The immune system is the key to fighting every kind of insult to the body, from that little shaving nick to the myriad of viruses that seem to abound these days. Even the aging process may be more closely related to the functioning of the immune system than to the passage of time.
Modern conventional medicine battles disease directly by means of drugs, surgery, radiation, and other therapies, but true health can be attained only by maintaining a healthy, properly functioning immune system.
It is the immune system that fights off disease causing microorganisms and that engineers the healing process.
Weakening of the immune system results in increased susceptibility to virtually every type of illness. Some common signs of impaired immune function include:
* Fatigue
* Listlessness
* Repeated infections
* Inflammation
* Allergic reactions
* Slow wound healing
* Chronic diarrhea
* Infections that represent an overgrowth of some normally present organism, such as oral thrush, systemic candidiasis, or vaginal yeast infections.
In its simplest terms, the task of the immune system is to identify those things that are "self" (that naturally belong in the body) and those that are "nonself" (foreign or otherwise harmful material), and then to neutralize or destroy that which is nonself.
The immune system is unlike other bodily systems in that it is not a group of physical structures but a system of complex interactions involving many different organs, structures, and substances, among them:
* White blood cells
* Bone marrow
* The lymphatic vessels and organs
* Specialized cells found in various body tissues,
* Specialized substances, called serum factors, that are present in the blood
The human immune system is functional at birth, but it does not yet function well. In large part this is because immunity is something that develops as the system matures and the body learns to defend itself against different foreign invaders, termed antigens.
The immune system has the ability to learn to identify, and then to remember, specific antigens that have been encountered. It does this through two basic means, known as cell mediated immunity and humoral immunity
Another important component of immunity is the lymphatic system. This is a system of organs including the:
* Spleen
* Thymus
* Tonsils
* lymph nodes
It is through the lymphatic system that fluid from the spaces between cells is drained, taking with it waste products, toxins, and other debris from the tissues. The lymph flows through the lymph nodes, where the macrophages filter out the undesirables, and from it there returns to the venous circulation.
Marvelous as it is, the immune system can work as it should only if it is cared for properly. This means getting all the right nutrients and providing the right environment, plus avoiding those things that tend to depress immunity.
Many elements of the environment we live in today compromise out immune systems' defensive abilities.
* The chemicals in the household cleaners we use
* The overuse of antibiotics and other drugs
* The antibiotics
* Pesticides
* Additives present in the foods we eat
* Exposure to environmental pollutants all place a strain on the immune system.
Another factor that adversely affects the immune system is stress. Stress results in a sequence of biochemical events that ultimately suppresses the normal activity of white blood cells and places undue demands on the endocrine system, as well as depleting the body of needed nutrients. The result is impaired healing ability and lowered defense against infection.
Proper immune function is an intricate balancing act. While inadequate immunity predisposes one to infectious illness of every type, it is also possible to become ill as a result of an immune response that is too strong or directed at an inappropriate target.
Many different disorders, including:
* Allergies
* Lupus
* Pernicious anemia
* Rheumatic heart disease
* Rheumatoid arthritis
* Possibly diabetes
have been linked to inappropriate immune system activity. Consequently, they are known as autoimmune, or "self-attacking-self," disorders.
There has been an increase in people trying to find natural immune system support. Herbal and homeopathic remedies have been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years to strengthen immune system functioning, acting as natural immunity tonics to encourage normal and efficient defense against pathogens and routine recovery.
In more recent times, research has confirmed this traditional wisdom. There are now many published clinical studies demonstrating the ability of a range of herbs to strengthen natural immunity as well as support the normal and healthy functioning of the immune system to shorten recovery time.
It's our gift to ourselves, how we take care of it. We can float through days, months, years, not paying any attention to our health. Yes, we are busy, things to do, children to raise, careers to contend with, but all these areas need us to be healthy. We need clean water & exercise, and nutrition to keep our bodies in good working vibrant condition. [http://supplimentpros.com]
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