Welcome back to Health Unlocked! In this episode, host Jasen Petersen has an eye-opening discussion that peels back the layers, literally, of the immune system. After catching up on alumni volleyball adventures and conference buzz, the conversation dives deep into why the phrase “support the immune system” is dangerously imprecise and how most of us misunderstand what immunity support actually means.
Jasen unpacks the concept of a “layered immune system,” revealing why focusing on specific layers, like the often-overlooked local innate immune system, is key to real healing and resilience, especially in the face of chronic disease. The show also explores the strengths and blind spots of the Integrative Functional Medicine (IFM) model, how precision medicine is (and isn’t) making headway, and practical ways practitioners and listeners can identify which “immune layers” their current strategies are really supporting.
Plus, Jasen shares compelling personal stories and real-world insights, including how tools like Lumen are changing the way we measure metabolic flexibility and support whole-body healing. Whether you’re a health professional or simply curious about what it really takes to unlock lifelong wellness, this episode will change the way you think about integrative medicine, chronic illness, and immune health.
Timestamps:
00:00 "Local Innate Immunity's Importance"
06:12 Systemic Innate Immunity Explained
11:36 Integrative Protocols: Incomplete Solutions
18:38 "ATP: Energy and Signal Dilemma"
26:57 "Prioritizing Local Immune Support"
31:17 Shingles and Immune Response Explained
35:02 Apoptosis vs. Necrosis in Healing
43:51 "Targeting Immune Layers in Medicine"
44:58 Immune System Workouts: Probiotics & Cold Therapy
53:37 "Challenges of Optimizing Chronic Health"
56:52 Metabolic Flexibility and Fasting Insights
01:01:11 "Episode Conclusion & Thanks"
Decoding Integrative Medicine: The Critical Role of Immune System Layers
The latest episode of "Health Unlock the Power of Salutogenesis" delves deep into the world of integrative medicine and why understanding the layered structure of the immune system is the missing link in resolving chronic illness. Featuring Jasen Petersen, this insightful discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in holistic health, functional medicine, and long-term healing.
Why “Supporting the Immune System” Is Too Vague
We hear it everywhere: “Support your immune system!” But as Jasen points out, this phrase is often dangerously imprecise. The immune system isn’t a single entity - it’s a complex, layered network. Simply taking a generic supplement or following a trend often just pushes noise into the system, without knowing what actually needs support.
A Closer Look at the Five Immune System Layers
Jasen breaks down the immune system into five interconnected layers, each with its own specific role:
Barrier Defense (e.g., skin, gut lining, mucous membranes): The first line of defense - think of it as your body’s security gate.
Local Innate Immunity: Involves tissue-resident immune cells like macrophages that coordinate the entire healing cycle. Healing starts and ends locally.
Systemic Innate Immunity: The broadcast center - this is what we typically see measured with bloodwork, like inflammatory markers.
Neuroimmune Signaling: How your brain and immune system communicate, heavily influenced by stress and vagal tone.
Adaptive Immunity: The “memory” that people usually think of, involving T and B cells - this is what vaccines target.
Most immune support strategies focus only on one or two layers, leaving blind spots that can perpetuate chronic disease.
The Functional Medicine Model: Strengths and Blind Spots
Integrative and functional medicine (notably the Institute for Functional Medicine, or IFM, model) has advanced the way we look at health by moving beyond just treating symptoms. It organizes dysfunction into systems (assimilation, energy, biotransformation, etc.) and inputs (diet, lifestyle, genetics, environment, psychosocial history). However, as Jasen points out, these models often treat immunity as a single node, rather than addressing its layered complexity.
Why You May Hit a Healing Plateau
Many people, especially those with healthy habits, still develop chronic illnesses because only part of their immune system is getting the support it needs. For instance, local innate immune fatigue is a root cause for many chronic conditions, yet it’s rarely directly addressed. This layer is responsible for orchestrating healing at the tissue level. When fatigued, it won’t signal other layers effectively, leading to unresolved issues like persistent inflammation, scarring, or even cancer. As Jasen shares, you can have a robust overall immune system on paper, but if local tissues are exhausted, chronic disease can still take hold.
From Treatment to True Resolution
What does this mean for integrative medicine? To move beyond symptom management and truly resolve chronic issues, practitioners need to identify which immune layer is stuck and target support accordingly. Instead of blunting systemic inflammation or stacking generic protocols, the focus should be on supporting local innate immunity and neuroimmune recalibration, so the body can complete its healing cycle.
The Power of Precise Support
Supporting local innate immunity is about nourishing cells with the resources they need (not just more immune stimulation). Products like IBAL, for instance, deliver essential cofactors directly to where they’re needed, helping tissues finish healing and break the cycle of chronic inflammation.
Takeaway for Patients and Practitioners
The layered immune model offers a roadmap for more precise, effective interventions. Start by identifying which immune layers your current strategies are targeting, and look for blind spots like local innate immune fatigue or neuroimmune dysregulation. Remember: health isn’t about suppressing symptoms or attacking disease, but supporting your body’s innate capacity to heal at every level.
Show Website - https://powerofsalutogenesis.com/
Ionic Alliance Foundation Website - https://iaf.care/
Jasen Petersen's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasenepetersen/
TopHealth Media Website - https://tophealth.care/