How can we protect our health during seasonal transitions
The immune system, tasked with neutralizing, expelling, or destroying foreign substances that enter the body, protects the human body against microbes such as viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites in its environment. The system's task is primarily to prevent or delay microbes from entering and spreading in the body.
LYMPH NODES STOP MICROBES
What is medically called "immune" — immunity — is a system made up of the thymus gland, bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes. The cells we can think of as the soldiers of the immune system are produced here and distributed via the blood to wherever they're needed. These cells are the most important elements of the constant defense maintained in the human body against foreign substances and microbes.
There are numerous lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, groin, and chest and abdominal cavities. Their main task is to prevent or delay the spread of microbes in the body. During this fight, lymph nodes can swell to sizes noticeable by hand or eye, especially in the neck.
Some of the cells in the immune system are equipped to directly destroy microbes. Others secrete fluid-based substances called "antibodies" into the bloodstream, causing microbes to die. The joint functioning of the cellular and humoral immune systems ensures the survival of the organism.
After a type of microbe enters the body and causes disease, that microbe becomes recognized, and immunity develops against it. When the same microorganism is encountered again, the immune system, now recognizing this microbe, is prepared and destroys it before the disease can develop. This immunity is permanent for life against some microbes, while against others it loses effectiveness over time.
WHAT MEASURES SHOULD BE TAKEN TO PROTECT AGAINST EPIDEMIC ILLNESSES SUCH AS FLU AND COLDS
The microbes called viruses that cause flu and colds are very widespread and spread very quickly. They are particularly dangerous for people in risk groups. Infants, people over 65, those with asthma or chronic lung disease, those with heart and kidney disease, and patients whose immune systems are weakened or who use medication are all in the risk group. The first thing to do is stay away from people with the flu, and avoid crowded places where people are coughing and sneezing. Since microbes are sometimes transmitted to our nose and throat from our hands, washing our hands frequently is beneficial. The way to protect against illness is to keep the body's resistance and immune system in the best possible condition. Eating well, resting, staying away from stress, and not smoking are important. Using natural immune boosters that strengthen the immune system is very beneficial, especially during epidemic periods.
WHAT YOU NEED FOR A HEALTHY BODY: ECHINACEA, ZINC, ELDERBERRY, PROPOLIS, AND VITAMIN C...
The antioxidant properties of natural food supplements such as Echinacea, Zinc, Elderberry, and Propolis protect immune cells from the harm of free radicals. They are also known to provide protection against cardiovascular disease, cancer, and cataracts.
When there is a deficiency of vitamin C, which protects cells from damage through its antioxidant properties, the immune system becomes impaired. Vitamin C also helps prevent the damage cigarettes cause to lymphocytes in the lungs. These types of natural food supplements play an important role in keeping immunity strong through their mineral content. When there is an infection in the body, minerals — particularly zinc, iron, copper, and selenium — are needed for the proliferation of immune cells and the secretion of chemical substances that activate cells.
Vitamins cannot function without minerals. Minerals are found in the structure of bones, teeth, soft tissue, muscles, blood, and nerve cells. They play an accelerating role in many biological reactions, such as hormone production and the transmission of messages from nerves. Calcium, iodine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, sodium, and zinc are the most important.
WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN TENSION, STRESS, AND THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Excessive fatigue, stress, sleeplessness, and trauma cause protein breakdown in the body and reduced resistance. Certain medical treatments and seasonal and hormonal changes are factors that weaken the immune system. As the immune system weakens, microbes waiting in readiness become active in the body, causing illness. During sleep, while our body and brain rest, the immune system prepares against invading organisms. In cases of excessive stress, excessive fatigue, and sleeplessness, since the organs don't rest properly, the immune system can become impaired.
WHAT ARE THE EFFECTS OF EATING HABITS ON THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
Nutrition affects the body's resistance. When protein and energy intake is insufficient and nutrition is poor, the defensive power of the structures responsible for our immune system weakens. Nutritional deficiency plays a major role in susceptibility to disease and mortality, particularly in childhood. Malnutrition paves the way for infections and their harmful side effects. It is reported that 6 million children die worldwide every year due to a weakened immune system resulting from malnutrition and the infections that result from it. To strengthen the immune system, attention should be paid to getting enough protein, consuming proteins with high biological value such as milk, dairy products, and eggs. In addition, it's beneficial to drink at least 2-3 liters of water a day so that the cells making up the immune system can maintain their movement within the organism. In addition, omega-3 fatty acids, found abundantly in fish, and the amino acid arginine, obtained from protein-rich foods, are important nutritional sources for the immune system. Around the world, combinations of Echinacea, zinc, elderberry, propolis, and vitamins and minerals are used, in addition to treatment protocols for various diseases, to support daily nutrition and protect against illness.
If you would like more extensive information about the immune system, you can refer to my books Discover Life, Discover Detox, Why We Live Wrong, The Emotional Brain-Gut, Beautiful Happy Healthy, and Living to 100 Is Possible.