Benefits of having a 'strong' immune system

In order to understand how we can optimise our immune system its important to know what it really is. Think of it like the walls and roof on a house or even the steel shell of a car, its sole purpose is to stop outside objects from entering in. Same can be said for our immune system, organs such as the skin and lymph nodes are important in reducing the possibility of foreign pathogen entry and furthermore its detection.

Organs and tissues important to the proper functioning of the immune system include the thymus and bone marrow, lymph nodes and vessels, spleen, and skin. These organs/tissues are divided into both primary and secondary.

Primary lymphoid organs: These organs include the bone marrow and the thymus. The role of the primary lymphoid organs is to create special immune system cells called lymphocytes.

Secondary lymphoid organs: These organs include the lymph nodes, the spleen, the tonsils and certain tissue in various mucous membrane layers in the body (for instance in the bowel). The role of the secondary lymphoid organs is to filter out pathogens whilst maintaining sufficient levels of lymphocytes.

As we age, our immune response capability becomes reduced, which in turn contributes to more infections. As life expectancy in developed countries has increased, so too has the incidence of age-related conditions.

While some people age healthily, the conclusion of many studies is that, compared with younger people, the elderly are more likely to contract infectious diseases and, even more importantly, more likely to die from them. Respiratory infections, including, influenza, the COVID-19 virus and particularly pneumonia are a leading cause of death in people over 65 worldwide. No one knows for sure why this happens, but some scientists observe that this increased risk correlates with a decrease in T cells, possibly from the thymus atrophying with age and producing fewer T cells to fight off infection.

Five ways to boost your immune system:

1. Regular physical activity

2. Adequate levels of sleep

3. A diet high in fruits and vegetables

4. Minimise stress levels

5. Reduce smoking and alcohol consumption

Contact the team at myplace rehab to discuss ways to boost your immune system as you age to keep you living healthier for longer.