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Environmental Pathogen Protection

by Derrick DeSilva Jr., M.D.

he immune system is one of the most talked about yet one of the most ignored systems in the body. Most people say that they want to increase immune function but do very little to support it. We continue to abuse our bodies with our poor dietary habits. The amount of processed foods consumed in this country is at staggering levels. Most people eat out on the average of three to four times a week; compare this to 50 years ago when the average person ate out once a month. The problems affecting our immune system become very obvious.

Processed food is only the tip of the iceberg. The oxidative damage from pollution is another major “environmental pathogen” to our bodies. The process of oxidation is once again talked about but little is done to really affect change in our bodies. Oxidation is described as the process of rusting. Just as a nail rusts when it is exposed to the elements, our bodies rust when exposed to all the environmental toxins and pollution. We cannot stop the aging process, just as we cannot stop rusting, but we can slow down the rusting by protecting the nail. We can slow the aging process by slowing down oxidative damage.

Another important fact that is not talked about is the effect of a healthy gastrointestinal tract (GI) on the immune system. About 60 percent of the immune system resides in the GI tract. If the GI tract is not kept healthy, the immune system will not function optimally. Peyers patches (PP) are the glands throughout the GI tract that have immunologic function. They have secretory function and produce immune globulins. If the number of Peyers patches or PP are decreased due to a lack of healthy bacteria (flora), the immune system will be compromised. No one bit of information is more important with regard to immune function than a healthy GI tract. But once again, this is only one piece of the puzzle. In order to see the whole picture, all the pieces must be carefully arranged and organized. At times the sequence may not be correct but as the pieces come together, it all starts to make sense.

Another very important piece of the immune system puzzle is Rosmarinic acid (RA). Rosmarinic acid has proven medicinal properties and well characterized physiologic functions. RA is a potent free radical scavenger and capable of neutralizing the very toxic and dangerous superoxide anion radical. This free radical (toxin) is a break down product of oxygen, which we breathe, and the result of continuous exposure of our body to environmental hazards such as smoke, radiation and chemicals. The body neutralizes this free radical by an enzyme Super Oxide Dismutase (SOD). As we grow older, the body’s ability to produce adequate quantities of SOD weakens and more outside help is needed from safe, natural sources to support our antioxidant response. In-vitro studies have also shown RA to be effective in inhibiting intra-cellular pathways linked to inflammatory processes. Therefore, it is likely that RA may support the body’s defense system against a variety of chronic as well as acute inflammatory and allergic diseases. Such diseases are arthritis, allergic rhinitis, asthma, chronic sinusitis and allergic reactions.

These diseases are caused by the activation of cells that complement the system as well as by histamine release from the cells and formation of leukotrienes. Such processes may also be triggered as a “wrong” response by the body’s immune system to interactions with allergens (antigens). Allergic reactions and associated diseases are widespread and affect

The amount of processed foods consumed in this country is at staggering levels. Most people eat out on the average of three to four times a week; compare this to 50 years ago when the average person ate out once a month.

millions of people all over the world every year. Allergies are the result of an “over reacted” immune response of the body upon interaction with antigens. Some such antigens (allergens) are pollen, food additives, pets, bee stings, drugs, etc. These allergens trigger certain cells (mast cells) to produce and release mediators (histamine, leukotrienes), causing allergic symptoms and diseases.

The conventional treatment relies on synthetic drugs such as steroids, antihistamines and leukotriene analogues. All of these medications have potential side effects. The body’s immune system is one that is quite simple and at the same time quite complex. There are very simple actions that we have to perform in order for our body to carry out its complex immunologic processes. In many of my teaching sessions with medical students, residents and health care professionals, I have made the statement “give the body the correct fuel and the body will function like a well-tuned automobile.” If we put old, dirty, low octane fuel into our bodies, the result will be low levels of energy and performance. If we energize our system with some simple good nutrition, along with some simple supplements, our bodies will function optimally.

There have even been studies to support the fact that prayer has a positive effect on our immune systems. The financial cost of prayer is zero but the overall benefit is beyond measure. I believe we have all become too complex. Life was meant to be much more simple and much more pleasant. The simple things on this planet have been overlooked. Instead of smelling the flowers we complicate it by trying to over analyze the effect of nature. Allow your body to do what it has evolved to do. Give it the right fuel, give it water, nutrients and spirituality. Allow the immune system to do what it is meant to do naturally. Enhance the body’s immune system by giving it Rosmarinic acid, good bacteria and spirituality.

DERRICK DESILVA JR., M.D.
Dr. DeSilva is a practicing internist in Woodbridge, New Jersey and on the teaching faculty at JFK Medical Center, Edison, New Jersey. He was chosen by New York magazine and New Jersey Monthly as one of the “Best Doctors.” He is currently president of the American Nutraceutical Association.

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