afibbers.org]>7 Part 5 Leaky Gut Syndrome
[www.afibbers.org] - No More Heartburn Part 6 Leaky Gut Syndrome - continued
No More Heartburn Part 7 The Immune System
A healthy gastrointestinal (GI) system is directly related to overall health and the importance or relevancy of this cannot be over-emphasized, yet the significant contribution of the GI tract to increased toxic burden and chronic disease is often overlooked by conventional medicine.
Whether GI dysfunction comes from stress, microbial invaders, fungal overgrowth, toxins, chemicals, food additives, everyday use of body care products or manifestations of sensitivities that result from intestinal hyperpermeability, there is no denying that a compromised GI function can and does lead to varying degrees of ill-health.
Increased total toxic burden and sub-optimal detoxification capacity lead to fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and diagnostic labels such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Toxic burden can result in mitochondrial dysfunction and an inability to adequately produce energy
GI imbalances often exist without GI symptoms.
It was recently offered on the BB that a Google search for food allergy and atrial fibrillation yielded over 4,000 hits. Lest one doubt that there is a gut dysfunction connection to afib, a quick check confirms the potential.
A point of clarification is needed. Food allergies are typically those which create an immediate and dramatic response as in the reaction to peanuts or shell fish. Food intolerances or sensitivities are often called allergies but typically have various symptom manifestations over a wide time frame a long as 48 hours after ingestion. Almost everyone has some degree of sensitivity to some food or chemical; many just dont realize it or make the connection often because the response is delayed.
It is therefore important to recognize the impact of GI dysfunction on overall health from an immune system perspective, since in addition to facilitating the absorption of nutrient molecules, the GI tract is highly involved in the immune surveillance system. Autoimmune disorders, inflammatory arthritities and mucosal immunity are directly related to GI dysfunction.
The core issue here is if the immune surveillance system that functions primarily in the intestinal tract, is working overtime just to handle food sensitivities and food toxins, it leaves the body vulnerable to other microbial invaders and puts us at risk for serious health problems.
It is of critical importance to manage all forms of gut dysfunction so the immune system can function optimally in our behalf.
The gut is constantly under siege. We coexist with a vast population of microscopic armies consisting of viruses, bacteria, yeast and parasites that are literally trying to feed off us. The immune system is our major defense against this constant bombardment. The immune system must be dynamic and ever vigilant. (Rosenbaum/Optimal Wellness)
Once again, many great resource books are available on this very extensive topic. Recall the graphic visual that the small intestine (duodenum), if stretched and flattened so every cell was side by side, it would measure about the size of a tennis court. Consider that 80% of the bodys antibody-producing cells are located in the GI tract. Our digestive tract is the largest immune system in our body. Immunity in the gut is different from the immunity in the body, in general. and only until recently has it been appreciated that it is an entirely separate immune system considered the largest lymph organ in the body, larger than the thymus and all the other lymph nodes in our entire system. (Rosenbaum/Optimal Wellness)
An interesting discussion by Scott Anderson, MD, in Optimal Digestion, observes five protective barriers that guard our health. Generally, we think of the stomach as first line of defense for killing bugs that enter the body via food, water and air or what weve picked up on our hands and delivered to our mouth and we become aware of the importance of stomach acid to kill hostiles as they enter our body. Lacking stomach acid, those hostile microbes pass through to the small intestine where they can get into the blood stream and cause a variety of disease symptoms and conditions. Many, are never related to bacteria that has translocated to an organ or joint.
However, Dr. Anderson observes that Intelligence is really the first protective barrier; and among the influences, he points out that we should exercise intelligence on behalf of our whole body. Eating smart. Making wise choices about when, how and where we eat and the dozens of other little decisions we make when buying, preparing and consuming food. Planning ahead; choosing a relaxing atmosphere for dining, consciously focusing on chewing during the food experience and knowing the basics of nutrition. Its important to consider Intelligence as a key element of the protective mechanism.
He defines the second barrier of defense as Stomach Acid. His analogy is another graphic visual. He says, Most of us dont even think about our stomach acid and when we do, we are more likely to think of it as a problem. But our body invests an enormous amount of energy to produce HCl. If we drew an energy map of our body, the energy used to create this acid would be comparable to Mt. Everest. While were used to hearing about the dangers of stomach acid from infomercials on television, these gastric juices are actually an essential and vital protection to our digestion.
He goes on to review that stomach acid sterilizes food and destroys microbes. Stomach acid begins the process of protein digestion. Stomach acid facilitates the metabolizing of minerals and readies them for absorption. (He notes that a tip-off to doctors for low stomach acid is low minerals in lab tests). Stomach acid stimulates secretions from the pancreas that are essential to good digestion (insulin, enzymes and bicarbonate) which helps to digest fats (lipase) and proteins (protease), starch (amylase) and other enzymes for specialized functions.
The third barrier is our inner defense system the Immune System
Fourth is what he called the Grand Central Station of our metabolism the liver which processes and breaks down nutrients, filters and breaks down toxins that come in from the blood stream and synthesizes important blood components. The liver is the center for toxic cleanup. If forced to process too many toxins, an overload may occur and the impaired capacity can limit its ability to monitor incoming traffic and filter out harmful substances.
Fifth barrier The friendly Intestinal Flora also reviewed in the next segment.
A summary of the digestive system according to Dr. Anderson: (quote. p. 34 Optimal Digestion)
In a cubic millimeter of the mucosal lining (smaller than the size of a grain of rice), there are 6 to 9 feet of nerve cell fibers.
Gut reactions are transmitted by nerve impulses that travel through the gut in a matter of seconds.
There are 10 times more bacterial cells within the gut than there are cells in our entire body
Human cells are hundreds of times larger than bacterial cells.
The Immune System
The immunity in the gut is different from the immunity in the body, generally. This has not always been appreciated. It is considered the largest lymph organ of the body, larger than the thymus and all the other lymph nodes in the system. (Rosenbaum/Optimal Digestion)
This specialized lymph tissues is called GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue) by researchers. In general, it is a network that provides certain immune functions. The GALT consist of specialized colonies of cells in the gut lining called Peyers patches and is also in lymphatic tissue in the appendix. The Peyers patches house live plasma cells that manufacture our antibodies immune artillery that protect us from invaders. Peyer's patches thus establish their importance in the immune surveillance of the intestinal lumen and in facilitating the generation of the immune response within the mucosa.
For this discussion, the focus is on secretory IgA (SIgA) the antibody produced by these specialized intestinal mucosa cells and which are our first line of immune defense in the digestive tract. There are other imune defense protectors: B cells, Plasma cells, Memory Cells, T cells and the antibodies IgE, IgG, IgM.
Most of the specialized gut lymph tissue secreting SIgA is located at the juncture of the small and large intestine; some is in the appendix and all serve to protect the small intestine again migration of bacteria or parasites back up into the gut from the colon where there is a much greater concentration of microbes. This area is prone to more inflammation with a greater potential for infection. Removal of the appendix or a section of the ileum decreases immune defense. [www.healthtoolsonline.com]
SUPPORTING IMMUNITY AND ANTIBODIES (Optimal Wellness pp 44-45)
What lowers our stores of precious secretory IgA?
Any infection even a tooth abscess
Stress any type
Poor diet and low nutrient levels
Malnutrition children in third world countries have low SIgA and develop the cycle of diarrhea/loss of gut lining
Aging
Key influences on the immune system:
1. Genetics
2. Inherited allergies
3. Nutrition
4. Stress
5. Lack of breast feeding
6. Age
7. Integrity of gut lining
8. Health of microflora
9. Presence of infection in gut or elsewhere
Research finds that nutrition affects the way your genetic makeup is expressed and can tip the balance toward good health. In other words, even if you have the genetic tendency, proper nutritional support can prevent that condition from ever manifesting.
Treatment note: Vitamin A is critical in replenishing the lining of the gut and maintaining the integrity of the mucosa. The most common vitamin deficiency in the world is vitamin A. Other nutrients that increase SIgA along with the vitamin A include: zinc, colostrum (can be used in people who are not dairy intolerant) and often, L-glutamine is helpful. Others use phosphatidyl choline, essential fatty acids, bioflavonoids, antioxidants like CoQ10, lipoic acid, glutathione, and ginkgo. Consume organic foods; minimize toxic exposure.
MALFUNCTIONING IMMUNE DEFENSE (Optimal Wellness p. 60)
1.The immune system can be so weakened it cant fight off common illnesses as with cancer and AIDS, but also from everyday stress. (Immune Suppression)
2. Over-reactive or hyper-responsive to normal stimuli asthma, migraine and food allergies/sensitivities. Hyper-reactions use up immune reserves and can also cause defensive immune responses that actually injure tissue. Circulating toxins can turn on a hyperactive immune response, leading to allergies, inflammation, pain and swelling. Toxins short-circuit the immune response resulting in infection.(Optimal Wellness p 125)
3. Malfunction causes autoimmune reaction antibodies target our own tissue as in rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Graves, Hashimotos.
All can lead to dysbiosis. The goals in managing dysbiosis are to restore microflora, provide nutrients that will heal the intestinal mucosa, reduce toxic exposure and increase antibodies in the GI tract (SIgA).
TOXIC OVERLOAD EFFECTS (Optimal Digestion p. 129)
When the liver becomes overburdened because of chronic or persistent toxicity that overwhelms the detoxification pathways, many events occur in the liver as a result of overload:
Increased oxidative stress from the livers detoxification process
Impaired carbohydrate metabolism
Increased immune activity and production of biochemicals that promote inflammation
Failure of Phase 1 Detoxification or accelerated Phase 1 which causes increased free radicals
The bottleneck effect if Phase 2 Detox is slow.
And this leads to effects on cells and tissues:
- The body needs to put these toxic chemicals somewhere
- If the system cant excrete, it will store them
- Chemicals and pesticides are typically stored in fat
- Heavy metals will be stored in protein tissue muscles, bones and cartilage (and fatty tissue brain, liver plus kidney,spleen).
Eventually some toxins are re-released and stored again which means the liver has to cope with them again. The liver either detoxifies or recirculates. This can cause more damage as toxins move through the system and then are redeposited. Accumulated toxins cause cellular damage. This means it is critical to begin detoxifying by starting with first things first which is the gut.
When toxins are circulated constantly, specific conditions such as arthritis, asthma and allergies can result and can be caused by compromise of the immune system causing inflammation or aggravating existing conditions. Toxins stimulate the release of an immune response with biochemicals that can set in motion a full blown reaction. Often, this relates to Leaky Gut Syndrome reviewed previously. This can pave the way for degenerative diseases such as cancer or autoimmune conditions.
Dr. Rogers observes:
Detoxification pathways lining the gut are compromised; chemical sensitivity can arise. Further the leakage overburdens the liver so the body is less able to handle everyday chemicals in food, water and air. Then, many foods can cause symptoms that never did before because the guts detoxification system is unable to cope with the hundreds of chemical additives dyes, colorings, preservatives and pesticides common to our foods.
When the gut lining is inflamed, the protective coating of gut antibodies can be lost and with less secretary IgA, the body become more vulnerable to infections in the intestines from bacteria, yeast, viruses etc and worse they can become resistant to treatment. The more antibiotics prescribed, the more resistant they become and as more unwanted bugs grow, the gut becomes more inflamed and leaky the major cause of so many incurable diseases.
Functional medicine MDs observe that colon cancer, Alzheimers and osteoporosis are all linked by the process of inflammation, underwritten by an activated immune system. Diabetes, vascular disease, auto-immune disease, acne, depression, GERD, hypertension, ED, obesity and a growing list of other diseases are all underwritten by the same process. The immune system becomes activated when micro-organisms are too high. This happens with the hormonal decline that begins around age 27 and a high glycemic diet. (Mitchell)
Reiterating a previous segment:
Every neurotransmitter ever detected in the brain has also been found in the gut and often at much higher levels. 95% of serotonin in the human body is not in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid but rather in the GI tract. So when you consider that alone tremendous amount of neurological tissue, its own nervous system, high levels of neurotransmitters, its really indicative of how important the gut is in the surveillance of body function and the body is dedicating tremendous resources to surveillance in the GI tract. (Brady)
We know that cortisol and stress hormones act very negatively on the intestine particularly the immune surveillance by directly decreasing Secretary IgA allowing greater antigen penetration through the gut and creating the common problem of pan-allergy to foods. More antigenic and toxic exposure through the intestinal tract puts a lot of burden on the body not only the immune system, but also the liver in hepatic detoxification. (Brady)
Dr. Brady observes that improved mucosal immunity and good secretory IgA, help directly to combat opportunistic microbes and lessens the occurrence of dysbiosis and less likely to have antigen penetration through the gut lining and the subsequent food sensitivities.
Touching briefly on chemicals that burden the body
We often dont even think beyond the food supply for intake of chemicals. Consider that chemicals are in municipally treated water; probably also in bottled water due to leaching of plastic during storage, and can be in spring or well water and of course, theyre in the air we breathe sometimes more than others.. Cosmetics and body-care products or shampoo and hair dye are loaded with chemicals considered toxins.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) SLS/SLES can be a mutagen in sufficient amounts it is capable of changing the information in genetic material found in cells. SLS has been used in studies to induce mutations in bacteria. SLS is routinely used in clinical studies to irritate skin tissue. SLS corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair. Carcinogenic nitrates can form when SLS interacts with other nitrogen bearing ingredients. SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact. SLS denatures protein, impairs proper structural formation of young eyes damage is permanent. SLS can damage the immune system; cause separation of skin layers and cause inflammation to the skin. Journal of the American College of Toxicology; Vol. 2, No. 7, 1983
The gut and liver have to work overtime to detoxify all those which we dont give a second thought to using deodorant soaps, body lotions, deodorant, shampoo, hair spray, conditioners, sunscreen, insect repellant, makeup, lipstick, shaving cream, perfumes made from petroleum derivatives, laundry soap, dish soap, fabric softeners, air fresheners think about all the potential toxins you touch in a day that are introduced to your body quickly and easily. Become a label reader invest in a pocket-sized magnifier with a light. Dont buy chemicals; there are plenty of natural products out there that will spare your gut, liver and immune system from overwork and leave it to focus on the important task of fighting pathogenic invaders.
End of this segment. Next: Probiotics
Jackie
<[www.afibbers.org]>-Part 2 GERD, Digestive Issues & Health
<[www.afibbers.org]>- Part 3 GERD & Digestive Ailments Includes References
<[www.afibbers.org]> Part 4 Stress & Digestion; Diaphragm Function
<[www.afibbers.org]>7 Part 5 Leaky Gut Syndrome
[www.afibbers.org] - No More Heartburn Part 6 Leaky Gut Syndrome - continued
No More Heartburn Part 7 The Immune System
A healthy gastrointestinal (GI) system is directly related to overall health and the importance or relevancy of this cannot be over-emphasized, yet the significant contribution of the GI tract to increased toxic burden and chronic disease is often overlooked by conventional medicine.
Whether GI dysfunction comes from stress, microbial invaders, fungal overgrowth, toxins, chemicals, food additives, everyday use of body care products or manifestations of sensitivities that result from intestinal hyperpermeability, there is no denying that a compromised GI function can and does lead to varying degrees of ill-health.
Increased total toxic burden and sub-optimal detoxification capacity lead to fatigue, cognitive dysfunction and diagnostic labels such as fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Toxic burden can result in mitochondrial dysfunction and an inability to adequately produce energy
GI imbalances often exist without GI symptoms.
It was recently offered on the BB that a Google search for food allergy and atrial fibrillation yielded over 4,000 hits. Lest one doubt that there is a gut dysfunction connection to afib, a quick check confirms the potential.
A point of clarification is needed. Food allergies are typically those which create an immediate and dramatic response as in the reaction to peanuts or shell fish. Food intolerances or sensitivities are often called allergies but typically have various symptom manifestations over a wide time frame a long as 48 hours after ingestion. Almost everyone has some degree of sensitivity to some food or chemical; many just dont realize it or make the connection often because the response is delayed.
It is therefore important to recognize the impact of GI dysfunction on overall health from an immune system perspective, since in addition to facilitating the absorption of nutrient molecules, the GI tract is highly involved in the immune surveillance system. Autoimmune disorders, inflammatory arthritities and mucosal immunity are directly related to GI dysfunction.
The core issue here is if the immune surveillance system that functions primarily in the intestinal tract, is working overtime just to handle food sensitivities and food toxins, it leaves the body vulnerable to other microbial invaders and puts us at risk for serious health problems.
It is of critical importance to manage all forms of gut dysfunction so the immune system can function optimally in our behalf.
The gut is constantly under siege. We coexist with a vast population of microscopic armies consisting of viruses, bacteria, yeast and parasites that are literally trying to feed off us. The immune system is our major defense against this constant bombardment. The immune system must be dynamic and ever vigilant. (Rosenbaum/Optimal Wellness)
Once again, many great resource books are available on this very extensive topic. Recall the graphic visual that the small intestine (duodenum), if stretched and flattened so every cell was side by side, it would measure about the size of a tennis court. Consider that 80% of the bodys antibody-producing cells are located in the GI tract. Our digestive tract is the largest immune system in our body. Immunity in the gut is different from the immunity in the body, in general. and only until recently has it been appreciated that it is an entirely separate immune system considered the largest lymph organ in the body, larger than the thymus and all the other lymph nodes in our entire system. (Rosenbaum/Optimal Wellness)
An interesting discussion by Scott Anderson, MD, in Optimal Digestion, observes five protective barriers that guard our health. Generally, we think of the stomach as first line of defense for killing bugs that enter the body via food, water and air or what weve picked up on our hands and delivered to our mouth and we become aware of the importance of stomach acid to kill hostiles as they enter our body. Lacking stomach acid, those hostile microbes pass through to the small intestine where they can get into the blood stream and cause a variety of disease symptoms and conditions. Many, are never related to bacteria that has translocated to an organ or joint.
However, Dr. Anderson observes that Intelligence is really the first protective barrier; and among the influences, he points out that we should exercise intelligence on behalf of our whole body. Eating smart. Making wise choices about when, how and where we eat and the dozens of other little decisions we make when buying, preparing and consuming food. Planning ahead; choosing a relaxing atmosphere for dining, consciously focusing on chewing during the food experience and knowing the basics of nutrition. Its important to consider Intelligence as a key element of the protective mechanism.
He defines the second barrier of defense as Stomach Acid. His analogy is another graphic visual. He says, Most of us dont even think about our stomach acid and when we do, we are more likely to think of it as a problem. But our body invests an enormous amount of energy to produce HCl. If we drew an energy map of our body, the energy used to create this acid would be comparable to Mt. Everest. While were used to hearing about the dangers of stomach acid from infomercials on television, these gastric juices are actually an essential and vital protection to our digestion.
He goes on to review that stomach acid sterilizes food and destroys microbes. Stomach acid begins the process of protein digestion. Stomach acid facilitates the metabolizing of minerals and readies them for absorption. (He notes that a tip-off to doctors for low stomach acid is low minerals in lab tests). Stomach acid stimulates secretions from the pancreas that are essential to good digestion (insulin, enzymes and bicarbonate) which helps to digest fats (lipase) and proteins (protease), starch (amylase) and other enzymes for specialized functions.
The third barrier is our inner defense system the Immune System
Fourth is what he called the Grand Central Station of our metabolism the liver which processes and breaks down nutrients, filters and breaks down toxins that come in from the blood stream and synthesizes important blood components. The liver is the center for toxic cleanup. If forced to process too many toxins, an overload may occur and the impaired capacity can limit its ability to monitor incoming traffic and filter out harmful substances.
Fifth barrier The friendly Intestinal Flora also reviewed in the next segment.
A summary of the digestive system according to Dr. Anderson: (quote. p. 34 Optimal Digestion)
In a cubic millimeter of the mucosal lining (smaller than the size of a grain of rice), there are 6 to 9 feet of nerve cell fibers.
Gut reactions are transmitted by nerve impulses that travel through the gut in a matter of seconds.
There are 10 times more bacterial cells within the gut than there are cells in our entire body
Human cells are hundreds of times larger than bacterial cells.
The Immune System
The immunity in the gut is different from the immunity in the body, generally. This has not always been appreciated. It is considered the largest lymph organ of the body, larger than the thymus and all the other lymph nodes in the system. (Rosenbaum/Optimal Digestion)
This specialized lymph tissues is called GALT (gut-associated lymphoid tissue) by researchers. In general, it is a network that provides certain immune functions. The GALT consist of specialized colonies of cells in the gut lining called Peyers patches and is also in lymphatic tissue in the appendix. The Peyers patches house live plasma cells that manufacture our antibodies immune artillery that protect us from invaders. Peyer's patches thus establish their importance in the immune surveillance of the intestinal lumen and in facilitating the generation of the immune response within the mucosa.
For this discussion, the focus is on secretory IgA (SIgA) the antibody produced by these specialized intestinal mucosa cells and which are our first line of immune defense in the digestive tract. There are other imune defense protectors: B cells, Plasma cells, Memory Cells, T cells and the antibodies IgE, IgG, IgM.
Most of the specialized gut lymph tissue secreting SIgA is located at the juncture of the small and large intestine; some is in the appendix and all serve to protect the small intestine again migration of bacteria or parasites back up into the gut from the colon where there is a much greater concentration of microbes. This area is prone to more inflammation with a greater potential for infection. Removal of the appendix or a section of the ileum decreases immune defense. [www.healthtoolsonline.com]
SUPPORTING IMMUNITY AND ANTIBODIES (Optimal Wellness pp 44-45)
What lowers our stores of precious secretory IgA?
Any infection even a tooth abscess
Stress any type
Poor diet and low nutrient levels
Malnutrition children in third world countries have low SIgA and develop the cycle of diarrhea/loss of gut lining
Aging
Key influences on the immune system:
1. Genetics
2. Inherited allergies
3. Nutrition
4. Stress
5. Lack of breast feeding
6. Age
7. Integrity of gut lining
8. Health of microflora
9. Presence of infection in gut or elsewhere
Research finds that nutrition affects the way your genetic makeup is expressed and can tip the balance toward good health. In other words, even if you have the genetic tendency, proper nutritional support can prevent that condition from ever manifesting.
Treatment note: Vitamin A is critical in replenishing the lining of the gut and maintaining the integrity of the mucosa. The most common vitamin deficiency in the world is vitamin A. Other nutrients that increase SIgA along with the vitamin A include: zinc, colostrum (can be used in people who are not dairy intolerant) and often, L-glutamine is helpful. Others use phosphatidyl choline, essential fatty acids, bioflavonoids, antioxidants like CoQ10, lipoic acid, glutathione, and ginkgo. Consume organic foods; minimize toxic exposure.
MALFUNCTIONING IMMUNE DEFENSE (Optimal Wellness p. 60)
1.The immune system can be so weakened it cant fight off common illnesses as with cancer and AIDS, but also from everyday stress. (Immune Suppression)
2. Over-reactive or hyper-responsive to normal stimuli asthma, migraine and food allergies/sensitivities. Hyper-reactions use up immune reserves and can also cause defensive immune responses that actually injure tissue. Circulating toxins can turn on a hyperactive immune response, leading to allergies, inflammation, pain and swelling. Toxins short-circuit the immune response resulting in infection.(Optimal Wellness p 125)
3. Malfunction causes autoimmune reaction antibodies target our own tissue as in rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, Graves, Hashimotos.
All can lead to dysbiosis. The goals in managing dysbiosis are to restore microflora, provide nutrients that will heal the intestinal mucosa, reduce toxic exposure and increase antibodies in the GI tract (SIgA).
TOXIC OVERLOAD EFFECTS (Optimal Digestion p. 129)
When the liver becomes overburdened because of chronic or persistent toxicity that overwhelms the detoxification pathways, many events occur in the liver as a result of overload:
Increased oxidative stress from the livers detoxification process
Impaired carbohydrate metabolism
Increased immune activity and production of biochemicals that promote inflammation
Failure of Phase 1 Detoxification or accelerated Phase 1 which causes increased free radicals
The bottleneck effect if Phase 2 Detox is slow.
And this leads to effects on cells and tissues:
- The body needs to put these toxic chemicals somewhere
- If the system cant excrete, it will store them
- Chemicals and pesticides are typically stored in fat
- Heavy metals will be stored in protein tissue muscles, bones and cartilage (and fatty tissue brain, liver plus kidney,spleen).
Eventually some toxins are re-released and stored again which means the liver has to cope with them again. The liver either detoxifies or recirculates. This can cause more damage as toxins move through the system and then are redeposited. Accumulated toxins cause cellular damage. This means it is critical to begin detoxifying by starting with first things first which is the gut.
When toxins are circulated constantly, specific conditions such as arthritis, asthma and allergies can result and can be caused by compromise of the immune system causing inflammation or aggravating existing conditions. Toxins stimulate the release of an immune response with biochemicals that can set in motion a full blown reaction. Often, this relates to Leaky Gut Syndrome reviewed previously. This can pave the way for degenerative diseases such as cancer or autoimmune conditions.
Dr. Rogers observes:
Detoxification pathways lining the gut are compromised; chemical sensitivity can arise. Further the leakage overburdens the liver so the body is less able to handle everyday chemicals in food, water and air. Then, many foods can cause symptoms that never did before because the guts detoxification system is unable to cope with the hundreds of chemical additives dyes, colorings, preservatives and pesticides common to our foods.
When the gut lining is inflamed, the protective coating of gut antibodies can be lost and with less secretary IgA, the body become more vulnerable to infections in the intestines from bacteria, yeast, viruses etc and worse they can become resistant to treatment. The more antibiotics prescribed, the more resistant they become and as more unwanted bugs grow, the gut becomes more inflamed and leaky the major cause of so many incurable diseases.
Functional medicine MDs observe that colon cancer, Alzheimers and osteoporosis are all linked by the process of inflammation, underwritten by an activated immune system. Diabetes, vascular disease, auto-immune disease, acne, depression, GERD, hypertension, ED, obesity and a growing list of other diseases are all underwritten by the same process. The immune system becomes activated when micro-organisms are too high. This happens with the hormonal decline that begins around age 27 and a high glycemic diet. (Mitchell)
Reiterating a previous segment:
Every neurotransmitter ever detected in the brain has also been found in the gut and often at much higher levels. 95% of serotonin in the human body is not in the brain and cerebrospinal fluid but rather in the GI tract. So when you consider that alone tremendous amount of neurological tissue, its own nervous system, high levels of neurotransmitters, its really indicative of how important the gut is in the surveillance of body function and the body is dedicating tremendous resources to surveillance in the GI tract. (Brady)
We know that cortisol and stress hormones act very negatively on the intestine particularly the immune surveillance by directly decreasing Secretary IgA allowing greater antigen penetration through the gut and creating the common problem of pan-allergy to foods. More antigenic and toxic exposure through the intestinal tract puts a lot of burden on the body not only the immune system, but also the liver in hepatic detoxification. (Brady)
Dr. Brady observes that improved mucosal immunity and good secretory IgA, help directly to combat opportunistic microbes and lessens the occurrence of dysbiosis and less likely to have antigen penetration through the gut lining and the subsequent food sensitivities.
Touching briefly on chemicals that burden the body
We often dont even think beyond the food supply for intake of chemicals. Consider that chemicals are in municipally treated water; probably also in bottled water due to leaching of plastic during storage, and can be in spring or well water and of course, theyre in the air we breathe sometimes more than others.. Cosmetics and body-care products or shampoo and hair dye are loaded with chemicals considered toxins.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) or Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) SLS/SLES can be a mutagen in sufficient amounts it is capable of changing the information in genetic material found in cells. SLS has been used in studies to induce mutations in bacteria. SLS is routinely used in clinical studies to irritate skin tissue. SLS corrodes hair follicles and impairs ability to grow hair. Carcinogenic nitrates can form when SLS interacts with other nitrogen bearing ingredients. SLS enters and maintains residual levels in the heart, liver, lungs and brain from skin contact. SLS denatures protein, impairs proper structural formation of young eyes damage is permanent. SLS can damage the immune system; cause separation of skin layers and cause inflammation to the skin. Journal of the American College of Toxicology; Vol. 2, No. 7, 1983
The gut and liver have to work overtime to detoxify all those which we dont give a second thought to using deodorant soaps, body lotions, deodorant, shampoo, hair spray, conditioners, sunscreen, insect repellant, makeup, lipstick, shaving cream, perfumes made from petroleum derivatives, laundry soap, dish soap, fabric softeners, air fresheners think about all the potential toxins you touch in a day that are introduced to your body quickly and easily. Become a label reader invest in a pocket-sized magnifier with a light. Dont buy chemicals; there are plenty of natural products out there that will spare your gut, liver and immune system from overwork and leave it to focus on the important task of fighting pathogenic invaders.
End of this segment. Next: Probiotics
Jackie
|
Isabelle
Re: No More Heartburn - Part 7 The Immune System February 09, 2008 01:06PM |
|
MacKey
Re: No More Heartburn - Part 7 The Immune System February 10, 2008 10:31PM |
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