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Boost your Immune System to fix Immunotoxicity from “Forever Chemicals”

By Kim Crawford, M.D. Last updated: November 10, 2023
Boost your Immune System to fix Immunotoxicity from “Forever Chemicals”

Part 1: The toxins known as forever chemicals

In this article, we will examine the effects of the forever chemicals that cause immunotoxicity and consider immune system boosters that help deal with the fallout. These immune system boosters can protect against a wide range of health problems, but our focus in this article will be on protection from forever chemicals. First, let’s clarify what immunotoxicity actually is.

What Exactly is Immunotoxicity?

Immunotoxicity occurs when a toxic substance alters your immune system, either suppressing it or triggering an exaggerated response. Certain chemical compounds can sneak into your body and disrupt the way that your immune system is able to communicate and function.

As a reminder, before we get into the discussion of forever chemicals: be aware that many things are immunotoxic. Overly processed foods, heavy metals, chronic infections, and chronic inflammatory conditions are immunotoxic. This then causes detox organs to be overloaded, cognitive issues, hormonal problems, depression, and all sorts of other health problems that I’ll review and discuss in the second half of this article, where we focus on immune system boosting.

Common Immunotoxic “additives”

  • Pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers: These chemicals, and yes, some are indeed forever chemicals, are sprayed on many agricultural crops. Buying “organic only” goes a long way.
  • Heavy metals: An accumulation of metals like lead, mercury, and nickel are just a few environmental toxins that can suppress your immune system.
  • Pharmaceuticals: Medications like “steroids” (e.g., prednisone or Medrol), and all “biologics” are toxic to our immune systems.
  • Cigarette smoke: Cigarette smoke – including secondhand smoke – contains a startling number of toxic chemicals.
  • Benzene: This carcinogenic industrial chemical is frequently used in paint, detergents, dyes, and glues.
  • Beauty and personal care products: Many conventional beauty and personal care products contain a long list of toxic chemicals. These chemicals can be absorbed through your skin and delivered directly into your bloodstream. I’ll get into how to choose wisely later on in this article.
  • Indoor air pollution: When we seal up our windows and doors, polluted outdoor air can get trapped inside. But indoor pollution is compounded by pollutants that come from cleaning products, air fresheners, carpeting, furniture, and even paint on walls in the form of VOC’s.

Luckily, I have “just the thing” for you, along with a $500 discount. This amazing indoor air purifier takes care of VOCs from the products just mentioned and also kills viruses (COVID!), bacteria, and mold. Here’s where to get information and a huge discount on the Space Station’s air purification system technology (tailored to your home), not yet on the market.

  • Contaminated water: Water is a great solvent, and it circulates throughout our world, potentially exposing us to a plethora of pollutants ranging from heavy metals to pharmaceuticals.
  • Outdoor air pollution: Outdoor air pollution can come from natural sources like wildfires or dust storms as well as man-made sources like emissions from vehicles, chemical plant off-gassing, and industrial manufacturing processes.
  • Toxin-laden food: Not only are many of the foods we eat drenched in toxic chemicals like pesticides and herbicides, but modern processing and packaging methods can introduce even more chemicals into our food supply.

Although several industrial chemicals and toxins have been identified as carcinogens and subsequently regulated, many more persist in the environment and continue to be used freely. The following are the biggest offenders and will be discussed in this order:

  • BPA
  • Phthalates
  • Pesticides
  • Dioxins and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)
  • Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)
  • Microplastics

Bisphenol A (BPA)

Bisphenol A, or BPA, is an additive used to make clear and hard polycarbonate plastics, as well as epoxy and thermal papers. BPA is one of the highest-volume chemicals produced each year, with roughly 6 billion pounds produced annually. It is traditionally found in many clear plastic bottles as well as in the lining of canned foods.

The estrogenic properties of bisphenol-A (BPA) have been associated with cardiovascular disease, obesity, and male sexual dysfunction. Since 2012, BPA has been banned in sippy cups and baby bottles, but there is some debate as to whether its replacements–bisphenol S (BPS) and bisphenol F (BPF)–are any safer; they appear to have similar hormonal effects as BPA.

BPS and BPF are analogs of BPA, not a solution to solve the harmful effects of BPA. The analogs can be found in daily-use products and are used in several industrial applications but are being phased out. Several well-done studies prove that BPA has a high carcinogenic potential, with known mechanisms to trigger breast, ovarian, prostate, cervical, and lung cancers. Therefore, it is clear that its analogs are also xenoestrogens since they can exert similar effects to BPA and cannot be considered viable alternatives for its replacement.

As with phthalates (coming up next), the majority of BPA ingestion is thought to be food-related. A large clinical study finds that 93% of American urine samples contain BPA.

To reduce your exposure, I recommend that you follow some easy steps. Buy only BPA-free canned food. Minimize your contact with so-called thermal papers such as receipts and tickets, or simply use hand sanitizer after handling.

Try to avoid polycarbonate plastics (identifiable with the recycling code number 7). Store leftovers in glass or stainless steel containers. If plastic must be used, opt for polycarbonate- and polyvinyl chloride–free plastics. Never reheat food (including the microwave) in plastic containers or wrapping.

Phthalates

Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastics soft and durable, as well as to bind fragrances. They are found in many common household items such as vinyl flooring and shower curtains; air fresheners, perfumes, candles, and other products that contain scents; and many personal care products such as moisturizers, nail polishes, and removers, hair sprays, and dry shampoo.

Phthalates are chemicals known to disrupt the hormone system, and they have been associated with abnormal sexual development in children as well as lower levels of testosterone in men. It is thought that most human exposures occur via inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact; however, fasting studies demonstrate that most exposure comes from food packaging materials.

Avoid polyvinyl chloride plastics (not yet FDA-banned!), which are identifiable by the recycling code number 3, as well as air fresheners and fragranced products which are chemically based rather than being scented with essential oils. A good source to check for problems is the Environmental Working Group website.

The EWG’s Skin Deep database is a great resource on phthalate-free personal care products and much more, so do check them out.

Pesticides

The United States uses an estimated 1 billion pounds of pesticides each year, including nearly 300 million pounds of glyphosate. The European Union has identified this chemical as a probable carcinogen, although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not yet reached this conclusion. The matter is currently being litigated, despite the fact that the makers of Round-up are repeatedly paying out lawsuits for cancers related to this environmental poison.

It has been found that over 90% of the US population have pesticides in their urine and blood, regardless of where they live. The exposures are (obviously) thought to be food-related.

A large European prospective cohort study found that people who ate organic foods had a lower risk for cancer. In addition, tests on the blood of members of this same group showed that relatively elevated levels of a pesticide known as beta-hexachlorocyclohexane (B-HCH) are associated with higher all-cause mortality.

In addition, exposure to DDE – a metabolite of DDT, a pesticide heavily used in the 1940s-1960s that still persists in the environment today – has been shown to increase the risk for Alzheimer ‘s-type dementia as well as overall cognitive decline.

Because chlorinated pesticides are often fat-soluble, they accumulate in animal products. Therefore, people consuming a vegetarian diet have been found to have lower levels of B-HCH than meat eaters. According to studies, consumers of produce should favor organic over conventional if possible. The EWG provides wonderful consumer resources to check for pesticides in produce.

Dioxins and Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs)

Dioxins are byproducts of industrial practices and result from incineration, trash burning, and fires. PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), which are structurally related to dioxins, were previously found in products such as flame retardants and coolants. Dioxins and PCBs are often grouped under the umbrella term “persistent organic pollutants” because they break down slowly and remain in the environment even after emissions have been curbed.

The best-known dioxin, tetrachlorodibenzodioxin, is a known carcinogen. Dioxins have also been associated with a host of health implications in development, immunity, and reproductive systems. PCB exposure has also been linked to an increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease.

PCBs can also induce dysbiosis of the gut and dysregulate physiology of the gut and brain. Extensive research has been conducted on the importance of the microbiome in the developing brain and its possible links with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer’s disease.

Since the 1980s, dioxin emissions have been reduced by 90 percent, and since 1979, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned the use of PCBs in industrial manufacturing. However, environmental dioxins and PCBs still enter the food chain and accumulate in fat.

The levels of dioxins and PCBs found in eggs, meat, dairy, and fish are approximately 5-10 times higher than they are in plant-based foods.

Therefore, you can easily limit your exposure by reducing your consumption of animal products, as well as being sure to remove the skin and fat from meats. Research has shown that farmed salmon is one of the most PCB-contaminated protein sources in the U.S. diet! We also know that farmed fish are sprayed with pesticides to kill lice. (Yuk!) So—obviously, my advice to you regarding fish is to eat “wild-caught.”

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS)

PFAS is an acronym for perfluoroalkyl substances, a group of fluorinated compounds discovered in the 1930s. Their chemical composition includes a durable carbon-fluorine bond, giving them a persistence within the environment that has led to their being referred to as “the most forever” of “forever chemicals.”

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was used by 3M to make Scotchgard for carpets and fabrics and by Dupont to make Teflon for nonstick pots and pans. Although PFOA was removed from nonstick cookware in 2013, PFAS — a family of thousands of synthetic compounds — remains common in fast-food packaging, water- and stain-repellent clothing, firefighting foam, and personal care products.

PFAS have been detected in the blood of 98% of Americans and in the rainwater of locations as far away as Antarctica! Even low levels of exposure are associated with an increased risk of cancer, hormonal disruptions, and liver disease. Since this is such a forever chemical that not only seems, but is ubiquitous, I’d like to review for you-the main sources for this toxic group of chemicals.

Cosmetics

Cosmetics and personal care products such as dental floss may contain PFAS even if they do not list them on their labels.

Researchers have found that personal care products such as cosmetics contain perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). A recent peer-reviewed study of 231 makeup and personal care samples, including lipstick, eyeliner, mascara and foundation, found that more than half of them contained organic fluorine–an indicator of PFAS. It’s also been found in some types of dental floss designed to glide more easily between teeth.

Some makeup manufacturers add PFAS intentionally to make cosmetics last longer and spread easily. In other cases, PFAS is introduced into cosmetics through cross-contamination, such as machinery used in manufacturing or plastic packaging that contains PFAS. A recent lawsuit alleges that cosmetics maker CoverGirl was selling products labeled as “sustainable” despite the presence of PFAS in them.

Food

It’s not the food, it’s the packaging. Food packaging, such as takeout containers and wrappers, pizza boxes, french fry containers, hamburger wrappers, and microwave popcorn bags can all be sources of PFAS contamination in food.

Although some compostable bowls are marketed as being safe for use with hot foods, they may still contain PFAS. The Food and Drug Administration has not restricted the use of PFAS in food packaging; instead it has left it up to states and the public to protect consumers from exposure to these chemicals.

Drinking water

According to an Environmental Working Group report, up to 200 million Americans may be exposed to PFAS in their drinking water. The EPA announced in March 2021 that they will regulate PFAS in drinking water, but the regulations have not yet been finalized. Currently, it is up to individual states to test for its presence in the water. The EWG has compiled a map of all known PFAS contamination sites.

However, it is important to note that PFAS contamination in the water supply is widespread. According to research conducted by the Environmental Working Group, contamination from PFAS has been found in drinking water systems across all 50 states and two U.S. territories, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Bottled water constitutes another emerging risk of PFAS contamination. In 2021, Johns Hopkins researchers found 39 out of 100 bottled waters tested contained PFAS. The Food and Drug Administration has not set PFAS limits for bottled water; however, it is currently considering regulatory action.

Home goods including clothing

New research suggests that people may absorb PFAS through their skin from stain-resistant carpeting, water-repellent textiles and other products. Environmental testing has found indicators of PFAS in everything from athletic clothing to period underwear to stain-resistant clothing.

Firefighting foams

Firefighting foams used on military bases, airports, and forest fires are a big source of PFAS contamination, as this all makes its way to our aquifers.

Wastewater and landfills

Waste from landfills washes PFAS into waterways and soil.

When products such as carpet, clothing, bedding, and food packaging are discarded in landfills, they can release perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) into the environment. Rainwater moves these chemicals into nearby rivers and lakes where they create a toxic waste that infiltrates soil and groundwater sources. Typical landfill waste treatment systems do not remove PFAS. Bottom of Form

What can you do to avoid PFAS?

The majority of U.S. states are considering more than 200 bills that would ban or restrict PFAS, including in clothing, personal care products, and food packaging. The U.S. House and Senate are working on their own bills, as well. Until then, you need to protect yourself.

Europe is moving much faster, as they seem to always do when it comes to environmental and consumer protections. The European Union is considering a ban on thousands of PFAS chemicals, other than “essential uses.” A final agreement should come by 2025.

Recall that non-stick cookware is another way that PFAS enters both our food and air. Non-stick cookware still contains alternatives that may be harmful to our health. Labels claiming PFOA-free don’t necessarily mean that the cookware is safe. Look for a PFAS-free label as your safest choice. Instead, use stainless steel, cast iron, glass, or ceramic cookware instead of non-stick pots and pans.

Here are other important ways to limit your PFAS exposure.

  • Limit the use of clothing and other products advertised as “waterproof,” “water-resistant,” or “stain-resistant,” as well as anti-fog eyeglass wipes and sprays.
  • It bears repeating: Cook with stainless steel, glass, cast iron, or ceramic cookware instead of non-stick options.
  • Buy BPI-certified compostable packaging, and ask restaurant servers about the containers they use.
  • Avoid food packaged in greaseproof bags or containers. Instead, use your own glass containers for takeout and leftovers. Encourage restaurant owners to offer takeout packaging made from materials that do not leach PFAS into food. Avoid microwave popcorn from PFAS-treated bags. Pop your corn the old-fashioned way- it’s healthier and tastier!
  • Read personal care product labeling carefully and avoid those with “polyfluor-,” “PTFE,” “perfluor-,” or Teflon on the label.
  • Avoid water and stain-repellent carpeting, upholstery, curtains, tablecloths, napkins and other household textiles.
  • In the wake of recent findings about the health risks associated with PFAS, learn if your water source has been tested for these chemicals. If it contains PFAS or hasn’t been tested, a water filter is a good purchase. However, be aware that not all filters are equally effective; a 2020 Duke University study found that reverse osmosis filters and two-stage filters performed best at eliminating PFAS.
  • If you drink bottled water, purchase water labeled “purified” rather than spring water.

Microplastics

“Microplastics” is an informal term used to describe small pieces of plastic that have broken down or microbeads from household or personal care products, measuring less than 5 mm in length

Plastic waste is accumulating at an alarming rate. By 2050, it is estimated that there will be more plastic than fish in the oceans. (I know!) This could lead to hundreds of thousands of tons of microplastics and trillions of these particles in the seas. A recent study demonstrated that microplastics were present in the bloodstream in the majority of 22 otherwise healthy participants.

Since the 1950s, studies have shown that exposure to plastics can promote tumorigenesis in animal models, and in vitro experiments have demonstrated that microplastics are toxic at the cellular level. However, it’s not clear whether the plastic itself is toxic or if it simply serves as a carrier for other environmental toxins that accumulate in the body.

Microplastics have been widely detected in fish and in fact, just about all seafood, as well as other products like bottled water, beer, honey, and tap water. Although there are no formal advisories on fish consumption to avoid exposure to microplastics at the moment, the Environmental Working Group recommends limiting seafood intake due to concerns over contamination with heavy metals and other pollutants.

Despite mounting pressure for a ban on microbeads in personal care products, the industry has not yet agreed to phase out the production of these synthetic particles. Until such bans are put in place, Here are some things you can do to protect yourself.

  • Avoid single-use plastics
  • Use cloth-based reusable tote bags for grocery shopping rather than plastic bags
  • Use loose-leaf tea or paper tea bags rather than mesh-based alternatives.
  • Check out the EWG website to find personal care products that are microbead-free.

I personally am committed to helping reduce and eventually eliminate plastics from our oceans. You can join me in supporting a great company leading the way called 4Ocean. And now that you have read about all of this pretty nasty stuff, let me help you boost your immune system to counteract your incidental exposures.

Part 2: Immune health and immunotoxicity counter-measures

(Boost Immune System function to counter Immunotoxicity)

To re-cap what these toxins discussed above can do: oxidative stress, inflammation, microbiome disruption, and even “brain damage.” We can use detox products for some of these things, but it’s always best to avoid them where possible. And remember, we don’t have a mechanism to detox from microplastics yet. Therefore, we need to strengthen our immune systems and help with immunotoxicity, viral exposures, and more. Let’s start with the easiest thing to change-your diet. First, I’ll list the topics I’ll cover.

  • Diet
  • Reduction of Inflammation
  • Reduction of oxidative stress
  • Reduction of glycation
  • Sleep
  • Stress management
  • Microbiome health
  • Hot/cold therapy
  • Supplements (links supplied in text below)

Basic Lifestyle Strategies for Immunotoxicity

Diet: I advise all patients to eat an anti-inflammatory diet to help optimize their health.  A simple way to do this is to eliminate highly processed foods, watch your sugar and starchy carb intake, and be careful with gut-damaging lectins found in grains, beans, nightshade vegetables, and low-fat dairy products.

These foods can lead to leaky gut syndrome, which means that your intestinal lining becomes damaged and lets bacteria into your bloodstream. It also leads to disruption and disorder of your microbiome.

Eventually, if you don’t eat an anti-inflammatory diet and instead eat ultra-processed and junk food, you’ll eventually end up with more than immunotoxicity. You’ll end up with systemic inflammation, one of the root causes of all diseases. I’ll get into a more in-depth discussion of inflammation in the next section.

Garlic, horseradish, and wasabi are immune-boosting foods. Garlic is anti-viral and is sometimes used as a supplement; however, this article will not cover its use as such. It’s also essential to eat to support the health of your microbiome.

Microbiome health translates to much better immune system health. I’ll cover this topic in a separate section further on in this discussion.

Vitamin C, vitamin E, and phytochemicals such as carotenoids and polyphenols are dietary constituents with exceptionally high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacity. If you don’t consume enough of these compounds, supplement your diet with vitamins or organic vegetable powders like this. Inflammation is the topic to be discussed next.

Inflammation

Acute inflammation is the body’s response to a physical injury. If you have a splinter in your finger and leave it alone, the area will turn red and get puffy. This is because your immune system is rushing to fight off any viruses or bacteria that might have gotten into the injured area. The signs of acute inflammation are heat, redness, swelling, and pain. All of these will dissipate if you allow the body to work through its natural healing process, unencumbered by further injury or infection.

However, if you keep poking yourself in the same spot, the re-injury will keep levels of inflammation elevated and thus, harmful.

That’s exactly what’s happening with chronic internal inflammation, but you can’t  “feel it.”  The inflammatory response is a normal and essential part of the body’s immune system. However, when inflammation becomes chronic, it can cause problems such as lethargy or pain.

As you’ll see, some of the major causes of chronic inflammation include diet, stress levels, and environmental factors like pollution. The following are the major causes of chronic inflammation.

Unhealthy diets:  I know I’ve said this repeatedly, but it’s worth repeating: Eating a healthy diet is not just important; it’s essential to be healthy. Processed sugar and other foods that cause inflammation include sugary foods and beverages, high-processed carbohydrates, high-industrial fat and seed oils, high-gluten foods, and all overly processed and fast foods.

This is the typical U.S. diet, which is why our population is so inflamed! Further, this poor eating pattern also causes oxidative stress, which worsens inflammation. I’ll move on to that next topic when we’re done reviewing inflammation.”

Chronic stress: Life is stressful, indeed. Everything from work to relationships to finances can add up and become too much for us to handle, which can lead to health problems. When this happens, your body has a physiological inflammatory response that includes raising cortisol levels in your blood. Many people eat as a coping mechanism for stress; this is unhealthy because it leads to weight gain; the next topic.

Your weight:  Obesity and being overweight (along with 75% of Americans!) increase inflammation risk. Obese and overweight men and women have higher levels of inflammatory blood markers than men and women of the same age who are not obese or overweight.

Inflammation drops when people lose weight, according to many clinical studies. Luckily, there are now more weight loss tools in our medical kits to make losing weight easier than ever before.

Excessive omega-6 intake: Omega-6 fats form the precursors for inflammatory eicosanoids, which are also an integral part of the inflammatory response. High omega-6 status (especially when combined with poor omega-3 status) means excessive production of inflammatory eicosanoids and a lopsided inflammatory response to normal stimuli. Cut down on your omega-6 intake by reducing your intake of meat and increasing your intake of omega-3 rich seafood.

Insufficient omega-3 intake: Omega-3 fatty acids are precursors for anti-inflammatory eicosanoids, which are integral to the inflammatory process. A poor omega-3 status indicates inadequate production of anti-inflammatory eicosanoids and an unbalanced inflammatory response to normal stimuli. It’s easy to establish good blood levels: eat fish rich in omega-3s such as salmon or sardines, or take supplements containing these essential fatty acids.

Lack of sleep: We know we need it but we don’t do it! Sleep deprivation leads to an increase in blood inflammatory markers. According to the National Sleep Foundation, we either go to bed too late, wake up too early, or use too many electronics late at night-disrupting the sleep quality we get. I’ll go more in-depth into the topic of sleep further on in this article.

Toxins: Heavy metals, biotoxins such as Blue-green algae, Lyme, and mold mycotoxins can cause chronic inflammation. Biotoxins are notorious for causing immunotoxicity. This is why we Functional docs focus on how to boost the immune systems of our CIRS patients.

Lack of movement: Most of us lead far too sedentary lives, which can cause low-grade systemic inflammation. We don’t usually need to walk to get to our destinations; we take escalators and elevators. We sit for hours on end, then don’t make time for regular exercise. If this describes you, make time to move more. Get up on your feet for two to three minutes each hour you’re sitting; better yet, do some push-ups, burpees, or jumping jacks.

Poor recovery and Overtraining: On the other hand, some people move too much, with too little rest and recovery. Overtraining is a form of chronic inflammation. Not just elite athletes, but even casual 10K runners and others who train frequently can overtrain. This degree of over-exertion can cause inflammation, as well as elevated cortisol levels, and disrupted sleep. Now that we’ve gone through some ways not to exercise, let’s discuss how to exercise properly.

Exercise: A large body of research in humans and animals has demonstrated that exercise has a profoundly beneficial impact on immune system function. There is broad agreement that regular, moderate-intensity physical activity (e.g., brisk walking, vacuuming, dancing, doubles tennis, or shooting hoops) for 30 to 45 minutes per day is beneficial for optimal immune function. This correlation has been demonstrated particularly well in older adults and people with chronic diseases.

Exercise is also known to improve intestinal flora composition, so keep this in mind when reading about the microbiome. Some studies have shown that activity is associated with increased microbiome biodiversity and beneficial metabolic functions. Gut microbiota (and all immune functioning) can influence the pathophysiology of distant organs, including skeletal muscle.

The gut-muscle axis regulates muscle protein deposition, muscle function, and insulin sensitivity. This gut-muscle axis may involve maintaining skeletal muscle with aging, which could contribute to improved blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

You may not know that fasting blood sugars, which are not labeled diabetic or even pre-diabetic, will cause cellular glycation, something you might not have heard of. I’ll cover that after we talk about something almost everyone suffers from without knowing it; called oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress

What is it? Oxidative stress occurs when there is an imbalance between the production of free radicals and your body’s ability to counteract their harmful effects through neutralization by antioxidants. Oxidative stress can also occur when you have too many free radicals in relation to your body’s supply of antioxidants. Just as an apple not coated with lemon juice (an antioxidant) turns brown when exposed to air, our cells can “rust” when we have oxidative stress–caused by unopposed free radicals.

Free radicals are unstable molecules that can damage cells or create abnormal ones. Free radicals steal electrons from cell components such as DNA, proteins or lipids to become stabilized. The process destabilizes the cell component molecules and triggers a large chain of free radical reactions.

A proper diet can reverse this unhealthy but common condition. Eat five to twelve servings of organic fruits and vegetables daily or supplement with a high-antioxidant multi-vitamin such as this one. Functional doctors often measure patient’s levels of oxidative stress with a Raman spectroscopy unit, although other methods are available. If you’re aware of this phenomenon, you can prevent it! Here’s what to watch out for and adjust your intake of antioxidants accordingly:

What Causes Free Radicals? Free radicals are a byproduct of energy consumption in our mitochondria, the factories producing energy in each of our cells; especially in the brain, heart, and muscles. When we exercise, our respiratory and heart rates increase, creating more free radicals that need to be quenched by good levels of antioxidants.

However, the free radicals that deplete our antioxidant supply are environmental (for example, cigarette smoke) and result from our lifestyles (for example, eating junk food). Here are the big offenders:

Consuming a “bad” diet: As referenced in the “diet section,” it’s essential to eat as if your health depends on it (because it does!). Eating too many calories, sugars, refined or starchy carbohydrates, processed and fast foods, and lectins do indeed cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Unhealthy foods force our mitochondria to work harder and release more “exhaust,” creating higher levels of free radicals burning toxic foods for energy. Speaking of diet, let’s look at two other popular lifestyle choices.

Eating charcoal-broiled foods: These foods-not just meats-contain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which contribute to oxidative stress. And yes, char-broiled meats are indeed carcinogenic. Now, let’s move on to some other lifestyle factors in oxidative stress levels.

Excessive alcohol: Alcohol consumption increases your levels of inflammatory cytokines-inflammatory molecules linked to oxidative stress.

Exposure to tobacco smoke: Imagine this-tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 toxic chemicals that can cause oxidative stress. One cigarette produces millions and millions of free radicals. How’s that for incentive to stop? We who use Raman Spec scanners have reviewed the data, which shows that smokers score in the lowest range, equivalent to those with active cancer cases!

Exposure to air pollutants: Air pollution, industrial pollution, and even airborne allergens increase oxidative stress.

Lack of sleep: Sleep deprivation increases oxidative stress through a complex series of chemical reactions. Yes, I’ll discuss sleep in more depth, too.

Excessive psychological stress: The stress hormone cortisol increases inflammation, which further increases free radical production. It also causes a leaky gut, an asymptomatic cause of chronic inflammation, and the root cause of autoimmune disease.

Exercising too much: Exercise is crucial for optimal health. However, too much of it can increase oxidative stress in our bodies. As a rule of thumb, more than 60 minutes per day is considered excessive. Therefore, all elite athletes need to supplement adequately.

Chronic infections: Hidden (asymptomatic) infections will contribute to oxidative stress. One example is a biofilm-secreting sinus organism called MARCoNS, found in people with mold and mycotoxin illness. Dental infections are another excellent example. If you have root canals, you will not feel apical abscesses-so get a panoramic X-ray annually.

Exposure to fungal toxins: Environmental molds (like those in basements and bathrooms) and internal fungi (such as those colonizing your gut in excess) can produce mycotoxins that increase oxidative stress.

Ionizing radiation and EMFs: Exposure to X-rays, excessive sun, radon, cellphones, hairdryers, airplanes, electric blankets, and heating pads can all contribute to oxidative stress.

Inadequate GI-tract detoxification: I saved this one for last because it is especially Germain to this topic of immunotoxicity due to all of the forever chemicals discussed earlier.

When the liver is overwhelmed by toxins from food (e.g. fructose) or the environment (e.g. forever chemicals), it becomes inflamed and produces more free radicals.

Now that you know what causes this problem, you can combat it by including antioxidant-rich foods, smoothies, and supplements in your diet.

Next, let’s look at the lesser-known phenomenon that is just as harmful to the immune system called “glycation.”

Glycation 

 Cellular glycation (also known as AGEs or advanced glycation end-products) is the stiffening and aging of all cells. It occurs at fasting blood sugar levels somewhere in the range of 75-89 ng/dL. Research continues to lower the bar at which we set the definitions of diabetes, glucose intolerance, and cellular glycation. It is directly related to the amount of body fat an individual carries.

High blood sugar levels are associated with immune system depression, increased risk of dementia and heart disease, cellular aging, and even cancer. Cancer is an immune-mediated disease that is largely preventable through diet and lifestyle modifications.

Studies have shown that certain cancers respond more effectively to treatment when blood sugar levels are lower, which can be achieved through ketosis or medication. Research also suggests that better blood glucose control leads to better sleep. Here’s what you should know about sleep:

Sleep

Studies show that sleep loss can affect different parts of the immune system, leading to the development of a wide variety of disorders. Sleep deprivation can affect the thymus gland, bone marrow, and lymph nodes, as well as increasing susceptibility to infections and diseases. Here are a few interesting studies to consider before giving you my recommendations for adequate, restful sleep.

Researchers restricted the sleep of study group participants to 4 hours for only one night. The average NK cell activity of those who got 4 hours of sleep was 72% lower than that of those who slept for a full night.

Genetic mutations have been identified in some people who naturally sleep six or fewer hours a day and appear healthy and functional. While it is not yet known how common these mutations are, it may explain why some individuals can get by on less sleep than others.

Many people who say they do not need much sleep are just pushing themselves to sleep less. As a consequence, they then struggle to stay awake and tend to function sub-optimally during the daytime. They are putting themselves at risk for obesity and chronic illness.

What’s your ideal length of sleep? The average sleep times across 5 to 7 relaxed days can be used to determine an individual’s ideal sleeping time. Record the length of time you sleep during a 7-10 day vacation, when you are awakening spontaneously and going to bed only when you are tired.

During this time, limit your caffeine intake to no more than two cups of regular coffee a day (about 200 mg of caffeine). A relaxing vacation can be mimicked by doing an activity to reduce your stress levels at least a couple of times per day. Stress management is not simply about feeling better; it’s also a matter of your health. Now, more about proper stress management.

Stress Management

Stress depresses the immune system in several ways. First, sustained high levels of cortisol–a hormone produced in response to stress–causes gut hyper-permeability (i.e., “leaky gut”), which causes inflammation and subsequent disease. Cortisol also interferes with T-cell production and function, making your body more susceptible to pathogens; this is why you get more head colds when you’re under pressure. Finally, cortisol kills brain cells (neurons), further interrupting the gut-brain axis crucial for proper immune function.

The best way to manage your stress is to incorporate movement and exercise into your day. You can take a walk, dance, or sing for a few minutes every couple of hours. Exercise should be something you will do, not something you’d like to envision yourself doing. Deep breathing, meditation and singing are great habits to cultivate. Some people also benefit from liposomal GABA supplements and peptides with anti-anxiety benefits. The latest findings show that everyone needs more GABA and less cortisol so getting a vagal nerve stimulator to use for 2 minutes twice daily is a must.

I have touched on the importance of gut health, but now I’ll go deeper into that topic by discussing the microbiome:

Microbiome Health 

The human microbiome is a collection of between 10 and 100 trillion genetically unique (mostly) bacterial cells that live in our guts. The health of our gut microbiota influences our immune system, which is also (primarily) located in our guts. Unhealthy gut bacteria thrive on the things that create inflammation in our body, including refined carbs, sugar, unhealthy fats and processed foods. Conversely, the healthy foods and activities discussed previously all contribute to a healthy microbiome. To augment all of these healthy habits, we can add prebiotic fiber and probiotics into the mix. First of all, we need to eat good prebiotic foods as “fertilizers” for probiotics.

Prebiotic fiber 

Prebiotic fiber is non-digestible carbohydrates found in fibrous foods that assist in the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut. White and red onions, as well as asparagus, chicory, garlic, unripe bananas, and Jerusalem artichokes, are great “gut bug food” because they help healthy gut bacteria produce substances such as butyrate. Butyrate protects the lining of the gut and has anti-inflammatory properties in the gut. If you want to ingest more good gut bug food, you can supplement with this. And when your gut garden is ready with its prebiotic fertilizer, you can add back some good gut bugs. Here’s how.

Probiotics: High-quality kefir or yogurt (home-made) and fermented foods such as sauerkraut or kimchi can supply a fair amount of good bacteria, but I generally supplement everyone to ensure they get enough probiotics to augment immune function and combat immunotoxicity. We see some good evidence that sporulating probiotics are more immune-supporting and microbiome-diversity-supporting than the strains of probiotics we used to recommend only recently.

I currently have all patients use a microbiome-augmenting app to help optimize their microbiome with foods, activities, and supplements, including Akkermansia, if they have an insufficient amount in their gut or if they have a gastrointestinal issue.

Immune enhancement with hot and cold therapy

Heat shock proteins (HSP’s) are proteins that form in the body when it is subjected to cold temperatures or high heat, such as when you immerse your body in ice-cold water or a tub or sauna at 104 degrees F. These proteins help strengthen the immune system and aid in various positive immune modulation functions.

Cold therapy can lower cortisol levels when practiced repeatedly. As a reminder, reducing your cortisol level will help preserve the integrity of your gut lining and enhance the 70% portion of your immune system that resides there. In addition, studies show that cold therapy improves anti-tumor white blood cell activity as well as NK (natural killer T cell) activity.

HSP’s, which are induced by saunas (conventional and FIR), trigger positive effects in the immune system regarding infections, autoimmune disease, and even cancer therapy. For this article, suffice it to say that hot and cold treatments are great for your immune system health. Now let’s discuss immune booster supplements.

Supplements to help get rid of Immunotoxicity

(Links are to DFH-to receive my group discount, use my practitioner code:KimCrawford)

Vitamin D

You need vitamin D for an optimally functioning immune system. I actually believe most Americans are aware of this fact due to the COVID crisis.

Vitamin D inhibits harmful immune pathways and promotes beneficial ones, positively impacting the composition of the microbiome and enforcing the gut barrier. Clinical studies show low levels of vitamin D are associated with increased risk of coronavirus infection; previous studies indicate that low levels of vitamin D are linked to more “flu” in general.

Vitamin D dosing: You need a level of 75-80 ng/dL, which requires most of us (sun or no sun) to take doses of 5000-10,000 IU per day.

Vitamin C and Zinc 

During infection, the concentration of vitamin C in the blood plasma and white blood cells quickly declines. Likewise, zinc deficiency impairs cellular mediators of innate immunity, such as natural killer cell activity, phagocytosis of infectious organisms, and the generation of an oxidative burst.

Supplementation with vitamin C and zinc has been shown to improve various components of the immune system, including natural killer cell activity, migration of white blood cells (chemotaxis), the appropriate and proper proliferation of specific white cells called lymphocytes, and overall antimicrobial activity.

Vitamin C and zinc contribute to the antioxidant status of cells, protecting them against reactive oxygen species. Quercetin, a flavonoid found in fruits and vegetables that has antioxidant properties similar to those of vitamin C, can also benefit specific components of the immune system when supplemented along with zinc.

Both zinc and vitamin C are essential nutrients that play important roles in immune function and help attenuate the risk of infection when taken as dietary supplements. Research shows they reduce the risk, severity, and duration of many infectious diseases. When taking long-term zinc supplementation, make sure you are ingesting enough dietary or supplemental copper.

Zinc dosing: Ideal dosing is about 25-60 mg per day. I take two of these each evening at bedtime, as it can cause nausea when taken during the day.

Vitamin C dosing: Liposomal preparations can be taken in doses up to 3 grams (usually 1 TBSP) per dose without causing gastrointestinal distress. Multiple clinical studies use 1.5 grams 4 times per day (for a total of 6 grams), but this tends to be too inconvenient for most patients of mine. Therefore, I generally recommend 1 TBSP 2x/day during “flu season,” including during this year’s “tripledemic.”  And yes, for those wondering, quercetin is up next.

Quercetin

Quercetin reportedly exerts potent anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting the production of cytokines, reducing the expression of cyclooxygenase and lipoxygenase enzymes, and maintaining the stability of mast cells, cells responsible for allergies.

In addition, it can reduce the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and IL-6. And there’s more!

Quercetin has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neuroprotective, and anti-allergic activities. It is often combined with nettles for a more potent “concoction.”

Quercetin dosing: Dosing to suppress inflammatory markers of IL-6 and TNF-alpha are recommended.

A good prophylactic dose of this super immune booster is 500-600 mg per day, which is then doubled for infections.

Multivitamin supplements

Over 10,000 companies sell vitamin supplements. You want to choose GMP-certified and NSF-certified multivitamins that contain antioxidants such as carotenoids (forms of vitamin A), iodine, and selenium. Good MVI supplements also contain polyphenols, which you may recall are needed to “fertilize” your microbiome.

Reishi mushroom extract

Mushrooms contain polysaccharides called beta-glucans, which boost the immune system by enhancing the action of macrophages (a type of white blood cell that kills foreign invaders), activating the “complement” component of the immune system, and boosting natural killer (NK) cell function. The most potent immune-boosting mushroom is Ganoderma lucidum or reishi mushrooms. They are not especially tasty but are used to formulate potent immune-enhancing supplements.

Reishi dosing: Make sure to find a good brand that uses cracked reishi spores to make the powder put in capsules, and take 1000 mg per day.

Melatonin

Melatonin is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant–not simply a sleep aid. The fact that it helps establish our circadian rhythm is a boon to our immune system, as it helps limit tissue damage during an infection. Melatonin does much more than this, but for this article, I’ll state that it’s good for your immune system and will indeed help you sleep more soundly. There’s a good reason that the “expanded” use of melatonin won its scientists the  2017 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine.

Melatonin dosing: Studies have shown that the maximal efficacy (to work up to slowly) occurs at 10-20 mg per night, which would be two to three of these each night.

Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide (NO) is bactericidal, meaning that it can act directly as an anti-microbial compound that destroys bacteria. Certain families of immune cells called dendritic cells produce NO, contributing to the resolution of both viral and bacterial infections.

The inference in many studies is that increased NO levels contribute to a more rapid and efficient clearing of these pathogens. It’s good for your vasculature and heart – is an immune booster, so it absolutely is on my list.

NO dosing: Find a product like this one with an equal amount of l-arginine and l-citrulline such that you take 1.5 grams of each 2x/day. Alternatively, you can eat a serving of both arugula and beets daily.

DHEA

The hormone DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone) is known to positively affect adrenal function, lowering cortisol levels. It has verifiable anti-inflammatory properties and likely supports the immune system via several complex hormonal pathways.

DHEA dosing: Important note: Women with PCOS or a history of breast cancer or men with a history of prostate cancer must take the keto form of this hormone, if at all since the keto form has not been proven to be an immune booster. For dosing of regular DHEA, men should take a daily dose of 50 mg; women-25 mg.

The Research Continues

Most of our organ systems function better when we restore both male hormones and female hormones to youthful levels. This includes identifying premenopausal women with a simple but immune-suppressing low progesterone level.

The alpha-thymosin one peptide is so effective at boosting the immune system (increased natural killer cell activity, increased antibody response to viruses, increased T cell function, and more) that the FDA pulled it off the market from compounding pharmacies so that they could give it to “Big Pharma” to turn into a pricey drug. (Yes, I know!) However, research is ongoing with other peptides.

But it’s not all about peptides. A number of other varieties of mushrooms are currently being investigated for their immune-enhancing properties, including lion’s mane mushrooms. Other medications, such as methylene blue look promising. And the most exciting research involves the use of stem cells and exosomes.

Conclusion

I’m aware that this article contains a great deal of information about not just forever chemicals but of ways you can boost your immune system. Obviously, this immune boosting is helpful “no matter what.” Regarding the chemicals, five big steps would be: cookware, water filtration, indoor air purification, avoidance of fast foods for a plethora of reasons, and consultation with the EWG website to check your personal goods, cosmetics, and so on. Until our government steps it up regarding consumer protections, we need to look out for ourselves.

 

 

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