When your immune system functions the way it’s supposed to, you don’t even notice it’s there!
However, as soon as you are feeling ill, you know there’s been a breach in our immune system.
Your Immune System Functions as Your First Line of Defense
Your immune system is your first line of defense when it comes to protecting you against harm.
Anything your body does not recognize as being a natural part of you activates your immune system.
For example, when certain bacteria, fungi, or viruses make their way into our system, it triggers a whole series of processes in the body.
One of the most amazing functions of your immune system is storing information about the harmful invaders and how to fight them.
Your Adaptive Immunity and Innate Immunity
Doctors and scientists call this process adaptive or acquired immunity.
Your adaptive immune system makes antibodies and uses them to fight certain germs that your body has previously come into contact with.
The adaptive immune system works closely with a second immune response called innate immunity.
Your innate immune system provides general defense against harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, and substances using immune cells such as natural killer cells and phagocytes.
The Components of Your Immune System
Your immune system consists of:
- White blood cells
- Antibodies
- Lymphatic system
- Spleen
- Bone marrow
- Thymus
Actually, your skin is your body’s first line of defense to prevent outside pathogens from entering the body.
In addition, your gut also plays a crucial role in your immunity.
Up to eighty percent of immune cells are created within the gut. Hence, the reason “gut health” is such a buzzword recently.
To learn more about how the immune system works, check out this short video: https://youtu.be/PSRJfaAYkW4