Now is season of respiratory viruses. However our body already has the best device of protection called immune system. In every day life it protects us against many other numerous bacteria, viruses, parasites. So knowing some mechanisms and from what it composed we can use it against major infections too. Lets take a look how it is working.
Immune system consists of immunomodulators.
Immunomodulators may be classified as immunoadjuvants, immunosuppressants or immunostimulators.
Immunoadjuvants are substances that are required to elicit a maximal T-cell response to microbial antigens. They are commonly used in vaccine development to improve the response of the organism. Immunosuppressants inhibit the normal functioning of the immune system; therefore, they are used in conjunction with drugs to treat autoimmune diseases and the immune response in transplantation. Immunostimulators are agents that act through response-mediated innate and adaptive immunity. In healthy individuals, immunostimulators act as prophylactic agents to enhance the immune response to infection. In immunocompromised individuals, immunostimulators may act as natural therapy.
Therefore lets name 3 main agents who can improve our destiny and basically save our life without dangerous side effects, as immune system made to protect us and not to harm us.
First and the most important group consists from immunoglobulins. We have variety and these are soldiers and guardians of our body. Immunoglobulins, also known as antibodies, are glycoprotein molecules produced by plasma cells (white blood cells). They act as a critical part of the immune response by specifically recognizing and binding to particular antigens, such as bacteria or viruses, and aiding in their destruction. The antibody immune response is highly complex and exceedingly specific. The various immunoglobulin classes and subclasses (isotypes) differ in their biological features, structure, target specificity and distribution. Hence, the assessment of the immunoglobulin isotype can provide useful insight into complex humoral immune response. Assessment and knowledge of immunoglobulin structure and classes is also important for selection and preparation of antibodies as tools for immunoassays and other detection applications.
The body makes different immunoglobulins to combat different antigens. For example, the antibody for chickenpox isn't the same as the antibody for mononucleosis. Sometimes, the body may even mistakenly make antibodies against itself, treating healthy organs and tissues like foreign invaders. This is called an autoimmune disease.
The five subclasses of antibodies are:
Immunoglobulin A (IgA), which is found in high concentrations in the mucous membranes, particularly those lining the nasal passages and gastrointestinal tract, as well as in saliva and tears.
Immunoglobulin G (IgG), the most abundant type of antibody, is found in all body fluids and protects against bacterial and viral infections.
Immunoglobulin M (IgM), which is found mainly in the blood and lymph fluid, is the first antibody to be made by the body to fight a new infection.
Immunoglobulin E (IgE), which is associated mainly with allergic reactions (when the immune system overreacts to environmental antigens such as pollen or pet dander). It is found in the lungs, skin, and mucous membranes.
Immunoglobulin D (IgD), which exists in small amounts in the serum is responsible to prevent heavy infections of upper respiratory ways. It communicates directly with basophyls to prevent further dissemination of pathogens and stimulates further production of T- lymphocytes.
Mostly we receive it from our early ages with mother milk or colostrum. That's why is vital to feed children with breasts at earliest convenience and as longer as possible- 1 year. The highest amount of immunoglobulins in colostrum presents from 24 to 72 hours. Bovine colostrum contains 10 times more of immunoglobulins than human mother milk. So adults can take bovine colostrum and protect themselves against infections.
Belcaro G, et al. Prevention of flu episodes with colostrum and Bifivir compared with vaccination: an epidemiological, registry study. Panminerva Med. 2010;52(4):269-75. The number of influenza episodes registered with the immunnomodulators was significantly lower than those observed in patients using vaccination or no prevention. The number of days of disease was higher in untreated controls compared to the groups treated with immunomodulators and 2 times higher in the vaccination group compared to the same groups.
I am not against the vaccinations and I advise all my patients to get all major vaccinations, but vaccination against influenza is very disputable, because influenza virus in present times is highly mutable, therefore every new virus is a new virus and vaccination which is done mostly protects against previous version, therefore is useless and compromises immune system.
Many times it causes illness itself especially to persons with low immune status.Therefore is better to increase immunity with immunoglobulins and interferon which found in bovine colostrum or in case of allergy or intolerance to lactose to take anti-viral agents with immunomodulating abilities such Isoprinosine pranobex(sold in pharmacy both tablets and syrup)
Next one is Lactoferrin or in short Lf.
Lf is the first line of defense for any entry point in the body. It is found in small quantities in most body fluids such as saliva, tears, nasal secretions and intestinal fluids (eg, bile), as well as in neutrophils (the secondary granules of white blood cells). Lf is synthesized by the mucosal lining (eg, in the mouth or intestinal tract) and neutrophils, and it is released in response to inflammatory stimuli. The low physiologic serum levels of Lf increase significantly upon host infection. The Lf receptor was studied and isolated from activated T- and B-cells, monocytes, intestinal brush border cells, platelets and neoplastic cells. Lf inhibits neutrophil apoptosis via blockade of proximal apoptotic signaling events. Iron-unsaturated apo-lactoferrin inhibits spontaneous apoptosis in human neutrophils, depending upon the iron saturation status, and down regulates early events in the apoptosis process; moreover, its effect is evident in an established phase of rheumatic arthritis
It is known that Lf possesses antimicrobial activities, modulates the overall immune response and protects against viral infections, and its role against septic shock has already been well described. In this respect, it is noteworthy that Lf concentrations are locally elevated in inflammatory disorders, including neurodegenerative diseases, inflammatory disease, arthritis and allergic inflammation. The cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for the immunomodulatory effects of Lf are not fully elucidated, and in vitro and in vivo studies suggest the existence of multiple mechanisms that include modulation of cytokine/chemokine production, regulation of the production of reactive oxygen species and immune cell recruitment.
Lf, which functions as a natural iron scavenger and an activator/modulator of signaling pathways, leads to the negative feedback of the inflammatory response, as shown by a decrease in the production of reactive oxygen species and various pro-inflammatory cytokines.
Lf secretion dramatically increases during inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases, which leads to neutrophil degranulation and the activation of microglial cells. The increase of Fe during hemorrhagic stroke in microglia is due to the uptake of the transferrin and lactoferrin receptors. Lactoferrin receptors (LfR; 105 kDa) on neurons are involved in the transferrin-independent pathway by transporting iron from iron-containing Lf across neuron membranes. Future research on iron metabolism and its dysregulation may provide new insights into neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and Friedrich's ataxia.
Lf also acts as a first-line of defense by significantly impacting the development of adaptive immune responses. Iron sequestration by Lf reduces oxidative stress that alters the extension and production of cytokines. Lf has a strong modulatory effect on the adaptive immune system by accelerating the maturation of T-cell precursors into competent helper cells and by the differentiation of immature B-cells into antigen-presenting cells. Lf can also modulate innate and adaptive immunities because it binds to LPS and CD-14 and interferes with the formation of the CD14–LPS complex, resulting in attenuation of the LPS/CD-14/TLR-4 signaling pathway, which is essential for the pathogenesis of sepsis. Lf may stimulate the immune system by binding to CD-14 and then activating the TLR-4-mediated pathway while preventing overexpression of LPS-induced inflammation.
Lf blocks the signal transduction between LPS and the CD14–TLR complex that exists in the macrophages to prevent or treat septic shock. Lf promotes the maturation of B- and T-cells in function and phenotype to improve the immune response. Thus, Lf may also protect infants from infections due to its large set of ability's against the direct interaction with microorganisms and through its immune modulatory effect.
In this research, it was analyzed the effect of bovine lactoferrin (bLf) on Influenza A virus infection in vitro. Results showed that Influenza virus infected cells died as a result of apoptosis, bLf treatment inhibited programmed cell death by interfering with function of caspase 3, a major virus-induced apoptosis effector, and bLf efficiently blocked nuclear export of viral ribonucleoproteins so preventing viral assembly.
The third is lysozyme.
Lysozyme is an abundant, cationic antimicrobial protein that plays an important role in pulmonary host defense. Increased concentration of lysozyme in the airspaces of transgenic mice enhanced bacterial killing whereas lysozyme deficiency resulted in increased bacterial burden and morbidity. Lysozyme degrades peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall leading to rapid killing of Gram-positive organisms ,it destroys also bio-films of Gram- negative bacteria and therefore allows to other phages and antibiotics to reach target more easier. It also effective against viruses, in particular against influenza.
The high amount we can find in Hen Egg white substance.
So to make long story short all this we can use to prevent and treat common cold and to avoid further progression of infection.
There are 3 products on the market which we can use from the beginning. There are bovine colostrum, lactoferrin and lysozyme .
Bovine colostrum you can find in all pharmacies and plafars. The best one is with higher concentration of IgG- more than 20%. The cheapest is Rotta Natura, more expensive is Prime Life of Jarrow. Usually in acute situations adults and children above 1 year 4 caps at once and to continue 2 casp every 6 hours for 3-5 days
Lactoferrin of 250 mg is the best.
Lysozyme not less than 60000 units or 29 mg.
Personally me I prefer to take combined tablets called Igazym from the first signs of irritated throat. It contains bovine colostrum and lysozyme from egg and additional components such black currant which is known to have anti-inflammatory abilities and licorice which also active against influenza and at the moment undergoes study for separate anti-viral medication (all references please see below). It is easy to use it sucking and it has pleasant taste, so is useful for children and it is cheap - 17 ron of 20 tab.
Usually it is enough to suck it for first 2-3 days 2-3 tab every 4 hours combined with Lactoferrin 500 mg every 12 hours to get rid completely from pharyngitis without antibiotics.
Also 1 spoon (10 gr) of chicken egg powder enhanced of immunoglobulins and pure lysozyme and ovotransferrins in the morning before food will protect you against crossed infections and will shorten recovery time. My preferred product is OvoIMUNOhelp fight stress- you can buy it in plafar in Otopeni or order it here https://trmsupplements.ro/adolescenti-adulti/0voimunohelp
http://www.camaraculeacuri.ro/probleme-in-gat/igazym-colostrum-lysosyme-pt-g%C3%A2t-20cpr-lemn-dulce-pedersen-medical.html (you can order here Igazym or to buy in Plafar in Otopeni)
Cheapest Lactoferrin you can find in Farmacia Tei https://comenzi.farmaciatei.ro/product_info.php?products_id=10020790
https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0019705
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4629407/
http://www.jimmunol.org/content/177/1/519
https://www.sovereignlaboratories.com/data.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2915836/
Mystery Solved? Immunoglobulin D Improves Immune Surveillance in Respiratory Tract
Nature Immunol 2009.
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