Improving the Immune Function
by Fred Pescatore, M.D., MPH, CCN
Fortifying one’s immune system is the
cornerstone of good health. There has
never been a time in history when our
immune system is under so much assault—
from the air we breathe to the food we eat
and the lifestyle we lead. Is your body
capable of handling the stresses of everyday
life without help? To add to those assaults on
your immune system, a new condition
known as immunosenescence has just been
described. This condition reflects the deterioration
of the immune response that occurs
with age and is the cause of increased frequency
and severity of autoimmune, infectious
and non-infectious disease that afflict
us as we age.
Medicinal mushrooms and their extracts
have been reported in the scientific literature
to have a variety of biological effects
including immunomodulation, antitumor
properties and beneficial influences on
blood sugar regulation, serum lipids and
blood pressure.
A hybridized mushroom extract called
active hexose correlated compound (AHCC)
is one example of this class of compounds.
AHCC has proved extremely effective for
activating vital parts of the immune system,
leading to both prevention and treatment of
serious diseases associated with aging and
our stressful lifestyle. Because of their effect
on the immune system, treatments such as
these can offer improved quality of life, help
slow or reverse the progression of cancer,
hepatitis, diabetes, arteriosclerosis,
Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis and other
chronic diseases.
Our immune system suffers due to an
almost continuous exposure to antigens such
as viruses, bacteria, pollution, pesticide
residues on the food we eat and many other
things. This deterioration is accelerated by
increased levels of cortisol due to stress,
decreased levels of DHEA and other hormones
as we naturally age and through our
sedentary lifestyles.
Internally this assault leads to a misfiring
of the immune system as it responds to these
insults. These insults lead to a decreased
functioning of natural killer (NK) cells,
T cells and macrophages, suppression of the
IL-2 and the overproduction of the IL-6 and
other inflammatory cytokines.
The NK cell participates either directly or
indirectly in multiple developmental, regulatory
and communication networks of the
immune system. NK cell initiated cytokines
prevent the over proliferation of precursor
cell populations, thereby exerting more discriminating
control over antigen-specific
T and B cell responses. These are critical
functions of the immune system and in
many chronic and inflammatory diseases,
levels of NK cell function prove to be an
important indicator of disease progression
and patient prognosis.
Therefore, because the NK cell plays such
a critical role in how well our immune
system functions, ensuring or restoring lost
function and/or enhancing NK cell effectiveness
is a central part of a healthy immune
system and thus a nutritional supplement
program.
The pharmaceutical drugs that can stimulate
NK cell function have two fatal flaws.
The first is that they lose their effectiveness
over time and the second is their severe side
effects and toxicity. They are therefore not
appropriate for use in the management of
chronic diseases.
There is one natural compound however,
that has been proven to offer an effective balance
between high levels of stimulation of
NK cell function and nontoxicity. It is well
tolerated, with very few reported side effects.
The research on an extract of hybridizedmedicinal mushrooms called active hexose
correlated compound (AHCC) shows it most
likely to be in a class of compounds known as
biological response modifiers (BRM). These
BRMs are known to activate or restore host
immunity.
AHCC in particular has been documented
to increase NK cell function by 300-fold or
more and to stimulate T cell, macrophage
and cytokine activity. This level of immune
stimulation and modulation can be quite
effective in both treatment and prevention of
age and stress related insults to the immune
system.
Because AHCC can activate NK cells,
T cells, macrophages and alter cytokine
responsiveness, there are many active
research projects either underway or about to
begin that will further help us determine
where AHCC can be most effective.
Preliminary reports from physicians
around the country indicate that AHCC can
help during cold and flu season as a preventive
measure. Other physicians have reported
CD4 count increased in patients with
immunocompromised states such as AIDS or
post-chemotherapy treated patients.
Potential uses for AHCC include treatment of
chronic fatigue, chronic Lyme disease cases,
fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis and many other
inflammatory responses that are modulated
in the body by the immune system. Since
most disease can be linked to a breakdown in
the immune response, it stands to reason that
AHCC should be considered as a first line, or
at the very least, adjunct therapy in a variety
of different disease states.
AHCC has an anti-inflammatory effect
through its stimulation of the cytokine
defense mechanism. It is therefore useful for
the treatment of allergies and asthma. Allergy
states where AHCC has shown some effectiveness
include eczema, hives, rashes, chronic
sinusitis and sectional affectations.
AHCC has been widely used and significantly
tested in Japanese hospitals for over 10
years without any evidence of toxicity.
Studies in this country are beginning to
replicate the overseas success. The volumes of
clinical and basic science research on this one
medical mushroom are quite impressive.
Of course, no immune stimulatory program
is complete without the addition of
other natural and nutritional therapies that
support and enhance other aspects of the
immune system. Research and my own clinical
experience support the use of a low sugar,
low simple-carbohydrate diet as the foundation
for good health. Other nutritional supplements
include N-acetyl cysteine, thymic
peptides and other vitamin and mineral
antioxidants.
The key to 21st century medicine will be
prevention of disease and control over
inflammation and the immune process.
Inflammation plays a role in the most
common and chronic diseases affecting us
today such as heart disease, arthritis, arteriosclerosis
and many more.
One important thing to remember is that
we can’t ignore our immune system simply
because we do not feel sick or don’t anticipate
getting sick. By the time you feel something,
it may be too late. By keeping your immune
system strong, you may be able to deter
cancer, heart disease or any other illness that
you get as you grow older.
AHCC has been proven time and again to
be the cornerstone of therapy in helping to
triumph over inflammation, to reduce oxidative
damage and to fortify the immune
system. AHCC should be part of anyone’s
daily regimen in maintaining and achieving
optimum health.
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