Our purpose is not to hinder the physiological processes of the organism. Ours is a holistic approach. An approach that encourages the ristoring of the physical balance, by facing the causes as efficiently as possible and by ensuring a fast relief of all the symptoms.
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Immune defenses
The immune system, from the Latin word immunis, meaning “exempt” (i.e. “exempt from infectious diseases”), can be defined as the body’s defense system, which has the primary function of protecting it from the attack of viruses, bacteria and other harmful microorganisms present in the environment. Despite this apparently simple definition, anatomical and cellular structures as well as biochemical processes with an “anti-pathogen” protective action are among the most complex in the organism, to the extent that only during the past decades researchers have started to fully understand the real functioning of this system.
The immune system, in fact, consists in a dense network of organs, tissues and specific cells scattered across the organism and communicating with each other through the circulatory and lymphatic systems, capable of recognizing harmful exogenous and endogenous structures, that must therefore be eliminated.
According to the modes of recognition regarding antigens it is possible to distinguish two areas in the immune system:
non-specific or innate immunity: this includes anatomical defensive barriers – physiological, phagocytic and inflammatory;
specific or adaptive immunity: this includes chemical and cellular mediators responsible for a more powerful and targeted defensive response, capable of recognizing any kind of antigen.
This latter part of the immune system, which is the most effective and efficient, particularly against microbial aggressions, acts mainly through one type of cells: lymphocytes, which differ from each other according to the type of antigen to fight. In particular, if the aggressor is a virus or an intracellular bacterium (tuberculosis, salmonellosis, etc.) a Th1 response will be activated (Type 1 T helper lymphocytes), whereas for infections coming from extracellular bacteria (as in most cases), mycetes or antigenic agents (elements not recognized as “friendly”, such as not completely metabolised food macromolecules), the system puts forward a Th2 response (Type 2 T helper lymphocytes).
In healthy individuals the system (Th1 – Th2) is balanced, so when the aggression occurs it “specializes” in one direction or the other according to the type of microorganisms to be dealt with, and then balance is restored. Problems crop up when the system happens to be unbalanced towards one or the other part. Recent discoveries have shown that subjects with an immune system that is constantly unbalanced towards Th1 have a greater chance of developing autoimmune types of diseases (multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, celiac disease, etc.), whereas people whose immune system is unbalanced towards Th2, probably are most likely to suffer from allergies. The meaning of “balance of the immune system” will now be clearer, but what really matters is that the balance of the immune systems has an impact on the individual’s health.
Having a balanced immune system means higher chances of preventing diseases and, in case they do occur, better chances of rapidly overcoming them without any complications.
Influenza is one of the most common “cold-induced diseases” or “seasonal affections”, even though one can undoubtedly fall ill not only during the colder seasons but also during other times of the year, particularly in summer, owing to the use of air-conditiong and consequent temperature fluctuations.
In 90% of cases, whether in adults or particularly in children, these kind of affections are of viral origin; typically, temperature fluctuations lower the organism’s natural defenses, increasing the chances of success in case of field virus attacks.
In its attempt to defend itself from the aggressive germs, the organism sets in motion a set of processes that result in inflammations, edema, mucous, sneezing, congestions, irritations, fever, etc. This defensive effort of the organism, with the ensuing symptoms described, constitutes the essence of the illness itself. If it is undoubtedly true that cold, or rather temperature fluctuations encourages propensity to catching infections by weakeding the organism’s defences, it should be borne in mind that the true factor responsible for such fragility is to be traced in the generalized imbalance of the individual immune response.
Organic balance of the defensive system, consisting in beneficial microbial flora of the mucosae and in the immune system itself, is in fact of fundamental importance in the prevention and fight against microbial affections. Intact and vital microbial flora, starting from the intestine, is the essential condition to maintain balance in the the immune system, enabling it to contrasting any kind of microbial “attack” in an effective way.
The defensive microbial barrier, in fact, carries out several functions: on the one hand, it directly monitors access of pathogens in the organism, preventing them from settling in and lessening the immune system’s workload; on the other, it contributes decisively to the development and balance of the immune system associated with the mucosae (called MALT: Mucose Associated Lymphoid Tissue), that controls and defends all mucosae in the organism, of course including mucosae covering the airways.
Unfortunately, physiological bacterial flora, particularly that of the intestine, is heavily undermined by today’s typical lifestyle, characterised by a diet far too rich in sugars, refined carbohydrates, animal proteins, etc., besides pollutants present in the environment, heavy metals, drug abuse (mainly antibiotics), too many vaccinations, etc. All this has a heavy impact, day by day, on the balance and health of the physiological bacterial flora, triggering a state of dysbiosis that inevitably turns in to an inefficient individual “ground”, unable to contrast infections, whatever their nature.
Intestinal flora in a dysbiotic condition necessarily implies an inefficient and imbalanced immune system, in which the two lymphocytic functions mainly involved in the fight against infections (Th1 for viruses or other organisms behaving as such, and Th2, for bacteria, mycetes and parasites), no longer balanced, turn out to provide an inadequate immune response, whenever this is a necessary step to defend the organism.
At the root of any health problem there always lies an inefficient individual “ground”, characterized by an intestinal bacterial flora in a state of dysbiosis coupled with an imbalance between Th1 and Th2 functions. Illnesses originate only when microbial agents find fragile individual “ground”: Pasteur himself, after devoting his entire life to the study of microbes, reached the conclusion that “the ground is everything, the microbe is nothing”. Regretfully, this truth has been abandoned by modern medicine, for the benefit of a “symptomatic” approach. The most worrying implication lies in the fact that by striking pathogenic agents only, without considering the delicate system of balances inside organism, the precondition is inevitably created for the triggering off of both relapses and new infections, thereby further weakening the individual “ground”.
Resorting excessively to vaccinations and the abuse/bad use of antibiotics undoubtedly represents the most glaring example of this way of operating.
Treatment of influenza using conventional medicine
VACCINATIONS AND ANTIBIOTICS: AN ABUSE THAT MAKES YOU EVEN MORE VULNERABLE
Even though the role of the immune system in preventing and solving seasonal affections is well known at scientific level, official medicine prefers to focus on single, causal microbial agents, almost totally disregarding the importance of promoting a healthy individual “ground”.
However, analyzing what this type of approach has led to, there is definitely nothing to be pleased about. As regards the fight against viruses, vaccination seems to be the most widespread preventive measure. But, given the incredible mutating capacity of viruses, it is inconceivable to think that vaccines that are effective against all viruses and their possible, future mutations, can ever be discovered. Not to mention side-effects caused by vaccines, that can lead to serious consequences, particularly in children. Another serious problem is the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, that have no power whatsoever against viruses, yet are very often prescribed, also in the case of simple influenzas, to avoid “bacterial suprainfections”, while in actual fact they weaken the body’s defenses even more. The use of antibiotics should be restricted to cases when really needed, i.e. when their role as “lifesavers” is truly indispensable. Instead, there is an abuse of antibiotics nowadays, causing an impoverishment of the physiological flora and exposing the organism to relapses and new infections, besides contributing to the formation of dangerous, resistant strains.
In children, numerous studies have confirmed the link between intake of antibiotics and the risk of developing allergies – asthma in particular. Further research has highlighted how ear infections in children and cold-induced illnesses are reduced in frequency and intensity whenever the option taken is to avoid antibiotics and let the illness follow its natural course, instead. By contrast, children treated with antibiotics often develop new infections, proving that use of such drugs inevitably leads to the onset of a dangerous vicous circle. Hence, the importance of having available valid alternatives for the treatment of influenza.
Nature can help you in case of influenza
A natural and effective approach
Both for preventing and for solving one of the most common “seasonal affections”, namely influenza, nature can once again be of great help, thanks to the use of Grapefruit Seed Extract (GSE), the efficacy of which against viruses involved has been confirmed by numerous studies and applications, together with other plant extracts featuring exceptional health properties.
GSE and influenza
Grapefruit Seed Extract, more commonly known by the acronym GSE, is obtained from seeds and membranes of grapefruit (Citrus paradisi); parts used in particular are: the dry extract, which has the appearance of a white-yellowish powder and glyceric (or glycerin) acid, a caramel-coloured, viscous liquid.
GSE is particularly rich in polyphenolic compounds such as quercetin, hesperidin, camphorated glycoside, neohesperidin, apigenin, rutinoside, poncirin, etc., showing high antimicrobial power, as witnessed by a large number of studies and experiments. In the herbal-phytotherapic field it has been well-known and employed since the mid 20th century.
Its efficacy has been widely proven by Laboratories, Universities and Institutes worldwide, who have shown its bactericide and bacteriostatic activity against hundreds of pathogenic bacterial strains, both Gram+ and Gram-, as well as against dozens of mycetes and parasites. Notwithstanding the extensive bibliography proving the efficacy of GSE, its particular mechanism of action still remains unknown, even though according to studies carried out in recent years, due to the increasing interest of the scientific world, GSE’s antibacterial action seems to be attributable to its interaction with the cellular membrane of pathogenic bacteria.
What mainly characterizes this marvellous extract is its “selectivity”, a feature unique in its kind: in fact, GSE does not affect physiological bacteria (as reported by the Journal of Orthomolecular Medicine Vol.5 n.3 of 1990) but, on the contrary, it facilates their proliferation by inhibiting pathogenic microbes that compete against physiological bacterial flora. This feature makes it a unique, natural “antibiotic”: one need only think about the negative effects of traditional antibiotics, making no distinctions while they scourge physiological bacterial flora as well.
Moreover, the use of GSE is totally safe: its complete lack of toxicity, of contrandications, of side-effects, of interaction with other drugs as well as the fact it does not cause any kind of resistance, makes it the most effective, complete and safe alternative to traditional antibiotic treatments, when these are not strictly necessary. For this reason, GSE is the ideal remedy in the cure and prevention of typically seasonal affections such as influenza, cold, otitis, bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and similar affections, besides countless other health problems – both acute and chronic.
For the above-mentioned reasons, GSE represents the cornerstone of a truly, extraordinarily effective approach in the treatment and prevention of typically seasonal diseases such as influenza, colds, otiti, bronchitis, sinusitis, tonsillitis, laryngitis and similar affections, besides many other disorders, both acute and chronic.
Its association with specific plant extracts enables the production of a remedy that through a mechanism of action allows for the following:
- systemic action by means of a product capable of interrupting the evolution of viral aggressions at the first appearance of symptoms, solving the problem rapidly and preventing the insurgence of complications;
- integration of the intestinal microflora via intake of priobiotics and plant active principles with an immunostimulating action.
This approach, associated as always with a healthy lifestyle (in terms of diet, but not only), comprises the use of natural remedies employed in folk tradition which, as confirmed by recent studies, represent a concrete opportunity to solve the health problem.
1 - To undertake systemic action using a product capable of interrupting the evolution of viral aggressions at the first appearance of symptoms, solving the problem rapidly and preventing the insurgence of complications…
Nature can help you with…
Grapefruit Seed Extract: it acts against viruses, inhibiting them directly. Moreover, as an extraordinary “selective cleanser”, it exerts an indirect, antiviral action, which is effective against pathogens without affecting microbial flora of the mucosae in a significant way,while enabling the reconstruction of beneficial flora and thereby improving the efficiency of the immune system’s response. Moreover, its proven antibacterial activity is essential to prevent and counter possible supra infections, often of bacterial origin.
Prunella vulgaris: the extract of this plant has shown direct antiviral activity against A-type influenza viruses, thanks to a mechanism of action that interferes with the attack of viral antigens (Neuroaminidase) against cellular receptors. It also has an immunomodulating activity, as it improves phagocytosis and the lymphocyte response of Th1 types.
Echinacea purpurea: its phytocomplex shows antiviral activity against influenza viruses, as it has a mechanism of action that prevents the virus from linking with the cellular receptor, hindering its access. It moreover exerts a powerful immunomodulating activity, regulating phagocytosis as well as the production of lymphocytes.
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): Elderberry berry extract has shown extraordinary antiviral activity, both directly as it inhibits viral antigen attacks (Hemagglutinin) against cellular receptors, and indirectly with its immodulating effect, as it improves the efficiency of Th1 lymphocytes. The ursolic acid contained in its phytocomplex moreover ensures an anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antipyretic action.
Biosterine®: the phytocompound consisting in Holy Basil and Sage and titrated at 40% in Rosmarinic Acid, presents multiple properties, among which its immunomodulating activity, enabling to improve the efficiency of the Th1 lymphocyte component, to better respond to viral attacks. Additionally, Biosterine® is a powerful natural anti-inflammatory, pain-reliever and antipyretic.
Swallowable tablets are the most suitable form for intake of these plant active principles, to be taken as soon as symptoms appear, at the recommended doses and preferably before meals, for 5 days.
2 - For the integration of intestinal microflora with the intake of probiotics and plant active principles with an immunostimulating action …
Nature can help you with…
Triad of probiotic bacteria: to provide adequate colonisation of the whole intestine, from small to large intestine, contrasting intestinal dybiosis, with consequent rebalancing of the immune system. Probiotics indicated, for a total of not less than 3 billion cells, are in this case: Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus acidophilus.
Cultivated on topsoil, they are therefore naturally free from milk derivatives, and obtained using integral cultivation systems, i.e. complete with supernatant fluid (a substance produced by beneficial bacteria during their growth on the culture medium). This fluid is composed by antimicrobials, such as hydrogen peroxide and acidophilin, vitamins, enzymes, antioxidants and immunostimulants; the supernatant works as a natural swab for probiotic bacteria, allowing them to survive gastric acids and provides all that’s needed to form colonies, as they remain in their natural environment.
Fructo-oligosaccharides: prebiotic fibres with a marked capacity to keep probiotics alive and stimulate colonisation of the colon by bifidobacteria.
Grapefruit Seed Extract: providing natural antibiotic action for direct action against pathogenic microorganisms and for selective cleansing of the intestine, while fully respecting physiological bacterial flora.
Uncaria: native to South America, used for its bark, powerfully effective as a regulator of the immune system. It helps increase the organism’s resistance against infections and improves its response in case of illness.
Morinda citrifolia (Noni): useful to regulate functionality and cellular regeneration of damaged cells, it simulates the production of T cells playing a key role in eradicating illnesses and reinforcing the immune system.
The ideal form of intake for such ingredients, in both adults and children (with a specific formulation for paediatric use) is represented by practical vials with measuring cap. Recommended dosage is one vial a day, to be taken on an empty stomach.
The association of the above-described ingredients, essential to ensure definite solution in case of influenza, can be further supported by specific remedies indicated to:
- contrast, by means of systemic “selective cleansing” action, the development of bacterial suprainfections and strengthen the organism’s natural defences, preventing the insurgence of complications: GSE, Echinacea purpurea, Rhodiola, Uncaria and Tea tree oil in tablets; for children the drinkable version is to be preferred, based on GSE, Rhodiola, Noni, Echinacea purpurea and Echinacea angustifolia.
As an alternative to these two solutions, for both adults and children it is possible to resort to an innovative formulation presented in effervescent tablets, based on GSE at high concentrations, together with Uncaria; the exclusively natural composition, the high concentration of plant active constituents and the advantages of having an effervescent formulation (rapidly dissolvable and increased bioavailability) give the product a pleasant taste in addition to making it fast-acting and effective.
- promote “selective” cleansing and drainage of the nasal cavities, maintaining the mucus fluid and preventing it from stagnating, while contributing to soothe inflamed mucosae and reinforce their defenses: a sterile, completely vegetable solution without preservatives, with practical eco-spray nebulizer and “preservative free” packaging based on GSE, Altea, Echinacea, Thymus Serpyllum, Calendula, Cypress and Kiwi Water.
- enable “selective” cleansing, drainage, expectoration and decongestion of the upper airways through aerosol therapy: a solution to nebulise with an aerosl device, presented in practical single use vials based on GSE, Echinacea, Drosera, Enula, Dwarf pine, Thymus Serpyllum and Thyme, atomised in sea water.
- enable“selective” cleansing action of the mucosa in the oral cavity, slowing down the spread of pathogenic germs across tissues, offering local defensive action, soothing the mucosae and maintaining the bone structure: in case of voicelessness and hoarseness, a natural solution based on GSE, Echinacea, Hedge Mustard, Aloe vera and Fruit water. In case of laryngitis, pharyngitis and tonsillitis, the ideal means for intake are tablets to be dissolved in the mouth, based on GSE, Liquorice, Raspberry, Echinacea, Astragalus and Ginger, with natural flavourings (Mint or Citrus Fruits).
- To solve dry cough: GSE, Chestnut, Lavander, Marrubium and Poppy in drinkable form.
- Wet cough: GSE, Mullein, Enula, Helichrysum and Maidenhair in drinkable version.
