The immune system is a complex system of organs, cells, and proteins working together to defend the body against infection while protecting the body’s own healthy cells. When the immune system is strong and functioning properly, it can distinguish between cells of the body and pathogens invading it. Its job is to render pathogens harmless while leaving the healthy cells intact. Otherwise, our immune system would be doing battle with our own bodies. 70% of our immune system is in the gut with 2/3 of the body’s immune cells.
There are three main functions of the immune system. First, it is designed to fight germs and pathogens and remove them from the body. Second, it recognizes harmful germs from the environment and fights to neutralize them. Last, but not least, the immune system fights disease causing changes in the body.
When the immune system becomes out of balance and overreactive, it starts to attack healthy cells as though they were foreign bodies. This is called an auto-immune condition. Some examples are: IBD, MS, rheumatoid arthritis, Lupus, and Hashimoto’s. It starts out as systemic inflammation that gets out of control until the body attacks itself. The underlying cause is often an allergen, a toxin, an infection, or chronic stress overload.
When the immune system weakens, it can become compromised and that is called immunodeficiency. In this state, the immune system fails to respond properly to infection. Some signs and symptoms of immunodeficiency are frequent and reoccurring infections, blood disorders, digestive problems, delayed growth and development, and inflammation and infection of internal organs.
There are simple daily steps you can take to keep your immune system strong.
- Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands often.
- Brush your teeth twice a day. Oral hygiene is important.
- Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Nutrition matters and affects the immune system.
- Get physical activity daily. There are many different ways to get exercise.
- Get adequate sleep every night. Sleep deprivation weakens the immune system.
- Manage your stress. Try meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and walks in nature.
- Avoid drinking too much alcohol.
- Eliminate all simple sugars out of your diet.
- Take immune supporting nutrients
- Learn to laugh more.
- And, most of all, keep the negative thoughts from renting space in your mind. Thoughts have a powerful influence on the body, especially the immune system.
If you get sick frequently, suffer from weakened immune system, or are struggling with an autoimmune condition, I would love to speak with you. The body has an amazing capacity to heal when given the right support. Please reach out to me and we can talk about how I might be able to assist you on your healing path.
