Category: Immune Support

The Dangers of Stress Stress acts as a relevant and integral piece of our daily lives. Defined as a stimulus that precipitates a physiological reaction in the brain, stress functions to activate a response in the body that has historically served as a survival mechanism for the human population. Stress can be caused by daily responsibilities and routines, or more traumatic events such as development of an illness or hospitalization. Sustained levels of elevated stress responses cause profound alterations in proper functionality of immune system physiology. This can potentially lead to development and propagation of various chronic illnesses, including cancer. The magnitude and duration of elevations in stress hormones affects immune cell trafficking and function, thereby affecting health outcomes. In order to further understand this concept, it is important to survey the types of immune system responses responsible for overall health and well-being. How Stress Affects the Protective Immune System First, the protective part of the immune system mechanistically functions to elicit immediate action in response to wounds, trauma, and/or infection. This involves many of the 'fight or flight' hormones – such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and cortisol. In terms of cancer, this piece is vital for appropriate monitoring of cell...

N-acetylcysteine (NAC) We as medical professionals are working hard to improve outcomes in patients with COVID-19. In addition to trials on drugs and other procedures it is important to recognize other options. Working to promote the body’s own healing response using knowledge of molecular biology, biochemistry and physiology is foundational. Using naturally occurring molecules often provides a good benefit-risk ratio because there are fewer side effects as well as little or no toxicity. High-dose intravenous vitamin C is currently a very good example of this. N-acetylcysteine (NAC) is another treatment that deserves to be tried because it is specific for lung function. When the lungs are infected by COVID-19, an immune system storm occurs called the cytokine storm. This is an important occurrence for an aggressive immune response. However, in some individuals it will destroy not only virus infected cells but also the normal cells; specifically cells of the lungs, heart and kidneys. Heart and kidney damage are now being reported as a consequence of the infection. If a patient is especially frail or the immune system responds over aggressively, then the immune response can almost be as bad as the infection. A recent article, from the prestigious publication The...

By Denise Clark, ND Chronic health conditions can be complicated by many factors, including, lifestyle, diet, multiple infections, and immune dysfunction.  One area that can be overlooked in some highly sensitive individuals is Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). Traditionally, MCAS was considered a rare disease generally focusing on the mast cell mediators tryptase and histamine and the blatant symptoms of flushing and anaphylaxis.  New research indicates that it play a large role in many chronic health conditions. Mast cells are coordinators of our immune systems response to allergens, infections, and toxins.  When activated they secrete over 200 chemical mediators, the most well known is histamine, serotonin and tryptase.  A wide variety of stimuli can activate them, including, chronic infections, such as Lyme disease, mold toxicity, viruses, parasites, and environmental toxins. Symptoms of MCAS can be similar to many other diseases, which makes it difficult to diagnose.  The most common symptom is rapid onset after eating of flushing, palpitations, itching, tongue swelling, wheezing, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, and dizziness.  Research indicates that It is an under recognized contributor to neurologic and psychiatric symptoms1, as well as multiple chemical sensitivities. A key to diagnosis is if water or food, any food,...