Using the analogy of a spring, a
book published by Oxford
University Press called “Healthier Societies: From Analysis to Action” describes the human immune system
in the following way:
“If a spring is “sprung” too often over time, it will start
to lose its “elasticity”, and, thus its ability to return to the original shape
after being stretched. If the immune
system is too frequently and severely challenged over time…this process may prematurely age the system leading to
“dysregulation.”1 [emphasis mine]
The
human immune system is comprised of 2 trillion cells and has two components: an
innate system and an adaptive system. Dr. Donald Miller,
Professor of Surgery at the University of Washington explains that common
infectious diseases of childhood play an essential role in the maturation of
the adaptive immune system.2 The adaptive immune system is
managed by two types of helper-T cells: cellular T-cells (Th1); and humoral T-cells (Th2). Proper
development of the adaptive immune system depends on stimulation of both Th1
and Th2 components of this system in relative balance. 1 3
Overstimulation of the Th2 component of the
adaptive immune system has been associated with various autoimmune conditions
and diseases of immune dysregulation. 1 3
4
While natural exposure to common diseases
of childhood (like measles, mumps, rubella and chickenpox) stimulate both the Th1 and Th2 components of the
adaptive immune system, vaccines stimulate primarily the Th2 component which
has the effect of both increasing Th2 development and inhibiting Th1
development.3
4 Because vaccines stimulate the
adaptive immune system in an unbalanced way, many scientists and doctors are
beginning to make the connection between overstimulation of the Th2 side of the
immune system early in life by vaccines, and a wide array of immune
dysfunctions and even cancer. Given that Th1
cells are essential in protecting against cancer, mechanisms that compromise
the development of the Th1 side of the immune system (including vaccines) are
suspected of increasing susceptibility to developing cancer later in life.2
The Th2 component of the adaptive immune
system is primarily concerned with the production of antibodies. Vaccines
appear to be very good at generating antibodies (at least in the short-term)
but do increased antibody levels necessarily mean ‘protection’? Contrary to the
long-held belief that antibodies are essential for protection against
infectious diseases, a recent study finds not only that high antibody levels do
not necessarily confer protection, but that antibodies are in fact not required for protection against
some viruses. A 2012 study published in Immunity Journal found that when mice were infected with vesicular stomatitis
virus, “antibodies are
neither needed nor sufficient for protection.”5 The results of this and other similar studies
suggest that the immunological mechanisms underlying protection from infectious
diseases are far more complex than previously believed.
References:
2. https://www.lewrockwell.com/2015/02/donald-w-miller-jr-md/more-dangerous-than-measles/
3. www.the-scientist.com/?articles.view/articleNo/13377/title/Distinguishing-Th1-and-Th2-Cells/
4. http://www.invivogen.com/review-vaccine-adjuvants
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