Where is the immune situation located in the body? What is it made up of? How does is work? How do we know when it is working and when it's not?



First of all, the immune system is not one thing, or one organ within the body. It is an amazing collection of mechanisms inside your body. These mechanisms protect the organism from disease by identifying and destroying foreign agents such as parasites, viruses, and bacteria. In order to function properly the immune system needs to be able to identify and destroy those things and that may harm the organism. The immune system can fail either by failing to identify and destroy pathogens (something in the body that causes disease or illness) or by falsely identifying healthy cells and tissue as something to be attacked and destroyed.

Disorders in the immune system can cause disease. When the immune system is less active than it should be it fails to identify and kill those foreign invaders that it should thus allowing the body to become ill. Also, pathogens are constantly changing thus making it possible for them to avoid detection by the immune system.

When the immune system goes crazy in the other direction and becomes hyperactive it can start attacking normal cells and tissue. Diseases, which result from a hyperactive immune system, are called autoimmune diseases. There are more than 80 types of autoimmune diseases these include multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

What are some of these mechanisms of the immune system? The immune system consists of many different cells, proteins, organs and tissues working together. Lymph glands and white blood cells are part of this system.

The bottom line is that our immune system protects us from viruses, bacteria and many diseases. We need to support and strengthen this system in order for our bodies to remain healthy. Although all the factors involved in strengthening or weakening the immune system are not known we do know that as our bodies get older our immune systems can weaken.

However, there are things we can do to enhance our immune systems. These are often called immune system boosters. Sleep, exercise, healthy foods and proper supplements are all important immune system boosters.

A good night's sleep allows the body time to recuperate and repair itself from the demands of the day.

A regular exercise program strengthens and empowers your immune system as well as just about every other bodily system including your cardio-vascular system.

Proper immune system boosting foods include fresh fruit and vegetables, garlic, mushrooms and onions. And don't forget to drink plenty of water.

And a very important way you can support your local immune system is to take supplements that act as immunity enhancers. These include such things as vitamins C & E and B-complex, amino acids, hormone enhancers (IE: HGH secretagogues and HGH precursors), antioxidants, probiotics, balanced minerals and herbs.