In recent years, we have heard countless medical terms. And among all of them, the immune system has been the main protagonist and how to strengthen the immune system naturally. But let’s start from the beginning.
Do we know what the immune system is?
The immune system is a set of biological mechanisms whose main purpose is to protect the human body from pathogens such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites, as well as from mutated cells that can become cancerous. Its function is to detect and eliminate these invaders, thus maintaining the overall health of the body.
The immune system is one of the most important systems in our body. It is called a system because it involves various parts of the body, including organs, lymph nodes, cells, and tissues that form a network to protect us from diseases and infections. The main cells involved in this immune system are white blood cells or leukocytes.
Now that you know what it specifically is, it is essential to understand how it works in order to comprehend how to naturally strengthen the immune system and why certain products or medications are recommended for our health.
How does the immune system work?
The immune system is divided into two main parts: the innate immune system and the adaptive immune system.
The innate immune system is what we consider as our natural defenses or innate immunity. An example of this would be our own skin, which acts as a protective barrier against all kinds of germs and invading microorganisms. It is an immediate and nonspecific response of cells that work together to recognize and attack invading pathogens, using a series of defense mechanisms.
On the other hand, adaptive immunity develops throughout a person’s life. It is generated over time as we are exposed to diseases or immunized against them through vaccines.
When our body is attacked by a dangerous pathogen, a part of the white blood cells start working, triggering an immune response. To understand this reaction, it is important to know that white blood cells are divided into several different types of cells: phagocytic and lymphocytic, which further divide into B and T cells.
Firstly, phagocytic cells engulf and destroy the invaders, and then present fragments of the invaders to the lymphocytic cells. B lymphocytes are activated and produce antibodies, which bind to the invaders and neutralize them or mark them for destruction by white blood cells. T lymphocytes are also activated and directly attack virus-infected cells and other abnormal cells.
As we explained earlier, in addition to these cells, the immune system includes organs and tissues such as the thymus, spleen, lymph nodes, and bone marrow. These organs are responsible for producing and storing immune system cells and helping to coordinate their response against invaders.
How to improve the immune system
There are many reasons why our immune system can weaken, some of them are natural intrinsic factors of life, such as aging. Others are external factors that we can control to a greater or lesser extent, such as stress, poor diet, or lack of rest.
Developing a chronic illness can also greatly impair your defenses, and not only the illness itself, but also the prolonged exposure to the side effects of the medications we take to alleviate these illnesses can also harm our immune system.
Fortunately, there are many natural ways to take care of the immune system and help it function optimally. Here is a list of the 5 most important ones that you can take action on and improve your quality of life:
- Maintain a healthy diet
Nutrition is key to the immune system, as essential vitamins and minerals help fight diseases and keep our bodies strong. A balanced and varied diet, rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and healthy fats (such as olive oil or salmon), can provide the necessary nutrients to support a healthy immune system. Some important vitamins and minerals for immune function include vitamin C, vitamin D, zinc, and selenium.
You can also incorporate fermented foods into your diet, as they are rich in beneficial bacteria called probiotics, which are found in abundance in your digestive tract. These foods include yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and natto.
Lastly, maintaining hydration is crucial for the proper functioning of our bodies. While it is not directly related to protection against germs and viruses, dehydration can make your body more susceptible to illness, thereby triggering a response from the immune system. It is important to note that tea, juice, and alcoholic beverages, while refreshing in the moment, have a high sugar content that can also lead to dehydration. Therefore, the best option for hydration is to drink water.
- Get enough sleep
Sleep is crucial for immune function, as it is during sleep that our bodies produce and release proteins called cytokines, which help fight infections and inflammations. Lack of sleep can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of illnesses. It is recommended to get 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night to maintain a healthy immune system. This recommendation becomes even more important as we age.
Remember that feeling of wanting to sleep all the time when you’re unwell? That’s because your defenses are working at full capacity!
- Exercise regularly
Regular moderate exercise can improve immune function by increasing the production of infection-fighting cells and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. It is recommended to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise per day to maintain overall good health and a healthy immune system. Some exercises you can do include brisk walking, cycling, jogging, swimming, and light hiking.
- Reduce stress
Chronic stress can weaken the immune system and increase the risk of illness. Meditation, journaling, deep breathing, yoga, and other relaxation methods can help reduce stress and improve immune function.
You can also seek the guidance of a coach or therapist, either in person or virtually, to support you in the process with personalized advice.
- Take supplements
Some supplements can help improve immune function, such as vitamin C, vitamin D, and garlic.
Now that you know how to have a strong immune system, don’t miss the opportunity to help your body stay strong and healthy.
What is an immune modulator?
When your immune system is imbalanced, it can become a reactive immune system, meaning your body overreacts to certain pathogens such as pollen or dust, triggering allergic reactions.
To prevent these and other more serious problems in our immune system, an immune modulator can be used. These are substances used to stimulate or suppress the immune function of the body and regulate it. You may have heard about them as they are among the first drugs prescribed by doctors after a transplant. They are given to prevent the body from rejecting the new organ or prosthesis.
Yes, the most well-known ones are allopathic drugs, but there are also natural immune modulators found in plants, foods, and other natural products. These natural immune modulators are used in natural and alternative medicine to stimulate or regulate the immune function of the body.
In our article “The Importance of Natural Products for the Immune System,” we discussed in detail some products for the immune system, but here’s a brief review and two new additions:
Echinacea: Echinacea is a plant traditionally used to stimulate the immune system and prevent colds and other infections. It is believed that echinacea increases the production of white blood cells and improves immune function. Garlic: Garlic is a food rich in sulfur compounds that are believed to have immunomodulatory properties. Garlic has been shown to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects and may help prevent infections. Ginger: Ginger is a root used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of conditions, including digestive problems, inflammation, and infectious diseases. Ginger is believed to have immunomodulatory properties and may help improve immune function. Medicinal mushrooms: Medicinal mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake, and reishi are used in traditional medicine to stimulate immune function and prevent diseases. Medicinal mushrooms have been shown to have immunomodulatory properties and can enhance the function of immune cells. Propolis: Propolis is a resinous substance found in bee hives. Propolis is believed to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and can help stimulate immune function.
These natural immune modulators are used as dietary supplements and complementary to conventional medicine in the treatment of various conditions, such as respiratory infections, digestive problems, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. However, it’s important to note that these immune system supplements may have side effects and can interact with other medications. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with a doctor before using any natural immune modulator to treat a condition.
Capsules to boost the immune system
If it is difficult for you to incorporate these foods into your daily life or if you need an extra boost and are unsure how to take care of your immune system, we suggest capsules to boost the immune system: Birm.
Birm is a 100% natural product that powerfully balances the immune system. This regulation of the immune system allows individuals who take it to have stronger defenses to prevent and fight diseases.
Birm focuses on disease prevention and helps achieve an optimal quality of life in terms of health. As an adjunct immunomodulator, it also plays a role in the recovery and rehabilitation of chronic conditions.
You should also know that it is non-toxic, so it can be taken by the whole family. It is also sugar-free and a powerful antioxidant.
We hope this article has helped answer your questions if you were wondering how to take care of your immune system. If you have any further questions, we are always available to assist you. You can contact us.
