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About Just out. (Portland, OR) 1983-2013 | View Entire Issue (May 1, 1987)
rcoupoN - - - - • NEW LOCATION • Infection resistance equals immune efficiency With the successes of our antibiotic therapies and our public health improvements we (the American medical community) mistakenly believed that we were about to win the war against disease. BY STEVEN BAILEY, N. D. he immune system is truly remark able. It possesses an innate intelli gence that allows us to defend our selves against a wide variety of organisms, toxic chemicals and other stressors which could easily defeat the immune suppressed individual. While history reveals a long standing reverence for the immune system, the American medical community has, until recently, downplayed the importance of the natural immune processes. We have predominantly worked on immune replace ment products such as antibiotics and vac cination programs as well as public health programs designed toward eliminating the spread of disease and improving sanitation. With the onset of AIDS, our medical community is renewing their interest in understanding immune competency and developing immune support programs. Prevention is certainly one of the hallmarks of good health, and with AIDS, it is emerging as an essential component of sane sexual practices. This article will dis cuss some basic components of immune support and good health practices. The human immune system includes a variety of components including the white blood cells (WBC’s), immune chemicals (i.e. immuno-globulines, interferon, etc.), tissue defense as well as the classic inflam matory processes of tumor (swelling), calor (heat), rubor (redness) and dolor (pain). In the healthy individual all of these components are working together to prevent infection and hasten recovery from illness. What we eat, how we respond to stress and our basic lifestyle can all influence how strong or weak our immune system is. One of the basic elements of immunol ogy is called the disease theory. This theory states that disease comes from the growth or incubation of “ infective organisms” which are spread through a “ route of contact” to a “ susceptible host.” This leaves us with three areas of prevention: T 1) Depression of the “ infective organism.” This can be accomplished by good sanitation, vaccinations and in late stages, by the use of antibiotics. 2) Limiting the “ route of spread.” In AIDS this relatively easy as we have to share body fluids with an infected person to spread the virus. Other pre vention of spread includes hygiene and sane life habits. 3) The “ susceptible host” part of the dis ease theory is where we can do the most preventive work. We all know how im portant this is by our own life experi ences. Most of us have avoided getting certain ilnesses that others around us have contacted. We are certainly around the cold or flu organisms yet we don’t become infected. Most likely we also Personalized Loan Services Designed To Meet Your Special Needs. Warren E. 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With the successes of our antibiotic therapies and our public health improve ments we (the American medical com munity) mistakenly believed that we were about to win the war against disease. With the development of super bacterium (re sistance to antibiotics), the failures in find ing drugs to treat viral infections and the emergence of AIDS we have once again begun to look into how to enhance our resistance to infection. Next month I will write about foods and herbs that are known to support immune function. I will also discuss how stress weakens our immune processes, what we can do about it, and programs to optimize our immune strength such as juice fasting and allergy elimination diets. • Workers’ Comp & Auto Insurance Cover Chiropractic Care Insurance Accepted TOOZE MT. TABOR FLORIST Contemporary and Distinctive Designs Created Specifically for You and Your Lifestyle Give Mom the best. Order H C E N T E R early for Mother’s Day! 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