Frequently Asked Questions

Questions on the Immune System and Omega's Products
Answered by Frank D. Sutton, Jr., M.D., FACP, FCCP

Q: Is the immune system the main focus of this company?

A: Yes, in either a direct or indirect manner, all of the products support some function and strengthening of the human immune system, even in bone mending and tissue repair.

Q: Should everyone consider taking an agent such as CM4 or PCM4?

A: In today's world, we are under constant assault by more and more threatening bacteria and a host of viruses. Due to the overuse and availability of antibiotics, highly resistant strains of bacteria reside in all our hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation facilities and are moving into the general community. All of us must depend on the strength of the human immune system as the first and foremost line of defense against these injurious agents. Assisting your immune system with products/agents proven to be effective through careful research and clinical observation is only wise. As the world becomes even more threatening, with possibilities such as the release of anthrax, smallpox, tularemia and chemical agents into our environment, it behooves us to take extraordinary measures. Many, many studies in all of medical literature point to the fact that the "young and healthy survive." This directly correlates to immune health an d strength. Today, we are no longer powerless in attempts to heighten immune surveillance and resistance to injury. CM4 is one of the most carefully studied, recorded, proven safe and effective agents that fulfills this criteria.

Q: Do your products always "strengthen" or "heighten" the immune system response to injury, or are there circumstances where they could be harmful?

A: The human immune system is very complex and quite wonderful in the way it supports and protects us. Some parts or "arms" of the immune response are increased, while others may be modulated downward depending on the type of attack the system senses. CM4 has the unique property of being a "modulator" to the immune response, i.e., it tries to "restore function back towards normal." This sounds simplistic but is complex. We know, for instance, that it has direct antiviral activity against influenza and even the HIV virus (direct killing power). However, a secondary effect is the lowering of the harmful cytokine, TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor or cachectin). This powerful cytokine is protective in our bodies in small amounts, but rises to highly stressful and inflammatory levels in tissue when one undergoes sepsis (generalized bacterial infection), or has the "hot" joints of rheumatoid arthritis or the inflamed bowel of Crohn's diseas e. Therefore, modulating or "re-balancing" the pro and anti-inflammatory levels of various cytokines is important and not an "all or none" phenomena. The supportive effect of CM4 on TNF-α has been carefully documented at several nationally known laboratories.

Q: When does one need to become concerned about "supporting" his or her immune system?

A: After about age 50, the human immune system begins to wane or weaken from its' days of peak function. Therefore, age is a partial answer, with older people all being more susceptible to environmental factors: bacteria, viruses, toxins, etc. In the society of today, all ages have become vulnerable because of those who would do us harm from the introduction of chemical or biological toxins. No one is spared this threat; therefore keeping the immune system in peak function should be the priority of all, regardless of age, and including even young people.

Q: What is known about protecting or strengthening the immune system?

A: Your grandmother and mother were wise in much of this counsel. Adequate sleep and the active reduction of stress help prevention of "fatigue" of one's immunity. Medical students who are sleep deprived have impairment of the function of human lymphocytes, cells critically important in immune health and strength. Diet is critically important since uncontrolled diabetes renders one highly susceptible to infection of all types, and morbid obesity is accompanied by increases in various types of cancer, especially breast cancer in females. Diets high in antioxidants and lycopenes are very protective of the immune system. Sweet potatoes are an example of a foodstuff high in antioxidants, preventing inflammation and tissue injury through the release of free oxygen radicals. Brightly colored fruits and vegetables (the brighter the red, yellow or green color the heartier) are most likely to contain lycopenes which are protective against canc er (such as tomatoes, red and green peppers, apples, etc.).

Q: What is unique about the products of Omega Pharmaceutical and how they act on the immune system?

A: Physicians have known of the powerful biologic activity of naturally occurring plants, trees and shrubs for hundreds of years. In fact, all the early medicines used in both Europe and the United States were derived from "natural" sources. Glycosides have a long track record in particular as William Withering discovered that cows with dropsy that ate a certain plant (digitalis lanata) improved from their heart failure. We continue to use his observation every day in cardiac medicine with highly purified forms of digitalis still effectively treating a large variety of heart problems. CM4 is a highly standardized active glycoside that directly and favorably affects your immune system.

Q: What are the absolute contraindications to taking CM4?

A: Because of the stimulant property of CM4 on alertness and metabolism, untreated, uncontrolled hypertension is a contraindication. If one has treated and controlled blood pressure problems, one should start CM4 with 1/2 dropperful (1/2 ml) twice daily and monitor the blood pressure over the initial week. With no significant rise above the previous "controlled" level of pressure, CM4 can then be increased to the full dropperful (1ml) twice daily, while still monitoring the blood pressure response. It is recommended that both doses be taken by at least 2 PM daily as this same stimulant property may cause insomnia or nighttime restlessness. Since the active ingredients are stabilized in alcohol, persons with sensitivity to even small medicinal quantities of alcohol can heat CM4 slightly to evaporate the alcohol off. Most children and adults will have absolutely no problems taking the medication in fully prescribed dosage, adjusted for age (s ee recommended dosage schedule).