Boost your Immune System Naturally Preventing illness during the cold and flu season

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Boost your Immune System NaturallyPreventing
illness during the cold and flu season

• Dr. Jese Anne Wiens B.Sc., N.D.
• HANS Natural Nutrition Event
• September 20, 2014

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Topics to be covered

• Naturopathic Medicine
• Colds Flus
• The Immune System, White blood cells
• Symptoms of low immunity
• Important nutrients
• Botanical medicine
• Lifestyle considerations

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N.D. Naturopathic Doctor

• Therapies include
• Nutrition, Botanical Medicine, Traditional
  Chinese medicine including acupuncture, Physical
  Medicine, Homeopathy, Counselling.
• Extensive Training 4 years B.Sc. 4 year
  medical school.
• What do I treat? Any acute or chronic disease

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Principles of Naturopathic Medicine

• First, Do no Harm
• Doctor as Teacher
• Support the healing power of nature
• Identify and treat the causes of disease
• Emphasize prevention
• Heal the whole person through individualized
  treatment

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Colds Flus

• Cold virus
• Symptoms (sx) runny nose, nasal congestion,
  sneezing, sore throat, cough, headache
• Incubation period. 2/3 days, up to 7 days
• Contagious period first 2-4 days after sx
• Influenza virus
• Sudden onset, fever, aches, fatigue, cough, sore
  throat, stuffy nose, headache, nausea
• Incubation period 1-4 days, avg 2 days
• Contagious period 1 day before sx - 5 days

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Colds and Flus

• Colds and flus are respiratory infections caused
  by viruses. However, because these viruses are so
  widespread, it is perhaps more accurate to say
  that colds and flus are caused by a decrease in
  immunity that allows one of these viruses to take
  hold.
• Biological terrain vs. germ theory. The state of
  the body can determine the severity of illness.

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The Immune System

• Through a series of steps called the immune
  response, the immune system attacks organisms and
  substances that invade body systems and cause
  disease.
• Surface barriers
• skin, lungs, stomach, tears, saliva, flora
• Components of the Immune System
• White Blood Cells circulate via blood and lymph.
• Lymph tissue
• Organs thymus, spleen, bone marrow

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White Blood Cells

• Two types of white blood cells (leukocytes)
• 1. Phagocytes, cells that chew up invading
  organisms. Eg. Neutrophil, monocyte, basophil
• 2. Lymphocytes, cells that allow the body to
  remember and recognize previous invaders and help
  the body destroy them. Lymphocytes start out in
  the bone marrow and either stay there and mature
  into B cells, or they leave for the thymus gland,
  where they mature into T cells.
• B cells make antibodies and eventually develop
  into memory B cells.
• T cells are helpers, cytotoxic, have memory, and
  regulate.

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Symptoms of low immunity

• fatigue
• allergies
• frequent or severe colds/flus
• sore throats
• swollen glands
• headaches
• aching muscles

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What can lower immunity?

• Stress, due to increased cortisol release
• Dietary fat imbalance
• high trans or saturated fats. Low omega fats
• Sugar
• Poor GI flora (dysbiosis)
• Use of alcohol, smoking
• Chemical pollutants
• Lack of sleep
• Caffeine
• Nutrient deficiencies (Vit A, C, E, D Zn, Fe,
  Se)
• Some prescription meds (eg. Prednisone)

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Important Nutrients

• Vitamin A. Beta carotene from foods is converted
  to Vitamin A.
• maintains the protective mucus barriers
• increases the number of infection-fighting cells,
  natural killer cells, and helper T-cells
• a powerful antioxidant that mops up excess free
  radicals that accelerate aging.
• It is high in orange and green vegetables.
• Stored in the liver. Caution in pregnancy

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Important Nutrients

• Vitamin C
• Helps to kill viruses, maintains tissue repair,
  enzyme cofactor, is an antihistamine
• Collagen (skin, blood vessels, cartilage)
• Carnitine production (energy)
• Neurotransmitters
• Highly concentrated in immune cells. Helps the
  activities of phagocytes, the production of
  cytokines and lymphocytes, monocytes.
• Most useful at onset of illness or as a boost
  when exposure to illness increases.

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Important Nutrients Vit C cont.

• Due to a mutation, humans cant make it.
• Also bats, guinea pigs, primates, some birds.
• It is high in tomatoes, carrots, kiwis, citrus
  fruits, peppers, broccoli berries.
• As a supplement
• kids up to age 6 can take 250 mg per day. Older
  kids can take 500 mg per day. Adults 1-3 grams.
• Available as a powder, chewable, or capsule.
• Side effect loose stool

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Important nutrients Vit C cont.

• Vitamin C action in the body
• Tissues that accumulate 100x level in blood
• adrenal glands, pituitary, thymus, corpus luteum,
  retina.
• Tissues that accumulate 10 to 50x blood level
• brain, spleen, lung, testicle, lymph nodes,
  liver, thyroid, small intestinal mucosa,
  leukocytes (WBC), pancreas, kidney and salivary
  glands.
• Deficiency can show as poor wound healing, brown
  discoloration on skin, bleeding gums,
  atherosclerosis
• High levels reduce incidence of cardiovascular
  disease including heart attacks, reduces all
  cause mortality.

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Important Nutrients

• Vitamin E
• is an antioxidant. It is high in wheat germ, nuts
  seeds. Stimulates the production of natural
  killer cells enhances the production of B-cells
• Zinc
• maintains the immune system and generates new
  white blood cells. A vital mineral for enzymatic
  function, blood sugar metabolism, protein
  metabolism and DNA formation.
• Found in pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, seafood.
  Children up to age 6 years can take 10 to 20 mg
  per day. Older kids and adults can take 20 to 40
  mg per day.
• Esp important for those who suffer from recurrent
  infections, allergies, have diets high in dairy,
  or are elderly.

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Important Nutrients

• Iron
• Needed for DNA replication / cell growth. Iron
  stores can be depleted during periods of rapid
  growth, e.g. puberty.
• Very important for children and menstruating
  women.
• Animal sources of iron are the most absorbable,
  10 times more than plant forms. Chose organic
  beef, chicken, dark turkey meat, eggs. Plant
  sources of iron include dark green leafy
  vegetable, sunflower and pumpkin seeds, organic
  unsulfured dried fruits (raisins, prunes, figs,
  apricots, cherries), blackstrap molasses, beets,
  red beans, quinoa, almonds.
• Selenium
• is a boost to thymus activity, increasing NK
  cells and cancer fighters.
• Found in seafood, brazil nuts, whole grains.

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Important Nutrients

• Vitamin D the sunshine vitamin
• Used for regulation of gene expression and so
  affects health in many ways.
• It is helpful in acute illness and to prevent
  infections.
• Recent studies show that deficiency is common and
  is a risk factor for many chronic diseases like
  cancer, autoimmune reactions, and diabetes.
• Supplementation is recommended for all ages,
  including breastfed infants. 1000iu per day for
  children up to age 12, 2000iu age 12 and up.
• Get tested! 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D
• Optimal level is 125nmol/L or more.

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Other Nutritional Tips

• Water. The cells lining the inside of the mouth
  and nose are extremely prone to dehydration.
  When these tissues dry out, they develop small
  holes and cracks, thereby offering free passage
  to cold viruses. In contrast, well-hydrated
  mucus membranes are plump and more resistant to
  infection
• Avoid sugar! It can paralyze white bloods cells
  starting at 30 minutes after ingestion and lasts
  for up to 5 hours.
• Decrease dairy to one serving per day. It creates
  mucus production that can congest the ears, nose,
  sinuses, intestines, and throat.
• Overall Focus on whole foods, organic when
  possible. Wash all produce with a veggie wash to
  remove pesticides and bacteria.

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Supplements

• Probiotics
• These are healthy bacteria that live in our
  intestines and help with our immune system. They
  inhibit colonization of pathogens in the
  intestinal tract, degrade toxins, stimulate local
  and peripheral immunity, promote enzyme activity,
  and produce antimicrobial substances.
• Probiotics are considered safe and well
  tolerated, making it a great supplement for all
  ages.
• Most studied include Lactobacillus acidophilus,
  L. casei, L. sporogenes, Bifidobacterium bifidus
  and Saccharomyces boulardii.
• 3-8 billion twice daily depending on age.
• Reduces the incidence and duration of infection.

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Supplements cont.

• Pycnogenol
• Pine Bark extract from France
• anti-inflammatory anti-oxidant
• 2013 research
• decrease signs and symptoms of cold
• shorten the course of the common cold
• preventing some complications (progression to
  lower respiratory tract)
• alone or in combination (vit c zinc)

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Botanical Medicine

• Echinacea is used to boost immunity to prevent
  illness. Also decreases the severity of colds
  flus.
• Increases phagocytosis, inc WBC count, effects
  immune cell activation.
• Long history of use with native americans
  eclectic physicians
• Myths take for short periods of time, use tops
  or water root extraction, use once sick, CI in
  autoimmune conditions
• Need to use root extracts with a high amount of
  alkylamides. E. angustifolia more than purpurea
• Caution if allergies to daisy family

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Botanical Medicine cont.

• Astragalus.
• Common in Chinese Medicine, this herb has the
  ability to enhance natural killer cells and
  increase white blood cell immune activity. Can be
  used to increase resistance to infection.
• Also builds qi, aids recovery from loss of
  blood or chronic infection. Adaptogenic tonic.
  Increases memory, physical endurance.
• Found as a piece of bark that can easily can be
  added to teas and soups.

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Botanical Medicine

• Reishi Mushroom (Ganoderma)
• is used to boost antibody response and antiviral
  activity. It can also be used to boost recovery
  after illness or chemotherapy. the king of
  herbs
• Garlic.
• stimulates the multiplication of
  infection-fighting white cells, boosts natural
  killer cell activity, and increases the
  efficiency of antibody production.
• The immune-boosting properties of garlic seem to
  be due to its sulfur-containing compounds, such
  as allicin and sulfides. Best used fresh or
  lightly cooked.
• Garlic, ginger, lemon honey tea

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Botanical Medicine

• Andrographis paniculata
• Acute upper respiratory tract infections, speeds
  recovery
• Fever yarrow or elderflower
• Thyme tea for congestion antimicrobial
• Oregano is strongly antiseptic and increases
  WBCs. Expectorant. Used as a tea, tincture, or
  oil. This can be taken at first onset of symptoms
  or as a preventative.

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Lifestyle

• Wash your hands, for 15 seconds with soap and get
  under your nails. Always before you eat, after
  you use the toilet, when coming home, and after
  visiting a public place.
• Disinfect your high use areas doorknobs, fridge
  handles, light switches, phones, KEYBOARDS.
• Diluted bleach, isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, oils,
  H2O2
• Get plenty of exercise, preferably in fresh air.
• Find ways to reduce stress, as high cortisol
  inhibits your immunity.
• Ensure that you wind down in the evening and get
  7-8 hours of restful sleep
• Bundle up to keep warm. In Chinese medicine colds
  and flus are seen as external invasion of cold.
  Cover your wind gates, which are between the
  bottom of your neck and your shoulder blades. Use
  those scarves!

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Thank you!

• Questions?

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For more information, please contact me

• Dr. Jese Anne Wiens BSc., ND
• Kimberley Health Centre
• Penticton 778-476-6016
• Summerland Family Chiropractic
• Summerland 250-494-3321
• Email drjesewiens_at_gmail.com
• www.doctorwiens.com
• Welcoming Dr. Lisa Keen ND in October