NUTRITION and LIFESTYLE FOR IMMUNITY: The Th1 and Th2 balance 

免疫營養與生活方式：Th1 和 Th2 平衡

輔助性 T (Th) 細胞分為多種類別，主要的類別為 Th1 和 Th2。 這兩種類型輔助 T 細胞之間的平衡可以決定您的免疫系統功能狀態並影響您的整體健康。

Th1 細胞與中醫中衛氣或防禦能量的概念有關，可促進細胞介導的免疫（CD4 型 T 細胞、殺傷性 T 細胞（CD8 型）、自然殺手細胞、巨噬細胞）。 處於Th1優勢免疫狀態下，引導殺傷性T細胞（CD8）攻擊細胞內感染部位的微生物和異常細胞，殺死特定的真菌、病毒和細菌，刺激自然殺手細胞和細胞毒性淋巴細胞殺死癌細胞。 幾種免疫通訊化學物質（特別是 Interluken-2 和 12，以及 γ-幹擾素）可以增強這種狀態。

Th2細胞促進體液免疫（B細胞和抗體）產生抗體（例如IgG、IgE）來中和細胞外的外來入侵者。 免疫通訊化學物質白血球介素 4、5、6 和 10 以及 α 幹擾素可增強此狀態。

Th1 衰竭和 Th2 過度活躍存在於許多慢性疾病中，包括愛滋病、念珠菌病、多種過敏、多種化學物質過敏、一些自體免疫疾病、病毒性肝炎和癌症。 隨著許多嚴重疾病（例如 HIV 感染）的進展，免疫系統從更有效的 TH1 狀態轉變為無效的 Th2 狀態。

支持 Th1 的飲食因素

Omega-3 脂肪酸 (DHA/EPA) 改善細胞介導的免疫力，並降低白血球介素 6 和三酸甘油酯； 存在於所有冷水魚中，特別是鮭魚、沙丁魚、鯖魚、比目魚和鱒魚。 魚應該罐裝、煮或烤，而不是油炸。 深綠葉蔬菜和海洋蔬菜（藍綠藻、小球藻）中含量較少。（小球藻還可以透過其他因素增強細胞介導的免疫力。）

油酸（單元不飽和）增加 IgA 抗體（黏膜免疫/Th3）； 存在於冷壓特級初榨橄欖油、榛果油或榛果油（或整個堅果）、綠色和成熟的橄欖以及杏仁中。 （椰子油既不抑制也不增強細胞介導的免疫。）

維生素A可增加IgA； 存在於魚肝油、煮熟的胡蘿蔔、南瓜、南瓜和地瓜/山藥（任何黃色/橙色蔬菜）。

維生素 E 誘導白細胞介素 2、自然殺手細胞功能和 γ 幹擾素，並作為抗氧化劑。

大蒜可活化自然殺手細胞、T 淋巴細胞功能和 interlueken-2 水平。

二氧化矽可減少多餘的 IgG，從而改善自然殺手細胞功能並改善皮膚和黏膜的完整性； 存在於煮熟的燕麥片或小米以及草本木賊中。

穀胱甘肽可作為抗氧化劑並清除細胞內的毒素。 α-硫辛酸、硒和氨基酸 N-乙醯半胱氨酸、L-半胱氨酸和 L-谷氨酰胺會增加它的含量。 優質蛋白質來源可以透過飲食提供許多氨基酸。

適當的消化，包括天然存在於新鮮薑根、生鳳梨和獼猴桃中的蛋白質消化酵素。 飯前吃辣椒會刺激飢餓感和消化酵素。 檸檬汁或蘋果醋會刺激鹽酸產生（醋也能殺死愛滋病毒）。 大多數免疫系統和神經傳導物質受體位點都在我們的腸道內！

腸道菌叢的健康平衡會增加 Interlueken-2 和 12 以及 γ 幹擾素的產生，減少 IgE 抗體的產生（與過敏反應相關）和所有 Th2 因子，並增加巨噬細胞的抗腫瘤活性。

註：一種腸道菌叢促進 Th2，即嗜熱鏈球菌，廣泛用於商業優格的製作。 因此，如果優格中的嗜熱菌數量多於嗜酸菌數量，那麼Th2就會多於Th1！

陽光、水、運動、觸摸、積極態度和針灸也會增加 Th1！ 謹慎使用紫錐菊和黃耆，因為它們可以增加 Th1 和 Th2 的含量。

增加 Th2 的飲食因素

增加 Th2 的三個最常見因素：

消化錯誤，導致吸收部分消化和無法使用的蛋白質，從而增加對這些外來食物顆粒的抗體免疫反應。 這可以透過適當的胃酸和消化酵素功能、緩慢咀嚼和只在飢餓時進食來改善。

白糖，直接削弱巨噬細胞、自然殺手細胞和其他白血球的功能，削弱全身對所有感染的抵抗力。

反式脂肪和 omega-6 酸存在於大多數加熱和加工的植物油（大豆、菜籽油、紅花、玉米和向日葵）以及由這些油製成的加工食品中。 反式脂肪酸會削弱 CD8 殺死 T 細胞的活性。 除了壓榨機壓榨的油外，幾乎所有其他蔬菜都用溶劑、己烷或汽油加工，以去除種子中的油。 這個過程也會使脂肪酸改變其正常形狀，因此當它們融入細胞膜時，它們會產生多孔且容易受到病毒感染的膜。 這個過程中的熱、光和氧氣會導致油酸敗。

其他增加 Th2 的因素包括：

石棉、鉛、汞和其他重金屬、農藥、嗎啡、菸草、酒精、類固醇、病原體（包括愛滋病毒、C型肝炎和念珠菌）、嗜熱鏈球菌、持續的壓力、負面的態度和壓抑的情緒，久坐的生活方式、缺水、體溫低、長期失眠。

資料來源：

講者：Satya Ambrose, L.Ac, N.D.

康利、馬克. “免疫恢復消費者指南：尋找‘Th1’。” 正向的健康新聞。 第 18 號報告。1999 年春季。

T-helper (Th) cells are classified in a variety of classes, the main ones being designated Th1 and Th2.  The balance between these two types of T-helper cells can determine the state of your immune system functions in and impact your overall health. 

Th1 cells correlate to the idea of Wei qi, or defensive energy, in Chinese medicine, and promote cell-mediated immunity (CD4 type of T cells, killer T cells (CD8 type), natural killer cells, macrophages).  Being in a Th1 dominant immune state directs killer T-cells (CD8) to attack microorganisms and abnormal cells at the sites of infection inside the cells, kills specific fungi, viruses, and bacteria, stimulates natural killer cells and cytotoxic lymphocytes to kill cancer cells.  This state is enhanced by several immune communication chemicals, specifically Interluken-2 and 12, and gamma-interferon. 

Th2 cells promote humoral immunity (B cells and antibodies) to produce antibodies (e.g., IgG, IgE) to neutralize foreign invaders outside of the cells.  This state is enhanced by immune communication chemicals Interleukins 4, 5, 6, and 10, and alpha interferon.   

Failure of Th1 and overactive Th2 is found in many chronic diseases, including AIDS, candidiasis, multiple allergies, multiple chemical sensitivities, some autoimmune diseases, viral hepatitis, and cancer.  As many serious diseases, such as HIV infection, progess, the immune system shifts from the more effective TH1 state to the ineffective Th2 state. 

DIETARY FACTORS THAT SUPPORT Th1

Omega-3 Fatty acids (DHA/EPA) improve cell-mediated immunity, and reduce Interleuken-6 and triglycerides; found in all cold water fish, especially salmon, sardines, mackerel, halibut, and trout.  Fish should be canned, boiled, or broiled instead of fried. Lesser amounts found in dark-green leafy vegetables and sea vegetables (blue green algae, chlorella. (Chlorella also increases cell-mediated immunity by other factors.)

Oleic acids (monounsaturated) increase IgA antibody (immunity on mucus membranes/ Th3); found in cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, hazelnut or filbert oil (or the whole nuts), green and ripe olives, and almonds.  (Coconut oil neither suppresses nor enhances cell mediated immunity.) 

Vitamin A increases IgA; found in cod liver oil, cooked carrots, squash, pumpkin, and sweet potatoes/yams (any yellow/orange vegetable). 

Vitamin E induces interleuken-2, natural killer cell function, and gamma interferon, and acts as an antioxidant.

Garlic activates natural killer cells, T-lymphocyte function, and the level of interlueken-2. 

Silica reduces excess IgG, which improves natural killer cell function and improves the integrity of the skin and mucus membranes; found in cooked oatmeal or millet, and the herb horsetail. 

Glutathione acts as an antioxidant and removes toxins from inside cells.  It is increased by alpha lipoic acid, selenium, and the amino acids N-acetyl cysteine, L-cysteine, and L-glutamine.  Good quality sources of protein can supply many of these amino acids through the diet. 

Proper digestion, including protein digestive enzymes, naturally found in fresh ginger root, raw pineapple, and kiwi fruit.  Cayenne before meals stimulates hunger and digestive enzymes. Lemon juice or apple cider vinegar stimulates hydrochloric acid (vinegar also kills HIV). Most of immune system and neurotransmitter receptor sites are in our intestines! 

Healthy balance of intestinal flora increases Interlueken-2 and 12, and gamma interferon production, decreases IgE antibody production (associated with allergic reactions) and all Th2 factors, and increases the anti-tumor activity in macrophages.

NOTE: One species of intestinal flora promotes Th2, which is streptococcus thermophilus, widely used in the making of commercial yogurt.  So if the yogurt contains more thermophilus than acidophilus, there will be more Th2 than Th1! 

Sunlight, water, exercise, touch, positive attitude, and acupuncture also increase Th1!  Be cautious with echinacea and astragalus because they can increase both Th1 and Th2. 

DIETARY FACTORS THAT INCREASE Th2

The three most common factors that increase Th2: 

Faulty digestion, leading to absorption of partially digested and unusable proteins, which increases the antibody immune response to these foreign food particles.  This can be improved by proper stomach acid and digestive enzyme function, chewing slowly and eating only when hungry. 

White sugar, which directly weakens the functioning of macrophages, natural killer cells, and other white blood cells, and weakens systemic resistance to all infections. 

Trans-fatty and omega-6 acids, found in most heated and processed vegetable oils (soy, canola, safflower, corn, and sunflower), and the processed foods made from these oils.  The trans-fatty acids weaken CD8 killer-T cell activity.  Except for expeller pressed oils, nearly all other vegetables are processed with solvents, hexane or gasoline, to remove oils from the seeds.  The process also twists the fatty acids out of their normal shape, so when they are incorporated into cell membranes, they produce membranes that are porous and vulnerable to viral infections.  The heat, light, and oxygen in the process cause the oils to go rancid. 

Other factors that increase Th2 include:

asbestos, lead, mercury, and other heavy metals, pesticides,

morphine, tobacco, alcohol, steroids,

pathogens (including HIV, Hepatitis C, and candida), streptococcus thermophilus,

continuous stress, negative attitudes and suppressed emotions,

sedentary lifestyle, lack of water, low body temperature, and chronic insomnia. 

Sources:

Lectures by Satya Ambrose, L.Ac, N.D.

Konlee, Mark. “A Consumer’s Guide to Immune Restoration: The Search for ‘Th1’.” Positive Health News. Report No. 18. Spring 1999.