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Currently there are two schools of thought regarding the cure of disease. One is to administer drugs which can impair the immune system while possibly preventing the proliferation of the virus or bacteria, or to enhance the immune system. Perhaps future medicine will combine both approaches.
A Time magazine article (Sept. 12,1994) entitled “The Killers All Around”, discusses new viruses which are becoming drug resistant. The article warns, “They can strike anywhere, anytime. On a cruise ship, in the corner restaurant . . .Anyone can be a carrier, [even] the stranger coughing in the next seat to you.”
According to the statistics cited in this article, respiratory infections, either bacterial or viral, are responsible for 4,300,000 deaths per year globally. Tuberculosis alone is responsible for 3,000,000 deaths and is on the rise. Certain strains of tuberculosis can no longer be treated with the traditional antibiotics. Strep and staph bacteria are also becoming resistant, and one strain can only be treated with a single antibiotic, strep A.
In the case of strep A infection the bacteria is infected with a virus, making it especially virulent. Microbes can mutate or evolve every twenty minutes. Often with antibiotic therapy, secondary infections cause reduced competition of resistant bacteria.
There are of course other modifying factors which effect the nature of the infection, such as genetics, age, metabolic, environmental, anatomic, physiological and new microbial presences which affect the immune system. For example, a hypofunctional state can occur either in the very young or the very old. It is not unheard of to see general sepsis in children from Escherichia Coli. In the Northwest in the early 1990’s a brief outbreak of this bacteria occurred among patrons of Jack in the Box. Other examples the effects of chronological sage might be Streptococcus Pneumonia and influenza which are common, and often lethal, for the elderly.
Environmental and nutritional factors also affect proper immune function. It is known that malnutrition among people living in poor conditions creates a greater susceptibility to infections. Studies on children in developing countries show that nutritional deprivation at an early age is associated with developmental failure of the immune response, that is, the cell-mediated immunity. Furthermore, patients who have been treated with steroids have an increased susceptibility to bacterial diseases, such as staphylococcal infections.
The adrenal glands, located just above the kidneys, produce the hormones, adrenaline, noradrenaline, cortisol and stress hormones which regulate the immune system. It has been revealed in studies that type A personalities (impatient, tense, ambitious) have a 40 times greater amount of cortisol, and more than double the adrenaline, circulating in the blood. The type B person, generally more relaxed when faced with the same problems, seems to have a lowered threshold to stress.
The spleen is the largest mass of lymphatic tissue, and is responsible for destroying worn out blood cells and platelets as well as producing lymphocytes. The liver produces the majority of lymph in the body. A specific macrophage found in the liver, the Kupffer cell, is responsible for filtering bacteria like candida albicans, a type of yeast.
Viruses and bacteria have always been present in the environment. Today humankind is faced with an increase of such lethal viruses as HIV, Ebola, evolved hepatitis viruses, and retroviruses. There are also additional new unknown mutations due to many of the advanced pharmacological creations, and environmental toxins.
Man also has a great deal to do with the new microbial evolution. For example, cutting the rain forests changes the environment to the point where an biological imbalance is created. Faster modes of travel have impacted the easy spread of microbes – people carrying microbes from other lands either on their persons or in their belongings. This new microbial and environmental evolution has created new conditions for the immune system.
Why is it that some of the people who have been infected with a virus or bacteria escape its unpleasant or destructive effect? One answer is the capability to resist, or a strong immune system. A strong immune system might be able to better fight off viruses and the retroviruses.
Retroviruses are viruses which have their genetic structure encoded into RNA but which reproduce by turning it back into DNA during an infection. Once inside a living cell, retroviruses are able to synthesize viruses and copy DNA; that is, they copy molecules using the virus’s RNA genetic molecules as the template. To do this job a unique enzyme molecule called “reverse transcriptase” is used by the virus. Since this enzyme is not found in normal body host cells the virus itself must carry it.
Once the DNA copy of a retrovirus is made (called a pro-virus) it is inserted into the DNA of the cell being infected. Now an actual part of the genetic code of the cell, the retrovirus’ genetic information is hidden from the immune system, which would otherwise destroy the virus inside the cell, or destroy the entire cell. The retrovirus has an extremely complex method of body intrusion and is difficult for medical practitioners to detect, though the diagnostic and detection methods should improve with time.
Today the environment contains plastics, synthetic chemicals, smog, polyester, pesticides, and other toxic materials which research has shown affects our immune system. Alcohol and tobacco contain additional toxins, and, when ingested, add to the foreign chemicals in our bodies which may deplete our resistance. Furthermore, we ingest other potential toxins such as synthetic foods, highly processed foods, “junk food”, etc. The continual process of natural detoxification provides extra stresses on the immune system. By reducing the need for detoxification one can strengthen the immune system rather than bombard it with more antigenic compounds. Synthetic foods (sugar, processed wheat, junk foods, etc.) also create the non-self substances that the immune system is required to detoxify. Replacing synthetic foods with whole foods such as fish, fresh vegetables and fruits may increase resistance, thus again lower the need for detoxification which depletes immune strength.
Allergies can develop which add additional stress to the immune system. One benefit of current medical technology are the tests available to determine both immediate allergies (dust, mites, pollen, etc.) versus delayed allergies, such as to food. Recently there has been a new test developed which can determine vitamin deficiencies by testing the lymphatic system.
Scientists from around the world believe that human activities are threatening the biosphere, the thin layer on the surface of the earth where life occurs, and in the final part of our century humans are destroying the natural systems upon which life depends.
Many people accept the fact that they need to make dietary and lifestyle changes in order to deal with the allergies, cancer, diabetes, cardiac problems, and so on. There is growing concern about chemical dumping, the diminishing ozone layer, environmental radioactivity, and electromagnetic pollution. Additionally there is a growing awareness that these environmental conditions can lead to cumulative health effects such as cancer, immune deficiencies, etc. As the stress on our physiology increases, we have seen an increase in tumors, leukemia, congenital birth defects, and immunological problems from the effects of radioactive isotopes, and thousands of chemicals and pollutants. In recent years, there have been increasing cases of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, AIDS and the return of once thought to be “cured” illnesses – measles, tuberculosis, and pertussis – all seen by some medical researchers as the result of environmental changes.
It is uncertain whether chemical, radiation, pollution, or germ warfare will kill massive numbers of people before an epidemic such as AIDS or Ebola kills an equal number of people. During the past 45 years, America has introduced more pollution into the environment than has been contributed in the entire history of the world.
The chemistry of our environment has changed in the last 100 years. Scientists have found progressive poisoning of nature with chemical byproducts from automobiles, agriculture, industry, and “defense” activities; the proliferation of synthetic foods, pharmaceuticals, clothing, etc. in every place on the earth. Natural events such as volcanoes and fires also release environmental toxins. More than 1,000,000,000 pounds of chemicals have been released into the ground threatening the earth’s water supply, and 2,400,000,000 pounds of air emissions have been pumped into the atmosphere. If you were to fill a line of semitrailers parked bumper to bumper from Los Angeles to Des Moines, Iowa (each able to carry 45,000 lbs), you would account for the chemical pollutants released into the environment – a total of 5,705,670,380 pounds.
The environment has neither the space nor the capability to support the waste materials of nuclear power plants, and cannot withstand the depletion of forests, the earth's primary source of oxygen, nor accidents such as chemical and oil spills. In the 1950’s desolate areas of Nevada and Utah were used as nuclear test sites, and the inhabitants greeted the privilege of having the tests done in their state with pride. Between the years of 1950-1962 above ground tests exceeded 100 nuclear explosions and spread radioactive debris into the atmosphere. The clouds turned pink, livestock died, and the longterm effects on human beings in that area are still little understood. In 1961, a decade after the first testing, people exposed to fallout started to develop leukemia and other cancers.
The effects of exposure to radiation is a growing concern among scientists, as it permeates the atmosphere. On one end of the spectrum there are the “low energy” forms of radiation such as radio, television waves, microwaves, computers, ultraviolet light, x-rays, and gamma rays. At the highest end of the spectrum radiation has the property known as ionization, the ability of X-rays and gamma rays, when they pass through a living cells, to separate electrons from their atoms and add higher amounts of energy to the runaway electrons. The result may damage tissue, and have such effects as cancer and genetic defects.
Radon, discovered during the 1980s to be harmful substance, is the radioactive byproduct of uranium decay which seeps up from the ground, and was found in uranium waste deposit sites in New York, northwestern New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, the Appalachian Mountains, parts of Montana, South Dakota, Colorado and Florida.
Currently in the U.S. alone there are about 110 nuclear reactors capable of mechanical failure. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists there are currently about 35 sites with similar containment systems as Chernobyl, and this old technology can fail at any time, possibly causing the same disaster which occurred there.
The Wall Street Journal reported a story which illustrates the possible effects of environmental pollution upon the body. A gentleman experienced dizziness, nausea and a pounding intensified headache moments after he treated his lawn with a pesticide. The medical opinion was that the anti-ulcer medication that he was taking suppressed his liver’s ability to detoxify the pesticides he was exposed to, and his natural defenses were compromised.
An antimetabolite is something which destroys a substance required for the body’s biochemical reactions, such as tobacco. It is documented to destroy vitamin A, B6, B12, and vitamin C.
Studies have shown that cigarette smoke might contain radioactive particles. It was reported in the New England Journal of Medicine that when cigarette smoke is inhaled two dangerous alpha-emitting radioisotopes enter the body, particularly affecting the lymph nodes. Dr. Edward Martell, a radiochemist for the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colorado, noted that, “Lead-210 which has a half life of 22 years is an insoluble radioactive particle in cigarette smoke. This decays into polonium-210 in time.”
The study of the radiochemistry of cigarette smoke is a relatively new field, and most researchers are still trying to isolate carcinogens. One cigarette also destroys 25-100 mg of vitamin C. You can well imagine what a pack of cigarettes can do to the body.
X-RAYS, radiopharmaceuticals, and radioisotopes might be adding “insult” to injury. The true effect may be unknown at this point in time.
In the early 1950’s shoe departments used X-Ray machines to show people how their shoes fit. Little did they know at that time that the feet that were X-Rayed could have been responsible for genital problems, or potential congenital problems in pregnancy.
The San Francisco Examiner reported in April, 1987 that “radioactive materials are poured down drains into San Francisco Bay every year, sometimes legally, sometimes illegally.” It appears that some education needs to be provided which illuminates the cumulative effects of radiation. At the University of Washington in Seattle, it was found that rats exposed to long term low level microwaves developed leukemia at four times the rate of normal rats.
In the 1987 issue of The Townsend Letter, Zane Gard MD writes that over 3000 chemicals have been identified that were intentionally added to food supplies and over 700 added to drinking water. During food processing and storage, more than 10,000 other compounds can become an integral part of many commonly used foods.
Ninety percent of toxic waste is improperly disposed and may end up in our water supplies, beaches or be abandoned in open fields. Directly or indirectly this toxic residue invariably works its way into the human body. Add to the list the potential body of toxins, radiation, petrochemicals, industrial waste, medical and street drugs, tons of pesticides, herbicides and insecticides. An example is Hydrazine, a chemical which enters and binds to destroy vitamin B6. This chemical is widely seen in our environment found in smoke, and aircraft. The result of this massive chemical exposure is an incredible chemical glacier advancing upon the human race in a relatively short period of time.
Heavy metals account for some of the toxic accumulation in the body which can affect its normal functioning over time. Heavy metals are considered to be lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic, nickel and aluminum. It has been estimated that up to 25 per cent of the US population suffers from heavy metal poisoning resulting from environmental contamination due to industrial pollution. In addition, environmental toxicity can occur from cooking utensils, the lead and cadmium from cigarette smoke, mercury from dental fillings, aluminum from antacids, solder in tin cans, and so on.
Cadmium can create the most serious health problems. Dangerously pervasive in our air, food and water cadmium is also a cumulative poison, and is found especially in cigarette smoke, coffee, and gasoline. Cadmium toxicity creates retarded immune response due to its effect on the capabilities of the kidneys, liver, and T cell production. The toxicity of lead and cadmium can increase with a zinc deficiency.
Mercury is one of the oldest pollutants and is prevalent everywhere. One of the neurological side effects of mercury may be the decreased production of white blood cells, including the T cells. The most common sources of mercury contamination are from pesticides, cosmetics, dental substances, tuna, swordfish, and pharmaceutical drugs. Selenium can help detoxify mercury.
Aluminum is also considered a toxic heavy metal. It is found in food additives, antacids, baking powder, some white flours, and some pots and pans. Aluminum toxicity has been implicated in Alzheimer’s, constipation, and schizophrenia.
Indigestion, tremors, anemia, pallor, dizziness, poor coordination and fatigue are also some of the early symptoms of heavy metal poisoning.