What Is An Immunoglobulin?
See the full article published by Vibrant Health here.
The immune system is made up of a set of intertwined and coordinated physiologic responses that destroy or neutralize foreign invaders. An essential role of this system is to recognize all of the internal pieces that make up our selves and the protection from those that are non-self entities.
There are two basic types of immunity to protect you:
Innate immunity encompasses nonspecific, general responses that protect against a wide variety of foreign invaders. The barrier provided by the skin, the ability for stomach acid to destroy organisms, inflammatory responses to injuries, and ecetera. The list goes on, but you get the point.
Acquired immunity recognizes and targets a specific substance before an attack by the immune system goes forward. Acquired immunity develops precise immunity against individual invading bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites or toxins.
Here’s where we get into the more in-depth concepts. Substances that initiate immune responses are called antigens. Antigens in food represent the largest challenge confronting the human immune system. Something like a food hypersensitivity happens because of the interactions among; food antigens, the digestive tract, tissue mast cells, circulating basophils, and antigen-specific synthesized immunoglobulins.
Antibodies = Immunoglobulins
Antibodies belong to a family of proteins known as gamma globulins and are called immunoglobulins. Immunoglobulins are synthesized by white immune cells (B-cells or T-cells). These immunoglobulins made by them identify foreign organisms and interact with the other members of the immune system. And the body can make millions of different, highly specific antibodies to fit every need.
Each individual type of immunoglobulin targets a specific antigen. When an antigen enters the body, it attaches to specific receptors to clone itself and increase in number. As its numbers increase, there is a consequent increase in the amount of specific antibody formed. The process transforms lymphocytes into what are referred to as plasma cells, the actual producers of antibodies. The unique specificity explains how we can be immunized against many antigens simultaneously.
Effects of aging on the immune system: As an individual ages, the number of T-cells diminishes. With that, the level of circulating antibodies may decrease. The mechanisms of immune surveillance that act to eliminate potentially cancerous cells may not be as effective in older people as in younger people. Thus, the incidence of cancer increases substantially with age.
Boosting: In aging and in certain disease states, providing some form of enhancement to the acquired immune system is beneficial. Unfortunately, immunoglobulins are not well absorbed.
Plasma with clotting factors removed, retains its immunoglobulin content. It is the richest and most consistent source for supplemental immunoglobulins. The immunoglobulins in this serum can be concentrated and rendered into a powder suitable for consumption and can provide temporary added protection against disease and infection.
Supplemental serum immunoglobulins for oral consumption can be expected to improve the immune effectiveness of the gastrointestinal tract, the largest, most active immune-reacting surface in the body. Any excess supplemental immunoglobulins not sacrificed in confrontations with gut pathogens are simply digested down into utilizable protein residues, bypassing the danger that accompanies injected immunoglobulins.
DISCLAIMER: This information is not intended as a substitute for advice provided by a competent health care professional. You should not use this information in diagnosing or treating a health problem. No claim or opinion in this blog is intended to be, nor should be construed to be, medical advice. If you are now taking any drugs, prescribed or not, or have a medical condition, please consult a competent physician who is aware of herb/drug interactions before taking any herbal supplements. The information presented herein has not been evaluated by the FDA or the Department of Health and is not intended to diagnose, prevent, cure, mitigate or treat any disease or illness.
