What Is The Immune System?

Introduction

Humans face a constant threat from different pathogens and injuries. In response to such potential hazards, they have developed an effective defense mechanism called the immune system, which is a very sophisticated system that keeps a fine check and balance of invaders in the body.

This defensive mechanism detects the presence of any foreign agent like viruses, bacteria parasites or cancer cells, and takes immediate measures to remove them from the body.

The First and the Second Lines of Defense

The immune system is divided into two pathways, i.e. the first line of defense or innate immunity and the second line of defense or adaptive immunity.

The innate immunity is present at the time of birth while adaptive immunity develops as we come across different pathogens (germs). It develops memory cells against the pathogen to act more efficiently when that same organism tries to reinfect.

Important Components of the Immune System

Both innate and adaptive immune system includes several components, cells, organs and tissues involved in either cellular (cell-based) or humoral (antibody-based) response.

In general, the innate immune system provides immediate response. It comprises:

The skin and the mucus membranes (physical barrier against germs);
Certain white blood cells from spleen and bone marrow (mainly macrophages and neutrophils);
Various proteins and substances in blood and body fluids;
Natural killer cells that eliminate the infected or tumorous body cells.

The adaptive immune system is more precise and keeps a long-term memory of the pathogen to act effectively the second time that germ tries to re-enter the body.

Its components include:

Antibodies (act on germs present in the blood and body fluids);
Cell-mediated immunity (T and B lymphocytes, cytokines) to fight pathogens inside the tissue.

How the Immune System Controls Your Well-being.

The immune system is significant for your well-being and survival. It works so smoothly in your body that you do not even realize it exists until it is impaired. It works hard to keep you healthy and protected from disease by continuous removal of attacking germs and abnormal body cells.

If this system does not generate a timely response when it is required, your body gets infections. On the other hand, if it activates without a threat of foreign particles or doesn’t shut down after the infection is over, it can lead to more severe health conditions like allergies and autoimmune disease.

Fighting the Foreign While Protecting the Self.

The immune system does not just eliminate the pathogens, but it does so precisely without affecting your own body cells. This is a very intricate system consisting of proteins, cells, and antibodies all working together to protect you from the danger of your surroundings.

How Can You Lack Immune System?

The immune system can be impaired by birth due to some rare genetic mutations. It can also be affected in the later stage of life due to exposure to some toxic chemicals through drinking and smoking habits; health conditions such as prolonged stress, and poor diet.

The immune system impairment can lead to:

Auto-immune disorders

These disorders cause the immune system to mistakenly attack and destroy healthy body cells and tissues.

According to a 2019 report by Statista, United States has the highest percentage (7%) of the adult population with an auto-immune disorder, while Europe (6%) and China (5%) are second and third on the list. The most common of these disorders are type 1 diabetes, Grave’s disease, multiple sclerosis, inflammatory bowel disease, and psoriasis.
Immunodeficiency disorders

These disorders make your body vulnerable to infection and disease by preventing the immune system from its normal function. Immunodeficiency disorder which is present at birth is called congenital or primary, for example, Severe Combined Immunodeficiency (SCID). The secondary disorders are developed later in life due to malnutrition, chemical interaction or cancer, for example, AIDS.

How Your Lifestyle Affects the Immune System

Your lifestyle can have both positive and negative impact on your body as a whole. There is an emerging concept of primary and secondary food. Primary food is what we need for our mental stability e.g. spirituality, self-growth, and meditation. Secondary food is what we eat.

You do not just need to keep an eye on what you put on your plate but also what you feed your mind, decides your overall health.

Stress causes your brain to send defense signals to the endocrine system which releases different hormones. This hormonal release not only sets the body for an emergency situation but also severely depresses your immune system. According to experts, around 90% of diseases including cancer and cardiovascular problems are caused or made worse by to stress.

What Can You Do to Improve Your Immune System?

The following are some of the things you can do to boost your immune system:

Physical exercise has several effects on your body functions including the immunity system. Studies show that moderate exercise improves your immune system while strenuous exercise – what athletes do – can impair their immune system. Exercise supports the immune system by improving defense activity and metabolic health.
A positive approach to life improves your physical and mental health. Studies show that people who believe they are healing actually heal as compared to others who don’t. Conversely, another scientific study has shown that being too optimistic does not always benefit your immune system, especially under complex situations.

According to this research, it was found that people who gave up earlier under difficult circumstances were being physiologically protected by minimizing the exposure to a stressor compared to the optimists who remained engaged in a problem for a longer time. Therefore, it is healthy to keep a balance in your life to protect your body systems from unwanted stress.

When the situation is easy and straightforward optimism will positively impact your immunity. In difficult and complex conditions, optimism can negatively influence your immunity.

Setting achievable goals and a healthy routine keeps you charged for a long time. In keeping up with the pace of this rapidly advancing world we have stopped the cultures of setting proper achievable goals and routine to enlighten our overburdened souls. The desire to get better at work, relationship or in personal development removes a negative state of mind that otherwise halts your immune system.
Meditation and yoga have a proven effect in strengthening a connection between your mind and body, thereby protecting it from unwanted stressors.

Conclusion

The immune system is like an army around your body. It not only protects you from all kinds of harmful invaders but also keeps an eye on your internal body functions so that a balance can be maintained. To support this vital system, you also have to keep an eye on your health, routine and lifestyle.