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Overview of the Immune System The immune system is a multifaceted system comprised of more than a trillion cells, with a collective weight of about 1 kg (2.2 pounds).2 There are three essential properties of the immune system: first, it has the ability to recognize alien substances such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites; second, it specifically reacts to each invading pathogen; and third, the immune system remembers the alien invader and quickly repels future invasions.5 Many infectious agents mutate readily, thereby presenting a different appearance to the immune system. This is the reason that we are repeatedly susceptible to viral infections such as colds and flues. Some parasites also rapidly mutate to evade our immune defenses. This is the reason for the cyclical flare-ups experienced by malaria victims. Each mutation that alters the appearance of the virus or parasite must be dealt with by a separate immune response. Within the immune system there two separate responses to abnormal or foreign substances. The first response is called the humoral immune reaction which involves the production of immunoglobulins, often referred to as "antibodies." The second response is the cellular immune response, or cell-mediated immunity (CMI). This response depends on communication between various types of immune system cells (lymphocytes). Transfer Factor and Immune Function To communicate between cells, the immune system employs hormone-like signal substances. Transfer Factors are one class of immune communication substances that have been recently discovered. An immature immune response may take 10-14 days to fully develop. This is what is called delayed hypersensitivity. Such a delay is not always healthy, as can be attested to by anyone who has fought a cold or flu for two weeks or more. Transfer Factors can help because they include both inducer/helper functions (Inducer Factors) and a suppressor function (Suppressor Factor).9 The Inducer Factor is the Transfer Factor component that translates an apparently mature immune response from the donor to the recipient. Transfer Factors have been shown to induce an immune response in less than 24 hours.9 Nevertheless, an overactive immune response to innocuous agents such as pollens or even our own body cells is not healthy. Suppression of such overreactions helps to control allergies and to prevent autoimmune diseases. Thus, both Inducer Factor and Suppressor Factor are part of an immunoregulatory network that keeps our immune system balanced. Colostrum, the first milk produced by mammals, is a rich source of Transfer Factors.11 The role of the Transfer Factors in colostrum is to imprint on the infant immune system the recognition codes it needs to identify pathogens as hostile invaders.12 In an infant, initial immunity is established rapidly if the baby is allowed to nurse. Infants who are not breast-fed consistently show a greater susceptibility to infections and allergies. The immunoglobulins found in colostrum can (and do) cause allergic reactions in other species. They are the source of most cow-milk allergies in humans.3 Transfer Factors, on the other hand, are not allergenic. In addition, as would be expected from the discovery of Transfer Factors in colostrum, it has been shown that Transfer Factors are equally effective whether administered by injection or taken orally.7 13 It has also been shown that a long-term oral administration of Transfer Factor preparations is safe.14 15 Infants and the elderly are the two groups especially at risk for infections. Oral administration of Transfer Factor is convenient and easily accepted by these age groups.16 The History of Transfer Factor
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