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Ellen. G. White, a famous author, in her book The Ministry of Healing, stated that our bodies are built up of the food we eat. Even before the issue of nutrition and good health became so pertinent, she understood the role of the diet and nutrition as it related to one's overall health. Over the years, numerous studies have shown to link good nutrition to better immunity. However, good health has not always been the focus of many studies, but rather, the institutionalization of vaccinations. As the number of vaccines produced has been on the steady increase, it has now become the new way building the defence against diseases. As the human population now suffer from vaccination hysteria, where persons now become dependent on vaccinations, we move away from the ideal of reinforcing proper nutrition.
The immune system is made up of a group of cells and tissues which aids in the defence of the body against diseases and other invaders. Through proper immunity, the body would be able to carry out its proper functions and to that extent; it needs two (2) functional branches, the innate and the acquired. These incorporate various blood- borne factors including antibodies and cytokines and also cells consisting of lymphocytes and macrophages. Without proper nutrition the immune system would be deprived of the necessary nutrients that are needed for an immune response.
Immunity of the body may be present in two (2) forms including the active and passive immunity. Active immunity is the immunity which is obtained through the introduction of an antigen in the body via a vaccination or an infection. The body's memory B and T cells will therefore be able to respond to an attack by the antigen at a later date. The second form of immunity is in the form of passive immunity. In this type of immunity, one may be administered one or even more injections of a serum which may contain the antibodies needed to fight a particular disease.
The key to good nutrition however, is through a balanced diet, as it is able to provide the body with the much needed nutrients. This means that an inadequate diet, thus, increases the risk of illnesses as the immune system is now depleted. Experts within the field of nutrition recommend that a balanced diet should consist that a balanced diet should consist of a combination of vegetables, fruits, dairy, cereals and proteins. Through the consumption of these foods, the nutrients obtained provide the building blocks for the repairing, building and maintenance of the body tissues.
However, it has been noted that the nutritive value of these foods has thus been compromised through the new advancement in technologies within the agricultural sector. In attempts to meet the growing demand for food by consumers, new methods utilised including fertilizers seek to increase the rate of production of foods by decreasing its growing time. A fertilizer is defined as a substance which can be added to the soil to help plants grow. Even though these chemicals are used for the purpose of growing foods, when introduced into the body may cause many adverse effects.
To ensure that the maximum nutritive value is obtained from these foods, it should therefore mean that these foods exist in their least altered or unpolluted form. This means that before the issue of better nutrition towards better immunity could be addressed; a reorganisation of the agricultural sector should be implemented. By employing or encouraging an agricultural sector that produces larger quantities of organic foods, that is food with no form of fertilizers of other chemicals to aid in growth or preservation, the optimum value of nutrients from the produce can be obtained.
A major study carried out to compare the benefits of vaccinations as compared to good health. According to a study carried out in the United States in 2002, the Centre for Disease Control (CDC) accumulated the yearly death rates and categorised it according to their cause. It was observed that due to influenza of the common cold there were reported seven hundred and fifty- three (753) deaths. Another study published simultaneously, by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, showed that the influenza vaccinations had no reported impact on reducing the morbidity from the complications of the common cold.
Influenza, an infectious disease, occurs mainly in the respiratory system. The influenza virus, when inhaled comes into contact with the upper air passage cells. In this type of respiratory disease, persons are able to develop immunity after producing antibodies, which attack the virus, thus preventing them from further infections. By conceptualizing how the immune system works in resisting these foreign materials, a new appreciation can be developed as to how a balanced diet, which provides the proper nutrition can boost resistance or increase one's immunity. According to the Development of Agriculture, statistics show that over 50% of the population of US citizens are deficient in many nutrients which may include Vitamin A, E, and C, Zinc, Magnesium and folic acid. These nutrients are usually found to be deficient due to the fact that it is not obtained through the diet. Also, by extension, as mentioned before, it is also linked to our means of production and preparation of the foods consumed.
From the case study presented above, it is evident that a daily balanced diet which provides the necessary vitamins and minerals would positively affect the immune system. One such example is the consumption of fruits which supplies high amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C, a most common vitamin, is known to have been directly linked to its effects on the cold. Vitamin C is a very strong anti- viral vitamin as studies and everyday evidence proves its success against the common cold. Other improvements noted through vitamin C consumption included the boosted Prostaglandin production in the blood platelets, which is associated with increasing T cell production. Additionally, vitamin C is needed for specialised cell division which increases the rate of both the B and the T cell division, which is affected by the Influenza virus. Vitamin C also provides protection from many viral infections as it seeks to strengthen the body's connective tissue and also be able to neutralise any toxic substance which may be released from phagocytes. Vitamin C, overall, is a very important vitamin as it shows itself to be anti- bacterial, anti- viral and even anti-cancerous with it anti-oxidative properties. Other anti-oxidant nutrients also seek to maintain a balance in the immune cells and also aid in the prevention of oxidative stress.
As widely endorsed by the present society, vaccinations as previously mentioned is becoming the new conventional method of healing. All vaccines are immune suppressors as they would depress the proper functioning of the immune system. As vaccinations decreases the risk of developing one type of disease or even virus, on the contrary, it increases the risk of developing others, since it reduces the overall functioning of the immune system. This entire process of reducing one's immunity occurs through the application of vaccination presents itself in different ways. It is important to note that vaccines do contain many chemical as well as heavy metals including aluminium and mercury. These substances are also considered immune-suppressors and when introduced into the body, produce many adverse effects including poisoning. The body's immune system is simply over-taxed with many foreign substances which are present in these vaccines (pathogens, viruses and heavy metals) causing it to slow down in functioning, providing an opportunity for viruses to accumulate and divide.
Mercury, existing as a heavy metal, when used in vaccines results in changes in the activity of the lymphocyte activity and thus decreases its viability. Additionally, another important problem with vaccines is their ability to change the T- cells helper or suppressor ratios. This function is important as the right ratio is what indicates a healthy immune system. By extension these same vaccines are what are responsible for depleting the body's vital immune- enhancing nutrients such as vitamin A and C, which are required for a healthy immune system. The important vitamins and minerals are necessary to feed the white blood cells and macrophages to increase their functionality.
The diet which a person uses to provide their bodies with the needed nutrients predetermines their nutritional status. As many studies reported the benefits of a healthy diet as it relates to a good immune system, the use of vaccinations as a means of curing or preventing many of the common disease should become less endorsed. In the 21st century, as the world is now on a drive to decreasing many of the diseases that present themselves, including cancer, and diabetes, people should seek to educate themselves about proper nutrition and its benefits to their health. With a developing appreciation of the issue of nutrition, mitigation methods could then be put in place from an individualistic to a global point of view to endorse nutrition rather than vaccinations. Beginning at the source, the agricultural sectors to the method of preparation and consumption of food, each person would therefore be able to attain a healthy status.