036. Dr. Azza Gadir on Immunity, Allergies and Vaccines

May 13, 2021

Listen to Dr. Azza Gadir explain to Heather the functions of the immune system and the difference between getting the COVID-19 vaccine vs. natural infection or avoiding the virus. Dr. Gadir teaches us about allergies, autoimmune conditions, the microbiome, and the science behind vaccination. She also addresses how women’s health, menstrual cycles, pregnancy and fertility are impacted by the various coronavirus vaccines. Dr. Gadir addresses common pandemic concerns with transparency and research.

In this episode, Heather and Azza discuss:

• How the immune system helps us maintain homeostasis and protects us from disease
• The importance of herd immunity
• How the vaccine affects fertility, pregnancy and menstrual cycles
• Why so many people feel uncertain about whether the vaccine is right for them, and how they made their own vaccination decisions
• How vaccines don't necessarily change the immune system, but rather give the immune system something to respond to
• Allergies vs intolerances
• Autoimmune conditions
• Impact of genetics, environment and diet on immunity
• Innate immune system and the adaptive immune system
• The gut microbiome
• Regulatory T-cells, antibodies, antigen presenting cells, spike proteins, dendritic cells
• Antigen specificity
• Vaccines as a form of training the body
• The memory of our bodies
• COVID-19 vaccination and women’s periods and fertility
• Different types of vaccines, including the mRNA vaccines
• Who should be careful about getting vaccinated
• The importance of supporting frontline healthcare workers who have experienced a lot of trauma in the pandemic
• Ingredients of the Moderna (p. 11) and Pfizer (p. 11) COVID19 vaccines (overview)

Dr. Azza Gadir completed her PhD in Immunology from University College London and spent the next 7 years at Harvard Medical School / Boston Children’s Hospital where her published research focused on understanding the immune system and how it protects us from diseases like allergies. Recently she has worked for biotech companies exploring how academic research can be used to create innovative therapeutic products. Dr. Gadir grew up in London and received a Masters degree in the Immunology of Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Dr. Azza Gadir on LinkedIn.

Heather Grzych is the author of The Ayurvedic Guide to Fertility and the host of the Wisdom of the Body podcast. A board-certified Ayurvedic practitioner, she bridges the worlds of conventional and alternative medicine to help women and men heal their physical and emotional lives. Heather is on the board of directors for the National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA) and has consulted with doctors, governments, and insurance companies. She offers virtual consultations and programs worldwide. www.heathergrzych.com  

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This podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only.