Healthy Immune System

Course Outline

Learning Objectives

After completing the course, you'll be able to:

  1. Give an overview of the immune system, its complexity and its remarkable ability to distinguish between "self" and "nonself."
  2. Describe how the immune system is able to distinguish between self and nonself.
  3. Explain how T cells contribute to the immune defenses.
  4. Contrast between humoral immunity and cellular immunity.
  5. Indicate the role played by immunoglobulins in the immune defense strategy.
  6. Identify different ways antibodies work in the immune system.
  7. Describe how the complement system works to destroy bacteria.
  8. Explain how the body mounts an immune response to infections produced by bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi.
  9. Outline the role played by biotechnology in the development of vaccines.
  10. Discuss autoimmune diseases and list various factors that maybe their cause.
  11. Provide an explanation about immune complex diseases.
  12. Provide an explanation about immune complex diseases.
  13. Describe the causes and course of various autoimmune diseases.
  14. Identify various immunodeficiency diseases.
  15. Name at least four cancers of the immune system.
  16. Describe how the science has tackled the problem of body rejecting the transplant of foreign tissue.
  17. Describe what an idiotype is and explain the interaction between idiotypes and antiido-types.
  18. Describe the connection between the immune system and the nervous system.
  19. Outline the research that's being carried out using hybridoma technology.
  20. Describe innate immunity and explain how the immune system protects against invading organisms.
  21. Identify four portals of entry and explain how each provides innate immunity.
  22. Define and explain the following terms: host defense, natural resistance, hypersensitivity, autoimmunity, and immune deficiency.
  23. Discuss the ways microorganisms may enter the human body and the mechanisms of natural resistance the human body has to resist infection.
  24. List the various types of white blood cells (WBCs), differentiate them as lymphoid or non-lymphoid and describe the function of each type.
  25. Briefly describe the immune response discussing the roles of macrophages, B-lymphocytes and T-lymphocytes, and the interactions between these cells.
  26. Compare and contrast humoral and cell-mediated immunity.
  27. Compare and contrast "active" and "passive" immunity.
  28. Discuss how the immune response accomplishes "recognition," "specificity," and "memory."
  29. Describe the three primary methods of preparing a vaccine.
  30. Discuss the problems associated with preparing a vaccine against HIV.
  31. Describe what an immunodeficiency is and how someone can acquire an immunodeficiency.
  32. Review the history of the development of immunology.
  33. Describe functions of the organs and cells of the immune system.
  34. Explain how we can improve our immune function by adopting good nutrition, stress reduction, plant nutrients, and vitamins and minerals.
  35. Describe how free radicals can damage the immune system, resulting in the formation of cancer cells, premature aging, etc.
  36. Describe the role of vitamins– vitamin A, E and C and beta-carotene in enhancing the immune system.
  37. Explain several ways that scientists are exploring to repair the damage done to the body's immune system due to HIV.
  38. Answer questions about plant fats–sterols and sterolins–and their impact on our immune system.
  39. Select several fruits, vegetables and cereals that are rich in plant sterols.
  40. Describe the deleterious effect of stress on our immune system.
  41. List several stress-busting tips and administer a stress test to determine the immune status of a patient.
  42. List 10 nutrients to support immune function.
  43. Identify five types of anxiety disorders and list general symptoms for each of these disorders.
  44. Describe conventional treatment for anxiety and stress and provide an overview of pharmaceutical approach to reducing anxiety and stress.
  45. Describe the use of Adapton in the treatment of stress, anxiety and depression.
  46. List some common symptoms of depression
  47. Make the connection between depression and overactive immunity.
  48. Suggest some natural remedies in prescribed dosages that may be effective in the treatment of depression.
  49. Explain how endurance/distance exercises performed at intense levels can suppress the immune system.
  50. Identify two breeds of "friendly" bacteria and expound upon their effect on the ability of white cells to attack and destroy hostile microorganisms.
  51. Describe the immune-enhancing anti-viral, anti-cancer, anti-microbial and anti-oxidant properties of lactoferrin.
  52. Identify several natural sources of lactoferrin.
  1. Describe the function of adrenal glands and name the steroid hormones produced by these glands and their usefulness in regulating the body's various physiological functions.
  2. Make an assessment of adrenal fatigue in a patient listing various symptoms
  3. List foods that are rich in phytosterols.
  4. Describe how phytosterols can help fight hepatitis C, stress, prostate, heart disease, high cholesterol and cancer.
  5. Define "glycation" and explain its effect on age-related diseases such as arterial stiffening, cataract, and neurological impairment.
  6. Describe the antifungal, antiviral and antibacterial properties of garlic and garlic's role in boosting body's immune capacity
  7. Emphasize the importance of protein in the diet to prevent cancer, osteoporosis and heart disease.
  8. Explain how eating too much can depress immunity.
  9. List 10 richest sources of amino acids.
  10. Describe the mechanism of infection and list 3 factors that influence infection.
  11. Describe the treatment of cold using 3 alternative and complementary medicinal approach.
  12. Describe 4 types of immunological reactions to allergens.
  13. Explain why some people are affected by allergies and others are not, and the role played by our immune system in fighting off allergic symptoms.
  14. Describe the role played by the immune system in the development of osteoporosis.
  15. List the symptoms of herpes and outline immunologic approach to preventing herpes attacks
  16. Prescribe an alternative therapy regimen for the treatment of shingles.
  17. Explain what cancer is and why we get cancer.
  18. Name several fruits and vegetables that are especially rich in cancer-blocking agents.
  19. Compare the relative merits of breast self-examination, mammogram and Mammastatin Serum Assay in detecting breast cancer and identifying women at risk of developing breast cancer.
  20. Describe how the phase of the menstrual cycle at the time of surgery affects the survival rate of women with breast cancer
  21. Describe the epidemiology of asthma and identify several asthma "triggers."
  22. Describe how the herbal tonic RespirAction can help relieve symptoms of allergies and asthma.
  23. Identify various anti-asthma nutrients and vitamins.
  24. List five types of eczema, their symptoms and causes
  25. Relate the impact of negative factors such as smoking, drug abuse and environmental toxins on the progression from the asymptomatic HIV to the life-threatening AIDS disease.
  26. Describe the adverse side effects of the anti-HIV drugs.
  27. Explain how plant sterols and sterolins help fight autoimmune diseases and restore the balance in the body's immune system.
  28. List environmental and personal factors that can impair immune function.
  29. Recommend a regimen of natural supplements and lifestyle changes to reduce the risk of autoimmune diseases.
  30. Define anemia, thrombocytopenia, and leukopenia, and describe their general causes.
  31. Describe the pathophysiology of three types of anemias–pernicious anemia, folic acid deficiency anemia and iron deficiency anemia–and review their common treatments.
  32. Describe the treatment for preventing and treating chemotherapy-induced leukopenia.
  33. Compare CFIDS with other illnesses such as fibromyalgia, neurally mediated hypotension (NMH), chronic lyme disease and intestinal cystitis.
  34. Provide answers to common questions about CFIDS, such as what it is, its diagnosis, who gets it, its symptoms, its treatment, etc.
  35. Provide a case definition for CFIDS and list eight primary and several other common symptoms of CFIDS.
  36. Identify the symptoms of fibromyalgia, process of diagnosis and nursing interventions.
  37. Compare and contrast the symptoms of fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.
  38. Answer questions of a patient with compromised immune system concerning preventing Cryptosporidiosis.
  39. List steps a person should take to reduce the risk of getting Crypto.
  40. Define ITP and describe the cause and pathophysiology of chronic ITP.

Evaluation of Individual Objectives

To assess the effectiveness of the course material, we ask that you evaluate your achievement of each learning objective on a scale of A to D (A=excellent, B=good, C=fair, D=unsatisfactory). Please indicate your responses next to each learning objective and return it to us with your completed exam.

Course Outline

1. Understanding The Immune System

  • Introduction
  • Self and Nonself
  • Genes and the Markers of Self
  • The Anatomy of the Immune System
  • T Cells and Lymphokines
  • The Cells and Secretions of the Immune System
  • Lymphocytes
  • B Cells and Antibodies
  • Natural Killer Cells
  • Phagocytes, Granulocytes, and Their Relatives
  • Complement
  • Mounting an Immune Response
  • A Billion Antibodies
  • A Web of Idiotypes
  • Receptors for Recognizing Antigen
  • Immunity, Natural and Acquired
  • Vaccines Through Biotechnology
  • Disorders of the Immune System: Allergy
  • Autoimmune Diseases
  • Immune Complex Diseases
  • Immunodeficiency Diseases
  • Cancers of the Immune System
  • Bone Marrow Transplants
  • Immunology and Transplants
  • Privileged Immunity
  • Immunity and Cancer
  • The Immune System and the Nervous System
  • Frontiers in Immunology: Hybridoma Technology

2. Host Defense, Natural Resistance and The Immune System

  • Introduction
    • Natural Resistance
    • The Immune System
  • What is immunology?
  • What are the organs and tissues of the immune system?
  • What are antibody and complement molecules and what are their functions?
  • What are the cells of the immune system
    • The Immune Response

3. Strengthening The Immune System

Rev-Up Your Immune System to Prevent Disease

  • The Harmful Role of Free Radicals
  • Nutritional Immunology
  • The Role of Vitamins
    • Vitamin A
    • Beta-Carotene
    • Vitamin E
    • Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid)
    • Coenzyme Q10
    • Alpha-lipoic acid
  • Food That Harms
  • Nutrition Is the Fuel For Immune Cells
  • Plant Fats Balance The Immune System
  • Stress Reduction Essential To Immune Function

What Are Sterols and Sterolins?

  • Why supplement?
  • Frequently Asked Questions on Sterols and Sterolins
  • What are sterols and sterolins?
  • Is there any research behind this product?
  • Is Moducare safe? Are there side effects?
  • Any contraindications or drug interactions?
  • Are sterols the same as steroids?
  • Will these plant fats make me gain weight?
  • Is this an immune “booster” like echinacea?
  • How should I take Moducare?
  • Do I have to take it on an empty stomach?
  • Can I take too much?

Healthy Immune System Is Defense Against Illness

Immune Restoration After HIV Infection

  • Healthy Immune System Is Defense Against Illness
  • Immune Restoration After HIV Infection

Five Steps to Optimal Immunity

  • Defenders of Our Immune System
  • Food that Harms and Food that Heals
  • Spiritual Well-being Helps
  • Exercise–Too Much Can Be Bad

Aiding Immunity: Plants to the Rescue

  • Food Is No Longer Enough
  • Power of Plants
  • Sterol Family
  • Aid For AIDS

How Three Amino Acids Can Strengthen Your Immune System by 34%

4. Stress, Anxiety and Depression

Stress, Aging and Cortisol:  The Immune/ Endocrine Connection

  • Stress and Our Body Chemistry
  • Mother Nature’s Cortisol Balancer
  • Stress-Busting Tips
  • Stress Test to Determine Immune Status

Stress: At The Root of Women’s Health Issues

  • Too Much Stress Equals Disease
  • The Cortisol: DHEA Ratio
  • What Can We Do?

Anxiety and Stress Disease Therapy Protocol

  • Anxiety Disorders
  • Stress
  • Conventional Treatments for Anxiety and Stress
  • Moderate Exercise
  • Adapton
  • Other Beneficial Treatments for Anxiety and Stress

Summary

Move Over Proza: Depression and Immunity

  • Immune-Boosting Drugs and Depression
  • Overactive Immunity
  • Stress, Cortisol and Inflammation
  • Treatments That Work

Performance Immunity

References

5. Friendly Bacteria

Bacteria That Strengthen The Immune System

  • Whole Body Protection
  • References

Lactoferrin: The Bioactive Peptide That Fights Disease

  • Immunity
  • How to Obtain Lactoferrin
  • Anti-Viral Effects
  • Anti-Cancer Effects
  • Anti-Microbial Effects
  • Lactoferrin as an Antioxidant

Conclusion

Further Reading

References

6. Fighting Off Diseases

Adrenal

  • Supplemental Steroids and Adrenal Disease
  • Adrenal Fatigue
  • Treatment of Adrenal Fatigue
  • Adrenal Function and Aging
  • Summary For Treating Adrenal Fatigue
  • Summary For Maintaining Corticosteroid Balance To Prevent Aging

Phytosterols for Hepatitis C, Stress, Prostate, Heart Disease, High Cholesterol and Cancer

  • Human Research Proves Plant Sterols’ Action
  • Sterols Lower Cholesterol
  • Sterols: Great Stress Busters
  • Sterols Halt Hepatitis C
  • Sterols, Heart Disease and DHEA
  • Prostate Problems Eliminated
  • Stop Cervical Cancer
  • The Future of Phytosterols

Why Antioxidants Aren’t Enough

  • Gaining Control Over Our Biochemistry
  • Protein Browning
  • Alzheimer’s Disease
  • Protecting Brain Chemistry
  • Carnosine Summary
  • Beyond Antioxidants

References

Free Radicals Beware: There’s Garlic Present

  • Green Tea, Your Coffee Substitute

Eating Too Much Depresses Immunity

  • Are you digesting what you eat?
    • Linus Pauling and Vitamin C Vindicated
    • Warning–Killer Sugar

Protein Power Protection

  • Cancer, Osteoporosis, Heart Disease, Energy and Fat Burning
  • Protein protects our heart
  • Lower cholesterol and triglycerides

References

  • Soy and Whey Protein May Help Prevent Breast Cancer

Common Cold

  • Treatment
  • Vitamin C
  • Vitamin C: how much is too much?
  • Zinc Gluconate
  • Echinacea
  • Astragalus
  • N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
  • Sambucol
  • Ganmaoling

Can Infection be Prevented?

Signs of a More Serious Infection

Summary

Seniors: Is Your Flu Vaccine Protecting You?

Prostate Problems

Allergies

  • Types of Reactions
  • Avoidance of Allergens
  • Therapeutic Options

Summary

Stop Allergies Where They Start– In Your Immune System

References

Vitamin C Supplements Ease Exercise– Triggered Asthma.

Say Goodbye To Seasonal Allergies

  • Plant Nutrients to the Rescue

Phytosterols Rescue Arthritis Sufferers

  • Guidelines for Diagnosing Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoporosis – An Immune System Disease?

  • Stress, the Immune System, and Bone Loss
  • Risk Factor Checklist for Osteoporosis

New Research on Hepatitis C

Plant Sterols–The Missing Key in the Battle Against Herpes.

Shingles: The Herpes Virus Strikes Again

  • Potent Antiviral Agent
  • Vitamin E
  • Vitamin C

References

Cold Sore Treatment Plan

Fight Cancer and Win

  • Why do we get cancer?
  • What is cancer?
  • Natural Therapies Pack a Punch
  • Sterols and Sterolins, Star Cancer Protectives
  • DHEA, Cortisol and Immune Enhancement

Prostate Cancer in Remission

New Blood Test for Breast Cancer

  • Breast Cancer Surgery
  • Soy and whey protein may help prevent breast cancer
  • Stop cervical cancer

Asthma, More Than A Bad Air Day

  • What “Triggers” Asthma?
  • Exercise-induced Asthma
  • Herbal Tonic to Breathe Easy
  • Nutrients Reduce Attacks
  • Link Between Pollution and Asthma

References

Fight Cancer and Win

Eliminate Eczema

  • Symptoms
  • Causes
  • Prescription For Health
  • Other recommendations
  • Health tips to enhance eczema healing
  • Health fact

Stopping HIV-1 And AIDS Through Total Health Management

Autoimmunity – When Your Body Attacks Itself

  • What is autoimmunity?
  • Plant Sterols and Sterolins Return Balance

References

Autoimmune Diseases Therapies Protocol

  • Aging
  • Basic Pathways of Autoimmune Dysfunction
  • The Effect of Natural Supplements on the Autoimmune System
  • Other Considerations
  • Summary

Anemia-Thrombocytopenia-Leukopenia

  • General Causes of Anemia
  • Symptoms of Anemia
  • Common Dietary Anemias
  • Pernicious anemia (lack of vitamin B12)
  • Folic acid deficiency anemia
  • Iron deficiency anemia
  • The anti-anemia drug
  • Treatment of pernicious anemia
  • Treatment of folic acid deficiency anemia
  • Treatment of iron deficiency anemia
  • Other nutritional approaches
  • Thrombocytopenia
  • Preventing and treating anemia caused by HIV antiviral drugs
  • Leukopenia
  • Preventing and treating chemotherapy-induced leukopenia

Summary

HIV (Immune Deficiency) Treatment

  • The Critical Importance of Glutathione
  • Substances That Boost Glutathione Levels
  • Blood Tests
  • Immune Cell Subset Testing
  • Cell-Mediated Immunity Tests
  • Natural Killer Function

7. Understanding CFIDS

  • What is CFIDS?
  • How is CFIDS diagnosed?
  • What are other common symptoms?
  • How is CFIDS treated?
  • How many people have CFIDS?
  • Who gets CFIDS?
  • Do PWCs get better over time?
  • What causes CFIDS?
  • Are viruses involved in CFIDS?
  • Is CFIDS contagious?
  • What precautions should PWCs take?
  • Should PWCs receive flu shots or other immunizations?
  • Is exercise helpful or harmful?
  • Is weight gain common?
  • Is depression common?
  • What role does stress play in this illness?
  • How does pregnancy affect CFIDS?
  • Is CFIDS related to other illnesses?
  • Why is this disease called CFS or CFIDS?
  • How can I cope with and manage the illness?
  • For further reading

8. Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia: The Invisible Illness

  • Diagnosis Is Difficult
    • What causes FM?
    • Treatments for Fibromyalgia
  • Sterinol and Fibromyalgia
  • Sleep, Laughter and Exercise

5-HTP and St. John’s Wort

Magnesium and Malic Acid

Moducare and Fibromyalgia

9. Chronic ITP

Clinical Presentation of Chronic ITP

  • Definition
  • Clinical Findings
  • Laboratory Findings
  • Cause and Pathophysiology of Chronic ITP

Evaluation of Antiplatelet Autoantibody

Differential Diagnosis and Prognosis of Chronic ITP

  • Disorders most commonly confused with chronic ITP

Standard Treatment of Adult Chronic ITP

  • Who should treat ITP?
  • Indications for treatment
  • Index of treatment options

10. People With Severely Weakened Immune System

Guidance For People With Severely Weakened Immune Systems

  • Introduction
  • Background
  • Guidance
  • Further Information

Preventing Cryptosporidiosis: A Guide for People With Compromised Immune Systems

  • Who might be immunocompromised or have a weakened immune system?
  • What is Cryptosporidiosis?
  • What are the symptoms of Crypto?
  • How long after infection do symptoms appear?
  • How long will symptoms last?
  • How does Crypto affect you if your immune system is severely weakened?
  • How is Crypto spread?
  • I have been diagnosed with Crypto. Should I worry about spreading infection to others?
  • What should I do if I think I have Crypto?
  • How is a Crypto infection diagnosed?
  • What is the treatment for Crypto?
  • How can I protect myself from Crypto?
  • Filters designed to remove Crypto
  • Filters labeled only with these words may not be designed to remove Crypto

Post-Test

Comments

"Well written and comprehensive. I learned quite a bit."

-B.S., RN, Nevada 

"Great course. A lot of useful new information."

-A.S., LCSW, CA 

"Excellent material! Well written!"

-D.D., RN, MI