The immune system, the firewall of our body
Computers and networks have a firewall to protect themselves against harmful influences and abuse (hackers, viruses, etc.) from outside. That idea is copied from nature. After all, every living being has such a mechanism. The immune system is the firewall of our body.
How does the immune system work?
The immune system is a biological defense system. It consists of an intricate network of cells and processes that protects our body from unwanted invaders. A defense response against an intruder is created by the cooperation of two main systems:
- Innate or non-specific immunity (a series of pre-programmed responses to invaders that does not change)
- Adaptive or specific immunity (the immune response is adapted to the invader)
The innate or non-specific immune system gets to work first. The adaptive or acquired immune system only kicks in when the innate immune system proves unable to render an intruder harmless within a short period of time. The adaptive immune system works with the B and T memory cells, which also ensure that the immune response starts much faster in the event of a second attack from the same intruder.
The importance of nutrition
It has long been established that nutrition, or the lack thereof, is of great importance for a well-functioning immune system. Malnutrition and nutrient deficiencies have a detrimental effect on adaptive, innate and cellular immune responses and suppress immune functions. The body’s response to intruders becomes disrupted and therefore they can make their move more easily. In addition, they can increase nutrient deficiencies by reducing nutrient intake, increasing consumption and disrupting utilisation by modifying metabolic pathways. A healthy, balanced diet in combination with supplementation can help ensure good resistance. Certain herbs and nutrients have also been found to support the body’s defenses. View the supplementation advice from VitEducatief here.
