Your immune system is your primary defence against infectious disease, so the best thing anyone can do is to educate themselves about how to do that. - Dr Joseph Mercola
Your immune system is your greatest ally against illness and infection. When you appreciate your amazing capacity to overcome immune challenges you become more confident in your healing abilities. Rather than a single soldier, your immune system is a complex crew of cells, chemicals, systems and organs pulling together to protect you. A vigilant immune system identifies and disables threats such as abnormal cells, bacteria, fungi, viruses or toxins. Our immunity community thrive when supported by a nurturing attitude, diet, supplements, herbs, regimes and therapeutic aids.
Defence duo
The immunity army has two strong arms. One is inborn immunity and the other is acquired immunity through exposure over a lifetime. Innate immunity is very rapid whereas adaptive immunity can take four to seven days to mount a response. Our innate immunity includes barriers such as the skin and secretions like mucus that prevent pathogens from invading. It's like a club bouncer, keeping undesirables out. When the skin barrier or mucous membranes are compromised allergies, inflammation and infections can occur. In response to invaders, chemical mediators called cytokines, specialised white blood cells and clotting factors may be released. The gut, respiratory tract and eyes are also part of this barrier.
Acquired or adaptive immunity is our second line of defence. This is our specialised response to specific invaders such as antibodies produced after contracting measles. Specialised lymphocytes called B and T cells are activated to create antibodies that inactivate the foreign invader or antigen. A dysfunctional or overreactive adaptive immune response can cause allergies and autoimmune conditions.
This story is from the Issue 200 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Issue 200 edition of WellBeing.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
YOGA FOR IMPERFECTION
Life is messy and we all make mistakes, but by embracing imperfection, we can begin to accept all parts of ourselves.
Creating the foundations of ritualist self-care
As a busy mum of a three-year-old and expecting another baby, finding time for self-care often feels like a luxury.
Are you doom spending?
If \"doom spending\" has become your go-to for coping with stress, you could be making withdrawals from not just your bank account, but your health too.
THE POWER OF music
Most of us enjoy music. But science shows music is central to being human and its effect on us is far more astonishing and impactful than we realise. Music is fundamental to life.
SYNTHETIC FOODS
Synthetic, or genetically modified, fake meats and the like attempt to mimic real meat in both looks, taste and texture. But how much do we really know about the production process and how do they affect the environment and our bodies?
Embracing the power of nature
Menopause is more than just a biological change, it represents a significant life stage that can present numerous challenges - from hot flushes and mood swings to fatigue and sleepless nights.
Jan Fran
From a young age, Jan Fran's deep curiosity and keen interest in social issues sparked her journey into the world of journalism. As an accomplished journalist, media commentator and broadcaster, Fran's passion for storytelling has always been driven by a desire to explore, question and shed light on the world around her.
Helping teen girls thrive
Statistics reveal that many more teen girls are struggling with mental health issues. What's going on with them? More importantly, what can we do to help them flourish?
Your ageing eyes
Your eyes work hard for you every waking minute. It is no surprise that how your eyes age will be determined by how you protect them. Eating the right foods can go along way towards ensuring that your eyes stay healthy for a lifetime.
The bottom line
During the Couid pandemic, we were shocked to see people fighting in supermarkets over toilet paper and to see empty shelves that had once held roll after roll. The reasons behind the run for toilet paper during this time reflect the unique place that it holds in our psyche and are deeply rooted in our history.
