Aloe vera and your immune system

THE BODY'S IMMUNE SYSTEM
ALOE VERA FLP PRODUCTS

By David Urch (BSC MA VetMB MRCVS & ADVISORY BOARD MEMBER at FLP)

There are a number of conditions which compromise the immune system. Fortunately we have several products, which can return it to optimal function.

When micro-organisms or foreign substances breach the body's defences, specialised cells of the immune system known as white blood cells engulf or neutralise them using antibodies. In acquired or active immunity, the white blood cells called lymphocytes remember how to produce an appropriate antibody following being exposed to a disease.

This is why, if an animal is exposed to a certain disease once, it is unusual to get it again or if it does, it is usually less severe. A very important role of the immune system is to recognise what should be in our bodies and what should not. When the self-recognition goes wrong, the immune system is turned against normal body tissue resulting in autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis. Sometimes the immunological response is too strong or overactive and is triggered by normally harmless substances such as pollen, resulting in allergies. At the other extreme the immunological response may be underactive as occurs in post-viral fatigue syndrome.

In the mucilage layer of the Aloe Vera plant are found polysaccharides, the most important group containing glucose and mannose. These are called gluco-mannans, and one in particular, acemannan, has been shown to have specific effects on the immune system:

1. Immunomodulating properties - it helps to return the immunity to normal by boosting the level of antibodies as shown in the diagram below.

2. Antiviral ¬ particularly against tumour-producing viruses such as feline leukaemia.

3. Reduction in secondary infections.

4. Increases the activity of T-lymphocytes.

5. Increases the activity of large white blood cells known as macrophages leading to the removal of micro-organisms as well as increased wound healing.





The acemannan in Aloe Vera Gel is absorbed whole from the digestive tract by a process known as pinocytosis. Once in the blood stream acemannan is engulfed by T-lymphocytes, which stimulates them to release chemicals called cytokines. These in turn encourage B-lymphocytes to produce antibodies, which destroy microorganisms and foreign proteins: