The immune system has a few different lines of defense to help protect the body from foreign invaders and harmful toxins that come through our environment. One of these important barriers of protection, besides the skin, is called the mucosal membrane. Mucous membrane lines some inner organs as well as some common body cavities such as your bladder, stomach cavity, intestines, lungs, mouth, eyes, ears, nose, & throat. These membranes – as well as what lives in the nasal cavity, nasopharynx, digestive tract, and lungs – are our body’s first line of defense against these foreign invaders. Too much mucous and the body becomes a breeding ground for these invaders or “hitchhikers.” Too little mucous and our body can’t clear away debris, also causing excessive dryness and inflammation.

An array of commensal flora is housed within the barriers of mucous membranes as well as in our intestines. These beneficial baterias have intuitive intelligence allowing them to act immediately in our defense, whereas our acquired immunity takes time to react to these foreign invaders. However, these fabulous defenders require the appropriate foods and nourishment to serve us, otherwise, they significantly weaken.

Lactobacillus acidophilus – The Friendly Bacteria

Research on our friendly bacteria has become the most groundbreaking relative to human health and longevity. It is confirming what the ancient Ayurvedic physicians knew all along, all life and death begins and ends in the gut. One form of this beneficial, and aggressive, bacteria is called Lactobacillus acidophilus. One study from 2006 Journal of Microbiology described our lactobillus’ ability to mutate in the presence of foreign invaders. They stated that L-acidophilus reads the plasma membrane of the invader and within less than a minute, it produced substances to destroy it.

Is Your Immune System Prepared?

Stabilizing and encouraging healthy mucous membranes throughout our body is an excellent strategy for respiratory readiness during the autumn and winter seasons. Nancy wants to make sure to educate you more on how to take proper preventative measures. The following products are some of her top picks that she also takes personally to help support her immune system. If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to text us at (978) 622-2835.

The Use of Xylitol in Nasal Sprays

Xylitol is a natural sugar alcohol found in plants that is commonly used as a sweetener. It has been extensively used over the years in oral health care to help prevent cavities due to its antibacterial capacity. However, it has also been shown that nasal spray with Xylitol can help reduce pneumonia and influenza by 75% or greater – just with a spray in the nose. In one study published in the American Journal of Otolaryngology in 2017 and written by Lin Lin et al entitled, “Xylitol nasal irrigation in the treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis,” they found that there was a greater improvement of symptoms of CRS (chronic rhinosinusitis – chronic sinus infections).

A study recently published in the scientific journal PloS One in 2021 and written by Shruti Bansal et al entitled, “Iota-carrageenan and xylitol inhibit SARS-CoV-2 in Vero cell culture,” they examined the effectiveness of nasal spray containing xylitol on the ability to target a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Results found that xylitol may actually exhibit antiviral activity on SARS-CoV-2, making it promising as an early prevention measure. Another recent study published in 2020 in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science written by Camille Celeste Go et al and entitled, “Potential Role of Xylitol Plus Grapefruit Seed Extract Nasal Spray Solution in COVID-19: Case Series,” hypothesized that since several studies have supported how the nose can contain the primary route of entry of SARS-CoV-2, that re-purposing a nasal spray containing xylitol and grapefruit seed extract could also be used as an adjunct treatment of COVID-19. Two sprays per nostril every six hours were administrated to three select patients. They demonstrated an overall improvement in their symptoms and a reduction of medical treatment necessary.

NAC and Mucous Membrane Stabilization

When foreign invaders meet your mucous membranes, several events might happen. The best outcome is for your mucosal membranes, otherwise known as epithelial tissue, to disarm the pest or pests. Sometimes the invader triggers a histamine reaction in the mucosa, and sometimes an ever more aggressive event is triggered. N-acetyl-cysteine has been shown to keep the mucous membranes stable and balanced when your first line of defense is under attack from anything airborne.

N-acetyl-cysteine effect on SARS-CoV-2

NAC, otherwise known as N-acetyl-cysteine, has been shown to have beneficial effects on a variety of respiratory diseases due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In one recent study entitled, “N-acetyl-cysteine reduces the risk for mechanical ventilation and mortality in patients with COVID-19 pneumonia: a two-center retrospective cohort study” written by Stelios F Assimakopoulos et al and published in the Infectious Diseases Journal in 2021, they wanted to evaluate the potential effects NAC would have on patients hospitalized with Covid-19 pneumonia. There were 42 patients treated with NAC, in addition to the standard of care, orally over a 14 day period. 

The results found that the NAC treatment significantly reduced the mortality in patients with severe disease. It improved the PO2/FiO2 ratio, which determines the severity of lung injury in mechanically ventilated patients. NAC treatment also decreased their high white blood cell (indicating an infection or inflammation in your body), CRP(tests for acute inflammation), D-dimers(tests for blood clotting conditions) and LDH (can indicate tissue damage from an injury, disease or infection) levels.

NAC effect on Chronic Bronchitis and COPD

One study published in the 2015 European Respiratory Review journal by Mario Cazzola et al and entitled, “Influence of N-acetylcysteine on chronic bronchitis or COPD exacerbations: a meta-analysis,” they aimed to clarify the role of NAC in treatment of patients suffering from chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The results from the study indicated that NAC is an important and safe agent to be integrated into their regular treatments – but taken at a high dose for the best results. In another review published in the 2016 Multidisciplinary Respiratory Medicine journal entitled, “N-acetylcysteine in COPD: why, how,and when?,” and written by Claudio Sanguinetti, he explores the effects that NAC had in treatmnet of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). The results show a consistent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory response produced by NAC, as well as the ability to enhance the effectiveness of anticholinergics used in COPD patients.

Traditional Chinese Herbalism for Respiratory Health

In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there is something called “Wei Chi” or “Protective Chi.” It’s created by the “mist” in our lungs and is the most superficial of all the “Chi” – or energy forces in the body. According to TCM, Wei Chi is our external defense that flows right through the pores of our skin and all of our mucousal membranes. When our Wei Qi is weak, our bodies are more open to an attack.

Yu Ping Feng San As a Whole Herbal Formula

Yu Ping Feng San (YPFS), otherwise known as Jade Windscreen, is a traditional Chinese herb that has been used over the years to help reinforce the immune system. The 2013 study published in the scientific journal PloS One and entitled, “Yu Ping Feng San, an Ancient Chinese Herbal Decoction Containing Astragali Radix, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma and Saposhnikoviae Radix, Regulates the Release of Cytokines in Murine Macrophages,” written by Crystal Y. Q. Du et al describes the importance in choosing a specific combination of different herbs with forming a TCM herbal formula, such as YPFS. It can greatly enhance the pharmaceutical effects by getting more extricable active ingredients in the final decoction.

They broke the formula down into different components such as Astragali Radix (the best immune tonic herb in stabilizing and strengthening the protective ‘‘Qi”) and Saposhnikoviae Radix (used to expel ‘‘wind’’, relieve exterior syndrome, eliminate dampness, relieve convulsion and diarrhea). In order for an herbal formula to function effectively, the immune system has to strike a balance between the activities of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The results showed that the YPFS formula obtained both pro- and anti-inflammatory effects in cultured macrophages, as opposed to the separate component extracts when tested.

Yu Ping Feng San use Allergic Asthma

Another study published in the 2021 edition of Frontiers in Pharmacology Journal entitled, “Jia-Wei-Yu-Ping-Feng-San Attenuates Group 2 Innate Lymphoid Cell-Mediated Airway Inflammation in Allergic Asthma,” written by Lingna Xue et al, they examined the treatment of asthma, especially the effect on ILC2s(innate lymphoid cells which provide homeostatic functions of the lungs) importance in airway inflammation through the use of Jia-Wei-Yu-Ping-Feng-San (JWYPFS). Their results clearly displayed JWYPFS’s ability to inhibit the type 2 response mediated by ILC2s and reduce the airway inflammation of allergic asthma. This would mean that JWYPFS shows promise of being a beneficial therapeutic drug against airway inflammation – especially in allergic asthma.

We take Jade Wind Screen only when we are healthy. Once you are having some symptoms, you should stop taking Jade Windscreen. Please make sure you speak with Nan if you have any questions about this incredible formula. Youths can take it but not under the age of 7.

So What Do You Recommend?

The Respiratory Readiness – Prevention Phase Protocol I created is intended to support your immune system during these colder months. It’s important to actively support the mouth, nose, sinuses, lungs, and GI tract when you are healthy. Click below for some proper preparations for the seasonal airborne assaults that we have become all too aware of over the past few years can be an excellent place to start.