There is only a small amount of copper in the body, but it finds its way into many of the body’s chemical interactions. Copper is part of the SOD (superoxide dismutase) molecule which scavenges the dangerous free radicals. As part of SOD, copper helps protect against cancer.

You also need copper to properly utilize the iron in your body. If you don’t have enough copper, and cannot make use of the iron you take in, you may find yourself suffering from an iron-deficiency anemia. Anemia, in turn, harms the immune system and other parts of the body. Lack of copper also prompts a weakness of the T-cells and the complement system. The complement system, which I discussed earlier, works with the cell “eaters,” T-cells and other parts of your immune system to destroy bacteria, viruses and other dangerous particles.

Copper and zinc have a “seesaw” effect on each other: too much of one lowers the levels of the other. So don’t overdose on either; keep them in balance.

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TUBERCULOSIS: caused by bacteria called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Can occur in any part of body, but usually strikes the lungs. Symptoms vary with part of body affected.

Signs and Symptoms: first symptoms include coughing up of blood; shortness of breath; fever. Signs and symptoms depend upon where the bacteria settles in the body. Constitutional signs and symptoms include fever; malaise; loss of appetite; weight loss; haggard appearance. Tuberculosis is more prevalent in the lungs. May cause cough; a bloody cough; shortness of breath; chest pain; fever; malaise; weight loss. If it’s in kidneys, urine may be bloody or filled with pus. In the brain, it can cause changes in behavior, headaches, coma, stupor, drowsiness, death. If it gets into the intestinal tract, can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. In the adrenals, it can cause adrenal insufficiency (weakness, fatigue and other symptoms). This is called Addison’s disease. (President Kennedy suffered from Addison’s disease.) If it gets in liver, may cause jaundice. In the joints, it can cause pain and symptoms of arthritis. If in the spine, it may cause backache; collapse of vertebrae. It can invade glands all over the body, especially in the neck.

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The ultimate failure of the immune system. Whether cancer is fatal or not depends on what type of cancer it is, how soon it is detected and other factors.

Signs and Symptoms: depend on where the cancer is. The first signs and symptoms of a cancer may be fatigue, weakness, lethargy, depression, irritability, vague behavioral changes, loss of appetite, a persistent cough and other general problems.

Lung cancer may cause no symptoms for a long time. If the bronchial tubes, rather than the lungs themselves, are involved, an irritating type of cough may be experienced.

Stomach cancer may produce no symptoms, or there may be abdominal pains mimicking the pain of gastritis or an ulcer. There may be diarrhea, constipation, vague or severe abdominal pain. Blood may appear in the stool, or the stool may appear black in color (depending on where the bleeding is).

Colo-rectal cancer may produce no symptoms until the advanced stages. There may be rectal bleeding (pay attention to any blood in the stool). There may also be a change in bowel habits. The stool may become like “squeezed toothpaste.” There may be vague abdominal pains, and, at times, pain upon bending forward.

Ovarian cancer can produce a feeling of “fullness” in the abdomen, and clothes seem a little tighter. Vague to severe pains in the lower abdomen and pelvic area may also occur.

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Cell eaters are born knowing what to do, so they can rush right into battle. Other white blood cells, called lymphocytes, hold back, studying the antigen, preparing themselves to join the battle. Why the two approaches? Well, there are numerous antigens, and the antigens are constantly evolving new molecular structures and new ways to attack. It is impossible for the immune system to know which antigens will attack over a lifetime or what new guises they might adopt. So we have two types of immune soldiers: the generalists and the specialists.

Phagocytes are generalists; they’ll attack and try to gobble up all the antigens they can. But what if an antigen evolves methods of evading or defeating the phagocytes? That’s where the lymphocytes come in. They’re specialists, and they are given very specific instructions before they’re sent out after antigens.

Special training is a good idea, but it takes time. What’s to prevent antigens from wreaking havoc before the lymphocytes are ready? That’s where phagocytes come into play. Their job is to defeat the germs or hold them off until the lymphocytes are ready to attack.

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