Your Immune System

From the book The Health Manifesto, by Dr. Joan Coff
copyright 2003

It’s Not Very Obvious, But It is Very Important.
Your immune system is constantly working to protect you from potentially dangerous invaders. When it’s working properly, your immune system is like your heart—it’s always there, constantly doing its job, but rarely are you even aware of it. It’s only when it doesn’t work well that you really notice it.

Your immune system consists of many parts. Some parts of the immune system are used in specific resistance (otherwise known as immunity) and other parts of the immune system are used in nonspecific resistance.

The many components of nonspecific resistance include: the skin and mucous membranes, which help repel such invaders as germs and allergens; reactions like inflammation and fever, which represent the body’s attempts to make the environment lethal to invaders; and phagocytosis, the destruction of invading cells by defense cells called phagocytes.

Chemical components of nonspecific resistance include the gastric acid in your stomach, the sebum (oily covering) of your skin, and certain chemicals in your perspiration, urine, tears, and saliva. The body also produces specific antimicrobial proteins. Interferon, complement, and properdin are all proteins or groups of proteins that act to destroy invaders. Certain white blood cells are also active in nonspecific immune responses.

A specific resistance of the immune system is called immunity and is created when the body produces antibodies (defenses) designed to repel or kill specific invaders, or antigens. Components of the specific “response team” include the organs of the lymphatic system as well as the bone marrow, which produce antibodies, the antibodies themselves, and certain white blood cells.

The immune system has its own fluid circulating system, consisting of lymph vessels, nodes, and ducts, as well as the lymphatic fluid that travels through these. Although its primary function is to drain excess fluid from tissues, the lymphatic system also produces lymphocytes (fighting cells) and develops antibodies. Organs involved in the immune system because they are partly or wholly composed of lymph tissue include the tonsils, the spleen, and the thymus gland.

As you can see, your ability to keep your immune system healthy is directly dependent on the proper functioning of your body. From the cellular level right up to the largest organ, the skin, your immune system is an integral part of you. If you’re healthy, your immune system will be healthy and responsive as well. How do you remain healthy? Well, you’re reading this book, so you’re already on the right track. Many of my suggestions for protecting your immune system are topics covered in other sections of this book so go to the corresponding sections for more details on the following suggestions.

Start by ensuring your cellular health: Give your body all the nutrients it needs to produce healthy cells. Specific to the immune system are the vitamins C, E, A, and the elements zinc and selenium. All of these are included in most high-quality daily supplements.

Eat healthy. Sugar decreases immune-system function. Monosodium glutamate (MSG), artificial sweeteners, and refined or highly processed foods can trigger immune responses. Chronic immune response can decrease the overall effectiveness of your immune system. Chronic immune responses happen when you eat or are regularly exposed to things you have are allergic to.

Get the toxins out of your body. Alcohol, tobacco, pesticides, heavy metals, and drugs all affect the ability of the immune system to work efficiently. Avoid exposure to these things. If you’ve been exposed, a trip to an herbalist to discuss detoxification programs would be a good idea.

If you have allergies, see a Doctor of Homeopathy. Although an allergic response is a natural part of immune system functioning, chronic responses to allergens can overload and fatigue your immune system and make you susceptible to more dangerous invaders such as bacteria and viruses. Treating allergies naturally and strengthening the immune system can usually be achieved with the aid of homeopathy.

Exercise and de-stress regularly. Like the rest of the body’s systems, the immune system benefits from regular exercise and is adversely affected by stress, and works best when you’ve had enough rest.

Increase the laughter in your life. We know that immune-system function is affected by our attitudes. If you’re depressed, your immune system will be too. If there are situations in your life that are not contributing to your joy, realize that they will affect your health. Seek help from a counselor, clergyperson, or friend.

If you take good care of it, your immune system will function well and protect you for your lifetime. It may not call much attention to itself, but don’t forget it when you’re planning your long-term health goals.

Further Reading
Total Wellness, by Joseph Pizzorno, ND
The Immune Advantage, by Ellen Mazo with Keith Berndtson, MD