Comments for From Arthritis to Zoster http://naturallyimmunemd.com The Immune Connection Tue, 09 Feb 2010 04:52:52 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.4 Comment on Cytokines: Molecular Movers and Shakers by From Arthritis to Zoster » Blog Archive » Obesity, Immunity, and the Hygiene Hypothesis http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5076 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:17:45 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5076 [...] Obesity interferes with the production of cytokines that serve as immune messenger molecules; hence, an appropriate response to an infectious organism or suppression of a hyperactive immune system does not occur in a timely fashion. [...] […] Obesity interferes with the production of cytokines that serve as immune messenger molecules; hence, an appropriate response to an infectious organism or suppression of a hyperactive immune system does not occur in a timely fashion. […]

]]> Comment on Crestor, CRP, and Inflammation by Irma http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=58#comment-5043 Mon, 25 Jan 2010 04:16:40 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=58#comment-5043 what does the role of sugar play in this scenario? what does the role of sugar play in this scenario?

]]> Comment on Cytokines: Molecular Movers and Shakers by From Arthritis to Zoster » Blog Archive » The Immune System and Cardiovascular Disease http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5028 Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:55:27 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5028 [...] One might wonder when some research dollars will be spent on identifying the immunologic factors that lead to heart attacks and strokes. What trigger or triggers, for example, stimulate the macrophages in our arterial walls to ingest packets of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), transform into foam cells, and release cytokines that encourage other immune cells to damage the linings of our vessels? In fact, are low-density lipoproteins really one of the root causes of cardiovascular disease, as statin proponents tell us, or are they merely another marker for an as yet unidentified inflammatory process? [...] […] One might wonder when some research dollars will be spent on identifying the immunologic factors that lead to heart attacks and strokes. What trigger or triggers, for example, stimulate the macrophages in our arterial walls to ingest packets of low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), transform into foam cells, and release cytokines that encourage other immune cells to damage the linings of our vessels? In fact, are low-density lipoproteins really one of the root causes of cardiovascular disease, as statin proponents tell us, or are they merely another marker for an as yet unidentified inflammatory process? […]

]]> Comment on Cytokines: Molecular Movers and Shakers by From Arthritis to Zoster » Blog Archive » The Immune Boosting Properties of Probiotics http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5013 Thu, 07 Jan 2010 21:01:22 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=45#comment-5013 [...] The reason that probiotics improve our response to viral illness is, on the surface, fairly straightforward: these organisms stimulate immune cells (T lymphocytes, B cells, etc.) and evoke the production of protective antibodies, cytokines, and other factors in the very mucous membranes where viruses gain entrance to the human body. Over the millennia, we have developed a symbiotic relationship with those bacteria that have proven the most useful to us as individuals and as a species. [...] […] The reason that probiotics improve our response to viral illness is, on the surface, fairly straightforward: these organisms stimulate immune cells (T lymphocytes, B cells, etc.) and evoke the production of protective antibodies, cytokines, and other factors in the very mucous membranes where viruses gain entrance to the human body. Over the millennia, we have developed a symbiotic relationship with those bacteria that have proven the most useful to us as individuals and as a species. […]

]]> Comment on Arthritis 2 (Rheumatoid) by severe rheumatoid arthritis http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=17#comment-4987 Thu, 24 Dec 2009 06:42:20 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=17#comment-4987 <strong>severe rheumatoid arthritis...</strong> I came across your post From Arthritis to Zoster " Blog Archive " Arthritis 2 (Rheumatoid) today, Thursday while searching for severe rheumatoid arthritis while I don't agree with everything it was refreshing to find something relevant about severe ... severe rheumatoid arthritis…

I came across your post From Arthritis to Zoster ” Blog Archive ” Arthritis 2 (Rheumatoid) today, Thursday while searching for severe rheumatoid arthritis while I don’t agree with everything it was refreshing to find something relevant about severe …

]]> Comment on Disclaimer by Hal Fischer http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=9#comment-4970 Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:47:07 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=9#comment-4970 Hi Dr. Christensen: I would prefer to contact you by direct email rather than posting, but I can't find another option, so please bear with me here. I want to thank you for your recent article entitled "Do Supplements Help to Prevent Colds and Flu?" and the information you provided, particularly regarding ginseng. As a representative of Afexa Life Sciences and our lead product COLD-FX, this is an issue near and dear to my heart. In that you are a great practioner and supporter of alternative medicine, please let me tell you a little bit about COLD-FX, the most effective form of ginseng available. COLD-FX is a highly refined ginseng derivative that serves, essentially, as an immune system booster. Developed in Canada, by a team of research scientists at the University of Alberta, COLD-FX is the chemical essence of that part of ginseng that specifically enhances the immune system and fights respiratory infections. COLD-FX has been recognized and approved by Health Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the FDA. Because there are differences in the way Canada and the United States regulate, we are regarded in the United States as a dietary supplement and come under DSHEA legislation. In early 2006 our company obtained clearance from the FDA to market COLD-FX in the United States. COLD-FX has been the subject of ten clinical trials (and counting) and has been proven to be particularly effective in regard to upper respiratory ailments, especially colds and the flu. The increased recogniton we have received from the scientific community is evident in the fact that the National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring a clinical trial at Wake Forest University in North Carolina to study the cold and flu prevention potential of COLD-FX when taken by chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, a group especially vulnerable to acute respiratory infections (ARI). On the National Cancer Institute website, the following is written about COLD-FX: "Two randomized, controlled trials have shown that an extract of North American Ginseng, called CVT-E002 (COLD-FX), can significantly reduce the risk of ARI in older adults. Other research suggests that the active ingredient in CVT-E002 enhances the function of certain white blood cells (macrophages and natural killer cells) that are part of the immune system." You can read the National Cancer Institute’s announcement of the COLD-FX-based clinical trial on the NCI website at: http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/ft-CCCWFU-98308. As you might imagine, we are pleased and honored to participate in this NCI clinical trial and are hopeful that we will be of benefit to this highly vulnerable group of cancer patients. Second, the Washington, D.C. based Center for Science in the Public Interest, a highly respected, non-profit consumer advocate group, has recognized COLD-FX’s immune system benefits in a survey of cold and flu remedies in their public health letter, Nutrition Action (January/February 2007 and again in January/February 2008). It is the most widely read public health newsletter in the world. In the 2007 report on ten different popular remedies that included everything from orange juice to echinacea, the CSPI noted that: "COLD-FX is the only remedy we found with any evidence that it might improve your chances of getting through the cold and flu season without coming down with anything." The University of California’s School of Public Health has also praised COLD-FX in its highly influential health newsletter. Unlike many natural health products, COLD-FX plays by all the rules, seeks scrutiny, and actually offers real benefit to its users. As I mentioned above, we have participated in ten peer-reviewed, double-blind clinical trials including the one you reference in your piece where you note that ginseng "can significantly reduce the incidence (by 25%) and duration (by about six days) of colds in adults." Further, the American Association of Pediatrics found that COLD-FX was safe and tolerable for children, publishing the results in the August 2008 edition of its journal Pediatrics. Finally, just as an aside, I have contacted Marilynn Marchione of the AP in response to her recent assertions about supplements and to let her know about COLD-FX. She was kind enough to write back to me and asked that I keep her informed in regard to the NCI trial at Wake Forest. For more information, please visit our website at afexa.com. I can be reached at hfischer@afexa.com and would be more than happy to send you any documetation or information you might like. Thanks, Hal Fischer Hi Dr. Christensen:

I would prefer to contact you by direct email rather than posting, but I can’t find another option, so please bear with me here.

I want to thank you for your recent article entitled “Do Supplements Help to Prevent Colds and Flu?” and the information you provided, particularly regarding ginseng.

As a representative of Afexa Life Sciences and our lead product COLD-FX, this is an issue near and dear to my heart. In that you are a great practioner and supporter of alternative medicine, please let me tell you a little bit about COLD-FX, the most effective form of ginseng available.

COLD-FX is a highly refined ginseng derivative that serves, essentially, as an immune system booster. Developed in Canada, by a team of research scientists at the University of Alberta, COLD-FX is the chemical essence of that part of ginseng that specifically enhances the immune system and fights respiratory infections.

COLD-FX has been recognized and approved by Health Canada, the Canadian equivalent of the FDA. Because there are differences in the way Canada and the United States regulate, we are regarded in the United States as a dietary supplement and come under DSHEA legislation. In early 2006 our company obtained clearance from the FDA to market COLD-FX in the United States.

COLD-FX has been the subject of ten clinical trials (and counting) and has been proven to be particularly effective in regard to upper respiratory ailments, especially colds and the flu. The increased recogniton we have received from the scientific community is evident in the fact that the National Cancer Institute is currently sponsoring a clinical trial at Wake Forest University in North Carolina to study the cold and flu prevention potential of COLD-FX when taken by chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients, a group especially vulnerable to acute respiratory infections (ARI). On the National Cancer Institute website, the following is written about COLD-FX:

“Two randomized, controlled trials have shown that an extract of North American Ginseng, called CVT-E002 (COLD-FX), can significantly reduce the risk of ARI in older adults. Other research suggests that the active ingredient in CVT-E002 enhances the function of certain white blood cells (macrophages and natural killer cells) that are part of the immune system.”

You can read the National Cancer Institute’s announcement of the COLD-FX-based clinical trial on the NCI website at: http://www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/ft-CCCWFU-98308.

As you might imagine, we are pleased and honored to participate in this NCI clinical trial and are hopeful that we will be of benefit to this highly vulnerable group of cancer patients.

Second, the Washington, D.C. based Center for Science in the Public Interest, a highly respected, non-profit consumer advocate group, has recognized COLD-FX’s immune system benefits in a survey of cold and flu remedies in their public health letter, Nutrition Action (January/February 2007 and again in January/February 2008). It is the most widely read public health newsletter in the world. In the 2007 report on ten different popular remedies that included everything from orange juice to echinacea, the CSPI noted that:

“COLD-FX is the only remedy we found with any evidence that it might improve your chances of getting through the cold and flu season without coming down with anything.”

The University of California’s School of Public Health has also praised COLD-FX in its highly influential health newsletter.

Unlike many natural health products, COLD-FX plays by all the rules, seeks scrutiny, and actually offers real benefit to its users. As I mentioned above, we have participated in ten peer-reviewed, double-blind clinical trials including the one you reference in your piece where you note that ginseng “can significantly reduce the incidence (by 25%) and duration (by about six days) of colds in adults.” Further, the American Association of Pediatrics found that COLD-FX was safe and tolerable for children, publishing the results in the August 2008 edition of its journal Pediatrics.

Finally, just as an aside, I have contacted Marilynn Marchione of the AP in response to her recent assertions about supplements and to let her know about COLD-FX. She was kind enough to write back to me and asked that I keep her informed in regard to the NCI trial at Wake Forest.

For more information, please visit our website at afexa.com. I can be reached at hfischer@afexa.com and would be more than happy to send you any documetation or information you might like.

Thanks,

Hal Fischer

]]> Comment on Wait! Is It Chickenpox, Shingles, Zoster, or What?? by The Doc http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-4961 Sun, 06 Dec 2009 23:33:37 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-4961 Hello, Rose. First, if you've had chickenpox and your immune system is intact, you have at least partial immunity to the virus. Therefore, it's exceedingly unlikely that you're catching it from someone else. I assume that your current eruption of pox is following all the rules for someone who is immunocompetent -- that is, they are popping up in a belt-like area (called a dermatome) on one side of your body only. If they're erupting all over the place, something is awry with your immune system and your doc should be chasing that down. Although most cases of shingles resolve in a week or two, it isn't unusual for a single episode of shingles to last several weeks, and it isn't unheard of for someone to get recurrent episodes. Once again, though, frequent recurrences are more likely to occur in a person whose immune system is weakened for some reason (stress, diabetes, certain medications like prednisone, etc.). As you probably know, the vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 60; it is made from a live virus, so a small percentage of people who get the vaccine will develop a mild case of shingles following the injection. As far as I know, having an active case of shingles doesn't prevent you from getting vaccinated, but most of the time we recommend that the vaccine be withheld until the episode subsides and the symptoms resolve. Given your age and history, I'd see the physician who prescribed the acyclovir and Zithromax to: 1. Make sure you have shingles 2. Ensure that you don't have any obvious immune problems (diabetes, etc.) 3. See if you can get vaccinated a bit earlier than the recommended age of 60, since you seem to have a tendency to get shingles. Hope that all helps. Good luck!! (By the way, I got shingles as a teenager, believe it or not, and I still remember it very clearly) Hello, Rose.
First, if you’ve had chickenpox and your immune system is intact, you have at least partial immunity to the virus. Therefore, it’s exceedingly unlikely that you’re catching it from someone else. I assume that your current eruption of pox is following all the rules for someone who is immunocompetent — that is, they are popping up in a belt-like area (called a dermatome) on one side of your body only. If they’re erupting all over the place, something is awry with your immune system and your doc should be chasing that down.
Although most cases of shingles resolve in a week or two, it isn’t unusual for a single episode of shingles to last several weeks, and it isn’t unheard of for someone to get recurrent episodes. Once again, though, frequent recurrences are more likely to occur in a person whose immune system is weakened for some reason (stress, diabetes, certain medications like prednisone, etc.). As you probably know, the vaccine is recommended for people over the age of 60; it is made from a live virus, so a small percentage of people who get the vaccine will develop a mild case of shingles following the injection. As far as I know, having an active case of shingles doesn’t prevent you from getting vaccinated, but most of the time we recommend that the vaccine be withheld until the episode subsides and the symptoms resolve.
Given your age and history, I’d see the physician who prescribed the acyclovir and Zithromax to:
1. Make sure you have shingles
2. Ensure that you don’t have any obvious immune problems (diabetes, etc.)
3. See if you can get vaccinated a bit earlier than the recommended age of 60, since you seem to have a tendency to get shingles.
Hope that all helps. Good luck!! (By the way, I got shingles as a teenager, believe it or not, and I still remember it very clearly)

]]> Comment on Wait! Is It Chickenpox, Shingles, Zoster, or What?? by Rose http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-4956 Thu, 03 Dec 2009 23:11:56 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?p=29#comment-4956 I had chicken pox as a child, in my teens (babysitting), in my thirties and in my late forties exact same symptoms was told it is now shingles. In the past 5 yrs I've had it 3 times. I feel awful and get 1-5 pox (very itchy). Now at age 54, I got it again 3 weeks ago and had 2 pox but was so tired and weak missed 4 days of work. I was prescribed acyclovir and z pak for the bronchitis. I finished them 2 weeks ago. I was feeling a little stronger but keep getting new pox every couple of days. Today I feel sick and tired again. Why do I keep getting this? I've heard it can be stress related. I just started a new job 1 week before I became ill. Can I be getting it from a person that has no symptoms. I'd like to get the vaccine but I can't until I am pox free right? Help I can't stand this. I had chicken pox as a child, in my teens (babysitting), in my thirties and in my late forties exact same symptoms was told it is now shingles. In the past 5 yrs I’ve had it 3 times. I feel awful and get 1-5 pox (very itchy). Now at age 54, I got it again 3 weeks ago and had 2 pox but was so tired and weak missed 4 days of work. I was prescribed acyclovir and z pak for the bronchitis. I finished them 2 weeks ago. I was feeling a little stronger but keep getting new pox every couple of days. Today I feel sick and tired again. Why do I keep getting this? I’ve heard it can be stress related. I just started a new job 1 week before I became ill. Can I be getting it from a person that has no symptoms. I’d like to get the vaccine but I can’t until I am pox free right? Help I can’t stand this.

]]> Comment on Melanoma and Me by The Doc http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=65#comment-4954 Wed, 02 Dec 2009 14:51:42 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=65#comment-4954 The melanoma vaccine is investigational; the glycoprotein skeleton of the vaccine has to match the patient's tissue type, so only about half of all individuals with melanoma are currently eligible to undergo this type of therapy. Additionally, the vaccine is administered in conjunction with interleukin-2, whose side effects require inpatient (and often ICU) management. Interestingly, in 2004 the Russians demonstrated that a formulation of transfer factors produced in the U.S. outperformed IL-2 in stimulating natural killer cells. Indeed, the Russian Ministry of Health recommended the use of Transfer Factor (an oral, OTC preparation) in clinics and hospitals in that country. Here are some links to articles on the melanoma vaccine: http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20090601/vaccine-fights-melanoma http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152142.php Here's a link to a product profile sheet for Transfer Factor Plus: http://media.4life.com/us/pdf/pps/TRI-FACTOR%20PLUS_PPS_110509_US.pdf And, if you're interested, here's a place to order Transfer Factor (I am a distributor for 4Life Research, by the way): http://docsteve.my4life.com/shopping/productdetail.aspx?mode=0&iid=172&cid=68 The melanoma vaccine is investigational; the glycoprotein skeleton of the vaccine has to match the patient’s tissue type, so only about half of all individuals with melanoma are currently eligible to undergo this type of therapy. Additionally, the vaccine is administered in conjunction with interleukin-2, whose side effects require inpatient (and often ICU) management. Interestingly, in 2004 the Russians demonstrated that a formulation of transfer factors produced in the U.S. outperformed IL-2 in stimulating natural killer cells. Indeed, the Russian Ministry of Health recommended the use of Transfer Factor (an oral, OTC preparation) in clinics and hospitals in that country.

Here are some links to articles on the melanoma vaccine:

http://www.webmd.com/melanoma-skin-cancer/news/20090601/vaccine-fights-melanoma

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/152142.php

Here’s a link to a product profile sheet for Transfer Factor Plus:

http://media.4life.com/us/pdf/pps/TRI-FACTOR%20PLUS_PPS_110509_US.pdf

And, if you’re interested, here’s a place to order Transfer Factor (I am a distributor for 4Life Research, by the way):

http://docsteve.my4life.com/shopping/productdetail.aspx?mode=0&iid=172&cid=68

]]> Comment on Melanoma and Me by Dr. Lawrence McCormick http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=65#comment-4952 Sun, 29 Nov 2009 04:08:56 +0000 http://naturallyimmunemd.com/?page_id=65#comment-4952 Hi Dr. Christensen, My wife has lentigo malignant melanoma in the tissue below her left eye. It went undiagnosed for 4 years (although she saw the same dermatologist every year). I saw your article on vaccines. She is scheduled for surgery in Jan. What about these vaccines? Thanks lawrence Hi Dr. Christensen, My wife has lentigo malignant melanoma in the tissue below her left eye. It went undiagnosed for 4 years (although she saw the same dermatologist every year). I saw your article on vaccines. She is scheduled for surgery in Jan. What about these vaccines? Thanks lawrence

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