Immune Modulators
CFS patients may have an abnormal immune system. Hormones (cortisol), infections, or other factors may influence how our immune system reacts to bacteria, viruses, and non-harmful allergans. A type of white blood cell called a T-Helper cell, is created to fight infections, and some doctors think it may play a role in CFS and other diseases.
T-Helper cells differentiate into two major subtypes called TH-1 and TH-2.
T-helper 1 cells (Th1) attack organisms that are inside the cell (intracellular pathogens), such as virus, cancer, yeast, or intracellular bacteria.
T-helper 2 cells (Th2) attack organisms that are found outside of cells such as extracellular bacteria, parasites, toxins, and allergens.
The TH1 and TH2 response is balanced when a person is healthy. If there is an infection, the TH1 response will activate and will suppress the TH2 response. On the other hand, if an infection is chronic, the TH2 response will be the most active. This will lead to overproduction of antibodies that cause allergies.
Dr. Paul Cheney points out that certain viruses like HHV6 and Epstein Barr, can mimick proteins made by the human body to keep the TH2 response active. This can cause CFS patients to become stuck in TH2 mode and keep the body from clearing the infection.
Some believe that CFS might be a TH2 mediated state. This is where immune modulators may help patients.
There are certain supplements, like transfer factor, earth dragon peptides, and pine cone extract, which may help shift the immune system back to the TH1 side.
…I have personally used transfer factor and earth dragon peptides. They both did give me good improvements that weren’t long lasting.
I felt like the earth dragon peptides had the most beneficial effect, with an increase in energy and concentration, unfortunateley it didnt last. I dont believe that my main issue is an infection, but i have talked to people whose cause was a viral infection (EBV), and they recovered after it was treated. I think that these type of treatments may be more beneficial for people who fit in that category.