The function of the immune system is to defend the body against invaders. Microbes (germs or microorganisms), cancer cells, and transplanted tissues or organs are all interpreted by the immune system as nonself against which the body must be defended. Although the immune system is intricate, its basic strategy is simple: to recognize the enemy, mobilize forces, and attack. Understanding the anatomy and components of the immune system makes it possible to see how this strategy works. Feeling insecure in close relationships with others may take a toll on the immune system. Those who have difficulty establishing close, trusting relationships showed signs of weaker immune function.

Important herbs and nutrients involved in supporting a healthy immune system, natural immune enhancers:
Each person is unique. Some poeple may benefit from these natural immune enhancers, others may not.

AHCC name or to purchase AHCC here
Andrographis plant extract.
Astragalus plant, you can buy Astragalus here. Astragalus is used by traditional Chinese doctors to stimulate the immune system.
Arabinogalactans are becoming more popular.
Beta glucan nutrient, see also Beta-Glucan supplement information.
Colostrum has been studied for the immune system.
Echinacea is a popular immune enhancing herb.
Elderberry extract is promoted for flu and common cold infections.
Garlic may work against fungal infections and parasites, and that it may increase the body's resistance to viruses, including the common cold.
Goldenseal is a popular herb, along with
Probiotic bacteria and immune system benefit - Enhancement of immune system in the elderly by good bacteria. The aging process can lead to a decline in immune function. In an article published in the December 2001 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, thirty healthy elderly volunteers (age range 63–84 y) participated in a 3-stage dietary supplementation trial lasting 9 weeks. During stage 1, subjects consumed low-fat milk for 3 weeks as a base-diet control. During stage 2 (intervention), they consumed milk supplemented with bifidobacteria for 3 wk. During stage 3 (washout), they again consumed low-fat milk for 3 weeks. The results showed an increase in the ability of white blood cells to attack organisms or kill tumor cells after bifidobacterium consumption. The greatest changes in immunity were found in subjects who had poor pretreatment immune responses. Comments: bifidobacteria and other probiotics may be an effective dietary supplement for enhancing some aspects of the immune system in the elderly. These supplements are usually found in the refrigerated section of health food stores and come in liquid or capsules. Dosage guidelines are on the bottles.
Tea - Drinking tea appears to boost the immune system. Non-tea drinkers who downed five to six small cups of black tea per day for two weeks appeared to be better able to fight off bacterial infections. As an explanation for tea's benefits, experiments in the lab revealed that an ingredient found in black, green, oolong and pekoe teas boosted the ability of immune system cells to attack a bacterial invader. The experiments used ethylamine, which is produced when the tea ingredient L-theanine is broken down in the liver.
Deep Sleep is one of the most important ways to boost one's immune system. There are several supplements to consider.

Common words used to describe parts of the immune system
Antibody: A protein, made by B lymphocytes, that reacts with a specific antigen.
Antigen: Any molecule capable of stimulating an immune response.
Cell: The smallest living unit of tissue, composed of a nucleus and cytoplasm surrounded by a membrane. The nucleus houses DNA, and the cytoplasm contains structures (organelles) that carry out the cell's functions.
Immunoglobulin: A synonym for antibody.
Leukocyte: A white blood cell. Lymphocytes and neutrophils, among others, are leukocytes.
Lymphocyte: The main cell of the lymphatic system, further categorized as B lymphocytes (which produce antibodies) and T lymphocytes (which help the body distinguish self from nonself).
Macrophage: A large cell that engulfs (ingests) microbes after they have been targeted for destruction by the immune system.
Molecule: A group (aggregation) of atoms chemically combined to form a unique chemical substance.
Natural killer cell: A type of lymphocyte that can kill certain microbes and cancer cells.
Neutrophil: A large white blood cell (leukocyte) that ingests antigens and other substances.
Peptide: Two or more amino acids chemically bonded to form a single molecule.
Protein: A large number of amino acids chemically bonded in a chain. Proteins are large peptides.
Receptor: A molecule on the cell surface or in the cytoplasm that fits another molecule like a lock and key

Immune system and the lymphatic system
The immune system maintains its own system of circulation -- the lymphatic vessels--which permeates every organ in the body except the brain. The lymphatic vessels contain a pale, thick fluid (lymph) consisting of a fat-laden liquid and white blood cells. Along the lymphatic vessels are special areas -- the lymph nodes, tonsils, bone marrow, spleen, liver, lungs, and intestines--where lymphocytes can be recruited, mobilized, and deployed to appropriate sites as part of the immune response. The ingenious design of this system ensures the ready availability and quick assembly of an immune response anywhere it is needed. This system can be seen at work when a wound or an infection in a fingertip leads to an enlarged lymph node at the elbow, or when a throat infection causes the lymph nodes under the jaw to swell. The lymph nodes swell because the lymphatic vessels drain the infection by carrying it to the nearest area where an immune response can be organized.

Immune Busters
Lack of adequate sleep
Excessive sun exposure
Stress of any kind
Excessive sugar intake

Carabin protein immune system
A protein could help doctors understand why symptoms of the common cold such as sniffles and congestion last for a limited time. The previously unknown protein called carabin cranks up the immune system response during an infection and then shuts it off when it has done its job so that it doesn't harm healthy cells. Professor Jun O. Liu, of Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, found an important missing brake within white blood cells that keeps the system in check so it doesn't override itself to cause problems during an virus infection or in the common cold,. Carabin protein is usually present in low concentrations in white blood cells but during an immune system reaction, levels increase. As they rise, the system gradually shuts down. "It allows the immune system a window of time to respond and hopefully that is enough to wipe out the viral infection," says Jun Liu. White blood cells in the immune system attack cells that have been infected with a virus. They also switch on genes to fight the infection. When the scientists added the protein to white blood cells already primed to fight infection, the more carabin they placed in the cells, the less active they became. If further studies confirm the importance of carabin as a major inhibitor of immune response, Jun Liu believes it could have important implications for understanding and treating auto-immune diseases.

Immune system emails
Q. I am trying to boost my immune system. I seem to be getting colds much too frequently and not fighting them off quickly when they occur. I exercise regularly, eat well and have a low stress lifestyle. Can you recommend which of the supplements might be most helpful.
   A. There is no standard herb or supplement that will work in everyone so we can't make specific suggestions.

Q. I have in my lungs a chronic infection of Nocardia cyriacigeorgica. I do not understand why since I do not have HIV, do not have an organ transplant or immune disorder, and generally in good health. I am a 65 year old female. I am currently seeing a pulmonary specialist and an infectious disease specialist. I cannot take sulfa, the drug of choice, because of allergic reactions of hives. I took Minocycline for 8 months and this did not get rid of it. The doctors are telling me that this bacteria is "colonized" rather than actually "infecting" the lungs. I do not have pneumonia per se as I am not losing weight nor do I have a fever. I would like to know if there is some way to boost my immune system to get rid of this Nocardia. I would like to clean out the lungs. I have this cough that produces green and/or yellow mucus. CAT scans of my lungs show that the Nocardia is "localized" and not spreading. I live in a small town in the southeast corner of Oregon state. I do not have immediate access to any medical center of advanced technology.
   A. We are not familiar with Nocardia cyriacigeorgica.

Q. What are your thoughts on using Mycophyto [ mushrooms] to help boost a persons immune system. I have chronic sinusitis and colds can linger on for a long while and be very miserable. I would like to find something that could help. I recently saw an offer on it. I would still ok it with my family Dr.
   A. We did a search on Medline in December 2007. The following term was not found: Mycophyto.

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