ZINC/IMMUNE SYSTEM
Excessive zinc supplements may weaken the immune system, decreasing the body's ability to fight disease. High zinc intake may also interfere with copper metabolism, lead to anemia and low blood counts. (Biomedical Pharmacotherapy 38: 187-193, 1986) Copyright Phylis Austin

RAW GARLIC/IMMUNE SYSTEM
Dr. Osama Kandil of the Akbar Clinic and Research Institute at Panama City, Florida reported at the annual meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, that eating raw garlic increased the body's natural killer cell activity, enabling the body to more effectively fight off disease. Kyolic capsules, which provide an odor-free way of taking garlic, increased natural killer cell activity by 156 percent, while the raw garlic enhanced killer cell activity 140 percent.
The volunteers in the group were given 0.5 g/kg of body weight of raw garlic on a daily basis for three weeks and the volunteers who took Kyolic took a daily of 1,800 mg. (Internal Medicine News 20(12)49, June 15-30, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

DIPHTHERIA-TETANUS-PERTUSSIS (DPT) IMMUNIZATIONS/SUDDEN INFANT DEATH SYNDROME
Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) death rates are greatly increased the three days following DTP immunization. (American Journal of Public Health 77(8)945-951, 1987) Copyright Phylis Austin

DPT IMMUNIZATION/BRAIN DAMAGE
The patients of an 8-year-old girl who sustained permanent brain damage after a diphtheria-pertussis-tetanus (DPT) vaccine won an $15 million award against the vaccine manufacturer. Millions of children receive the DPT vaccine every year, and in many states it is required for entrance to public school. The jury felt that evidence was convincing that the company had not been sufficiently cautious in testing the vaccine, nor had the public been adequately warned about the dangers associated with the immunization. There are about 200 similar cases still pending against the manufacturer of the DPT vaccine. (American Medical News, November 6, 1987, p. 34) Copyright Phylis Austin

FEBRILE SEIZURES/PERTUSSIS IMMUNIZATIONS
Febrile seizures (convulsions induced by fever) are more common after pertussis immunizations. (Pediatric Research 23(4 pt 2)558A, April 1988) Copyright Phylis Austin

LOW FAT DIET/IMMUNE SYSTEM
A low fat diet enhances the function of the immune system. A diet high in fat suppresses the white blood cells. Several studies have shown a relationship between a high fat diet and cancer, and it is known that a low fat diet reduces cancer incidence. (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 50:861-867, 1989) Copyright Phylis Austin

FOOD RESTRICTION/IMMUNE SYSTEM
Laboratory animals who were placed on restricted diets their entire lifetime lived longer than animals given a regular diet, according to Robert A. Good of the University of South Florida. (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 86(11)4225-4229, June 1989) Human studies have shown that people who are on restricted diets live longer, and have better quality of life. Copyright Phylis Austin

DIETARY RESTRICTION/IMMUNE FUNCTION
Dietary restriction may strengthen the function of the immune system. Numerous studies have shown that reducing food intake contributes to longevity. (Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism 34:76-84, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

WALKING/IMMUNE FUNCTION
A group of inactive women who were placed on a 15-week walking program were shown to have improved immune system function. While the exercise group and the control group caught the same number of respiratory tract infections during the study those who exercised had persistence of symptoms for 5.1 days, while the inactive women suffered symptoms for 10.8 days. (Internal Medicine News 23(15)15, August 1-14, 1990) Copyright Phylis Austin

SUCRALOSE/IMMUNE SYSTEM
Sucralose, an artificial sweetener, is expected to be approved by the FDA this spring. The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is urging the postponement of this approval. Rats given large quantities of sucralose showed shrunken thymuses. Because the thymus is so important in the immune system the CSPI feels that further studies are called for. The artificial sweetener has already been approved for use in Canada; Europe has called for additional studies. (Natural Health, March-April 1992, p. 19) Copyright Phylis Austin

IMMUNE SYSTEM
Advances in understanding the immune system still leave many unanswered questions. Many of us are searching for ways to protect and strengthen the marvelous defense system our loving Creator provides for us.
The main functions of the immune system are to recognize invaders, and to respond to them. Even a mild infection would be fatal without an immune response. Yet, our modern lifestyle weakens our body's ability to protect us. Chronic stress, anxiety, grief and depression all produce chemical changes in the body which tax the immune system. Excessive exercise is now known to temporarily decrease immune system function. We have known for decades that people on poor diets are more susceptible to disease. The decrease in immune function associated with rapid weight loss may also be due to poor nutritional status.
To keep your immune system functioning at its peak ability, control stress, eat a balanced diet, and maintain an optimistic outlook on life. (Bottom Line Personal, August 15, 1993, p. 9, 10) Copyright Phylis Austin

CHILDHOOD ARTHRITIS/RUBELLA BOOSTER IMMUNIZATIONS
Physicians at Columbia University in New York observed the onset of arthritis following MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) immunization. Seven of 58 newly diagnosed cases of childhood arthritis in this study group came on after immunization. Some of the children in the study received only booster shoots. Some of the children in the group continue to have symptoms eight months after the immunization; one patient requires daily medication. The authors conclude that parents should be told that rubella vaccine may induce arthritis. (Pediatric Research 29(4 Pt 2)175A, April 1991) Copyright Phylis Austin

SPOUSAL ARGUMENTS/IMMUNE SYSTEM
Married couples who indulge in hostile behavior may be damaging their immune systems. Five of six pituitary and adrenal hormone levels showed changes from normal, and blood pressure levels increased following marital conflict. The changes were more marked in study subjects with the most marked hostility. (Psychosomatic Medicine 56:41-51, 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

MARITAL FIGHTS/IMMUNE SYSTEM
Couples who fight suffer a reduction in their natural killer cell activity, making it more difficult to fight off tumors and viruses. Spouses who express high levels of hostility have lower levels of antibodies to Epstein-Barr virus. (Psychology Today 27(1)9, January-February 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

LABOR IN CHILDBIRTH/CHILD'S IMMUNE SYSTEM
The process of labor may strengthen an infant's immune system according to a study from London, United Kingdom. Immune system function of infants born by cesarean section was compared with infants born vaginally. Infants born vaginally had higher values for several immune system indicators. The researchers conclude that labor may benefit the child's immune system. (American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology 171:1271-2, 1994) Copyright Phylis Austin

HEART DISEASE/IMMUNE SYSTEM/VIOLENT MOVIES/TELEVISION
Duke University researchers report that watching violence on television or in movies may weaken the immune system and/or increase one's risk of heart attack. Subjects watching violence on television had increases in their heart rates and blood pressure, and higher stress hormone levels. The researchers concluded that the large amount of violence Americans are exposed to may represent a significant health hazard. (Medical Tribune 36(8)21, April 21, 1995) Copyright Phylis Austin

LIFESTYLE/IMMUNE SYSTEM
A healthy lifestyle enhances the production of lymphokine- activated killer (LAK) cells, a group of lymphocytes which appear to assist the body in fighting cancer. Smoking produced a marked decrease in the production of LAK cells, while exercise increased them. In general, the more good health practices the person had the higher their LAK cell levels. (Preventive Medicine 25:717-724, 1996) Copyright Phylis Austin