It is impossible for us to avoid exposure to infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses so the best thing we can do for our health is to fortify our defenses by strengthening our immune system. Here’s how.

1. Exercise: We are designed for mobility and it’s important for us to be physically active. Exercise confers many benefits, one of which is an enhancement of our immune system. Physical activity increases the number of cells called leucocytes in the blood that fight infections and promotes lymphatic circulation. Exercise also helps us to perspire and that helps the body to rid itself of toxins which could otherwise interfere with the operation of our immune system.

2. Keeping Our Weight in the Normal BMI Range: Being overweight and obese increases the risk of getting chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer. Fat cells also release inflammatory chemicals that can cause chronic damage. Moreover, animal studies have shown that being overweight can impair the body’s defense mechanisms. Fewer antibodies are made in response to vaccinations in animals that are overweight.

3. Minimizing Sugar Intake: It has been shown that consuming 100 grams (8 tablespoons) of sugar can reduce the ability of white blood cells to destroy bacteria by over 40%. This suppression of our defenses begins less than 30 minutes after the sugar is ingested and it takes over five hours to return to normal, assuming no further sugar intake occurs during that time. In contrast, when we ingest complex unrefined carbohydrates, there is no deleterious effect upon our immune system.

4. Maintaining Adequate Vitamin D Levels: There is growing evidence that Vitamin D is involved in many important bodily processes in addition to the maintenance of bone integrity. It helps our body to make its own natural antibiotics called antimicrobial peptides, which can help combat certain bacterial, viral and fungal infections and may protect against influenza. Vitamin D is also important in counteracting seasonal affective disorder, depression and dementia. Data analyses published in 2007 found that supplementation with Vitamin D was associated with a statistically significant 7% reduction in mortality from all causes, an astonishing result. The currently recommended dose for supplementation is approx. 1,000 I.U. for every 30 pounds of body weight.

5. Minimizing Stress: We live in a stressful world and everything we can do to minimize stress will be to our benefit. One of the great stress relievers is exercise because it helps to stimulate the synthesis of the “feel good” endorphin chemicals in the brain. Another way to relieve stress is to practice relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises. Being subjected to chronic stress promotes the release of cortisol and adrenaline and these will suppress our immune system, making us more vulnerable to infections and disease.

6. Eating a Predominantly Plant-Based Diet: Plants are especially rich in nutrients and anti-oxidant chemicals that protect us from the harmful effects of free radicals generated when we burn energy. These nutrients also enhance our health and wellbeing because they are essential for the optimum functioning of our cells and organs, including our immune system. Wherever possible, we should consume fresh, locally grown organic or pesticide-free produce.

7. Getting Plenty of Fiber: Plants are the source of fiber in our diet and it has been shown that fiber is essential for a healthy digestive system, and especially the maintenance of a friendly bacterial population resident in our intestine. Such bacteria will ferment the fiber in our diet yielding products that promote colonic health. Because a significant proportion of our immune system in centered on the intestine, the promotion of colonic health will also serve to strengthen our immunity.

8. Getting Enough Sleep: Losing sleep weakens our immune system, making us more vulnerable to infections and disease. Studies have shown that sleep deprivation leads to a reduced response to vaccinations. Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

9. Laughing: Laughter has been shown to decrease the levels of stress hormones in the body and increase the production of endorphins and growth hormones that enhance our immune system. Laughter also exercises our diaphragm and this in turn promotes the circulation of lymph.

10. Being Sociable: We are more likely to be physically active if we are engaged and involved in social activities. People who are connected to their family and friends have a strong sense of purpose and this promotes their physical and mental wellbeing. Those people who live the longest in the World have these attributes.

11. Avoiding Toxic Chemicals: To minimize damage to our cells and organs, including those of our immune system, we should avoid exposure to alcohol, tobacco smoke and other toxins. There are so many chemicals in our environment that have not been properly tested and we should be aware of what we are eating and drinking, putting onto our bodies and breathing in.

12. Drinking Plenty of Purified Water: Maintain adequate hydration levels by drinking plenty of fluid and particularly fresh filtered water. A good estimate is to take your body weight in pounds, divide that number in half and that will be the weight of fluid in ounces that you should consume each day. Good hydration helps to keep the tissues of the respiratory system moist and also aids the functioning of the immune system.

© Christopher J. Jones, M. Sc., Ph. D.

The short answer is “Yes” and I take certain supplements myself. These are in addition to a diet that includes 7-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day, rich in antioxidants, minerals and vitamins. It is important to emphasize that supplements are not intended to be used as dietary substitutes.

Recommended Supplements.

1) A broad-spectrum daily Multivitamin such as One A Day Men’s or One A Day Women’s Health Formula. These contain all the basic vitamins and essential minerals as well as Iron in the case of the Women’s Formula and Lycopene for prostate health in the Men’s Formula.

2) Vitamin D-3 The simplest way to obtain Vitamin D is to make it ourselves by exposure to sunlight but most people are afraid of overexposure so they wear sunblock or do not expose themselves to the sun. As a result, a great majority of Americans are Vitamin D deficient, even in the sunshine states (1). Principal dietary sources of Vitamin D are cod liver oil, herring, salmon, mackerel and sardines, with cod liver oil being the richest source, provided that the Vitamin D has not been removed during processing. Alternatively, one can supplement with Vitamin D-3 (Cholecalciferol) and especially during the winter months when the daylight time is less. Dr. Michael Holick of Boston University recommends supplementation with up to 2,000 International Units (IU) per day (2), Dr. Mark Hyman recommends 5,000-10,000 IU per day (3) and Dr. Mercola advises 35 IU for every pound of body weight (4) which translates into approximately 1,000 IU for every 30 pounds. This is clearly much more than the 400 IU of Vitamin D present in the Multivitamin supplement, which is considered enough to ward off rickets.

There is growing evidence to suggest that Vitamin D is involved in many important bodily processes in addition to the maintenance of bone integrity through promoting the absorption and retention of calcium and phosphate (5, 6). Vitamin D helps the body to make its own natural antibiotics called antimicrobial peptides, which can help combat certain bacterial, viral and fungal infections and may protect against influenza (7). It is also important in counteracting seasonal affective disorder, depression and dementia. Data analyses published in 2007 found that supplementation with Vitamin D was associated with a statistically significant 7% reduction in mortality from all causes, an astonishing result (8,9). For more detailed information on Vitamin D, the Office of Dietary Supplements of the U.S. National Institutes of Health has compiled an online review (10)

3) Omega 3 Essential Fatty Acids, DHA from microalgae or EPA and DHA from fish or krill oil. It is important that the oil be purified in order to remove any contamination with heavy metals and other chemical residues.

The current view is that we should aim for a balance in our dietary intakes of Omega 3 and Omega 6 essential fatty acids (11). We need both types but our modern diet rich in corn, soy and safflower oils has shifted this ratio strongly in favor of Omega 6 fatty acids. These compounds lead to the production of substances that promote blood clotting, inflammation and cell division, absolutely necessary in wound healing and tissue repair. However, too much blood clotting, inflammation and cell division can be associated with serious health problems and so a balance needs to be struck. That’s where Omega 3 fatty acids come in. They lead to the production of substances that reduce blood clotting, inflammation and cell division so these processes are kept in balance.

Furthermore, the Omega 3 fatty acid DHA is an important constituent of cell membranes and is the most abundant fat in the brain. It is essential for structural integrity and overall brain health. A deficiency in Omega 3 fatty acid levels has been linked to anxiety, depression, criminal behavior, autism, attention deficit disorder, learning disabilities and dementia (3).

4) Glutathione. One of the most important detoxifying substances and antioxidants in the body is sulfur-rich Glutathione and our ability to produce it declines by approximately 10% for every decade after age 20. Such a reduction in Glutathione levels would leave us more susceptible to toxins as we get older and this would compound the aging process. Therefore we need to strengthen our ability to make Glutathione. We cannot absorb it as a supplement but we can stimulate its biosynthesis by taking N-Acetyl Cysteine and Alpha Lipoic Acid. We can also make sure that we eat adequate amounts of sulfur-containing vegetables such as asparagus, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, chard, kale, garlic and onions.

© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.

References

1) Holick, M. F. (2006) Vitamin D Deficiency. N. Eng. J. Med. 357 (3), 266-281.

2) Holick, M. F. (2004) Sunlight and Vitamin D for Bone Health and Prevention of Autoimmune Diseases, Cancers and Cardiovascular Disease. Am. J. Clin. Nutr. (80) Suppl: 1678S-1688S.

3) Hyman, M. (2008) The Ultramind Solution. Scribner, New York. Pp. 447.

4) Mercola, J. (2009) How Much Vitamin D Do You Really Need to Take? http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/10/10/Vitamin-D-Experts-Reveal-the-Truth.aspx

5) Vitamin D Council (2010) Understanding Vitamin D Cholecalciferol. http://www.vitamindcouncil.org

6) Mercola, J. (2009) Important New vitamin D Research Papers. http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/12/01/Important-New-Vitamin-D-Research-Papers.aspx

7) Crews, M. R. (2009) Does Vitamin D Offer Natural Flu Prevention? http://vitamins-minerals.suite101.com/article.cfm/does_vitamin_d_offer_natural_flu_prevention

Autier, P. & Gandini, S. (2007) Vitamin D Supplementation and Total Mortality: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Control Trials. Arch. Intern. Med. 167: 1730-1737.

9) Giovannucci E. (2007) Can Vitamin D Reduce Total Mortality? Arch. Intern. Med. 167:1709-10.

10) Office of Dietary Supplements, National Institutes of Health (2009) Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin D. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind.asp

11) Weil, A. (2000) Eating Well For Optimum Health. Alfred A. Knopf, New York, pp. 307.

Michael F. Holick Ph.D., M.D., a leading authority on Vitamin D, describes how important it is for our health and wellbeing (1). It is now clear that low serum levels of Vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of many chronic diseases including certain common cancers, Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes, depression, and autoimmune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

It is imperative that we have enough Vitamin D in our bodies as it fulfils a key role in so many important biochemical processes essential for good health.

Reference

1. Holick, M. F. (2010) THE VITAMIN D SOLUTION: A 3-Step Strategy to Cure Our Most Common Health Problem. Penguin/Hudson Street Press.

Introduction to the movie “The Future of Food”.

The movie “The Future of Food”, produced by Lily Films, explains how biodiversity has been sacrificed in the name of corporate profits, resulting in the cultivation of huge monocultures. It’s estimated that 97% of the varieties of vegetables grown at the beginning of the 20th Century are now extinct.

In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court decided by a 5-4 majority to allow the first patenting of a living organism and this decision paved the way for companies to patent seeds. If a company controls the seeds, it controls the crops. You can see in the film what has been happening to farmers who have the misfortune to have Monsanto’s genetically modified seed blow onto their land and germinate.

Genetic uniformity leads to a greater vulnerability to crop pests and disease. If our biodiversity is not preserved and encouraged, we could face the nightmare scenario of losing the means to overcome a future blight.

Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.

What is Genetic Modification?

Genetic modification of crops is quite different from classical plant breeding where new characteristics are introduced by crossing varieties of the same species in order to select desirable qualities such as vigor and resistance to disease. In genetic modification, genes are taken from the same or different species and inserted into the plant cells, either by bacterial vectors or by being fired into the cells on coated microbullets (1). In order for these genes to be switched on in their new environment, they are usually combined with a promoter gene from a virus. Soybean plants have been modified by the introduction of a gene conferring resistance to Monsanto’s herbicide RoundUp. This means that the soybean plants will survive spraying with the herbicide while it obliterates any competing crops and weeds. Corn has been modified by introducing a pesticide-producing gene from the bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The resulting pesticide is known as Bt toxin. The U.S. is the only country in the World where the genetic modification of its staple food, in this case corn, has been authorized.

Which Crops Are Genetically Modified (GM)?

There are presently eight crops commercially grown in the U.S. where some of the produce is GM and these are known as Genetically Modified Organisms or GMO’s. They are soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola, sugar beet, Hawaiian papaya, yellow crookneck squash and zucchini. Over 90% of the U.S. soybean crop is now GM, resistant to the herbicide RoundUp, and contaminated with it as a result of the spraying. Approximately 68% of all GM crops are herbicide tolerant.
Another 19% of GM crops have the pesticide gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) inserted so that these crops now produce their own insecticide and in much higher concentrations than were previously used in spraying. The remaining 13% of GM crops produce both an insecticide and are herbicide tolerant.

The Dangers of Genetically Modified Crops

The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has stated that it is not aware of any information showing that GM crops differ “in any meaningful or uniform way” from non-GM crops and yet internal FDA documents made public by a lawsuit revealed this to be completely false. The FDA’s own scientists had warned that consumption of GM foods might result in unpredictable and hard-to-detect allergens, toxins, new diseases and nutritional problems. However, the scientists’ efforts to persuade their superiors to approve long-term studies were ignored. A 2002 report issued by the prestigious British Royal Society stated that genetic modification “could lead to unpredicted harmful changes in the nutritional state of foods,” and recommended that the potential health effects of GM foods be rigorously researched before they were offered to pregnant or breast-feeding women, babies and children, the elderly and those suffering from chronic diseases. Animal studies published in peer-reviewed journals have shown that the consumption of GM produce can lead to the rapid development of precancerous lesions in the digestive tract, and also cause damage to the brain, liver, immune and reproductive systems (reviewed in references 2-4).

So How Can We Avoid GM Foods?

1) Buy produce that is certified 100% organic.

2) Purchase produce labeled “Non-GMO” or “Made without Genetically Modified Ingredients.” Be aware that such produce may still have been sprayed with herbicides, fungicides and pesticides unless otherwise stated.

3) Avoid the high-risk crops; soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola and sugar beet, and products derived from them unless they specifically state that they are organic or non-GMO.

4) Purchase from vendors such as Trader Joe’s who guarantee that produce bearing their own label is non-GMO.

5) Download the free Non-GMO Shopping Guide from http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/SG/DownloadtheGuide/index.cfm

© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.
Adventist Health Ministry,
Laguna Niguel, CA 92677, USA

References

1) Lemaux, P. (2006) Introduction to Genetic Modification. ANR Publication 8178. http://ucanr.org/freepubs/docs/8178.pdf

2) Smith, J. M. (2009) Video: Everything You Have To Know About Dangerous Genetically Modified Foods. http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm

3) Smith, J. M. (2004) Seeds of Deception: Exposing Industry and Government Lies about the Safety of Genetically Engineered Foods You’re Eating. Yes! Books, 289 pp.

4) Smith, J. M. (2007) Genetic Roulette: The Documented Health Risks of Genetically Engineered Foods. Chelsea Green Publishing, 312 pp.

Related Information

1) The Dangers of Genetically-Modified Foods.
Video: http://www.health360.info/?p=699

2) The Genetically-Modified Food the Rats Rejected…… Video: http://www.health360.info/?p=750

3) No GMO’s with Trader Joe’s Label http://www.health360.info/?p=778

4) Why Are We Not Being Protected in the USA? http://www.health360.info/?p=942

Genetically modified foods and animal produce raised on GM feed must be labeled in European Union countries. Why not in the USA?

http://www.drgreene.com/blog/2003/07/25/genetically-modified-food-europe

Chemical companies are now being required to prove that their products are safe before releasing them for commercial use in Europe. Why not in the USA?

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/11/AR2008061103569.html

The inclusion of phthalates, industrial chemicals used as solvents, is banned in deodorants, hair sprays, nail polishes and perfumes in European Union countries. Why not in the USA?

http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/phthalates.htm

Direct marketing of prescription drugs to consumers is banned in almost every Western country. Why not in the USA?

http://www.ngpharma.eu.com/article/Sales-and-marketing-strategies/

Why are Americans not being protected? Ask the politicians in Washington D.C.

It was Benjamin Franklin who said that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” There is no doubt that health is wealth and for those interested in optimizing their health, the Health Freedom Expo is now being held in Chicago, Illinois at the Renaissance Schaumburg Hotel & Convention Center, 1551 Thoreau Drive, Schaumburg, IL 60173 from Friday June 4 through Sunday June 6, 2010.
Click here to visit the website; http://www.healthfreedomexpo.com/lb/
Over 90 seminars, lectures and workshops are scheduled and, in addition, there will be over 200 natural health exhibits. Speakers include John Gray, Dr. Samuel Epstein, Dr. Joseph Mercola, and Jeffrey Smith. The cost to attend is $15 per day or $35 for a 3-day ticket. You can download a free ticket for Friday from the website; healthfreedomexpo.com/lb/freeticket.php

Genetic modification is radically different from using plant breeding techniques to select out particular traits such as disease resistance. In genetic modification, genes from bacteria and viruses are introduced into plant cells in the laboratory and this process can cause significant collateral damage to the plant’s biochemistry, so much so that some animals can detect the changes and refuse to eat the genetically modified (GM) produce (1).

Which Crops Are Genetically Modified?

There are presently eight crops where some of the produce is GM and these are soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola, sugar beet, Hawaiian papaya, yellow crookneck squash and zucchini. It is estimated that over 90% of the U.S. soybean crop is genetically modified. Bacterial genes are inserted that enable the soybeans to resist the weed killer Roundup. As a result, farmers can spray these crops heavily to destroy unwanted competition while the crop survives and thrives, albeit contaminated with herbicide. Approximately 68% of GM crops are herbicide tolerant.

Another 19% of GM crops have a gene from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) inserted that results in the production of Bt toxin, an insecticide. So the modified crops now produce their own insecticide. The remaining 13% of GM crops produce both an insecticide and are also herbicide tolerant.

So How Can We Avoid GM Foods?

1) Buy produce that is certified 100% organic.
2) Purchase produce labeled “Non-GMO” or “Made without Genetically Modified Ingredients.”
3) Avoid the high-risk crops; soybeans, corn, cottonseed, canola and sugar beet and products derived from them unless they specifically state that they are organic or non-GMO.
4) Purchase from vendors such as Trader Joe’s who guarantee that their produce is non-GMO.
5) Download the free Non-GMO Shopping Guide from http://www.nongmoshoppingguide.com/SG/DownloadtheGuide/index.cfm

Reference

1) Smith, J. M. (2009) Video: Everything You Have To Know About Dangerous Genetically Modified Foods. http://www.responsibletechnology.org/GMFree/Home/index.cfm

© Christopher J. Jones, M.Sc., Ph.D.

This is the title of the inspirational video below, presented by http://www.spiritual-short-stories.com. To quote the video; “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.” Please feel free to comment.