Research Information
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4Life™ is very excited to bring you the most exciting health and
wellness product ever brought to market. 4Life™ is founded upon
a strong scientific philosophy of product research and development. Transfer
Factor™, our flagship product, comes to us only after nearly 50
years of research and over 3,500 scientific medical papers which prove
its effectiveness. 4Life™ has licensed the only patent which
identifies transfer factor in colostrum and the only exclusive
and proprietary method for extracting transfer factor from
colostrum.
The
Transfer Factor Report
1 page
Book Report
by William J. Hennen, Ph.D.
Excerpted
from Transfer Factor: Natural Immune Booster© 1998
Printed by Permission from Woodland Publishing (800 777-2665)
An
Introduction
Our health
is directly influenced by our immune system. A balanced and healthy
immune system is central to the body's ability to defend against
infections. "It is our ability to create a healthy immune system
that represents the greatest potential for gains in human health."1
Today, however, many factors
contribute to the general weakening of the body's defenses. Antibiotics
have begun to fail as the resistance of many infectious strains
multiplies. Due to the failure of government control of health codes,
deterioration of water quality, and frequent international travel
diseases now spread more easily than ever before.
Fortunately, recent research has
uncovered a natural agent that can increase our ability to fight disease
and improve the quality of life for many people. Transfer factor is
the name given to this relatively new agent. It is found in colostrum
and other sources and is a natural way of strengthening our immune
systems against disease.
What is Transfer
Factor?
Transfer factor
is the most exciting health discovery in recent decades. Transfer
factors are small immune messenger molecules that are produced by
higher organisms.2 Their role is to transfer immune
recognition signals between immune cells and thereby assist in educating
naive immune cells about a present or potential danger.
In the harsh and hostile
environment in which a baby suddenly finds itself, invading
microorganisms could rapidly overcome and destroy the new life. Nature
has provided a procedure to rapidly educate the infant's naive immune
system. Prior to delivering a baby, the expectant mother prepares a
natural immunizing cocktail that she includes in the first milk (colostrum)
she provides to her new baby. Transfer factor is a key part of
this process.
Dr. C. H.
Kirkpatrick determined that transfer factors were small
peptides of about eight amino acid residues.7 Eighteen
different amino acids have been represented which may combine to create
billions of different transfer factors. These very small transfer
factor molecules contain the essence of the immunological message.
Transfer factors
do not elicit an allergic response and are not species-specific. What
this means is that transfer factors produced by a cow are just
as effective in humans as they would be in another cow. This exciting
ability could spark a revolution in medicine and has prompted the
following statement: "Transfer factor [has] an important
role to play in modern medicine which, from AIDS to Ebola, faces the
emergence of new viruses or the resurfacing of old pathologies such as
tuberculosis."4
Transfer factor
have been successfully used to treat the following diseases:
| viral |
fungal |
neurological |
| parasitic |
malignant
diseases |
autoimmune |
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 are 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 the 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
Dr. H. Sherwood Lawrence
discovered that an immune response could be transferred from a donor to
a recipient by injecting an extract of leucocytes.6 The
extract was postulated to contain a factor capable of transferring the
donor's immunity to the recipient. Lawrence called this substance transfer
factor, the term now used by scientists.
Thousands of papers have been
published on the use of transfer factors. Early on, results
were erratic--everything from a complete and miraculous cure to a
complete and total failure could be expected. The promise of transfer
factor as the answer to all our immunological problems seemed too
good to be true. A number of conditions were working against scientists
that were exploring the potential of transfer factor. Three of
these conditions are especially noteworthy: 1) complexity, 2) quality
control, and 3) conventional bias.
Transfer factor
extracts are complex, containing an estimated 200 or more individual transfer
factors; not a single chemical entity like a standard
pharmaceutical drug. Just as in nature, synergy between parts is the
key. Separating natural products into their individual components often
diminishes either efficacy (as in the case of St. John's wort and
hypericum) or safety (as in the case of foxglove and digitalis). This
may also be true for transfer factors. Indicative of this is
the recent discovery of two, new, potent, transfer factor
molecules, IMREG I and IMREG II.17 Each of these molecules
has its own specific function and purpose in a balanced immune system.
The second hurdle that had to be
overcome was one of quality control. No reliable assay was available to
test whether the extract was properly prepared. This problem was
overcome by Wilson and Fudenberg, who were issued a patent for their
discovery.18
The third issue is a matter of
intellectual bias, often seen when a new concept or discovery is
introduced. The idea of transfer factors simply flies in the
face of conventional immunology. We could draw a parallel between
medieval biases and those of today. In the 14th century, the Black
Plague killed a quarter of the European population.19
Attempts to deal with the Plague were blocked by superstitious adherence
to conventional beliefs. Similarly, the progress of transfer factor
research has been inhibited by the conventional dogmas of immunology.
Even now this bias stifles progress that could be made in critical
areas. In a recent international symposium on transfer factors,
Dr. D. Viza stated,
At the end of
the 20th century, the triumph of biology is indisputable. . . . However,
the triumph of biological science is far from being complete. The toll
of several diseases, such as cancer, continues to rise and the
pathogenesis of AIDS remains elusive.
In the realm of inductive
science, the dominant paradigm can seldom be challenged in a frontal
attack, especially when it is apparently successful, and only what Kuhn
calls 'scientific revolutions' can overthrow it. Thus, it is hardly
surprising that the concept of transfer factor is considered
with contempt . . . [since] its putative mode of action contravenes
dogmas of both immunology and molecular biology. And when facts
challenge established dogmas, be [it] in religion, philosophy or
science, they must be suppressed . . . because they challenge the
prevalent paradigm. However, when observations pertain to lethal
disorders, their suppression in the name of dogmas may become criminal.
Because of the failure of medical science to manage the AIDS pandemic, transfer
factor, which has been successfully used for treating or preventing
viral infections, may today overcome a priori prejudice and rejection
more swiftly.20
Emerging strains of new, antibiotic-resistant "super-bugs" are
a global problem.8 Over a dozen new food borne pathogens have
been identified in the last twenty years.10 The American
Society for Microbiology lamented that the spirit of cooperation and
trust needed to deal with these problems appears to be lacking.21
Just as clear evidence suggested
a solution in dealing with the Black Plague, so too clear evidence
indicates a potential solution to our modern plagues. We must take
individual responsibility for our own health by strengthening our immune
systems. This is the most critical health issue we face and transfer
factor can play a major role in maintaining our immediate and
long-term health.
Endnotes
1. Personal
communication with Richard Bennet, Ph.D. (11/17/97).
2. Immunology, Immunopathology and Immunity. Sell S. Appleton and Lange:
Stamford CT 1996.
3.Allergenicity of orally administered immunoglobulin preparations in
food-allergic children. Bernhisel-Broadbent J, Yolken RH, Sampson HA.
Pediatrics 1991, 87(2), 208-14.
4. Transfer Factor in the Era of AIDS. Pizza G, Viza D. Biotherapy 1996,
9(1-3), ix-x.
5. Immunology in a Nutshell. Eberhand Wecker. Mannheim: BI.
Wissenschaftverlag. 1992.
6. The cellular transfer of cutaneous hypersensitivity to tuberculin in
man. Lawerence HS. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1949, 71, 516.
7. Activities and characteristics of Transfer Factors. Kirkpatrick CH.
Biotherapy 1996, 9(1-3), 13-6.
8.A) Reasons for the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Tenover FC,
McGowan JE Jr. Am J Med Sci 1996, 311(1), 9-16. B) Medline Search
1994-1997.
9. Transfer Factor--current status and future prospects. Lawrence HS,
Borkowsky W. Biotherapy 1996, 9(1-3), 1-5.
10.Emerging Foodborne Diseases: An Evolving Public Health Challenge.
Tauxe RV.The National Conference on Emerging Foodborne Pathogens:
Implications and Control, March 24-26, 1997, Alexandria, Virginia, USA
Emerging Infectious Diseases 1997, 3(4)
11. Personal communication from Drs. Greg Wilson and Gary Paddock.
12. Transfer Factor: Past, Present and Future. Fudenberg HH, Fudenberg
HH. Ann Rev Pharm Tox 1989, 475-516.
13. Murine Transfer Factors: dose-response relationships and routes of
administration. Kirkpatrick C H, Hamad AR, Morton LC. Cell Immunol 1995,
164(2), 203-6.
14. In vitro studies during long-term oral administration of specific
Transfer Factor. Pizza G, De Vinci C, Fornarola V, Palareti A, Baricordi
O, Viza D. Biotherapy 1996, 9(1-3), 175-85.
15. Oral bovine Transfer Factor (OTF) use in the hyper-IgE syndrome.
Jones JF, et al. In: Immunobiology of Transfer Factor. Academic Press:
New York. 1983, pp 261-70.
16. Observation of the effect of PSTF oral liquor on the positive
tuberculin test reaction. Wu S, Zhong X. Chung Kuo I Hsueh Ko Hsueh Yuan
Hsueh Pao 1992, 14(4), 314-6.
17. Modulation of concanavalin A-induced, antigen--non-specific
regulatory cell activity by leuenkephalin and related peptides. Sizemore
RC, et al. Clin Imm Im 1991, 60(2), 310-18.
18. Use of In Vitro Assay Techniques to Measure Parameters Related to
Clinical Applications of Transfer Factor Therapy. Wilson GB, Fudenberg
HH. US Patent 4610878. Sept. 9, 1986.
19. Infectious Disease as an Evolutionary Paradigm. Lederberg J. The
National Conference on Emerging Foodborne Pathogens: Implications and
Control, March 24-26, 1997, Alexandria, Virginia, USA Emerging
Infectious Diseases vol 3(4)
20. AIDS and Transfer Factor: myths, certainties and realities. Viza D.
Biotherapy 1996, 9(1-3), 17-26.
21..The emergent needs for basic research, education, and surveillance
of antimicrobial resistance. Problems facing the report from the
American Society for Microbiology Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance.
Jones RN. Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis 1996,(25) 153-61.
For
more information about transfer factor, order the comprehensive
report
by William Hennen, Ph.D. entitled, "Transfer Factor, Natural
Immune Booster".
This booklet is available through Woodland Books at 1-800-777-2665.
Ask about the Transfer Factor Audio tape too.
Transfer
Factor
Natural
Immune Booster
"Scientists
and health experts have long recognized the immune system's role in
preserving good health. But the revolutionary discovery of
"transfer factor" has essentially filled in a missing element
of immune function. In this booklet, Dr. William Hennen examines
how transfer factor cells from outside sources can provide the human
body with valuable and new information about invading diseases. He
also reviews the recent research, its safety and possible use."
Transfer Factor Patent Holder
Comments:
"We know transfer factor’s
history of safety. Chang, at the Wadley Institute of Molecular Medicine
in Texas, injected humongous amounts of transfer factor in
people just to prove that it was safe. He went way overboard to prove
safety. The nice thing about transfer factor, when prepared in
the way it will be distributed by 4Life™, it evokes
no immune response against it by the recipient, and there’s no problem
about immune complex diseases and it’s, therefore, much safer."
Dr.
Greg Wilson
Transfer Factor Patent Holder
"Through the research that Dr. Wilson and I have done in the
development and characterization of Colostral TF, we have patented this
technology. This patent includes the manufacture and use of Colostral TF,
and this patent has been licensed to 4 Life."
Dr.
Gary Paddock
Transfer Factor Patent Holder
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