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Immunology is a branch of medicine that deals with the body’s defence response to invading pathogens and foreign bodies such as a bacteria, virus, fungus and organ transplant.
The immunological response that the body employs against the invaders is mediated through highly complex processes at cellular and molecular biology level. Essentially, white blood cells are the cells of the immune system; they are classified as lymphocytes (T-cells, B-cells, NK (natural killer) cells), neutrophils, monocytes/macrophages. The major proteins of the immune system are predominantly cytokines (signalling proteins) , antibodies and complements proteins.
There are broadly speaking, two categories of immune responses and both are geared to protecting the body from foreign bodies.
Innate immunity is non-specific defence mechanisms which come into action immediately or soon after the intrusion of the foreign body into the body. Defence mechanisms include physical barriers such as skin, chemicals in the blood and immune system cells that attack the invaders in the body. These cells are neutrophils, monocytes, NK cells and the Complement proteins.
Then there is the acquired immunity, often referred to as adaptive immunity, so called because of the adaptive responses to new pathogens. The immune system cells involved in adaptive responses are T-Cells and B-Cells. T-cells can stimulate the production of B-cells which are able to generate new antibodies against the invading antigen. The advantages of the adaptive responses are the longer lasting memory and thus their ability to tackle new pathogens.
Innate immunity is the first to respond to an invasion of the body by pathogens and foreign bodies. It forms a rapid action force, and also alerts adaptive immunity which may take days to activate the immune response. Innate immunity is also very important in new born babies. Although at the time of birth they have their mother’s antibodies, they do not make their own for several weeks.

On the fundamental level body’s immune system affords protection against harmful pathogens and keeps inflammatory and allergenic reactions at bay. The immune system helps maintain homeostasis, that is healthy equilibrium within the body by removing the pathogens and degraded cellular debris products.
There are about ten body systems like immune system, cardiovascular system, digestive system, nerve system. They all are interdependent and work in harmony to maintain the homeostasis and healthy body.
Whilst genetics determines functioning of the immune function of the body to an extent, non-genetics factors like the life style choices (such as regularity of sleep, bowel movement, exercise, relaxation, harmful addictions to toxic substances, habits) diet, medications, environment play a vital role in maintaining healthy homeostasis within the body.

Of all the factors that can adversely affect the immune system, oxidative stress is perhaps the most significant. Oxidative stress arises when free radicals, unchallenged by anti-oxidants ravages the cells, causing significant health threatening damage, even cancer. Free radicals are oxygen containing molecules with unpaired electrons making them highly unstable and reactive. They arise as a consequence of metabolic break down of food or as a result of radiation or other intervention like smoking.
Anti-oxidants play a protective role against infections and other maladies that are liable to cause oxidative stress.
A normal healthy diet consisting of a variety of fruits, vegetables, seeds, nuts should adequately provide anti-oxidants to counteract the effects of free radicals.
Judicious use of over the counter supplements can be substituted when a varied diet is unavailable. Common anti-oxidant nutrients like Vitamins C, D and E, β-carotene, selenium, copper, zinc, CoQ-10, cur-cumin, oregano, olive-leaf extracts are readily available over the counter or on-line.
Anti-oxidant supplements can be particularly useful to the elderly and the infirm whose diet may be lacking in such nutrients. All body systems suffer insufficiency and function at a reduced capacity with advancing age, immune system being no exception.
For a health immune system, the importance of healthy diet, rich in anti-oxidants, stress-free life style, exercise, regularity of sleep patterns and bowel moments cannot be over stressed. Should you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to contact us.