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Phytosterols
The
New Immune System
In order to understand
how sterols and sterolins impact positively on the immune
system it is important to outline some of the key aspects
of the body's defence structure.
A normally functioning
immune system relies on a healthy supply of B-cells
and T-cells.
The B-cells have a
relatively simple task and they are responsible for
producing antibodies which destroy invading micro-organisms
be they bacteria, viruses or parasites.
T-cells have a far
more complex function in controlling and regulating
the immune response. T-cells can be viewed as the generals
of the immune system whereas the B-cells are merely
the combat soldiers.
There are three main
types of T-cells:
* cytotoxic T-cells
* suppressor T-cells
* helper T-cells.
T cells also secrete
cytokines which regulate the immune response. Examples
of cytokines include the different interleukins and
interferons as well as tumour necrosis factor.
Shortly we will discover
how the balance of these cytokines is critical to a
healthy immune response. Cytotoxic T-cells are designed
to deal with infected or cancer cells and they also
secrete interferons which prevent the replication of
viruses.
Suppressor T-cells
shut down the immune system once an infection has been
effectively neutralised. Suppressor T-cells tell the
immune system that it is time to take a breather and
if the levels of these cells are reduced B-cells will
continue to operate unabated which will lead to disastrous
consequences.
Helper T-cells assist
the cytotoxic T-cells and also instruct B-cells to commence
antibody production. Helper T-cells can further be divided
into TH1 and TH2 cells. These cells produce different
types of cytokines and there needs to be a balance between
TH1 and TH2 cells if health is to be sustained.
TH1 cells secrete cytokines
which enhance the ability of the immune system to deal
with viruses, fungi, bacteria and parasites. TH1 cells
also initiate the activity of cytotoxic and suppressor
T-cells as well as controlling the function of TH2 cells.
TH 2 cells increase
antibody production and stimulate the release of pro-inflammatory
cytokines. It is when TH1 is undeactive and TH2 takes
over that these pro-inflammatory cytokines and antibodies
are released.
This is thought to
result in autoimmune diseases whereby your immune system
is involved in attacking your own body. This is thought
to be the explanation for the development of rheumatoid
arthritis, lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
If we could find the
means to correct this imbalance then we could possibly
have the key to unlock the secret of this baffling phenomenon.
Research work performed in Stellenbosch, South Africa
by professor Bouic and his team has revealed that when
sterols and sterolins are given in combination this
imbalance of TH1 and TH2 cells can be reversed.
Cytokines of the TH1
variety were increased while the TH2 cells were inhibited
or remained the same.
By increasing TH1 cells
abnormal pathogens that invade the body could be eliminated
while reducing TH2 cells would reduce the inflammatory
response so typical of autoimmune disease.
Lets look at autoimmune
disease in more detail to see how this mechanism
might work.
Phytosterols
| The new immune system
| Boosting athletes immune systems
Overcoming
prostate enlargment |
Winning
the war against cancer
The
new hope for; | Reducing
the risk of heart disease
Solving
the dilemma of Auto immune disease
Summary
of main points | Bibliography
Bondi
Family Health Centre
Phone 02 9365 1333
Int: 612 9365 1333
260a Bondi Road
Bondi NSW 2066
AUSTRALIA
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