| The immune system: How it works and how to make it work better |
The function of the immune system is to recognize, attack and destroy foreign invaders while not attacking what normally belongs to the body. In order for the immune system to function normally it cannot be over stimulated or suppressed. The goal of obtaining a healthy immune system is to normalize the immune system. The organs involved in immune function of the spleen, thymus, tonsils, and lymph glands. There are essentially three primary causes of over stimulation or suppression of the immune system. The first primary cause can be related to emotional and lifestyle stress. When the body is stressed, whether physically or emotionally, the body thinks it is being attacked. It will stimulate the immune system to prepare for the invasion. If this perceived attack continues for abnormal length of time, the immune system may begin to attack the body itself. The body at a similar way with the stress is real or perceived. Long-term emotional stress will cause the body to cause over stimulation of the immune system and if there is no true invader, the immune system will have nothing to attack so it will attack the body and this can lead to autoimmune diseases such as AIDS, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. Long-term over stimulation can, in essence, burn out the immune system which will be to weakening of the immune system and the suppressing its normal functions. The solution to this cause is to identify the problem and correct it. This sounds simple but oftentimes is a very involved process. Major stresses and someone's life include, but not limited to, that a family member or friend, moving, a new job, family problems, divorce, money problems, drug problems and abuse. It may take some soul-searching before you can identify the cause of your stress. if you feel you're under stress and cannot determine the cause or to have determined the cause and cannot figure out a way to correct the problem, professional counseling they necessary. If financing professional counseling as a problem, contact your local mental health society for advice and help that will fit into your budget. Most cities or counties have this service available. Exercise and yoga have been shown to greatly reduce stress and help to normalize the A second cause of over stimulation or suppression of the immune system is chemical stress. Chemical stress can come in several forms. The most common and one for we have the most control over is nutrition or lack thereof. One step that is easy and can be implemented immediately is to clean out your colon. Constipation of your colon as well as of the organs in the body will adversely affect your immune system. Most people have consumed toxic foods over their lifetime. It is important to clean up the colon because the colon is the place with nutrients can absorb and toxins are passed out of the body. If the colon is clogged up or constipated, nutrients conducted absorbed in waste products cannot be passed out. This means nutrients may be passed out of the body and cannot be absorbed, and waste products, which should be passed out of the body get reabsorbed back into the body, and now the immune system begins to attack these waste products and this puts a necessary stress on the immune system. The seven major foods that will clog up your system are alcohol, meat, sugar, dairy, coffee, soda, and artificial sweeteners. Other clogging or constipating foods and habits are smoking, over eating, consumption of large amounts of cooked foods, wheat, eggs, additives, dyes, hydrogenated oils, chemicals and free radicals. The solution to this problem is to drink plenty of distilled or filtered water. A general rule is that if you're not urinating at least eight times the day, you're not drinking enough water. In addition to water your diet must consist of at least 60 to 70% raw fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. There are certain supplements and herbs, which will help with normalizing immune system. A supplement should be made with whole foods. This mean to supplement must contain concentrated fruits, vegetables and herbs. Nutrients work best when in their natural whole state and not extracted and processed. The last and perhaps most overlooked cause of a new system malfunction is bio- mechanical stress. The immune organs, as well as all organs and the body, are controlled by the nervous system. The brain sends messages down the spinal cord out nerves to every part of your body. If there's any interference between the brain spinal cord and parts of the body, the body cannot function properly. The most common interference is a bone in the spine moving out of alignment and pinching a nerve. If you're pinching a nerve that goes to a part of the body related to immune function, the immune system will be compromised. If you're having pain in your back, you most likely have a pinched nerve. However, only about 20% of the nerves feel pain. 80% of the nerves to not feel pain. You may have a pinched nerves and not be aware of it. This is why is so important that everyone get their spine checked to be sure there are no pinched nerves. Just like you car tuned up, you maintain the heating and air conditioning unit in your house, and you get your eyes in your teeth checked, it is imperative that you get your nervous system check. A qualified chiropractor will be able to do this evaluation and be able to determine if your nervous system is functioning the highest level in candy. Your nervous system controls everything and if it malfunctions it will cause serious health problems. As much as mental health and good nutrition are important, without a normally functioning nervous system you can never obtain a high level of good health. |