Innate Immunity: The First Line of Defense

The innate immune system acts as the body’s first line of defense against infections, responding quickly upon exposure to harmful germs and even resists cancer development. The innate immune system is highly active and responsive in young children, but its efficiency can decline with age or poor health.

It’s also important to understand that this part of the immune system becomes smarter and more finely tuned through regular exposure to different viruses and bacteria. This is why children, despite having a strong innate immune response, tend to catch colds and coughs more often than adults. Each exposure helps their immune cells learn how to recognize and fight infections more effectively. Over time, as they encounter more pathogens, their innate immunity becomes better trained, and the frequency of respiratory infections they experience gradually decreases as they grow older.

In the case of COVID-19, as it was a a novel virus, the innate immune systems of adults had not been previously trained to recognize or respond to it effectively. In contrast, children, whose innate immune systems are naturally more robust, were generally able to mount a faster and more effective initial response. As a result, children typically experienced much milder symptoms compared to most adults.

Another important consideration is that while a healthy innate immune system can often clear infections on its own, if the degree of exposure is too great for this first line of defense to manage alone, the second arm of the immune response, known as the adaptive immune system, is also recruited. This system produces highly specific antibodies that precisely target and destroy the invading pathogens.

This also means that when the innate immune system successfully clears an infection on its own, there may be no detectable antibodies afterward to indicate that an infection ever occurred. However, the body remains well-prepared to fight off the same or similar viruses in the future, thanks to the training and memory-like adaptation of the innate immune response. For this reason, the widespread assumption that antibody levels alone reflect true immunity has been misguided, as it overlooks the crucial protective role of innate immune training.

An Immune Paradox

Paradoxically, when the adaptive immune system reacts too quickly or intensely, it can actually limit the training of the innate immune system. This happens because a strong antibody and T-cell response may eliminate the infection so rapidly that the innate immune cells don’t have enough time to fully engage, adapt, or “learn” from the encounter. As a result, the innate system misses the opportunity to strengthen its broad defenses, reducing its ability to respond effectively to other, unrelated infections in the future.

As a result, focusing solely on repeatedly boosting antibody levels against specific COVID-19 spike protein targets, instead of supporting and strengthening the innate immune system, may have inadvertently made people more vulnerable to new COVID-19 variants and to a broader range of other infections over time.

 
 
 
 

Can innate immune function be augmented?

Whether due to aging or inadequate training, various strategies may enhance the innate immune response. In addition to healthy lifestyle practices, Luminnova Health recommends utilizing

  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT)

  • Antimicrobial blue light (aBL)

  • Photobiomodulation (PBM),

  • Pure far infrared therapy and

  • Probiotics and postbiotics (specific evidence based strains)

  • Calcifediol to rapidly boost active vitamin D if needed

HEALTHY Lifestyle Practices

Health promoting lifestyle practices play a crucial role in shaping the effectiveness of the innate immune response. These include:

  • OPTIMAL NUTRITION: we advise a plant rich diet, with adequate intake of omega 3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Significantly limit intake of sugar and refined carbohydrates and avoid ultra processed foods and seed oils altogether.

  • GUT MICROBIOME: It is estimated that over 70% of our immune cells are located in the gut and proper function of these cells is strongly dependent on the gut microbiome. Studies indicate that a plant rich diet and fermented foods promote a healthy mix of gut microbes. Specific probiotic supplements have also been shown to reduce the frequency of upper respiratory tract infections. Severity of CoVID-19 infection was also correlated with lower microbiome diversity.

  • ADEQUATE SLEEP: Sleep disruption can impair immune function. Aim for 7-8 hours of restorative (good quality) sleep per night.

  • VITAMIN D: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in keeping the innate immune system strong and balanced. It helps activate key immune cells, such as macrophages and natural killer cells, which are responsible for detecting and destroying invading pathogens. Adequate vitamin D levels also help regulate inflammation, ensuring the immune response is effective without becoming overactive. In this way, maintaining optimal vitamin D status supports the body’s ability to quickly and efficiently fight off infections. As it can take 2 weeks to convert vitamin D supplements to active vitamin D, maintaining adequate levels prior to infection is imperative.

  • EXERCISE: frequent, moderate exercise can have a profound beneficial impact on immune function. Even small increases in levels of activity can have significant benefit. On the other hand, prolonged high intensity exercise typical of elite athletes may actually have the opposite effect.


photodynamic therapy

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) works by using a light-activated compound called a photosensitizer. When exposed to a specific wavelength of light, this compound produces reactive oxygen species (ROS)—highly energetic molecules that can destroy infected or cancerous cells. These abnormal cells are much more sensitive to ROS than healthy ones, which makes PDT both targeted and gentle on normal tissue.

Unlike antibiotics or chemotherapy, PDT doesn’t lead to resistance with repeated use; in fact, it often becomes more effective over time as immune responses strengthen. Most of the scientific research on PDT’s ability to boost immune function comes from cancer studies, but the same innate immune cells that fight tumors also play a central role in defending the body against infections, suggesting that these benefits extend well beyond cancer care.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can be especially effective against viral infections, including COVID-19, through several key mechanisms:

  1. Rapid Viral Reduction – PDT can directly destroy viruses within seconds, quickly lowering the overall viral load in the body.

  2. Innate Immune Boost – It helps the immune system by removing virus-infected cells. When these damaged cells are cleared, they release natural signaling molecules that strongly activate the body’s first line of defense—the innate immune cells. By reducing viral load early, PDT also prevents the immune system from becoming overloaded, allowing it to respond more efficiently.

  3. Innate Training – PDT appears to “train” the innate immune system, reprogramming immune cells to recognize and respond faster and more effectively to future infections—especially to viruses that are similar to the original one.

The effect of PDT as a cancer therapy is also remarkable. Studies indicate that repeated PDT sessions further strengthen innate immunity, leading to broader immune competence.

Click here for more scientific references.



Antimicrobial Blue Light

Antimicrobial blue light (aBL), particularly in the 405–470 nm range, is a specialized form of photodynamic therapy (PDT) that stimulates innate immune defenses through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Unlike conventional PDT, which requires the application of external photosensitizers, aBL activates endogenous photosensitizers naturally present within infected cells or pathogens. The resulting oxidative burst promotes the release of type I interferons and other cytokines, triggering the activation and recruitment of immune cells to destroy invading microbes.

Unlike conventional antimicrobials, aBL acts without promoting resistance and offers localized immune enhancement in barrier tissues such as the skin and respiratory tract. Its dual role in directly inactivating pathogens and priming innate immune responses positions aBL as a promising adjunctive therapy for infection control and immune modulation.

photobiomodulation

Photobiomodulation (PBM) uses light to stimulate biological processes, traditionally for wound healing and pain relief, but there is also evidence that it can enhance innate immunity.

Like PDT, PBM improves immune cell function and even optimizes specialized receptors involved in immune training. Notably, PBM stimulates mesenchymal stem cell production, supporting immune cell development in the bone marrow. It may also counteract age-related thymus decline, which affects immune response and infection resistance.

Click here for more scientific references.

Pure Far Infrared Therapy

Pure far infrared (FIR) therapy can enhance innate immunity by promoting microcirculation, reducing inflammation, and stimulating cellular activity. FIR waves penetrate deep into tissues, increasing blood flow and oxygen delivery to immune cells, which helps them function more efficiently.

Additionally, FIR therapy has been shown to activate heat shock proteins and nitric oxide production, both of which play key roles in immune defense by modulating inflammation and supporting cellular repair. By promoting detoxification through sweating and enhancing mitochondrial function, FIR therapy may also strengthen the body’s natural ability to fight infections and maintain overall immune resilience.


Immune Boosting Postbiotic strains

The body hosts trillions of microbes, primarily in the gut, that tremendously impact overall health. Live cultures of these organisms are administered for their health promoting benefits. Postbiotics, bioactive compounds derived from probiotics, provide similar benefits without the logistical challenges of maintaining active cultures and safety issues of using live cultures in those with weakened immunity.

Postbiotics help reduce inflammation, prevent harmful bacterial growth, and strengthen the gut barrier, protecting against toxins. They also support glucose and lipid metabolism, potentially lowering obesity and type 2 diabetes, key risk factors for severe COVID-19. Research has also shown that specific strains of postbiotics like MCC1849 and L-137 enhance defenses by:

For immunity, postbiotics like MCC1849 and L-137 enhance defenses by a number of very important mechanisms:

  • Helping immune cells detect harmful germs by up -regulating specialized pattern receptors

  • Increasing interferon and other natural virus-fighting chemicals produced by the body

  • Controlling inflammation to avoid harmful overreactions (cytokine storm)

  • Strengthening natural killer cells and other immune cells that attack viruses

Clinical trials suggest postbiotics may lower viral infection rates and severity.


Click here for scientific references.


THERAPEUTIC RATIONALE of the Luminnova Innate Boost

The aim is to use PDT, PBM, and postbiotics to strengthen the innate immune response, thereby reducing the risk of severe CoVID-19 and other respiratory infections:

  1. Significantly increase the general readiness of the innate immune system to tackle infection 

  2. Leverage currently high CoVID-19 circulation to train immunity for future strains.

  3. Lower viral loads in acute infections to help prevent immune suppression (reduced lymphocyte count)

  4. Lower the risk of other types infections by boosting broad immune readiness.


HOW CAN THIS BE ACHIEVED?

Sublingual PDT/PBM

Systemic PDT/PBM can be achieved by directing light therapy at appropriate wavelengths and power under the tongue (sublingually) thereby achieving a non-invasive, full body therapy. The light therapy can be administered alone or after giving an oral photosensitizer and timed to coincide with its peak absorption.

Patients sometimes report mild, transient myalgia (aching muscles) a few hours following the initial PDT sessions which appears to be related to activation of the innate immune response. In our experience, these treatments have resulted in expedited recovery of severe CoVID-19 disease, documented eradication of reactivated viruses like cytomegalovirus and significant clinical improvement in Lyme disease.


PBM Sternum

Treatment over the sternum bone in the chest has been recommended as a means of targeting both the thymus gland and the mesenchymal stem cells within the bone marrow.


Postbiotic Formulation

Luminnova Health has selected Flora-Matrix Postbiotics which contains evidence- based dosages of MCC-1849, L-137 and highly beneficial short chain fatty acids designed to optimize immune response and reduce inflammation


Sample Case STUDIES

CASE ONE: Sublingual PBM/PDT

BEFORE: A classic “targetoid” pattern of expanding redness on the face (erythema migrans) due to Lyme disease. This has been present and worsening for 6 weeks. Biopsy was carried out on the day of presentation along with a single treatment of sublingual PBM/PDT using chlorophyll as a photosensitizer.

AFTER: One week later (see time stamp) the pathology report confirmed Lyme disease and the facial eruption had completely resolved after a single session of sublingual PBM/PDT. No other treatments had been used. This dramatic improvement was likely due to direct targeting of Borrelia burgdorferi, the causative agent of Lyme disease, coupled with  optimization of the immune response.

CASE TWO: Sublingual PBM/PDT

BEFORE: Specialized immunological tests revealed significantly elevated cytomegalovirus (CMV) titers with associated symptoms including poly arthritis and fatigue. CMV is challenging to treat due to its ability to establish lifelong latency, evade the immune system, and develop resistance to antivirals.

A series sublingual PBM/PDT sessions employing methylene blue and riboflavin as photosensitizers were administered over 3 weeks.

CASE THREE: Sublingual PBM/PDT

Patient treated on day 14 of CoVID-19 infection during the first wave of the pandemic. Patient had severe breathing difficulties which warranted referral for in-patient treatment but unfortunately was turned away due to capacity issues. Reported severity as 10/10 as unable to inhale fully. Described a sensation of a “balloon being blown up against my breathing” making it difficult to breathe in - along with intense pressure in the head. Pt had been unable to sleep due to these symptoms.

Day 1: Offered sublingual PBM/PDT as in patient therapy was unavailable. Patient noted immediate reduction in severity of breathing and fell asleep for nine hours. Upon waking reported breathing difficulty at 4/10 level of severity although there was persistent chest soreness and she still felt slightly weak.

Day 2: Two additional sessions of PBM/PDT. Patient reported  “Breathing is basically normal but still slightly lightheaded. Had a full night’s rest”.

Day 3: Still slightly lightheaded but no coughing and effortless breathing. Two sublingual treatments carried out as before. Evening: No coughing, breathing effortlessly (0/10 severity) and dizziness had settled completely.

CASE FOUR: Far Infrared Therapy

This is a summary of a case published by Ventura et al. A 67-year-old woman with Parkinsons disease and hypertension was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis on 21/10/11. She began standard TB treatment but discontinued it after one month due to severe side effects, including vomiting, loss of appetite, and weakness. Following treatment cessation, her symptoms worsened, with persistent cough, difficulty breathing, chest pain, night sweats, and weight loss.

On 1/12/11, she opted for an alternative treatment using far-infrared therapy at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Peru. Sessions were conducted three times a week for 18 weeks. Within nine days, she reported significant symptom improvement, including reduced cough, dyspnea, night sweats, and weakness. By 30 days, her condition continued to improve, and her sputum smear test for acid-fast bacilli became negative.

Over the next four and a half months, continued monitoring showed sustained improvement, with repeated negative TB tests. On 12/4/12, she was officially declared cured and discharged by the National Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Program.

PLEASE NOTE:

It is important to note that these measures do not guarantee a specific level of protection. They should be used alongside other preventive strategies as needed (See Viral Defense Strategies).