9 Incredible Facts About Our Immune System

If our immune systems did not protect us, none of us would live long lives. Not only does our immune system protect us from viruses, parasites, and bacteria, but it may also fight off cells that have mutated because of illnesses such as cancer within the body. So basically, your immune system acts as your body’s version of the military. It is sworn to protect your body against any and all who threaten it, be it foreign bodies or domestic. If you’ve ever been interested in knowing more about your immune system and how it works, here are nine incredible facts about your immune system (1):

1. A River Of Blood And Lymph

Your immune system is pretty complicated. It consists of five liters of lymph and blood. We all know what blood is, but do you know what lymph is? Lymph is a colorless and transparent fluid that passes through the body’s tissues and helps with the smooth functioning of the system. Together, both of these liquids transport essential elements of the immune system across the body.

2. White (Knight) Cells

Just like how a white knight slays the dragon to save the princess, white blood cells charge onto the battleground to kill any invaders in your system. They are of two types — lymphocytes, and phagocytes. Phagocytes use our tissues and blood vessels to move through the system and ingest any foreign bodies. They target foreign bodies that cause diseases and release toxins. In some cases, when the phagocytes absorb a pathogen, they send out a chemical that helps lymphocytes to identify the kind of pathogen. Each time your body is infected with a new antigen, it creates a new set of antibodies. So if the same antigen infects you, your body will quickly replicate the corresponding antibody and destroy it (2).

3. A Fever Is A Good Thing

Sure having fever and inflammation can feel unpleasant, but these are signs that your body is doing the job it is designed to do. A fever will cause a release of WBCs, increase your metabolic rate, and prevent specific organisms from growing. When you have inflammation, a common symptom of fever, your damaged cells release something called histamine. These cause the walls of your cells to dilate and, in turn, cause redness, pain, heat and swelling (3).

4. Not Getting Enough Sleep Affects Your Immunity

Have you ever felt like you’re really sick after a tiresome week of running around? Well, that’s because your immune system is trying to let you know that you need to get some rest. If you overwork your system, your immunity lowers down, and you can become more prone to flu, infections, and colds. It is true that your muscles, mind, and body as a whole is tired, but that also slows down the antibodies in your system and those are unable to fight back. You can quickly catch viruses in that vulnerable state. So it is important to be well-rested and have a regulated sleep pattern.

5. Sunlight Is Very Important For Immunity

Exposing yourself to sunlight daily can help prevent a multitude of diseases. This is because vitamin D is essential for the smooth functioning of your body. It helps ward off an array of conditions like heart disease, certain types of cancers, and depression. It is even crucial for those who suffer from autoimmune disorders. However, if you expose yourself to the sun for too long, you run the risk of damaging your immune system.

6. Stress Can Affect Your Immune System

While your immune system can take on almost anything you throw at it, it can only handle a certain amount of stress. Stress causes a release of adrenaline, cortisol, and other vital hormones from your adrenal glands. While these help your body cope with symptoms of stress, they can cause your immune system to weaken (4).

7. Germs Keep You Healthy

Your gut is actually filled with tonnes of good bacteria that help with digestive processes. However, germs that are outside your body are usually regarded as disgusting and vile. While some of this might be true, we also need germs to stay healthy. Your immune system can adapt to your surroundings. This is why humans have been around for such a long duration of time. Once your body comes into contact with foreign substances, it will attack and remember it. Thus, if the substance comes back, your body knows how to handle it.

8. Laughter Truly Is The Best Medicine

You must have noticed groups of senior citizens gathered around in a park and having a laughter session in the morning. It releases T cells that are responsible for fighting off foreign bodies and keeping your mind fresh. Not only is it a mood booster, it balances the stress that is indirectly affecting your physical health. Sure, you might think this is not really accurate; there is some truth to this. Laughter releases a happy hormone called dopamine and other feel-good hormones that help decrease the levels of stress in your system.

9. Allergies Only Affect Some People

If you’re someone who suffers from seasonal allergies like hay fever, you probably want to curse every single molecule of dander or pollen that hangs around you. The minuscule particles can cause the release of histamines, and this leads to those nasty allergy symptoms. However, allergies do not affect everyone, and they are caused when our bodies mistake something that is harmless for a pathogen.

It is true that everybody is born with a certain immune system that builds or falls over time, depending on your lifestyle and food choices. However, nothing lasts long if you don’t take care of it and it also applies to your body. Our immune system does a lot for us. It is essential for the smooth functioning of our bodies, and we need to take good care of ourselves and treat it with respect. If you tend to fall sick quite often, then a weak immune system might just be the culprit behind it. Do let us know all your thoughts on this article in the comment section below.

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Niharika NayakBA (Media & Communication)

 

Niharika has a passion for all things art, music, and travel and has over 4 years of experience in writing for social media. During her spare time, she likes experimenting in the kitchen, playing video games, and hanging out with stray animals.

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