This was in our paper today, in an article about what really works to fight off colds - by Jan Jarvis/McClatchy Newspapers
"Probiotics - Long used in Europe, probiotic dairy drinks have hit the U.S. market with promising results. Probiotics, which help stimulate immune cells and reduce inflammation, are commonly used to treat gastrointestinal problems. But a 2001 study found probiotics also appeared to decrease the severity of colds. Bottom line: There's evidence to suggest probioitics can reduce respiratory symptoms and boost immunity. A cup of plain yogurt does the trick just as well."
I notice a huge difference in well being since I've been more focussed on increased probiotic intake. This sounds good, but I'm confused. When I asked my RD if I should be adjusting my diet or taking some sort of supplement to boost my immune system, since it's being suppressed by the drugs, he looked at me like I was a little stupid and said no, I'd be defeating the whole purpose of the drugs. Our immune systems are already too active and to try and boost it further is not a good idea. He also said the drugs shouldn't make me prone to every infection, virus, etc. out there, just make it more like normal. So far, eight months after starting the meds, I'm still easily fighting every germ that seems to try and get me. One thing though, my husband came down with a terrible cold and as usual I didn't catch it. However, about a week later I got something that felt like a cold but it disappeared within two days. Weird. I've never gotten rid of a cold so quickly. So I'm inclined to think my immune system is still strong. Still, the probiotic angle is very tempting, I have to admit. I'm so confused!!I use Zicam from the drug store when i have a cold. My husband and i tested it to see if it works, his cold lasted 4 days longer than mine did when i used it and he didn't. This happened twice, so he uses it now also.
But, probiotics boost the immune system, not the part of it that is trying to kill us with RA, but helps keep proper bacteria in order. I wouldn't be surprised if it works.
I liked that is said "reduce inflammation", too!Jesse88, your doctor is half right. You should not be taking immune boosting supplements.The immune (pronounced: ih-myoon) system, which is made up of special cells, proteins, tissues, and organs, defends people against germs and microorganisms every day. In most cases, the immune system does a great job of keeping people healthy and preventing infections. But sometimes problems with the immune system can lead to illness and infection.
The immune system is the body's defense against infectious organisms and other invaders. Through a series of steps called the immune response, the immune system attacks organisms and substances that invade our systems and cause disease. The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body.
The cells that are part of this defense system are white blood cells or leukocytes (pronounced: loo-kuh-sytes). They come in two basic types (more on these below), which combine to seek out and destroy the organisms or substances that cause disease.
Leukocytes are produced or stored in many locations throughout the body, including the thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. For this reason, they are called the lymphoid (pronounced: lim-foyd) organs. There are also clumps of lymphoid tissue throughout the body, primarily in the form of lymph nodes, that house the leukocytes.
The leukocytes circulate through the body between the organs and nodes by means of the lymphatic (pronounced: lim-fah-tik) vessels. (You can think of the lymphatic vessels as a type of highway between the rest stops that are the lymphoid organs and lymph nodes.) Leukocytes can also circulate through the blood vessels. In this way, the immune system works in a coordinated manner to monitor the body for germs or substances that might cause problems.
There are two basic types of leukocytes:
A number of different cells are considered phagocytes. The most common type is the neutrophil (pronounced: noo-truh-fil), which primarily fights bacteria. So when doctors are worried about a bacterial infection, sometimes they order a blood test to see if a patient has an increased number of neutrophils triggered by the infection. Other types of phagocytes have their own jobs to make sure that the body responds appropriately to a specific type of invader.
There are two kinds of lymphocytes: the B lymphocytes and the T lymphocytes. Lymphocytes start out in the bone marrow and either stay and mature there to become B cells or leave for the thymus gland, where they mature to become T cells. B lymphocytes and T lymphocytes have separate jobs to do: B lymphocytes are like the body's military intelligence system, seeking out their targets and sending defenses to lock onto them. T cells are like the soldiers, destroying the invaders that the intelligence system has identified. Here's how it works.
A foreign substance that invades the body is called an antigen (pronounced: an-tih-jun). When an antigen is detected, several types of cells work together to recognize and respond to it. These cells trigger the B lymphocytes to produce antibodies (pronounced: an-tye-bah-deez). Antibodies are specialized proteins that lock onto specific antigens. Antibodies and antigens fit together like a key and a lock.
Once the B lymphocytes have produced antibodies, these antibodies continue to exist in a person's body. That means if the same antigen is presented to the immune system again, the antibodies are already there to do their job. That's why if someone gets sick with a certain disease, like chickenpox, that person typically doesn't get sick from it again. This is also why we use immunizations to prevent certain diseases. The immunization introduces the body to the antigen in a way that doesn't make a person sick, but it does allow the body to produce antibodies that will then protect that person from future attack by the germ or substance that produces that particular disease.
Although antibodies can recognize an antigen and lock onto it, they are not capable of destroying it without help. That is the job of the T cells. The T cells are part of the system that destroys antigens that have been tagged by antibodies or cells that have been infected or somehow changed. (There are actually T cells that are called "killer cells.") T cells are also involved in helping signal other cells (like phagocytes) to do their jobs.
Antibodies can also neutralize toxins (poisonous or damaging substances) produced by different organisms. Lastly, antibodies can activate a group of proteins called complement that are also part of the immune system. Complement assists in killing bacteria, viruses, or infected cells.
All of these specialized cells and parts of the immune system offer the body protection against disease. This protection is called immunity.
Humans have three types of immunity — innate, adaptive, and passive:
Everyone is born with innate (or natural) immunity, a type of general protection that humans have. Many of the germs that affect other species don't harm us. For example, the viruses that cause leukemia in cats or distemper in dogs don't affect humans. Innate immunity works both ways because some viruses that make humans ill — such as the virus that causes HIV/AIDS — don't make cats or dogs sick either.
Innate immunity also includes the external barriers of the body, like the skin and mucous membranes (like those that line the nose, throat, and gastrointestinal tract), which are our first line of defense in preventing diseases from entering the body. If this outer defensive wall is broken (like if you get a cut), the skin attempts to heal the break quickly and special immune cells on the skin attack invading germs.
We also have a second kind of protection called adaptive (or active) immunity. This type of immunity develops throughout our lives. Adaptive immunity involves the lymphocytes (as in the process described above) and develops as children and adults are exposed to diseases or immunized against diseases through vaccination.
Passive immunity is "borrowed" from another source and it lasts for a short time. For example, antibodies in a mother's breast milk provide an infant with temporary immunity to diseases that the mother has been exposed to. This can help protect the infant against infection during the early years of childhood.
Everyone's immune system is different. Some people never seem to get infections, whereas others seem to be sick all the time. As people get older, they usually become immune to more germs as the immune system comes into contact with more and more of them. That's why adults and teens tend to get fewer colds than kids — their bodies have learned to recognize and immediately attack many of the viruses that cause colds.
Disorders of the immune system can be broken down into four main categories:
Immunodeficiencies (pronounced: ih-myoon-o-dih-fih-shun-seez) occur when a part of the immune system is not present or is not working properly. Sometimes a person is born with an immunodeficiency — these are called primary immunodeficiencies. (Although primary immunodeficiencies are conditions that a person is born with, symptoms of the disorder sometimes may not show up until later in life.) Immunodeficiencies can also be acquired through infection or produced by drugs. These are sometimes called secondary immunodeficiencies.
Immunodeficiencies can affect B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes, or phagocytes. The most common immunodeficiency disorder is IgA deficiency, in which the body doesn't produce enough of the antibody IgA, an immunoglobulin found primarily in the saliva and other body fluids that help guard the entrances to the body. People with IgA deficiency tend to have allergies or get more colds and other respiratory infections, but the condition is usually not severe.
Acquired immunodeficiencies usually develop after a person has a disease, although they can also be the result of malnutrition, burns, or other medical problems. Certain medicines also can cause problems with the functioning of the immune system. Secondary immunodeficiencies include:
In autoimmune disorders, the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's healthy organs and tissues as though they were foreign invaders. Autoimmune diseases include:
Allergic disorders occur when the immune system overreacts to exposure to antigens in the environment. The substances that provoke such attacks are called allergens. The immune response can cause symptoms such as swelling, watery eyes, and sneezing, and even a life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Taking medications called antihistamines can relieve most symptoms. Allergic disorders include:
Cancer occurs when cells grow out of control. This can also happen
with the cells of the immune system. Lymphoma involves the lymphoid
tissues and is one of the more common childhood cancers. Leukemia,
which involves abnormal overgrowth of leukocytes, is the most common
childhood cancer. With current medications most cases of both types of
cancer in kids and teens are curable.
Although immune system disorders usually can't be prevented, you can
help your immune system stay stronger and fight illnesses by staying
informed about your condition and working closely with the doctor. And
if you're lucky enough to be healthy, you can help your immune system
keep you that way by washing your hands often to avoid infection, eating right, getting plenty of exercise, and getting regular medical checkups.
Reviewed by: Steven Dowshen, MD
Date reviewed: November 2007
Good info - I wish they had gone into what IgA, IgG, IgM, C3, C4 means - autoimmune vs. infection. Does high mean one over the other, or does it matter?
My daughter just had labs again, and she still has more nutriphils than lymphocytes. Says here that signals infection, just like we were told in the beginning. And it says 'complement' assists in killing bacteria, etc., doesn't say if it does anything else. Her C3 and C4 numbers were through the roof.
On the other hand, sedrate normal, negative for rheumatoid factor, negative ANA....