Back in the days when The Whole Food Journal was but a printed newsletter I wrote the following article about the immune system. It was intended then, to help you understand how the most important system in your body works and how to protect it. I hope you find it just as interesting and useful today.
THE MIGHTY IMMUNE SYSTEM
Perhaps the most important system in your body, and the one that can actually determine your state of health or illness, is your immune system. The immune system is simply your body’s defense system. It’s job is to fight off disease, germs and bacteria that can and do enter our bodies. Through our white cells, the immune system directs antibodies to attack and destroy disease carrying bacteria and germs. We are all exposed to these villains each and every day. If our immune system is weak, they take over and we get sick. Our susceptibility is determined by the strength of our own immune system.
A healthy, well functioning immune system, on the other hand, is capable of protecting our bodies from the effects of a number of enemies. Among them are fatigue, infections, colds, flu, antibiotics and the chemicals in our food, and in the air we breathe.
Even though our immune system is so vital to our basic health, few of us understand how it works, not to mention what or where it actually is in the body. Our immune system is made up of the white bloods cells and proteins in the blood. These are known as antibodies. Three organs…..the thymus, spleen and liver….oversee, replenish and organize the immune process. Our immune system also includes the lymphatic system and it’s own vessels which run parallel to the blood vessels.
When foreign invaders enter our bodies, or a cell becomes cancerous, our immune system acts in two ways. White cells attack the invader. And, antibodies can damage the invaders directly, or direct the white cells to attack.
The components of a healthy immune system (and there are eight) do everything from destroy bacterial infections and cancer cells to cleansing the system after infection, and even releasing histamine to help battle allergies. You should know that the use of antibiotics and other drugs can suppress your body’s own defense system with fewer antibodies produced, and white blood cells less active. This leaves the system less able to cope naturally.
Other things known to impair your immune system include stress, obesity, excess sugar, insufficient rest, and the most frequent cause…….undernourishment! Undernourishment is simply the inadequate consumption of whole, nutritient rich foods including vegetables and fruits, beans and legumes, and whole grains. It is widely believed that this undernourishment stems from the typical Western diet which is extremely high in fat, sugar and excessive protein.
Even though all our body systems operate synergistically (and preferably in good harmony and balance), the functioning of our immune system is of primary importance. This is because a weakened immune system prevents the healthy functioning of the other systems and organs in our bodies.
Personal effort to remove, or reduce stress from our lives…and that is a personal decision…is a huge first step in achieving a healthy immune system. And remember, many foods can cause stress. This is another very good reason to avoid foods high in sugar, fat and additives. Not only do the highly nutritious whole foods nourish your immune system….they nourish your other body systems as well.
For added nutritional boost, consider supplementing with Vitamins A & C, and also Zinc and Beta carotene. The herb Echinacea is a proven immune defender, with components that activate resistance to infection. Another effective herb is Goldenseal, which contains Berberine. Berberine has been shown to jump start the cells that destroy viruses, bacteria and the cells of tumors. Interestingly, German researchers found that the white cells of vegetarians were TWICE as powerful as those of meat eaters.
Foods that help build and strengthen your immune system include all kinds of fruits and vegetables, especially those that are deep green or deep orange in color. Garlic acts in much the same way as the herb Echinacea. Even yogurt and the Asian shitake mushroom are effective. Where possible, opt for organic foods, as they are more nutrient rich, and free of chemicals and additives as well.
It is possible to get through the cold season with out “catching” a cold. It is possible to avoid and even prevent the many chronic and degenerative diseases linked to nutritional deficiency. These can include mental and emotional illnesses, and behavorial problems as well. It all begins with the nutritional health of our own immune system, enabling that system to keep us healthy and strong. It’s THAT important!
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Great article. I am very interested ways to build a strong immune system. I just wanted to add to your thoughts and pass along the fact that most people with challenged immune systems usually have low glutathione levels in their bodies. Since this is something that your cells must have to function and each cell must make it’s own, raising glutathione levels is of utmost improtance.
There are foods that give you some of the precursors your body needs but with the depletion of our soil and all the chemicals that are used to grow our food, this too, is a problem.
There is an answer though, and after having severe sinus and flu infections quite regularly, I can now truthfully say that I have not had one cold or bout of flu in the last three years.