Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is the role of the immune system?
A. The immune system is a network of cells, organs, and chemicals that work together as a defense mechanism for the entire body. Its job is to seek and destroy all foreign substances. A normally functioning immune system has basically three functions:

1. Recognize a problem.
2. Respond
3. Remember what it did. One marker for an effective immune system is healthy natural killer (NK) cell activity.

Q. What is the role of vitamins and minerals in normal immune function?
A. Certain vitamins and minerals in particular, play an important part in helping to maintain normal immune function. They act through the "biochemical" pathways of the immune system by "fueling" the normal biochemistry of the cells. A diet sufficient in these "fuels" will result in healthy immmune function. Vitamins and minerals however are unable to connect the pathways of immune function such as Ai/E10® has been shown to do in clinical studies.

Q. What is an immunomodulator?
A. Immunomodulation means to regulate or balance the immune system. A normal immune system has the capacity to up-regulate to respond to a foriegn sunstance as well as the capacity to down-regulate to keep immune function working properly. It is important to point out the distinction between stimulating and modulating. Stimulation is not necessarily a natural process, and can result in the immune system using up critical resources that may be needed elsewhere in the immune system to defend the body from another foriegn substance. Modulation, on the other hand, is a natural process that mirrors normal function.

Q. What is Ai/E10®?
A. Ai/E10® is a "trade name" for antigen infused dialyzable bovine colostrum/whey extract produced exclusively using proprietary and patented processes. Quantum Research owns these patents (www.quantum-research.com). This antigen infused extract is a clinically proven immunomodulator or immune system "trigger" that "turns on" the immune system while acting in synergy with other nutrients. The net effect is to connect the immune pathways, which has a positive effect on immune function. Ai/E10® contains numerous immune system factors which facilitate communication among the various cells of the immune system, such as transfer factors, interferon, defensins, and other immunological co-factors that support a broad and meaningful effect on the activity of the immune system.

Q. What clinical parameters of immunity have been shown to respond to the ingestion of this antigen infused extract?
A. When studied in a double-blind fashion (see the clinical studies section), this antigen infused extract increased a few parameters of immune function such as natural killer (NK) cell activity and phagocytic index without stimulating or otherwise confusing immune function. The proprietary form of this extract, Ai/E10®, is a selectively engineered extract produced through a process of antigen infusion that requires very controlled conditions for production.

Q. Has AiE/10® been used in clinical setting?
A. Yes. Many patient "outcomes" are outlined in the booklet "The Ultimate Nutrient" by Jesse Stoff, MD.

Q. Are there other studies on the effectiveness of anitgen infused extract?
A. Yes. A clinical study was released (unpublished) in Sept 2001 which showed a several fold increase in NK-cell activity in healthy people after 90 days. See the section clinical studies section for further information.

Q. What is the purpose of the Natural Killer (NK) cells?
A. NK cells are a critical component of the immune system. These cells primarily attack and destroy foreign substances. The NK cells do not need to be activated as do the cytotoxic T cells which must be "activated" in order to be effective "fighters". Cytotoxic T cells are activated through a complex communication network within the body. The NK cells on the other hand are able to respond to threats automatically without first having other components of the immune system communicate the need.

Q. Is there a test to measure Natural Killer (NK) cell activity?
A. Yes. NK-cell activity is different from NK-cell count. The NK-cell count is not highly significant in monitoring immune system viability and is not to be confused with NK-cell activity. To determine NK-cell activity one must have an NK-Cell activity or function test.

Q. Where can one get a natural killer (NK) cell function test?
A. The NK-cell function test is a sophisticated testing procedure that has to be performed at certain medical laboratories that have the ability to do the test. It must be ordered by a physician. Due to the special nature of the test, if the physician is not an immunologist, he or she may not be familiar with the test and may be reluctant to order it. Several labs can do the test and are referenced in the Reports and Studies - Labs section.

Q. Are there other useful tests of immune function that should be checked?
A. Yes. One of the more important tests to order is called a T-cell and B-cell subset lymphocyte flow cytometry test. It can measure a comprehensive number of immune function parameters.

Q. Should I take other nutritional supplements in addition to Ai/E10®?
A. If one is currently on a nutritional program it is recommended that an Ai/E10® product be added to that regimen. Nutritional supplementation acts through biochemical pathways to support and assist immune function and is really necessary when the goal is optimal immune function. AI/E10® may assist the various immune cells to communicate with each other and therefore it helps to provide "direction" to the immune system that the nutritional "fuels" in various supplements cannot provide.

Q. How do I know what constitutes the best nutrient supplement?
A. Quality counts, for it determines bioavailability at the cellular level and therefore the results for the patient. There are many criteria outlined in the Nutraceuticals section. Ask us and we can help steer you towards the right choices in supplements.

Q. How does one determine their nutritional needs?
A. Many people develop their own nutritional program based upon their knowledge of nutrition and others use professional guidance. It is well documented that there is a steady increase in the incidence of many severe and chronic diseases especially immune system related diseases. Prevention is far better than crisis management so it makes sense to supplement with micronutrients as well as an immune system support product.

Q. Because Ai/E10® is a proprietary version of, anigen infused colostrum whey extract, is this a colostrum product?
A. Even though Ai/E10® is an engineered extract from colostrum and whey, the colostrum is only a "transfer medium" for the small molecular weight molecules produced through the antigen infusion process. In reality the colostrum is thrown away and the final product contains no colostrum. Regular colostrum is not engineered, is not selectively antigen infused, varies greatly in its consistency and usually does not come from a clean herd of cows. In clinical application, regular colostrum does not even remotely perform to the standards of Ai/E10®.

Q. Can I take Ai/E10® with other medications including antibiotics?
A. Yes. There are no known drug interactions.

Q. Is AI/E10® a stimulant for the immune system?
A. No. It acts only as a modulator for the immune system

Q. Would you recommend Ai/E10® to someone who has a milk allergy and is interested in taking the product?
A. Dr. Stoff has found that people with dairy sensitivity and allergies do not have an adverse reaction to the product. There are no large molecular weight bovine proteins in AI/E10® so the potential for allergy is markedly lessened.

Q. Can pregnant and breast feeding women take Ai/E10®?
A. The product is a dietary supplement and is considered safe for pregnant and lactating women. We recommend that a physician be consulted before making any changes to your diet.

Q. Is Ai/E10® safe for children?
A. Yes. It is safe for children of all ages. If a child is very young and unable to swallow the capsules, the product can be mixed with food, such as juice or applesauce. Give one capsule daily in divided amounts for children up to three years of age. Children from ages four to twelve may receive two capsules in divided amounts per day. Children over twelve years of age may use the product as adults. These recommendations may be increased if needed as no toxicity level has been demonstrated.

Q. Does Dr Stoff do consultations and or accept difficult patients?
A. Yes. He can be contacted through his web site http://www.ITI4HELP.com

Q. Does Immune Solutions in Practice provide resources to help me?
A. Yes. If you are a health professional we can be contacted either by our email or telephone number, which is listed with each member of the board of scientific advisors. We are happy to answer your questions and help you see the benefits of joining this "paradigm shift in health care".

Q. Does Immune Solutions in Practice provide speakers for educational conferences?
A. Yes. Several members of the board accept speaking engagements. Details of honorariums and travel arrangements can be discussed. Contact us if you have those needs.