Healthy Self
DR. LAUREN GOUIN, ND Natural Means of Managing the Immune System T
he immune system is one of the best barometers of health in the body, and probably one of the most sensitive sys-
tems. Factors from our environment, lifestyle, improper nutrition, and genetic predisposi- tion can lead to several different manifesta- tions of imbalance. Restoring balance to the system can help reduce the symptoms. Managing immune function is one of the
areas where natural medicine really shines. Unlike many conventional approaches, one of the main objectives of natural medicine is to help the body help itself. Natural medi- cine works by not fighting infections for the body, but by boosting immunity, and not by suppressing inflammation, but helping to clear it. Symptoms are not only resolved, but are also prevented in the future. Immune function can become imbal-
anced in two different ways on two different axes. It can become heightened; attacking things it shouldn’t or seeing something as a threat to the body that isn’t. In this mode it might attack things in the environment, or the body might attack itself in an autoim- mune reaction. On the other end of the spectrum, the immune system can become burdened and weakened, causing it to no longer work effectively to protect the body. External viruses, bacteria and fungal infections can become opportunistic with a weakened immune system and cause chron- ic conditions. Internal low immunity allows cells to grow out of control and the checks and balances to prevent cancer are no lon-
ger in place. With all immune dysfunction, the different manifestations are not mutually exclusive; on the contrary, oftentimes inflam- mation may be related to low immunity, as the imbalance progresses, or vice versa. For example certain chronic infections can lead to autoimmune conditions, but also some autoimmune diseases have a greater risk of cancer associated with them.
Inflammation
When the immune system becomes irritated, it attacks. Production of antibodies and white blood cells, essentially soldiers in the immune system’s army, are enlisted to fight many perceived threats.
Allergies
External threats, including foods, pollen, dust, mold, insect bites, wool, grass, trees and even extreme changes in temperature, can evoke an immune response. The reac- tion to the environmental stressor can range from a rash, itchy eyes, asthma, eczema or stuffy nose to a seriously life threatening anaphylactic shock.
Autoimmunity
The irritated immune system also can set its sights inward. Autoimmune condi- tions can rise in almost every part of the body, as there are more than eighty types of autoimmune diseases. It’s estimated that one in thirty one people will develop an autoimmune condition. From the thyroid to muscles, a stressed immune system can become inflamed and attack if not calmed down and balanced.
Low Immunity
The immune system also can become weakened with stress, lack of nutrients and other factors. This can lead to fewer and less effective immune cells, as well as a poor bal- ance of the different types.
Chronic Infection Some people get a cold and it is gone
in a few days, in others it lingers for months. Poor immunity to external factors leaves a person susceptible to infection, whether it be to yeast, fungi, tick borne bacteria or viruses.
Cancer
Cells that start to mutate and grow out of control are either self-signaled to die off or are addressed by the immune system. This is a normal process everyone has where the immune system monitors and maintains bal- ance so that cells do not grow out of control and become cancerous. Specific cells are re- sponsible for these actions, and low amounts of them or an imbalance with other parts of the immune system have been correlated with cancer.
Blood tests can help determine the sta- tus of the immune system, from specific can- cer fighting cells such as Natural Killer cells to food allergies and autoimmune markers. Many natural substances, including foods and herbs, can then improve the immune system and help restore balance. Inflammation and compromised immu-
nity have many sources, which is why these conditions are so prevalent. Highly pro- cessed foods, heavy metal exposure, imbal- ance of good bacteria, excessive saturated fats and sugar, stress, lack of exercise, and nutrient deficiencies have all been associ- ated with cancer, chronic infection, allergies and autoimmunity. Looking at these condi- tions in relation to each other illustrates how antibiotics, allergy medications and immune suppressing drugs can be excellent short term treatments, but they do not help the overall imbalance. Only lifestyle medicine and changes to the whole person can truly balance the immune system, stop inflamma- tion and start protecting the body properly.
Dr. Lauren Gouin is a board certified natur- opathic physician with a family practice in Manchester, CT. Her office is now accepting new patients and the physicians are in- network with most insurance companies. To make an appointment call (860)533-0179. See ad on page 29.
40 Natural Nutmeg April 2012
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