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The superfoods you need to keep your immune system tip top at a time when you need it most.Supporting and boosting your immune system has never felt more important than right now, but can your diet really make a difference? And are 'superfoods' real or simply a passing wellness trend? We spoke to the experts to find out.
Cue the pro nutritionists and doctors who can tell you exactly what your immune system actually is, what qualifies as a superfood and how you can tailor your diet to support your immune system as much as possible. Consider this your guide to eating your way to an immune system that's in tip top condition.
The immune system is made up of special organs, cells and chemicals that fight infection (microbes). The main parts of the immune system are: white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system, the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus, and the bone marrow.
The immune system is made up of special organs, cells and chemicals that fight infection (microbes). The main parts of the immune system are: white blood cells, antibodies, the complement system, the lymphatic system, the spleen, the thymus, and the bone marrow. These are the parts of your immune system that actively fight infection.
The immune system and microbial infection
The immune system keeps a record of every microbe it has ever defeated, in types of white blood cells (B- and T-lymphocytes) known as memory cells. This means it can recognise and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again, before it can multiply and make you feel sick.
Some infections, like the flu and the common cold, have to be fought many times because so many different viruses or strains of the same type of virus can cause these illnesses. Catching a cold or flu from one virus does not give you immunity against the others.
Parts of the immune system
The main parts of the immune system are:
white blood cells
antibodies
complement system
lymphatic system
spleen
bone marrow
thymus.
White blood cells
White blood cells are the key players in your immune system. They are made in your bone marrow and are part of the lymphatic system.
White blood cells move through blood and tissue throughout your body, looking for foreign invaders (microbes) such as bacteria, viruses, parasites and fungi. When they find them, they launch an immune attack.
White blood cells include lymphocytes (such as B-cells, T-cells and natural killer cells), and many other types of immune cells.
Antibodies
Antibodies help the body to fight microbes or the toxins (poisons) they produce. They do this by recognising substances called antigens on the surface of the microbe, or in the chemicals they produce, which mark the microbe or toxin as being foreign. The antibodies then mark these antigens for destruction. There are many cells, proteins and chemicals involved in this attack.
Complement system
The complement system is made up of proteins whose actions complement the work done by antibodies.
Lymphatic system
The lymphatic system is a network of delicate tubes throughout the body. The main roles of the lymphatic system are to:
manage the fluid levels in the body
react to bacteria
deal with cancer cells
deal with cell products that otherwise would result in disease or disorders
absorb some of the fats in our diet from the intestine.
The lymphatic system is made up of:
lymph nodes (also called lymph glands) -- which trap microbes
lymph vessels -- tubes that carry lymph, the colourless fluid that bathes your body's tissues and contains infection-fighting
white blood cells
white blood cells (lymphocytes).
Spleen
The spleen is a blood-filtering organ that removes microbes and destroys old or damaged red blood cells. It also makes disease-fighting components of the immune system (including antibodies and lymphocytes).
Bone marrow
Bone marrow is the spongy tissue found inside your bones. It produces the red blood cells our bodies need to carry oxygen, the white blood cells we use to fight infection, and the platelets we need to help our blood clot.
Thymus
The thymus filters and monitors your blood content. It produces the white blood cells called T-lymphocytes.
Fever is an immune system response
A rise in body temperature, or fever, can happen with some infections. This is actually an immune system response. A rise in temperature can kill some microbes. Fever also triggers the body's repair process.
Better Health Immune system
Better Health for Your Immune System
