LifeCare Chiropractic

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Th2

Insights into milk protein allergy: Microenvironment matters – (01-09-03)

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Insights into milk protein allergy: Microenvironment matters

This is an interesting article that delves a little deeper into the immunology between cow’s milk allergy. Essentially, in milk allergic subjects, their T cells (a portion of the immune system known as cell-mediated immune) produce cytokines (chemical messengers that tell other cells what to do) consistent with a Th2 profile. In English, exposure to milk in suseptable individuals causes cells of their immune system to produce more cells that create allergic symptoms. Even with all this knowledge, food allergy still remains a very uncommon approach to addressing allergic and asthmatic patients. Avoidance of common allergens (cow’s milk, corn, wheat, soy) should be the first approach to any patient with allergies or asthma.

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The protective effect of childhood infections – (03-01-01)

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The protective effect of childhood infections

This is a nice editorial reviewing the importance of childhood infections in developing a healthy and balanced immune response in children. Remember that, on top of antibiotics and a more sterile environment not giving an infant’s Th1 response a chance to develop and mature, vaccinations are leading to a unbalanced, overdeveloped Th2 response. This has the potential to lead to such problems and allergy and asthma. The authors in this article do make a serious mistake, however. They suggest that science come up with some way to mimic the body’s response to infections through vaccination or passive immunotherapy. I just have to shake my head at the arrogance of science and medicine when it comes to trying to improve on nature.

bmj.com Johnston and Openshaw 322 (7283): 376

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original article that editorial was based upon: bmj.com Abstracts: Illi et al. 322 (7283): 390

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Cytokines in peripheral whole blood in atopic, nonatopic asthmatics – (12-07-00)

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Cytokines in peripheral whole blood in atopic, nonatopic asthmatics

This article touches on the importance of Th1/Th2 cytokine balance. I’ve actually come up with a good description of these two balances. Th1 is the body’s attack system, attacking invaders that make it into the body. Th2 is the defense system, trying to keep things from getting in. A Th2 dominant state will overreact to invaders, thus leading to atopy and asthma. There are natural ways to help balance the Th1/Th2 ratio.

Synergy Abstract

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Our sterilized society is responsible for the increased rates of atopic disorders – (06-10-04)

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The defence of dirt

This is a neat commentary about the theory that our sterilized society is responsible for the increased rates of atopic disorders. I strongly agree with this theory. The increased rates of immunizations coupled with the rampant use of antibiotics (without replacing with probiotics) leads to a Th2 dominant state. This does not happen in a vacuum–it is the end outcome of a serious of events that leads to the imbalance of the immune system.

bmj.com Watts 328 (7450): 1226 –

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Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A up-regulates immune responses – (07-16-04)

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Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A up-regulates immune responses, including T helper 1 and T helper 2 responses, in mice

In English, this article basically re-affirms how important the prenatal and natal periods are in determining the long term health of the child. Sources of BPA are all around us (see http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/NewScience/oncompounds/bisphenola/bpauses.htm) and our risk of exposure are high.

According to this study (which was done on mice), BPA really messes with the immune system–up – regulating BOTH TH1 and TH2 immune response (TH1 upregulation = autoimmune diseases, TH2 = allergies/asthma) although the TH1 response was greater. With chronic diseases (like asthma, allergies, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS, etc…) being such as issue in the health of our nation today, anything we can do to lower the risk is important, and it needs to start in pregnancy.

Prenatal exposure to bisphenol A up-regulates immune responses, including T helper 1 and T helper 2 responses, in mice – Immunology –

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ITS SHOCKING THAT PREGNANCY INCREASES RISK OF BREAST CANCER – (01-21-08)

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Heightened Risk of Breast Cancer Following Pregnancy: Could Lasting Systemic Immune Alterations Contribute?

This one gets a little deep. Many realize that pregnancy lowers your risk of developing breast cancer. What many do not know is that this is long term risk–in the short term the risk is actually elevated. So why the discrepancy? I have heard the theory proposed that the high levels of progesterone in pregnancy actually increase the risk of terminal duct lobular carcinoma of the breast, but lower the risk of interlobular ductal breast cancer.

This article is suggesting a different (or complimentary) theory. We know that pregnancy induces a change in immune status towards a Th2 dominated state. With a Th2 immune profile, the body is less likely to look inside for something to attack (like the developing fetus). However, we use this system for cancer surveillance. This may indicate that a Th2 state during pregnancy would leave cancer cells to divide unchecked by the immune system, leading to increased rates of cancer.

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