The Immune System

The most important function of the immune system, is its defensive role in the human body.

The immune system has an inherent ability, to detect and challenge foreign substances and organisms within the body, acting as the crucial first line of defense.

The immune systems plays a role, in eliminating harmful organisms and substances, by recognizing, destroying and finally removing, various types of foreign particles, and malignant growths like cancers; wherever it detects them in the human system.

It is therefore a totally independent and invisible shield, working unnoticed in our bodies, and bringing attention to itself only, when we get sick; we are otherwise unaware, of its existence.
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But it must be mentioned, that the onset of an illness is by itself, not an indication of immune system impairment or weakness; it can also be due to the effects, of recurring and lasting infections, in the body.

A permanent and constant fatique in the body, the presence of swelling in the glands, the occurrence of colds and sore throats in a person; are the more specific signs, of a weakened immune system.

A diagnosis of the condition, should be taken, when and if such symptoms become aggravated, and if they come accompanied by weakness in the individual.
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While the organization and function of the immune system is well defined and complex, its impairment can often be brought about quite easily and quickly, by a variety of simple factors and circumstances, in the body.

These factors can very easily weaken it, and expose the individual to a plethora of debilitating conditions. Some of the very usual and easily identifiable underlying causes are: the presence of excessive physical and or emotional stress in the person; this also includes depression, chronic or otherwise.

Recovery from illness if furthered hampered, by the presence in the body of a chronic or lingering illness; especially due to severe conditions, and physical trauma from surgery.

All these factors, can leave the resources of the immune system depleted, and it may find it difficult to cope. This necessarily is not conducive, to a healthy and quick convalescence.
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The normal functioning and operation of the immune system, can also be severely hampered, by the regular intake of a diet deficient in nutrients, and inadequate in important compounds.

The greatest long term harm, is often dealt to the body, by the regular intake of empty calories. These low caloric compounds, are abundant, in many processed foods and sweets; such a diet needless to say, is poor in nutritional value.

The other important contributing factors, are conditions such as obesity in people; a generally poor physical condition or fitness level; and prolonged periods of inactivity or sedentary habits.

If used over a lengthy period of time, certain compounds found in drugs and common medications, especially cortisone and the antibiotics, have a very negative effect on immune system performance and viability.

Toxic compounds such as heavy metals, and other harmful substances such as alcholol, also tend to affect the immune system, in a negative way.

Genetic and individual traits, also seem to play a role, in the strength of a person’s immune system. Commonly, those with a weak constitution, seem to need to take greater care, to maintain a healthy and viable immune system.
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The risks of infections and allergies occurring in a person is increased, when there is an excess of sugars in the diet; this substance also hampers the immune system function.

This can be seen in cases, where there is an excessive consumption of sugar, the physical manifestation being: an impairment in the shape, the activity, and the number, of white blood cells,- which are the workhorses of the immune system.

It can be said that, as a singular factor or substance, that has a very negative impact on immune system functioning, sugar has not been given the attention it deserves.

It has been shown in a scientific study, that the mere consumption of 3.5 oz. of the simple carbohydrate, that constitutes the majority of simple sugars, (like sucrose found in common sugar, glucose and the fruit sugar fructose), has a deleterious impact on WBC (white blood corpuscles).

This simple carbohydrate, which is also abundant in foodstuffs like honey and orange juice; had a major and negative impact on the white blood cells; impairing their ability to engulf and eliminate bacteria, in the body.

Complex and starchy carbohydrate, had no such effect in the same doses.
This study, is further verified by another one, in which it was found: that the consumption of 75 grams of glucose, depressed the white blood cells.

These unfortunately happened to be the ones, that manufacture antibodies and fight infection.