Boosting of the immune system
Your body’s immune system is an interdependent network of cells, tissues and organs that recognize germs and fight off any infections to keep you healthy. Over time as you are exposed to different bacteria, viruses and microbes it changes accordingly – almost everyone has weak spots that make them susceptible to certain types of infections; few individuals possess strong immunity that makes them resistant against all germs – strengthening it is one way of protecting against diseases like colds and flu as well as other common illnesses.
Your immune system can benefit from eating more fruits and vegetables, drinking water and getting adequate restful sleep. Vitamin and supplement supplements may also play an essential role. Yoghurt, Chyawanprash and Ginseng have been clinically shown to stimulate immunity; vitamin C, whey protein and zinc can all also play important roles in strengthening immunity.
Not only can you strengthen your immunity through diet, but exercising regularly and getting adequate rest are also key steps towards strengthening it. Sleep is vital in helping the body repair and regenerate itself; in particular, the REM cycle of sleep plays an integral part in maintaining a strong immune system.
An increasing number of products that promise to strengthen immunity have emerged on the market in recent years. Unfortunately, however, no direct correlation between lifestyle changes and improved immune response have yet been proven; rather, our immune systems require balance and harmony for proper functioning.
Many people attempt to enhance their immunity through food or supplements that they think will support good health, such as citrus fruits or vitamin C supplements during flu season. Others use herbal remedies like echinacea and astragalus in treating colds and respiratory illness. Unfortunately, however, boosting one’s immunity isn’t always easy or safe: forcing it too quickly might backfire, as changing its behavior could potentially have serious repercussions for one’s own body – something not everyone may realize when trying to strengthen immunity is important!
Immune system function
Every second, bacteria, viruses and fungi invade our bodies in search of shelter. To defend against these invaders, your immune system deploys an army of soldiers, guards, weapon factories and communicators – each cell and protein having their own specific job to do in fighting back against these invaders.
Immune system cells recognize invaders such as germs, bacteria and viruses as well as abnormal cells such as cancer cells that threaten our bodies, and respond rapidly and effectively if encountered again in future. They do this through what’s called immune memory: recalling these invaders so we can respond more rapidly when encountered again in future.
Your immune system contains two different kinds of responses to infection: innate and adaptive immunity. Innate immunity is something you have been born with; this type of defense typically consists of physical barriers in and on your body like skin and the digestive tract lining, and immune cells which immediately attack any harmful germs that enter it. Infants have demonstrated high-levels of innate immunity response.
The adaptive immune system is more advanced than the innate one and serves to defend you from diseases you’ve come into contact with. It identifies particular markers, known as antigens, on germs or harmful substances before creating antibodies to combat them – it even alerts other immune cells so they can go and eliminate these antigens!
Immune cells consist of lymphocytes and B cells. Lymphocytes patrol your blood and tissues in search of disease-causing antigens, sending out signals to other immune cells to attack them. B lymphocytes then create antibodies specifically targeting those antigens while T lymphocytes help B lymphocytes eliminate potential threats.
The immune system can be disrupted by numerous things, including diseases and certain medicines. HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) attacks immune system cells by attacking and stopping their division – this causes chronic overreaction by your immune system known as autoimmunity disease.
Immune system balance
Scientists who specialize in immune function understand that contrary to popular opinion, an ideal immune system does not need boosting and works best when in its natural state of balance. Because immune responses contain powerful effector mechanisms with potential self-damaging capabilities, it’s crucial that it remain perfectly in balance at all times.
Researchers at the NOMIS Center for Immunobiology and Microbial Pathogenesis are working hard to uncover the mechanisms allowing for this delicate balance between biological forces. Immunologists Susan Kaech, Bjorn Lillemeier, Ye Zheng and Janelle Ayres explain in the pieces commissioned for this Focus how immune cells detect microbes or threats rapidly and respond accordingly while keeping an eye on themselves to prevent self-damage. Ron Germain provides an important roundup by placing the mechanisms at play into their larger context of systems organization, discussing their fractal nature as checks and modulatory mechanisms designed to keep immune responses both effective against pathogens while safe for their hosts.
