Understanding
Your Immune System
Today
we talk about our immune systems a lot. We worry about what we do to them
sometimes, just not often enough. Unfortunately our defense systems take a
beating from many outside influences, some of which are beyond our control and
some we are ignorant of. Researchers are now telling us that in the last 10
years the average Americans’ immune system has decreased in function by 25%! If
this is true we are in grave trouble because the germs haven’t lost anything.
They are more resistant and prolific than ever. The purpose of this series is
to highlight some of the risks and dangers that threaten us and give some much
needed solutions.
YOUR
DEFENSES IN A NUTSHELL:
Frontline:
Our natural defenses were designed so well that it is
amazing that we could get sick at all. Healthy, unbroken skin is your first
line of defense in the battle against germs. After that it is up to the mucous
and mucous membranes that line your nose, as well as your saliva, tears, and
vaginal secretions.
These
secretions contain natural chemicals that routinely destroy unwelcome
pathogens. If a virus, bacteria or other invader does manage to infiltrate your
system it still must face an array of defenses. The blood stream and lymphatic
fluids are teaming with multitudes of cells that are programmed to recognize
and destroy invaders.
Second line: Macrophages and Killer
cells.
When a
pathogen (Harmful germ) crosses the first barrier, the next step for the immune
system is to stop its progression using macrophage cells (also called
phagocytes (Eater cells) or scavenger cells). A macrophage is a specialized
cell that moves through the blood but can also pass through the blood vessel
walls. A macrophage works by engulfing a pathogen, which may be a bacteria or
inorganic foreign body, and either destroys it or prevents it from escaping to
other parts of the body.
These
cells are complimented by natural killer cells or NK cells. NK cells, like
macrophages, act without a commander or outside directions. NK cells are
programmed to destroy any pathogen or cell that carries foreign DNA on contact
They have no “memory”. meaning they act indiscriminately with invaders on
contact, without prior recognition. They generally act by first making contact
and then inject toxic chemical granules into the invading cell.
#2: Third line: B and T-cells.
Lymphocytes
are a type of white blood cell originating in the bone marrow. They are
originally non specific cells called stem cells. According to the bodies needs,
some mature into B-cells while others travel via the lymph to the thymus gland
and are programmed as T-cells.
B-cells
work chiefly by secreting special proteins that are known as antibodies. First
the B-cell contacts a pathogen with a special receptor site. It then produces
the antibody that will specifically match the receptors on the enemy cell.
These antibody substances lock onto or into the specific antigen or disease
particle that they are designed to attack. They have an exact fit like a key in
a lock. They then can inactivate or kill the pathogen. The body keeps a memory
of a prior exposure to a disease and stores replica antibodies for future
threats. Your
Immune System www.temcat.com Health Secrets Resource Collection: 2
Antibodies
are also called immunoglobulins.
T-cells.
There are three main types of
T-cells. Killer T-cells, Helper T-cells, and Suppressor T-cells.
Killer
cells are developed to only attack
specific invaders.They use special receptors to recognize the specific antigens
to attack. They secrete a substance called interferon, which the body readily
uses to stop viruses from replicating. They also inject chemicals known as
cytokines into their opponent cells to kill them.
Helper
cells work by aiding the killer
T-cells by stimulating them and giving them instructions. They sometimes
command B-cells to manufacture antibodies.
A
scanning electron microscope can show killer (cytotoxic) T-cells attacking
cancer cells. There is a sort of “fuzz” on the T cells. Those are
glycoproteins. Glycoproteins are an essential part of the function of the cell.
They are acquired through specific nutrition. Manapol an aloe vera extract can
provide glycoproteins.
Suppressor
T-cells are responsible for “calling
off the dogs”. After an infection is over the body’s active defensives need to
be slowed down or turned off. These cells are essential in balancing the immune
system when it gets too offensive.
Many
times after a systemic infection (usually viral) the killer T-cells mistake
some of the body’s own tissue cells as enemy cells due to similar DNA.
Suppressor T-cells are urgently needed or an autoimmune disorder like MS,
rheumatoid arthritis, chronic fatigue or lupus can develop.
Additional Immune Functions:
Inflammation
is a positive response of a healthy immune system. If the infection is
localized to a small region like a finger the response serves well by
increasing permeability of capillary walls and tissues aiding the movement of
white blood cells, and macrophages. Generally this is facilitated by the
release of histamines. If the infection is systemic the inflammatory response
causes neutrophils (a type of white blood cell) to release a protein that
affects the hypothalamus to turn up the thermostat, resulting in a general
fever. Don’t be so quick to break out the Tylenol!
Interferon
release is a function of a
properly functioning cell that has been invaded by a virus. It releases this
chemical, acting as a chemical signal to surrounding cells warning them to
protect their RNA from being used by invading viral particles.
Interleukins
are cytokines or chemical
messengers that are produced by the leukocytes (a type of white blood cells).
They help orchestrate the various functions of the many cells of the immune
system. Since cells can neither see nor hear, they rely on information to be
transmitted via chemical secretions in the circulation to communicate. As in
conventional warfare, it is impossible to win a war unless the commanders can
communicate with the troops.
#3: THINGS THAT HARM YOUR IMMUNE SYSTEM
Toxic
chemicals are everywhere. They are in
your food if you are not eating organic foods. They leak into your skin when
you sweat while wearing synthetic fabrics.
Most
shampoos and lotions are heavy in toxic chemicals. Scientists have discovered
that all municipal water supplies are highly polluted with toxic chemicals.
They traveled throughout the world and found no exceptions! Your Immune System
www.temcat.com Health Secrets Resource Collection: 3
Tobacco products
are toxic and are proven killers.
Sugar thickens the serum of the blood and is toxic to the immune
cells. Each person in America eats an average of 36 teaspoons daily. That is at
least 300% more than is safe to eat.
Alcohol
dehydrates and damages cell membranes making them
vulnerable to attack. Alcohol is now recognized as a cancer causing agent.
Fat clumps cells together impeding their functions. Most
Americans eat at least 3 times more than they should. Fat irritates the walls
of your circulatory system making it a less than optimum environment for your
immune cells to function.
Lack of
exercise can kill you. The only
cardiovascular exercise some of us get is blowing out the candles once a year!
A big part of your immune system is dependent on a good lymph flow. It doesn’t
flow unless you get vigorous exercise.
Poor
diet may be your number one risk.
The standard American diet is high in calories but poor in nutrition. Teenagers
eat 2/3 of their vegetables in the form of chips and fries! Americans consume
inordinate amounts of meat and dairy products. When experts estimate that more
than 80 % of the dairy animals in this country carry leukemia it makes no sense
in my opinion to ingest either them or their secretions. Excess proteins limit
the amount of oxygen that your red blood cells can carry. Viruses are
anaerobic, meaning they prefer a low oxygen environment.
Fruits,
vegetables, and grains are high in fiber and elemental nutrition. Eating them
fresh is also the best way to consume antioxidants.
Water is a must. Most of us are chronically dehydrated. Would
you wash five loads of clothes in the same water? That’s what you are asking
your body to do every day if you are not drinking enough water. The average
adult should drink 10 large glasses every day. Sometimes more when you exercise
or when it is hot. Distilled water is empty of junk minerals and toxic
chemicals. It can carry away more impurities. It will not de-mineralize your
body.
Lack of
sleep is an epidemic in America. We
all tend to burn the candle on both ends. The result is that we get run down
and sick far more often than we should. Get to bed and live!
Healing Leaves
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