Wellness Centre - Immune System

The immune system is the systemic dispersion of cells throughout our body that prevents us from getting sick, fights off foreign invaders that try to enter the body and destroys germs including bacteria, viruses and parasites.

The system recognizes our own cells as safe (in most people) and tries to get rid of anything else that is unfamiliar and trying to come in. This happens through cell memory, whereby after seeing an unwanted cell that it attacks – like a cold virus or injection – it keeps a memory of the antigen of that cell and then is primed to attack it the next time iff it tries to re-enter. This process is done by a large number of different cells which the body makes and which are like active patrol cells that circulate throughout the body looking for foreign invaders or unhealthy cell processes.

Should the immune system miss an invader and we get sick, it is an incredible line of defense in helping us get better. When the invader is found, the immune system has specialized cells which it sends out that kill the invaders, help keep the rest of the body optimally functioning, and also remember what the invader looks like for the next time.

At any given moment in ur body, all of this is happening simultanesouly and we don’t even realize. The immune system is so efficient and the body is so competent, that when we are looking after it, we rarely get sick.

As you learned above, the immune system is an amazing and impressive system of the body that plays a big role in keeping us healthy and allowing the other systems of our body to function optimally. But there is more to it than just the science of how it works. Here are some interesting facts about immunity.

Most immune responses come from getting sick first and thereby teaching the body that the cell is unwanted and needs to be removed!
In an autoimmune disease, such as celiac disease or rheumatoid arthritis, the immune system attacks its own cells and sees itself as a foreign object that shouldn’t be in the body.
The immune system is actually always fighting off billions of germs and toxins that we encounter and because it is so efficient, most of the time we do not even realize.
Yes it’s true that you can be too clean! In order tor the immune system to function, it first has to be exposed to the harmful cell and if you are always washing them away, or staying indoors you will never gain exposure.
Good immunity starts in the gut! When we have a healthy gut, the good bacteria help produce immune cells.
Understanding immunity originated hundreds of years ago in starfish – when one was pierced by a thorn, later cells were seen to be engulfing the thorn.

An impressive system of the body that keeps us alive, active and energized, it is critical for us to do our part in looking after it.

When we put together an understanding of the immune system and ponder for a while over those fascinating facts, you hlikely conclude that optimized immune system functioning is crucial for optimized health and wellbeing. And then you’re left to wonder, how can I boost my immune system?

Good news: there are several simple, efficient and inexpensive ways to boost your immune system and make sure you stay healthy for a long time to come.

Eat immunity boosting foods! These include Vitamin C, Vitamin A and Vitamin B rich foods such as oragnes, Kakadu Plum, broccoli, leafy greens and wholr grains.
Get outside regularly, exposing yourself to fresh air.
Focus on getting quality sleep and decreasing stress.
Exercise and move to encouragw activite of the immune system and lymphatic system which helps it out.
Look after your gut, consuming probiotic rich foods.
Stay hydrated, drinking plenty of water or herbal teas.
Consume immunity boosting superfoods such as pomengrante, hibiscus and licorice. These can all be found in our day blend tea and work as antioxidants.