The Immune System

The immune system is an elegant and complex set of components that combine to fight disease, infections, and various pathogens. A healthy immune system distinguishes organisms in the body as “self” or “non-self.” An intact immune response identifies pathogens as “non-self” and rapidly destroys them. A depressed immune system, by contrast, will allow invading organisms to flourish.

Furthermore, when the immune system mistakenly recognizes a “self” cell as “non-self” and mounts an immune response, the result is an autoimmune disorder such as rheumatoid arthritis.

In general, the body has two primary defense mechanisms: natural immunity and acquired immunity. Natural immunity is the “first responder” to an attack. The natural immune response relies on various white blood cells and physical barriers to block or immediately attack any foreign invader and attempt to destroy it.

Acquired immunity, on the other hand, involves antibodies that are created in response to specific foreign antigens. This sort of response requires a few days for the body to recognize the invader and manufacture antibodies against it. Once the body has manufactured a particular antibody for a specific invader, the immune system response is faster and more effective the next time that invader appears (Janeway CA et al 1999; Beers MB 2004).

Click here for more information about Glutathione and its benefits in our immune system.