Sterols Have The Potential To Stabilize The Immune System And Protect From Numerous Diseases

Sterols present in plants are referred to as phytosterols and are present in small quantities in numerous fruits and vegetables. Sterols are similar in structure to the cholesterol present in animal cells.
However, sterols offer better benefits than the cholesterol obtained from animal cells and are proven to reduce the levels of ‘bad’ cholesterol in the body. It is now being proposed that sterols have the potential to stabilize the immune system and protect one from numerous diseases and health conditions. It is believed that sterols, along with improvement in cholesterol levels also help prevent many infections.

The immune system performs a wide range of functions that as a whole help in preventing infections and diseases in the human body. Supplementations of various plant products have been associated with an improvement in function in the immune system. Plant sterols which were initially being promoted for benefits on serum blood cholesterol levels are now being researched and studied for the effects on the human immune system.

The T-lymphocytes have a number of associated cells that are grouped as T-helper cells to aid in the function of identifying and destroying harmful microorganisms and their toxic products. These T-helper cells have been reported to fight directly against the viruses and other microorganisms to prevent the occurrence of infections. Further, T-cells may also act against cancer cells and prevent progression and spreading. Studies have reported that nutrients such as plant sterols do have an influence on the number and function of such helper cells that are quite essential for the prevention of infections.Proper regulation of immune cells is important in enhancing the actions of the immune system while protecting the body against autoimmune reactions and responses.
Sterols Benefits on the Immune System and Medical Studies
One of the benefits of regulation of the immune system was noted in patients suffering from asthma. Asthma results from the abnormal increase in the response of the immune system to minor stimuli. Administration of plant sterols were noted to regulate the actions of the T-helper cells, thereby reducing the release of several chemicals (histamines) responsible for the inflammation of cells of the lungs and the throat. Dr. Miller concludes that the administration of plant sterols does have an effect on the immune system and can be used as additional mode of therapy while treating individuals suffering from asthma.

A compound produced from a combination of plant sterols was tested on individuals suffering from HIV infection in South Africa. HIV is known for its suppression on the immune system and the study demonstrated promising results. The administration of sterol compounds was notably associated with an increase in the T-cell counts along with other benefits such as improvement in general health, decrease in the number of viruses present in the body, weight gain and reduction in skin irritations.

The results obtained from these studies have confirmed the effects of anabolic steroids on the immune system. Therefore, it can be concluded that plant sterols may boost the immune system and protect the body against infections and other disorders.

How to Manage the Most Common Respiratory Infection - the Cold

The common cold is known as one of the most prevalent infections worldwide. It is estimated that the average person contracts two to four colds per year. It has people running to drug stores and reaching for pharmaceuticals, causing further imbalance in the body, not to mention wasting money and resources. However, given a proper understanding of how the common cold works, people are able to prevent or treat this ailment in the most beneficial, and natural of ways.
A cold is classified as an upper respiratory infection (URI) and exhibits a collection of symptoms. The most common include nose and throat irritations, like a runny or stuffy nose and cough.

Colds are caused by viruses, not bacteria. Viruses and bacteria are as different as computers and elephants. Although they have some things in common, viruses generally do not respond to measures that work on bacteria. Therefore, using anti-bacterial soaps or antibiotics, which are both intended for bacteria, is useless. Viruses are not alive in the typical sense that a cell is, therefore, we cannot 'kill' them. The best way to deal with viruses is to limit our exposure to them and have our body's immune system "disassemble" them.

Over the counter cold medications do not cure colds, they just suppress the symptoms. It is; therefore, prudent to know that going out to buy typical cold medications, anti-bacterial soaps or drugs like antibiotics, is generally a waste of money and further damage to health. The best thing we can do to manage, alleviate or decrease the chances of a cold is work on boosting our immune system - and not just when a cold strikes, but year round.

Enhance your immune system
The best way to manage a cold is to not get it in the first place. This is possible by adopting optimally healthy lifestyle habits. Eating a diet based on whole, natural plant food is key. Fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices offer the most natural vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to protect and strengthen our immune system. Additionally, drinking enough pure water, having regular movement, effective stress relief, exposure to fresh air and sun for optimal vitamin D levels are of key importance as well.

Rest, hydrate and 'nutrate'
When a cold strikes, the best thing we can do first for our body is to rest. This means allowing yourself to take a day or two off of work. It is the very message the cold is trying to send us - take a break. Rest helps our bodies do what they does best, offering a most efficient and quick recovery.

Next, hydrate your body with water. Well lubricated tissues are less likely to be attacked by viruses and water helps to cleanse, as well as optimize all functions.

Finally, 'nutrate' your body by ingesting lots of high quality nutrition. This is the time to avoid all processed, junk and fast food completely, and instead take in pure nutrient-dense foods from whole, natural, plant foods. Boosting nutrient levels with supplements such as vitamins C and D and zinc is also beneficial.

Urinary Tract Infections in Children

As many as 8 percent of girls and 2 percent of boys will develop a urinary tract infection. Furthermore, young children have a greater risk of kidney damage linked to urinary tract infection than older children or adults. The information below should help you recognize a urinary tract infection in children before it causes serious damage.

What causes urinary tract infections in children?

Normal urine is sterile and contains no bacteria. However, even under normal circumstances bacteria cover the skin and are present in large numbers in the rectal area and within bowel movements. Bacteria may, at times, get into the urinary tract and travel up the urethra into the bladder. When this happens, the bacteria multiply and unless the body gets rid of the bacteria, they can cause infection (urinary tract infection or "UTI."

There are two general types of UTIs—bladder infection and kidney infection. When the infection involves the bladder it can cause inflammation, swelling and pain of the bladder. This is called cystitis. If the bacteria travel upward from the bladder through the ureters and reach and infect the kidneys, the kidney infection is called pyelonephritis. Kidney infections are more serious than bladder infections, and can cause kidney damage especially in young children.

What are the symptoms of urinary tract infections in children?

Most often when there is a urinary tract infection, the linings of the bladder, urethra, ureters, and kidneys become red and irritated. This usually causes painful, frequent urination and children may pass urine with a foul odor. Many children start having urinary accidents, and/or bloody urine. If the kidneys become infected, children often have abdominal or back pain and fever. If your child is an infant or too young to tell you how he or she feels, the signs are likely to be vague and unrelated to the urinary tract. For example, your child may just have a high fever, or be irritable and not eating, or sometimes have only a low-grade fever, loose bowel movements or just not seem healthy. You may notice that the diaper urine "smells bad." If your child has a high temperature and appears sick without another obvious source for his/her discomfort (such as runny nose or ear ache), they should see a doctor. If a kidney infection is not treated promptly, the bacteria may spread to the bloodstream and cause a life-threatening infection or permanent kidney damage.

Older children may complain of pain in the low stomach area or back as well as the need to urinate frequently. Your child may cry when he or she urinates or complain that it hurts to urinate and produce only a few drops of urine. It may be hard for them to control their urine so they may have urinary accidents or bed-wetting. They may also produce urine that smells bad or looks cloudy.

How are urinary tract infections treated in children?

Urinary tract infections are treated with antibiotics. If your doctor thinks your child has a urine infection, they will choose a drug that treats the bacteria most likely to be causing the problem. Sometimes a few days later, after the culture results are finished, the antibiotic drug might be changed to one that is more effective against the particular bacteria found in your child's urine. In addition to antibiotics, you can help your child's body fight the infection by encouraging lots of fluids and very frequent urination.

The specific antibiotic drug, way it is given and number of days that it must be taken may depend, in part, on the type and severity of infection. If your child is very sick and unable to take fluids, the antibiotic may need to be given as shots (injected directly into the bloodstream or muscle) with your child in the hospital; otherwise, oral medicine may be given. The daily treatment schedule your child's doctor recommends will depend upon the specific drug prescribed: it may call for a single dose each day or up to four daily doses. In some cases you will be asked to give your child medicine until further tests are finished.

After a few doses of the antibiotic, your child may appear much improved or even have returned to their normal activities, but often it may take weeks before all symptoms are gone. Even if they are improved, it is important that your child take the antibiotic medicines as prescribed by your doctor and not stop them because just because the symptoms have gone away. Unless urinary tract infections are fully treated, they may return, or your child may get another infection.

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Neuro Viral Infections

Neural infections are among the most abundant organic diseases of the nervous system. Many infectious diseases of the nervous system have long been known, but only a small part of neural infections caused by bacterial pathogens, was studied in more detail. Etiologic factor in the large area neural infections are different viruses.

The widespread use of antibiotics and various chemotherapeutic agents changed the clinical picture of many very common ailments.

Through the use of antibiotics clinical manifestations neural infections to date is subject to change. Clinic septic diseases of the nervous system caused by the use of antibiotics has also undergone a change. Preventive vaccination against polio has left a mark on its clinical manifestations.

Certain diseases as highlighted only in recent years. Examples of such diseases is toxoplasmosis torulez. There are new, as yet little-studied forms, such as seasonal encephalitis, make up a large group of modern neural infections.

In the study of the pathogenesis of neural infections a lot of achievements. This applies to both bacterial and viral neural infections. An example of the unresolved questions of pathogenesis neural infections is a whole group of encephalomyelitis and close to him multiple sclerosis in its acute and chronic forms.

In the treatment of many infectious diseases of the nervous system of traditional medicine has advanced far ahead. But with regard to treatment of infections neural infections are many gaps, and there are no results that would allow them to talk about the possibility of rational treatment.

The Flu Shot Trifecta Protects Mom, Fetus and Infant

If you’re pregnant and haven’t gotten a flu shot it’s time to get one, says Geeta Swamy, who recommends pregnant women get the vaccine each year, whether their pregnancy falls before, during and even after the flu season peaks.

“Maternal immunizations protect the mother, but have an even greater potential impact on your baby,” says Swamy, a nationally recognized expert on immunizations during pregnancy. “It’s only one vaccine but it has three very important benefits – it protects the mom, it protects the fetus by preventing the risks of preterm delivery and low birth weight, and it protects the newborn before he or she is old enough to be vaccinated.”

While pregnant women are not at higher risk for getting the flu, they are more likely to suffer serious complications, Swamy says. Data show pregnant women are more likely to be hospitalized; and they have higher rates of pneumonia, respiratory complications and death related to the influenza infection.

The risks to the unborn child are just as severe.

“Babies who are exposed to influenza during the mother’s pregnancy may suffer from long-term implications,” says Swamy. “Even if mom is fine, there is some evidence to suggest that influenza exposure can lead to medical problems that include psychiatric disorders in the baby’s future.”

Swamy stresses that pregnant women who get a flu shot are not exposing their fetus to the infection. Rather, they are transferring antibodies against influenza to their unborn baby. That reduces the infant’s risk of contracting the flu before they are old enough to be vaccinated.

The ability to transfer antibodies in utero is also important for other infections like pertussis, also known as whooping cough, which has reached epidemic proportions in some states. “The Centers for Disease Control now recommends that women get the pertussis vaccine during each pregnancy to protect their unborn child,” says Swamy.

Since no immunization is perfect, pregnant women who have been vaccinated against the flu should continue to take precautions. “If you think you have been exposed, we can offer prophylactic treatment with anti-virals,” says Swamy. If you experience flu-like symptoms, including severe headache, malaise, fever and body aches, call your doctor.

“The ideal scenario is to obtain treatment within the first 48 hours,” says Swamy. That and a flu shot are your best lines of defense against a rampant infection that could have severe consequences for you and child. 

Primary Immunodeficiency Diseases

One of the most important functions of the immune system is to protect us from bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can make us sick. Not all organisms are harmful--in fact, our intestines contain many bacteria that help prevent problems such as allergies and improper absorption of nutrients. The immune system identifies the difference between what is dangerous and what is not and prevents whatever is dangerous from harming us. Primary immunodeficiency diseases (PIDDs) are caused by mutations in genes that prevent the body from developing normal immune responses to infectious challenges. The mutations can either be inherited or appear randomly.  Because the immune system is compromised in PIDDs, harmful organisms usually cause recurrent and sometimes life-threatening infections.  In addition, since these diseases are genetic, they are generally considered to be lifelong conditions once they are diagnosed.

How common are primary immunodeficiency diseases?

The most common PIDD is selective IgA deficiency, which has been reported as frequently as about one in every 300 to 400 individuals in the United States.  Although other PIDDs may occur less frequently, the actual rates of occurrence are not known because positive diagnoses are often not made.  As screening of newborns for important PIDDs becomes implemented as a standard practice, these statistics should become more accurate.

What are the signs and symptoms of primary immunodeficiency diseases?

Signs and symptoms that often alert us of the possibility of a PIDD are well-summarized by the following "10 Warning Signs of Primary Immunodeficiency":

    Four or more new ear infections within one year, particularly after the first year of life.
    Two or more serious sinus infections within one year.
    Two or more months on antibiotics with little effect.
    Two or more pneumonias within one year.
    Failure of an infant to gain weight or grow normally.
    Recurrent, deep skin or organ abscesses.
    Persistent thrush in the mouth or significant fungal infections on the skin.
    Need for intravenous antibiotics to clear infections.
    Two or more deep-seated infections, including infections of the bloodstream.
    A family history of primary immune deficiency.

How are primary immunodeficiency diseases treated?

Our patients are often given antibiotics or antifungal medications for prevention or treatment of infections. These medications need to be prescribed carefully because they can sometimes cause unwanted side effects or encourage the growth of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. Patients who lack the ability to make antibodies often require immunoglobulin replacement therapy.  Some patients, depending on the type of PIDD that has been diagnosed, may require bone marrow or umbilical cord stem cell transplantation or even thymus transplantation in the most severe cases. Sometimes it may be treated with anabolic steroids.