What is the immune system?
The immune system is a complex biological structure made up of different types of cells, tissues, organs and molecules, which work together to protect the body from infections, diseases and foreign substances. This structure is essential for our general health and wellbeing, because it helps to identify and eliminate harmful organisms and substances that can affect the body.
The immune system is capable of distinguishing between native and non-native materials (or ‘self and non-self’ as they’re often termed), and acts to protect the body against substances like bacterias, viruses, fungi, parasites and cancerous cells. It also helps to eliminate dead or damaged cells from the body.
The system has two principal components:
The innate immune system. This is the body’s first line of defence against infections and foreign substances, and is present from birth.
The adaptive immune system. This is more specific and develops while the body is exposed to different foreign substances and pathogens over time.
How does the microbiota interact with the immune system?
Our gut and our immune system are closely related. In fact, the gut is considered one of the principal organs of the immune system due to the fact that it houses a vast quantity of immune cells and is home to the microbiota. As you’ll already know from previous posts, this term refers to the community of microorganisms that contribute to the development and functioning of the immune system.
The intestine is a barrier between the external and the internal parts of our body. Consequently, it is exposed to a great quantity of microorganisms and foreign substances that can be harmful to our health; the intestinal immune system has the important task of detecting and eliminating these pathogenic agents before they can do damage.
The gut microbiota, in turn, play an important role in the development and functioning of the immune system. The microorganisms that live in the gut contribute to the maturation of the immune cells and the production of antibodies, molecules that bind to antigens and mark them, so they can be eliminated.
In addition, the gut microbiota help to keep the immune system in balance. Healthy microbiota can help to prevent autoimmune diseases, which occur when the immune system attacks the body’s own cells and tissues. On the other hand, when the microbiota is altered or out of balance (a condition known as dysbiosis), this can contribute to the appearance of autoimmune diseases and other immune system disorders.
The state of the immune system can also affect the health of our gut. The immune system is tasked with detecting and eliminating pathogenic agents, but it can also be responsible for certain diseases that inflame the gut, such as inflammatory bowel disease.
“The gut microbiota play a key role in the development and functioning of the immune system, and keeping the microbiota healthy is essential to prevent diseases and promote a healthy life.”
What happens if we suffer from an autoimmune disease?
When someone is suffering from an autoimmune disease, it means their immune system is not working properly and starts to attack healthy cells and tissues around the body.
The immune system is designed to recognise and attack foreign substances like bacterias, viruses and other pathogens. But with an autoimmune disease, this recognition mechanism is thrown out of kilter and the immune system begins to attack the body’s own cells and tissues as if they were invaders.
Autoimmune diseases can affect various parts of the body, including the joints, the skin, the internal organs and the nervous system.
When an autoimmune disease occurs, the cells of the immune system, such as lymphocytes, produce antibodies and other substances that attack healthy cells and tissues. This can lead to chronic inflammation, tissue damage and organ failure. The specific symptoms can vary significantly, depending on the type of autoimmune disease and the organs affected.
Treatment of autoimmune diseases usually involves the use of immunosuppressive medications to control the hyperactive immune response and reduce inflammation. However, each autoimmune disease is unique and requires a specific focus based on symptoms and seriousness.
How do we look after our immune system?
Here, we’ll give you some advice to look after your immune system and ensure that it continues to function correctly.
Good nutrition is essential to keep our immune system in an ideal state. Foods rich in vitamins and minerals, like fruits and vegetables, are essential for the correct functioning of the immune system. Vitamin C, for example, is known for its antioxidant properties and its capacity to improve overall immune health.
Probiotics contribute to the formation and function of the intestinal barrier, which reduces the occurrence of infections and chronic inflammation and regulates the activity of the immune system.
Certain types of probiotics and postbiotics can reduce the release of cytokines and the growth of T lymphocytes; these processes can help to prevent and treat autoimmune diseases. In the case of MIM, we’ve created a bread specifically to care for the immune system, and it’s called IMMUNITY BOOST.
Regular exercise is another important factor in maintaining a healthy immune system. Exercise helps to improve blood flow and reduce stress, which in turn helps to improve the function of the immune system; Exercise also helps to maintain a healthy weight, which can reduce the risk of chronic diseases as well as strengthening the body’s defences.
Sleep is essential for keeping the immune system in good state, When we’re asleep, our body produces proteins that help to combat infections and repair cellular damage. Therefore, it’s doubly important to try and get enough sleep each night.
Our mood is another important factor in the performance of our immune system and combating stress, which can weaken our immune response. Relaxation techniques like meditation and deep breathing can be useful.
Good hygiene is essential for preventing diseases and keeping our immune system in proper working order. Washing hands regularly and maintaining a clean, disinfected environment can help to reduce our exposure to pathogenic agents and prevent the spread of diseases.
By following these essential tips, we can ensure that our immune system remains in good condition and ready to protect our body against any pathogenic agents it encounters.