Transfer factors and autoimmune conditions—wouldn't activating the immune system make these conditions worse?

Autoimmune conditions are those in which an over-eager immune system attacks tissues that actually belong in the “self” category rather than the “other” category. The consequences depend on where the attacked cells are and what they do. On the surface, it seems that doing anything that provokes immune system activity might make such conditions worse. Yet, transfer factors have been recommended for, and found to be effective at treating, several putative autoimmune conditions, like rheumatoid arthritis (Georgscu, 1985). Mixed evidence exists for their use in treating Multiple Sclerosis (Barsten, 1980). How does this work? Admittedly, the author has no clue, but others have argued that transfer factors somehow balance immune system functioning and somehow tone down autoimmune responses. Decades ago, Hughes (1983) reported on efforts to combat Multiple Sclerosis, a putative autoimmune condition, by either suppressing or activating the immune system. Immune system activation, including the use of transfer factors, seemed to be superior, which defies logic when a simplistic view of the immune system is used. How transfer factors affect the pathophysiology of autoimmune conditions is unclear. It is a topic that will have to await further research and will require true authorities on the subject to explain.

As we await additional evidence, one potential explanation to consider is that the healthy signal carried by the supplemental transfer factors overrides the faulty signal causing the immune system to attack the body. In time, as new immune cells are born and pick up the healthy signal, the autoimmune response diminishes.