Balance your Immune System

Practice Meditation
This study concluded: across 20 RCTs and more than 1600 participants, we found tentative evidence that mindfulness meditation modulates some select immune parameters in a manner that suggests a more salutogenic immune profile.

Laugh more
People who laugh a lot have stronger immune systems.
This study says that patients with advanced cancer have lower immunity which is further decreased with surgery or chemotherapy. Chemotherapy patients who undertook the Laughter Therapy using the Smile-Sun Methodology during treatment in the hospital showed significantly higher immunity levels.

Have Healthy Sex
Researchers at Wilkes University surveyed 112 subjects about their sexual frequency. They then analyzed their saliva for infection-fighting immunoglobulin A (IgA). Compared with the other groups, those who had sex once or twice a week showed significantly higher IgA levels. Lead researcher Carl Charnetski said “Moderately frequent sex enhances immune function… [ study]

Consume Probiotics
Probiotics, the friendly microflora in our bodies, contribute to the production of useful metabolites with positive effects on the immune system against various diseases such as cancer [Study]
This study found that probiotics C. butyricum and B. subtilis inhibited the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, …and improved immune homeostasis. 
Probiotic sources include sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, kimchi, tempeh, miso, natto and kombucha. 
If you are undergoing treatment, talk to your doctor before taking probiotics because they can be dangerous if you have a severely weakened immune system,

Aromatherapy (Essential Oils)
This study says essential oil from Eucalyptus globulus is able to implement the innate cell-mediated immune response.
This study suggests that EOB [Essential Oil Blend] possesses significant anti-inflammatory and immune modulating properties.
Immune boosting oils include: Tea tree oil, Frankincense (C02 extract), Eucalyptus Globulus.  Oils can be applied directly to the skin, inhaled, sprayed in a room or used in a diffuser to purify the air.

Asaigermanium
Experiment ② Asaigermanium activates NK cells: NK cells are an abbreviation for “natural killer cells” and literally means “born killer.” When they recognize invading pathogens or abnormal cells, they start attacking quickly.
Test: Nine healthy people were divided into three groups of three, and each subject intook 25, 50, and 100 mg / kg of Asaigermanium, and the NK cell activity of peripheral blood lymphocytes was measured.
Result: All groups showed that NK cell activity increased one day after ingestion of Asaigermanium, and that activity was maintained for four days thereafter.

Practice Qigong
The results show that Qigong modulates immune cell numbers in human peripheral blood. Qi may stabilize the sympathetic nervous system and thereby induce recruitment and proliferation of immune cells [Study]
This study demonstrates that Taoist qigong is able to exert acute immunomodulatory effects on components of both innate as well as adaptive immune [Study]

Maintain a healthy weight.
Obesity…is known to impair the immune function, altering leucocyte counts as well as cell-mediated immune responses, according to this study.

Prevent Infections

Harvard Medical School offer the following advice:

• You should wash your hands after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing; feeding or stroking your pet; or visiting or caring for a sick person.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough,
• Wash and bandage all cuts. Any serious cut or animal or human bite should be examined by a doctor.

Avoid Stress
According to Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, stress turns on the fight or flight mechanisms, increasing the production of hormones that can raise blood sugar levels and suppress immune function.

Don’t Smoke
Chronic inhalation of cigarette smoke alters a wide range of immunological functions, including innate and adaptive immune responses according to this study published in Nature journal.

Limit sugar intake
According to Biotics Research Corporation, man-made sweeteners like aspartame and HFCS [High Fructose Corn Syrup] can have serious deleterious effects on the immune system, especially on infants, and, as such, should be avoided. 

Cut down on alcohol
…alcohol can weaken the immune system and make the body more susceptible to infections, according to the prestigious Cleveland Clinic.

Beware all drugs
Many studies, including one published by Oxford Academic show that drugs (whether legal or not) such as Antibiotics, Proton-pump inhibitors, Opiates, Cocaine, Heroin etc may affect many important components of the complex immune system, either enhancing or occasionally suppressing the function of distinct immune response cells and the factors they produce.

Coenzyme Q10
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) has a number of important roles in the cell that are required for optimal functioning of the immune system. [study]
This 2021 study showed that CoQ10 supplementation reduced some of the important markers of inflammation…in patients with breast cancer.
This study found an increase in DNA repair enzymes and disappearance of DNA methylation patterns attributes to reduction in tumor burden and may suggest good prognosis and efficacy of the treatment.
The ubiquinol form of coenzyme Q10 is considered more easily absorbed.

Curcumin
There are more than 1,500 studies looking into effects of curcumin on numerous types of cancer.
Curcumin has been shown in the last two decades to be a potent immunomodulatory agent that can modulate the activation of T cells, B cells, macrophages, neutrophils, natural killer cells, and dendritic cells (study)

Echinacea
Study: The herb, Echinacea…has become one of the top-selling herbs of all time. Many of its ingredients are powerful immune system stimulators.
Study: Flavonoids act as an immune-stimulant, they are present in Echinacea…lessen the harmful consequence of radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It also helps the patients in prolonging the survival time with progressive stage of cancer.
Study: Echinacea herbal preparations are primarily used for their immunostimulatory effects…chronic long-term use (>6–8weeks) of Echinacea may be immunosuppressive

Essiac Tea
This study of 510 women with a diagnosis of primary breast cancer found most women were taking Essiac to boost their immune systems or increase their chances of survival. Only 2 women reported minor adverse events, whereas numerous women reported beneficial effects of Essiac.
This study says the formula is now manufactured as Essiac® by Essiac Products in New Brunswick. Here is their website Essiac Products and Facebook page.Here is another source: Ojibwa Tea of Life
Not recommended for brain cancer patients as it may induce swelling which could be life-threateningif it creates too much pressure in the cerebral cavity..

GcMAF
GcMAF is a is a human protein. It acts as a “director” of your immune system. This study concluded that, in addition to its ability to activate tumor killing immune cells, GcMAF has direct anti tumor-forming effects on endothelial cells independent of tissue origin.
This study: Sixteen nonanemic prostate cancer patients received weekly administration of 100 ng of GcMAF. As the MAF precursor activity increased, their serum Nagalase activity decreased…After 14 to 25 weekly administrations of GcMAF (100 ng/week), all 16 patients had very low serum Nagalase levels equivalent to those of healthy control values, indicating that these patients are tumor-free. No recurrence occurred for 7 years.

Ginger Extract
This study says: The health-promoting perspectives of ginger are well known. It can treat a wide range of diseases via immunonutrition and anti-inflammatory responses…

Ginseng
This study: As a well-known herbal immune stimulant, hundredsof studies have extensively reported the anti-cancer or chemopreventive effects of ginseng. The anti-cancer effects of ginseng are mainly through the improvements in cell-mediated immunity consisting of cytotoxic T cells and NK cells, while other mechanisms such as oxidative stress, apoptosis, and angiogenesis are also involved.
This study: Preclinical studies on ginseng have indicated a number of immunologically relevant biological activities, including activation of macrophages, increases in NK cell activity and lymphocyte proliferation.

BIOBRAN MGN-3, a food supplement
Study: There is sufficient evidence suggesting MGN-3 to be an effective immunomodulator that can complement conventional cancer treatment.
Study: Our data show that MGN-3/Biobran upregulates NK cell activation markers, stimulates NK cell cytotoxic activity against neuroblastoma in vitro and in vivo and selectively augments the expansion of NK cells.
Study: These results suggest that MGN-3 is a potent natural adjuvant that efficiently activates DCs [dendric cells] and may therefore be useful for mounting an efficient immune response against infections and cancer.

Milk Vetch (Astragalus)
Milk vetch (Astragalus mongholicus) is a medicinal herb.
This study says Milk Vetch displayed its ability to control t-helper cells 1 and 2, essentially regulating the body’s immune responses.
This study concluded: This double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study demonstrates that Echinacea, Astragalus and Glycyrrhiza herbal tinctures ingested by human subjects stimulate activation and proliferation of various immune cells. A tincture that combines these three herbs demonstrates an additive effect on activation, but no additional increase of proliferation.

Modified Citrus Pectin (dietary supplement)
…acids in MCP may stimulate the immune system through the activation of natural killer cells, cytotoxic T-cells, and B-cells. National Cancer Institute
This 2020 laboratory study looked at the effects of MCP on triple negative breast cancer cells. It found that MCP slowed and reduced migration, confirming its antimetastatic potential which may vary depending on the modification applied. 
Study: The data demonstrates that MCP is a substance with strong immunostimulatory properties in human blood samples, including the activation of functional NK cells against K562 leukemic cells in culture. 

Noni (Morinda citrifolia)
Study: The results of this study confirm the cellular and humoral immunostimulant properties of M. citrifolia fruits and justify its usage in traditional medicine.

This Review says: Thus it was later concluded that the Noni juice seems to suppress tumor growth indirectly by stimulating the immune system. 

Study:These results suggest that noni modulates the immune system via activating of the CB2 receptors, and suppressing of the IL-4, but increasing the production of IFN- cytokines.

Study: These data demonstrate that fNE [fermented Noni exudate] appears to be able to stimulate the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system to reject tumor cells. NK cells respond quickly and appear to be among the major players of the innate immune system, while the adaptive immune system reacts later with a retained memory. 

Probiotics
Probiotics, the friendly microflora in our bodies, contribute to the production of useful metabolites with positive effects on the immune system against various diseases such as cancer [Study]
This study found that probiotics C. butyricum and B. subtilis inhibited the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells, …and improved immune homeostasis. 
Probiotic sources include sauerkraut, yogurt, kefir, kimchi, tempeh, miso, natto and kombucha. 
If you are undergoing treatment, talk to your doctor before taking probiotics because they can be dangerous if you have a severely weakened immune system,

Polysaccharide-K
Polysaccharide-K (PSK) or Krestin, from the mushroom T. versicolor, is an approved mushroom product used for cancer treatment in Japan. 
This study says: PSK is currently used as an immunothenapeutic agent for gastric, colorectal, and lung cancers in Japan. It has virtually no adverse effects, and it can be administered over a long term. 
This Review of lung cancer studies says: Fifteen of 17 preclinical studies supported anticancer effects for PSK through immunomodulation and potentiation of immune surveillance, as well as through direct tumor inhibiting actions in vivo that resulted in reduced tumor growth and antimetastatic effects. 
This study says: Several randomized clinical trials have demonstrated that PSK has great potential as an adjuvant cancer therapy agent, with positive results seen in the adjuvant treatment of gastric, esophageal, colorectal, breast and lung cancers. 

Selenium and Zinc
This study says: Of all the nutrients involved in immunocompetence,  selenium and zinc are the two trace elements that have been most frequently investigated in older adults. Selenium’s role in immune function, as well as cancer prevention, is related to its physiologic requirement as an active component in various enzymes… Zinc’s role is attributed to a decline in both antibody and cell-mediated responses, both of which have been reversed by supplemental zinc at physiologic levels.

Vitamin D therapy
Why? Vitamin D is crucial to the working of your immune system
Sunlight. Safe exposure to sunlight for a few hours each day.
Vitamin D If you cannot get sunshine you’ll need to supplement.
Many experts including Professor Michael Holick of Boston Medical School and John Cannell, M.D., director of the nonprofit Vitamin D Council, recommends that adults take 5,000 IU daily.
Note: Chemo depletes Vitamin D levels so 10,000 IUs daily is recommended for cancer patients – ask your doctor first. – study.

Wheat Grass
Wheatgrass is a food made from the Triticum aestivum plant. It’s regarded as a super potent health food with amazing benefits.
The authors of this study said their results demonstrated that wheatgrass-activated immune cells played a central role in building immunity…Several papers have indicated that wheatgrass has anti-tumor activities…