Вы находитесь на странице: 1из 8

The Immune System The Army Within

Corbis Digital Vision HelpMD

What do the common cold, asthma, and cancer have in common? They are the result of a breakdown in the bodys defense system. Lets take a closer look at the immune system, the army within our body.

1
Digital Vision

The immune system is equipped with legions of mobile soldiers, with an arsenal of deadly weapons, and a sophisticated chemical communication network. These defenders must be on duty every minute of every day in order to detect and destroy the enemy. Even one surviving germ or cancer cell can be potentially life threatening. One out of every 100 cells belongs to the bodys armed forcesan army totaling nearly one trillion white blood cells! Here are some of the many functions of these special forces.

HelpMD

3
HelpMD Corbis

Phagocytes are the armys foot soldiersthe first ones to arrive on the battlefield. They engulf invading germs and dissolve the enemy with powerful enzymes.

4
HelpMD Arttoday

Lymphocytes perform other important tasks.

Some carry weapons that destroy cells infected with invading viruses.

The Immune System The Army Within


Other lymphocytes target cancer cells,

while others produce highly specialized weapons called antibodies.

8
Digital Vision Comstock

While the immune system is designed to protect the body from disease, if it malfunctions its also capable of causing disease.

9
Digital Vision

Allergic disorders such as asthma and hay fever occur when the immune system mistakenly battles against normally harmless substances such as house dust, pollens, and certain foods.

10
Digital Vision

Histamine, one of the chemicals released in the process, is responsible for some of the typical symptoms of allergyitching, runny nose, and watery eyes.

11
Digital Vision Comstock

In diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and childhood onset diabetes (Type I) the immune system attacks and destroys the bodys own tissues. That is why these are called autoimmune diseases. A strong, healthy immune system has mechanisms that prevent disorders like these before they begin.

12

The Immune System The Army Within


Malcolm

AIDS is probably one of the most devastating diseases of the immune system. An enemy virus invades and debilitates the bodys immune system, so that its forces are weakened and overcome by infections and cancer.

13
BrandX Pictures

How can we strengthen our immune system? Fortunately, there are numerous ways we can build up our immune system. For example:

14
Corbis

Clean, fresh outdoor air can actually inhibit cancer growth and help correct allergic disorders such as asthma and hay fever. Fresh air also aids in protecting the immune forces from the devastating effects of stress.

15
JohnFoxx

Polluted air is a major health concern worldwide, and asthmatics are very sensitive to pollutants. With diminishing air quality, it is not surprising that asthma is increasing at an alarming rate.

16
Digital Vision

Pure water is another vital ingredient for healthy immune function. Water is a potent detoxifying agent, flushing germs and other pollutants out of the body.

17
Corel Wildwood Lifestyle Center

The blood stream, which is the highway to transport the immune systems troops, is kept flowing freely by adequate amounts of water. In addition, the mucus membranes of the nose and mouth also need plenty of water to maintain a protective barrier against invading germs.

18

The Immune System The Army Within


PhotoDisc

Water also washes away germs on the outside when we wash our hands or bathe.

19

Did you know that the suns ultraviolet rays kill germs? Sunshine increases the production and activity of the white blood cells, strengthening our internal forces.
20

Moderate exposure to sunshine also strengthens the skin, which is a powerful barrier to invading organisms. Exercise makes the circulatory system strongerthis includes the lungs, heart, and blood vessels. With regular physical activity, the blood stream can transport troops to the front lines with greater efficiency.

Comstock

21
PhotoDisc Corbis Comstock

Exercise also neutralizes the harmful effects of stress by stimulating the release of natural feel good chemicals like endorphins. Stress is especially counteracted when exercise is combined with the immune systems alliesfresh air and sunlight.

22
Wildwood Lifestyle Center

Rest plays an important role in immune function. The hours of deep sleep before midnight is prime time for the repair and replacement of worn out cells and tissues. During this period, the bodys housekeepers and mechanics work best to restore its guardians to top fighting shape. Under ideal sleep conditions, the casualties that occur are more rapidly replaced by new white blood cells.

23

The Immune System The Army Within


Brandx

24

When regular sleep hours are disturbed, there is a price to pay. In the industrialized world irregular work schedules disrupt sleeping and eating patterns, and compromise the immune systems performance. It is not surprising that irregular working hours are associated with a greater risk of colds and flu, serious illness and even a shortened life expectancy. By eating natural foods that contain an abundance of vitamins and minerals, you can help keep your immune system operating smoothly. Vitamins A, C, and Ealong with the minerals zinc and magnesiumare in special demand. Fortunately, an abundance of these nutrients are available by eating a variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, whole grains and nuts. For a healthy immune system, the body needs certain essential fats. The body cannot manufacture these, so they must be obtained from nutritious food.

ADM

25

Journal of Health & Healing

26
Wildwood Lifestyle Center, PhotoDisc PhotoSpin

One class of friendly fats is the omega-3 fatty acids, which empower the cancer-killing forces and inhibit cancer cell growth. Flaxseed, walnuts, green soybeans and spinach are all good sources of omega-3 fats.1

27
Stockbyte

On the other hand, diets including the regular use of processed or refined fats and oils disable the cancer-fighting forces and promote the growth and spread of cancer cells. These should be avoided.

28
ADM

What about sugar? Refined sugar, like refined fats, is an archenemy of the immune system. Sugar quickly inactivates the germ-killing foot soldiers the phagocytes.

29

The Immune System The Army Within


Wildwood Lifestyle Center

For example, just one soft drink, containing 12 tsp. of sugar, is enough to weaken the protective ability of our bodys white blood cells

30

by 60%, for 5 hours.2

31
ADM

Alcohol, tobacco and caffeine are all detrimental to the bodys defenses.

32
JohnFoxx

Alcohol cripples the bodys internal army. This suppression of the immune system is seen even with moderate amounts of alcohol. Its use increases the risk of diseases such as tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, cancer, and AIDS3.

33
Journal of Health & Healing/Fred & Martin Knopper

Tobacco also contains harmful chemicals that immobilize the immune forces and stimulate the development of cancer.

34
HelpMD

The large airways contain cilia, which are special hair-like cells that keep sweeping germs and injurious particles away from the delicate lung tissues. Tobacco smoke paralyses these protective cilia, so that germs and particles can easily enter the lungs and cause serious damage.

35

The Immune System The Army Within


Corbis

Smoke blown from smokers and their burning cigarettes also injure non-smokers. These passive smokers (especially young children) are at greater risk for cancer, asthma, and increased ear and throat infections.

36
PhotoSpin

Caffeine, one of the worlds most popular drugs, is found in coffee, tea, and soft drinks, as well as chocolate.

37
PhotoDisc

Caffeine contributes to mental stress, irritability, anxiety, and depression, which stimulate chemicals that further weaken the immune system.

38
BrandX

Illicit drugs should be avoided at all times. They have many harmful effects on the bodys soldiers, and also lower the defenses through their impact upon the mind. People under the influence of mind-altering substances are not very careful in preventing serious infections like hepatitis and AIDS. Many prescription medications may also be injurious to the immune system. Be aware of the dangers and dont use them unnecessarily.

39
Digital Vision

40
Good Shoot

In recent years science has demonstrated a close connection between mental and physical health.

41

The Immune System The Army Within


BrandX

We now know that when people feel helpless and hopeless, their bodies produce stress hormones and chemicals, which can damage the immune response. Grief, anxiety, discontent, and guilt all tend to break down the life forces and to invite decay and death. On the other hand, positive emotions such as gratitude, rejoicing, goodwill, and trust in Gods love and carethese are healths greatest safeguards.

42

Rubberball

43
ADM

With God on our side, we have a sure help in every kind of trouble. The love of God can replace guilt, sorrow, and anxiety with a spirit of gratitude and praise.

44

Jesus extends the invitation to all, "Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon youand you will find rest for your souls. Matthew 11:28,29 NLT (New Living Translation)
45
Corel Digital Vision Comstock Wildwood Lifestyle Center

In summary remember that our habits of living today, will largely determine the strength of our defenses tomorrow. Prevention is always better than curelets do everything we can to support our immune system today.

46

Beltz, Melvin, M.D., Wellness to Fitness, Hermosa, S.D., p. 95135, 1991. Jaret, Peter, The Wars Within. National Geographic 169: 702-735, June 1986. Nedley Neil, M.D., Proof Positive, Ardmore, O.K., p. 325-345, 1999. The Food Processor for Windows: Nutrition Analysis & Fitness Software <*>[computer program]. ESHA Research. Salem, Oregon. (Source: Proof Positive, p.122) 2 Sanchez A, Reeser JL, et al. Role of sugars in human neutrophilic phagocytosis. Am J Clin Nutr 1973 Nov;26(11):1180-1184. 3 Bagasra, O. Abstract #3111, presented May 1988 at the Annual Meeting for the Federation of American Sciences for Experimental Biology. Probably published as: Bagasra O, Kajdacsy-Balla A, Lischner HW. Effects of alcohol ingestion on in vitro susceptibility of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to infection with HIV and of selected T-cell functions. Alcohol Clin Exp Res 1989 Oct;13(5):636-643. (Source: Proof Positive)
1

Вам также может понравиться