The Human Immune System is the body’s castle wall against disease. From the day we’re born, it’s working hard to drive off invaders such as bacteria, molds, parasites and viruses. Every encounter the immune system has can make it stronger as it learns how to fight off new diseases. Keeping your immune system healthy is essential to maintaining lasting good health. 

The Coronavirus (COVID) pandemic has provided us with one certainty – those with previous illnesses were more prone to the devastating effects of this virus.  That correlation is powerful, but often misguided.  Let’s modify that statement a little bit.  Those who are HEALTHY were able to tolerate this virus well.  A HEALTHY body is a body that can adapt to anything.  The team at BodyPro Wellness Center is here to help you bolster your immune system to maintain lasting good health.

Understanding Your Immune System Helps Keep It Healthy

One important part of our immune system is our white blood cells. These cells are our body’s vanguard against infection and disease. When unwanted organisms enter the body, they’re quick to get to the invader and destroy it. There’s more than one kind of white blood cell, each playing a different role in our body’s defense.  

• Monocytes – Security guards, garbage collectors, summoners of neutrophils.  Monocytes protect our tissues.
• Neutrophils – The Police – Always patrolling, ready to attack invaders
• Eosinophils – These white blood cells play a role in fighting parasitic infections, and help the body produce antihistamines..
• Basophils – These generalists attack pathogens, any disease-causing organism. They produce histamines to make it easier for other white blood cells to arrive at the scene of the crime.
• Cytokines and Interleukins – These are chemicals made by your white blood cells used to  draw other white blood cells towards them.
• Lymphocytes – There are two types of these, and they are the ‘memory’ of the immune system. These are the cells that recall old infections and show up ready to fight them again.  The two types are B Cells (which produce antibodies) and T Cells which adapt and respond to a crisis on behalf of your immune system.

The key is to have a potent immune system which can mount a powerful but succinct immune response.  Resolving inflammation quickly is important in order to have the ability to turn off the immune response so that the body doesn’t become over-reactive and develop autoimmune or auto-inflammatory conditions.  An example of an auto-inflammatory response would be the body’s reaction to a strep infection in the skin, for example, which can cause the immune system to become overzealous if not tamed, quickly.  If the immune system is not succinct in resolving this, the immune system can turn on the local tissue and cause Psoriasis or Eczema, for example in the surrounding skin.  

Natural Methods of Boosting Our Immune System

We’ve been provided some inborn, natural, wonderful medicines. It seems as though there’s little that the herbs of the earth can’t treat if we just know-how. Consider the following herbs and the role they can play in bolstering your immune system:

• Antiviral Herbs: Oregano, Sage, Fennel, Basil, Garlic, Lemon Balm, Rosemary, Peppermint, Chinese Skullcap (specifically, Scutellaria Baicalensis or Baicalin)
• Antibacterial Herbs: Oregano, Clove, Ginger, Goldenseal, Clove, Echinacea
• Antifungal Herbs: Oregano, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Mint, Clove

Each of these herbs can be an effective boost alongside traditional medicine. The efficacy of these plants is sometimes dependent on how they’re prepared. Clove and mint, for instance, best fight fungus when applied as a diluted oil rather than by consuming them.

Build Your Immune System At BodyPro Wellness Center

We’re open in Newport Beach, CA, to help those seeking to find ways to bolster their immune system. Call and arrange a consultation with Dr. Tony Ganem, DC and our team. Together you’ll go over your symptoms, talk about past concerns, and make a plan for the future. You’ll leave with a treatment plan designed to help strengthen your immune system.