Darrick Robles Our body has to fight off potentially harmful germs around the clock. The immune system is responsible for this – it prevents diseases and functional disorders. This article gives you an overview of our “corporate police”.
What is immunity?
Immunity is the body’s ability to protect itself from invasive organisms. The body can defend itself against pathogens unknown to it. However, immunity can also protect against getting the same infection again. The biological system responsible for defending against harmful microorganisms and foreign substances in higher organisms is the immune system – a complex interaction of organs, cells and molecules.
The functions of the immune system
Our immune system is like the police of our body. It ensures that invaders such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites are recognized and combated. Complex processes are carried out to remove the microorganisms from the body. We then perceive this as a cough or cold, for example. When you consider that these annoying symptoms are part of an effective and important defense mechanism, they’re just a little easier to bear!
In addition, our immune system can destroy or repair degenerated endogenous cells. It thus plays a central role in wound healing and in the prevention of tumors. It also controls the good, harmless microorganisms, such as our gut bacteria.
Defense Teamwork
Many parts of the body contribute to the immune system. These include e.g. B. the skin and mucous membranes: Here pathogens are often fought directly so that they do not even get into the body. Defense cells are formed in the bone marrow and stored in the spleen. The lymph nodes and ducts serve as collection points or transport routes for antibodies that wash pathogens out of the body. Fluids such as saliva, urine, stomach acid or tears also help keep the body free of harmful microorganisms.
2 types of immune defenses
The innate immune system. Sometimes referred to as the natural or non-specific immune system, the innate immune system is the body’s first attempt to find, attack, and eliminate invading pathogens. The body does not analyze which germ it is exactly. The immune system usually manages to kill foreign microorganisms without any problems. However, if this is not the case, the acquired immune defense is activated.
The acquired immune system. This part of the immune system only develops gradually over the course of life. In the course of the acquired or specific immune system, antibodies are formed that effectively fight germs. For this purpose, the body analyzes exactly what type of microorganism it is. Immunological memory is also part of the acquired immune defence: once the body has formed antibodies, they can be used more quickly in the event of a renewed infection with the same pathogen. Exactly this effect is also used in vaccinations.
Herd immunity: even stronger together
The term herd immunity describes indirect immunity through a large number of immune people. For example, if you get vaccinated against the flu , you not only protect yourself, but also other unvaccinated people who come into contact with you, because you do not infect them with the pathogen. This is particularly important because many people are not allowed to be vaccinated, e.g. B. People with certain chronic diseases or infants.
Herd immunity ensures that an infection spreads more slowly. The more contagious a disease is, the more people need to be immune to stop it from spreading. Some diseases have now been eradicated entirely by herd immunity, e.g. B. smallpox. Polio has also fallen sharply – it only occurs in a few countries around the world.
Strengthen the immune system – that’s how it works
With healthy lifestyle habits you can strengthen your immune system in a targeted manner. You can find out more about this topic in the articles Immune with System and Eat yourself fit . At this point just 3 quick tips:
- Eat varied and nutritious. A large number of vitamins, minerals and trace elements are crucial for a well-functioning immune system.
- move daily Regular physical activity strengthens, among other things, the anti-inflammatory function of your immune system.
- Pay attention to regeneration. Your body needs rest to recharge the batteries of the immune system. So get enough rest and sleep.
