Tag: immune system

RSV- Respiratory Syncytial Virus

RSV- Respiratory Syncytial Virus

RSV- Respiratory Syncytial Virus Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND   I wanted to begin our series on respiratory health by talking about something that has been all over the news lately. And that is RSV. But what exactly is RSV? RSV stands for Respiratory Syncytial Virus. 

IMMUNITY MULTI: THE MUST HAVE WINTER MULTI-VITAMIN

IMMUNITY MULTI: THE MUST HAVE WINTER MULTI-VITAMIN

IMMUNITY MULTI: THE MUST HAVE WINTER MULTIVITAMIN By: Allie Might, FMC, INHC, ATT    As kids growing up, most of us took a daily multi, probably chewable. We looked forward to taking these every morning before heading off to school, many of us picking our 

The Immune System made easy!, Part 1, Invite Health Blog

The Immune System made easy!, Part 1, Invite Health Blog

Written by: Dr.Claire Arcidiacono, ND
For further questions or concerns email me at [email protected]
Chronic infections are a topic I find particularly important because they are related to so many different chronic and acute health concerns. When we speak of chronic infections it is important to understand how the immune system works. To start with, there are 2 main components of the immune system. These are the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. (1) These however are not the first line of defense against pathogens. Before I delve into the interesting world of the innate vs the adaptive immune response, I’d like to mention several “barriers “that are in place to help protect us from pathogens or as I like to say, “bad guys”. †
The first defense against infections is actually our skin. The skin is not only a physical covering that protects us from infections but also an active part of our body that secretes antimicrobial peptides. (2) There are also antibacterial enzymes in our bodily secretions such as saliva, tears, breast milk, vaginal secretions and even our stomach. (3) As I mentioned in my series on digestive health, gastric stomach acid helps to kill any pathogens that may enter through food. (4) Good bacteria also help to prevent an overgrowth of bad bacteria in a few ways including competing for space and resources. (5) Physically our body responds to the presence of pathogens by coughing and sneezing. Both tears and urine help to “wash” away any irritants in the pathway.  † (6)
After a pathogen breeches our physical barriers, they trigger a response from our innate immune system.  The innate response is immediate and strong; however, it is not specific to the particular pathogen that you were exposed to. This part of the immune system does not have a “memory”. The innate immune cells include what are called white blood cells. These cells can find pathogens and eliminate them, most commonly by contact or by engulfing them. These innate leukocytes or WBC include macrophages, neutrophils and dendritic cells. Other WBC that are important in the innate immune system include the lymphoid cells, mast cells, eosinophilic cells, basophils and natural killer cells. † (7)
What exactly do these cells do to help us fight infections? Let’s break it down, shall we? †
The Neutrophils as well as the Macrophages travel in the blood stream to fight off pathogens. Neutrophils are usually the first to arrive at the location of infections or inflammation. (8)  Please see the attached picture of a Neutrophil. † (9)
                                                                                                                                       
Macrophages are interesting because while they can and do act in the innate immune system to help protect the body they also act as antigen presenting cells that activate or “turn on” the adaptive immune system. (10) Please see the picture! † (11)
                                                                                                                                       
Dendritic cells are in places such as the skin, nose, lungs, stomach, and the intestines. What is interesting about these areas is that they are all openings in the body. In other words the outside world interacts with the inside of our body. These cells are considered to be a link between the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system. This is because one of their important jobs is to present antigens to the T cells which are an important part of the adaptive immune system. (12) Please see the attached picture. † (13)
                                                                                                                                         
The granulocytes are cells that have particles in them that are called granules and these granules that are inside of them are released as the cells do their job. WBC of this type are the mast cells, basophils and the eosinophils. Mast cells are usually seen in connective tissue and mucus membranes and help to regulate the inflammatory response. † (14) Please see the attached mast cell. (15)
Basophils and eosinophils in contrast do not contain these granules and in fact are closely related to neutrophils and secrete different chemicals that fight parasites. Unfortunately, they also have a role in allergies. (16) Please see the attached Eosinophilic cell.  † (17)
                                                                                                                                       
Lastly the Natural killer cells are part of the innate immune system which helps to get rid of compromised host cells for example those that have developed cancer. (18) Please see the attached picture.  † (19)
                                                                                                                                       
After the innate immune system is triggered, the pathogens can trigger the adaptive immune system. In our next blog I will review the cells of the adaptive immune system. I will also do a quick walk through of the immune system as its world work its way through an infection. †
REFERENCES
1. Litman GW, Cannon JP, Dishaw LJ (November 2005). “Reconstructing immune phylogeny: new perspectives”. Nature Reviews. Immunology. 5 (11): 866–79. doi:10.1038/nri1712. PMC 3683834. PMID 16261174.
2. Agerberth B, Gudmundsson GH (2006). “Host antimicrobial defence peptides in human disease”. Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology. 306: 67–90. doi:10.1007/3-540-29916-5_3. ISBN 978-3-540-29915-8. PMID 16909918.
3. Boyton RJ, Openshaw PJ (2002). “Pulmonary defences to acute respiratory infection”. British Medical Bulletin. 61 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1093/bmb/61.1.1. PMID 11997295.
4. Smith JL (2003). “The role of gastric acid in preventing foodborne disease and how bacteria overcome acid conditions”. J Food Prot. 66 (7): 1292–1303. doi:10.4315/0362-028X-66.7.1292. PMID 12870767.
5. Gorbach SL (February 1990). “Lactic acid bacteria and human health”. Annals of Medicine. 22 (1): 37–41. doi:10.3109/07853899009147239. PMID 2109988.
6. Boyton RJ, Openshaw PJ (2002). “Pulmonary defences to acute respiratory infection”. British Medical Bulletin. 61 (1): 1–12. doi:10.1093/bmb/61.1.1. PMID 11997295.
7. Kumar H, Kawai T, Akira S (February 2011). “Pathogen recognition by the innate immune system”. International Reviews of Immunology. 30 (1): 16–34. doi:10.3109/08830185.2010.529976. PMID 21235323. S2CID 42000671.
8. Actor J (2012). Elsevier’s Integrated Review Immunology and Microbiology (Second ed.). doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-07447-6.00002-8.
9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neutrophil#/media/File:Neutrophils.jpg
10. Mills CD (2012). “M1 and M2 Macrophages: Oracles of Health and Disease”. Critical Reviews in Immunology. 32 (6): 463–488. doi:10.1615/CritRevImmunol.v32.i6.10. PMID 23428224.
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macrophage#/media/File:Giemsa_Stain_Macrophage_Illustration.png
12. Monga I, Kaur K, Dhanda S (March 2022). “Revisiting hematopoiesis: applications of the bulk and single-cell transcriptomics dissecting transcriptional heterogeneity in hematopoietic stem cells”. Briefings in Functional Genomics. 21 (3): 159–176. doi:10.1093/bfgp/elac002. PMID 35265979.
13. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dendritic_cell#/media/File:Dendritic_cell_revealed.jpg
14. Krishnaswamy, Ajitawi & Chi 2006, pp. 13–34.
15. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mast_cell#/media/File:Mast_cell.png
16. Uhm TG, Kim BS, Chung IY (March 2012). “Eosinophil development, regulation of eosinophil-specific genes, and role of eosinophils in the pathogenesis of asthma”. Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research. 4 (2): 68–79. doi:10.4168/aair.2012.4.2.68. PMC 3283796. PMID 22379601.
17. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eosinophil#/media/File:Blausen_0352_Eosinophil_(crop).png
18. Sompayrac 2019, pp. 1–4.
19. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_killer_cell#/media/File:Human_Natural_Killer_Cell_(29120480442).jpg
Constipation: easy treatments that are safe, Invite Health Podcast, Episode 659

Constipation: easy treatments that are safe, Invite Health Podcast, Episode 659

Subscribe Today! Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode. CONSTIPATION: EASY TREATMENTS THAT ARE SAFE, INVITEⓇ HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 659 Hosted by Jerry Hickey, Ph. *Intro Music* InViteⓇ Health Podcast Intro: [00:00:04] Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our degreed health 

Antiaging Benefits of Taurine, Invite Health Podcast, Episode 655

Antiaging Benefits of Taurine, Invite Health Podcast, Episode 655

Subscribe Today! Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode. ANTIAGING BENEFITS OF TAURINE, INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 655 Hosted by Amanda Williams, MD, MPH. *Intro Music* InViteⓇ Health Podcast Intro: [00:00:04] Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our degreed health care 

Being Supplement Savvy in the Summer, Invite Health Podcast, Episode 649

Being Supplement Savvy in the Summer, Invite Health Podcast, Episode 649


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Please see below for a complete transcript of this episode.

BEING SUPPLEMENT SAVVY IN THE SUMMER, INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 649

Hosted by Amanda Williams, MD, MPH.

InViteⓇ Health Podcast Intro: [00:00:04] Welcome to the InViteⓇ Health Podcast, where our degreed health care professionals are excited to offer you the most important health and wellness information you need to make informed choices about your health. You can learn more about the products discussed in each of these episodes and all that Invite Health has to offer at, www.invitehealth.com/podcast. First time customers can use promo code podcast at checkout for an additional 15% off your first purchase. Let’s get started. † [00:00:34]

Amanda Williams MD, MPH: [00:00:40] With summer being right around the corner, now is the time that you want to be supplement savvy. And today I want to talk about some different nutrients that can really help to kind of push you into the summer heat and in a healthy way. I am Dr. Amanda Williams, scientific director at Invite Health. And when it comes to the summer, people oftentimes really look forward to this time of the year. The weather’s warmer, maybe you have pool parties to go to, going to the beach and you want to do this in a way that you can get the most out of your summer activities. We always have to zero in on paying attention to our hydration. Clearly, in the summer months, the human body is much more prone to having the effects of dehydration. This has been well-studied, and we can clearly see that summer heat can put us at risk. Dehydration, this can drive up our blood pressure, certainly create significant electrolyte imbalances. So, if you get to the point where you feel thirsty, you know that you’ve waited way too long. So, water, water, water, this is our key. We know that insufficient drinking of water is a problem that many Americans have year-round. But in the summer in particular, because oftentimes if you’re not profusely sweating, you don’t recognize that you actually have a good amount of fluid loss. And this can create problems when it comes to your electrolyte balance, which can then create problems for muscle cramps and blood pressure going up and even having problems with controlling and regulating your blood sugar. So, for those who fall into those categories of already dealing with high blood pressure or dealing with type two diabetes or metabolic syndrome, you do really want to pay attention to your fluid intake during the summer months. We have wonderful formulations that you can turn to including the Alkalizer powder, which is a great combo of magnesium, potassium and beta alanine. Beta alanine is a very powerful amino acid that helps our body recover from the effects of stress. And we look at the Journal of Nutrients In 2020, they looked at the impact of beta alanine supplementation on physical performance. We can see how beta alanine has been shown to help with muscle strength and muscle recovery. We know that many things happen when we fall victim to dehydration and excess lactic acid building up. † [00:03:17]

[00:03:18] Beta alanine really can have a positive impact on us. In this particular study, they did a meta-analysis to analyze the effects of beta alanine supplementation on overall physical performance, and we can see how the influence of this powerful nutrient is working to help our physical functionality when it comes to that muscle recovery and muscle repair. So having beta alanine as part of the Alkalizer powder, really makes for a super summer drink that you can turn to. It is a lovely natural lemon flavor, and this has it’s kind of effervescent, so it’s great for the summertime. You can add this in with some ice and have yourself a nice hydrating glass of magnesium, potassium and beta alanine. Helps to create a nice alkalinity within the body, helps. with the regulation of your pH, and of course, it’s helping our body normalize our electrolyte balance. So that’s one thing that we can turn to. † [00:04:23]

[00:04:23] Another thing that we should always pay attention to, is during the warmer summer months, we know that there is a direct association between the impact of folate levels. So, folate is a B vitamin folate levels starting to plummet. And that is something that we definitely don’t want to have happen, because folate is needed for so many different functions in the body, including looking at the ability for the body to detoxify. So, we need folate for detoxification, we need folate for energy. We need folate for our neurotransmitters. And we know that there is, this association between seasonal folate levels and UV radiation. So, the sun itself can actually degrade folate in the human body. And we see this with vitamin D, for example. We know that vitamin D levels can go up during the summer because of the UV, and that’s our sunshine vitamin. But we see the opposite happening with folate. And so, this is why we should always make sure that during the summer months, we add in Methyl B, so Methyl B is that bioactive folate, so it’s methyl folate. Taking this formulation throughout your summer will be incredibly helpful to make sure that your body is protected from photo degradation of your folic acid. We don’t want that to happen. So, we want to avoid those seasonal variations and maintain healthy folate levels. † [00:05:55]

ICYMI:YEAR ROUND IMMUNE SUPPORT, INVITE HEALTH PODCAST, EPISODE 647>>LISTEN NOW!

[00:05:55] Now, we also know something about photo aging, and that is that the sun can really raise havoc when it comes to the health of our skin, and we can accelerate the aging process, have more fine lines and wrinkles. Many times, people describe them as age spots. And we don’t want this to happen either. So how can we topically address this issue? Well, we have our wonderful, enhanced vitamin C toning serum, which contains a 20% vitamin C serum along with Coenzyme Q10, to help energize your little skin cells, Vitamin E for the hydration, and the antioxidant benefits of vitamin E has wonderful natural oils in it, such as Argan Oil. And we know that the skin itself goes through so many different environmental stressors from the sun itself to different air pollutants. So, by having a serum that we can apply, that can help to improve the appearance, not only of the fine lines and wrinkles, but really zero in on those areas of sun damaged skin. This is a wonderful addition to your supplement routine. Now, this is a topical serum, so we’re not taking this orally. But it would be incredibly helpful to also take vitamin C tablets, or capsules along with collagen throughout the summer as well. So always want to zero in on how we can support our skin’s health from the topical approach, but also internally. So having vitamin C and Collagen, taking those as a supplement every day. And then topically applying that vitamin C toning serum, very, very beneficial. So that is some of the things that we can be doing. † [00:07:40] 

[00:07:40] Now, we can also look and say, should I be drinking sports drinks throughout the summer? No, we shouldn’t. When we have powerful fruit and vegetable extracts that are packed with wonderful vitamins, minerals and powerful antioxidants that we can sip on throughout those warm months, so we can look at something like the Reds Hx, for example. Which is a wonderful blend of close to 40 fruit and vegetable extracts along with a probiotic blend in that. Remember, you don’t want to let your immune system guard down during the summer either because viruses exist year-round. So, you don’t want to succumb to a summertime virus, so having the Reds Hx on board not only helps with a lovely glow for your skin and the hydration for your skin. but it also helps to support the immune system with that probiotic that’s added into that formulation. Now, this is a powerhouse of an antioxidant formula. Having those different fruit and vegetable extracts that really help the body. All of those carotenoids that give the eyes additional support, your respiratory system, additional support, your brain additional support. And of course, we are working on that hydration aspect once again, because one scoop of that Reds, added into eight or ten ounces of water allows the body to maintain that nice, healthy fluid balance. Now, there are many other things that we can turn to throughout the summer to allow us to get the most out of those warm months. And this is when you want to speak with one of our nutritionists and tell them what your health concerns are and what you are trying to get out of your summer, and they can guide you to the best formulations to suit your needs. † [00:09:23]

DIY NATURAL SKIN CARE RECIPES>>READ NOW!

[00:09:23] But that’s all that I have for you for today. So, if you’re going to the pool, you’re going to the beach, make sure that you have your alkalizer powder, your Reds Hx, it’s your vitamin C serum and your Methyl B and be sure to tune in to future episodes of the  InViteⓇ Health Podcast. Remember, you can find all of our episodes for free wherever. You listen to podcasts or by visiting, invitehealth.com/podcast. Do make sure that you subscribe, and you leave us a review. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and we will see you next time for another episode of the InViteⓇ Health Podcast. † [00:09:23]