The immune system – the system in the body that is primarily responsible for our health, defends against pathogens, and keeps us fit and lively. As important as this system is for humans, most people know very little about it. But that’s what the mybacs team is here for!
In this article, you will learn exactly how your body's own defense system works, what its tasks are, and how you can strengthen it. We will also explain the influence the gut has on our immune system and how this can affect our health. Enjoy reading!
How does the immune system work?
The immune system is basically the body's own bodyguard. It protects our body from harmful substances, pathogens, and disease-causing cellular changes. It also includes various organs, cell types, and proteins. You can see that the immune system has a comprehensive influence on all areas of our body. But this also means that a weakened immune system has negative effects on the entire organism. If the immune system fails because it is weakened or cannot cope with particularly aggressive pathogens, you become ill. Pathogens that the body has never encountered before have an easy time because the immune system has no antibodies ready to defend against them yet!
The tasks of the immune system
The shield against the outside world – without the immune system, humans would be defenseless against harmful environmental influences. But dangers don’t only come from the outside. The immune system also protects us from harmful changes inside our body.
Don’t worry, we’ll explain the individual tasks of the immune system in more detail now. It is responsible for neutralizing pathogens such as viruses, parasites, fungi, or harmful bacteria and simultaneously removing them from the body. It also detects harmful substances from the environment and neutralizes them so they don’t become a threat to the organism. But that’s not all: the immune system has another important task. It is responsible for fighting pathological changes in our body, such as cancer cells. The immune system is the key to our health, so take good care of it!
How is the defense activated?
The immune system is activated by various foreign substances called antigens. These include proteins on the surface of bacteria, fungi, and viruses. When receptors in the body bind to these, a whole series of cellular processes is triggered. Usually, the body stores information when it comes into contact with a pathogen. This allows it to react faster and defend itself more quickly upon subsequent contact with the same pathogen. The body’s own cells also have such surface proteins, but the immune system normally does not act against them. When our defense system mistakenly classifies the body’s own cells as foreign, this is called an autoimmune reaction. In this case, the immune system attacks the body’s own healthy cells.
Innate and acquired defense
Generally, a distinction is made between the innate – nonspecific – and the acquired – specific – immune system. However, both defense systems are closely linked and perfectly complement each other in every reaction to a pathogen or harmful substance.
You’re probably wondering why it’s called the nonspecific immune system. That doesn’t sound very competent. But don’t worry, the name refers to the fact that this defense system fights pathogens in general and is not specialized in certain substances. It mainly works with immune cells like phagocytes or "killer cells." Its main task is to combat harmful substances and germs that enter the body, for example, through the skin or digestive system.
In contrast, the specific immune defense produces so-called antibodies and then uses them specifically against certain pathogens the body has encountered before. That’s why it’s also called the “learned” or “specific” immune system. The body is a true marvel of nature, and the immune defense is a particularly fascinating part of it. Since the specific defense constantly adapts and learns, the body can also fight bacteria or viruses that change over time.
Tips to strengthen the immune system
Especially in cold seasons or during waves of illness, it is particularly important to support our body’s own bodyguard in its daily fight against harmful substances. That’s why we have summarized 6 simple tips here on how you can best help your immune system.
- Antioxidants: Antioxidants, such as those found in dark chocolate or pecans, neutralize free radicals and promote a resilient organism. They can even help reduce inflammation. Secondary plant compounds, zinc, selenium, and several vitamins also help with this.
- Garlic: Garlic, an ancient remedy, contains the active component allicin, which has antibacterial properties that can prevent diseases and infections. Garlic is also said to have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. All of this supports the immune system in functioning well!
- Happy gut: Did you know that over 70% of the immune cells in your body are located in your gut? This means that a healthy gut flora is very important for overall well-being. So, of course – happy gut, happy you!
- Work out: Exercise is definitely not harmful. Especially cardio increases the circulation of white blood cells in the blood. The main task of these immune cells is to eliminate possible pathogens, i.e., disease-causing agents. Additionally, physical activity boosts hormone production, which can positively influence the immune system.
- Day-night balance: A balanced day-night rhythm stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines (substances produced by the immune system). It also causes the body to produce more killer cells. This improves the body’s ability to fend off harmful agents!
-
Don't drink: Less alcohol is naturally better for the immune system than excessive consumption – that’s obvious. Alcohol weakens the immune system by reducing the ability to produce white blood cells.
The connection between gut health and the immune system
When we think of our gut, most people first think of digestion. That’s true, but our gut has other important qualities. Among other things, it is crucial for our immune system. Did you know that 70% of all human immune cells are located in the gut? They account for about 80% of our body’s defense reactions. With a total area of 32 m2, the gut has a very large impact on our health, well-being, and immune system. But how exactly does defense from the gut work? Our gut has three different layers to fend off pathogens and “bad” bacteria of all kinds. The gut barrier can be seen as a complex gate system. Here’s what that means:
-
The intestinal mucosa: The intestinal mucosa is the innermost of four layers of the intestinal wall. Its primary function is to absorb nutrients and water into the body. Additionally, the mucus layer protects against bacteria, pathogens, and parasites. The intestinal mucosa is thus the first barrier between harmful agents and the organism and significantly supports the immune system. It acts as a “gate,” ensuring that the contents of the gut do not “leak” and preventing various substances from entering the body uncontrollably. Of course, certain substances must be able to enter the body, and for this, there are “gates” that open selectively.
-
The microbiome – the gut flora: If the gut flora is out of balance, it strongly affects our health because pathogens, harmful substances, and bacteria then have an easy time entering our body. This is because the gut is inhabited by many “good” bacteria that break down toxins and fend off pathogens. Moreover, the bacteria in our gut act as “personal trainers” for our immune system, training it daily to better distinguish between harmful and “good” bacteria in the body. The gut flora is a true all-rounder when it comes to supporting the immune system. The bacteria there also produce short-chain fatty acids that protect the intestinal wall and help maintain the gut barrier. The gut flora can be seen as the “gatekeeper,” deciding which substances may pass through the gate and thus enter the gut.
- The gut-associated immune system: The gut-associated lymphoid tissue (GALT), located in the intestinal mucosa, is the largest collection of defense cells in the body. Its task – as the name suggests – is to fight unwanted germs and foreign harmful substances. This happens by stimulating the production of various defense cells. But the task of the GALT is not easy, as it must continuously distinguish between killing “bad” bacteria and tolerating “good” bacteria. The GALT is the “gut police” and monitors all germs and substances that have passed through the gate. If a villain manages to get inside the gut, the GALT is there to take it out of circulation!
In fact, the large intestine plays an even bigger role in immune defense than the small intestine. The mucous membranes of the large intestine are densely populated with gut bacteria that regulate and support the immune system. Additionally, lymph nodes are located in the mucosa of the large intestine. In the small lymph nodes, also called Peyer’s patches, specialized immune cells of the gut are stored. Lymphocytes have the task of eliminating foreign bodies or pathogens by producing antibodies. The lymphatic system also connects the GALT with the rest of the immune system.
In summary
The beneficial bacteria in our gut have several very important health functions in our body and actively support our immune system. They displace potential pathogens and harmful agents, preventing harmful germs from settling on our intestinal wall. They also continuously stimulate and train our defense system day by day. This helps us distinguish between the body’s own structures and harmless bacteria on the one hand, and harmful agents and enemies on the other.
If the gut is weakened by, for example, poor diet, antibiotics, allergies, or diseases, this affects a person’s overall well-being. A poorly intact gut flora thus has direct negative effects on the function of the immune system. Therefore, it is all the more important to keep the body’s own gut flora intact, as it is much more important than previously assumed.
To protect the gut flora, it can be helpful to take probiotics or pay more attention to consuming probiotic foods. Examples include yogurt, kefir, quark, or buttermilk. Our Dailybacs are also an option to rebuild, improve, or maintain your gut and immune system.
