What role does the thymus gland play?
What is DHEA?
How does melatonin help the immune system?
How do growth hormones help the liver?
Hormones are powerful chemicals in the body that directly impact our moods, memory, energy levels, and how well we deal with the unavoidable: stress. Hormones are responsible for controlling blood pressure, sexual function, and growth. Often, medical conditions are a result of too little or too much secretion of one or more hormones.
Just as you pay attention to eating healthy foods, exercising regularly, and taking the appropriate supplements, so should you make sure your hormones are balanced and healthy. Collectively, all these factors help you maintain a super-strong immune system able to out-muscle viral invaders.
Headlining the list of immune-friendly hormones are
• Thymus
• DHEA
• Melatonin
• Growth hormone
To a large extent, the thymus gland acts like the commander-in-chief for the immune-system army. The thymus is composed of two lobes that are located below the thyroid gland and behind the sternum (breastbone). This gland is very large at birth and is necessary to develop a child’s immune system. But by age of fifty, the thymus gland has shrunk considerably and has little or no activity.
The role of the thymus is to mature T lymphocytes (T refers to the thymus). This is an important part of cell-mediated immunity, which I addressed in detail in Chapter 2. The culprit behind chronic infections is often impaired T-lymphocyte activity.
While residing in the thymus gland, T-lymphocytes become T-helper cells (also known as CD4 cells). They help the immune system recognize foreign invaders like viruses and bacteria. T-lymphocytes may also be converted into T Supressor cells. These cells keep the imune system in check and prevent it from going haywire. Their assistance is important to the body’s defense against developing medical conditions, ranging from cancer and allergies to autoimmune conditions such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
A healthy functioning thymus gland starts from day one, when an infant receives protection against infections through breast-feeding. Studies show that breast-fed infants, on average, experience fewer infections and allergies than formula-fed babies. Studies indicate that breast-fed infants actually have larger thymus glands compared to formula-fed infants. In fact, the thymus glands of breast-fed infants were more than twenty times bigger than those of formula-fed infants!1
Several hormones secreted by the thymus gland help to regulate the immune system. I’ll focus on what I consider to be the Super Five: thymosin, thymulin, thymic humoral factor, thymopoietin, and thymic protein A. All five hormones appear crucial to the proper functioning of the immune system. For example, thymic humoral factor appears to have specific antiviral effects, and thymic protein activates the T helper cells. The latter provides the immune system with a more efficient warning system for the T helper cells patrolling the body for unwanted intruders. Thymic proteins signal T killer cells to rush in and destroy these intruders.2–4
How can you tell if your thymus hormones are in top shape? Health-care practitioners pay attention to two criteria. First is the health history of the patient. Does this person catch infections easily and often? Once infected, does the condition linger? Does he or she have chronic infections such as hepatitis, herpes, or a deterioration of the immune system such as cancer? The second main requirement is answered when a holistic-minded physician performs blood tests to measure the levels of thymus hormones.
If the patient’s history and/or blood tests indicate a thymus-deficiency, then extracts are indicted. Thymic protein A is available commercially in extract form for therapeutic use. Many doctors report significant benefits to the immune system when patients supplement thymic protein A. Another common form, found in health-food stores and used by nutrition-oriented practitioners, is a glandular extract from calf thymus. Glandular treatment is nothing new in medicine. Its premise is that the ingestion of glandular extract will strengthen and improve the functioning of the equivalent human gland.
Thymus glandular extract has been shown to be effective for immune-related disorders, such as reoccurring respiratory-tract infections in children, hepatitis B, low white blood cell counts in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy treatments, allergies, and hay fever. It is interesting to note that thymus extracts have been shown to be effective in treating acute and chronic cases of viral hepatitis.5, 6
In addition, the use of thymus extract can be helpful for those with AIDS. It helps to improve T helper cell counts, which are necessary to fight life-threatening secondary infections affecting people with this condition.7
There is no standard dosage for thymus glandular extract. You should follow the dosage directions recommended by the specific manufacturer. However, I will offer you some helpful tips. First, choose only organic sources for thymus glandular extracts, to ensure quality and that the products are free from harmful pesticides and herbicides.
Rely on higher dosages to address acute infections and lower dosages to treat long-term immune support. You can take thymus extract with other supplements, such as immune-enhancing herbs, without any harmful consequences.
In addition, thymic protein A is now being used by many physicians, because it offers immune-modulating effects. As I mentioned, Thymic protein A is now available in supplemental form.
To guarantee optimal functioning of thymic hormones, I also recommend that you take vitamins C, E, B-complex (especially B-6), selenium, and beta-carotene supplements daily. These can be taken as part of a high-potency multivitamin.
For children, thymus extracts can be given safely as long as you give them amounts equivalent to one-fourth to one-half of an adult daily dose. Although there have been few studies done on them, other physicians and I have found thymus supplementation to be quite useful for children. There do not appear to be any side effects among children receiving thymus supplementation.
I have also found homeopathic preparations of thymus extract effective for both children and adults.
One of the most well-accepted hormones to enter the marketplace is DHEA (dehydroepiandosterone). DHEA is touted as an antiaging hormone that helps fight the ravages of time and stress, including low energy, poor memory, high cholesterol, heart disease, and weight gain.
DHEA is one of the most studied hormones, with more than 5,000 research studies completed on it. DHEA is the most abundant steroid hormone in the body. It is produced mainly in the adrenal glands which are located at the top of each kidney. Adrenal glands produce and secrete stress hormones, including DHEA and cortisol, DHEA is also produced in smaller amounts by the brain and skin.
DHEA is often referred to as a fountain-of-youth hormone, as it serves as a precursor to many of the hormones in the body, including estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. In general, levels of DHEA reach a peak value around age thirty, and then gradually decline in the subsequent decades. By keeping DHEA at youthful levels, you can maintain a virile immune system.
Many physicians feel that low levels of DHEA are associated with most major illnesses. Evidence suggests a direct correlation of low DHEA levels with immune deficiency syndromes such as cancer and AIDS. A study published in 1992 in the Journal of Immunodeficiency looked at men diagnosed with HIV virus and their levels of DHEA. This longitudinal study showed a relationship between low serum DHEA levels in HIV-infected men and a more rapid progression to AIDS.8 DHEA improves the immune system’s resistance to viral and bacterial infections. It also improves the rate of recovery from infections.
Studies suggest that DHEA may help prevent certain cancers. In one study by Gordon, et al., thirty-five people who eventually developed bladder cancer were compared to sixty-nine people in the control group. Pre-diagnosed levels of DHEA were substantially lower among the thirty-five than those in the control group. As the group of thirty-five developed cancer, their DHEA levels continued to plummet.9
Low levels of DHEA and other stress hormones, such as pregnenelone and cortisol, are often a result of chronic stress. Under acute stress, our adrenal glands produce higher amounts of DHEA to support metabolism and increase the immune system’s resilience to stress. But under chronic stress, the adrenal glands’ production of stress hormones slow down. This leads to the breakdown of many systems in the body, especially the immune system.
Levels of DHEA, along with other hormones, can be accurately tested by your physician. As a benchmark, women produce 19 mg of DHEA and men produce 31 mg of DHEA per day. One popular way of testing DHEA levels is through a salivary hormone analysis. One of the advantages of saliva over blood tests is that multiple samples can be taken throughout the day to give a clearer indication of levels. Also, saliva tests measure the amount of “free,” or active hormone, unlike blood tests which look at “bound” or inactive hormone. And, you don’t have to be jabbed by a needle! Based on these lab results, a person can safely take DHEA supplements to restore optimal levels. A physician should definitely monitor daily supplemental doses above 25 mg.
DHEA supplementation seems to enhance a person’s resistance to viral infections and to increase the rate of recovery from infections.
Making lifestyle changes that relieve stress (such as taking up regular exercise and practicing relaxation techniques such as mental imagery) and increasing your intake of vitamin C can help increase DHEA levels naturally.
Most people have heard about the benefits of melatonin for insomnia and jet lag, but did you know that this hormone also has a powerful effect on the immune system? Melatonin is manufactured and secreted by the pineal gland, located in the brain. The pineal gland helps set and control your natural body clock.
Normally, melatonin is released at night to help you fall asleep. During the day, sunlight and artificial lighting suppresses melatonin.
Animal studies have shown that beyond helping you sleep, melatonin improves the size and function of the thymus gland. This indirectly improves the power of the immune system.
One interesting study done in 1991 by Irwin, et al., examined twenty-three men between the ages of twenty-two and sixty-one. These men were purposely deprived of sleep between 3 A.M. and 7 A.M. As expected, test results indicated they had below-normal melatonin levels. Lab tests also showed that there was a dramatic decrease in their white blood cell counts, especially in the natural killer cells that have antiviral effects. Dosages for melatonin typically range from 0.3 mg to 5 mg.10
Low thyroid function can make one susceptible to recurring infections. The thyroid hormone helps to control our body metabolism. An underfunctioning thyroid can weaken the immune system. In his book, Hypothyroidism: The Unsuspected Illness (Harper & Row), Dr. Broda Barnes states that approximately 40 percent of the population has a problem with low thyroid. I see this very common problem in my female patients over forty and with elderly patients. Blood tests are frequently ineffective in diagnosing low thyroid. Common symptoms, other than susceptibility to infections, include cold hands and feet, constipation, poor memory, dry skin, and an inability to lose weight. Taking one’s temperature upon awakening three mornings in a row can give an accurate indication of thyroid function. Readings consistently below 97.6 degrees Fahrenheit signal low thyroid function. My preferred treatment, and of many of my holistically minded colleagues, is to use natural Armor Thyroid to bring thyroid levels back up to normal ranges.
Growth hormone is an incredibly powerful hormone that has many effects on the body. It is released by the pituitary gland. The levels of growth hormone peak in a person’s twenties and then slowly decline. During childhood development growth hormone increases bone length and density, as well as muscle mass. Benefits of growth hormone supplementation for adults include: a stronger immune system; stronger, thicker bones; increased lean muscle mass; increased energy; increased sexual performance; improved heart function; lower cholesterol; and many others. Growth hormone must only be used under the guidance of a knowledgeable physician to avoid serious side effects caused by overdoses.
In summary, hormones that are in balance and in harmony play a vital role in ensuring a strong immune system. Although I have highlighted the values of thymic hormones, DHEA, melatonin thyroid, and growth hormones, I cannot underscore enough that all hormones work in harmony together for optimal health. An imbalance in just one hormone can trigger a cascade effect and throw off the balance of other hormones.
I recommend that you seek the guidance of a physician knowledgeable in hormone therapy to learn more about the balance between your hormones. Your conventional medical doctor can order blood tests that measure these hormones. Even better, look for a physician who measures these hormones by salivary analysis. Many physicians, including me, believe it is more accurate than blood tests and will become the preferred method of hormone analysis in the future.