Increase the immune system

In the winter season we often talk about low immune defenses, but what is it?

The immune system is the set of cells, tissues, and molecules that mediate disease resistance. These recognize foreign microorganisms entering the body and generate a response to eliminate them: they are what we commonly call “immune defenses”. Among the microorganisms that are detected and eliminated, the most common are viruses and bacteria.

Why do our immune defenses drop in winter?

This happens because during the cold season, the concentration of viruses and bacteria in the air increases. Furthermore, frequent temperature changes and the inhalation of cold air weaken our immune system, which is why it is recommended to support and strengthen the body’s defenses even from the outside, for example by taking supplements.

How do our defenses work?

The human organism is very complex and has consequently developed many different mechanisms of action based on the situation it faces. In most cases, the first response to a pathogen is the nonspecific one in which macrophages or natural killer cells intervene. Macrophages are cells capable of engulfing and eliminating foreign microorganisms; natural killer cells, on the other hand, recognize tumor and virus-infected cells and generate a response that leads to their destruction. There is also a specific immune response, which is based on the recognition of the antigen (virus, beat, pathogenic molecule, …) by immunoglobulins, molecules capable of recognizing many different microorganisms and activating a cascade of responses that leads to the production of antibodies. The latter provide for destroying the pathogen, neutralizing it or eliminating it through other cells.

The immune system defends our body but we must defend the immune system too! We can help with Rosehip, Propolis, Echinacea, Vitamin C and much more. In the next articles we will find out how to do it.

Photo by Martina De Paola