Supplements: Harmful or Helpful?
Posted on April 24, 2016 by Dr. G
Can nutritional supplements be ‘not helpful’ or even harmful? How recent breakthroughs in understanding the immune system can shed some light on a very controversial topic.
Brain research has taken us in a very unpredictable direction. 20 years ago I could not have predicted that the study of brain and nervous system function would have led me to an ever increasing understanding of the immune system, thus impacting who I can help the most in my career. The immune system seems to be at the center of so many brain based and neurological conditions to the point where the immune system and its components cannot be ignored in the diagnosis and care for:
- Autism
- Post concussion syndrome
- Depression and anxiety
- Insomnia
- Parkinsons and Alzheimers
- Autoimmunity
- Chronic Pain
- Brain fog
- Hypothyroidism
- IBS, GERD, Celiac, Colitis and Crohn’s
After attaining an education in chiropractic, a profession that specializes in improving how the nervous system and the body communicate by identifying and removing interference with that communication, I decided I was going to pursue a post graduate education in nervous system and brain function. That was 20 years ago.
When I was in school in the early 90’s the immune system and the brain were worlds apart to the point where a physiology professor of mine stated that the immune system is the only system of the body that is not directly linked to the nervous system. 20 years later there are textbooks with names like “Brain and Immunity” and “Neuroimmunity”.
As recently as July of 2015, newly discovered lymph vessels were found to come from the brain and thus penetrate the blood brain barrier. The reason my professor told us there was no connection between the brain and immune system is because it was believed that the immune system would cause too much damage and inflammation in the brain, which it cannot handle. Therefore the formation of the blood brain barrier (a layer of protection between the contents of the blood and the brain) was the evidence that the immune system and brain were separated.
Since new discoveries of the lymph vessels mentioned above, the immune role played by the glial cells in the brain (there are 10X more microglia in the brain than there are neurons) and the role of cytokines (chemical messengers between immune cells) in every chronic brain based disorder is all the proof needed to not ignore the immune system in diagnosis and care of neurological conditions. The recent discovery that the cytokines produced in the gut when there is inflammation in the digestive system, travel up the largest nerve network in the body called the vagus nerve, directly into the brain stem influencing how the brain stem controls everything.
In the world of alternative medicine there is great opportunity because there are so many botanical’s and food based agents that have been extensively studied for their role in immune balance and regulation. They have been so closely studied by the pharmaceutical industry in an attempt to guide the production of more drugs that influence the immune system. While current research on the mechanism of action in the body by botanical’s and naturally occurring agents will take 10-15 years to yield new drugs, natural health practitioners can incorporate current research immediately.
Your need for Immune system support will vary with the health conditions being considered. In the case of many (not all) autoimmune conditions there is usually a need to promote immune tolerance (balance) whereas in cases of allergies, acute infection, chronic infection and cancer your goals may be very different, perhaps tolerance of viruses, bacteria or cancer cells is not a good idea. It is not enough to do a google search and see that a botanical or food based agent is “good for the immune system” and therefore a good idea to take.
In the case of autoimmune diseases like MS, lupus, rheumatoid arthritis you could take an immune support product that will contribute to a flare up and or unnecessary tissue destruction. It is always recommended to make sure your medical or alternative health care provider is aware of how these agent will influence your immune system and your health.
Thanks for reading!
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