Build strong immunity in patients of any age – Part 2

Welcome to part two of this series on how to build strong immunity in patients of any age.

In part 1, we talked about the importance of assessing your patient’s age and underlying physical conditions, such as chronic inflammation, insulin resistance, obesity and many others, when trying to strenghten their immunityt.

Once you have addressed your patients’ immune system infrastructure, consider giving support to their immune system. We provide healthcare, not sickness care. We should be talking about wellness and longevity (healthspan), which includes regular chiropractic care (adjustments). Talk about diet and how patients can use it to reduce inflammation.

To build strong immunity, start supplementing

Supplements can help your patient manage chronic situations like insulin insensitivity, leaky gut and subclinical vitamin deficiency. The older the patient, the more important this becomes.

A number of supplements are useful. This is by no means a complete list, but any of the following can be helpful.

Vitamin A

A number of animal studies show vitamin A to be antiviral.^1-3 Human studies exist as well.^4-7 Vitamin A can support the immune system but can be toxic in high doses. If a patient is insulin insensitive, they probably have some biliary stasis and may not be absorbing fat-soluble vitamins well. You may find that vitamin A is especially useful to these patients. Look for dry skin, cracked heels, itching and other symptoms of biliary stasis. They may also need essential fatty acids and bile salts. 

Vitamin C and quercetin

Quercetin has antioxidant,⁸ anti-inflammatory, antiviral^9,10 and immunoprotective effects.¹¹ The antioxidant effect of quercetin is potentiated by vitamin C.¹² It is good to use these two supplements together. The combination is especially good for respiratory infections.¹³

Arabinogalactan

A number of studies show arabinogalactans to be beneficial to build strong immunity. The activity of immune-modulating herbs, like echinacea and astragalus, may be due to arabinogalactan.

One study found that 4.5 grams of arabinogalactan per day over a 12-week period reduced the incidence of the common cold in subjects when compared to those receiving a placebo.¹⁴ Arabinogalactan decreased the incidence of cold episodes by 23%.¹⁵

Thymus extracts

Studies have shown thymus extracts to support cellular immunity and to be beneficial to patients with immunodeficiency.^17,18 Thymus extracts have also been shown to increase the activity of T cells and B cells.^19-21 Sometimes it is a good idea to include other glandulars as well.

There is evidence that glandular supplements target the same organ in the consumer from which they were produced in the animal. One study demonstrated, through radioactive isotope tracing of specific factors from glandular tissues, that glandular supplements are transported by the bloodstream and absorbed by the corresponding glands of the patient. This has been supported by other research.²¹ For example, thymus extracts have been shown to support cellular immunity, and to be beneficial to patients with immunodeficiency.²² Another study found that glandular extracts from liver, lung and thyroid specifically targeted those organs.²³

Olive leaf

This compound has antimicrobial and antioxidant properties.²⁴

Monolaurin.

Derived from coconut milk, it is antimicrobial.²⁵

Berberine

According to the authors of one study, “Evidences are herein scrutinized to show that the structural and numerical changes in the gut microbiota under pathological conditions are reversed by berberine.”²⁶

Berberine may be especially useful because it kills undesirable flora and tends to leave healthy flora alone.

Thyme

Thyme is an anti-inflammatory.²⁷

Final thoughts on how to build strong immunity

When you are asked for recommendations to boost the immune system, it is important to address your patients’ specific needs and core health issues first. Your long-term objective should be to build their overall health rather than just fight sickness. It is also important to keep your patients on a regular adjustment schedule, as this will help sustain a healthy immune system.

PAUL VARNAS, DC, DACBN, is a graduate of the National College of Chiropractic and has had a functional medicine practice for 34 years. He is the author of several books and has taught nutrition at the National University of Health Sciences. For a free PDF of “Instantly Have a Functional Medicine Practice” or a patient handout on the anti-inflammatory diet, email him at paulgvarnas@gmail.com.

References

All accessed October 29, 2024.

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6. Op cit 10.
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21. Op cit 24.
22. Op cit 25.
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