How does the immune system work?

The immune system trys to prevent damage to the body by all types of invaders ranging from pollutants to microbes.

Our immune system embodies a complex system of tissues, cells and organs which perform different tasks to protect the body from harmful microbes such as viruses, bacteria, funghi and parasites. The immune system must continuously adapt to new and changing circumstances. We can also help our immune system to be more successful by choosing appropriate nutritional foods and supplements which compliment the immune system activities.

The main elements of our immune system include the skin and mucous membranes, the red bone marrow (production of blood cells), the lymph vessels and lymph nodes, the spleen, the thymus, the appendix, the peyer patches in the intestines and the tonsils.

Microbes wanting to enter the body must first pass through the skin and mucous tissue which provide a physical barrier and also carry their own defence mechanisms. The eyes for example produce an enzyme lysozyme, the respiratory tract is protected by cilia, the digestive system produces stomach acid and gut bacteria to fight off foreign intruders. Next they must bypass a series of non specific defences. These include white blood cells like macrophages, neutrophiles and antibodies like the IgA. They consume foreign substances or excrete toxic substances which terminate invaders.

It is estimated that about 90% of all infections are beaten by the body’s decentralised defence system.

Invaders that get through the non specific defence system are then confronted with specific immune weapons tailored against them. These include T cells and antibodies which produce the B lymphocytes These antibodies perform very specialized tasks and can even remember past infections. They recognize certain types of bacteria, lock themselves onto the surface like a key fitting a lock. T cells are cytotoxic  and they also play a role in reminding the B lymphocytes of their tasks.

An outbreak of an infection is dependent on the severity of the attack meaning the quantity of invaders and the virulence of the pathogen. It is also dependent on the strength of the immune system. If the immune system is strong, an infection may pass with little or no symptoms. The immune system will even remember the attacker and recognize it in the future. This is the principle of vaccination.

One of the most common attacks on the immune system is through viruses. They cause the most common infections like flues and colds. Viruses are highly contagious, there are several hundred known species and new kinds develop every year. They use the body’s cells as a host and multiply in the cells. Once the host cells are infected, the specific defense of the body takes a few days to modify to the specific task, this is why many, even lighter colds, take more than a week to ease off.

Research has shown that certain substances in Elderberry called Flavonoids seem to have a Viro-static effect and thus can restrict the rate of multiplication of the viruses in the cells. This is how Rubini ProFlavon Complex can enhance and compliment the immune system.