Thymic factors are chemicals that travel through the blood from the Thymus gland to all tissues of the body. Their predominate target is a group of white blood cells known as T Cells. These cells play a critical role in the body's immune system.
The Thymus gland is formed from neural tube tissue during embryonic development. It migrates to the area below the breastbone and begins to grow rapidly in early childhood. This is when the gland causes the migration of immature T Cells to the tissues of the body. Its most active time of production is during the youthful years. There is an interval in the pre-school years when it is the most active growth tissue in the body. The gland reaches maturity around puberty. Over the next decade, it is in a process known as involution (diminishing in vital power or size). The production of its factors wanes considerably during this time. The T Cells, once under the regulation of this gland, live on to protect the body for many years without the regulatory factors; however, they slowly lose much of their activity and specificity.
During its more active years, the Thymus gland is stimulated by many factors from the spleen, brain, pituitary, tonsils, appendix, bone marrow, and lymph nodes. It secretes cytokines, which cause the T Cells (which are mostly immature at this time) to migrate to the tissues throughout the body. This process goes on for several years during maturation of the immune system. These chemicals also help these yet immature cells to mature. They become sensitive to foreign antigens, and the killer cells, a type of T lymphocyte, gain the ability to recognize tissues as either self or invader. They will specifically attack foreign cells, viral-altered cells, and neoplastic cells. Among these cytokines are interferon, leukotrienes, and interleukins.
As the body ages, we lose this master controller of the immune system. We may also lack thymic factors if our Zinc level is low. When this happens, our T Cells are under less than optimal control. Infected cells can allow viruses to proliferate, neoplastic cells can multiply in cancers and bacteria can spread throughout the body. It should be noted here that our body makes hundreds of these potential cancers each and every day. The T cells may even attack normal body cells without provocation. The whole spectrum of autoimmune disease falls into this pattern of non-control. SLE (Lupus), rheumatic arthritis, some diabetes, some thyroid disease, Glomerulonephritis, Sjögren's disease, ITP, allergies, and many of the cardiomyopathies are all forms of autoimmune problems.
The level of thymic factors flowing through our bodies can be enhanced in several ways. Simplest is increasing Zinc in the diet. Oral glandulars can directly replace these low level or missing factors. They work best when combined with a good Zinc supplement, along with a good multi-vitamin and mineral complex. Cell therapy, although somewhat controversial, has known efficacy in increasing alpha Thymosin 1, and other thymic factors. Growth hormone also helps increase the thymic axis. This can be accomplished by use of "releasing compounds," (i.e., stacked amino acid combinations with vitamins that trigger release of the hormone) and HGH injections, if needed.
Aside from maintaining a good generalized state of health, these factors can be used with efficacy in the treatment of a number of autoimmune diseases as well as other diseases. Viral infections can be treated with supplemental thymic factors. These include, but are not limited to HIV, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, CMV, and Herpes. The cells that host these viruses are attacked by the activated T Cells, reducing the viral load in the body. It has been documented that the viral titers in Hepatitis are reduced significantly with thymic factor treatment. There are several reports documenting the beneficial addition of this therapy in Hepatitis C.
In bacterial infections, the body's entire immune armory is utilized as a defense. The T Cells are no exception. They help stimulate the phagocytolysis (destruction or disintegration of phagocytes) of the dead cells and invaders, and they are also involved in the clean-up process. Since we are always making potential cancer cells, the T Cells need to be constantly kept in good condition so they can allow us to avert accumulation of these bad actors by attacking and destroying them. With the thymic factors to enhance the T Cells, all of these functions are facilitated.
In autoimmune diseases, most of the conventional treatments are actually doing more harm than good. The medical system uses steroids and even stronger immunosuppressants to stop the body from attacking itself. These drugs depress the immune system causing an increased likelihood of colds, flu and bacterial infections. Steroids will cause skin and bones to thin, increase the risk for internal bleeding and produce excessive bleeding from external injuries. They also cause centrally deposited fat and may result in the onset of diabetes and other unpleasant side effects. By using the thymic factors, we can avoid these deleterious side effects.
The thymic factors help bring the T Cells under control which enables them to better differentiate self from non-self. In this respect, we can strengthen the immune system and at the same time control it better. This is not to say that other drugs have no role in treatment of disease, since each case is different, but many of us could benefit from thymic replacement therapy.
More than to just fight disease, thymic factors play a vital role in anti-aging therapy. There are several theories that integrate to form the basis of current anti-aging practice. If you want to live a long, healthy and active life, you will need to apply techniques from many of these theories. These include: the wear and tear theory, Oxidation theory, Lipofuscian deposition, Cross-linkage theory, DNA error, DNA clock, telemere theory (Hayflick's), Neuro-endocrine clock, Mitochondrial senescence theory, DECO (death chemical), Pre-programmed energy allowance, and a central clock in the brain.
Thymic supplementation is an integral part of a comprehensive anti-aging program. All of the aging mechanisms need to be addressed. Diet must include monounsaturated fats (olive oil, Flax Seed Oil, Borage Oil, Evening Primrose Oil, etc.), plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, plant proteins, complex carbohydrates (fiber), and it must contain little animal fat or protein. Concentrated sugars should also be avoided. You should have 20 minutes/day aerobic exercise, and 20 minutes/day resistive exercise. Your mind is actually heavily interconnected to your immune system; mental attitude plays a large role in aging and general well being. Some experts even consider the immune system to be a part of the central nervous system. If you are depressed, you effectively turn off your immune system, and you can literally commit suicide in a slow way because your body will stop destroying young cancer and other killer cells.
Along with a proper diet, a good supplementation plan is a must. As we age, many essential minerals and vitamins become depleted. Their presence is essential for the proper working of the chemical factories within your cells.
It is also important that you avoid toxins. Environmental toxins constantly assault the immune system. There is constant increased wear and tear, giving the immune system both damage to clean up, and damage to itself. Additionally, the chemicals in our food chain poison the immune system, thus making it less efficient. Water supplies contain Arsenic, Lead, and Mercury and they may also contain pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals. If you are constantly taking in these substances, they build up in your body and poison your immune system.
Drinking 8 glasses of distilled water daily allows you to flush out some of these contaminants. You also need to avoid almost all commercial beverages (i.e., sodas, etc.). A good beverage is tea made with distilled water. Several teas, and especially green tea, contain numerous antioxidants. Wash fruits and vegetables before you eat them.
Drive a large car and wear your seat belt. Don't take unnecessary risks. Remember that safety is as much a state of mind as it is of equipment.
Hormone replacement therapy uses hormones, hormone precursors, or secretagogues to return the body's endocrine environment back to youthful levels. The immune system needs to be rejuvenated so that it works as it did in late childhood to prevent diseases, and to clean up damaged and worn out parts. To this end we can utilize thymic factors, and their supporting vitamin and mineral complexes. Phytopharmaceuticals (herbal products) that are known to stimulate the immune system should also be included. Aggressive preventive medicine needs to be practiced on all levels to prevent premature aging.
In addition to its role in longevity medicine, thymic supplementation has a large and mostly unexplored role in the treatment of a variety of illnesses. In any chronic disease state, the immune system is worn down by the constant battle against the disease. In autoimmune disease, the immune system is out of control, wasting its efforts by attacking the body's own tissues, then wearing itself down further, cleaning up the subsequent damage. In viral illness, thymic fractions can shorten the course of the illness. In some specific cases (HIV for example) this treatment is aimed directly at the injured system. There are also congenital illnesses in which the Thymus is under-active, and supplementation is necessary. Many deficiency illnesses also damage the immune system.
The role of thymic supplementation spans multiple illnesses and all age groups. Anyone that has reached physical maturity should take a maintenance dose. With the onset of illness or during stressful conditions, all ages can benefit from thymic augmentation beyond the suggested maintenance doses.
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