What Destroys And Weakens The Immune System?

It is always said that an imbalance of the immune system can affect our performance and our health. But, do you know what factors weaken the immune system?

What is the immune system?

The so-called immune system constitutes the body’s defense system to preserve us from the attack of pathogens: parasites, fungi, bacteria and viruses. It is made up of groups of molecules like immunoglobulins, cells like white blood cells, and organs like the spleen and bone marrow. It should not surprise you to know that the skin is our first defense barrier.

White cells or leukocytes circulate throughout the body through blood vessels, constantly searching for harmful microorganisms. They are responsible for both eliminating them and generating antibodies for future attacks by the same pathogen.

A curious fact: Both fever and inflammation are signs that our immune system is battling some germ.

What happens if our immune system is not effective?

As you can imagine, a depression of the immune system can lead to many ailments. Here are some of them:

• Immune deficiency diseases: Due to the malfunction of some of the components of the immune system. They can be caused by alcoholism, malnutrition, obesity, among other factors
• Allergy or  asthma: The body builds up defenses against substances that are not actually harmful.
• Hypersensitivity: The system reacts in such a way that it damages healthy tissue in the body. A common example is anaphylactic shock.
• Autoimmune diseases: Conditions that cause the immune system to mistakenly attack healthy cells and organs. Examples: Rheumatoid Arthritis and Type I Diabetes.

After reading these consequences you will understand why it is so important to know how to identify …

What factors weaken the immune system?

Humans have very sophisticated defense mechanisms. However, there are certain factors that, if we do not take them into account, can affect our immune system.

Feeding

A good diet is the foundation of health. It is possible then that deficiencies in the ingestion of proteins, vitamins and minerals and an excess of carbohydrates affect the functioning of the immune system, as indicated in this study carried out by the La Paz University Hospital (Madrid) and published in the journal  Nutrición Hospitalaria.  If you’re getting sick a lot, maybe it’s time to watch your diet.

Too much stress

Stress is a natural response that favors the release of adrenaline and an increase in blood glucose content, among many other reactions. However, a stress overload can cause various pathologies such as anxiety, depression and thrombosis.

If this situation is maintained, it is capable of depressing the immune system, according to this research carried out by the University of Kentucky (United States), published in Current opinion in psychology.

Activities

A sedentary lifestyle is closely related to diseases such as being overweight and diabetes and, therefore, it is believed that it negatively influences the functioning of the immune system.  If you sit in the office all day and do not do physical exercises at least twice a week, according to this article published in Frontiers in immunology , it can help you strengthen it.

In conclusion

We can strengthen our immune system by maintaining healthy habits, in this way you will be prepared to face any pathogen.