Researchers are trying to improve the odds of undetected cancer spreading by boosting the body’s own immune system so that it can mount a body-wide assault on cancer cells. A study conducted on animals suggests that a treatment given to just one tumor produces an immune response that targets hidden tumors in other places throughout the body.
Researchers activated the production of a body protein called LIGHT within a tumor, which then produced a two-pronged attack on the cancer in the body of the mice. Not only did the researchers find that an increased production of the protein attracts the killer T cells (the cells in the body that destroy tumor cells) to the tumor site, the chemical also switched these cells into an active state once they arrived.
The method had a marked effect on the size of the treated tumor, and seemed to encourage tumor regression in other parts of the body. Researchers now hope the same effect can be reproduced in humans with cancer.
BBC News January 5, 2004
This is just another reason why it is so important to have a strong immune system. Aside from having the ability to fight off chronic disease, a strong immune system may help prevent cancer cells from forming.
One of the best ways to boost your immune system is to avoid consuming sugar and grains. Eating too much sugar and too many grains, which are converted to sugar in the body, will cause your blood sugar level to rise. If your blood sugar levels remain elevated, even mildly, over a period of time, your risk of diabetes will increase. If you end up with diabetes, your risk of cancer also increases.
Sugar decreases the function of your immune system almost immediately, and as I mentioned above, a strong immune system is key to fighting off viruses and other illness, including cancer. It is especially imperative to avoid sugar if you feel you are coming down with something, but keeping sugar out of your diet for the long haul will do wonders for your health and make your body stronger, which will make it harder for diseases to bother you.
For all the steps to building your immune system to its peak levels, which is by far the most effective way to avoid all kinds of chronic disease, consider my new book, "Dr. Mercola's Total Health Program", which presents my entire dietary and health program that took 20 years to develop and has helped tens of thousands of patients at my clinic overcome illness and disease.
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