Spring has returned to us. Hopefully we have rested deeply in the inner months of winter. With spring our energy moves upward and outward again. Now is the time to prepare our bodies for the longer warmer days ahead. Often, spring is the time that strange rashes or allergies appear. I remember as a child standing in the school assembly with itchy watery eyes as I was made to drink lukewarm milk. Yuk!
With some information and care we can balance immune responses in the body and reduce childhood allergies. We often hear about strengthening the immune system, however we need to be aware of balancing our immune responses.
The main cells that regulate the immune system are T-helper cells. There are different types of these T-cells and they promote body responses in their own ways. T-helper 1 cells promote killing of bacterial and viral infected or mutated cells. T-helper 2 cells promote antibody (a special substance) response to unrecognised matter in the blood. T-helper 3 cells provide protection through the gut mucosa and prevent the T1 and T2 helper cells from being over active.
Babies are born with a more active T2 immune response. Through exposure to the environment and infection, the T1 response is developed. If the immune system does not balance, the child may then have the tendency to develop allergies because of an over active T2 action.
What does this mean for parents at home wishing to bring their child up with the best health possible? Well really we need to have cleansed and strengthened our own bodies before conception, reducing the likelihood of passing on allergic tendency. A vaginal birth is the beginning of the baby being exposed to bacteria. Bifidobacteria is an essential friendly bacteria that then begins to grow to nourish and protect the digestive tract. Breastfeeding the infant is the next step to establishing optimal immune balance, containing protective factors such as lymphocytes, macrophages, essential fatty acids, and more friendly bacteria to colonise the digestive tract. The gut flora of a child must be healthy as it is a large part of developing and regulating immunity.
Seventy per cent of the immune system exists in the gastrointestinal tract in the form of glands, mucosa and lymphoid tissue. Children with allergies have been found to have less bifidobacteria. The therapeutic benefits of probiotics (good bacteria for the gut) are many. If you cannot birth or feed naturally then you can give bifido in a powder form as a supplement. Slippery elm, the powder of the inner bark of the elm tree, is a herb that can be given nearly right away to coat and feed the intestinal tract, especially good in infant diarrhoea or colic. It is extremely important that antibiotics are given only when needed and that good gut bacteria is replaced after treatment, so that imbalance does not occur.
As children grow they most certainly will have their own individual experiences with health. Many factors will influence a child’s immune responses. There have been studies done recently that have shown an environment, if too sterile will not give our children exposure to bacteria that will help their immune systems to develop. The ‘hygiene hypothesis’ looks at the necessary stimulation of the T helper 1 cells by bacterial and viral infection.
Remember the T1 cells fight against bacteria and viruses. If a strong T1 immunity is established then the T helper 2-cell immunity, which is more active in infancy, is brought into balance, reducing possibility of an allergy reaction. BALANCE is the key word that I would stress here. Obviously a clean environment without excess bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic exposure is necessary for a growing child. Yet maybe an absolutely sterile setting is not what our children need either.
Good tucker: one thing we all know is kids need great nutrition to balance and strengthen the immune system. Whole food, that is organic, unprocessed, as close to its natural condition as possible will provide the best nutrients. Sadly much of our soil is devoid of zinc, magnesium, selenium and iodine. In the clinic we see a lot of these deficiencies, causing many symptoms of immune weakness. Vitamins A, C, E and essential fatty acids (good oils found in linseed, evening primrose, hemp seed and fish oil) are important for immunity. There are many good children’s supplements available from qualified health practitioners that can help you sort out what your child may need.
I want to remain an optimist and see the world dripping with organic food and flowing with crystal clear water, less in bottles and cans, a vision very possible if we all simplified our lives a little. Yes and water not juice or soft drink, pure spring or filtered water every day is essential to health. Let us not forget love and positive attention. Children need touch. Hugs, kisses, massage and just being held stimulate the immune system. As does positive thoughts and feelings directed at your child. Laughter and stimulating, fun physical activity (play) promote an active immune system, whereas too much television or exposure to negative images may deplete it.
Some herbs that can stimulate immunity are: good old echinacea, astragalus, andrographis, sacred basil, cats claw, pau dar co and let’s not forget garlic. A good herbalist can tell you when and how to use these herbs. I hope you learnt a little more, don’t forget to send in any questions you have to us.
Published in byronchild/Kindred, Issue 11, September 2004
Hi I’m Shawn I was trying to find what probiotics would be used to balance a T2, T3 dominant immune system. Does anyone know where to find this information?