The buzz has been growing for awhile now, about this bizarre product that is created by transferring molecules that make up the immune system of chickens (from their eggs), and cows (from their colostrum), and utilizing them to supercharge our own depleted immune system.

The idea is that if science can harvest healthy molecules from healthy chickens and cows that the resulting product (or products – there are more and more being patented each year) will boost the human immune system.

Testimonies abound from people who take it for the flu (and claim to never get the flu once taking Transfer Factor), Crohns Disease, Cancer and now Lyme disease.

My LLD recommended it strongly when he first diagnosed me but when he discovered I was allergic to eggs, he scratched that off my list.

Some of you may have heard of Sue Massie. She has suffered with Lyme disease for a long time and is selling the brand shown above at this site: http://www.suemassie.com.

So, let me give you some background.

According to “4LifeFounders”, one of the firms that manufactures TransferFactor, in 1949, Dr. H. Sherwood Lawrence, a New York University immunologist, determined that an immune response could be transferred from a donor to a recipient through a white blood cell extract.

He concluded that the extract contained a factor capable of transferring the donor’s immunity information to the recipient and named the substance transfer factor.

In 1998, “4Life Founders” David and Bianca Lisonbee licensed the patent to extract transfer factors from cow colostrum. The introduction of 4Life Transfer Factor® Classic opened the door to a new category of immune system support products. 4Life’s commitment to transfer factor research has progressively raised the standard for modern-day immune system supplementation.

In the 50 years since Dr. Lawrence’s pioneering work on transfer factors, an estimated $40 million has been spent researching transfer factors and hundreds of scientific papers have been published documenting their effectiveness.

Recent independent studies report that 4Life Transfer Factor and 4Life Transfer Factor Plus^® Tri-Factor Formulas boost Natural Killer cell activity a remarkable 283% and 437%* when your body needs it.

So basically, Transfer factors provide intelligence to the immune system in the following three ways:

It helps immune cells identify invading germs and other problems more quickly.

It helps speed up the immune system’s response to an invader after it’s been identified.

And, it lends a hand in remembering the specific makeup of each germ your immune system encounters, so the next time it comes around, your body knows exactly what it is, and what to do.

So, first of all, if you have an immune system that is under-reactive and you haven’t tried this before, it is probably worth a try.

And if you are going to try it out, support a fellow Lymie and go to her store to get it.  www.suemassie.com.

Final warnings:  There are allergies to consider as I mentioned before, but you must also make sure that the animals that are being used for harvest are not exposed to pollutants and chemicals or the cycle will just continue.

Dr Mercola has invested most of his career helping people help themselves. If you join his newsletter you will find many useful articles on general health, chronic fatigue and chronic diseases.

Last week, he sent a very helpful article on building a healthy immune system. The article is reprinted here with his permission.

“The 2009 flu season is upon us.

Staying well while those around you sniffle and sneeze requires that you extract as much nutrition from your diet as you can, loading up on the foods that pack the biggest nutritional punch.

Avoiding processed foods, grains and sugar will go a long way toward strengthening your immune system. However, you can do even more by selecting foods that are loaded with specific immune boosting nutrients.

Eating a diet rich in the following foods will be far better for your health than loading up on handfuls of supplements, or worse yet, falling victim to vaccines that expose you to health risks far worse than influenza.

Below, I have outlined what I consider to be the absolute best foods you can eat to help protect yourself this season, although the list is certainly not exhaustive.

1. Unpasteurized Grass-Fed Organic Milk

Raw organic milk from grass-fed cows contains beneficial bacteria that prime your immune system and can reduce allergies. It is an outstanding source of vitamins, especially vitamin A, zinc, and enzymes. Raw organic milk is not associated with any of the health problems of pasteurized milk such as rheumatoid arthritis, skin rashes, diarrhea and cramps.

Raw milk also contains beneficial fats that will help your immune system.

Although raw milk availability is limited in the US depending on where you live, you can locate the source closest to you at RealMilk.com.

Whey Protein

Even if you don’t have access to raw milk, you can use a high-quality whey protein that comes from grass-fed cows to receive much of the same health benefits.

The protein in milk is whey protein. Whey is the liquid that separates from the curd during the production of cheese. When the liquid dries into powdered whey, the nutrients become concentrated, and it can be packaged and used in that form.

Whey protein can help you fight off colds and flu because it contains beta-glucans and immunoglobulins, which protect your immune system and support your body’s natural detoxification processes.

2. Fermented Foods

If you are serious about boosting your immunity, then adding traditionally fermented foods is essential.

One of the most healthful fermented foods is kefir. Kefir is an ancient cultured, enzyme-rich food full of friendly microorganisms that balance your “inner ecosystem” and strengthen immunity. Besides kefir, other good fermented foods include natto, kimchee, miso, tempeh, pickles, sauerkraut, yogurt (watch for sugar), and olives.

Friendly bacteria have a powerful, beneficial effect on your gut’s immune system, your first line of defense against pathogens, and aid in the production of antibodies.

3. Raw Organic Eggs from Free-Range Chickens

Before you wrinkle up your nose, raw eggs are an inexpensive and amazing source of high-quality nutrients that many people are deficient in, especially high-quality protein and fat. I am a proponent of raw eggs because they have been so helpful to my own health.

As long as you have a good source for fresh, organic raw eggs, you need not worry about salmonella. To find free-range pasture farms, try your local health food store, or go to http://www.eatwild.com or http://www.localharvest.org.

4. Grass-Fed Beef or Organ Meats

This recommendation is only valid if you are a protein or mixed nutritional type as carb types really should not be eating beef. Grass-fed beef comes from cows that eat what they were meant to eat—grasses, not corn or grains. This results in far greater health benefits for you and for the environment[i] .

Grass-fed beef is very high in vitamins A and E, omega-3 fatty acids, beta carotene, zinc and CLA. CLA (conjugated linoleic acid, a fatty acid) is three to five times higher in grass-fed animals than grain-fed animals and is an immune system enhancer.

Don’t confuse “organic” with grass-fed, since many organically raised cows are still fed organic corn, which you don’t want. However, most grass-fed cows are raised organically. And if you can find organic AND grass-fed, that’s ideal.

5. Coconuts and Coconut Oil

Besides being excellent for your thyroid and your metabolism, coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, which converts in your body to monolaurin. Monolaurin is the actual compound found in breast milk that strengthens a baby’s immunity.

A great deal of research has been done establishing the ability of lauric acid to enhance immunity. This medium-chain fatty acid (MCFA) actually disrupts the lipid membranes of offending organisms.

When selecting coconuts and coconut oil, make sure you choose organic ones that are unrefined, unbleached, made without heat processing or chemicals, and are non-GMO.

6. Locally Grown Organic Vegetables Appropriate for Your Nutritional Type

When it comes to fighting off pathogens, you simply can’t do any better than eating a variety of fresh, organic and preferably raw vegetables for the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and enzymes they contain. However, the amount and type of vegetables you should eat daily will depend on your nutritional type.

Make sure the veggies you choose are fresh. The nutrient value drops to practically zero once a fruit or vegetable is canned. For example, take a look at the ORAC value of peaches.

ORAC Values

ORAC stands for Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity, and an ORAC unit or ORAC “score” is a standardized method of measuring the antioxidant capacity of different foods and supplements. The higher the ORAC score, the more effective a food is at neutralizing free radicals. The less free radicals you have, the healthier you will be.

Back to peaches.

A raw, fresh peach has an ORAC score of 1,814. A can of peaches in heavy syrup has an ORAC score of 436, meaning that more than 75 percent of the antioxidants are lost in the canning process.

You can check the ORAC score for many different things at www.oracvalues.com. The higher the score, the better. Please be aware, though, that the total antioxidant capacity of a food alone does not determine its health benefit, which depends on how it is absorbed and utilized by your body. ORAC score is a useful guide, but it is only part of the picture.

7. Blueberries and Raspberries

Blueberries and raspberries rate very high in antioxidant capacity (ORAC of 6,520), compared to other fruits and vegetables. Wild blueberries in particular are potent immune boosters. They contain powerful phytochemicals, such as anthocyanin, which is the pigment that gives blueberries their color. And they are lower in sugar than many other fruits.

8. Mushrooms

Mushrooms strengthen your immune system because they are rich in protein, fiber, vitamin C, B vitamins, calcium and other minerals, and even vitamin D — one of the only foods that can provide you with this essential immune strengthener.

Mushrooms make up a large part of the fabric of the earth. According to Paul Stamets, one of the world’s leading authorities on the health benefits of mushrooms, one cubic inch of soil can contain eight miles of mycelium.[ii]

Mushrooms also contain powerful compounds called beta glucans, which have been long known for their immune enhancing properties. The beta glucans in medicinal mushrooms (especially Reishi, Shiitake and Maitake) are notable for their ability to activate/modulate your immune system.

Beta glucan[iii] enhances immunity through a variety of mechanisms, many of which are similar to those of echinacea or astragalus root. For example, it binds to macrophages and other scavenger white blood cells, activating their anti-infection activities.[iv] Numerous studies support this.

9. Chlorella

As foods go, chlorella is nearly perfect.

Chlorella is a single-cell freshwater algae that acts as an efficient detoxification agent by binding to toxins, such as mercury, and carries them out of your system. It is the chlorophyll in chlorella that makes it so powerful. Chlorophyll helps you process more oxygen, cleanses your blood and promotes the growth and repair of your tissues.

For a full review of all the benefits of this superfood, go to my chlorella page.

10. Propolis

Propolis is a bee resin and one of the most broad-spectrum antimicrobial compounds in the world, if not the broadest spectrum, according to master herbalist Donnie Yance. Propolis is also the richest source of caffeic acid and apigenin, two very important phenolic compounds that aid in immune response.

11. Teas

The two best types of tea for fending off microinvaders are Matcha green tea and tulsi tea.

Green Tea and Matcha

Matcha is the most nutrient-rich green tea and comes in the form of a stone-ground powder, completely unfermented. The best Matcha comes from Japan and has up to seventeen times the antioxidants of wild blueberries, and seven times more than dark chocolate.

Green teas are rich in polyphenols, in the form of natural chemicals called catechins. The most powerful catechin in tea is epigallocatechin (EGCG), which was found in one study to be 25 to 100 times more potent than antioxidant vitamins C and E. And Matcha is more than 100 times as potent in EGCG as regular brewed green tea.

Tulsi

Tulsi tea, coming from the holy basil herb, has been used for thousands of years in the Ayurvedic medicine of India. Not only is this tea loaded with antioxidants, but it has multiple positive health benefits, including supporting your immune health, memory, heart health and vision.

12. Herbs and Spices

Herbs and spices are at the top of the list of high ORAC value foods on planet Earth[v] . There are simply too many good ones to summarize here! So I will simply highlight a few that deserve special mention.

Garlic

Garlic, although not at the top of the ORAC chart (5,346), is incredibly beneficial to your immune system because it offers a triple-whammy: it’s antibacterial, antiviral and anti-fungal. You should be eating garlic every day. One of the best things about garlic is that bacteria, viruses, and yeast build up no resistance to it, unlike with synthetic antibiotics.

For optimal benefits, garlic should be fresh since the active ingredient is destroyed within one hour of smashing the garlic cloves. In other words, garlic capsules are basically useless.

Garlic contains allicin, a chemical that is anticarcinogenic. It also has been shown to lower LDL, lower total cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of blood clots and stroke, lower homocysteine, and even prevent insect bites — including mosquitoes and ticks.

Herbs and Spice and Everything Nice

Immunity from common infections involves not only preventing pathogens from taking hold, but also moderating your immune response to invading pathogens.

Complications arise when you experience an over-response to the infection, which is why H1N1 is taking its toll on healthy young adults. Their bodies are over responding — something called a “cytokine storm.” It’s basically a severe inflammatory response.[vi]

One wonderful thing about plants (and herbs especially) is that they don’t all stimulate your immune system—some modulate it, or act as a buffer.

Here are some of the best herbs and spices for building a strong immune system that functions correctly:

* Honeysuckle and chrysanthemum: good antivirals
* Artemisia: antimalarial
* Andrographis, aka “King of Bitters”: antiviral, and helps modulate inflammatory response[vii]
* Licorice: buffers the inflammatory response by increasing steroid output by the adrenal glands; a good buffer if your immune system is over responding to the flu.
* Turmeric: ORAC score of 159,277; general immune system booster due to its high antioxidant capacity, and an anticancer agent as well; turmeric is 5 to 8 times stronger than vitamins C and E, and even strong enough to scavenge the hydroxyl radical, which is considered by some to be the most reactive of all oxidants
* Black Pepper: Increases the bioavailability of just about all other foods–herbs and other things
* Oregano: ORAC 13,970; active agent is rosmarinic acid, a strong antioxidant; one tablespoon of oregano has the antioxidant capacity of one medium apple
* Cinnamon: ORAC 267,536; powerful antimicrobial agent—found to kill E. coli and many other bacteria; also has anti-inflammatory compounds
* Cloves: THE BIG ORAC GRAND PRIZE WINNER AT 314,446, highest of all foods tested! Contains eugenol; its mild anesthetic benefits are useful for toothaches and sore throats; good anti-inflammatory[viii]

Finally, I recently had a fascinating interview with herbalist Donnie Yance, who shared his basic remedy for flu, should you come down with one.

Make this special tea from a combination of herbs that synergistically cause your body to sweat — which is very desirable if you want to eradicate a virus from your system. And then drink it hot and often:

1. Elderflower (this has been used for hundreds of years for flu)
2. Boneset (eupatorium)
3. Yarrow
4. Linden
5. Peppermint
6. Ginger

By incorporating some of these fantastic foods, you’ll not only evade the circulating viruses but improve your overall health and longevity at the same time.”

Has anyone heard of Lumbrokinase?  Well, if you haven’t, lumbrokinase is a group of six, novel proteolytic enzymes derived from the earthworm Lumbricus Rubellus, and it is slowly establishing itself as possibly the best and brightest new treatment for chronic Lyme sufferer.

I say “new treatment” because it is new information for me – generously supplied by a fellow “Lymie” Ted Patterson who has tried it and “feels better than he has in years”.  The more I researched this enzyme, the more excited I have become.

First, lumbrokinase has been used successfully in China’s four top hospitals in nerve and infectious diseases since 1995 without any harmful side effects.  Initially used for the potent ability to dissolve blood clots and vein thrombosis, it was soon discovered to improve the quality of blood in a number of ways that are still being discovered.

According to Allery Research Group,  medical reports from leading researchers and doctors have further discovered the power of lumbrokinase to not only dissolve clots which obviously helps protect against heart disease and strokes, but also:

• to lower fibrinogen levels in cancer patients, which is strongly associated in scientific studies with better outcomes, less metastasis, and slower growth of tumors;
• to offer antiplatelet, anti-thrombotic and self-destructive cellular activity, remarkably regulating hypercoagulation; and most importantly for us,
  
• to dissolve bacterial biofilms present in chronic infections in conditions like autism and Lyme disease, allowing antimicrobials and anti-bacterials as well as our own immune system to work effectively and quickly to destroy the colonies that hide behind the biofilms.

Biofilms have been recently discovered as one of the key biological roadblocks to curing many chronic diseases, especially (for our purposes) Lyme disease. It is a remarkable breakthrough, and it ultimately could have a huge effect on Lyme disease sufferers and possibly their life insurance quotes and policies because of a longer life expectancy among those infected.

Peta Cohen, M.S., R.D.,  is the founder of Total Life Center in Northern New Jersey, and has a Masters Degree in Clinical Nutrition, was recently interviewed by Allergy Research Group (read entire interview here), and offers these insights into biofilms:

“I do a tremendous amount of testing and assessing the children through urine and fecal analysis. What got me so interested in nattokinase and lumbrokinase was the concept of what a biofilm infection actually is. If you do a medline search on biofilms and platelet aggregation, fibrinogen, and fibrin, boom, it’s there right in your face.

“Bacteria build biofilms by first aggregating together, and then rapidly weaving this protective web or matrix around them.  They build a polymeric matrix. It’s a sticky, gluey, mucus-y goop and it’s got fibrin in it to give it an intact structure. The bacteria recruit fibrinogen to create fibrin as part of that matrix. At that point they can shed their outer membrane, which has the proteins that serve as antigens and as a target of the missile of the immune system. They’re very protected. They’re very crafty in creating a way to survive and procreate and hide from the immune system.”

In neurological Lyme disease, the biofilm is believed to be constructed of actual bits and pieces of our myelin sheath which covers and protects our actual nerves that make up our central nervous system.  So when the immune system calls for killer cells to destroy the invaders, our immune system can actually attack our central nervous system trying to break through the biofilm and destroy the infection which they cannot do.

So, as lumbrokinase dissolves this biofilm, we have hope that our killer cells, or in more critical cases where the immune system is no longer working effectively, antibiotics (pharmaceutical or herbal) will be able to destroy the infection and return us to health!

See product here.

Look for Part Two on “nattokinase”, and please comment if you have any experience to relate regarding lumbrokinase.

To read excerpts from LLD’s who are using lumbrokinase successfully, read:

Two Doctors Use Lumbrokinase to Help Conquer Lyme Disease

In my last blog post I mentioned the importance of healing the immune system as a means of halting the inflammatory response that can become so devastating and is responsible for most if not all of the symptoms of Lyme disease.

Having made this statement, I feel the place to start is to direct therapy to what I believe is the most important immune organ, the foundation of a healthy body, the colon.

What does one’s colon have to do with the myriad of complaints common to Lyme patients like joint pain, headache, fatigue, muscle pain, brain fog, etc? These are all manifestations of the same underlying inflammatory process, however affecting different organs.

The colon is lined by what is called the G.A. L.T. (Gut Associated Lymphoid Tissue) which is a major player in a well-functioning immune system. When the tissue is stressed it can have far reaching effects on the body.

So how does the colon get stressed?

The colon is one’s interface with the world on both an emotional and physical level. Therefore it is the organ most affected by the world, in terms of diet and toxic overload. The average American diet of processed food, sugars, and inflammatory-type foods like white flour, corn and dairy are common culprits. Being so prevalent in our diet they create food sensitivities which perpetuate an immune response in the colon. This immune response then plays havoc with the colon’s environment. T

he colon is the foundation by which good health is built. It is a very complex ecosystem, composed mostly of various strains of good bacteria and some yeast. When the colon is stressed either by diet, medications, or toxicity it results in an imbalance in the ecosystem and a resulting dysbiosis occurs.

There is a decrease in the good bacteria and an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, yeast, microscopic parasites and sometimes virus which sets up an inflammatory reaction in the walls of the colon leading to a condition where microscopic holes develop in the colon walls called leaky gut.

The colon then becomes inefficient in its ability to completely break down the food we eat. Partially digested food passes through these microscopic holes in the colon walls, which the immune system recognizes as foreign and starts reacting to multiple foods. This further inflames the body, which in turn increases the inflammatory reaction in the colon creating a viscous cycle of inflammation…bacterial overgrowth…food sensitivities… inflammation.

It is the inflammation which leads to or adds to the symptoms of Lyme disease.

How does one diagnose and ultimately restore a healthy colon environment?

Regarding the diagnosis, there are several specialty labs that do a comprehensive stool analysis which gives vital information regarding the environment of one’s colon; one is Genova Diagnostics, and another is Diagnos-Techs. The Diagnos-Tech test is cheaper and I feel gives more pertinent information.

The treatment is a combination of diet, re-inoculation of the colon with good flora, and a comprehensive approach to detoxification. These are topics that will be discussed in a future blog.