The Body has an impressive array of defenses to block, trap, and kill outside organisms it considers a threat, with a memory to prevent them attacking again. Without this defense system (known as the immune system) most people would constantly fall ill from the wide range of threats to the body. Like an army on constant full alert, the immune system is active night and day to guard against attack and to repel or destroy invaders.
The immune system consists of the blood supply, the lymph system, and small sets of organs known as the tonsils, thymus gland, and the spleen. Defense against disease is essentially a function of white cells in the blood (leukocytes), and it is one of the jobs of this group of organs to produce these cells.
White blood cells produce substances that defend the body against attack from anything harmful such as a bacterium or virus. If an invader (antigen) gets past the barrier of skin, hairs, and body fluid, the defending substances - neutrophils, basophils eosinophils, and, finally, macrophages - close in and finish off the organism. Some white cells travel in the bloodstream to fight infection while others remain in the lymph "nodes" (glands), situated mainly in the neck, armpit, and groin, where they destroy organisms brought to them by the lymph fluid. It is this battle between white cells and invading organisms that causes lymph nodes to become inflamed and swell; they can often be felt through the skin.
Body cells that become infected produce a wide range of chemical "messengers" to help in the fight against invaders. These chemicals (cytokines) - the main examples of which are interleukins and interferon - send messages to other cells telling them to protect themselves and thus prevent the spread of the infection. Complement, which also travels in the blood when an immune response is activated, coats the invading microbe to attract macrophages to destroy it.
Next in line of defense are T-cells and B-cells, both based in lymph tissue such as the spleen and lymph nodes.
T-cells are divided into "killers" (which destroy microbes), "helpers" (which stimulate the formation of antibodies), "suppressors" (which keep this production in check), and "memory" cells (which ensure a swift response should invaders of the same type return). B-cells produce antibodies, each of which is a response to a specific antigen. These not only protect the body but they also remember the antigen should another return in the future and try to get past the same defenses.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
The Immune System
Immune System - Stronger Or Smarter?
We all know how important it is to have an immune system that is working well in order to combat and ward off allergies. Each of us is becoming more aware of the products that we eat and drink so that we strengthen our immune system. Many people I come across believe that strengthening our immune system is the answer to dealing with their allergies and are disappointed when reactions continue, despite having taken extra vitamins to boost their immune system. The truth is that while it is important to have a strong immune system, strength alone isn’t everything.
If we were to really think about an allergic response, whether it is a dog allergy, cat allergy, food allergy or whatever, what is really going on? Allergies are overreactions to substances called allergens. Let us use the example of a cat allergy although the same logic can be used for most allergies. The immune system will detect cat dander and then fight against it. The stronger the immune system, the stronger will be the allergic response. This isn’t very helpful. In fact it can be very dangerous.
So I suggest that what we need is a smarter immune system, not just a stronger one. A smarter immune system will be able to detect cat dander and choose not to fight, choose not to have an allergic reaction. When this happens, the immune system can reserve its strength for fighting those substances that really are dangerous.
So yes, eat well, exercise and make your immune system strong. But remember that we also need an intelligent general to direct the troops. Teaching the troops what to fight against and what to leave alone is all part of being smart. It makes sense that being smart as well as being strong is included in effective allergy treatment.
Friday, January 11, 2008
Immune System Problems And Thyroid
When you go out into the world every day, try to remember you have an immune system designed to withstand the daily medical issues that afflict us. But, it needs help. Like any defense system, it needs replenishing to do its vital work. Immune system malfunction is at the root of most disease conditions. It becomes affected if your thyroid gland is inactive or over active. If your thyroid levels are low, you can balance it through Thyromine and can control your immune system.
The Immune system: If your immune system suffers, you will too If your immune system becomes over active or under active, you could develop diabetes, cancer, arthritis, allergies, bronchitis, tuberculosis and a host of immune system related conditions.
Solution?
You may be knowing that the thyroid gland plays a pivotal role to keep your immune system intact. The thyroid gland is stimulated by the pituitary gland to produce hormones like thyroxine (T4 or thyroid hormone). Thyroxine determines how quickly nutrients are converted into energy and how efficiently food is burned within the body. The thyroid takes in iodine and combines it with tyrosine, an amino acid that then converts it into the hormones T3 and T4. If your thyroid is normal, 80% will be T4 and 20% T3. Both of these hormones travel through the bloodstream, converting calories and oxygen into energy. If this process doesn’t work properly, then the calories and oxygen cannot convert the energy properly and you have your immune system disorder.
Well, given the scientific surge in thyroid research, the actual solution to these and many others has been, for many sufferers, thyromine product. Why? Because thyromine works very well for people who have hypothyroidism. For example L-Tyrosine works to stimulate the metabolism. Guglipid works to lower bad cholesterol and increase good cholesterol. Adrenal Powder from Bovine helps regulate your body's stress levels. Piper Longum Extract increases the production of thyroid hormones and stimulates the immune system. Finally, Ginger extract works to prevent blood clots and is used to treat digestive problems. Thyromine is the key medicine designed to strengthen your immune system without any side effects.
The fact is that the immune system can be kept strong so as to furnish maximum defense when you need it. Why not get thyromine support for your immune system and prevent the kinds of conditions that swamp you down?
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Tips On Keeping Your Immune System Strong
Maintaining proper health and protecting against infection requires a strong and healthy immune system. Keeping the immune system working at its peak level is something most of us should consider long before the start of cold season.
"It is believed that our immune system is easily affected by a number of factors, such as diet, stress levels, environment-even the medications we take," says Suzy Cohen, R.Ph., noted pharmacist and author of "The 24-Hour Pharmacist" (HarperCollins, 2007).
Cohen offers the following tips on how to build up your immune system before the cold season kicks in:
- Get moving: Studies have found that moderate exercise provides a boost in the production of immune cells and circulates them through the body at a much quicker rate than during inactive times.
- Manage stress: High levels of stress, even in the short-term, can be "toxic" to the immune system. Some easy ways to manage stress include exercise, yoga, meditation or other deep breathing exercises. Reading, listening to calming music and taking time to enjoy your hobbies are recommended.
- Laughter is the best medicine: Laughing releases endorphins, a feel-good chemical that many believe boosts immunity. Laughter also reduces stress hormones, which are known to negatively affect the immune system.
- Eat your fruits and veggies: Fruits and vegetables are diet staples because they are full of the antioxidants that are vital to good immunity, such as the B vitamins, vitamin C and phytonutrients. Foods, such as spinach, garlic, broccoli, carrots, blueberries and oranges, among others, are great sources of free-radical-fighting antioxidants.
In addition to eating a balanced diet full of fresh vegetables and fruits known for their high vitamin and mineral content, you can also supplement daily.
For example, the new Cold-EEZE Immune Support Complex 10 contains 10 herbs, vitamins and minerals in one easy-to-take pill.
The supplement contains Himalayan goji, Eleuthero root, Panax ginseng and Hawthorn leaf, as well as vitamins A, C, E, B6, B12 and the mineral zinc. These ingredients are believed to increase the body's natural defense mechanisms and boost antioxidant levels.
And don't forget that homemade chicken soup isn't just for colds. A fan favorite during illness, chicken soup that contains fresh garlic and onions may not cure a cold, but it's a great way to boost immunity from the inside out.
