The Immune System & Functional Medicine
The relevance of the immune system goes far beyond natural defenses. Along with the endocrine and nervous systems, the immune system is one of the three great regulating systems of the body, affecting all other systems and functions.
In fact, the more we learn about immunology, the more we realize that practically all the patterns seen commonly in a functional medicine practice have a fundamentally immunological basis.
Immunology is at the root of many common clinical objectives, including:
- Tolerance of self-tissue
- Digestive health
- Cytokine balance
- Brain function, mood and cognition
- Joint function
- Glucose homeostasis
- Sinus and respiratory health
- Cardiovascular function
While support for a healthy immune response is essential in all patients, it is particularly important in patients with self-tissue response.
This blog will provide a brief introduction to a three-step approach that addresses the immunological basis of patterns seen commonly in your patients and in particular in patients with self-tissue response.
Useful interventions related to this three-step approach can be found in Pure Encapsulations’ Self-Tissue Response Protocol, developed with functional immunology thought leader Dr. Samuel Yanuck, and a more in depth review of this information is available in our Self-Tissue Response Brochure and PureResponse® platform.
Self-Tissue Response: A Three Step Approach
Each step supports a key aspect of the immune system. Interventions for each step are intended to be continued indefinitely or modified as needed to maintain immune homeostasis.
Step 1. Promote T-Helper Cell Balance
T helper cells are a class of lymphocyte that help the immune system respond appropriately. They begin as naive T cells and become, when activated, unique T helper cell types. Which type they become depends on cytokines and other factors in their micro-environment at the time of their activation.
Below are four major T helper cell types and their roles in maintaining immune system balance:
- Th1 cells: Support host microbial defenses
- Th2 cells: Help activate eosinophils and mast cells
- Th17 cells: Respond to the extracellular microbial environment
- Treg cells: Modulate the effects of other T cells

A balanced profile of T helper cells is crucial for immune defenses and tissue homeostasis. Unfortunately, many factors commonly seen in clinical practice can drive an imbalance in T helper cell types. Often, this occurs as an increase in the number and activity of Th2 cells (Th2 response) and a decrease in the number and activity of Th1 cells (Th1 response). In turn, this imbalance leads to the expansion of Th17 cells which, through a cascade of effects, can make the patient more susceptible to developing an immune response directed at self-tissue.
Supporting a healthy profile of T helper cells is, therefore, an important first step in fostering a healthy immune system and modulating self-tissue response. Clinicians may wish to consider Th1 Support and Th2 Modulator. For more information refer to Pure Encapsulations’ Self-Tissue Response Protocol.
Step 2. Modulate Cytokine Activation

Cytokines are messenger molecules that orchestrate immune system function. NFkB is a protein complex that induces gene expression of a mixture of cytokines that initiate immune activation, which can increase self-tissue response. Persistent NFkB increase can drive STAT3 expression, which increases Th17 response, which promotes self-tissue response.
Step 2 modulates the expression of NFkB, which supports cytokine balance, a healthy T cell repertoire and tissue homeostasis. While supporting cytokine balance (Step 2) is an essential step, it is crucial to first support a balanced T helper cell profile (Step 1).
As indicated in the diagram above, Balanced Immune, PureResponse® Multivitamin, and Brain Reset™ should be considered to support this step.
Step 3. Personalize Your Plan of Care
The interconnectedness of elements in the immune system is often bidirectional. In some patients, progress depends upon addressing factors you would normally think of as downstream from the mechanisms discussed in Steps 1 and 2.
For instance, G.I., sinus, lung, or bladder mucosal function, or mast cell activation can affect T cell polarization or cytokine production. Therefore, modulating mast cell activation or supporting GI mucosal health can also contribute to a healthy T helper cell profile.
Personalize your plan of care by identifying formulas that match the circumstances of your patient’s case. The following may be useful:
- Innate Immune Support promotes healthy cellular immune response to support innate immunity‡
- Coriolus extract promotes white blood cell number and function‡
- Epi-Integrity promotes healthy modulation of mucosal immune responses to support GI integrity in a great-tasting powder‡
- Perilla extract supports healthy modulation of Th2 cytokines and mucosal health‡
- Hist Reset modulates mast cell and immune mediator activation‡
Bringing It All Together
Modulating self-tissue response can sometimes feel overwhelming, but this three-step approach offers a simple and reliable strategy that addresses the immunological basis of patterns seen commonly in your patients.
Discover the Pure Encapsulations products that align with these Steps in our Self-Tissue Response Protocol and Self-Tissue Response Brochure.‡
Complimentary Access to Cogence® Immunology
Cogence® is an online course—built by Dr. Samuel Yanuck, DC — that offers an in-depth functional immunology learning experience. Designed to connect underlying immunology with clinical applications, Cogence® creates a rigorous yet intuitive program that will allow you to navigate each patient's unique clinical pattern.
At Pure Encapsulations®, we have made a unique commitment to provide functional medicine practitioners with full access to this course at no additional cost, assuming the full cost of membership.
Your complimentary Cogence® membership will give you access to over 200 instructional videos, each 20 to 90 minutes long and grouped into 22 modules, covering a wide range of topics. Tackle the whole course, or use it as a learning library, picking videos about topics related to your patient’s cases.
To get started, visit PureEncapsulationsPro.com/Cogence
Other Resources
Drug-Nutrient Interaction Checker: Provides valuable information on potential interactions between your patients' prescriptions, over-the-counter medications and nutritional supplements.
PureInsight™: Our streamlined platform easily collects patient data and provides valuable recommendations to help achieve their health goals.
Virtual Dispensary: Our Pure Patient Direct program provides healthcare providers with access to our virtual dispensary to help simplify patient sales and reduce in-office inventory.
You can also explore Pure Encapsulations® to find On-Demand Learning, Clinical Protocols and other resources developed with our medical and scientific advisors.
References
- Zhu J, Paul WE. Blood. 2008 Sep 1;112(5):1557-69.
- Miossec P, Korn T, Kuchroo VK. N Engl J Med. 2009 Aug 27;361(9):888-98.
- Barnes PJ, Karin M. N Engl J Med. 1997 Apr 10;336(15):1066-71.
- O'Shea JJ, Plenge R. Immunity. 2012 Apr 20;36(4):542-50.
- Maddur MS, Miossec P, Kaveri SV, Bayry J. Am J Pathol. 2012 Jul;181(1):8-18.
- Steinman L . Nat Med. 2007 Feb;13(2):139-45.
- Akdis M, Burgler S, Crameri R, et al. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 2011 Mar;127(3):701-21.e170
+Dr. Samuel Yanuck is a retained advisor for Pure Encapsulations®.