In 2020 the immune system has become very popular.

The role of the immune system is to protect your body from harmful substances, germs and cell changes that may make you ill.

The major organs of the immune system are:

1. Bone marrow
2. Thymus
3. Lymph node
4. Tonsils
5. Spleen
6. Mucous membranes and skin

Breaking Down The Role of the Immune System

Barriers

Organs that function as barriers are skin and mucous membranes.  Mucus (saliva, tears), stomach acid, and normal bacteria all act as part of the immune system.

Lymph nodes act to filter to trap germs and antibodies that form in response to the offending agent. The spleen stores cells that are activated when needed to fight germs that enter the bloodstream. Tonsils stop germs from entering through the mouth or nose.

Mucous Membranes

Mucous membranes, especially the small bowel, produce antibodies against foreign substances. Other mucous membranes that support immunity are the respiratory and urinary tract as well as the vaginal lining.

Thymus

The thymus, behind the breastbone, matures in childhood and transforms into fatty tissue over time. The thymus produces t-lymphocytes that monitor for surface cell changes throughout the body. Most immune cells are produced and multiplied in the bone marrow.  The bone marrow is sponge-like tissue in the bone. As we age, red bone marrow turns to fatty tissue in many bones; ribs, breastbone, and pelvis bones continue to contain red bone marrow in adulthood.

Can we influence our immune system?

Whew, so now we know what it is and what it does, can we influence it?  There have been many commercials, products, and people encouraging us to improve our immunity.

Lets consider myths about improving our immunity.

Many believe the more active your immune system, the healthier you are.  However, a hyperactive immune system leads to diseases.  Common diseases due to hyperactive immunity are diabetes, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Vitamins???

Another fallacy,  super doses of vitamins are beneficial. It has not been proven to help unless you actually have a deficiency in a vitamin. Older people are more prone to deficiencies, so knowing if you have a deficiency is important.  Also, you can overdose on fat-soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K. Which are stored in fat cells. The body does not maintain or utilize excessive water-soluble vitamins, they are simply excreted in your urine. Talk about money down the drain! Vitamins are only beneficial if you are severely malnourished which is not common in the US, we may make poor choices but we usually have access to a variety of foods.

Probiotics???

Enter the world of probiotics. While it is true, our natural bacteria influence our immune system, science does not yet know how to manipulate/modify our natural flora to improve our health status.

The most controversial myth is vaccines provide health risks. Everything in life has a risk; we assess and take risks all the time. Just a few numbers for you to ponder: 1/6700  motor vehicle accidents end in death, 1/840,000 drown in bathtubs, 1/1,000,000 children have a serious reaction to a vaccine.

So what can we do!?

General recommendations for a strong and healthy immune system  (Harvard Health Publishing)

• Avoid infections; hand washing and cooking meats
• Immunizations up  to  date
• Do not smoke
• Dietary recommendations, increase fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, restrict saturated fats and sugars, minimize red and processed meats
• Exercise 150 minutes moderate-intensity weekly
• Healthy weight
• Control blood pressure
• Alcohol in moderation
• Regular age-appropriate health screens.

There is no evidence that adopting a healthy lifestyle will suddenly boost the immune system but healthy habits do contribute to overall health and support the ability to fight infections.  There is, however, evidence supporting that sustained increased levels of stress do decrease our immune system.

Scriptures To Think About

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)

^“19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? ²⁰ For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

1 Corinthians 9:25-27

“²⁵ And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. ²⁶ I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: ²⁷ But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

1 Corinthians 10:31 (KJV)

“³¹ Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.”

1 Corinthians 6:12

“¹² All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.”

1 Corinthians 10:13

“¹³ There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”

3 John 1:2 (KJV)

“² Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”

Psalm 139: 13-16 (KJV)

“¹³ You ·made [created] my ·whole being [inward parts];
    you ·formed [knitted] me in my mother’s ·body [belly; womb].
¹⁴ I ·praise [thank] you because you made me in an ·amazing [awesome] and wonderful way.
    What you have done is wonderful.
    I know this very well.
¹⁵ ·You saw my bones being formed [^LMy bones were not hidden from you]
    as I ·took shape [was made] in ·my mother’s body [^Lsecret].
When I was ·put together [^Lwoven] ·there [^Lin the depths of the earth],
¹⁶     ·you [^Lyour eyes] saw my ·body as it was formed [^Lembyro].
All the days ·planned [^Lformed] for me
    were written in your book
·before I was one day old [not one of them existed]”

Romans 12:1-2 (KJV)

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”

Proverbs 10:27

“²⁷ The fear of the Lord prolongeth days: but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.”

Isaiah 53:5

“⁵ But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”

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