A sound knowledge of the immune system is of paramount importance to the Integrative Medicine practitioner due to the following factors that need to be both understood and implemented into practice:

1. The incidence of autoimmune diseases is on the rise
2. Gluten sensitivity (not only celiac disease states) increases the risk for “leaky gut syndrome” and autoimmune disease states
3. Predominantly Th2 immune system responses are common with aging people and this leads to an increased incidence of allergies, autoimmune disease states as well as cancers
4. Immune deficiency states, such as inherited immune deficiency states,  and acquired like HIV infection, need an integrated approach to manage best
5. Gut flora is of great importance to maintaining immune system and overall health
6. Only in Integrative Medicine can Gut health be addressed appropriately to restore overall immune quality and health
7. Most disease states begin in  the gut and it is not surprising that the gut hosts the major part of our immune systems
8. It is important to understand the differences in th1 and Th2 immune system responses and the cytokines responsible for each of them
9. Certain “immune interventions” can be put in place with integrative medicine modalities to restore immune system health
10. Understanding an Integrative approach to autoimmune diseases, asthma, allergies and aging per se will be learned in this module
11. Inflammatory changes in the body begins in the gut and an approach to inflammation and an approach to immune surveillance is important.

Module Learning Objectives:

• To understand the anatomy and physiological make up of the immune system
• To have an understanding of the immune system on a Th1 and Th2 level
• To understand the significance of lymphatic drainage to maintain optimum health
• To have an understanding of the integrative approach to autoimmune disease states
• To understand how detoxification is vital to maintain an optimum immune system
• To understand the environmental toxicity relevance to autoimmunity and immune toxicity
• To understand how dietary interventions can improve immune system functioning for example anti-inflammatory diets for autoimmunity and gluten free diets for autism spectrum disorder and celiac disease
• To understand some of the major cytokines involved in the immune system
• To understand vitamin d’s role in the prevention of cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, lymphoma and colon cancer
• To understand the role of iodine in autoimmune thyroid disease states
• To realize the importance of low dose naltrexone in the management of autoimmunity