A little info digging on my part came up with some interesting theories–even a little research–on how and why we give off our natural scent, before the Old Spice is applied. Seems the immune system and its state of health might play a role.

One report–which sounds pretty legit on the surface but doesn’t cite any real sources–says a poorly functioning, even overactive, immune system interacting with the bacteria it’s fighting may cause body odor.

Another article says immune system genetics create a scent that is noticed by women much more so than men. The more divergent a man’s immune genetics are from a woman’s, the more attracted she may be to him. That’s nature’s way of fortifying offspring with the most robust, diverse and adaptive immune system possible.  Hmmmm. I don’t know, especially when “sniff tests” of shirts were used to gather data. But, crazier things have happened.  Another piece also cites the immune sniff theory as well, plus gets into everything from ovulation to foods to ethnicity as contributors to body scents.

I also just read a theory that in cultures where people don’t shower every day–and hence probably have a stronger odor than us American hygiene freaks–healthier, more balanced immune systems and overall better health may prevail. Those people are not washing away bacteria every day, and therefore are giving their immune systems fuel to exercise themselves and build up better function and performance. Kind of dovetails on the hygiene hypothesis.

So hey, Old Spice guy, keep up the good work. God knows between garlic, bacteria, immune cell genes, gender-based olfactory sensitivity, we’ll need your help.

Now look at me. Now look away.

I know that we’re (generally) not scientists here. But before you give this post the heave-ho and move on to another Web page, just give this a chance. The papers each are given a brief summary that really helps you quickly get the main points of each piece of research.

And just to make it even easier to grab onto, I’ll give you my summary of each summary for the top seven.

1. An enzyme involved with cell “signaling” may be linked with autoimmune disorders.
2. Some stem cells may be able to tailor their offspring to fight certain diseases.
3. New role for “memory” cells – they can do more than recall earlier infections that trigger their activity
4. Immune cells residing in the gut may attack certain bacteria first…then back off and call a truce.
5. Certain immune cells that “hunt” for invaders may be able to switch between random scavenging and a directed, planned attack.
6. Making more “killer cells” out of T-cells.
7. Processes for creating a new kind of “helper” cell may hold clues for inflammation that comprises allergic reactions.

These are just seven of scores of papers published each year detailing the complex relationships and communication among various classes of immune cells.  Imagine the health benefit when all of the these cell communities work in balance and proper proportion.

So what about gut bacteria and immune health, amid all this?  This is where inflammation comes in, which we’ve also covered here.  Begley states: “…the precise way in which gut bacteria affect weight is a matter of intense dispute. The idea that different bacteria extract more or fewer calories from the food we send their way, as Gordon’s studies suggest, is only one possibility. Another possible explanation is that gut bacteria contribute to obesity (as well as to type 2 diabetes, which often goes along with being overweight) by altering the immune system. The idea here is that gut bacteria interact with intestinal cells in a way that causes them to secrete cytokines, molecules that can cause low-grade inflammation. This inflammation can, in turn, trigger insulin resistance (the mark of type 2 diabetes) and increased appetite, which is an effective way to put on weight.”

See more on this in Wired and in a drug industry trade. Also, an interesting Q&A in the Wall Street Journal Health Blog has some additional angles.

Maybe this is the core secret on why some people can eat anything they want every day and never gain an ounce.

findings from a laboratory study

The results of this study suggest that EpiCor delivers prebiotic benefits to the human gut. That means EpiCor helps promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut that experts say comprises around 70% of the the body’s immune defense arsenal. Beneficial bacteria do many things in the gut, from countering the populations of harmful bacteria,  influencing obesity and allergies, even communicating with the brain via nerve pathways. The EpiCor gut health observations, combined with earlier research showing its impact on balancing the activity of aggressive and suppressive immune cells, adds yet another layer of evidence to the body of science showing EpiCor’s fascinating role in improved, balanced immune health.

All I know is, it seems to work for me. I may not know exactly why, but I can feel it in my gut.

The result of immune balance? The possibility of fewer sick days, fewer “dragging” days, fewer physical problems due to chronic stress’s impact on immune cells.

So what simple things can you do to balance and maintain your immune system?  Here are five:

1. Eat smart. Reduce processed sugar, increase fruits and veggies. The Mediterranean Diet is considered a very good immune health diet.
2. Get sleep. Research shows lack of sleep increases stress levels and weakens immune function.
3. Get exercise.
4. Wash hands often.
5. Take supplements containing 500 mg dosing of EpiCor. Human clinical trials show EpiCor balances immune response.

There you go. The Immune Balance Five. Go forth and do them.

It’s also filled with lots of moms…and a few dads…with young children in tow. And, from hearing the coughs and seeing runny noses all year round, a number of those kids are sick. This could mean that such coffee places are more potent breeding grounds for colds and flu than home, school or work, since there is such a mix of kids and adults from wide areas that frequent Paneras and other such places.

If I were a stay-at-home parent or anyone else who regularly goes to coffee places stocked with lot of kids (here’s one in Seattle that specializes in making the coffee shop as close to a daycare center as possible), I’d do a lot to make sure my immune system was as balanced and in sync as possible.  EpiCor every day, hands down.

BTW, someone has taken coffee and immune health to the next level. They don’t have a retail chain yet, but maybe it’s coming.

• One out of 20 people who are allergic to pollen has oral allergy syndrome, which means the immune system mistakes the compounds in certain foods for pollen proteins, says Sublett. Some foods — such as pears, cherries, peaches, apples, melons and nuts — cause breakouts or itching in the throat or around the mouth.
  
• Also, the average 1,500 square-foot home accumulates about 40 pounds of dust per year and contains about 40 million allergens.  Yeeesh! (Source: Sniffle Solutions).
• People who get allergic symptoms during the winter may be allergic to mold spores. Molds remain outside much longer than pollen, and may be indoors year-round. (Source: About.com, Allergy Fast Facts)
• A Johns Hopkins University study showed that “mite population and allergen levels decreased by 90% or more within a month of replacing mattress and pillow covers and treating bedding. (Source: Achooallergy.com)
• Your gut may be a big cause of sneezing. Upsetting the normal balance of microflora in your stomach and intestines can change your entire immune system, researchers at the University of Michigan Medical School report, intensifying your body’s response to common allergens like pollen or animal dander. According to scientists, our modern diet and increased use of antibiotics may be at fault. Safeguard your health with a diet low in sugar and high in raw fruits and vegetables, especially following treatment with antibiotics. (Source: Woman’s Day)

Rebekah Winquest

I’m glad to present a post below from Rebekah Winquest, who runs a blog called Just Good Energy. She markets several natural food products, and also does product reviews by using the products herself.  And she does a fair amount of research about the product she’s taking. Right now, she’s taking EpiCor for an extended period. Posted below is her first review. I look forward to reading what she says about the rest of her EpiCor journey.

“I recently wrote an article on the top 20 most recommended and popular supplements for 2010. Included in that list is a product called Epicor. I had not personally taken this supplement but heard a lot of feedback that it helped people’s allergies, immune system, frequency of colds, etc. I have been in contact with the company Embria Health Sciences, who created Epicor, and have been taking it daily for the past 2 weeks along with researching and learning about the science behind Epicor.

Epicor starts off as the simple yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae, otherwise known as baker’s yeast. It is given oxygen to grow and is then put through a specific and unique fermentation and drying process, also known as “yeast fermentate”. It is the fermentation process that creates this unique product. The result is a superfood in my thinking – a whole food supplement that provides the body with not only extra nutrients but potent antioxidants and the ability to help balance the entire immune system. Nutritionally Epicor provides vitamins, minerals, aminos acids, antioxidants, and even beta-glucans.

What is interesting to me is that Epicor helps to “balance” the immune system compared to “boosting” the immune system. Keep in mind that autoimmune disorders, inflammatory disease and even allergies are overexcited immune systems that attack itself so obviously someone in that position could not take immune stimulating supplements. If you think about it, most immune-related products on the market are all about building the immune system but rarely have I found one that focuses on bringing it to an ideal balance or neutral state. We want our immune system to be ready at any given time to strengthen, as with the flu, or back down if needed, as with allergies. This balance is ideal and Epicor seems to have found a niche in this arena.

Now to my experiences… As most of you know I eat extremely healthy, drink green superfoods daily, consume plenty of antioxidant-rich foods and superfoods, stick to organic, and eat about 70% raw alkaline foods. I rarely get sick or catch colds and viruses from others. Here is the catch… From the day I got pregnant 2 years and 11 months ago I suddenly for the first time had allergies. I had a runny nose and sneezed daily until the day my son was born. It was so bazaar because I had never had an allergy in my life and now I had a very strong reaction to dust, and all environmental pollutants and even pollen! As soon as I stopped nursing my son the allergies kicked in really strong again. I tried all of the natural remedies that I had studied but nothing worked.

I began taking 500mg per day (1 capsule) of Epicor 2 weeks ago and suddenly realized a few days ago that I had sneezed and blew my nose maybe 4 times in the past 2 weeks, even with the pollen-rich air outside. I don’t want to jump too far down the road and say that I am 100% cured because of Epicor, but I do know that I feel better with my allergies and the only thing I have done different is take Epicor.

I have researched further that Epicor is not only great for helping to prevent occurrences of colds and the flu but can also help with inflammation. I am going to write about my experience with Epicor again in 2 weeks, after taking it for 1 month total and am curious to see if the inflammation that I often experience in my sciatic will improve (also started after having my adorable son).

For those concerned about taking Epicor while having a yeast infection or candida overgrowth: They claim that there is no similarity between the yeast used to make Epicor and Candida albicans, which is the unhealthy yeast strain that can flourish in the body causing infections and candida.

I would love to take it for the remainder of the year and see how I feel – it can be taken year round. Stay tuned for more updates.

Reference: “Epicor, The Key to a Balanced Immune System” by Larry Robinson, PHD, Vern S. Cherewatenko, MD, Med and Stuart Reeves, PHD”

Postscript from Craig: Thanks, Rebekah.  Since EpiCor is a nutritional supplement, I’m betting the people behind the product won’t assert that the ingredient will cure or prevent anything. But I do know that mulitple placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trials have demonstrated a reduction in allergy and cold/flu symptom severity and duration among healthy people who took EpiCor. Hope your experience is similar.  

So I brought up its site and signed on to a live chat with an Abbott nutritionist, Christy.  By the way, good job, Abbott, with your chat tool. It was fast and ready to go as advertised.

I asked about the new “ImmunBalance” label splash on the package. What’s behind it? Christy said it reflects the antioxidant benefit delivered through selenium and vitamin C (which were already in the product) plus newly added probiotics for balancing good and bad gut bacteria. According to many health experts, the gut microflora composition comprises up to 70% of the body’s immune system defense.   

Christy also said she’d check on whether any additional research using Ensure to measure blood or saliva immune cell changes exists and could be shared. I also told her it was interesting that Ensure was choosing to use the phrase “balance” instead of “boost,” which still seems to be the most common immune tag on packaging.

I’m glad Ensure is taking the enlightened, science-driven approach and promoting immune balance.  For sure.

I’m sure you might wonder kind of miserable life I lead when a hand dryer gets me so excited.  Let me tell you, this thing is a little marvel. The reason is that this dryer–called the Xlerator–has a motor in it that is unlike anything I’ve ever witnessed. You stick your hand under it and a powerful air blast comes on that almost blows you through the wall. And the air is instantly hot.

Bottom line, my hands are dry in anywhere from 7-10 seconds. The product information I’ve read says 10-15 seconds, but I think it’s faster than that.

Another benefit–at least I thought it would be a benefit–is the presumed hygiene improvement in a restroom using “jet” air dryers, as this unit would be classified. Nearly all hand dryer makers tout the notion that air dryers are healthier because you don’t have wet paper towels being used as discarded around the sink. However, one British study came to a different conclusion:

“Part C of the study shows that paper towels are likely to cause considerably less contamination of other users and the washroom environment than the jet air dryer which was shown in this study to disperse artificial hand contamination to a distance of at least 2 metres, well within the range of adjacent dryers observed in a real washroom. Paper towels were better than the warm air dryer for contamination levels directly below the device but there were no significant differences at greater distances when their performances were similar and both were significantly better than the jet air dryer. Therefore, the manufacturer’s claim that the tested JAD is the “most hygienic hand dryer” is not confirmed in this study with respect to its potential for dispersing bacteria.”

It goes on to say:  “The results of all parts of this study suggest that paper towels should be used in locations where hygiene is paramount, such as hospitals, clinics, schools,nurseries, care homes, kitchens and other food preparation areas. Warm air dryers and jet air dryers should be carefully considered for these types of location because of their poorer hygiene performance and the increased likelihood of transmission of bacteria, including potentially pathogenic types, via the fingerpads and palms of the hand and their air flows. The performance of both the warm air dryer and the jet air dryer was inferior to paper towels in all respects (drying efficiency, bacterial numbers on the hands, bacterial contamination of the air flow and surfaces of the devices, and transmission of bacteria in the washroom) with the one exception that the jet air dryer is equal in drying efficiency. The jet air dryer was shown to be superior to the warm air dryer in all respects except for similar bacterial contamination and greater transmission potential. Although representing a considerable improvement over warm air dryers in speed, the jet air dryer’s overall performance, with the exception of drying efficiency, was significantly poorer than that of paper towels in all other respects tested in this study.”

Hmmmm. That kind of bummed me out. I might have to look for an independent counter study or two. Is there one out there?