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Unit III Lesson 4
The immune system is responsible for neutralizing pathogens that can alter the health of our body. By pathogens we understand all kinds of organisms from tiny viruses, as well as bacteria, fungi, to parasites. But also some substances or elements such as free radicals can be harmful or toxic to our body, and the immune system also acts in these cases.
In the Anatomy and Physiology course we give a more complete explanation of the immune system, its components and its functioning. For now we will limit ourselves to explaining it in a very general way: The cells that act as the army of the immune system are the white blood cells that travel mainly in the blood and are also found in the lymphatic system. The cells are produced in the bone marrow of the long bones and from there they undergo different maturation processes. White blood cells, also called leukocytes, mature in the nodes of the lymphatic system (B lymphocytes), others in the thymus gland: the so-called T lymphocytes.
Types of immune response
Actually, the body has two types of immune response: Firstly, we have the innate response, as its name indicates, it is a response that the body already has from the moment of birth. This response occurs immediately when the immune system detects a pathogen and consists of neutralizing it or attacking it indistinctly. To fight infection, the immune system activates a series of processes such as temperature rise and tissue inflammation. The leukocytes responsible for this response are the Neutrophils, who phagocytize (engulf) the pathogens. We also have the Basophils and Eosinophils who are responsible for inflammation and allergic reactions.
The adaptive response is the second battle front and begins when the immune system detects a pathogen. Whether it is a virus, bacteria, toxin or even a damaged cell, the immune system is able to detect them thanks to substances that they generate called antigens. The B or T lymphocytes then make immunoglobulins, also called antibodies, specifically designed to attack a specific antigen. This process takes the immune system some time, during which time the body tries to contain the infection through the primary immune response.
The immune system has memory
The system has memory lymphocytes, which are responsible for keeping track of the antigens that the body has previously encountered, in this way, when it encounters the same agent again, it will react much more quickly, having a much better chance to successfully fight infection.
Before birth the baby has practically not developed the adaptive immune response, although there are studies that suggest that many of the immunoglobulins can be inherited to the baby through its mother. Such is the case of the coronavirus that, having suffered from the mother, the baby can develop some immunity.
The first moment that the baby comes into contact with a myriad of pathogens is at the time of birth, when passing through the vaginal canal, his entire body is bathed in various types of bacteria and viruses. Doctors now consider this moment to be of vital importance for the baby to begin to develop the adaptive immune response.
The second moment is when the baby begins to feed on breast milk, there are also a large number of pathogens, but also antibodies that will help strengthen their immune system. And throughout life, food intake will be a continuous administration of various agents such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites. All vital for the balance of the organism and to maintain a balanced immune system. Now medical science is beginning to understand the relationship between the digestive system, the immune system and the health of the body in general. As the naturopathic doctors used to say, the intestine is the center of the body and the health of the entire body depends on its state of balance. Hence the importance of maintaining a balanced diet, rich in fiber and, if possible, carrying out detoxification processes periodically.
Mucous membranes and intestines
A part of the work of the immune system is carried out in the lymphatic system, particularly in the lymph nodes, where the lymphocytes encounter large numbers of pathogens that are discarded from the tissues. But another part is made in the mucous membranes of the body such as the mucous membranes of the respiratory system or in the digestive tract. Mainly in the latter is where the immune system can be strengthened or lose balance.
The most recent studies indicate that for the immune system to work optimally, it is necessary to have a healthy microbiota. The microbiota is what used to be called intestinal flora, but more than plants, it is about the bacteria that inhabit the intestines. Having a large number of "good" bacteria will allow the immune system to work in balance, attacking only pathogens and respecting "good" cells. While the presence of "bad" bacteria will throw the body out of balance, causing the much-feared silent inflammation, which will cause a series of disorders and diseases.
To give an example: it has recently been discovered that the bacterium Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, present in the intestine, is of vital importance, since it is an anti-inflammatory agent, so its decrease or absence in the microbiota translates into greater inflammatory processes in the body. In the case of people infected with covid-19, there is a close relationship between the absence of the bacteria and the development of an acute illness or a longer recovery.
Surely there are many other interactions between germs and our bodies that we have not yet studied, so the slogan of keeping them out of our body, of living in a completely sterilized environment, is a far-fetched idea.
The importance of diet
It has recently been discovered that cow's milk, as well as all products derived from it (cheese, cream, etc.) contain antibodies that alter the immune system. Some people are more sensitive to them while others are less so. As far as we now know, milk not only affects humans due to lactose intolerance, but also due to antibodies that especially affect the immune system. As humans age, their ability to digest lactose decreases. In fact, it should be avoided from childhood, especially in children who have allergic symptoms, in this way we would be greatly improving the health of children.
Food intolerances such as lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance or oilseeds are actually closely related to allergies. At the end of the day, all of them alter the immune system, producing some type of inflammation that will affect a particular tissue, or the entire organism.
The healthiest diet is one based on natural foods, preferably organic, that do not contain chemicals or other added substances. A diet based on vegetables and fruits, which provide a high fiber content, should also avoid the consumption of animal products and their derivatives, as well as excess sugar and salt. All these factors that we have just mentioned determine the type of microbiota that our intestine will develop.
These recommendations are very general since the best thing to do would be to personally test to find out which foods are better for someone (medicinal foods) and which ones should be avoided (harmful foods). This test could be carried out from the first session, to indicate to the person the changes in diet that they need to make to improve their health.
There are many types of diets; one that can be very useful is the one proposed by Dr. Peter D'Adamo, it could serve as a guide to carry out more efficient testing. This is the classification of Dr. D'Adamo and the different characteristics, based on blood groups:
Type A
Allowed Foods: Vegetables, fruits, grains, peas, legumes, nuts, and seeds.
Foods to Avoid: Dairy, meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and processed foods.
Exercise: Calming exercise, such as golf or yoga, is recommended.
Type B
Allowed Foods: Vegetables, fruits, grains, peas, legumes, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy.
Foods to Avoid: Nuts, seeds, and processed foods.
Exercise: Moderate-intensity exercise, such as walking, hiking, and tennis, is recommended.
Type A-B
Allowed Foods: All foods allowed on both Type A and Type B diets are fine, but following a vegetarian diet is recommended most of the time.
Foods to Avoid: Processed Foods.
Exercise: Both calming and moderate-intensity exercise are recommended.
Type O
Allowed Foods: Meat, poultry, fish, and olive oil; in moderation: some vegetables, nuts, seeds, and eggs.
Foods to Avoid: Dairy, grains (cereal, bread, pasta, rice), peas, and processed foods.
Exercise: Vigorous exercise, such as running, is recommended.
Interesting, because according to Dr D'Adamo it is not good for all of us to be vegetarians or carnivores, that is determined by the blood type and how man evolved through these different types, living different eating situations throughout the time they created these forms of adaptation.
Conclusion
The idea of bad germs that allopathic medicine has preached for several decades, is losing strength every day. We now know that in our body there are 10 times more foreign organisms than cells with our own DNA, only a small part of these germs can be pathogenic and only in certain circumstances. Most of them live in perfect balance creating an entire community. Viruses are able to eat bacteria and maintain a balance of their populations. Viruses also serve to transport genes from one organism to another. While bacteria are involved in hundreds of processes in our own body in such a way that it would be difficult to live without them.
All this leads us to imagine the multiplicity of organisms and complexity of our body and the work that the immune system does to detect when a germ can be pathogenic, that is, to distinguish the good ones from the bad ones. Our body has developed a sophisticated intelligence to be able to function in the best possible way, in coexistence with innumerable germs.
Recommended video: Your Gut Microbiome: The Most Important Organ You’ve Never Heard Of Erika Ebbel Angle | TEDxFargo
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