Since the moment you were born, your immune system has been your internal guardian. An intelligent and complex body system, the strength and endurance of the immune system has a direct effect on every other vital function of the human body.
Made up of cells, proteins, organs, and chemicals, your immune system interconnects throughout your entire body. Round the clock, this vast protection system recognizes the difference between your body’s own cells and foreign cells and tissues, and works strategically to fight and eliminate pathogen threats that are potentially harmful to your body’s systems, processes, and overall health.
The immune system is made up of several areas including:
Immune cells:
- Lymphocytes
- T-cells: Help eliminate cells infected by a foreign pathogen or invader
- B-cells: Create antibody proteins that latch onto and destroy foreign, invading cells
- Leukocytes
- White blood cells: Biologically programmed to identify and destroy pathogen cells
Antibodies: Produced by immune cells in response to foreign invaders, antibodies (proteins) latch onto antigens (foreign substances) triggering an appropriate immune response.
Lymphatic System:
- Bone Marrow: Produces white blood cells (leukocytes)
- Lymph Nodes: Produce and store infection-fighting cells
- Thymus: Organ where T-cells are matured
- Spleen: Recycles faulty red blood cells and stores platelets and white blood cells
Mucus: These membranes line the mouth, lungs, throat and bowels, serve as a barrier to germ invasion.
Gut: Known as the immune system’s control tower, the gut is packed with 70-80% of your body’s immune cells. Healthy gut bacteria suppresses the invasion of pathogens into the body.