Men's health blog

UNDERSTANDING IMMUNE-SYSTEM TESTS: PROTEIN
One of the most important things we doctors can evalaute in the blood is protein. The enzyme systems that keep the body running depend on protein. And the immune system cells, like all cells, can’t exist without protein.
“But, Dr. Fox,” some patients protest, “didn’t you say that the average person gets too much protein?” Yes, I do feel that most of us take in plenty of protein. Still, protein malnutrition is seen in hospitalized patients, those with colitis, cancer, pancreatitis, chronic illnesses, in alcoholics, persons on fad diets, people taking drugs and others. Protein calorie malnutririon (PCM) is more common than one would think it would be in the Western world. Unfortunatly, it’s an often overlooked medical-nutritional problem.
Twenty-five to 50 percent of all adults admitted to a hospital for medical or surgical reasons develop signs of PCM within two weeks after admission. I have seen many patients living on nothing but intravenous solutions of five percent glucose in water for a week, ten days, or many weeks.
PCM can occur even where there is plenty of food to eat. There may be excessive food, but it is of limited variety and very low in protein. Years ago a 35-year-old woman was referred to me by another doctor. She complained of weakness and had anemia. Taking her personal and medical history, I learned that this mother of three small children was extremely poor. She and her children ate lots of potatoes

MORE ABOUT VITAMINS AND MINERALS: VITAMIN D, MAGNESIUM AND MANGANESE
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is necessary for a healthy immune system; a deficiency will hamper the “cell eating” (phagocytic) functions of the white blood cells. In large amounts, however, vitamin D can suppress the immune system.
Vitamin D is made in your body by the action of sunlight on the skin. This vitamin is also added to milk, milk products and flour. Most people get enough vitamin D naturally. I don’t generally recommend more than the RDA of vitamin D for my patients unless a condition such as osteoporosis makes it necessary.
Check with your physician before taking vitamin D supplements.
Magnesium
There is plenty of evidence to indicate that the immune system suffers in animals who are deprived of magnesium. A deficit of magnesium causes an unhealthy enlargement of the thymus, which leads to reduced T and B-cell response. Some of the immunoglobulins may also be lowered. An increased incidence of a particular cancer, called malignant lymphoma, has been reported in magnesium-deficient animals.
Like copper, magnesium helps to fight free radicals and cancer as part of the SOD molecule.
Magnesium intake has been reported to be low in the general population, especially among our elderly members.
Manganese
A great deal of research has focused on the relationship between manganese and the immune system in animals. Growth and reproduction are greatly reduced by a manganese deficit. Adequate manganese in the body allows antibody levels to elevate in response to challenges. Manganese is important to humans as well, for it is part of the very important SOD molecule that protects the body against free radicals.
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MORE ABOUT VITAMINS AND YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM: IRON
A low blood/body level of iron is the most common mineral deficiency in the world. Iron is part of the hemoglobulin molecule that binds oxygen to red blood cells. A lack of iron can result in poor oxygen delivery to the various parts of the body. This can cause all sorts of problems, including immune-system deficits.
In the absence of adequate iron, the thymus and other lymphoid glands may shrink, the number of T- and B-cells in the blood can fall, and the ability of cell “eaters” to ingest and destroy bacteria may be impaired. The ability of the body to respond to antigen challenge is thus diminished.
Years ago, doctors gave iron tonics to patients who suffered from multiple infections. The tonics helped, but today we know that iron shouldn’t automatically be given to patients with low blood levels of iron.
Bacteria need iron to flourish. So, during infections, the body sequesters iron in the bone marrow and other organs to keep it away from the bacteria. That’s pretty smart of the body, hiding the bacteria’s food. For this reason, I advise my patients not to take iron when they’re suffering from an infection.
If you have symptoms of anemia (such as fatigue), don’t self-medicate by taking iron

MORE COMMON IMMUNE-SYSTEM DISEASES: HERPES
HERPES SIMPLEX (cold sores, fever blisters): Type 1 is usually found on the lips and skin. Type 2 is easily transmitted by sexual contact and usually occurs on the genital organs.
Signs and Symptoms: generally begins with the area to be involved looking OK, but there may be tingling, discomfort or a slight ache. Severe pain often occurs. Then a blister or blisters can form. Blisters generally last about a week, break, then crust over. By the third week all signs are completely gone. Herpes can be associated with fever or malaise.
HERPES ZOSTER (shingles): can occur at any age, most commonly after 50; is not easily communicable.
Signs and Symptoms: fever; weakness; malaise; chills; loss of appetite; nausea. Severe, unremitting pain, resistant to almost all treatment, may occur, following a nerve route. About the fifth day blisters occur following the same nerve route as the pain did, most commonly on the trunk.
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MORE COMMON IMMUNE-SYSTEM DISEASES: COMMON COLD AND EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV)
COMMON COLD: a virus that attacks the upper respiratory tract, especially the nose and throat.
Signs and Symptoms: occur one to three days after exposure if the immune system fails to resist the cold. Generally an ache in the throat; runny nose; sneezing; a feeling of malaise. Adults may or may not have fever, children generally do. Often hoarseness of voice; cough due to inflammation of trachea; some tightness of the chest. There may be a burning sensation in the mouth and throat, and there may be discharge (secretions) from throat or nose. A cold generally lasts a week, although it may go into a second week. If it continues longer, suspect a bacterial invasion.
EPSTEIN-BARR VIRUS (EBV): causes infectious mononucleosis. It’s been shown in Africa to cause a form of cancer, and it may be a sign of impending immune-system failure. Some studies indicate it’s present in many cases of AIDS.
Signs and Symptoms: may be nonexistent or nonspecific such as weakness, fatigue, malaise. Also see mononucleosis.
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MORE COMMON IMMUNE-SYSTEM DISEASES: TUBERCULOSIS
TUBERCULOSIS: caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Can occur in any part of body, but usually strikes the lungs. Symptoms vary with part of body affected.
Signs and Symptoms: first symptoms include coughing up of blood; shortness of breath; fever. Signs and symptoms depend upon where the bacteria settles in the body. Constitutional signs and symptoms include fever; malaise; loss of appetite; weight loss; haggard appearance. Tuberculosis is more prevalent in the lungs. May cause cough; a bloody cough; shortness of breath; chest pain; fever; malaise; weight loss. If it’s in kidneys, urine may be bloody or filled with pus. In the brain, it can cause changes in behavior, headaches, coma, stupor, drowsiness, death. If it gets into the intestinal tract, can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. In the adrenals, it can cause adrenal insufficiency (weakness, fatigue and other symptoms). This is called Addison’s disease. (President Kennedy suffered from Addison’s disease.) If it gets in liver, may cause jaundice. In the joints, it can cause pain and symptoms of arthritis. If in the spine, it may cause backache; collapse of vertebrae. It can invade glands all over the body, especially in the neck.
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MORE COMMON IMMUNE-SYSTEM DISEASES: FUNGAL DISEASES, FEVER OF UNDETERMINED ORGIN (FUO), GASTRITIS AND ACUTE EROSIVE
FUNGAL DISEASES (such as yeast, candidiasis): fungi invade the body.
Signs and Symptoms: possibly fever; malaise; lack of energy; anemia; depression; loss of appetite; cough; vaginal discharge; urinary tract infections; irritability.
FEVER OF UNDETERMINED ORGIN (FUO): generally a fever that lasts for three weeks without the cause being discovered. FUOs generally have signs and symptoms of the underlying disease, which in the very beginning may be very vague.
Signs and Symptoms: malaise; fatigue; joint and muscle aches; other symptoms, depending on the cause of the fever.
GASTRITIS, ACUTE EROSIVE: superficial inflammation of the lining of the stomach, most commonly caused by aspirin, alcohol, cortisone medications, nonsteroidal, antiinflammatory drugs (often used for arthritis pain). Also caused by toxins (poisons) put out by staphylococcus. Anything that causes stress, such as severe anxiety, severe burns, and multiple-type injuries to other parts of the body, can also prompt gastritis.
Signs and Symptoms: usually loss of appetite; nausea; vomiting; upper abdominal pain; pain after eating. There may also be bleeding; vomiting of blood; black bowel movements.
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