Post by the Scribe on Jul 15, 2020 11:19:46 GMT
Natural Support for Autoimmune and Inflammatory Disease
ABSTRACT
Autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), ankylosing spondylitis, and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), involve destruction of healthy cells by the body’s own defensive mechanism. If the immune system’s faux pas is not corrected, the attack can progress to the heart, lungs, and other vital organs. The mechanisms that cause the deregulation of the immune response are not entirely understood. It can be assumed that heavy metal toxicity, leaky gut syndrome, infectious bacteria and parasites, and nutritional imbalances can overburden the body’s immune system, thus deregulating immune signals and responses. Ongoing research investigates the mechanism by which these factors cause the immune system to attack the body’s own tissues. In this paper, we discuss natural therapies that can help regulate the immune system’s aggressive behavior without suppressing or altering its necessary defenses.
THE FUNCTIONAL IMMUNE RESPONSE
The immune system constantly surveys the body for foreign (“non-self”) substances, such as cancerous cells, bacteria, viruses, parasites, foreign proteins and chemical insults. During a normal immune response, leukotrienes and prostaglandins dilate blood vessels so that immune components can quickly travel to the area that needs protection. Increased blood flow causes swelling, redness, and heat. Another wave of pro-inflammatory compounds, chemotactic factors (also known as cytokines), activate the white blood cells to begin attacking damaged cells and pathogens. As pathogens are destroyed, their cell walls and internal components leak out, triggering still another phase of immune defense. B cells produce antibodies specific to the pathogen or cell under attack, and also alert macrophages that invaders are present. The oxidizing chemicals released by white blood cells to destroy pathogens can inadvertently affect normal cells. The healthy cells surrounding an inflammatory response attempt to protect themselves by secreting anti-inflammatory prostaglandins, antioxidants, anti-chemotactic chemicals, and enzymes. All of these chemicals counter the destructive substances released by white blood cells, protecting against ‘collateral damage’ to healthy tissue. When the body is functioning normally, pro-inflammatory cytokines are soon suppressed by the anti-inflammatory cytokines secreted by neighboring cells. The inflammatory response subsides; suppressor T cells stop the production of antibodies, blood vessels return to their normal size, and the repair process begins to mend damaged tissue.
AUTOIMMUNE DE-REGULATORS – WHEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM RUNS AMOK
In autoimmune diseases, the immune response continues unabated even if there is no foreign invader to attack. The exact sequence of events that lead the immune system to turn against the body, has yet to be determined. However, Nuclear factor kappa beta (NFkB) regulators, pro-inflammatory prostaglandins, auto-antibodies, and defective suppressor T cells have been identified as suspects in deregulating the immune response.
High levels of inflammatory agents spur the immune system into constant activity. Initially, the immune system raises its defenses against foreign substances only. With prolonged inflammatory stress however, the immune system will turn against its host and attack the body’s own tissues, thus establishing a classical autoimmune disease. Herbs that reduce inflammation may help down-regulate the autoimmune response. Several herbs that have been traditionally used for this purpose also have been investigated scientifically to determine their mechanism(s) of action. These herbs include: Hops, Artemisia, Sarsaparilla, Reishi Mushroom, Ashwagandha, Nettle, Rehmannia, and Chinese Skullcap (Scute). Other important herbs that may have a role in decreasing both inflammation and the overzealous autoimmune response include Boswellia serrata, Green Tea, Ginger, Turmeric, White Willow, Stephania and Chinese Thunder God Vine.
IMMUNE MODULATING HERBS:
restorativemedicine.org/journal/natural-support-for-autoimmune-and-inflammatory-disease/