Candicin - 60 V-Caps

The immune system is the police force of the body.
It is a complex system of cells that defend the body from invading organisms, regulate inflammation and control abnormal cell growth. Many organs are involved in the immune response, the bone marrow, lymphatic system, thymus, liver and spleen. Bone marrow produces red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.

The spleen is a location where immune cells can monitor the blood for foreign matter. It also speeds up red blood cell production and activates blood clotting. The liver can increase body temperature and induce sweating to help fight off infections. The thymus produces B cells, which make antibodies, and T cells, which are part of the immune response.

The immune system is capable of fighting off intruders and remembering them so that they are killed off quickly if they invade again. The immune system must be able to differentiate self from non-self in order to know what to attack. If it does not recognize the body's own tissue than autoimmune diseases occurs.

The immune system can be compromised by:
physical or emotional stress
poor dietary habits
exposure to chemicals and medications
lack of sleep
deficiency in friendly bacteria
lack of physical activity

Physical and emotional stresshas been shown in studies to depress the amount of circulating immune cells. Examples of possible stressors are excessive exercise, surgery, a long illness, and loss of a job or death of a loved one. The sympathetic nervous system is activated by stress and causes increased heart rate and blood pressure, and a heightening of the body's senses. It decreases the functioning of systems that are not essential for fighting or fleeing a situation. This includes immunity. Stress also causes increased inflammation and a build up of damaging agents called free radicals. These substances can interfere with normal immune functioning.

Poor dietary habitsinhibit the immune system by creating deficiencies in protein, vitamins and minerals. A healthy diet, with sufficient protein intake, supports the immune system because the immune cells are made of protein and are in a constant state of renewal. The immune cells use a variety of vitamins and minerals to carry out their jobs. The most important nutrients are vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, zinc and essential fatty acids. For example, vitamin C strengthens white blood cells and prevents the multiplication of bacteria and viruses. Deficiency of any one of these nutrients impairs the immune response.

Dietary sugar, especially white sugar, has been directly linked to depression of the immune system, immediately after its consumption. One study showed that eating three and a half oz. of simple sugar reduced the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria. Sugar also provides fuel for invading organisms, like bacteria and fungus, thus strengthening their attack.

Sleepis an essential component of our body's repair mechanisms. During sleep the body in an anabolic, or building, state. Insomnia prevents the renewal of immune cells. Over time this leads to a decrease in immune functioning. Lack of sleep also stresses the body and usually occurs with an increase in sympathetic nervous system function. The immune system is depressed by the mechanism described in previous paragraphs.

Many medications, especially cortisone and antibiotics, affect the immune system, especially when taken for long periods of time. Cortisone suppresses the bone marrow and antibiotics kill beneficial bacteria. Toxic substances, including excessive alcohol and heavy metals, depress the function of the immune system or cause immune cells to prematurely die.

What you can do to boost your immune system:
- MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE
- EAT PLENTY OF VEGETABLES
- DO NOT DRINK COFFEE, BLACK TEA, OR COLAS; THE CAFFEINE IN THEM DEPLETES IMPORTANT NUTRIENTS
- IF YOU NEED TO TAKE ANTI-BIOTICS, ALWAYS TAKE ACIDOPHILUS
- STICK TO A REGULAR SLEEP CYCLE
- DO NOT EAT JUNK FOOD
- TAKE SUPPLEMENTS TO ENHANCE YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM ACTIVITY (SEE LIST BELOW)
- EXERCISE

Did you know?
- IMMUNE SYSTEM ACTIVITY DECREASES AS WE AGE
- AN AUTOIMMUNE DISORDER OCCURS WHEN YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM ATTACKS YOUR OWN BODY
- PEOPLE WITH STRONG CONNECTIONS TO FAMILY & FRIENDS GENERALLY HAVE BETTER IMMUNE SYSTEM REACTION

Some of the most important players in the immune system are not part of our own body. Friendly bacteria, often called probiotics, line the digestive tract, sinuses and other mucosal surfaces. On all of the surfaces they prevent infection with other microbes.

In the digestive tract they also break down food particles and manufacture vitamins. Friendly bacteria are in a constant state of renewal. Frequent infections can be due to an imbalance of friendly bacteria. It is easy to upset this balance by improper diet or taking medications like antibiotics.

Lack of physical activity weakens the immune response by hampering the ability of immune cells to get to where they are needed.



OREGANO

Oregano is a well-known spice in Italian cooking. This plant is just as useful in the medicine cabinet as it is in the kitchen

Oil from the oregano plant fights infection by viruses, bacteria and parasites

Oregano (Origanum vulgare) is a plant in the mint family that is closely related to marjoram. It has been used around the world as a culinary spice for flavouring grilled meats and vegetables, and as a preservative for meats. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates used oregano as an antiseptic, and as a cure for stomach and respiratory ailments. More current healthcare practitioners use oregano extract for its antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. Oregano oil can be used topically for skin infections, like Athlete's foot, ringworm and folliculitis. It is also useful for treating colds, sore throats, coughs, chronic respiratory conditions, yeast infections, viral infections, bacterial infections, diarrhea and indigestion.

Respiratory Infections
This herb not only kills infecting microbes in the respiratory tract but also acts as an expectorant (helps to expel mucus) and antispasmodic (relieves coughing). This is beneficial in a number of respiratory conditions such as: bronchitis, croup, as well as common colds and flus.

Digestion and IBD
In the digestive tract oregano soothes digestion and decreases diarrhea, by stopping intestinal spasms. It also directly kills gastrointestinal microbes and decreases gas and bloating. The current theory is that Inflammatory Bowel Diseases like Crohn's and Colitis may have a triad of predisposing factors. These factors include: an unbalanced gut flora, a trigger event such as physical or emotional stress, and a bacterial or microbial invasion (infection). Given this theory, studies are currently investigating the use of oregano oil to treat IBD, and help prevent flares. For more information, please see our IBD article.