The immune system is a complex network that protects the body from pathogens, parasites, toxins, and diseases. This article explains how the immune system works, its structure, how to measure its effectiveness, and ways to strengthen it.
Role of Immune System
The immune system defends against bacteria, viruses, toxins, and even cancer. It protects us from daily threats, whether they come from outside the body or are formed within. Without an immune system, survival would be impossible. For instance, leukemia patients receiving stem cell transplants must live in isolation and take antibiotics because their immune system is temporarily destroyed by chemotherapy.
Components of the Immune System
The immune system includes various cell types, organs, messenger substances, and enzymes. Every hormone, vitamin, and mineral influences it. Despite extensive research, its complexity means we still don’t fully understand it.
The innate and acquired immune system
The immune system has two main components: the innate (nonspecific) and the acquired (specific) systems.
- Innate Immunity: This includes defenses present from birth, like the skin’s barrier, tear fluid, and respiratory tract mucus. Phagocytes, inflammatory processes, and the complement system (over 30 proteins that fight microorganisms) are also innate.
- Acquired Immunity: This develops over time, forming specific responses to new pathogens. Excessive hygiene and constant use of disinfectants can hinder this system’s development, making the body less prepared for actual threats.
How the Immune System Responds
When a pathogen enters the body, the immune system launches a series of reactions. Initially, the innate system tries to control the pathogen. It takes 4-7 days for the acquired system to respond fully. If the pathogen reappears, the acquired system reacts immediately, often without noticeable illness.
White Blood Cells (Leukocytes)
Leukocytes are crucial to the immune system. Unlike red blood cells, they patrol for pathogens in both blood and lymphatic fluid. When they detect a threat, they multiply and call for reinforcements. Produced in the bone marrow, they also mature in the thymus, spleen, tonsils, small intestine, appendix, and lymph nodes. There are two main types of leukocytes: phagocytes and lymphocytes (4 ) ( 6 ).
- Phagocytes: These include neutrophils, monocytes, and macrophages. They engulf and break down pathogens.
- Lymphocytes: These include B cells (producing antibodies), T cells (killing infected cells and regulating immune responses), and natural killer cells (destroying non-self cells).
Physical Barriers and the Gut
The skin, intestines, stomach, and tears are vital parts of the innate immune system. The skin prevents pathogen entry, tears wash out foreign substances, and stomach acid destroys ingested bacteria. The intestines house most of the immune system, including the gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and beneficial bacteria.
Measuring and Strengthening the Immune System
There is no single measure for immune system performance, but white blood cell counts and specific tests for lymphocyte proportions can provide insights. To strengthen the immune system, ensure a diet rich in essential nutrients, maintain gut health with probiotics, and consider colon hydrotherapy. Reducing stress through practices like meditation also boosts immune function.
Immunity and Cross-Immunity
Immunity means staying healthy despite exposure to pathogens. The immune system remembers previous infections, providing quick responses to repeat threats. Cross-immunity occurs when the immune system protects against new pathogens similar to those previously encountered.
Autoimmune Diseases: When the Immune System Gets it Wrong
More and more people are affected by autoimmune diseases, such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. It is assumed that the immune system of those affected made a mistake, that faulty processes occurred and that the body’s own defense system then attacks its own cells and tissues. In Hashimoto’s disease, for example, the thyroid gland is attacked by immune cells, in Crohn’s disease the digestive tract, and in rheumatoid arthritis, cartilage and synovial membranes.
Allergies: When the immune system exaggerates
In the case of allergies, the body’s own immune system reacts to actually harmless substances with an immune reaction and acts as if they were dangerous pathogens that need to be fought. The immune system exaggerates. In the event of an allergy, it reacts to animal hair, pollen or food components (e.g. nuts, eggs, celery, strawberries, etc.).
Measuring the immune system
Because the immune system is made up of so many different components that all cooperate with each other, there is no specific metric that can be used to measure the state and performance of the body’s defenses.
Although the leukocyte count is determined for each small blood count, a number that is too high or too low does not reveal details about the immune system itself, but rather indications if serious diseases are actually present.
Low levels can occur in cancer, viral infections, autoimmune diseases or even when taking some medications (rheumatism drugs, some antibiotics and some painkillers). High levels of bacterial infections or leukemia. Leukocyte levels can also increase when taking cortisone preparations or remedies for epilepsy, as well as if you smoke, are pregnant or are chronically stressed.
A special test can examine the proportion of T lymphocytes, B lymphocytes or natural killer cells in the blood. However, this test is only carried out if relevant diseases are suspected.
Now, however, you could have your intestinal flora status examined, as the intestinal flora has such a great influence on the immune system and a very large part of the immune system is even located directly in the intestine. However, it is not known exactly how the intestinal flora would have to be composed in order to indicate a powerful immune system. Therefore, it makes more sense not to deal with measuring the immune system, but with strengthening it:
Strengthen the immune system
If you don’t feel so well, if you are chronically ill or even if you are particularly susceptible to infections, you can strengthen your immune system. You have learned above how numerous the components of the body’s own defense system are, so that there are also numerous measures and possibilities to strengthen the body’s own defenses.
The supply of vital substances is particularly important, because regardless of whether killer cells or B lymphocytes, whether intestinal mucosa or intestinal flora – they all need vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Therefore, make sure that you are well supplied with all vital substances and that you regularly carry out a colon cleanse.
Probiotics can also be taken to strengthen the immune system, as they stabilize the intestinal barrier, establish healthy pH in the gut, increase mucus production, promote the proper function of tight junctions, activate immune cells, and reduce their allergic reaction to food (5) (7).
Key Takeaways
- Role of the Immune System: The immune system defends the body against pathogens, toxins, and cancer cells, preventing diseases.
- Components: It consists of various cell types, organs, hormones, vitamins, and minerals, making it a complex and not fully understood system.
- Innate and Acquired Immunity: The innate immune system provides immediate defense using barriers and general responses, while the acquired immune system develops specific defenses over time.
- Immune Response: Initial pathogen exposure engages the innate immune system, with the acquired system taking over later to provide long-term immunity.
- White Blood Cells (Leukocytes): These are crucial for immune defense, with phagocytes and lymphocytes playing key roles in identifying and eliminating pathogens.
- Immune Cells: Phagocytes (neutrophils, monocytes, macrophages) and lymphocytes (B cells, T cells, natural killer cells) each have specialized functions in immune defense.
- Skin, Intestines, Stomach, and Tears: These physical barriers are integral to the immune system, preventing pathogen entry and maintaining health.
- Intestinal Immune System: The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT) and intestinal flora are critical for preventing harmful substances from entering the bloodstream.
- Measuring the Immune System: There’s no single metric for measuring immune performance; however, white blood cell counts and specific tests for lymphocyte proportions can provide insights.
- Strengthening the Immune System: A balanced diet, rich in vital nutrients, and maintaining gut health with probiotics can bolster immune defenses.
Colon Hydrotherapy can make a big difference to your immune system, by cleaning the colon and creating a better environment for good bacteria to flourish.
