Posts Tagged ‘immune response’

The breast cancer and stress reduction studies are busting the myth that only the medical system can actually halt breast cancer. We are learning that you can unleash your natural defenses.

Internal Defenses

It was found that having sessions with a psychologist to learn how to reduce stress helped women with recurrent breast cancer live longer. They also had a better quality of life, according to new research. In a previous study where they followed women with breast cancer for 11 years, it was fount that those who receive psychological support had a 45 per cent lower risk of their breast cancer recurring.

You can read about the study, by Dr. Barbara L. Andersen, a professor in the department of psychology at the Ohio State University Columbus, and colleagues, in the June Online First Issue of Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

The researchers studied women with newly diagnosed Stage II or III breast cancer who were put into one of two groups: intervention and assessment-only. In addition to normal assessments, the women in the intervention group had sessions with a psychologist where they learned more about the causes of cancer and how to reduce stress, and the other group just had the assessments.

Anderson, who is also a researcher at the Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center-James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute, told the press that:

 ”Patients in the intervention arm evidenced significant emotional improvement and more favorable immune responses in the year following recurrence diagnosis.”

“In contrast, stress remained unabated and immunity significantly declined in the assessment-only group,” she added.

Plus she stated that “Survival advantages occurred above and beyond the improvements from state-of-the-science oncology treatments received at NCI-designed comprehensive cancer center.”

Better Yet!

VITAMIN D

A new study has found that vitamin D has the ability to regulate anti-bactericidal proteins. This is a key part of our immune response. Sunlight and health is a topic that until now has not been given much attention. The biological importance of adequate levels of vitamin D can not be overstated. “The sunshine vitamin” is needed in sufficient levels to protect us from all sorts of pathogens. Experts say that more than 50 percent of children and adults in the U.S. are deficient in this vitamin.

In humans vitamin D is produced in large amounts as a result of exposure to the sun. Dietary sources are available in small amounts. Vitamin D boosts the immune response, and also can prevent the immune system from overreacting, and thus reduces inflammation. This is helpful for autoimmune disorders, and degenerative diseases. Sunlight and health has important implications in combating some of the prevalent chronic conditions. Diabetes is significantly more prevalent in people who are vitamin D deficient.

Vitamin D helps prevent osteoporosis, is important for calcium uptake, and inhibits cell growth. It helps regulate cell differentiation, and helps the immune system do its job. Where you can get good sunshine year round is where you want to reside. There are lower rates of cancer among people who are exposed to sunlight all year long.

Also, vitamin D promotes the development of blood vessels, and helps with the healing of wounds. Vitamin D is a hormone that is involved in mineral metabolism. It is involved with facilitating the intestinal absorption of calcium, and it helps with the absorption of phosphate and magnesium ions. Without vitamin D, dietary calcium is not well absorbed. Most cells in the body have vitamin D receptors.

HEALTH

Sunlight and Health has been well studied. Serum vitamin D levels correlate with blood pressure and other cardiovascular risks. Studies suggest that older adults need to get sunlight, to keep healthy.