Immune system

Question 1

Roles and implications of the immune system

Answer 1

Identify and neutralise pathogens

Distinguish self vs. non-self

Distinguish pathological vs. non-harmful antigens

Repair the site of injury or damage

Tumour surveillance (last!)

Question 2

Implications of dysfunction of the immune system

Answer 2

Increased susceptibility to infection

Increased susceptibility to autoimminity

Allergies and autoimmunity (cross reactivity)

Insufficient: or incomplete repair, scarring.

Excessive: cell damage, chronic inflammation

Inability to recognise and kill abnormal cancer cells

Question 3

Main nutrients for immunity

Answer 3

C Dazes

C
D
A
Zinc
E
Selenium

Question 4

Internal threats and immune under -reactions

Answer 4

AI condition, ie: Hashimotos thyroiditis, RA, IBD, T1DM)

Under-reaction: cancer, re-activated viruses (ie: shingles)

Question 5

External threats and immune under reactions

Answer 5

Allergic reactions (hay fever, food allergies)
Food intolerances

Under reaction: infection (bacterial, parasite, viral, fungal).

Question 6

What effect does a compromised gut microbiome have on immunity?

Answer 6

Pathogens may become more harmful. GI health essential in resilience.

Question 7

Innate immune system

Answer 7

External (first line of defence)

physical barriers (skin, mucus membranes)

chemical barriers (sebum, sweat, HCl, tears, mucus and sIgA, cerumen, tissue fluids, vaginal bacteria)

Internal (second line of defence)
phagocytes (monocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, eosonophils)

inflammatory response basophils/mast cells

Fever

Interferons

Complement system

Natural killer cells

Question 8

Acquired / adaptive immune system

Answer 8

Specific defence mechanism (third line of defence).

T Helper cells up or down regulate immune response

Question 9

Barrier tissues in immunity

Answer 9

Very robust defence if we have good secretions with antimicrobial properties.

Probiotic bacteria secrete lactic acid and natural antibiotics

MALT/GALT (ie: tonsils, Peyer’s patches) contain B cells which secrete sIgA.

Question 10

What are PAMPs and DAMPs?

Answer 10

Recognition patterns displayed. Pathogen/damage associated molecular patterns

Question 11

What are APCs?

Answer 11

Antigen presenting cells: innate cells present themselves to adaptive immune system for more tailored response to specific threat

Question 12

T Helper cells differentiation

Answer 12

After antigen presentation:
Th1, Th2, Th17, T-reg cells

Question 13

Functions of T helper cells

Answer 13

Th1: defence against intracellular pathogens (viruses)

Th2: defence against exracellular threats (parasites)

Th17: defence against extracellular pathogens

T-reg cells: modulate and deactivate immune response

Question 14

Th1 vs Th2 dominance

Answer 14

See saw effect, one drives the other

Th1 dominance: drives chronic inflammation and AI

Th2 dominance: drives allergies, inc. asthma

Question 15

Causes and risks of low immunity

Answer 15

Poor nutrition/nutrient deficiencies

Immunosupressants, ie: corticosteroids

Gut/microbiome: low sIgA, PPI’s, NSAIDS, steroids

Impaired barrier defencess

Emotional (fear), chemical (smoking), physical stress (overtraining)

Poor sleep

Heavy metal toxicity

Blood glucose dysregulation

Poor energy delivery mechanisms (CFS)

Disrupted methylation

Low vit D status, inc. SNPs, ie: VDR or VDBP (less effective binding/transport of vit D)

Question 16

Supporting immunity

Answer 16

CNM naturopathic diet

Avoid sugar, acohol, caffeine

Support sleep, reduce stress, toxic exposure

Digestion, GI Health

Question 17

What are toll-like receptors

Answer 17

toll-like receptors on cell membranes, esp. on macrophages and dendritic cells on skin interract with PAMPs and DAMPs. They recognise damage and trigger inflammatory cytokines via NFKb pathway.

Question 18

Vitamins for immunity

Answer 18

Vitamin A (lymphatic tissues and immune cells)

Vitamin C (innate and adaptive immunity)

Zinc (inhibits viral replication, permeability of barriers)

Probiotics

Vitamin D (enhances innate immunity, increases regulatory T cells)

Beta Glucans (innate and adaptive immunity)

Question 19

Nutrients for during infection

Answer 19

As immune support with larger doses and:

elderberry (prevents cell entry)

echinacea (4000mg)

Lysine (1-3g)

Question 20

What is the Cytokine storm sydrome

Answer 20

An excess of pro-inflammatory cytokines which can cause lung tissue damage, respiratory diseases, pneumonia or death!

Question 21

COVID 19 risk factors

Answer 21

Obesity, CVD, NAFLD, diabetes

Vitamin D deficiency

Gut dysbiosis, particularly Bifidobacterium spp. Faecalbacterium prausnitizii and Eubacterium rectale found Covid 19 patients

Question 22

Naturopathic approach to Covid 19

Answer 22

Support stress, sleep, blood glucose, toxic load, oxidative stress. Healthy weight management.

Optimal ranges of vit D

Microbiome support

Quercetin, resveratrol, turmeric, berberine.

Quit smoking

Question 23

Cardinal signs of chronic inflammation

Answer 23

Redness, heat, oedema, pain, loss of function

Question 24

Define auto immunity

Answer 24

Chronic inflammation directed at self tissue

Question 25

Define allergy

Answer 25

Chronic inflammation directed at non-harmful antigens

Question 26

Define latent infection/scar tissue

Answer 26

Chronic inflammation not fully resolved

Question 27

Clinical presentation of chronic inflammation

Answer 27

Symptoms/signs, ie: pain, swelling, joint stiffness

Diagnonsis/symptoms, ie: IBD, CVD

Related conditions, ie: depression

History of unresolved/latent infection, ie: periodontal disease, stress, overtraining

GP tests, ie: high CRP, ESR, low vit D, ultrasound

Function tests: hsCRP, high omega 6:3 ratio. Genetics: FADS 1/2, IL-6, HLA, VDR