How Do People Become Sick From Pathogens When

​HOCl is Made on Demand in The Body

People become sick from pathogens when the infectious dose of microbes is high enough to overwhelm the body's defenses, including hypochlorous acid (HOCl).  

​While neutrophils naturally produce HOCl to destroy engulfed pathogens via phagocytosis, illness occurs if the ratio of invading pathogens to white blood cells is unfavorable or if the host’s immune response is compromised by factors like age, stress, or pre-existing conditions. 

​Key reasons HOCl production may fail to prevent sickness include:

• Overwhelming Pathogen Load: If too many microbes enter the body simultaneously, they can bypass natural barriers and replicate faster than the immune system can neutralize them with HOCl. 

 

• Immune System Efficiency: The effectiveness of HOCl depends on the ratio of pathogens to white blood cells; factors such as poor nutrition, lack of sleep, or chronic stress can reduce immune robustness, allowing pathogens to survive despite HOCl production.

 

• Pathogen Resistance and Mechanisms: Some pathogens, like norovirus, have extremely low infectious doses (as few as 18 viruses) and can replicate rapidly or evade detection, making it difficult for the localized HOCl response to contain the infection before symptoms appear. 

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• Collateral Damage and Timing: HOCl generation occurs inside the phagosome after a pathogen is engulfed; if the pathogen evades engulfment, produces toxins, or damages host tissues before being internalized, sickness can result despite the presence of HOCl in the system.

What Boosts the Body's Natural HOCl Production?

​The body’s natural production of hypochlorous acid (HOCl) relies on the enzyme myeloperoxidase (MPO) found in neutrophils (white blood cells).

​To boost this production, you must support neutrophil health, ensure adequate raw materials (chloride and hydrogen peroxide), and maintain a lifestyle that optimizes immune function without causing chronic inflammation. 

1. Nutritional Support for Neutrophils and Enzymes
HOCl is synthesized when MPO reacts hydrogen peroxide with chloride ions. Ensuring your body has the specific nutrients required for neutrophil production and enzyme function is critical. 
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• Chloride: As the source of the chlorine atom in HOCl, adequate intake of high-quality salt (such as sea salt or pink salt) is essential.

 

• Zinc and Copper: These minerals act as cofactors for immune enzymes and are vital for neutrophil development. Zinc deficiency, in particular, impairs neutrophil function. Sources include oysters, pumpkin seeds, nuts, and whole grains. 

 

• Vitamins B12 and Folate: Essential for DNA synthesis and the production of new blood cells, including neutrophils. Deficiencies can lead to neutropenia (low neutrophil count). 

 

• Vitamin C and E: While primarily known as antioxidants, they support overall immune cell function and protect neutrophils from oxidative damage during the "respiratory burst" when they generate HOCl.

 

• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Found in fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) and flaxseeds, these support healthy neutrophil levels and help regulate the inflammatory response. ​

​2. Lifestyle Factors that Optimize HOCl Production

​Lifestyle choices directly influence the activity of myeloperoxidase and the efficiency of the immune system. 
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• Manage Stress: Chronic stress diverts energy away from the immune system and suppresses digestive function, which can impair nutrient absorption needed for immune cell production. Techniques like deep breathing or meditation before meals can help shift the body into a "rest and digest" state.

 

• Regular, Moderate Exercise: Physical activity increases blood flow and stimulates the circulation of neutrophils. Exercise-induced muscle damage triggers a temporary influx of neutrophils to repair tissue, during which they naturally produce HOCl. However, extreme overtraining can lead to chronic inflammation and elevated MPO levels that damage healthy tissue.

 

• Sleep Optimization: Adequate sleep is crucial for immune regulation. Sleep deprivation is linked to increased systemic inflammation and impaired neutrophil function.

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• Avoid Smoking and Pollutants: While smoking acutely activates neutrophils, it leads to chronically elevated MPO levels that cause widespread oxidative damage to healthy tissues rather than targeted pathogen destruction. Avoiding tobacco and air pollution preserves the immune system's ability to regulate HOCl production effectively. ​

​3. Gut Health and Digestion

A significant portion of the immune system resides in the gut. Supporting healthy digestion ensures the absorption of the nutrients required for HOCl synthesis. 
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• Probiotic-Rich Foods: Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kimchi, and kefir support a healthy microbiome, which influences immune cell production.

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• Digestive Enzymes and Acids: Some sources suggest that supporting stomach acid (hydrochloric acid) with foods like celery juice, apple cider vinegar, or ginger can improve the breakdown and absorption of proteins and minerals like zinc and iron, indirectly supporting immune function.​

​Important Distinction: Acute vs. Chronic MPO Activity

It is important to balance boosting HOCl for defense without causing chronic inflammation. While you want sufficient MPO activity to fight infections, chronically high levels of circulating MPO (often caused by obesity, a diet high in saturated fats, or smoking) are associated with cardiovascular disease and tissue damage.

​The goal is a responsive immune system that produces HOCl on demand when pathogens are present, rather than a chronically inflamed state. 


REFERENCES

https://biologyinsights.com/what-causes-high-levels-of-myeloperoxidase-2/
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https://lamkinclinic.com/myeloperoxidase/

​https://www.darwynhealth.com/blood-disorders/type-of-blood-disorders/white-blood-cell-disorders/neutropenia/foods-to-boost-neutrophil-count-a-guide-for-neutropenia-patients/?lang=en