What can we do to improve our immune system?

How does our immune system work?

The immune system is our defense mechanism, which protects us against the intrusion of harmful organisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi,…) that cause various diseases. The resistance of our immune system depends on the innate immunity we inherit from our mother and which is active since birth. However, we build up our immunity throughout life, when we are exposed to new harmful organisms and thus become increasingly resilient.

Our immune system is made up of cells - red and white blood cells. They are organized into an immune system distributed throughout the body, with organs and tissues, such as the thymus, bone marrow, lymph glands, lymph nodes, liver, spleen, respiratory mucous membranes, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract, reproductive organs  and others, each having a role in maturation of immune cells.

Any new substance that appears in the body and is not recognized by the immune system as its own, activates the immune system. The immune system recognizes this new substance as foreign and destroys it. Otherwise, the immune system cannot defend itself and then we get ill.

 How do we maintain health and well-being?

It is absolutely necessary to maintain the strength of your immune system at all times, not just for a certain period of time.

Health guidelines:

• Regular daily exercise (at least 30 minutes)

• Adequate intake of essential micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and omega 3, zinc, magnesium, iron)

• Use of probiotics that regulate the intestinal flora

• A diverse diet

• Intake of antioxidants that suppress oxidative stress and alleviate premature signs of aging

• Enough sleep (7-9 hours)

• Emotional stability (relaxation including activities we like) 

What weakens the immune system?

Negative factors:

• Consuming excessive amounts of sugar which interferes with the function of white blood cells and thus weakens the resistance

• Consuming unhealthy fats, such as saturated fats and trans fats which are found in processed food

• Physical inactivity

• Excessive use of alcohol and drugs

• Excessive exercise can lead to increased amounts of stress hormones that also weaken the immune system

• Exposure to stress

•  The use of antibiotics disrupts the balance of the gut microflora, which is essential for the well-functioning of the immune system

How do we get ill? (A brief description of the stages of a cold)

The common cold is most often transmitted by nasal discharge, handshake and gripping handles, with virus being transmitted to new hosts.

Virus cells that penetrate the body 'force' other cells to start making copies of them. When the virus multiplies enough, the cell bursts and the newly generated virus cells are released from the cell and continue their infectious march.

We need to take care of our body and our immune system throughout the year by an adequate nutrition and not forgetting about the hydration of our body, which is very important for cell renewal. Some experts believe that when we feel thirst, we are already dehydrated, therefore it is really important that we enter a sufficient amount of fluid.

We recommend that you take care of your body as best you can, as the main goal in life is to stay healthy and full of energy, because that is the only way we can do the things we set ourselves.

Author: Tamara Omerzel

Category: Doctor's advice

Published: 30.03.2020 16:38