Our Perfectly Designed Immune System

Your immune system is a marvelously complex, perfectly designed system that protects you from foreign invaders such as viruses, bacteria, parasites, and other pathogens. It was created in such a way that it perfectly protects your health and well-being. It is your very own built in, 24/7 defense system of inner-protection. Your immune system is always working for you and on the lookout for invaders to protect from an immune response by providing natural barriers to keep invaders out and targeting direct attacks to get rid of any that manage to penetrate the barriers and infect the body.

understanding how your immune system works is vital in helping you learn how to keep it functioning optimally and to enhance your overall health.

This network of cells and tissues is spread throughout your body traveling around detecting various types of viruses, bacteria, toxins and other foreign substances. They destroy and dispose of these unwanted invaders efficiently and systematically. The ability of our perfectly designed immune system to distinguish between “self” and “non-self” is very important because we do not want our immune system to attack our healthy body tissue. The “self” cells in the body are tagged by a specific protein and this allows immune cells to intermingle with other types of body cells and tissues and call out the foreign-invaders. The “non-self” cells have the capability to prompt an immune response in the body. When this process occurs, the non-self substance is now called an antigen. The immune systems goes into launching an attack now against the antigen which may be either a virus, parasite, bacteria or some other type of microbe.

Components of the Immune System

When the body detects an invader, our perfectly designed immune system comes to call. Some of these weapons are white blood cells or antibodies. It all depends on the type of invader as to which weapon is deployed. Some of the other types of defenders in our immune system are: neutrophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes, basophils, natural killer cells (Nk), macrophages, and immunoglobulins. These immune cells then break down into other groups of cells and they are very specific in the invader they target. And some of these cells are not specific and can destroy several types of invaders. They work together as a team and like a dance, it is choreographed in sequence.

Immune System Residence

There are specific organs in the body that house the immune system cells. It is where they reside until needed and via the lymphatic system they strategically will disperse throughout the body. These organs are: tonsils, adenoids, thymus, spleen, bone marrow, lymph nodes, lymphatic vessels, appendix, and Peyer’s patches which are located in the small intestine.

Microbes can enter not only though our nose and mouth, but also through eyes, skin, lungs, gastrointestinal tract and genitals. Each organ has it’s own protective barriers that is what we call the “first line of defense”. But if microbes get past this first line of barriers, then they will penetrate the “second line of defense”. This second line of defense consists of a thick layer of epithelial cells covered with mucus that lines all the passageways (respiratory, gastrointestinal, and urogenital), forming a protective barrier.

Secretory IgA, T cells, and B cells

Secretory IgA, or SIgA, is an antibody that also captures foreign invaders. We require robust levels of SIgA in order for this defense to be able to do its job. Several factors tend to decrease our levels of SIgA such as: chronic infections, mental-physical-emotional stress, medications, poor diet and food sensitivities. In order to raise the level of SIgA we first need to know the “why”. What is decreasing it and this takes some time and investigating. Once that is determined there are also a few supplements that assist in raising the levels. Supplements such as: colostrum, Saccharomyces boulardii, Beta glucans (from mushrooms), and bone broth (gelatin). It is important to check your SIgA levels prior to supplementing. Your levels could also be elevated and that also takes investigating.

T cells and B cells come in to assist if pathogens get past the barriers and works to eliminate the threat. The B cells actually make SIgA which acts as the first line of defense against the entry of foreign substances into the body. The immune system is very complex and has many facets to it. There are many back-ups and specific helpers to keep us healthy.

Innate + acquired/adaptive immunity

Our immune system is divided in two main categories: innate and acquired (also know as adaptive). Innate immunity: This is the immunity you are born with that allows your body to fight various types of pathogens. Acquired/Adaptive immunity: It is an advanced selection of antibodies that your body develops through being exposed to and fighting off pathogens throughout your life. As we grow and develop and become more exposed to our environments, we build a natural immunity. This is how we have evolved as humans and developed a symbiotic relationship with nature. These exposures are necessary and important for the development of our immune systems. Common sense tells us that we would not go into an environment that was purposely unsafe for us, but our day-in, day-out natural exposures are what the immune system craves. It needs to stay active and strong. If these natural exposures do not occur or are very limited, our perfectly designed immune system becomes weakened and this sets up a high potential for severe sensitivities to foods and the environment.

two theories of health

The two theories of health are the “germ” theory and the “terrain” theory. Ill begin with the germ theory. The origins of the germ theory of health date back to ancient times and many scientists throughout the years have made their own conclusions and shared their insight. Fast forward to the late 1800’s when Louis Pasteur became known as the “father of the germ theory”. Through scientific experiments, Pasteur demonstrated that disease-microorganisms in the environment are the ones causing disease. He demonstrated that organisms such as bacteria were responsible for souring wine, beer and even milk. He then invented a process where bacteria could be removed by boiling and then cooling liquid. He completed the first test on April 20, 1862. Today the process is known as pasteurization.

Pasteur’s germ theory of health was later further developed by Robert Koch and other scientists laying on the main foundations of our modern-day healthcare. They believed that every human disease is caused by a microbe or germ, which is specific for that disease and one must be able to isolate the microbe from the diseased human being. In 1890 the German physician and bacteriologist Robert Koch set out his celebrated criteria for judging whether a given bacteria is the cause of a given disease.

Koch’s postulates are as follows:

• The bacteria must be present in every case of the disease
• The bacteria must be isolated from the host with the disease and grown in pure culture
• The specific disease must be reproduced when a pure culture of the bacteria is inoculated into a healthy susceptible host
• The bacteria must be recoverable from the experimentally infected host

Next, the terrain theory, also called the cellular theory, is based on that explanation that germs cannot cause infection and disease unless the conditions within the body allow it. Basically, it states that if the body (host) is unhealthy then viruses, bacteria, etc can take up residence and thrive in an unhealthy environment and eventually cause illness. A healthy body on the other hand, will not attract pathogenic germs and is strong enough to ward off any unwelcome invaders and keep them in balance. As we learn more about the microbiome, we can understand that a healthy, protective balance of microbes within the gut is beneficial to keeping our immune system strong and our bodies free of illness. Many factors determine the health of the microbiome. See this article here. The terrain theory looks more at the microbes as a very important asset to building a healthy homeostasis in the body. As Pierre Jacques Atoine Beauchamp, a chemist-biologist-physician, and Claude Bernard stated in the late 1800”s said, “Germs are nothing, the terrain is everything”. They went on to state that healthy cells and tissues are immune to germ infections. The main focus was to support our tissue health and well-being through nutrition, proper rest, appropriate hygiene, well-balanced amounts of exercise and taking care of our emotional well-being. Sound familiar? The terrain theory IS the foundation for natural healing methods and functional medicine.

Unfortunately today, our modern healthcare system is based on the germ theory. Without going too deep into that topic, ask yourself, “are we healthier today?”, “why such an increase in disease?”, “why is the United States so overly medicated and one of the sickest nations?”. I could go on…….and, I will….another time.

foundational immune support

I realize some of these recommendations have been touted over and over again, but they are the basic foundations that will strengthen your perfectly designed immune system and honestly, just leave you feeling better. It becomes a lifestyle to practice these facets of daily living and eventually it doesn’t feel like you are having to do anything extra; it is just how you now roll!

-Consume nutrient-dense, organic whole foods-download my copy of Immune Boosting Foods here
-Prioritize optimal sleep
-Regular movement and exercise that is appropriate for you
-Get outside for fresh air and sunshine daily
-Keep hydrated with filtered water
-Practice being grateful and having a positive mindset
-Avoid processed foods, sugars, alcohol, smoking, drugs, environmental toxins, etc.
-Have your Vitamin D and Iodine levels checked
-Supplements that support the immune system: Vit D, C, A, B’s, Zinc, Potassium, Quercetin, Probiotics, Colostrum, Beta Glucans, Iron, Chromium, Copper, Manganese, Selenium, Magnesium, and others.

Supplementing is a bio-individual priority. It is best to have a nutrient panel test done to check for any deficiencies. I do not recommend beginning with a lot of supplements and guessing.

With all the complexities of the immune system we can learn to do some basic, simple daily practices to strengthen this wonderfully complex system. You are not expected to make a lot changes all at once, just one at a time and eventually, your immune system will notice how you are supporting it. IT WILL THANK YOU TEN-FOLD!

Grab a complimentary copy of my Immune Boosting Foods guide here.

Interested in learning how to care for your immune system?

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