The immune system of most people copes with his work, protecting them from the vast number of microorganisms every day. But sometimes it fails - and, as a rule, only if a person thinks about how his immune system, and wonders whether it is necessary to do something to make it work better. What can affect the strengthening of the immune system? Maybe adjust your diet or begin taking any vitamins, herbs, or more exercise?

There are a lot of recommendations and tools to improve the immune system, but their effectiveness is often much debate among experts. The fact that scientists still do not fully understand how the immune system works, although it is constantly being studied, and in this area occur frequently significant discoveries. This does not mean that strengthen the immune system is useless and not necessary - on the contrary. However, the first thing you need to do ...

Healthy skepticism

In pharmacies and stores you can find a variety of means to strengthen the immune system, stimulate and support it. In general, the idea of ​​using drugs to stimulate any of the body's cells - immune or other - does not always lead to good results. For example, athletes who use the funds to increase the number of blood cells, thereby increasing their endurance and, in general, productivity, risk to make one stroke Stroke - a serious brain injury   or other serious health problems. What can cause excessive stimulation of immune cells, it is currently unknown.

It is still unknown exactly how much and what type of cells of the immune system need to function optimally. Much more is known about what happens when a decline in the number of immune cells below a certain level. For example, when the level of T-cells (or T-lymphocytes) and HIV / AIDS patients is too low, patients often begin to hurt, and even the common cold they can lead to dangerous complications. Some experts suggest that excess T cells may lead to health problems, but so far this theory no one could neither confirm nor deny. Whatever it was, most doctors agree that healthy people who do not get sick very often and, in general, feel good, do not need any drugs to stimulate the immune system.

What is needed to strengthen the immune system, so it is a comprehensive approach that includes proper nutrition Proper nutrition - the basic precepts of healthy food , Regular exercise, maintaining a balance of work and rest. If you notice that they became sick more often than before, or almost always feel unwell, do not self-medicate, and seek medical advice.

How to eat to be healthy

To the immune system can successfully fight the microorganisms that are trying to harm your health, it is necessary to complete and regular meals. Researchers have long noticed that people who live in extreme poverty and suffering from malnutrition are more vulnerable to various infectious diseases than those that can afford to eat properly. Detailed studies of this problem have not been conducted in humans, but animal experiments have shown that a lack of the protein in the ration leads to a decrease in the number of T cells and macrophages, and also to reduce the production of immunoglobulin A deficiency of such substances as zinc, selenium, iron, copper, , folic acid Folic acid - the value is hard to overestimate , Vitamins A, B6 and E also have a negative impact on the work of immunity. but

Avoid overeating - sooner or later it will lead to the emergence of excess weight, and it impairs the immune system. It was found that obesity significantly reduces the immune system and makes people more vulnerable to infections. Even if obesity to get you very far, be sure to pay attention to what and how much you eat. If you often happen to have a TV or a computer, and you are not noticing, eat a lot more than it should, or if you eat a lot, in a state of stress How to beat stress? Create an oasis , You must do your eating habits. Try to eat without being distracted by extraneous sources of information (computer, books, newspapers), and focus only on food. If after suffering a stress you have a desire to eat chocolate, try instead to go to the gym or just walk. Then you can eat a few pieces of chocolate.

In your diet must include the following materials:

• Vitamin C - it is contained, for example, citrus fruits and broccoli;
• Vitamin E. Its sources are nuts and cereals;
• Zinc - the substance can be derived from beans, turkey, crab meat, beef;
• Bioflavonoids, which are contained in fruits and vegetables;
• Selenium is found in large quantities in chicken, whole grains, tuna, eggs, sunflower seeds and brown rice;
• Carotenoids can be obtained from carrots, apricots, sweet potatoes;
• The fatty acid omega-3. Their main sources of - nuts, salmon, tuna, mackerel, flax seeds.

In addition, it is often a walk in nature on a sunny day, so the body can produce enough vitamin D.

In winter and early spring in addition to a varied diet, you can take vitamins to strengthen the immune system. They should contain all the above listed substances; choosing vitamin supplements should consult with your doctor or pharmacist. Not buy supplements that contain too high doses of vitamins and minerals (for example, those wherein the concentration of certain substances in a single tablet or capsule is more than 100-150% of the RDA). Of course, some of these vitamins simply can not be acquired, but prolonged use of additives such doses of nutrients can lead to undesirable consequences. For example, it is known that an excess of vitamin B6 may eventually lead to tumor growth and abuse zinc weakens the immune system.

In the cold season is also recommended as often as possible to drink a variety of freshly squeezed fruit and vegetable juices. For example, combine the cucumber and carrot juice with a small amount of celery juice - you get a great vitamin mixture for immunity. You can also mix the various juices of citrus fruits - lemon, grapefruit, orange, and others.

Immunity - is a term that describes a condition which is characterized by the presence of sufficient biological defenses to avoid the invasion of various diseases and unwanted organisms.

Congenital immunity

Innate immunity is nonspecific; He laid into us genetically, and we will pass it to their offspring.

External barriers

• The first and perhaps most important barrier is the skin immunity. Most organisms can not penetrate through the skin, if there are no holes - cuts, scrapes or burns.
• Pathogens are mechanically expelled from the lungs by ciliary activity - movement thin short hairs; by coughing and sneezing people also taketh both living and non-living foreign bodies from the respiratory system; cleaning action of tears, saliva and tears may also remove pathogens from the surface of the body.
• Sticky mucus in the airways and gastrointestinal tract catches and stops many microorganisms.
• Natural skin pH (& lt; 7.0) inhibits the proliferation of skin bacteria. Hair follicles secrete sebum, containing lactic acid Lactic acid - shows our health   and fatty acid - Both compounds inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and fungi. It is no coincidence skin not covered by hair, such as the palms and soles of the feet, are most susceptible to fungal infections Fungal infection: to prevent and defeat .
• Saliva, tears, nasal discharge Discharges in women when there is cause for concern   and sweat contains lysozyme, an enzyme that destroys the cell walls of Gram-positive bacteria and causes cell lysis. Vaginal discharge also have a bit of acidity (after the start of menstruation). Spermine and zinc in semen and kill some pathogens. Lactoperoxidase - a powerful protective enzyme contained in mother's milk.
• The stomach is a serious obstacle, as it secretes hydrochloric acid (0.9 & lt; pH & lt; 3.0, a very acidic environment) enzymes that digest proteins, which kill many pathogens. The stomach may even destroy drugs and other chemicals.

The normal microbial flora consists of mainly bacteria which live within the body and on it, and typically do not adversely affect. In humans, about 1013 and 1014 cells of bacteria, most of whom live in the colon. One square centimeter of skin microbes living 103-104 (staphylococcus, streptococcus, candida, and others).

Various bacteria living in the mouth and nose. Lactobacilli are found in the stomach and intestines.

Flora takes up almost all of the available ecological niches in the body; it produces bacteriocins, defensins, cationic proteins and lactoferrin - they kill other bacteria that may try to enter the body and take the place of the bacteria already living there.

Living bacteria in the body may be a problem if it will penetrate into the areas in which they are not normally live. For example, if living on the skin staph through some wound gets inside the body, may develop an infection.

Prevent or stop the development of such infections can phagocytes, which are an important part of the immune system. Phagocytes - is the cells that are attached to foreign bodies, and absorb them.

Another important part of the immune system are macrophages. Their predecessors - promonotsity - formed in the bone marrow and then released), now they are called monocytes) and circulate in the bloodstream, until finally, do not mature and do not become macrophages.

Typically, they are concentrated in the lungs, kidney, lymph nodes and sheath of the spleen, in synovial cells and osteoclasts. Macrophages phagocytose foreign cells and attach to the surface of the certain amount of their protein that helps other immune cells to recognize foreign bodies.

Acquired immunity

When the body penetrate foreign microorganisms, a variety of T cells called T-killers, produce lymphotoxin defiant cell lysis. T-helper cells control the immune response. T-suppressors inhibit the production of cytotoxic T cells when it is no longer necessary. Memory T cells are programmed so that, if necessary to recognize the pathogen and cause a reaction. The mechanism of formation of acquired immunity is used for human vaccination against various diseases.