Last time readers dropped in, they read about the importance of keeping their immune system strong during COVID-19 and while recovering from an injury. To continue this series, readers will follow along today for more information. Read further to learn how the immune system works.

How the immune system is affected by foods:

Post high school, not many people remember how the immune system technically works. We thought it would be interesting to do a quick refresher. Because we started with the way food affects energy levels last week, which need to be high for physical therapy and healing, we are going to continue with the gastrointestinal link to the immune system.

The largest mass of lymphoid tissue in the body is gut-associated. It is called the GALT. In this part of the body, there are antigen-presenting cells. When the body recognizes there are bacteria, viruses, and potentially foreign substances that may harm the body, it is because of the immune system.

The body’s immune system recognizes and responds to antigens. Antigens are found on the surface of cells, viruses, fungi, or bacteria. They are usually proteins, but they can also be toxins, drugs, chemicals, and foreign particles.

Not every foreign particle is what we think of as toxic. For example, wood is not toxic, but when a particle enters the body, a splinter, it is recognized as foreign and harmful to the body. In return, the body reacts and causes swelling and tenderness.

Innate immunity:

A strong immune system will do its best to destroy substances that contain antigens. Our bodies’ cells have proteins that are antigens. In a normally, healthy body, the immune system would not consider these cells harmful to the body.

However, for people with autoimmune disorders, the immune system would confuse its own cells as harmful cells. Innate immunity comes in a protein chemical form. It is called innate humoral immunity.

Innate immunity barriers are on the front line. This is the first immune response that reacts to threats against the body’s wellbeing. Innate immunity defenses also include:

  • cough reflex
  • skin
  • stomach acid
  • mucus
  • enzymes in tears and skin oils

Acquired immunity:

Acquired immunity is the immunity which develops with exposure. Once the body gets exposure to different antigens, it builds up a defense agains them with acquired immunity. As a new parent, elders may recommend bringing a two month-old baby to family and friends’ homes weekly to develop this sort of immunity.

Speaking of parenthood, breastmilk is incredible for a baby’s immune system as well as mother’s mental and physical health postpartum. This brings us to the next type of immunity.

Join us next week as we delve into this next sort of immunity. We hope you are finding it useful and interesting to learn about the immune system. After all, it is working in your favor to heal your injuries.

Staff Writer