by Lorna Vanderhaeghe
Michael Reed, a 26 year old chemical engineer, heard the words, you have rheumatoid arthritis but all he could think was I won't be able to work again. Michael had been bedridden with a form of arthritis that caused his wrists to swell severely. He had to leave his job, he could not shake someone's hand, write, carry or lift anything. Just going from the bed to the bathroom was becoming an impossible chore.
Michael was devastated. Here he was in the prime of his life and he felt it was over. Doctors put him on anti-inflammatory injections and cortisone, but after three months the only result was stomach problems, a swollen face, no sex drive and pain as bad as it had been before the treatment.
Rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, lupus, psoriasis, insulin dependent diabetes along with many other autoimmune disorders have one thing in common - a lifetime of debilitating illness and sometimes even death. Autoimmune diseases can involve any system in the body, although some organs and tissues seem more vulnerable than others (see chart). Five percent of our adult population is afflicted with one or more autoimmune disease and over two thirds of those are women.
What is Autoimmunity?
The power of the immune system is undeniable. This amazing internal army comprised of trillions of cells working around the clock to keep us healthy. And yet, in all of its majesty, the immune system can become, weakened, vulnerable, and worse yet, its own worst enemy.
Autoimmune disorders occur when the immune system begins to attack the body. A balanced immune system, normally distinguishes friend from foe and only attacks foreign invaders, avoiding the body's own tissues. But occasionally, our immune system's weaponry turns against itself causing destruction of the 'self'. We call this return of friendly fire, autoimmune disease.
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body attacks its own cells with specific immune system antibodies according to medical immunologist Leonid Ber, M.D., co-author of Activate Your Immune System. These antibodies are produced by B-cells, which are key components of an active immune system response.
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Several theories for the cause of autoimmunity have been postulated these include viral or bacterial infections, stress and genetic susceptibility. Some of these infectious organisms thought to play a role in the development of autoimmune disorders include mycobacterium tuberculosis, chlamydia, salmonella, and yersinia. The adenovirus type 2 is thought to cause the immune system to become confused and attack itself. This virus initiates amino acid sequences that are very similar to the myelin proteins that surround our nerves. When the body responds to this common virus it may mistakenly attack myelin and this type of response may be one cause of multiple sclerosis.
Nature plays a role
So why is it that everyone who is exposed to a virus does not acquire an autoimmune disease. Many factors have to be in place for the immune system to become disrupted. Our genetic makeup and a weakened immune system due to stress, poor diet or exposure to environmental toxins all play a hand in whether or not our immunity is affected.
The body is designed to protect us, not cause harm. Only in the face of complete confusion will the immune system turn on the body itself. Poor nutrition plays the most important role in keeping our defense system operating in peak order. Nature offers us her bounty we only have to reach for it. Phytonutrients (phyto=plant) offer powerful immune enhancing properties. Sterols and sterolins, a combination of plant fats, are so effective at modulating (balancing) the immune system that autoimmune disorders may be laid to rest in the pages of medical history texts.
Plant Fats and Immune Function?
According to the International Journal of Immunopharmacology, plant sterols and sterolins enhance the ability of T cells to divide. Therefor more T cells are added to the immune system arsenal; and they also promote the secretion of immune protective factors. These powerful plant fats do this without enhancing the action of inflammatory factors and the production of damaging, over-zealous antibodies. By reducing the production of antibodies the immune system can get back into balance and stop destroying the body's own tissues. Inflammation is reduced and healing begins.
Preliminary research has shown that within a short time those afflicted with autoimmune disorders see a significant decrease in their symptoms, especially a reduction in inflammation and pain. Until recently, most treatments worked by suppressing the entire immune response leaving those afflicted open to infections and cancer. Sterols and sterolins balance our immune system, providing protection against invaders while inhibiting the damaging effects of antibodies that are attacking body tissues and they do this without side effects. They are affordable and they act in a very short period of time.
Michael began taking sterols and sterolins and after three months he is able to run up and down stairs, play the piano and he has never had so much energy. Michael also noticed since taking the plant sterols and sterolins that he has not had a cold or flu either. The only reminder of his rheumatoid arthritis is a slightly stiff shoulder.
References
Pegal, K.H. The Importance of Sitosterol and Sitosterolin in Human and Animal Nutrition. 1997;93:263-268.
O'Garra, A. Interleukins and the Immune System One. Lancet, 1989:April 29, 943-947.
Bouic, P.J.D., Sterols/Sterolins, The Natural, Non-toxic Immunomodulators and Their Role in the Control of Rheumatoid Arthritis. 1998 peliminary research results paper.
Bouic, P.J.D., et al. Beta-sitosterol and Betasitosterol Glucoside Stimulate Peripheral Blood Lymphocyte Proliferation: Implications for Their Use as an Immunomodulatory Vitamin Combination. International Journal of Immunopharmacology. 1995;18:693-700.