The immune system is incredibly complex and relies on many different processes to function.
When we look to boost our immunity, sometimes it helps to understand just what we're going for.
We can start by studying the immune system.
Comprehending which vitamins and nutrients are necessary for all levels of our immunity to function can help you to understand which vitamins and supplements to take.
Our immune system can be broken down into three major areas; the complement system, phagocytes, and lymphocytes.
Each category is responsible for protecting us in different ways.
The first line of defense in your body is the complement system.
The complement system is made up of proteins that are always travelling through your blood.
They quickly attack bacteria and other invaders.
The complement proteins essentially mark intruders so that other immune system cells can recognize them and attack.
They cause inflammation, kill some invaders, and send out signals to the other cells so that they know to come take care of the problem.
Keeping your complement system healthy is essential for your immune system.
Disruptions in this system can cause chronic inflammation and disease.
It only takes 3-4 weeks of not getting enough vitamins to depress the complement system.
While almost all vitamins are necessary for proper function, a good balance of B vitamins is most important.
Eating refined sugars, like those found in processed foods, can quickly deplete your body of B vitamins and inhibit your immune system from creating antibodies.
Even worse, refined sugars can actually shrink the thymus, which is the organ responsible for your immune response.
Phagocytes are white blood cells activated by the complement system.
They eat up damaged, dead, or infected cells.
They can handle large invaders, such as parasites, and send signals to the thymus that there is an invader.
Phagocytes can eat up large amounts of invading bacteria, viruses and infections.
Phagocytes also require a good balance of B vitamins, but additionally benefit from vitamin A and antioxidants.
Antioxidants, like vitamin E, vitamin C, and coenzyme Q10, suppress viral replications and take a lot of the stress off of your white blood cells.
Vitamin A aids in white blood cell production.
Adequate amounts of protein in your diet to replace the white blood cells that you lose.
The last type of immunity cells are called lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes originate in the bone marrow and require adequate amounts of vitamin D to function.
When activated, lymphocytes attack invaders, damaged, and dead cells through the lymphatic system.
They produce antibodies and memory cells that remember how to fight specific viruses and intruders.
Lymphocytes help you become immune to certain viruses after you've caught them so that the next time they invade, your body will immediately eradicate them.
Many vitamins and supplements can help to boost immunity and keep your immune system running strong, but none so much as vitamin C.
Vitamin C is necessary for all levels of immunity to work.
It cleans out free radicals that interfere with the production and maturation of all types of immunity cells and proteins.
Our bodies do not produce vitamin C, and therefore it must be taken every day.
Talk with your doctor before you buy vitamins.
The best vitamin C comes in a powdered form and is buffered to reduce acidity.
Remember to avoid sugar, as it only takes about an hour to interfere with your immune system.
Suppression of immunity can last up to five hours after a single soda.
Take care of your immune system and enjoy a healthy life!
When we look to boost our immunity, sometimes it helps to understand just what we're going for.
We can start by studying the immune system.
Comprehending which vitamins and nutrients are necessary for all levels of our immunity to function can help you to understand which vitamins and supplements to take.
Our immune system can be broken down into three major areas; the complement system, phagocytes, and lymphocytes.
Each category is responsible for protecting us in different ways.
The first line of defense in your body is the complement system.
The complement system is made up of proteins that are always travelling through your blood.
They quickly attack bacteria and other invaders.
The complement proteins essentially mark intruders so that other immune system cells can recognize them and attack.
They cause inflammation, kill some invaders, and send out signals to the other cells so that they know to come take care of the problem.
Keeping your complement system healthy is essential for your immune system.
Disruptions in this system can cause chronic inflammation and disease.
It only takes 3-4 weeks of not getting enough vitamins to depress the complement system.
While almost all vitamins are necessary for proper function, a good balance of B vitamins is most important.
Eating refined sugars, like those found in processed foods, can quickly deplete your body of B vitamins and inhibit your immune system from creating antibodies.
Even worse, refined sugars can actually shrink the thymus, which is the organ responsible for your immune response.
Phagocytes are white blood cells activated by the complement system.
They eat up damaged, dead, or infected cells.
They can handle large invaders, such as parasites, and send signals to the thymus that there is an invader.
Phagocytes can eat up large amounts of invading bacteria, viruses and infections.
Phagocytes also require a good balance of B vitamins, but additionally benefit from vitamin A and antioxidants.
Antioxidants, like vitamin E, vitamin C, and coenzyme Q10, suppress viral replications and take a lot of the stress off of your white blood cells.
Vitamin A aids in white blood cell production.
Adequate amounts of protein in your diet to replace the white blood cells that you lose.
The last type of immunity cells are called lymphocytes.
Lymphocytes originate in the bone marrow and require adequate amounts of vitamin D to function.
When activated, lymphocytes attack invaders, damaged, and dead cells through the lymphatic system.
They produce antibodies and memory cells that remember how to fight specific viruses and intruders.
Lymphocytes help you become immune to certain viruses after you've caught them so that the next time they invade, your body will immediately eradicate them.
Many vitamins and supplements can help to boost immunity and keep your immune system running strong, but none so much as vitamin C.
Vitamin C is necessary for all levels of immunity to work.
It cleans out free radicals that interfere with the production and maturation of all types of immunity cells and proteins.
Our bodies do not produce vitamin C, and therefore it must be taken every day.
Talk with your doctor before you buy vitamins.
The best vitamin C comes in a powdered form and is buffered to reduce acidity.
Remember to avoid sugar, as it only takes about an hour to interfere with your immune system.
Suppression of immunity can last up to five hours after a single soda.
Take care of your immune system and enjoy a healthy life!
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