Don’t Let Your Immunity Down
Presently there is an assortment of controversy about the covid-19 virus, with regards to general prevention. The government wants to make mandates and individuals want freedom of choice.
If you are looking for alternative ways to reduce the risk of infection or the symptomatology from infection, this information will interest you regardless of your stance on mandates.
Older adults are at especially high risk: 90% of seasonal flu-related deaths, and up to 60% of flu-related hospitalizations, occur in people 65 and older, which happens to be the age when NK cell function precipitously declines. And the older we get, the higher the risk of hospitalization or death from the flu. We have seen this same trend with the covid-19 virus.
The first line of defense against new invaders is our natural killer (NK) cells. As we age, NK cells lose their functionality, thus leaving us far more vulnerable to viral diseases—and the formation of tumors. These tiny security guards seek and destroy cells that have been transformed by an infection with a virus or by one of many malignant changes that transform them into cancer cells.
The health of these cells is critical to a robust immune system. Unfortunately, your NK cell function rapidly declines as part of the natural decline in your immune system as you age. This degeneration of immune function is medically termed immune senescence (aging).
Older adults are at especially high risk: 90% of seasonal flu-related deaths, and up to 60% of flu-related hospitalizations, occur in people 65 and older, which happens to be the age when NK cell function precipitously declines. And the older we get, the higher the risk of hospitalization or death from the flu. We have seen this same trend with the covid-19 virus.
Although new vaccines can help protect against specific viruses, a decline in immune function (as part of immune aging) limits vaccine efficacy in older people.
Natural killer (NK) cells are part of your inborn immune system, that part of the immune system that was ready to go the moment you were born. Unlike cells belonging to your adoptive immune system, NK cells don’t require specific antibodies to do their work.
Once such unauthorized cells have been identified, NK cells shoot to kill, destroying virally or malignantly transformed cells, while leaving intact any normal, healthy cells that can prove their identity. NK cells use as weapons chemical substances that punch holes in target cell membranes, allowing them to insert proteins that trigger the cell death program called apoptosis, which lies latent in every cell.
Functional NK cells are needed to destroy virus-infected cells before viral replication gets out of control. Failure of NK cells to control an infection results in the release of new viruses, followed by more rapid infection, viral replication, and destruction of millions of additional cells, spreading the virus throughout the body.
Organisms rely on two mechanisms for their survival; the ability to fight off infection and the ability to utilize and store energy efficiently. A tightly controlled equilibrium between these two systems has evolved over time due to immune responses being so highly energy-demanding and metabolic pathways having to respond by shifting energy usage from non-essential tasks.
The ability to produce and store energy efficiently depends on the function of our mitochondria, the batteries of our cells.
Mitochondria make our bodies energy but not without consequences. Harmful free radicals are formed during the process of energy production.
Therefore, mitochondrial survival is based on (Oxidative stress) a dynamic balance of antioxidants vs free radicals.
The classical belief was that free radicals are bad and antioxidants are good. However, recent scientific information has actually demonstrated a paradox, not all free radicals are bad.
In fact, free radicals help fight viruses and regulate the immune system.
Oxidative stress is therefore necessary, in moderation.
The message is then, take antioxidants with precision.
How do you take antioxidants with precision?
There are now very reliable methods to measure:
Oxidative stress,
Antioxidants, and
Mitochondrial dysfunction.
Comprehensive nutritional testing is the answer.
Allows precision supplementation
Boosting the immune system.
Producing efficient energy
Extending survival
DON’T LET YOUR IMMUNITY DOWN!
Book an initial appointment and let’s boost your immunity!