To become immune to a disease is to be protected from “catching” that disease.  Our immune systems are charged with this function as well as 2) ensuring that any substance, chemical or biological, that it does not recognize as “self,” is neutralized or destroyed and 3) to destroy cancer cells.  This guardian of our health is a network, much like an army, of organs, tissues and cells that work together to perform these very vital protections.  There is a fort, sentries and search-and-destroy soldiers.

Our immune system army has two “divisions” - Nonspecific and Specific.

Nonspecific immunity starts with physical barriers (our wall around our fort) such as our skin on the outside and our mucosa on the inside that lines the inside of our respiratory and digestive systems.  Unless damaged, these barriers prevent the physical entry of harmful microorganisms (pathogens - enemies) and toxins. The soldiers of this division, white blood cells and tissue cells called macrophages, that are specialized to hunt down and engulf and digest any pathogens that may slip by the skin or mucosa, act as the patrolling sentries, and release “signals” to attract other specialized cells from the Specific division.  Another Nonspecific team member is the natural killer cells, a type of lymphocyte (see the next paragraph).  NK cells search for cells in our bodies that contain harmful viruses or that have mutated into cancerous cells.  Once found, the NK cells attach to the “bad” cell and secrete substances that “punch” holes in the bad cells’ cell membrane (This membrane holds the contents of the cell together.).  The bad cell ruptures and dies. All these cells are produced in our bone marrow.

Specific immunity is the heavy artillery – protein substances called antibodies are produced by specialized white blood cells for specific pathogens/enemies or other substances the immune system identifies as foreign.  Antibodies attach to and destroy the enemy.  These cells, called lymphocytes, are also produced in the bone marrow.  Lymphocytes that produce these antibodies are called B-lymphocytes and have help from other lymphocytes called T-lymphocytes.  Lymphocytes have even more specialized cells that are called “memory cells.”  These cells, once activated by a pathogen, can “remember” that pathogen when encountered later and recall the heavy artillery – the B-cells and their antibodies. 

Like any organ system in our body, optimal functioning can only be achieved with optimal nutrition.  In fact, the Immune System is very vulnerable to undernutrition.  Our modern fast food diet definitely puts a strain on our immune system health.  High in fat, sugar and processed foods, it puts a direct strain on our army.  Sugar, in particular, will make the macrophages very sluggish, making them slow to react to invaders.  Poor diet slows the immune system overall to come to our defense.  Stress, lack of sleep and smoking add to the problems.  So what can we do to build up our self-defense?

1. Stop smoking if you do.

2. Eliminate dairy, saturated fats, refined sugar and processed foods from your diet

3. Make fresh fruits and vegetables, grains, and salmon a big part of your diet.

4. Get plenty of water and fiber.

5. Get at least 7 hours sound sleep every night.  Our immune system can be brought down very quickly from lack of sleep.

6. Because our food supply contains significantly less nutrients than that of our grandparents, supplementation with Vitamins A, C and B complex is essential.  Vitamin C is especially important along with AHCC.

7. Supplement minerals such as zinc, selenium, calcium, potassium and trace minerals

8. Exercise regularly.

9. Use antibiotics only when absolutely necessary and take probiotics daily.

10. Pray – yes, pray.  A positive spiritual outlook is very important for our army to function efficiently.  Studies have actually shown that praying has had a very positive effect on depressed, dysfunctional immune systems.  Encourage your army by maintaining a feeling of spiritual well-being.

Take care of your Immune System and it will be better able to take care of you!

Health is not everything, but without spiritual and physical health, everything is nothing. Until next time we meet – may God Bless you with good health, with a little help from you!

The information in these columns is for educational purposes only and not to diagnose or treat any medical condition. Please consult your physician for any serious condition.

Len Rossi, ND has been a proponent of Natural Healing for 30 years. After a 25-year career as a pro wrestler, Len earned his Doctor Of Naturopathy degree in 1982 and is a Licensed Massage Therapist.