Every day, every person comes into contact with countless viruses, bacteria, fungi, parasites and toxins, e.g. when shaking hands (smear infection), through coughing (droplet infection) or through spoiled food. While most of these microorganisms do not harm health, the immune system is responsible for potentially dangerous pathogens.
To fight viruses and other pathogens effectively, the human defence system uses very complex mechanisms. A wide variety of influences can throw this multi-layered system off balance so that it no longer functions appropriately. This is then referred to as susceptibility to infection or an acquired immune deficiency. Leaden tiredness and weariness as well as frequent illnesses (in particular infections with fever) are often the symptoms.
Causes of weakened immune defences:
- Unhealthy diet (nutrient deficiency, alcohol, nicotine, crash diets, etc.)
- Stress and lack of sleep
- Underlying diseases (chronic respiratory diseases, metabolic disorders, certain viral diseases such as HIV infections)
- Intracellular glutathione (GSH) deficiency
Innate and acquired defence system
The human immune system consists of various subsystems. When any pathogen enters for the first time, the so-called innate defence becomes active. It initiates general defensive measures so that we do not fall ill. Even more effective is the acquired defence, which fights specific pathogens in a targeted way and also has a kind of memory function: it “remembers” earlier pathogens and immediately initiates the right protective measures on renewed contact.
- The innate immune system acts against pathogens in a very general way.
- The acquired immune system specifically attacks individual types of pathogen.
How are viruses and bacteria fought?
In order to fight the respective pathogens precisely, the acquired defence works on several levels. Pathogens located outside the cells in body fluids such as blood or lymph are also fought directly there, namely at the humoral level (Latin [h]umor: moisture, wetness, fluid). This applies to most bacteria. In humoral defence, the so-called type 2 T helper cells (TH2 cells) and the messenger substances they produce play a decisive role.
Viruses enter host cells in order to multiply. They are therefore located inside cells. Certain bacteria, such as the pathogens that cause tuberculosis, also infect cells. Against such pathogens, therefore, cellular defence becomes active. Here it is type 1 T helper cells (TH1 cells) that promote corresponding, appropriate immune responses via various pathways.
T helper cells and other defence cells each react in a very specific way, depending on the pathogen attacking the body.
Immune balance determines susceptibility to infection
It is easy to understand that the appropriate immune response must be initiated in each case in order to fight specific pathogens. Put simply:
- To defend against viruses and other intracellular pathogens, cellular defence (TH1) is needed.
- To defend against bacteria and other pathogens outside cells (in the body fluids), humoral defence (TH2) is needed.
Depending on the “intruder”, the focus is therefore on one level or the other. It is not possible for the immune system to be highly active on both levels at the same time. It is therefore disastrous if the immune balance is thrown off and the wrong subsystem is activated: the defences are then lastingly weakened.
The pharmaceutical active substance S-acetyl-glutathione in Eumetabol® secures a healthy immune balance. In this way, Eumetabol® helps to ensure that precisely the right defence mechanisms are set in motion in each case.
GSH deficiency as a cause of weakened immune defences
In order to do their work correctly, specialised defence cells depend on an adequate supply of glutathione. Numerous clinical studies have shown that a GSH deficiency in these cells causes the immune response to shift, namely away from a cellular immune response, as required in viral infections, towards a humoral response, which can achieve nothing against viral diseases.
A glutathione deficiency alters important immune responses. As a result, pathogens such as viruses and bacteria can no longer be fought appropriately.
What helps with immune deficiency?
To improve the immune system, in addition to proven measures such as a healthy diet, stress reduction and exercise, care should be taken to correct reduced intracellular glutathione levels. This is because glutathione protects directly and indirectly against a wide variety of infections.
Clinical research demonstrates positive effects of high intracellular glutathione values on the immune system.
Treating immune deficiency: Eumetabol® protects and supports
Intracellular glutathione is involved in immune deficiency in several ways at once:
- High intracellular glutathione values have an immunomodulatory effect. This means that they ensure a precise response of the immune system.
- High intracellular glutathione values have a direct antiviral effect.
- Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant and thus protects the body against more severe symptoms and consequences of disease.
Eumetabol® with the pharmaceutical active substance S-acetyl-glutathione is particularly suitable for treatment, because it acts exactly where it is needed by the immune system: in the cell. Eumetabol® acts preventively, in acute infections and in the late effects of infections.
Which preparations are additionally helpful in immune deficiency?
Vitamin C, artesunate, curcumin and lysine further support the positive effect of S-acetyl-glutathione (Eumetabol®) as therapy for weakened immune defences.