Breakfast Cereal May Damage the Immune System; CBCD Reviews the Medical Evidence

“Infected with the Epstein Barr Virus (EBV)? The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD) recommends taking Novirin or Gene-Eden-VIR.” – Greg Bennett, CBCD

Studies show that breakfast cereals that contain gluten can damage the immune system. Some of these cereals are considered to be “healthy,” such as whole grain or high fiber cereals. According to Dr. Daniel Kalish, “sub-clinical gluten intolerance creates a significant stress on the immune system and can lead to a compromised immune system.” (2) In simple terms, gluten can damage the immune system even in people with no clinical signs of gluten intolerance. Dr. Kalish founded The Natural Path Clinic in Del Mar, California. A study also said that “Gluten proteins differ from other cereal proteins as they are partly resistant to enzymatic processing in the intestine, resulting in a continuous exposure of the proteins to the intestinal immune system…some studies now suggest that a gluten-free diet may preserve beta cell function.” (3) Mike Geary agrees, writing that “any cereals with wheat ingredients in them can possibly cause gut inflammation and long term gut damage from too much gluten and lectins, even if you’re not officially gluten intolerant or gluten sensitive.” (1) Mike Geary is a certified nutrition specialist and personal trainer.

Dr. Kalish also wrote that “The mechanism of action occurs in several different ways. There are specialized immune cells that line the small intestine called immunocytes. These immune cells produce secretory IgA, a critical component of the thin, healthy mucous that makes up your first line immune defense. The inflammatory response produced in individuals that are gluten sensitive destroys a certain percentage of these cells, and this in turn can lower your immune defense thereby opening the door to intestinal infections. Through this mechanism, parasites, bacteria, viruses, and yeast or fungal organisms can more easily infect someone who is gluten intolerant and suffering from a weakened first line immune defense.” (2) This weakening of the immune system can allow a latent virus, such as the common Epstein Barr Virus (EBV) to increase in number and therefore cause disease.

Click to learn more about latent viruses.

The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD) therefore recommends that individuals infected with a latent virus, such as EBV and other viruses, take Novirin or Gene-Eden-VIR. The formula of these natural antiviral products was tested by Hanan Polansky and Edan Itzkovitz from the CBCD in two clinical studies that followed FDA guidelines. The studies showed that the Novirin and Gene-Eden-VIR formula is effective against the EBV, and other viruses. The clinical studies were published in the peer reviewed, medical journal Pharmacology & Pharmacy, the first, in a special edition on Advances in Antiviral Drugs. Study authors wrote that, “individuals infected with the EBV reported a safe decrease in their symptoms following treatment with Gene-Eden-VIR.” (4) The study authors also wrote that, “We observed a statistically significant decrease in the severity, duration, and frequency of symptoms.” (4)

Both products can be ordered online on the Novirin and Gene-Eden-VIR websites.

Novirin and Gene-Eden-VIR are natural antiviral dietary supplements. Their formula contains five natural ingredients: Selenium, Camellia Sinesis Extract, Quercetin, Cinnamomum Extract, and Licorice Extract. The first ingredient is a trace element, and the other four are plant extracts. Each ingredient and its dose was chosen through a scientific approach. Scientists at CBCD, the company that invented and patented the formula, scanned thousands of scientific and medical papers published in various medical and scientific journals, and identified the safest and most effective natural ingredients against latent viruses. To date, Novirin and Gene-Eden-VIR are the only natural antiviral products on the market with published clinical studies that support their claims.

How does gluten damage the immune system, exposing the body to the negative effect of viruses?

“When you have a viral infection like the common cold, the viruses that infect us have antigen markers on their outer surfaces and our immune system recognizes these antigens and then makes antibodies to destroy the virus. Food is also foreign to the body and therefore has antigens. Typically we don’t react to food antigens. However, in some people food reactions do occur because of an inappropriate response of the immune system to antigens in food.” (2) This same inappropriate response of the immune system to the antigens of gluten damages the body’s first line of defense, as noted above, and therefore makes it easier for a latent virus to increase in number and cause disease. Sometimes, it can make the virus actually reactivate and go on the attack.

When the Epstein Barr Virus is reactivated, it replicates and can cause many different symptoms. “Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), also known as human herpes virus 4, is a member of the herpes virus family. It is one of the most common human viruses. EBV is found all over the world. Most people get infected with EBV at some point in their lives. EBV spreads most commonly through bodily fluids, primarily saliva.” (See the CDC, last updated on January 6, 2014 ) (5).

“A few antiviral drugs are available that were shown to inhibit EBV replication in cell culture. These drugs include the acyclic nucleoside analogues aciclovir, ganciclovir, penciclovir, and their respective prodrugs valaciclovir, valganciclovir and famciclovir, the acyclic nucleotide analogues cidofovir and adefovir, and the pyrophosphate analogue foscarnet. However, clinical studies have shown that these drugs are mostly ineffective in humans.” (See Pharmacology & Pharmacy, from September 2013) (3).

In addition to these drugs, there are natural antiviral products, such as Novirin and Gene-Eden-VIR, which have been shown in clinical studies to be effective in reducing symptoms associated with EBV infections.

Based on the evidence presented above, the CBCD recommends that individuals who eat breakfast cereals take Novirin or Gene-Eden-VIR to help boost their immune system.

Learn more about Novirin and EBV, and Gene-Eden-VIR and EBV.

References:

(1) Geary, M.  – Truth About Abs.com

(2) Kalishresearch.com – Gluten Sensitivity. 2008

(3) Antvorskov JC1, Josefsen K, Engkilde K, Funda DP, Buschard K. Dietary gluten and the development of type 1 diabetes. Diabetologia. 2014 May 29.

(4) Gene-Eden-VIR Is Antiviral: Results of a Post Marketing Clinical Study. Published on August 12, 2013.

(5) CDC – Epstein Barr Virus and Infectious Mononucleosis – About Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Last updated January 6, 2014.

About CBCD

About CBCD

The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (https://www.cbcd.net) is a not-for-profit tax-exempt organization under section 501(c) 3 of the IRS tax code. The center’s mission is to advance the research on the biology of chronic disease and to accelerate the discovery of a cure for these diseases. The CBCD first published Dr. Hanan Polansky’s highly acclaimed “Purple” book, entitled “Microcompetition with Foreign DNA and the Origin of Chronic Disease” in 2003. In this book, he explains how foreign DNA fragments can cause many major diseases. The book has been read by more than 5,000 scientists around the world, and has been reviewed in more than 20 leading scientific journals. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.