“immune response”the saviour of human race
by: Sonali Bansal
Founder of The Wellness Table
Trillions of bacteria and microbes exist in our body, outnumbering human cells by the rate of 10 to 1. It will be ideal to mention here that human lives in, on, through, and via these microorganisms. I should also state that the good microorganisms (mutualists) and the bad microorganisms (pathogens) are both found in abundance, both inside and outside the human body. But with the help of our immune system, we are able to navigate through this sea of pathogens.
Sustenance is the primary goal of all living beings of all kinds, shapes, and sizes and with this view, the bacteria, viruses, fungi, or parasites are continuously on a look out for a host body to feed on and sustain. Now consider this, while doing a daily chore your finger pricks. That very moment breach of the first line (skin) of defense occurs, and the unwanted, opportunist pathogens infiltrate the body through that cut.
Let’s very briefly understand what happens: These pathogens multiply at an alarming rate by using our body’s resources. Second in line of our immune response, the macrophages intervene here, and try to curb the damaging pathogens by causing inflammation around the cut, consuming & breaking down the bad guys. When more backup is required, macrophages calls for the deadly neutrophils to kill the invader army. They generate barrier and trap the invaders and destroy them. If still more reinforcement is needed, the phenomenal dendritic cells are activated. They take the sample of the invader and decide whether to activate the anti-virus or anti-bacterial response.
Once the decision is made, dendritic cells take a day to travel to lymph nodes to activate the T cells. The T cells attach themselves to the sample of the invaders offered by dendritic cells, and start multiplying manifolds. Some becomes memory cells that will always allow our body to remember how to stay immune against that particular invader, while some become Killer T cells and go on to fight the battle. And still some others go to centre of the lymph nodes to activate antibodies producing B Cells. These antibodies attach to different kinds of intruders and help our body eliminate them. Multiple kinds of antibodies are present for eliminating various invaders. Once it is established which kind of antibody is required, it is produced in raging numbers and sent to the battlefield. These antibodies go and attach themselves to the antigens (pathogens or the invaders). The macrophages (second in line) are especially competent in killing invaders attached to antibodies. And along with killer T cells and others, the body is free of all foreign invasion. And within 2 to 5 days, our ninja immune cells also commit suicide to not harm the other healthy cells in our body.
Now, a few reasons behind this explanation are; our body is beautifully and astonishingly complex, but tirelessly working towards a healthy self, sustenance. We take it for granted each day, every day. In the battle against Covid-19 or even cancer, immune system is at work to keep us alive & going. Our duty is to provide it with the much needed and deserved support and to not negate it with poor lifestyle & food habits.
Sleeping for 8 hours, exercising, adding well-balanced meals, substituting with vitamin and minerals wherever needed are some of the ways you can honor and respect your body. Let’s come together in this war against this Covid-19 and learn to unlearn an unhealthy lifestyle and choose us over any virus or bacteria.