Chapter 3:
Organic Germanium And The
Immune System
Life
Without Any Defences
For a moment, imagine that
you have been reduced in
size to a microscopic speck
of dust, and that you inhabit
the world from this perspective.
The air, which before had
been a gentle, caressing
breeze, now threatens to
knock you over like a gale-force
wind. Floating through the
air, you are, in fact, a
"sitting duck"
for bacteria, viruses, fungi,
protozoans and countless
other minuscule creatures
which you may have previously
ignored or thoughtlessly
trampled. You are seemingly
naked and vulnerable to
attack and engulfment. Pollutants,
in the form of chemicals,
acid rain, heavy metals,
and radiation, natural and
man-designed, all bombard
you, and you are overwhelmed
by the intensity of the
onslaught. Your life is
exceedingly shortlived.
This is
not a dream or illusion.
This is reality. We are,
in fact, immersed in an
atmosphere of potentially
hostile chemicals and organisms
which could literally wipe
us out in short order. What
prevents this from happening
in the great majority of
instances is our extraordinary
defence network, the immune
system. Even the word system
does not do justice in conveying
the intricately and coordinated
degree of orchestration
that occurs between the
many cells, organs and products
of the immune system, which
do such a masterful job
of maintaining our biological,
health-full integrity.
The media
have reported about the
tragically circumscribed
lives of children born with
deficient immune systems
who needed to live their
lives in an artificial environment,
a plastic sterilized bubble.
Heart transplant patients,
who receive immuno-suppressive
drugs to minimize rejection,
are kept in aseptic environments
due to their susceptibility
to opportunistic infections.
And perhaps the most pervasive
and generally life threatening
of all immune diseases is
AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency
Syndrome), caused by the
HIV (Human Immunodeficiency
Virus) virus, which destroys
key components of the immune
system, leaving a person
open to attack by organisms
and infections that would
normally be successfully
countered by a properly
functioning immune system.
Contracting the HIV virus,
which destroys a key component
necessary to initiate defence
against infection, is tantamount
to living naked without
an immune system. However,
as will be seen in this
and other sections of the
book, organic Germanium
is one of a variety of immune
enhancing substances which
can, by empowering the various
components of the immune
system, restore balance
and thereby health to the
individual.
Defence
Network - The Germanium
Connection
The immune system is not
simple. It is not just one
organ, in one part of the
body. It is an inter-connected
network of many types of
specialized cells, primary
and secondary organs, situated
throughout the body, under
hormonal control from the
endocrine system, and open
to modulation by the mind.
Much scientifically detailed
information has accumulated
over recent years about
the workings of the various
components of the immune
system. Our growing understanding
of the inter-relationship
between the Mind (thoughts),
Emotions, the Immune system
and body health has come
about partly as a result
of research developments
in the now inter-related
fields of psychology, neurophysiology
and biochemistry (96).
Organic
Germanium is an immune modulator
and enhancer. Elegant immunological
research at the molecular
level in Japan, has elucidated
the basis for organic Germanium's
anti-tumour activity. This
has been found to be the
coordinated interplay and
expression of components
of the immune system - interferon,
macrophages, T suppressor
cells and natural killer
cells. There may be other
immune components which
may be modulated in other
ways in other diseases,
which have yet to be uncovered.
Germanium's
immuno-modulating properties
are probably one of its
most significant attributes,
along with its oxygen enrichment
and anti-oxidant properties,
which explain its extraordinary
effect in restoring health
in so-many types of illness.
The immune system acts at
a fundamental level of the
body. Empowering the immune
system is literally strengthening
the basic building blocks
or the foundation of a building.
Strengthening the immune
system will have far-reaching
effects on every part of
a person's body. Knowledge
of the various cell types
and overall functioning
of the immune system may
be critical to an individual,
especially in view of the
preponderance today of immune-type
diseases, including cancer,
AIDS, rheumatoid arthritis
and lupus erythematosa.
An overall understanding
of the immune system will
enhance an individual's
ability to assess the attributes
of various immune modulating
substances and intelligently
cooperate with the health
practitioner.
Cells
Of The Immune System
Just as
organs are composed of various
tissues, which are in turn
composed of various cells,
so the immune system is
comprised of various tiers
of organs and cell types,
distributed all over the
body. The main immune cell
types are found among the
so-called white cells, or
leukocyte cells, which are
distinct from red, oxygen
carrying cells of the blood.
The main immune cells consist
of B cells, T cells and
Macrophages. B and T cells,
also called lymphocytes,
begin life in the liver
of a nine-week foetus, migrate
to the bone marrow, where
they begin to specialize
and develop along certain
lines relating to their
future function. The B cells
remain and mature in the
bone marrow, and hence are
called B-cells, for bone
marrow derived, while the
T cells (thymus-derived)
migrate to the thymus gland
where they mature.
One type
of B cell is the plasma
cell, which produces antibodies
against foreign invaders
called antigens. There are
a number of antibodies,
designated IgG, IgA, IgM,
IgE, and IgD, which specialize
in fighting different types
of invaders to the body.
Another type of B cell is
the memory cell which helps
to develop rapid antibody
response to antigens to
which the individual has
previously been exposed.
B cells are involved in
humoral immunity.
There are
a number of types of T cells,
which, together with Macrophages,
are involved in cell-mediated
immunity. These include
T helper or T4 cells, which
stimulate B cells and other
T cells to activate an immune
response to antigens. T4
cells are infected and destroyed
by the HIV virus. Because
they are one of the first
in a chain reaction of responses
to infection, decimation
of these cells by the AIDS
virus leaves the individual
vulnerable to attack from
normally innocuous organisms.
T suppressor or T8 cells,
provide an immune feedback
inhibitory mechanism, to
keep the immune response
in balance. T suppressor
cells prevent B cells from
being turned on by antigen,
and inhibit T4 response.
These cells have been found
to inhibit expression of
the HIV virus in HIV seropositive
men who are healthy and
do not show symptoms of
AIDS (110). The induction
of T suppressor cells by
organic Germanium is correlated
with its antiarthritic activity.
Other T cells are the Natural
Killer or T cytotoxic cells
which combat foreign cells
directly with toxin. Macrophages
are produced in the bone
marrow. They surround and
gobble up (phagocytosis)
antigens, processing them
for easier recognition by
T cells.
One class
of substances produced by
white cells and which plays
a vital role in the whole
interplay of immune cell
types are the interferons,
which possess potent antiviral
activity. As we shall see,
organic Germanium stimulates
the production of interferon
which plays a key role in
immune modulation and anti-cancer
activity.
Organs
Of The Immune System
The primary organs of the
immune or lymphatic system
are the thymus and bone
marrow. The thymus gland,
pyramid-shaped with many
lobes, each with an outer
cortex and an inner medulla,
is located beneath the breastbone.
The T cells mature in the
cortex, then migrate to
the medulla for release
during immune challenge.
The bone marrow, site of
red cell and macrophage
production, and B cell maturation,
is the soft material found
in long bones of the arms
and legs.
One of
the secondary organs of
the immune system is actually
a network of lymph nodes,
situated throughout the
body andinterconnected via
vessels which drain the
organs served. Lymph nodes
are compartmentalized with
B cells, T cells and Macrophages.
The spleen, located on the
left side of the abdomen
between the stomach, kidney
and ribs, facilitates the
interaction of B cells,
T cells, macrophages and
antigen-reactive cells,
and aids in the recirculation
of white cells. Another
secondary organ, the tonsils
also contain B and T cells.
The other secondary immune
organs are the appendix,
Peyer's patches and intestinal
nodes, which serve as drainage
points of the lymphatic
system. They are also the
site of B cell maturation
and antibody production
in the intestines.
Organic
Germanium's Immune-Enhancing
Properties
Elegant research at the
molecular and clinical levels
has reproducibly demonstrated
that organic Germanium has
significant immune-enhancing
properties in animals and
humans. Furthermore, the
mechanism of organic Germanium's
anti-tumour activity has
been proposed as the coordinated
modulation of immune components.
The following is a list
of organic Germanium's known
actions on the immune system;
it is indeed possible that
organic Germanium influences
other immune transmitters
that remain to be investigated.
Organic
Germanium stimulates the
production of immune (gamma)
interferon.
Organic Germanium activates
resting macrophages and
converts them to cytoxic
(killer) macrophages.
Organic Germanium stimulates
Natural Killer (NK) Cell
activity.
Organic Germanium stimulates
the production of T suppressor
cells.
Organic Germanium augments
decreased immunity and restores
impaired immunoresponse
in aged mice.
The detailed published research
studies which document the
above statements are fully
cited at the end of the
book (3,4,72,87,99-104,106).
Many of these have been
done by Japanese researchers
with Ge-132. However, reports
of Sanumgerman's augmentation
of Natural Killer cells
and Spirogermanium's induction
of T suppressor cells would
seem to indicate that all
these organic Germanium
compounds are immuno-modulatory
in similar fundamental ways.
Organic
Germanium Induces Interferon
With Anti-Viral Activity
United States Patent No.
4,473,581, entitled "Organogermanium
Induction of Interferon
Production" (44), describes
in detail immune properties
of Ge-132, in particular
those related to the production
of interferon:
The anti-viral
activity, or ability of
the induced interferon to
inhibit viral replication
was investigated. Viral
infection inhibitory activity,
which was dose-dependent
and species specific, was
detected in the serum of
mice 25 hours after administration
of Ge-132.
From the physical and chemical
analyses, it was concluded
that the interferon induced
was immune (type II) gamma
interferon.
Ge-132 induced the formation
of activated macrophages
in mice cells.
Ge-induced interferon displays
marked anti-tumour activity,
through the activity of
activated macrophages.
Ge induces interferon and
activated macrophages in
humans as well as in mice.
Organic Germanium Enhances
Activity Of Natural Killer
(Nk) Cells
Administration of Sanumgerman
to mice significantly enhanced
the cytolytic activity of
Natural Killer (NK) cells,
in a dose-responsive manner
(31).
These stimulatory effects
were seen as early as day
2, peaked at about day 4,
and by days 6-8, returned
to normal.
Compared to controls of
10% cytolysis, the activity
of NK cells of Germanium-treated
mice reached 27-33% cytolysis.
Antitumour Activity Of Organic
Germanium Via Immune Modulation
The unravelling
of how organic Germanium
works in inhibiting cancer
growth, as it reads in the
published literature, is
like an exciting mystery
novel. I would like to excerpt
one small example from this
scientific saga, without
intending to slight the
many other contributors
along the way. The researchers
are
Suzuki,
Brutkiewicz and Pollard,
collaborating scientists
from Japan and the USA.
Up until then, the following
was known:
Ge-132
exhibited antitumor activity
against certain cancerous
tumours.
T-cells and Macrophages
were involved in anticancer
protection.
The protective effect could
be transferred to tumour-bearing
mice either by Ge-sera (Interferon)
or Ge-Macrophages.
Macrophages from Ge-treated
mice could inhibit tumour
growth in vitro.
Interferon was present in
Ge-treated mice. When the
interferon was inactivated,
the antitumour activity
was abolished.
The foregoing suggested
that T-cells, Macrophages
and lymphokine(s), or Interferon,
all played a role in the
expression of the antitumour
effect of Ge-132. The scientists
then set about to determine
the cooperative role of
the Macrophages and the
lymphokine (or Interferon)
in Ge-132's antitumour activity.
The results of these experiments
were published in 1986 in
the journal Anticancer Research.
The title of the paper is
"Cooperation of Lymphokine(s)
and Macrophages in Expression
of Antitumor Activity of
Carboxyethylgermanium Sesquioxide
(Ge-132) (104). The sequence
by which organic Germanium
inhibits tumour growth occurs
is via the following coordinated
immune modulations:
Ge stimulates
T-cells to produce circulatory
lymphokines (most likely
gamma Interferon).
These lymphokines (Interferon)
generate activated Macrophages
from resting Macrophages.
The tumours are inhibited
by the activated Macrophages.
The conclusions
drawn from this work illustrate
the fine detail in understanding
that has evolved from research
on the immunological modulations
effected by organic Germanium.
Further fine details are
added here, but it is almost
certain that research has
far outstripped the published
literature from 1986.
Ge requires
T-cells to produce its antitumour
effects, but T-cells themselves
are not required in the
host for the antitumour
effect. It is suggested
that Ge needs T-cells to
produce the gamma Interferon,
which plays a role in antitumour
activity.
Ge activates Macrophages,
antitumour activity of Ge
is expressed in conjunction
with Macrophage functions,
and Ge requires activated
Macrophages for expression
of antitumour activity.
Relationship Of The Immune
System To The Entire Organism
When focusing on the fine
microscopic details of scientific
research one frequently
can't see "the forest
for the trees". The
individual components of
the immune system, the T
cells, Natural Killer cells,
Macrophages, etc. are the
tools by which we are healed.
There is an organic process,
encompassing the Mind emitting
thoughts and emotions, involving
the food and chemicals we
ingest, our genetic makeup,
our general physical condition,
all of which activate various
neuro and immuno transmitters
which then travel to the
various organs and call
into effect the "foot
soldiers", the immune
cells, which actually attack
and destroy the foreign
invaders.
Organic
Germanium, with its potent
immuno-stimulatory effects,
can be a powerful healer,
especially when supported
by other health-supporting
practices, such as mental
relaxation, proper nutrition,
and exercise. These facts
should be especially borne
in mind with respect to
the most challenging and
pervasive disease of the
immune system - AIDS.
Organic
Germanium and AIDS?
In AIDS, the HIV virus infects
and destroys T4 or T-helper
cells, which are the cells
which help to turn on the
entire immune response process
(28,29). The gradual result
of this is an almost total
immune vulnerability of
the individual to any foreign
antigen. Approaches to AIDS
are several-fold:
Develop
a vaccine which stimulates
the production of antibodies
which kill the virus thereby
conferring immunity on the
individual.
Apply substances which either
prevent HIV from infecting
T4 cells, such as AL-721,
or inhibit its replication,
like AZT.
Work with the body's own
immune-enhancing mechanisms
of keeping the virus in
check, such as T-suppressor
cells, which appear to prevent
the expression of the virus,
as reported by researchers
in California in 1986 (76,110).
Strengthen the immune system
using all means available
- meditation, stress reduction,
diet, nutrition, exercise,
emotional and spiritual
fulfillment.
All of these strategies
are valuable, and should
be pursued concurrently.
The bulk of research money
is currently devoted to
the development of a vaccine,
and the majority of media
coverage ignores other treatments
which may be less spectacular,
but in the end may save
many lives without adverse
side effects or huge sums
of money. It would appear
to make good scientific
as well as common sense
that by strengthening all
aspects of the immune system,
an individual with HIV infection
could manage to keep healthy
and prevent the development
of AIDS. Publications detailing
results of various alternative
treatments of HIV infection
are appended at the end
of this book (5,113).
There is
no scientific literature
published to date regarding
the effects of organic Germanium
on AIDS or on the HIV virus.
However, in view of organic
Germanium's effects on stimulating
Interferon, enhancing Natural
Killer Cell activity, and
activating Macrophages and
T-suppressor cells, it would
appear eminently plausible
that organic Germanium could
have invaluable therapeutic
properties in the treatment
of AIDS, without any of
the toxic side effects accompanying
so many of the present drug
treatments. Germanium has
been discussed as a potentially
promising anti-AIDS agent
at a conference held in
Japan in 1987 (93).
Several
preliminary anecdotal case
reports have been communicated
about the successful use
of organic Germanium in
clearing Kaposi's sarcoma
and other lesions. With
a view to scientifically
establish the possible therapeutic
value of organic Germanium,
and to stimulate interest
in organic Germanium AIDS
research, the author is
presently planning a double-blind
trial with organic Germanium
with AIDS patients in the
UK.
The immune
system is not an isolated
part of the body - it is
integrally linked to the
whole organism, and is therefore
amenable to enhancement
by many practices. Organic
Germanium appears to enhance
and restore balance at a
fundamental level and therefore
supports health in a thoroughly
natural way.
