The Immune System: Bolster Your Body’s Sentinel
Every fall and winter season, we start to bundle up more because the cold weather blows in. The sun sets earlier. And our daily habits change to a degree. During this season, we also see an uptick in colds and other illnesses. The amazing thing is that also during this time our immune systems, which are always on guard, ramp into high gear as well to fend off any foreign invaders to our bodies.
What is the immune system? How does it work? And what can you do to strengthen your body’s intricately woven defense system?
your immune system
If you couldn’t tell from my social posts, or from previous blogs, I believe that our bodies are amazingly intricate and beautiful. Many times we take for granted that we are able to function on a daily basis without too many issues. But what if that harmony is interrupted? You definitely notice if you can do all the things you usually do. Well, your immune system is the sentinel that stands on guard to keep your body safe from foreign pathogens, viruses, and bacteria that it sees as harmful.
Each person has an innate and adaptive immune system. The innate immune system is the one with which everyone is born. This specific system includes things like your skin, stomach acid, mucus, cough reflex, and enzymes found in your tears and skin oils. On a chemical compound basis, the innate system consists of interferon and interluken-1. The structure of the innate system is to protect you in general; it doesn’t target anything specifically. That job is left to the adaptive immune system.
Your adaptive immune system is the complex system that recognizes individual threats, targets them, and works to kill those threats in your body. While this is a highly complex system, the major parts of it are as follows:
Lymph Nodes - small bean-shaped structures that store and produce infection fighting cells.
Spleen - largest lymphatic organ that contains white blood cells that fight infection.
Bone Marrow - produces white blood cells.
Lymphocytes - called B-cells and T-cells, which play a huge role in defeating infections. B-cells create antibodies and T-cells kill infected and cancerous cells.
Thymus - small organ where T-cells grow.
Leukocytes - disease fighting white blood cells that identify and eliminate pathogens.
how does it work
Your immune system is activated by what is called an antigen. An antigen can be a protein from viruses, bacteria, and fungi. So as an antigen binds to certain immune receptors in your cells, your immune goes on alert and realizes there is something foreign trying to invade your body. It kicks into high gear to destroy the invader. If it is the first time the body has come into contact with this type of pathogen, the immune system typically keeps the information stored so it knows what it is should it come back again. This enables your body to start fighting and protecting itself faster the next time it comes in contact with it. Amazing isn’t it?
There are times that the body’s immune system can start attacking its own cells, which is known as an autoimmune disease. This will be a topic of another blog, but it is important to note that when you have an autoimmune condition, your immune system needs more attention because it is weakened by fighting your own cells. And that’s why it’s so important to work on the root cause of your health conditions, as well as do all you can to build up your immune system.
ways to build up your immune system
It is important to keep your guardian immune system running smoothly so it can protect you in the event you come in contact with something that seeks to hurt your body. And fortunately, there are several things that can assist you in keeping your immune system strong:
Eating a Healthy Diet
Getting Restful Sleep
Lessen Stress
Exercise Regularly
Don’t Smoke
No alcohol, or moderate alcohol consumption
foods that help bolster your immune system
Eating a healthy diet is essential to keeping your immune system in prime condition. Getting your micronutrients allows the system to stayed fueled and working properly. Some of those key nutrients include Vitamins A, B, C, D, zinc, folic acid, iron, and copper, just to name a few. So, what are some foods you can eat that will help bolster your immune system?
Here’s a list of a few foods that will help your immune system stay in tip-top condition:
Edlerberry
Acai Berries
Mushrooms
Oysters
Watermelon
Probiotic Yogurt
Spinach
Tea (high in antioxidants)
Sweet Potatoes
Broccoli
Garlic
Chicken Soup (opt for homemade if you can)
Pomegranates
Miso soup
Blueberries
Take care of your guardian
Do your best to take care of your immune system. It takes care of you everyday to ensure that you can function. Getting plenty of rest, eating a healthy diet, and moving your body helps to keep your Immune Protecting System in good condition to do its job and keep you healthy.