Immune System

Article 1

News Alert
For Immediate Release
November 9, 1999

Independent Study Says 4Life Transfer Factor™ Boosts Immune System at "Unprecedented" Levels

Provo, Utah---When 4Life™ Research President David Lisonbee found Transfer Factor™ more than two years ago, he knew he had found something very special. Results received by 4Life™ from an independent laboratory this week further substantiate the many studies and clinical experiences which show the benefit of 4Life Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ to significantly boost immune response.

This latest study reports that 4Life Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ "induced immune-based killing of K562 cancer cells at a level unprecedented in our experience or known in medical research," according to the director of the laboratory.

4Life Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ were tested for their ability to increase Natural Killer Cell (NK) activity by killing live cancer cells. The test results showed that 4Life Transfer Factor™ boosted NK cell activity 103% above normal immune response without supplementation, or about two times higher than the next highest product. In addition, it was revealed that Transfer Factor Plus™ increased the NK cell 248% above normal immune response without supplementation, or about five times higher than any of the other previously tested products. The best of more than 200 other products tested showed an increase of only 48.6%. (See chart)

Natural Killer Cells are a critical part in the first line of defense against germs. They seek and destroy infected or malignant cells through direct contact. NK cells are very important in fighting cancer cells and cells infected by viruses (colds/flues). The independent laboratory which conducted the study, The Institute of Longevity Medicine in California, is recognized for its research and expertise in measuring the ability of ingredients to significantly boost the immune system.

These results come as no surprise to 4Life™ Research’s Dr. William Hennen, Vice President of Research and Development. "Natural Killer Cells are a critical part of our immune system defenses. The results of the NK cell activity tests clearly demonstrate one of the mechanisms whereby 4Life Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ strengthens and supports the immune system. We believe that enhancement of Natural Killer Cell activity is only one of the many ways 4Life Transfer Factor™ benefits the immune system," said Dr. Hennen.

"I have followed the benefits of transfer factor in the medical literature for many years now. The strong results of commercial (4Life) Transfer Factor™ under standard pharmaceutical testing protocols demonstrated that the commercial (4Life Transfer Factor™) has great potential for widespread benefits. Further, 4Life Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ showed no toxicity even at the highest levels tested, thus maintaining the safety profile of research-grade transfer factor," according to the laboratory director.

David Lisonbee, President of 4Life Research™, in response to this research said, "These recent findings support and substantiate the reports from thousands of distributors who use Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ and the many other clinical experiences and other studies we are familiar with."

Nutraceutical Induced Increase in Natural Killer Cell (NK) Activity

Purpose of Study: To determine the in vitro Natural Killer Cell (NK) activation effects of 4Life Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) isolated from human volunteers and assaying the increased ability of the NK cell population to kill K562 erthroleukemic (leukemia) cells.

Conclusions: 4Life Transfer Factor™ and Transfer Factor Plus™ induced immune-based lysis (breakdown) of K562 cells at a level unprecedented in the director’s experience or in known medical literature. Since NK cell function is so crucial in killing dangerous cells, these products are ideal candidates for human and animal immune support.

Nutraceutical Tested eline	Percent (%) Rise in NK Cell Activity Over Bas
4Life Transfer Factor Plus™ 4Life Transfer Factor™ IP6 (highest of group previously tested) Plant Polysaccharide Formula Echinacea Cordyceps Formula Bovine Colostrum Phytonutrient Formula with Garlic Endocrine System Formula Aloe Vera Concentrate (acemannan) Noni (Morinda citrafolia)	248% 103% 49% 48% 43% 28% 23% 21% 16% 15% 15%

Some of these products reflect an average of different brands. Baseline activity is the measure of the ability of human white blood cells to kill K562 leukemia (cancer) cells without supplementation.

Natural Killer Cells are the body’s first line of defense against cancers and viruses. The increase in the ability of white blood cells to kill K562 cancer cells is directly related to the increase in Natural Killer Cell activity.

This study was conducted by The Institute of Longevity Medicine in California, and is recognized for its research and expertise in measuring the ability of ingredients to significantly boost the immune system.

This News Alert does not claim nor should it be interpreted to cure, prevent or mitigate any serious disease. The results have been reported as they were received. If you have a serious illness, see your health professional before beginning any new regimen.

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Immune System
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Article 2

Plant Sterols and Sterolins in Human Health
A New Effective Tool For Disease Prevention
and Treatment Including Autoimmune Diseases

By Howard Benedlkt, DC, MS
Board of Directors, American Academy of Health Practitioners
©Copyright 2000 by Dr. Howard Benedikt

Introduction

Plant sterols and sterolins are proven to be effective compounds modulating the immune system and, as a result, relieving people of symptoms associated with numerous autoimmune diseases. In the past, autoimmune conditions have been treated with toxic drugs, which cause immuno-suppression. There is another approach which is being researched and falls under that branch of immunology called neuroimmunomodulation: this approach uses sterols and sterolins. As a result of using this approach, the activity of certain cells in the immune system are enhanced and the activity of other cells in the immune system are inhibited. This modulation has led to successful treatment of a number of autoimmune diseases.
Essential for one’s health and well-being is a normally functioning Immune system. Over the past several years, researchers have begun not only to better understand the intricate functioning of the many tissues and cells that comprise the immune system, but also have begun to better understand the important role of nutrition and diet in keeping the immune system functioning optimally.

Many published studies have looked at diets rich in fruits and vegetables and how they may reduce the rate of certain types of degenerative diseases. These include cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and macular degeneration. These studies have looked at such complex components as vitamin A, vitamin C, antioxidants, beta-carotene and vitamin E. They have failed to look at certain types of fats, which are found in plants and seeds.

The Immune System

The human immune system is a complex adaptive defense system that has evolved over the years to protect vertebrates from invading pathogens and cancer. It is able to generate an enormous variety of cells and molecules capable of specifically recognizing and eliminating an endless number of foreign Invaders. These cells and molecules working together create a unique network whose complexity would rival any computer system. An effective immune response involves two major groups of cells, lymphocytes and antigen-presenting cells. The two major populations of lymphocytes are labeled B-lymphocytes (B cells.) and T-lymphocytes (T cells). B-lymphocytes mature within the bone marrow, while T- lymphocytes, which also arise within stem cells of the bone marrow, migrate to the thymus gland to mature. The thymus gland, located in close proximity to the heart, secretes specific proteins, called thymic proteins, which signal T cells to perform a certain way. With aging comes atrophy of the thymus and altered production of thymic proteins referred to as “thymicpause”.

There are two well defined populations of T cells: T-helper (TH) and T-cytotoxic (Tc) cells. Further research has now isolated two types of helper cells referred to as TH1 and TH2. TH1 releases interleukid-2(IL-2) and gamma interferon, which activate cytotoxic cells to become effective scavengers. This type of response, cell-mediated, is crucial for the body to survive the attack of a wide host of pathogens. Should this type of response falter, an infection can become chronic. TH2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-6 and IL- 10, all of which are involved in B-lymphocyte development. This is referred to as humoral immunity and this type of response is capable of limiting the damage induced by most extracellular organisms. In a healthy individual, there exists a delicate balance between TH1 and TH2. These cells are directly related to one another; when Th1 levels are high, then TH2 are low and vice versa. Under certain conditions of illness, one line may predominate, creating an imbalance between TH1 and TH2 cells.

TH2 dominated conditions include:

1. Allergies
2. Chronic Sinusitis
3. Asthma
4. Hepatitis C
5. Cancer
6. Viral infections
7. Ulcerative colitis

TH1 dominated conditions would include the following:

1. Diabetes type I
2. Multiple sclerosis
3. Rheumatoid arthritis
4. Crohn’s disease
5. Psoriasis
6. Sarcoidosis
7. H. pylori infections
8. Hashimoto’s disease

Immune Modulation

In the past, the management of immune conditions has usually involved the use of toxic drugs in order produce immunosuppression. Alternative therapies have looked at those natural remedies designed to strengthen the immune response, making one more resistant to disease. Now comes a new branch of immunology referred to as neuroimmunomodulatlon. This involves the use of naturally occurring substances able to normalize the immune response. In essence, taking a TH1 dominant state and pushing it to a Th2 state. The same would be true of a TH2 state being pushed to a TH1 state. Hence the result is TH1/Th2 balance.

Plant Sterols

Plant sterols are natural compounds found in edible vegetable oils. Although green and yellow vegetables contain significant amounts, their seeds concentrate the sterols. Most of the research on these phytonutrients has been done on the seeds of pumpkins, yams, soy, rice and herbs. Studies have shown that oral administration of plant sterols combined with plant enzymes is able to balance TH1 and TH2 cell types.

Clinical Uses of Plant Sterols

Numerous studies have now emerged showing that plant oils in the form of sterols and sterolins have profound health benefits. These studies have indicated that plant sterols may be beneficial in the management of benign prostatic hyperplasia; they may inhibit breast, prostate and colon cancer cell growth as well as reducing the inflammation seen in rheumatoid arthritis. Other studies have demonstrated that sterols inhibit the uptake of cholesterol in the intestines, making for the ideal treatment for lowering high levels of cholesterol.

Conclusion

As we enter the 21st century, we are faced with an ever-growing challenge of a toxic environment and other assaults placed on our body’s metabolic machinery. Our immune system due to its complex makeup is especially prone to insult and resulting damage. Plant sterols appear to offer a way of maintaining an integrative immune system. Further investigation is needed as to the health benefits of sterols and the benefits of their use in managing both acute and chronic illness in humans.

References:

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