Understanding Your Immune System

Our health and even survival depend on the constant guard and appropriate response of our immune system. Minute by minute our various immune cells and tissues fend off attacks from disease-causing organisms, neutralize toxins, repair tissues damaged from cuts, burns and bruises and also battle cancer cells.


Dietary and lifestyle choices play an important role in strengthening or weakening our immune system impacting its ability to mount a vigorous and appropriate response as required. A double barreled defense Our immune response is characterized by two stages of resistance. Specific immunity, is when a response is mounted against a particular invader. Non-specific immunity includes mechanical and chemical barriers, and generalized cellular and metabolic responses against a wide range of pathogens including bacteria, viruses and toxins. Non-specific responses Non-specific resistance is our first line of defense. A range of barriers and cellular responses protect us against the multitude of pathogens and toxins we encounter each day. Non-specific responses include Mechanical Skin: A physical barrier to the entrance of microbes Mucous membranes and mucous: Provides a physical barrier and traps microbes and toxins entering through mouth, nose or vagina Nasal hairs: Filter and trap microbes and dust particles Defecation and vomiting: Expel microbes from the body Chemical Gastric acid: Combats bacteria and toxins in stomach Acid pH of skin: Discourages growth of microbes Lysozyme: Antibacterial substance in sweat and other body fluids Metabolic responses These are often seen as negative and treated as such. In contrast these two responses are important elements of our body’s natural defenses. Inflammation: Confines and destroys microbes and initiates tissue repair Fever: Inhibits microbial growth and speeds reactions that aid tissue repair Non-specific immune cells: Ingest and/or kill foreign microbes, tumor cells, toxins and debris. Specific immunity Specific immunity involves various B cells and T cells which identify, kill and remember specific invaders. These are the cells responsible for developing resistance to childhood diseases and are the focus of vaccination programs. The lymphatic system Our lymphatic system is central to both responses. Stem cells within lymphatic tissues in bone marrow and our thymus gland mature into immune cells and migrate via lymphatic capillaries and vessels, destroying foreign invaders and substances and removing them from the body. The importance of diet and lifestyle The health of our immune system and its ability to protect us is directly affected by the quality of our diet and lifestyle. We can either strengthen or weaken it through the choices we make. Diet A diet rich in healthy fruit and vegetables is what our immune system loves. Vegetable foods provide the rich array of vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients which support its activities and fuel its needs. Enzymes found in raw vegetable foods help energize all our body’s activities. Meat, animal products and processed foods compromise our immune system. Their acidic waste residues provide an environment in which our body struggles and invaders love. These residues clog our lymphatic circulation, reducing its ability to transport immune cells and remove wastes. Exercise Exercise improves immunity in a number of ways. Muscular contractions enhance lymphatic circulation and the transport of immune cells and wastes. Exercise causes the release of hormones which stimulate immune function, and sweat contains lysozyme which breaks down the cell walls of harmful bacteria. Exercise also raises our body temperature- an artificial “fever” which enhances our immune response. Stress and state of mind All forms of stress reduce our ability to fight invaders. Our body responds to physical and mental stress in the same way and reduces our immune system’s activity. Depression and a negative state of mind also reduce immunity, causing a release of hormones which suppress immune activity. Too much partying Burning the midnight candle depletes our immune system. Our immune system, like our whole body, needs time to rest and recuperate. Our rest is also the time when much repair work takes place. Whether working or partying too hard, the effects are the same. Partying of course, takes an extra toll as alcohol and drugs deplete necessary nutrients and increase toxic load. Keep the bugs at bay with a healthy immune system. Eat well, exercise, relax and rest to enhance your body’s ability to keep you healthy and help you live longer. Related articles: 10 Ways to Boost Your Immunity, Why Eat Healthy?, Exercise and Stress Management