Part I chapter 12: The Immune system and the strength of our will

 AlchemY of Аpogee [ Part I: Quality of Life ]

pages 80-84

 

 

 

Strong immunity for a full life

Immunity is: (p.13-14,18,32-36,44,91,92,153,161,175) the degree of protection that the Mind and the immune system provide us against external bacterial, viral and mental attacks and temptations, the body's resistance to climatic, environmental, stress, psychological and disease effects, depending on the ability of our will to mobilize the "guardians of our immune system". Our magnetism and immunity, which maintain good health, depend on our ability to  concentrate the strength of our will.

When the Mind demagnetizes, the body becomes susceptible to disease. The strength of our Will is measured by our ability to maintain a cheerful mood, pure and bright thinking, thanks to which to make healthy decisions, to withstand and overcome life's difficulties, to resist temptations and to giving up things we do not need.

 

 

AlchemY of Health              [ Part I: Quality of Life] Chapter 12: The Immune System                           80

 

 Table 20: Who are the guardians of our immune system?

 

Antigen-protectors in the skin

Antibodies in the blood

The skin is the largest organ in our body and is the first immune barrier against microbes and bacteria.   The main immune defenders against pathogens in the skin are dendritic cells, which perform the function of antigen-protectors. They capture, move and present pathogens for their destruction in the lymphatic system by T cells.   The skin takes care mainly of the healthy balance in the body: it protects from the cold and heat, from free radicals and pathogens, supports the immune system and the process of natural detoxification.   The slightest internal discomfort in the body affects the skin. Signs of fatigue, pollution, intoxication and aging appear first on the skin.   The health of the skin is maintained by the energies flowing in the meridians of the lungs and colon, ie. is directly dependent on the import of oxygen and the discharge of waste substances and gases. The skin suffers when there is an imbalance in the energy of the kidneys, which control the water balance, and the liver (pp. 52,76, 95,104), which controls detoxification and hormonal balance - prerequisites for oiliness and acne, dehydration, irritated or flaky skin.

Antibodies in the blood are Y-shaped proteins - immunoglobulins, which identify and destroy bacteria and viruses by recognizing their specific antigens.   Antibodies are secreted by plasma B cells, which have a specific memory for each parasite, microbe, virus, allergen, pathogen that enters the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract and urogenital tract.   Antibodies stimulate fat cells and basophils to secrete specific antimicrobial factors and histamine, respectively, in microbial and allergic reactions. Antibodies also present to phagocytes pathogens for destruction.   The production of antibodies depends mainly on the type of essential life energy with which the body is charged - or the so-called humoral immune system. (p.13,88,112,128) The humoral immune system is determined by the quality and specificity of body fluids according to temperament and the strength of emotionality. (p.32-36,76,121-123,148)   The ability of the immune system to store specific antigens and produce specific antibodies in response to external viral, bacterial, microbial, toxic and allergic attacks (p. 86) is an indicator of the degree and quality of immunity.

 

 

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Antioxidants and vitamins

Intestinal flora

Vitamins are the main nutrients for immune cells. Vitamins support normal cell function and provide the basic anti-oxidant protection of immune cells: (p.62,65-66) • Vitamin C is present in large quantities in immune cells, playing the role of anti- and pro-oxidant against pathogens. • Vitamin D, in addition to being responsible for the metabolism of calcium, phosphorus and the bone system, is needed for the activation of the basic immune protection of lymphocytes when pathogens enter the body. (p.63,95,106,110-111) • Vitamins A and E play an important role in the gene expression of immune cells. (p.62,63,168) • Vitamin B12 necessary for good balance and immunity in the gastrointestinal flora. (p.63,137,139-144) These vitamins, depending on the diet, can be stored for a period of 1-4 months to 1-4 years in the liver, which is also the main supplier of energy, nutrients and necessary functional proteins for the synthesis of immune cells. (p.43,92,169) The liver also produces detoxifying enzymes that protect the immune system and the body from toxic damage. (p.52,54,62,104,110-111)

The intestinal (gut) flora is the micro-laboratory of the digestive  system. Gut microbiota perform the main functions of processing nutrients: ferment dietary fiber to short-chain fatty acids, such as acetic and butyric acid; synthesize vitamin B and vitamin K; help the absorption of vitamin D; metabolize bile acids, sterols, xenobiotics. Most of the substances produced by the intestinal flora function in the body as hormones. (p. 63,115,128,158) In addition, the intestinal flora is involved in the production of antibodies and acts as a protective barrier against pathogens entering the body from food. Therefore, the intestinal flora is a major supporter of the endocrine and immune systems, but also the nervous system. The intestinal microflora consists mainly of three enterotypes - communities that develop depending on our diet. For example, the population of Prevotella is associated with carbohydrates and simple sugars, and that of Bacteroides is associated with proteins, amino acids, and fats. A change in diet leads to a corresponding change in the number of bacterial species. The balance between bacteria in the intestinal flora depends on a balanced diet. (p.163,166,168)

 

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Hormones

Phagocytes

Hormones act as immune modulators, affecting the sensitivity of the immune system. For example, the female hormones estrogen and progesterone have a stimulating effect on the immune system. The male hormone testosterone has the opposite, immunosuppressive effect. Other hormones that regulate the immune system are: • prolactin (responsible for the synthesis of breast milk, which also regulates sex and emotional hormones), • growth hormone (an anabolic hormone produced by the pituitary gland during growth, or under stress to increase glucose and free fatty acids in the blood), • calcitriol (synthesized by vitamin D in the kidneys, when a specific gene from immune T cells is secreted). Most of the hormones that affect the immune system are steroids and are synthesized by cholesterol in the adrenal gland, whose function is directly dependent on the kidneys, thyroid gland and emotional balance. (p.32,39,90,95)

Phagocytes (monocytes) are the "cleanser" cells of the body (p. 52) that circulate in the blood and tissues, searching for and swallowing damaged, diseased and dead cells. Monocytes are the main helpers of the spleen (p. 121) - the main organ in the lymphatic system, acting as a filter, purifying the blood of old cells, pathogens and toxins adsorbed in the lymph.   Monocytes perform various immune functions: ·         phagocytosis (ingestion of dead cells and pathogens); ·         present the antigens of the lymph cells; ·         produce cytokines - signaling molecules that activate inflammation; ·         when they mature and grow, they turn into phagocytes and macrophages. (p.55,162)   Phagocytes are located in almost all specific tissues and organs, where they grow and become macrophages, performing important immunostimulatory, anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and regenerative functions. (p.52,92)   Macrophages can cause inflammation through signaling molecules, but they can also suppress it.   Most of the monocytes are stored in the spleen, from where they are ready to respond in case of need to repair damaged tissues. Macrophages are involved in muscle regeneration, wound healing, angiogenesis - the "birth" of blood vessels.

 

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The lymphatic system

Leukocytes

The lymphatic system, together with the gastrointestinal tract, is the second immune barrier of our body. (p.121, 128)   The main role of the lymph, in addition to transporting nutrients and fluids, is to absorb, destroy and expel pathogens with the help of lymphocytes.   Lymphocytes are activated in the presence of pathogens in the body. They are cytotoxic and their function is to directly eliminate harmful agents:   ·         T-cells (thymus cells) are involved in the destruction of antigens and infected cells. ·         B-cells (from the bone marrow) are responsible for making antibodies that recognize pathogens.   Cytotoxic killer cells secrete toxins that destroy viruses, bacteria and tumor cells.   Lymphocytes and leukocytes are the so-called. white blood cells, which are produced by specific stem cells in the bone marrow and circulate in the blood and lymph flow. (p.92,121)

Leukocytes (neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils) are immune cells that act as an "first aid ambulance" in the event of inflammation. Their function is to destroy bacteria, fungi, parasites, microbes and allergens that cause inflammation. Leukocytes respond to inflammation caused by signaling molecules - eicosanoids and cytokines. Such molecules are secreted by the oxidation of fatty acids in cells (eg prostaglandins, isoprostanes, etc.) when they are affected by pathogens and toxins, but also by the reactive action of free radicals. (p.60) The bone marrow is the soft tissue inside the bone that produces more than 500 million red and white blood cells every day. The bone marrow contains stem cells, which in addition to the main blood cells (erythrocytes, leukocytes and platelets), produce almost all important structural cells for the construction of bones, cartilage, muscle and adipose tissue. The bone marrow is an important part of the immune system. Its proper function is directly dependent on the kidneys and liver, as well as mineral (p.51) and redox status and alkaline-acid balance. (p.21,61,76,95,104,110)

 

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