(From Shaklee Health Sciences)
Your
immune system’s got your back. And your front. All of you, inside and out. Good
thing, too, because you’re surrounded by bacteria all the time. A tiny square
inch of your skin can contain 50 million of them. Most are harmless. But some,
such as viruses, can be downright dangerous. As a catchall, we call them germs.
Your body has
powerful microscopic armed forces to combat germs. Billions of white blood
cells vigilantly patrol through the blood stream. Special fighting units, cells
in your bloodstream called macrophages (Greek for big eaters) attack germs by
surrounding them and digesting them. Other cells make powerful chemicals called
antibodies. They are anti, or against, these foreign bodies and attack the
outsides of germs. They team with other specialized germ fighters called T
cells.
Each
kind of germ has an outer layer that’s different than those on other germs.
Antibodies your body produced to fight off last year’s flu virus can’t get a
grip on this year’s model. So your immune system has to go back to the drawing
board and make new antibodies. But the good news is germs can’t fool your
immune system twice. Once your body has withstood an attack by a specific germ,
the antibody making cells remain on alert. They're ready to rumble if the same
germs show up again.
Last
but not least, your immune system makes the almighty fighter interferon. It
interferes with invading viruses trying to replicate themselves inside your
cells. Interferon also helps activate macrophages and other immune defenses,
including natural killer cells (cells that detect and start killing tumor
cells) even before antibodies attach to their outsides, providing a crucial and
early assault.
You’re
immune system may be complex, but some simple lifestyle habits can help keep it
strong. A healthful diet, exercise, supplements, lowering stress, and more can
make a difference in maintaining a healthy immune system. Take care of your
immune system, so it can take care of you.
For more information or for ordering immune boosting products, visit Immune Support.
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