Reading Time: 9 minutesAuthor’s note: I am stage-three brain cancer survivor who after long bouts of chemotherapy and radiation rebuilt a devastated immune system into a powerful germ-fighting soldier.
Ever wonder why some people can be around a sick person and not catch anything? Or how about those who preach the five-second rule when their food drops on the floor and never get so much as a throat tickle? Why is it like this for some? Do they have some super power that prevents them from catching illness?
Of course not.
Why some people are more prone to sickness and others are not can be directly attributed to our immune system — and how powerful each individual one is.
It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Your Immune System
The immune system is our main line of defense against germs. In fact, when we are born our immune system could not be stronger. A recent Harvard publication showed that for the first year of life our thymus function is the best it will ever be. A newborn baby is full of the all-important T-cells — the primary contributor to fighting-off infection — which in turn makes that infant one superior germ warrior.
However, the study also showed that after this first year of life our thymus function starts to decline and our number of T-cells diminish, taking our immune system out of this nearly impenetrable state and leaving it susceptible to invaders. This disturbing decline continues throughout our lives and is the reason why so many of our elderly perish from even the smallest of sicknesses.
Of course, all immune systems are not created equal, and while some continue to have a strong defense against germs well into old age, others are not so lucky. For many of us, my past-self included, simply touching a door handle then accidentally rubbing our eye could mean suffering from pinkeye for a week. Or how about hearing someone sneeze across a crowded room and knowing the next morning you will wake up with the sniffles?
This is how I felt for most of my life. I was not the lucky one blessed with an immunity that could handle a cough in the face and walk away unaffected. My experience was the opposite. When the cold or flu season approached, eggshells appeared under my feet. I knew it was only a matter of time until the bug sunk its teeth in me.
If you can relate to the latter in any way, I feel your pain. But there is good news. These days, I have a powerful immune system that stands tall in the face of germs — and here is how I did it.
Boosting Immunity Through Lifestyle Changes
Contrary to what many believe, the immune system is not a stagnant single entity, but a system that relies on many different things. When it comes to building any part of our health, there are certain lifestyle choices that are critical.
Not smoking, getting plenty of sleep, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, practicing habits of cleanliness, and avoiding excessive intake of alcohol — these are choices that can set even the genetically unhealthiest of individuals on a path to success.
When powering our car, it is understood that the best oil and the best gas will run it at optimal performance. The same can be said about our body. To run our immune system at an optimal level we must provide it with the optimal fuel.
It’s All About the Gut
Our immune system is indeed a system that depends on many things, especially when attempting to strengthen it. But what most people don’t know is about 70% of our immune system lies within our gut, or digestive system.
Research has shown that GALT, or gut-associated lymphoid tissue, is the primary factor of MALT, or mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue, and makes up nearly 70% of our immune system. About 80% of our plasma cells live in this GALT (which includes our Peyer’s patches — known as the immune sensors of the intestines).
Esteemed doctor, Dr. Daniel Nazum, NMD, who rose to notoriety as being the youngest licensed naturopath in U.S. history, emphasized the importance of this breakdown:
“Plasma cells are actually white blood cells that pump out large volumes of antibodies. And once these plasma cells are released into your bloodstream and lymph, they seek out antigens (foreign invaders) and destroy them.”
This is crucial when understanding what keeps us healthy, for what we put into our stomach to be digested directly effects our immunity, both negatively and positively.
Change Your Diet to Change Your Life
A healthy diet can make the difference between your immune system being a warrior or a weakling. The difference between a processed candy bar versus an organic carrot or celery stick is profound when it comes to how our body processes each of these foods. For starters, most processed food is made to last a long time and it takes our body hours on end to digest, while whole foods break down in your stomach in a matter of minutes.
In a recent study developed by Stefani Bardin in conjunction with Harvard Gastroenterologist Dr. Braden Kuo, two subjects were given two opposing diets while swallowing the revolutionary M2A (mouth to anus) pill which visually records its entire journey to show each diet’s effect on the system. The first subject was fed a diet of blue Gatorade, Top Ramen noodles, and processed gummi bears, the other was fed an organic diet of hibiscus tea, egg noodles, and gummy bears made from natural fruit juices.
The difference between the two diets was immense. In the first subject, hours after the meal was eaten, the intestines glowed blue (coloring from the Gatorade) and the Top Ramen noodles were still clearly visible, while the second subject’s intestines remained naturally pink and its contents were fully digested.
The differences when it came to acidity and inflammation were also stark. Diet number one’s acid levels and inflammatory response were exponentially higher than those of the second diet. When it comes to the body’s delicate interrelated system, chronic inflammation and extreme levels of acid can be viewed as its biggest adversary. Although, it should be known that a small level of inflammation has its place in our bodies, especially when it comes to physical activity — some have even said our survival depends on it.
But the latter is point is moot when it comes to nutrition and how our body responds to what we put in it. Case in point, the levels of chemicals and byproducts that occupy most of today’s foods, and that induce this chronic inflammation, have been linked to the rise of diabetes, heart disease, auto-immune disorder, and cancer.
However, the above can all be avoided if we harness the power of food. By eating an organic, plant-filled diet, we can turn the tables on our body and strengthen it to a level that fends off these unwanted diagnoses.
An Example of the Power Food: Aloe Vera
When most people hear “aloe vera” they usually associate it with the topical gel used to alleviate sunburns. But this is just one small aspect of this amazing plant. Aloe vera is loaded with over twenty kinds of amino acids — coined as the building blocks of life. It also provides your blood with three different plant sterols (fatty acids) that are full of HCL (good cholesterol) to strengthen your cardiovascular system.
The healing benefits of aloe vera seem endless: it improves the skin, blood, digestion, stops harmful inflammation, assists with protein absorption, and even removes toxins from your system. All these benefits and more have earned aloe vera the flattering moniker “The Fountain of Youth.”
And when speaking of boosting the immune system, aloe vera takes the gold. Its high count of polysaccharides exhibit strong macrophage activities, meaning that it stimulates scavenging white blood cells to engulf and digest cellular debris, making it extremely effective at combating illness.
Unlike many natural remedies, the scientific community has taken a deeper look into aloe vera and its effects on the immune system:
- In a book written by Dr. Ivan E. Danhoff, MD., Ph.D., he detailed multiple studies showing aloe vera’s contribution to boosting our immunity such as how the plant contains numerous substances that are active “both in stimulating phagocytosis (critical bodily defense mechanism that fights infection by microorganisms) as well as stimulating the formation of antibodies.”
- In one study, aloe was shown to increase phagocytosis when injected into guinea pigs.1
- In another study, mice were injected with E.coli, which caused a serious infection to develop in the abdominal cavity. After injecting two species of aloe into the mice, both species showed stimulation of phagocytic activity, combating the infection with great effect.
- To quote one final study as an example of how aloe vera can assist in treating certain illnesses, such as individuals with asthma: “A mixture of amino acids derived from aloe vera enhanced the depressed phagocytic function of the white blood cells.”
The type of aloe vera I am referring to is aloe vera juice, which can be found at a number of health food stores, organic markets, and even regular grocery stores. If you prefer shopping online, you will find a plethora of organic aloe vera juice to choose from.
A Recipe for Success
Aloe vera is just one of many supplements that can assist with immune support, especially when concerning harmful inflammation. Tumeric, malunguy tea, matcha green tea, American ginseng, and CBD oil have also shown some incredible effects on strengthening our body and its systems.
By making intelligent lifestyle choices such as not smoking, avoiding excessive alcohol intake, exercising, maintaining proper body weight, supplying your body with proper foods, and utilizing immunity building supplements, you are setting-up your immune system for success.
I witnessed it firsthand. At one point in my life I was at mortal risk of the smallest illness ending me. My immunity had been so compromised by cancer treatment that it was suggested I avoid crowded places and essentially run when in contact with something contagious. That is no longer the case.
By simply following a sound healthy lifestyle and structuring my diet to be an organic plant-filled diet that focuses with great care on what I put in my stomach, I was able to build my immune system to a point where there are no more restrictions. In fact, for the past year and a half I haven’t had so much as a cold.
Being confident in your immune system will grant you a new level of freedom in life. Incorporate these healthy tips into your day and watch your immunity, health, and overall quality of life soar to new heights.
References:
1. Stepanova OS; Prudnik NZ; Solov’eva VP; Golovchenko GA; Svishchuk AA; Grin Erg BG; Dubkova OM: “Chemical composition and biological activity of dry Aloe leaves.” Fiziol Akt Veshchestva 9: 94-97, 1977.
2. Sompayrac, Lauren M. 2015. How the Immune System Work: The How it Works Series. New Jersey: Wiley Blackwell
3. Calimeris, Dorothy., and Bruner, Sondi 2015. The Anti-Inflammatory Diet and Action Plans: 4 Week Meal Plans to Heal the Immune System and Restore Overall Health
4. Bardin, Stefani. The Fantastic Voyage. TedX Manhattan: 2011.
Immune system graphic by AIDS.gov [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.
Aloe vera drink photo (CC BY 2.0) by Ruth and Dave.
At the age of 33, Danny underwent major brain surgery to remove a large cancerous tumor in his parietal lobe. Doctors gave him two to five years to live. He refused to accept this diagnosis and began a furious journey to battle cancer with every available avenue at his disposal. Not only did he undergo the traditional treatment of chemotherapy and radiation, but he incorporated his own treatments and went on a massive undertaking of researching natural cancer-fighting remedies and supplements. This, along with daily exercise and a complete overhaul of diet became his road-map to success. In a matter of six months, Danny was able to obliterate stage three brain cancer and remove the grim timeline doctors had given.
Armed with a second chance, Danny uses his knowledge and story of success to inspire and help others. He is an active participant in raising awareness for cancer research, and is proud to sit on the board for this year’s Desert Matter’s 5K charity run in Las Vegas, Nevada, whose proceeds go to supporting brain tumor research.
