From Dr. Townsend's Book
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Transfer Factor: The Immune Connection
Transfer factors are small proteins that "transfer" the ability to express cell-mediated immunity from immune donors to non-immune recipients. Molecular Medicine, April 6, 2000 After I had my melanoma, I didn't want a recurrence. Conventional medicine offered me nothing to draw on when it came to protection. Make no mistake, once cancer appears in one part of your body, your risk of getting it somewhere else goes up. My father died of cancer, my mother died of cancer, my son has had a melanoma, my oldest daughter had a pre-melanotic lesion of her ear, my mother-in law had breast cancer, and her sister had breast cancer twice before she died of a massive stroke. It was obvious that we were doing a lousy job of preventing cancer in our family. So I looked elsewhere for the answer. A visit to a naturopathic physician who knew his stuff led me to an individual with an immune-enhancing compound called transfer factor. Because I agreed to give a talk on TF, I had to review the literature carefully and I became impressed by the data. Here was a natural product that not only boosted the immune system, it also calmed an over-reactive immune system often seen in people with autoimmune diseases, (something my youngest daughter struggled with). Now, after countless hours of research and personal use, when anyone asks me about immune system boosters, my answer is always the same take transfer factor. I have used it for years and have found that my resistance to disease has dramatically improved. In fact, I so rarely get flu or a cold anymore that when I encounter someone who has one, I invariably ask them, Why are you sick? It usually doesnt go over well, but I tell them that they must enjoy being ill because it really isnt necessary. Ive been taking transfer factor daily for over 8 years and my immune cells still react aggressively whenever my body is invaded by a new virus or bacteria. Moreover, I believe that my ability to reduce my risk of cancer has vastly improved because of dietary changes coupled with using a short list of supplements that are topped off by transfer factor. A Cure For My Canker Sores What Exactly Is TF? Moreover, this transfer of immunity to the infant confers protection on the baby until its immune system can make its own transfer factors. Transfer factors can now be extracted from cow colostrum, concentrated and offered in supplement form. These molecules are not species-specific making them cross-species compatible. While different mammals may have a unique colostrum mix, the transfer factors contained within their colostrum are the same. Transfer factors produced by a cow can work just as effectively in humans as they do in animals. The ability to receive immune data that is transferred from the cow to the human has the potential to revolutionize the way we look at disease prevention in medicine. The Tri-fold Benefits of Taking TF First your immune system is strengthened so that when new viruses or bacteria invade your body, your heightened immune cells react very rapidly. By so doing, they prevent the foreign organism from getting a toe hold; consequently, even if you do get sick, the infection will be milder. Secondly, when you take transfer factor, you store these borrowed messenger molecules in your own immune data banks. As a result, when you are invaded by an organism that had previously infected the cow, the acquired transfer factor molecules stimulate you immune system to specifically recognized and react to this particular microorganism. Third, if your immune system is over-reactive (something seen in autoimmune diseases like arthritis, lupus, etc.) transfer factor will modulate or calm immune defenses which inadvertently attack healthy tissue thereby improving ones health. You Can Lead A Horse to Water . . . Informing my medical colleagues about TF along with other natural compounds like genistein, ginkgo biloba, etc., motivated me to intensely study the value of these and other alternative medicines. And, generally speaking, their reception was surprisingly warm. In other words, I was not openly rebuked. Of course, these were the same doctors I taught several of my new gynecological procedures to (cryosurgery, colposcopy, endometrial ablation, etc.). In spite of their polite responses, and to my disappointment, none of these physicians took up transfer factor either personally or for their patients. This was especially unfortunate for their cancer patients who all need a tremendous amount of immune system support. The results my own cancer patients on TF experienced were quite dramatic and I searched for new ways to inform more physicians about the spectacular benefits of TF. Regardless of the success I was having with my own patients, my fellow physicians remained reluctant to suggest TF or genistein, or any natural compound to their own patients. I call their predictable response to complementary medicine a knee jerk reaction at its worse. TF: Preventive Medicine At Its Best My Introduction to 4Life Research Not only did they want to back transfer factor with their name and reputation, they also saw the health potential of genistein as well. After much interaction and input, I became convinced that these were people with integrity and sound scientific support for their product development. More importantly. I believed that their concern for impacting individual health was sincere. However, I wish to state that I do not do network marketing and serve primarily as a consultant to the company. They understand my role and permit me to provide my patients with selected products. TF is Sophisticated Immune Support TF is Backed By Sound Scientific Data Well-documented and scientifically validated, transfer factors emerge as profoundly important to health maintenance worldwide. Recently, a symposium on transfer factors was held in Italy where transfer factor researcher. Dr. D. Viza spoke about the potential of transfer factor in an era when "the toll of several diseases, such as cancer, continues to rise and the pathogenesis of AIDS remains elusive." Transfer Factor: From My Personal Notes Her mother promptly took her to our pediatrician, who confirmed the diagnosis and referred her to a pediatric rheumatologist at the University of Utah who specializes in childhood arthritis. There are less than fifty such specialists in the United States. He too confirmed the diagnosis and suggested we give our daughter a very powerful anti-inflammatory drug. The side effects of this drug in adults are extensive so what would it do to our eleven year old daughter? I consulted with another pediatrician who had been using transfer factor in his patients. He suggested that we give her six capsules a day plus a capsule of a special joint medication also manufactured by 4Life. Within six weeks, our daughter was pain-free and her swelling had dramatically decreased. Well, shes a teenager now and isnt nearly as diligent in taking the immune-modifying supplement plan we had designed for her years ago. She still experiences a little swelling and an occasional twinge of pain in her thumbs, and once in a while, one of her knee joints will swell after vigorous exercise. Still, the improvement is remarkable and she did it without going on harsh drug therapy. She plans to go out for the volleyball team next spring and wants to take up tennis. In the winter, she snowboards and has no problem recovering from its inevitable spills. You have no idea how thankful my wife and I are for transfer factor. Since becoming acquainted with it over 8 years ago, Ive placed hundreds of individuals on TF. The results continue to be nothing short of spectacular. TF and The Yeast Wars The Chicken and The Egg A Man in Montana Compounds That Complement TF Echinacea: Echinacea stimulates the production of immune natural killer cells and destroys a broad range of disease-causing bacteria. Echinacea can be a boon to elderly individuals who are particularly susceptible to bacterial infections. A new study conducted by scientists at McGill University in Montreal, Canada showed that two weeks of supplementation with echinacea rejuvenated the production and action of immune killer cells even in animals of advanced age. In addition, several other studies have concluded that echinacea taken orally stimulates the function of a variety of immune cells, particularly natural killer cells. Cordyceps Sinensis: This fungal botanical medicine has been tested in over 2000 subjects. It works to enhance a variety of immune actions by boosting immune chemicals such as interleukin-1 and 2 and boosting the count of helper-T and NK natural killer cells to fortify and expand the immune systems ability to respond to invaders (infectious, carcinogenic etc). Of equal importance in that Cordyceps also suppresses inappropriate immune reactions as seen in autoimmune diseases and has anti-tumor properties as well. Beta-Glucans: These complex sugars (polysaccharides) are found in astragalus, maitake and coriolus mushrooms have the unique ability to act as immunomodulators. They are currently being researched for their potential role in AIDS and cancer. New studies indicate that at the very least these compounds can prevent white blood cell numbers from falling in people given chemotherapy and radiotherapy, and work to elevate antibody levels in healthy persons. Betaglucans are considered the workhorse of the immune activating polysaccharides and are well absorbed when taken orally. They are currently under investigation as a supportive tool for HIV infection. Mannans: Mannans (specifically acemannan) is a carbohydrate extracted from the gel of the aloe vera leaf. It is this compound which is thought to make aloe gel so healing for burns and other skin disorders. Studies show that acemannan increases the number and killing capacity of T-lymphocytes by almost 50 percent. It also has significant anti-tumor activity and can help prevent the replication of viruses in the body. Acemannan is one of a few plant extracts used in people with AIDS. Studies confirm that it has significant value for bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. IP6: Also known as inositol hexaphosphate or phytic acid (IP6) this compounds is found in legumes and the bran portion of several grains. The reason that high fiber diets are considered anti-cancerous may be due to this very phytochemical. Several laboratory tests have confirmed that IP6 has impressive anti-cancer actions and in 1992, a patent was obtained to mix IP6 with inositol. IP6 is rapidly absorbed and is one of the most impressive anti-cancer compounds found in nature.
Thymic Factors:The thymus gland produces a complex array of factors which work together to transform immature lymphocytes (white blood cells) into T-cells. Two decades ago, a key thymic protein was discovered and isolated. This protein actually programs T-4 helper cells in the immune system to seek out an invading pathogen and gives the go to T-8 killer cells to search and destroy disease organisms. A patented process has been developed to grow this specific protein for commercial use in supplement form. Glutamine: An amino acid called glutamine is important for immune system function. Liquid diets high in glutamine have been reported to help critically-ill people recover more rapidly. One double blind study giving athletes who were prone to respiratory infections glutamine reported 81%without subsequent infection compared to 49% in the placebo group. Lactobacillus acidophilus: Helps replace friendly bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract which may help protect the body from potentially harmful organisms that reside in the intestine and can cause infection. Infectious diarrhea in children has been successfully reduced with acidophilus supplementation. Zinc: Zinc supplements have been reported to considerable increase immune function. This effect may be especially important in the elderly who can easily become zinc deficient. Vitamin A and Beta-carotene: Vitamin A plays an important role in immune system function and helps mucous membranes, including those in the lungs, resist invasion by microorganisms. Beta-carotene and other carotenoids boost immune cell numbers and activity in both animal and human research. Placebo-controlled research has confirmed the positive benefits of beta-carotene supplements in increasing numbers of some white blood cells and enhancing cancer-fighting immune functions. Vitamin C: Vitamin C stimulates the immune system by enhancing interferon levels and boosting the activity of certain immune cells. In controlled reports studying people doing heavy exercise, cold frequency was reduced an average of 50% with vitamin C supplements ranging from 6001,000 mg per day. Vitamin E: Vitamin E enhances some aspects of immune cell activity especially in the elderly. A combination of antioxidant vitamins A, C, and E significantly improved immune cell number and activity compared to placebo in a group of hospitalized elderly. The Last Word on TF |