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Goji and Immune Enhancement
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Your immune system is designed to attack, neutralize and eliminate substances that don't belong in a healthy
body. A strong and smooth running immune system is your most powerful frontline defense against viruses,
bacteria, carcinogens and a host of other toxic or harmful threats to health.
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Unfortunately, modern life presents many challenges to proper immune function:
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Aging — diminishes immune response
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High stress — causes elevated levels of the immune depressing hormone cortisol
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Inadequate rest or exercise — depletes immune reserves
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Poor nutrition — deprives the immune system of essential nutrients
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Environmental irritants and airborne pollutants — even those with normal immune function can be
overwhelmed by seasonal transitions and environmental changes
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Recognizing “Self” From “Non-Self”
At the heart of the immune response is the ability to distinguish between your own cells (“self”) and foreign
invaders (“non-self”). Normally your immune cells do not attack your own body tissues. That is because every
cell in your body is encoded on its surface with a pattern of special proteins called the major
histocompatibility complex (MHC). Every cell in your body bears the same MHC code, which is also called
your “tissue type.” There are more than 200 different tissue types, and, like blood type, they are not
intercompatible. That is why doctors must pair organ recipients with donors whose MHC sets match as closely
as possible for successful organ transplantations. Otherwise, the recipient's immune system will likely attack
the transplant, leading to graft rejection.
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Your immune cells act as security guards, constantly checking the MHC credentials of every cell they encounter.
If the code is incorrect, the cell is determined to be non-self and an immune response is triggered. Any non-self
substance capable of triggering an immune response is known as an antigen. An antigen can be a whole non-self cell,
a bacterium, a virus or even a portion of a protein from a foreign organism.
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Organs of the Immune System
The organs of your immune system are positioned strategically throughout your body and include bone marrow,
the thymus gland and the spleen. These organs produce the immune cells that patrol your body. The organs of
your immune system are connected with one another and with other organs of the body by a network of lymphatic
vessels, which closely parallel the body's veins and arteries. Cells and fluids are exchanged between blood
and lymphatic vessels, enabling the lymphatic system to monitor the body for invading microbes. The lymphatic
vessels carry lymph, a clear fluid that bathes the body's tissues.
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Cells of the Immune System
Cells destined to become immune cells arise in your body's bone marrow from stem cells. There are two main divisions
of immune cells - the early-responding and nonspecific myeloid cells, and the later-acting, more
targeted lymphocytes.
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Myeloid Cells
Neutrophils — the first responders, which race to the scene of infection to assess the situation
and send out warning signals.
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Macrophages — cells that roam the bloodstream looking for foreign invaders and infected cells, which they
surround and gobble up “Pac-Man” style.
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Cytokines — special “messenger proteins” that are produced by the macrophages. Cytokines speed
throughout the body recruiting more macrophages and other immune cells, drawing them to where they are needed to fight
infection, inflammation or disease.
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Eosinophils — cells that attack parasites by spraying them with killer chemicals.
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Basophils — cells that release granules containing histamine and other allergy-related molecules.
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Lymphocytes
B-cells — cells that originate in the bone marrow, hence their name. The job of the B-cell
is to produce antibodies to the invading organism. An antibody is like an antidote — it blocks the effect of the virus or
bacteria. B-cells begin to appear about 4 to 7 days after the initial infection, which is why most infections often get
worse before they get better.
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T-cells — specialized lymphocytes that are named for their point of origin, the thymus gland. They act like
elite combat commandos. There are several types of T-cells, including:
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Cytotoxic T-cells — they track down and kill viruses and bacteria that are hiding inside body cells.
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Helper T-cells — which help the B-cells to produce more infection-blocking antibodies.
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Natural killer (NK) cells — that have the ability to kill tumor cells on contact.
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Interferons — special proteins that interfere with viruses and neutralize them. Interferons are
showing great promise in medical research, most notably in the treatment of hepatitis C.
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Goji Enhances Lymphocytes
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Goji polysaccharides enhance and balance the activity of all classes of immune lymphocyte cells,
including T-cells, cytotoxic T-cells, NK cells, lysozyme, interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-alpha
and the immunoglobulins IgG and IgA. Goji not only increases lymphocyte count; it also helps to
activate them when the body is under attack.
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Disorders of the Immune System
When your immune system malfunctions, it can unleash a torrent of disorders and diseases.
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Allergy — Allergies such as hay fever and hives are related to the antibody known as IgE.
The first time an allergy prone person is exposed to an allergen - for instance, grass pollen - the individual's B-cells
make large amounts of grass pollen IgE antibody. These IgE molecules attach to granule-containing cells known as mast
cells, which are plentiful in the lungs, skin, tongue and linings of the nose and gastrointestinal tract. The next time
that person encounters grass pollen, the IgE-primed mast cell releases powerful chemicals that cause the wheezing,
sneezing and other symptoms of allergy.
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In Asia, the goji berry has been used as a primary allergy therapy for centuries. The noted
ethnobotanist, Dr. James A. Duke, classifies goji as an immunomodulator - an enhancing substance
that can balance and normalize abnormal immune response.
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Auto-Immune Diseases — Sometimes the immune system's recognition apparatus breaks down and
the body begins to manufacture antibodies and T-cells directed against the body's own cells and organs.
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Such cells and auto-antibodies, as they are known, contribute to many diseases. For instance, T-cells that attack
pancreas cells contribute to diabetes, while an autoantibody known as rheumatoid factor is common in persons with
rheumatoid arthritis.
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Goji Balances Immune Response
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It is important to note that goji is not an immune booster, as that would be undesirable in cases of
auto-immune disorders. As an adaptogen, goji acts as an immune balancer, helping to re-establish normal
and healthy immune function.
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AIDS — When the immune system is lacking one or more of its components, the result is an
immunodeficiency disorder. AIDS is caused by a virus that destroys helper T-cells. The virus copies itself
incessantly and invades the very cells needed to organize an immune defense. The AIDS virus splices its DNA
into the DNA of the cell it infects; the cell is thereafter directed to churn out new viruses.
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Immunity and Cancer — When a normal cell becomes cancerous its surface MHC pattern changes.
According to one theory, patrolling cells of the immune system provide continuous body wide surveillance, catching
and eliminating cells that undergo malignant transformation. Tumors develop when this immune surveillance breaks
down or is overwhelmed.
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Goji's antioxidants and unique master molecule polysaccharides have the ability to restore and repair
vital DNA, preventing cancerous genetic mutations that might otherwise overwhelm the immune system.
Goji also has the ability to cause the death of tumor cells by inducing apoptosis; a process in which
cancer cells are bro ken down and recycled.
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Usual Dosage Level
For immune enhancement, research and traditional use suggest a daily intake of 2 to 4 ounces of
high-quality standardized goji juice.
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