Support Your Immune System

There has been a lot of information about our immune system in the news. We. Hope to clear up any confusion about the whole thing. What is the immune system?

The immune system protects our body from outside invaders and is the body’s tool for preventing or limiting infection.

These include germs such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and toxins. The immune system is made up of different organs, cells, and proteins that work together. A fully functional immune system can distinguish healthy tissue from unwanted substances. If it detects an unwanted substance, it will mount an immune response — a complex attack to protect the body from invaders like bacteria, viruses, and parasites. It also recognizes and removes dead and faulty cells (Source: Medical News Today).

“The immune system consists of a range of components, including:

• white blood cells (leukocytes)

• the spleen

• the bone marrow

• the lymphatic system

• the thymus

• the tonsils, adenoids, and appendix

“White blood cells circulate in the blood and lymphatic vessels.

“The lymphatic system forms a network similar to the blood vessels. It carries a substance called lymph instead of blood. Lymph is a fluid immune-related cells to areas that need them. White blood cells are constantly looking for pathogens. When they find one, they begin to multiply and send signals to other cell types to do the same.

“The body stores white blood cells in different places, known as lymphoid organs. These include:

• The thymus: A gland behind the breastbone, where white blood cells known as lymphocytes mature.

• The spleen: An organ at the upper left of the abdomen where immune cells gather and work.

• Bone marrow: Soft tissue in the center of the bones that produces red and white blood cells.

• Lymph nodes: These are small, bean-shaped glands throughout the body, especially in the neck, underarms, groin, and abdomen. They link via lymphatic vessels. Immune cells gather in lymph nodes and react when antigens are present. This can lead to swelling.

• The tonsils, adenoids, and appendix: These are gateways for pathogens to enter the body, so lymphoid tissue is also there.

“Seventy percent of the immune system is located in the gut,” says David Heber, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of medicine at UCLA Health. “Nutrition is a key modulator of immune function.”

“Immune cells in the gut interact with the microbiome, the diverse array of bacteria and fungi that live in the gastrointestinal tract and are directly influenced by an individual’s diet and lifestyle. The foods we eat affect the diversity and composition of bacteria in the gut, which in turn affect immune cells. Those gut bugs are healthiest and support strong immunity when their hosts (that’s us) consume plant foods that are high in fiber.

“The microbiome and the immune system are critically intertwined,” says Jonathan Jacobs, MD, PhD, a professor of digestive diseases at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “What’s present in the gut determines what education immune cells get.”

“Dietary diversity and microbial diversity go together, Dr. Jacobs says. The typical Western diet, which is high in animal proteins, sugar, processed foods and saturated fat, results in less-diverse gut bacteria and promotes inflammation and chronic disorders, he says. A fiber-rich diet, on the other hand, supports the microbiome and reduces inflammatory response.” (Source: UCLA Health Blog)

Immune System Builders

1.   Rest

2.   Balanced Diet

3.   Dry Brushing

4.   Positive Mental Attitude

5.    Sunlight

Immune System Busters

1. Toxic Emotions

2. Sleep Deprivation

3. Stress

4. Processed Food

5. Sugar

Let’s be intentional about building our immune system by avoiding the immune system busters and increasing the immune system builders. Begin right now by taking some deep breaths and smiling!