To stop and heal from any severe or chronic disease requires the addressing of the underlying issues of stress, infection, toxin or nutritional deficiency to create a movement towards health. Using a variety of immuno-active agents, nutritional supplements and detoxifiers we endeavor to reconstitute the immune system to re-engage in the healing process of any Disease- let it be immune deficiency, auto-immune diseases, allergies, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome or immune dysfunctions such as cancer.

Monday, September 18, 2017

CANCER- BASIC SCIENTIFIC BREAKDOWN

As a clinical immunologist, I help people with four major areas of immune dysfunction: (1) immune deficiency, (2) allergy immunology, (3) autoimmune diseases and (4) cancer immunology. It has clearly been shown that the strength of our immune system directly correlates to our risk of getting cancer and the probability that when the cancer is put into remission, it will STAY IN REMISSION. This is a critical point because many cancers have a propensity to recur, and a cancer recurrence is no fun at all. So it behooves us to take a close look at the structure and functioning of the immune system.

There are two major pathways in our immune system: The TH1 pathway and the TH2 pathway. The TH1 pathway is designed to stimulate the cells that protect us from recurrence of cancer. The cells that actually destroy these cancer cells are things called natural killer cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes. These cells work together to identify and destroy abnormal cells in our system, cancer cells. Each of us develop a certain number of cancer cells every single day. There are specialized blood tests called tumor markers. When you look at a tumor marker test, and it doesn't matter which one you look at, whether it be a CEA, a CA 19-9, CA 27-29, so on and so forth, we all have a normal range. The normal range is zero to some number, not zero to zero. Because through our normal lives, we produce some abnormal cells that contain these abnormal proteins and when the immune system identifies these cells and destroys them, it releases these substances into the blood stream and we can measure it.

When somebody has an active cancer, the cancer cells die almost as fast as they grow. But unfortunately, they grow somewhat faster, which is what gets people in trouble. But the dying cancer cells release these abnormal proteins into the blood stream, these tumor markers, and enables us to roughly approximate the growth of the tumor that the person is suffering from. So, it's not an exact science, but it's pretty accurate, and we correlate that to structural measurements that we get through scans, CAT scans, MRIs, ultrasounds, and the like, and between the two, we're able to correlate the patient's progress and see how things are going.

Once the tumor is put into remission, whether it be through the activities of chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, low-dose fractionated chemotherapy or immunotherapy, then the cancer over a period of time often has a tendency to try to recur because the thing that allowed the cancer to begin with at the very start of things has not been addressed, and that issue was an area of damage to our immune system to begin with. Unfortunately, the treatment step we use nowadays for patients with cancer, chemotherapy and radiation all increase the level of damage and dysfunction to our immune system, which is kind of a Catch-22 if you will, but nonetheless, there we go.

So it behooves us, that once the cancer's put into remission, to take a close look at the structure and function of the immune system to identify and repair the damage that initially allowed the person to get cancer to begin with, and to repair its functioning so that it can actively look for, seek, and destroy any abnormal cells that are starting to come back. This could be done through specialized blood tests to identify the holes in the immune system, and then the use of nutraceuticals and certain pharmaceuticals, as the case may be, along with diet and lifestyle changes to restore immune competency, so the person can have a long and healthy life. Look to the immune system.

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DR. JESSE A. STOFF is an internationally renowned physician with extensive credentials in clinical immunology and holistic medicine. A graduate of New York Medical College, he pursued extensive post-doctoral training including a fellow- ship at the Royal London Homeopathic Hospital in London, England. He has authored/co-authored countless articles and 8 books including co-authoring the bestseller "Chronic Fatigue Syndrome: The Hidden Epidemic" and The Prostate Miracle.

This article is produced and written by the writing team at IMMUNOLOGY TODAY- The Official Newsletter of Integrative Medicine of N.Y. of Westbury NY-- Edited and co-published by Dr. Jesse A. Stoff exclusively for the purposes of this blogpost (Immunology Today) and rejuvenatesoliutions.com The publisher(s) hold all rights (c) to all elements, images and content herein. All distribution, sharing or re-posting of this article is only with the express permission from Dr. Stoff and Integrative Medicine of NY (formerly Linchitz Medical Wellness). 265 Post Ave. Suite 380 Westbury, NY 11590 | 516.759.4200 | www.StoffImmunology.com. Rejuvenate! is a registered trademark of Intermedia Communications Ltd. All written content in this newsletter is produced by the Stoff Institute for Medical Research (SIMR) exclusively for private distribution at the Integrative Medicine of NY ©2016- All Rights Reserved.

DISCLAIMER: All information provided in this article is intended as general public information and is not intended to treat or cure any disease or disorder. Dr. Jesse A. Stoff, Integrative medicine of NY, nor any individual or practitioner associated with the publishing of this article is not liable for any damages resulting from the use of the information on this article. As a visitor of this blogsite, you acknowledge and agree that any reliance on or use by you of any information available on this Internet web site shall be entirely at your own risk. In no event shall the owner or operator be liable for any direct, indirect, consequential or exemplary damages arising from the use or the performance of this Internet web site, even if the owner or operator has been advised of the possibility of such damages. While every attempt has been made to verify the information on this website, neither the owners, distributors, agents, publishers or their affiliates assume any responsibility or liability for any error, inaccuracies, omissions in the same, or related to results from use of these materials. No party is liable for any direct, incidental, consequential, indirect, or punitive damages arising out of your access to, or use of this blogsite and the contents herein.

ESSENTIALS OF AUTO-IMMUNE DISEASES

By: Dr. Jesse A. Stoff

As a clinical immunologist, I help people with different sorts of immune based disorders such as cancer, such as immune deficiencies, allergies, and autoimmune diseases. The common denominator about these diverse illnesses is that they all represent a significant dysfunction and level of damage to the underlying structure and/or functioning of the immune system. When we're looking at autoimmune diseases, we're looking at a very particular area of damage to the immune system. There are over 40 different types of autoimmune diseases. Here on Long Island, New York, we actually have some of the highest incidents of thyroiditis, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, found anywhere in the United States.

This, they believe, has to do with the toxins that we're exposed to in this unique environment on Long Island. There's some toxin they believe that's in the water that we've been exposed to, perhaps even years ago that over a period of time has resulted in this production of thyroiditis. Exactly what that toxin is or how this has progressed is still a matter of some research. But nonetheless, it is a fact and a big problem in this area. When we have an autoimmune disease, the immune system is damaged and confused and making antibodies against itself. So when we're looking at thyroiditis, for example, there are known triggers to this sort of dysfunction.

There are different sorts of heavy metals that are known to cause inflammation and lead to an abnormal immune response that could lead to an attack on a specific organ or structure. But also, there are different viruses that are known to attack the thyroid and even a bacteria called Yersinia that lives in the digestive tract, that produces a toxin that specifically attacks the thyroid and could lead to the production of thyroiditis. Thyroiditis, as all of the autoimmune diseases are, have to be treated through an integrated approach. When we're looking at the treatment, we're looking at ways of number one, reducing the inflammatory response that the abnormal antibodies are generating, and we're also looking at ways to distract these antibodies from attacking the target organ. And this is called using an alternate antigen strategy.

When we're treating somebody with thyroiditis, we use a natural form of a thyroid preparation such as Armour Thyroid or Nature-Throid or Westhroid or compounded thyroid, some natural organic form of thyroid molecules to give to the patients even in very low doses. And what happens then is that the abnormal antibodies will perceive this material as more abnormal than a person's own thyroid and preferentially attack this material taking the stress off their thyroid almost immediately. This immediately starts to reduce the inflammation. They start to get an immediately improved response of their thyroid and thyroid hormone, takes the stress off very quickly.

Combine this with different supplements that are antiinflammatory, Omega-3 and Omega-7 fatty acids, vitamin C, and other supplements, and now we have the beginnings of a powerful strategy to stabilize this type of autoimmune disease. But this kind of thinking follow through for all autoimmune diseases. Try to find an alternate antigen if we can, use the anti-inflammatories to reduce the damage that the autoantibodies are causing, and then we use different substances, often antigens to help shift the immune response back into a place of balance. So, instead of having an abnormal response through one of the major pathways of the immune system called a TH2 pathway, generating high levels of abnormal antibodies, we can seek a new balance of repair and restore and restoration between the TH1 and TH2 pathways, allowing for a new level of immune system function and immune system health.

In this way, I'm able to help the vast majority of patients that come to me, even with advanced, severe, and chronic autoimmune diseases. Whether it be thyroiditis, whether it be lupus, whether it be autoimmune pancreatitis resulting in type 1 diabetes, so on and so forth. The underlying rationale is the same, the immunology is the same, the supplements and materials I use may be different, but the rationale of restoring balance to the immune system is possible and it could be done without using a lot of harsh chemicals, in most cases.

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IMMUNOLOGY AND THE SCIENCE OF SELF-HEALING

By: Dr. Jesse Stoff

The immune system is one of our basic and most important systems in our body. The immune system has to protect us from potential threats from outside our body, as well as from abnormalities and abnormal cells that are generated from within. It's able to accomplish this miraculous task through a combination of cells and through communication molecules called cytokines. Together, they work together to weave an impenetrable web, in most cases, to protect us from all sorts of severe and chronic diseases. But if we're exposed to things that damage the immune system, things like suffering from poor nutrition, various sorts of infection, toxins, various kinds of trauma, severe stresses, this can cause a weakening of our immune system, a rip in the fabric, and we lose our protection, winding up with some dread severe or chronic illness.

To help restore our health and to help restore harmony, it's a matter of rebuilding the immune response. A functional immune system is based upon an intact biochemistry, which means our biochemistry, the system of biochemical substances, hormones, enzymes and the like in our body has to be intact, functional and in balance, one to the other, in order to support the immune system as efficiently as is possible. Together, they work together to protect us from all sorts of illnesses and keep us above ground on the shiny side of the grass that much longer. When we're looking at the immune system, it's actually a bridge. A bridge where? A bridge between our biochemistry and a bridge in the sort of metaphysical sense to our higher self.

Things like STRESS, things like our feelings of purpose, things like giving us reason to get out of bed in the morning. All of these subtle impulses actually have a physical, biochemical effect on our body. And that result is an immune system that's attuned to our hopes, dreams and even our aspirations. It protects us. It helps us to get there. It's a marvelous system. It's a system that allows through communication molecules and specialized cells to protect us. It's a bridge between life and death. It's a bridge where you can measure the activity of the immune system and predict when somebody's due to fall ill to somewhat severe or chronic illness.

There have been many studies that look at a certain kind of white blood cell called lymphocytes. They've done studies of patients in nursing homes. And by looking at the rate of fall of the actual number and percentage of the lymphocytes, they can actually predict with a high degree of certainty when that poor patient is likely to pass away. The immune system serves many important functions, and it behooves us to look into its structure and function periodically, just like you might check your weight every now and then or you might go to your doctor for a physical to check and see how your blood pressure is. By looking at your immune system, that's perhaps the best defense you have against a severe or chronic disease in your future. Through this next series of booklets that we're going to be presenting, we're going to look at how derivatives of damage to our bio-chemistry in our immune system allows for the development and progression of a long list of severe and chronic illnesses that could affect you or a loved one.

Please take care of yourself. Tend to your immune system.

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Tuesday, September 12, 2017

WHAT CAN YOUR WEIGHT BE TELLING YOU?

Body weight can be an indicator of the healthy state of a person. Both of the extremes, being obese or being underweight, can be a cause and as well as a symptom of many health problems.

What are the Ways of Identifying Obesity

Even though there are no definite or rather scientific symptoms to know whether you are having the problem of overweight and obesity but there are two reliable methods that can provide you with a clear picture of your body weight.

Since obesity can cause many complications therefore if you feel that you are getting bulky then there are methods that can tell that whether you have become an overweight or not.

Body Mass index

Body mass index (BMI) is a numerical value that is obtained with the help of body weight and height. The values of BMIs are independent of family tree, gender, race or even age. Since it is easy to calculate, therefore it is the most use indicator to find the type of body weight.

Apart from BMI, there are some other parameters as well to find out the excessive amount of adipose tissues in body.

Waist Circumference

The girth of waist is another factor to find the obesity of a person. Waist circumference is often altered due to content of abdominal fat. When abdominal fat gets in excess relative to the total body fats then it shows that the person is possibly suffering from obesity. An average estimate suggests that males with a waist of more than 40 inches and females with a waist more than 35 inches fall in the category of overweight.

Consequences of being overweight and obese

Obesity doesn’t only distort your body shape but it can also become a reason for many serious health problems such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes. Obese people also become vulnerable to different type of cancers. Some of the diseases that are strongly related with obesity are given below.

Type 2 diabetes

80% of overweight people who are suffering from type 2 diabetes are obese and overweight. Even though there is no direct correlation between obesity and diabetes but being overweight might change the behavior of body cells to make them insulin resistant which result in high levels of blood sugar.

High blood pressure

Obesity can lead to chronic high blood pressure because the increased volume of the body requires heart to pump harder to circulate blood throughout the body. Damaged kidneys due to excessive abdominal fat can also deregulate the blood pressure.

Having constant blood pressure can result in deteriorated state of heart and that can result in heart attacks, sudden cardiac failure and angina.

Sudden weight loss: Causes

Having weight that is below the normal BMI levels is also considered unhealthy. Normal weight fluctuations often happen but if you experience 5% unintended weight loss in over six month then you should be concerned. If this rapid weight loss is not caused by eating disorders then it can be caused due to some health concerns such as:

· Developing of cancer

· Major depressive order

· Overactive or underactive thyroid gland

· Side effects of medicines

As the above information clearly indicates that both extremities of body weight are dangerous for health therefore make sure that you maintain your body weight in between.

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Sources

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/weight-management/health-risks-overweight

https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/obe/signs

http://www.obesity.org/obesity/resources/facts-about-obesity/what-is-obesity

http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/expert-answers/fast-weight-loss/faq-20058289

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/unexpected-weight-loss/Pages/Introduction.aspx

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SIDE EFFECTS OF PHARMACEUTICAL DRUGS AND RECENT POPULARITY OF ALTERNATIVE MEDICINES

Medicines and drugs serve the purpose of diagnosing, curing, mitigating and preventing diseases. However, medicines often come with unwanted side effects. These side effects can occur due to the interaction of a different medicines, or medicine with food, or when a medicine is not suiting the body chemistry. Not all medicinal side effects are recognizable and not all side effects are of same severity. Traditional drugs and medicines are available in two different arrangements; Rx or prescription drugs and over the counter drugs.

Prescription drugs

As their name suggests, these drugs are only prescribed by a practicing doctor and are mostly available at pharmacies. These drugs and medicines are supposed to be used only by the person to whom they are prescribed. Prescribed drugs are strictly regulated by government agencies to make sure that they are not misused.

Over the counter drugs

These drugs are mostly used to relieve different aches, allergies and infections. Over the counter (OTC) drugs can be bought without a doctor’s prescription and they are available easily at departmental stores. Protein and other micronutrient supplements are also considered OTC drugs.

Prescription and OTC drugs both contain several side effects, which often manifest when you start to take new medicines or OTC supplements or when you stop taking a drug that you have been consuming for a long time. Altering the dosage of drugs can also induce side effects.

Types of different side effects

Side effects of prescribed or OTC drugs can vary from person to person as well. It depends on the type and composition of drugs. However, there are some common side effects caused by medicines.

· Nausea

· Upset stomach

· Diarrhea

· Constipation

· Dry mouth

· Fatigue

Different drug types and their side effects

· Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are one of the widely used anti-inflammatory drug type. They are generally consumed to reduce fevers and inflammations and to relieve pains. NSAIDs can cause various side effects that include digestive problems (stomachaches, indigestion, and diarrhea), drowsiness and headaches.

· Muscle Relaxants is the drug type that is used when one suffers from muscle spasm, pulls and other related injuries. Drowsiness, low blood pressure, dry mouth and mood fluctuations are the possible side effects of muscle relaxants. Nearly every drug that is used to treat any physical or psychological disease and disorder has side effects.

Naturopathic & Alternative Medicine

Due to the severe side effects of the drugs, an alternate medicinal practice has become popular called naturopathic medicines. These alternate practices emphasize on encouraging every individual’s built-in self-healing process for the prevention and treatment of diseases.

Alternative or naturopathic medicines include different practices like the administration of nutritional medicines, naturopathic manipulative therapies, homeopathy and acupunctures. Awareness of personal hygiene and public health are also some of the prominent features of naturopathic practices.

People who have become wary of the side effects of traditional drugs are attracted to alternative practices because they promise pain free, side effect free results.
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Sources

https://medshadow.org/your-meds/the-problem-with-muscle-relaxants/

http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Anti-inflammatories-non-steroidal/Pages/Introduction.aspx

http://www.naturopathic.org/content.asp?contentid=59

http://rxoutreach.org/education-managing-common-side-effects/

https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/questionsanswers/ucm100101.htm

https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/medicine-and-side-effects

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IDENTIFICATION OF WEAKENED IMMUNE SYSTEM AND HOW TO BOOST IT

A weakened immune system can wreak havoc since it makes you more vulnerable to every pathogen that comes in contact with your body. Having said this, there are several instances where a person can get a weakened immune system.

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID): In SCID, a child is born with a weak immune system and remains under constant threat of infection and disease.

Temporary acquired immune deficiency: This is a temporary condition in which the immune system of a person gets weakened for a brief time period. This can happen due to various reasons.

· Due to anticancer and organ transplant medicines

· Due to excessive consumption of alcohol, smoking and poor dietary habits

· Due to viruses of flu and measles

AIDS/HIV: Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is the most deadly of all immunodeficiency disorders. The HIV virus destroys a number of white blood cells, which results in weakened immune system.

Symptoms of weakened immune system

There are several symptoms of immunodeficiency disorders that can serve as warning signs to people on the verge of the condition.

· When a person is frequently infected by the same virus and the virus doesn’t go away easily

· When mild bacterial infections get severe

· When the body doesn’t respond positively to infection treatments

· When recovery from any illness becomes difficult and remains incomplete

If you or someone you know experience any of these symptoms, it is wise to consult your physician for better guidance at once.

Clinical Tests to determine the state of immune system

Immunodeficiency can be determined with the help of a few different lab tests.

Immunoglobulin test

This quantitative test is carried out to determine the excess or deficiency of three major types of immunoglobulins (antibodies). Immunoglobulins are commonly known as antibodies and they are vital for a healthy immune system. The test is prescribed when a person is experiencing recurrent infections, which is a symptom of immunoglobulin deficiency.

Blood tests

Complete blood count is one of the major blood tests that is also conducted to find out the status of immune system. If blood count shows a reduced number of white blood cells, which constitutes a major line of defense of the human body, then the person might have a weakened immune system.

HIV test

People with severe symptoms of weakened immune system are recommended to undergo HIV tests.

How to boost the immune system

Improving the health of the immune system means your body will become more resistant to incoming diseases. Making your immune system stronger is not a linear program, because you are dealing with a complex network of factors in your body that needs to be addressed. However, there are certain measures you can take to boost the immune system.

· If you have to do one thing to boost your immune system, it should be maintaining a healthy lifestyle because there is no better and natural way for the improvement of the immune system. Avoid smoking, eat healthy, limit your alcohol consumption, maintain your weight and blood pressure, and get enough sleep.

· Make sure that you are consuming all those important micronutrients which are important for bolstering the immune system. If you can’t manage this through your diet alone, go for supplements.

Sources

https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000818.htm

https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?ContentID=123&ContentTypeID=134

https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/how-to-boost-your-immune-system

https://jonbarron.org/immunity/health-program-boost-immune-system-flu-1

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HOW A HEALTHY IMMUNE SYSTEM PROTECTS THE HUMAN BODY

The human body is divided into different physiological systems, and the immune system is one of them. The word ‘immune’ is derived from a Latin word ‘immunis’ which means ‘free’ or ‘untouched’. As the meaning of this word suggests, the immune system is the defense mechanism of the body that makes the body free of foreign invaders (pathogens) that can cause different diseases.

The immune system is made up of a complex network of different cells (white blood cells), proteins (antibodies) and organs.

Responsibilities of an immune system

A human body is always exposed to several, harmful foreign elements -- like various organisms and viruses. Bacteria, parasites, fungi are those living organisms that can induce diseases in the human body. Viruses are also foreign invaders that are responsible for many diseases, but they are not considered as living beings since they are not made up of living cells.

The immune system is responsible in fighting all these pathogens that enter the body and cause diseases. Apart from that, the immune system also neutralizes body cells that have malfunctioned due to different diseases.

How a healthy immune system helps in fighting diseases?

The immune system comprises two parts: the innate part and the adaptive part. Innate immune system comprises white blood cells that ensure general defense against pathogens. While the adaptive system works more specifically to target pathogens with the help of specialized proteins called antibodies. The adaptive immune system learns and adapts with time to fight against a range of viruses and parasites.

Whenever the natural barrier of the human body is breached, the first line of defense i.e. the innate immune system comes into play. The phagocyte family of white blood cells, consists of dendritic cells, macrophages , and granulocytes which are part of the innate immune system neutralizes those bacteria, germs and foreign invaders by ingesting and engulfing harmful foreign elements. These actions underline the working of the innate immune system.

If invading pathogens are more complex in nature or outnumber the phagocytes, then innate immune system signals more specialized cells to fight against them. These specialized cells are collectively known as lymphocytes and they are part of the adaptive immune system.

Lymphocytes consist of T and B cells which are also known as T and B lymphocytes. These are specialized cells that recognize pathogens by the proteins that are attached to their surfaces called antigens. T cells are responsible for various tasks; they kill infected cells, communicate with other components of the immune system through cytokines and also help B cells to produce antibodies. Antibodies are specialized proteins that bind to the antigens of pathogens to mark them as dangerous cells which then help the immune system to identify and destroy them.

When a healthy immune system is at work, we don’t even recognize that they are fighting all the time to protect the physical and mental wellbeing of the person. When an immune system doesn’t work efficiently, we encounter diseases more often and become more vulnerable to viral diseases. In the worst case scenario, the faulty immune system can result into autoimmune diseases.

Sources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0072548/

http://www.dana.org/Publications/ReportDetails.aspx?id=44163

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/whoami/findoutmore/yourbody/whatdoesyourimmunesystemdo/howdoesyourimmunesystemwork/whatdot-andb-cellsdo

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