By: Elizabeth
M. Wisniewski BA, CMT, Chiropractic
Intern, Chiropractic Section Co-editor at All Things Healing
What do you think of when you
hear the words, “immune system,”? Do images of germs, in the form of nerds
(candy) shaped little gremlins that are going to make you sick fill your mind?
Do you automatically want to reach for your hand sanitizer to kill these germs
in order to promote health? A healthy immune system is imperative to overall
well being. Are you comfortable that you are doing everything you can to enhance
your child’s immune system?
When a child is born naturally
they get their first immune system boost as they pass through the vaginal
canal. They are exposed to bacteria that can then act as a barrier against more
harmful colonies in the future. 1 Babies born by Caesarian section have been
shown to be at higher risk for food allergies and even asthma in later years
because they do not get this helpful boost during this type of delivery. 1New
studies suggest that babies born via a C-section will benefit from probiotics
and that naturally born babies see no benefit. If your baby was born as a result
of a C-section it is imperative to supplement them with probiotics as soon as
possible to enhance their immune system.
The next step to a healthy baby
is breast feeding them. The mother is always circulating anti-bodies and when
it is time for her to breast feed her newborn the body signals for some of
these antibodies to go to the mammary glands. When the baby nurses they ingest
these antibodies and they travel directly to the baby’s gut. This is where they
live as the baby develops their own immune system. IGA is the most prominent
antibody and is able to survive the harsh acids of the stomach and provide
passive immunity for the baby. 2 Most experts recommend breast feeding for at
least the first six months of life however the benefits of breast feeding the
infant occur for as long as the breast feeding takes place. These helpful benefits
for the mother and baby continue for years, allowing the baby to develop into a
healthier child and adult.
As the infant begins to eat
solid foods and develop into a toddler the type of food they eat will affect
their immune system. Probiotics will benefit babies born via C-section and are recommended
for older children and adults. It has also been shown that mothers taking probiotics
during their pregnancy and then breast feeding their child can pass along
probiotics through their milk and the baby has a decreased risk of allergies
later in life. This is thought to be due to the “hygiene hypothesis”.3Bottle
fed babies given probiotics directly see a similar benefit however they are not
receiving the same passive immunity from the mother if they are fed formula. 2
Along with high quality
probiotic supplements naturally fermented foods have been used in every culture
for thousands of years. Fermented foods are a rich natural source of probiotics
and not only boost the immune system by lining the gut with good bacteria they
are also linked to better brain function. The Central Nervous System is made up
of the brain and spinal cord and the Enteric nervous system is found in the gut.
These two systems communicate through the Vagus nerve, which is the tenth (of twelve)
cranial nerves and travels from the brain to the abdomen. There is an
increasing body of research showing the link between gut flora and
mood, anxiety, depression and overall brain function. 4 The take away lesson is
that the food you eat impacts your mood and brain function. Also eating foods
rich in natural fiber like raw fruits and vegetables provides inulin (fiber)
which the good bacteria feed on. Bad bacteria eat sugars so eating a diet high
in raw, organic fruits and vegetables helps the good bacteria thrived. Dr. Joseph
Mercola recommends the ratio of 80:20, the 80 being good bacteria and the remaining
amount the so called “bad” bacteria. This ratio insures a healthy immune system
for years to come.
Another important step to
enhancing your child’s immune system is having them adjusted regularly. Recent
studies show that an adjustment with cavitations (that “popping
“ sound) show a marked increase in two important antibodies, IGG and IGM. This
suggests a “priming” affect meaning that
the body will have a faster immune response in the future to infection. Even
after two hours following the adjustment research subjects still had an
increased amount of IGG in their blood stream. 5 This demonstrates what
chiropractors have seen for 117 years and has been reported in many case studies.
6Children and adults who receive regular chiropractic care have a healthier
immune system. This is because the immune system is regulated by the nervous
system and specific chiropractic adjustments directly impact the nervous system’s
function. Adjustments to the spine , where there are subluxations (often
referred to as misalignments) cause interference to the nervous system. When a
specific adjustment is applied to the spinal subluxation the interference is
removed and the nervous system is able to function at its optimal level. When
the nervous system is functioning properly and optimally it can then regulate
the immune system to launch quick responses when it is under attack from
foreign invaders like infections. Therefore along with proper diet, including
probiotics, and regular chiropractic care the child will have an enhanced immune
system and remain healthy throughout their development into adulthood. Chiropractic
adjustments from birth help to create and enhance the immune system and provide
the reassurance that you , as a parent, are indeed doing everything you can to
enhance your child’s immune system function.
End Notes
2http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/10/081026101713.htm
