Archive for the ‘Immune System’ Category

by Ferdi’s – World

Steven Hofmeyr [sic], computr immunologist

Image by Esthr
Steven Hofmeyr, a computer scientist specializing in immunology with ties both to the MIT AI Lab and to the Santa Fe Institute, founded Company51 in 2000 to apply some of his insights about biological immune systems to computer security. The company, now called Sana (as in “health”) security, has just released a standalone desktop product called SafeConnect. (I own a small share. Hofmeyr is now a consultant to the company and is working on a new start-up, exploring new ways of building distributed storage systems.)

Time is a key factor in assessing behavior as suspicious. Someone sending out files at 4 pm is probably normal; the same person sending the same files at 4 *am* – assuming he’s not traveling in some other time zone – is suspicious. Any security system probably assesses such factors and then – if it’s not in the system – some human will check to see where Juan was that particular morning. Was he traveling in France on business? Or was he – supposed to be – on vacation? It’s the combination of factors that counts. But there are many more subtle uses of time, says Hofmeyr.

Any suspicious event becomes more suspicious if it occurs along with another suspicious or non-routine event. For example, a file upload that happens around the time of a door-lock malfunction. Or the attempted use of an expired password shortly after an employee retires.

But, notes Hofmeyr, “After the first detection of something odd, you can’t act immediately or you’ll end up on constant alert. You have to wait to see if it’s a real threat… but you can’t wait too long…”

He resorts to immune-system analogies. “The immune system exploits time. You bet that you have the time to build up an effective response… Besides, if you react immediately to something you think is bad, that reaction itself could hurt you, so you have to wait for some damage before reacting. The problem is that what appears unusual may be benign – so the immune system waits until damage occurs because then it can be sure that the unusual behavior is not benign – but then of course the immune system has to play catch-up – it’s a case of giving the pathogen “enough rope to hang itself.” Knowing precisely what that timing should be is what distinguishes good security from ineffective responses.

Now that Hofmeyr is leaving, one of Sana’s key employees is Matt Williamson, who came up with the concept of “virus throttling” at HP Labs. Viruses are most harmful (obviously) when they spread rapidly… and that’s something that “normal” programs don’t do. Even P2P music files, spread by individuals, don’t spread that fast; even p2p software limits the number of concurrent downloads from one computer to a just a couple.

An individual using a computer, even a busy browser, is unlikely to connect to more than five or so new addresses in a minute. (Any security system knows how to make an exception for a mass mailer, though an ISP’s security system monitoring a customer base of consumer machines might rightly not make such an exception.) “For a virus, that’s slow. An infected machine might try to connect to thousands of other systems in a minute.” So you can just default to prevent such behavior by limiting the number of new connections a computer makes per minutes, and alert a monitor when it is attempted.

“That slows the propagation of viruses, but doesn’t bother people. We exploit the different meaning that time has for people and machines.”

Yet the similarities are useful too. There’s a truism in immunology that pathogens don’t want to be too harmful because they want their hosts to survive. As software becomes more and more malicious, it also becomes benign in some way because it wants host to stay alive. So a virus inside a host population – if the population doesn’t fight it – tends to become benign. But if other pathogens are around, then it may become virulent –if only because it has little to lose. “Whoever kills the host first wins, because he gets the most out of it,” says Hofmeyr. And then there’s the phenomenon of pathogens attacking one another, while the host is simply an innocent bystander/environment. All this happens over time; the security expert’s task is to figure out these cycles and exploit the vulnerabilities.

In the spyware world for example, we have the phenomenon of spyware packages trying to de-instlall one another in order to gain exclusive access to the host.

Or, notes Hofmeyr, “there were 11 variants of the Zotob worm competing ferociously, all trying to delete each other. They were so busy harming one another they did may have done less harm to the host – even though they may also have spread faster in an attempt to get to the vulnerable hosts first. Imagine a worm that spreads and makes you less vulnerable to other guy [worm], but then it does its own damage three months later.”

From early 1970, existence of close relationship between the nutritional status and capabilities of immune response to pathogens has been accepted. Early work has shown that a protein-energy malnutrition, significantly affected the immune response, thereby increasing the risk of infection and the mortality rate of patients suffering from chronic diseases, cancer, influenza, tuberculosis, etc. More recently, it also appeared that obesity interfered with weak immune system. That is, people who have weakened immune system tend to gain weight more easily.

The immune system is a collection of mechanisms within an organism that makes it possible to identify and kill pathogens and tumor cells. It acts as a defense mechanism against pathogens (can cause diseases), such as virus, bacteria, parasites, cancer cells, some poisonous particles. Without the immune system, the body cannot defend itself against aggression.

Immunity and supplements

Many studies have confirmed that certain vitamins and supplements (immune supplements) are capable not only of boosting the immune system, but of also fighting against its aging.

Malnutrition and Immune Function – It has long been known that malnourished people have a higher risk of contracting infectious diseases because of an inadequate immune response. A malnourished immune system not only cannot protect your body, but also can attacks harmless substances. It is a vicious circle. The consequences of certain diseases, including HIV, cancer and tuberculosis, are all more pejorative when your immune system is weak. A lack of protein has a negative effect on the various components of the immune system.

Other nutrients and immunity – Some fatty acids (omega 3 for instance) normally found in fish oils have an effect on immune function, particularly EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), reduce inflammation by modulating the production of cytokines by T cells. The acid alpha-lipoic, an antioxidant much studied in HIV infection seems to be able to regenerate vitamins C and E, increasing their antioxidant effect. Amino acids, particularly arginine and glutamine, play an important role in immunity. The glutamine is involved in the maintenance of the intestinal wall, and thereby prevents the migration of infectious organisms in the blood stream.

Vitamins and Immunity - various studies have highlighted among people living with HIV /AIDS blood low concentrations of certain vitamins, especially vitamins A, B6, B12, C, E and folate.

Vitamin A – The deficit in vitamin A deteriorating function of epithelial cells, essential in maintaining the structure of tissues. On this same vitamin A depend the production of B cells and T.

B Complex – It has been demonstrated that vitamin B12 improves the rate of T cells and NK cell activity in patients with a deficiency of this vitamin. Vitamin B12 and folate are both involved in the production of genetic material. The deficiency in vitamin B6 may occur following the administration of certain drugs such as isonicotinyl hydrazine (for tuberculosis). It seems to affect the function of T cells and the ability of NK cells to kill infectious agents among HIV-positive patients. The deficiency in vitamin B6 has also been associated with an increased risk of certain cancers.

Vitamin C - Deficiency of vitamin C impairs phagocyte function and cellular immunity (Chandra, 1986). This includes inhibition of neutrophil mobility, which, in turn, inhibits the formation of inflammatory reactions. Studies of mega dose vitamin C supplementation in healthy individuals have found the supplement to bolster both cellular and humoral immunity
Vitamin E – Vitamin E plays a key role as antioxidant in cell membranes. This earned him to be regarded as a nutrient “anti-viral. The combined intake of vitamins A and E in animals has shown an improvement of the function of neutrophils to destroy infectious agents.

The numerous and complex relationships between food, nutrients and specific immune system are an interesting field of study in the field of biomedical research. People with a good diet will be better prepared immunologically to fight against many modern diseases such as cancer, AIDS and tuberculosis. Several micro-nutrients have significant roles in the functions of the immune system. It is clear that maintaining a good nutritional status and adequate reserve of micronutrients in the body allows an effective immune response to opportunistic infections. However, it is very difficult to intake all those essential nutrients in a regular diet.

At VitalFoodStore.com, we offer a wide variety of natural products for your health. Whether you need natural immune supplement to boost your immune system, vitamin supplements, anti aging supplements, natural herbal remedies, we can provide you with what you are looking for. Visit our immune supplements website today

by ChernobylBob

Immune System Shut-Down

Image by LeJyBy
Some pictures taken in the Health Center of the university of Waterloo, which argue my point, that people should sleep at least 8 hours a night.

The immune system is made up of a network of cells, tissues, and organs that work together to protect the body. Immune systems appear even in the most structurally-simple forms of life, with bacteria using a unique defense mechanism, called the restriction modification system to protect themselves from viral pathogens, called bacteriophages. Immune system disorders occur when the immune response is inappropriate, excessive, or lacking. Fortunately for most of us, the immune system is constantly on call to do battle with bugs that could put us out of commission.

The immune system has a series of dual natures, the most important of which is self/non-self recognition. Each cell in our body has an antigen that tells the immune system that it is part of us and should not be eliminated. It is through antigens that the immune system knows which cells to attack and which to leave alone. Sometimes the process breaks down and the immune system attacks self-cells. This is the case of autoimmune diseases like multiple sclerosis, systemic lupus erythematosus, and some forms of arthritis and diabetes.

The innate immune system is the dominant system of host defense in most organisms. The innate immune system comprises the cells and mechanisms that defend the host from infection by other organisms, in a non-specific manner. This means that the cells of the innate system recognize, and respond to, pathogens in a generic way, but unlike the adaptive immune system, it does not confer long-lasting or protective immunity to the host. Innate immune defenses are non-specific, meaning these systems respond to pathogens in a generic way. Natural killer cells, or NK cells, are a component of the innate immune system.

Both innate and adaptive immunity depend on the ability of the immune system to distinguish between self and non-self molecules. Helper T cells regulate both the innate and adaptive immune responses and help determine which types of immune responses the body will make to a particular pathogen. Adaptive immune responses are actually reactions of the immune system to structures on the surface of the invading organism called antigens. The immune system is enhanced by sleep and rest, and is impaired by stress.

One of the drawbacks of chemotherapy treatment for cancer, for example, is that it not only attacks cancer cells, but other fast-growing, healthy cells, including those found in the bone marrow and other parts of the immune system. In cancer cells, genetic changes cause changes in the cell-surface antigens such that the person’s immune system (hopefully) no longer recognizes them as “self” and destroys them. Boosting the immune system has been shown to be therapeutically valuable in treating a wide variety of cancers, chronic viral infections and other illnesses. Some cells of the immune system can recognize cancer cells as abnormal and kill them. But some new treatments aim to use the immune system to fight cancer.

Another important role of the immune system is to identify and eliminate tumors. To the immune system, these antigens appear foreign, and their presence causes immune cells to attack the transformed tumor cells. The main response of the immune system to tumors is to destroy the abnormal cells using killer T cells, sometimes with the assistance of helper T cells. Clearly, some tumors evade the immune system and go on to become cancers. However, if the immune system is stressed and not functioning properly, a cancer cell may multiply before the immune system has a chance to kill it.

The immune system is complex, intricate and interesting. Protect the immune system and you will live a long healthy life. To understand the power of the immune system, all that you have to do is look at what happens to anything once it dies. That sounds gross, but it does show you something very important about your immune system. Although the immune system is extremely complex, its basic strategy is simple: to recognize the enemy, mobilize forces, and attack. Your immune system is under assault from herbicides, pesticides and food additives, and also from the immense amount of radiation that is part of our everyday life today. Protect the immune system and you will live a long healthy life.

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by JKönig

The immune system fundamentally protects us from getting sick. It fights off the majority viruses, fungi and other disease causing bacteria. Most of the time the immune system identifies “attackers” keeps a record of them in case they strike the body again. The immune system counteracts and fights off any risky element that may enter the body. The produce defenses depending on what they have counteracted upon on.

Read more on Boost Immune system and Immune Disorder. Also visit on Low Immune System

The immune system fights off any risky element through lymphocytes and antibodies. Lymphocytes are white blood cells that come from marrows of bones. Antibodies on the other hand are complex molecules of blood protein. There are also other organs, which provide assistance to the immune system in protecting the body like the tonsil, spleen, and thymus gland, and bone marrow among others.

When you have a weakened immune system, it implies low immunity. Low immunity means you have weakened defenses against diseases. When you defenses weaken, chances are you are prone to getting sick specially being more prone to severe illnesses.

Symptoms of Low Immune System

The symptoms of low immune function include:

1.    Chronic infections

2.    Recurrent colds and flu

3.    Recurrent cold sores or genital herpes

4.    Sore or swollen lymph glands

5.    Cancer

Causes of Low Immune System

Emotional state, stress, lifestyle, dietary habits and nutritional intake can crash the immune system. Low immunity can be caused by a number of circumstances, surgical or medical treatments or due to age. Either of these situations can reduce the ability of the immune system and cause serious infections.

Here is a list of conditions that may cause low immunity:

1.    Nutrient Deficiency

2.    Cancer

3.    HIV/AIDS

4.    Inflammatory Bowel Disease

5.    Low White Blood Cell count (Neutropenia)

6.    Transplant surgery or usage of anti-rejection drugs

7.    Low Stomach Acidity

Low immunity can also be due to age as immunity lowers with age. Immunity is also low among children and among pregnant women.

Health Advice to Improve Immune System

The immune system in human body is designed to protect against different infections and diseases. The actions of our immune system are mediated by antibodies and cells of lymphatic system. Any kind of deficiency can increase the danger of developing diseases.
Therefore, a healthy immune system is essential for maintain a healthy and infection free body.

Researches and studies have revealed that a fine combination of fruits and vegetable sis really good for strengthening the immune system. Tomatoes are the most effective source of antioxidant lycopene that is necessary to prevent heart diseases and cancer. Fresh tomatoes are also a rich source of Vitamin C and flavanoids. Vitamin C and flavanoids are antioxidants and are necessary for deactivating free radicals.

Pepper used in salads or over cooking is one more preventive measure for immune malfunctioning. Pepper contains a natural decongestant and is one of the richest sources of antioxidants. This help in stimulating digestion and improving immune health.

Carrot is one more antioxidant containing vegetable that is required by human body for immunity as well as healthy skin and influential vision. Eating bananas can assist you boost your power levels and regulate body’s water balance. Banana being a rich source of potassium also assist in preventing high blood pressure.

Kiwi fruit is report to have high levels of Vitamin C that holds antioxidant properties and assist fight infections.

Diet to boost immune health

It a known fact that for an optimal immune function a healthy diet is the best solution. One should ensure the diet comprises of:

1.    Foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds, whole grains, and nuts.

2.    The diet is low in fats and refined sugars.

3.    Foods high in carotenes such as: yellow and orange squash, dark greens, carrots, yams, sweet potatoes, red peppers and tomatoes.

4.    Cabbage family foods (Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, broccoli, radish and turnip) help prevent low immunity.

5.    Must contain adequate amounts of protein.

6.    Flavonid rich berries, garlic, yoghurt and artichoke assist boost immunity.

______ www.cancerfoundation.com_______ Natural Killer Cells are the most aggressive white cells in the immune system. They make up about 5% to 15% of the total lymphocyte circulating population. They target tumor cell and protect against a wide variety of infectious microbes. Natural Killer Cells are a very important factor in the fight against cancer. The Formulation is made up of 13 all natural components, which promote 3 anti-cancer activities Anitangiogenesis, Antioxidation, and Immune Stimulation. Immune Stimulation is the key to keeping the white blood cell count high and giving the Natural Killer Cells a chance to fight cancer and other diseases. Animation created by Kyle Thornthwaite – email: kyle@kt-3d.com
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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by Arria Belli

Ray Barber Looking Glum (About the Possibility That He Has Wrecked the Population of Lincoln’s Immune System?)

Image by judge_mental
Ray’s neighbours in Staffordshire Crescent,
If they knew, might become incandescent,
While they stay ill for ages
Ray Barber earns wages
Feeding Lincoln immunosuppressant.

So does fluoride inhibit the immune system or is it just a load of rubbish?

Interestingly the people dumping the rubbish have underperformed, by not producing any Latest Research proving that fluoride boosts the immune system; perhaps because this is about as likely as a cockerel laying a square egg.

When you finally shake off your cold and fancy that long, difficult read of information that contradicts your tap-using behaviour, here’s some people who think the enzyme poison might be immunosuppressive.

www.slweb.org/sutton-1987.html
www.fluoridealert.org/immune-system.htm
www.health24.com/news/Dental/1-902,29172.asp
www.fluoridealert.org/pesticides/effects.apoptosis.htm
.

            The immune system is an amazing collection of cells, proteins, and organs in the body. It is responsible for protecting us against infection by outside organisms, as well as toxins and certain other substances. All parts of the immune system need to work together for optimal defense against outside invaders. When parts of the immune system are compromise or damaged, illness can and will result. When microorganism invaders enter the body, they will soon be recognized by general immune cells that send signals to more specialized immune cells. The general immune cells also release chemicals that dilate blood vessels in order to help the more specialized immune cells enter the infected area. This is why there is usually swelling and redness (inflammation) during an infection. The immune system also can help the body in other ways, including fighting certain cancers.

            One of the main invaders of the body are the viruses. Most viral infections usually last one or two weeks, during which time the immune system is successfully fighting the invading viruses. After the infection, the certain special immune cells, called memory cells, remember certain characteristics of the virus, so that the next time the virus invades the body, the rest of the immune system will be more than ready to fight it. This is called building immunity to a particular invading organism, and it is also the basis for most vaccines. The average vaccine has either parts of a virus or bacterium, or the whole killed microorganism, that is injected into a person. If everything goes well, the person injected (inoculated) will mount a small immune response against the components of the vaccine. If they ever encounter the real microorganism in the outside world, their immune systems will then be ready to destroy the invader before the person becomes seriously ill.

            Unfortunately, some viruses constantly change their outside coating (capsid), in order to help them evade the immune system. The viruses that cause the common cold and flu both use this “chameleon” mechanism to frustrate our immune systems. This is why a vaccine against the common cold cannot be made, and the current vaccines against influenza may not work, depending on what flu strain is most active that season. In addition, some viruses combine their DNA into the person’s own DNA, thus staying with the person for life. The virus may lay dormant for years or even decades before coming out again and challenging our immune systems. Examples of viruses that integrate into our own DNA include the herpies virus family and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). There are also other ways for microorganisms to fool the immune system. Certain bacteria and small parasites can hide in some areas of the body, escaping immune detection, where they multiply and prepare to come out and do battle later with our immune systems. Antibiotics and other drugs may have to be used to deal with these crafty invaders.

            However, there is more to the immune system than simply fighting invading organisms from outside the body. The underlying basis of the immune system is that the immune cells are able to distinguish your body from foreign substances, such as chemicals or invading organisms. This is also called distinguishing self from nonself. Sometimes this recognition breaks down, and someone’s immune system ends up thinking certain molecules and tissues of the person are foreign and it attempts to destroy them. This is termed autoimmune disease. Also, some immune system may mistake otherwise innocent substances, like foods, pollen, animal dander, etc. as a threat, and mounts an immune response against them. This is the basis for allergic reactions to otherwise harmless substances in our environment. Another factor that can disrupt the immune system is stress. Stress causes the release of a steroid hormone called cortisol, which suppresses the immune system. A suppressed immune system is an invitation for infection by other organisms.

            As mentioned above, the immune system can attack its own body, or it could also not respond to foreign substances and invaders. Why is this? There is a very broad spectrum of immune function as pertains to proper and improper immune response. At one end of the spectrum are immune systems that are overstimulated, which can contribute to diseases like Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Another condition in which the immune system is overstimulated is asthma. Severe, life-threatening allergic reactions are also a condion of immune system overstimulation. Not quite so overstimulated are immune-based mild to moderate allergies and sensitivities, like hayfever and sensitivity to cigarette smoke. A normal immune system is not over- or understimulated (immunosuppressed or immunodepressed). It handles both internal and external substances correctly, accurately identifying what is harmless and what is harmful.

            On the other side of the spectrum is understimulation, as mentioned above. Understimulated, or immunodepressed, immune systems cannot fight many infections properly. At the extreme of this scale would be the Aquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), caused by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Somewhat less immunodepression occurs with otherwise normal people who are on immunodepressive drugs like corticosteroids. Mildly immunodepressed immune systems are very common, and a good example would be people under constant environmental stress. This constant stress will often elevate naturally-produced steroid hormones, such as cortisol, which is a well-known immunodepressant. Below are examples of certain foods and supplements that can affect the immune system in various ways.

Immune stimulating factors: beta-carotene (1), vitamin A (under 25,000 IU/day) (2), manganese (3), L-taurine (4), moderate doses of selenium (under 200 ug/day) (5), and coenzyme Q10 (6).

Immune modulating (moderating) factors: vitamin C (5), beta-carotene (2),fish oil and fish oil combined with a low-fat diet (7), moderate amounts of dietary protein (8), and L-arginine (9).

Immune depressing factors: alcohol (6), high fat diet (10), vitamin E intakes over 600 IU/day (11), low dietary intake of iron (8), excess intake of selenium (over 200 ug/day) (10), excessive zinc intake (100 mg/day or more) (12), L-glutamine deficiency (13), vitamin A deficiency (14), vitamin B1 deficiency (14), vitamin E deficiency (14), zinc deficiency (14), magnesium deficiency (14), folic acid deficiency (15), riboflavin (vitamin B2) deficiency (15), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) deficiency (15), vitamin B6 deficiency (16), vitamin B12 deficiency (8), vitamin C deficiency (2), vitamin D deficiency (17), and iodine deficiency (2).

            Some supplements deserve further mention for their beneficial effects on the immune system. Fish oil has potent anti-inflammatory effects. In one study, supplementation of at least 1.8 grams of fish oil per day for six weeks resulted in a 37% reduction of a major inflammatory molecule, arachidonic acid. The authors of the study suggest that certain immune cells called neutrophils are responsible for the reduction of arachidonic acid levels (18). Vitamin E supplementation of 200 IU/day appears to be the ideal dose for immune system health (19). As mentioned elsewhere in this article, megadosing of vitamin E at 600 IU/day or more may suppress the immune system (11). In one study, elderly hospital patients that supplemented with vitamins A, C and E for four weeks showed immune system improvement (20). 

            Below are a few general tips on strengthening immune function, and also some advice about certain supplements that affect the immune system. Always drink purified water or spring water. Do not drink distilled water for more then a few months at a time—it leaches out both good and bad minerals from the body and should only be used as a temporary detoxification therapy. Eat only organically grown, pesticide and antibiotic-free meats, grains, fruits, and vegetables. Fish oil and vitamin E should not be used with blood thinners such as aspirin, NSAIDs (ex. Ibuprofen), and warfarin (Coumadin). Iron supplements should not be used in people with liver problems.

References:

1. Hughes, D., et. al. The effect of beta-carotene supplementation on the immune function of blood monocytes from healthy male non-smokers. Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine (1997) Mar, 129(3): 309-317.

2. Chandra, R. Nutrition and immunity – basic considerations. Part I. Contemporary Issues in Clinical Nutrition (1986) 11:11.

3. Smialowicz, R., et. al. Manganese chloride enhances natural cell-mediated immune effector cell function: effects of macrophages. Immunopharmacology (1985) 9: 1-11.

4. Masuda, M., et. al. Influences of taurine on functions of rat neutrophils. Japanese Journal of Pharmacology (1984) 3491): 116-118.

5. PDR for Nutritional Supplements. Montvale, NJ: Thomson PDR, 2001.

6. Golan, R. Optimal Wellness. New York, NY: Ballantine Books/Random House, 1995.

7. Meydani, S., et. al. Effect of low-fat, low cholesterol (LF-FCHL) diet enriched with N-3 fatty acids (FA) on the immune response of humans. FASEB Journal (1991) 5:1449A.

8. Levy, J. Nutrition and the immune system. In: Basic and Clinical Immunology, 4th ed. Los Altos, CA: Lange Medical Publications, 1982.

9. Daly, J., et. al. Immune and metabolic effects of arginine in the surgical patient. Annals of Surgery (1988) 208(4): 512.

10. Werbach, M. Nutritional Influences on Illness, 2nd Ed. Tarzana, CA: Third Line Press, 1996.

11. Prasad, J. Effect of vitamin E supplementation on leukocyte function. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1980) 33: 606-608.

12. Bogden, J., et. al. Effects of one year of supplementation with zinc and other micronutrients on cellular immunity in the elderly. Journal of the American College of Nutrition (1990) 9(3): 214-225.

13. Kafkewitz, D., & Bendich, A. Enzyme-induced asparagines and glutamine depletion and immune system function. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1983) 37: 1025-1030.

14. Holford, P. The Optimum Nutrition Bible. Berkeley, CA: Crossing   Press/Ten Speed Press, 1999.

15. Beisel, W. Single nutrients and immunity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (1982) Suppl-35: 417-468.

16. Axelrod, A., & Traketellis, A. Relationship of pyridoxine to immunological phenomena. Vitamins and Hormones (1964) 22: 591-607.

17. Toss, G., & Symreng, T. Delayed hypersensitivity response and vitamin D deficiency. International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research (1983) 53(1): 27-31.

18. Lee, T., et. al. Dietary enrichment with eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on in vitro neutrophil and monocyte leukotriene generation and neutrophil function. New England Journal of Medicine (1985) May 9, 312(19): 1217-1224.

19. Reavley, N. The New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals, Supplements, and Herbs. New York, NY: M. Evan & Co., 1998.

20. Penn, N., et. al. The effect of dietary supplementation with vitamins A, C and E on cell-mediated immune function in elderly long-stay patients: a randomized controlled trial. Age and Ageing (1991) May, 20(3):169-174.

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