THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
The immune system is extremely complex with intricate multidirectional connections between our gastrointestinal, psychological, endocrinological and other systems, and communication via various neurotransmitters, cytokines and other immune system messengers.
Types of immunity
Innate Immunity
Adaptive immunity
Is antigen-specific and may take days or weeks to develop. Depending on the antigen and the route of presentation, the response can be either cellular (eg. Cyctotoxic T-Cells), humoral (eg. Antibodies) or both (which may be induced by viral antigens).
* After initial antigen exposure, immune memory develops and can subsequently result in early recognition and stronger reactions to repeat exposures.
NOVAL COVID-19 EXPLANED IN SIMPLE TERMS
COVID-19 and the immune system
How can the same virus result in such different outcomes?
· Still largely unknown.
· Immune system plays a critical role in recovery or not from the virus.
· Most coronavirus-related deaths are due to other comorbidity factors or the immune system going haywire in response to the virus or a poor immune system. Not to the virus itself.
Immune response and Covid-19
· Specialised white blood cells from the immune system seek out to identify pathogens and destroy them
· When they identify a pathogen, the immune cells need to trigger inflammation to recruit more immune cells.
· The immune response depends on effective co-operation between immune cells.
· Immune cells communicate via the release of small signalling molecules called cytokines.
· Once released, the cytokines trigger localised inflammation as a physiological response by the body that aims to destroy the pathogen.
· Signs of inflammation include redness, swelling, pain and elevated temperature.
· In extreme circumstances a cytokine positive feed-back loop is created as a means of protecting the body. This sends out a message to the immune system that there is mass inflammation within the body and the immune system must respond in a radical manner to reduce the inflammation.
Cytokine Storm – ONE Contributing factor to fatalities in COVID-19
· In some cases, the immune system overreacts during an infection, releasing more cytokines than necessary, and progressively recruiting new hordes of activated white blood cells, which produce even more cytokines.
· These powerful regulators of inflammation can affect the whole body as seen in sepsis.
· Large quantities of cytokines can cause widespread (systemic) inflammation that can damage multiple organs.
· Some cytokines can also affect the blood vessels, causing a dramatic drop in blood pressure. Limits blood supply and starves the vital tissues and organs.
KNOWN MOTALITY FACTORS
· Higher prevalence in men
· Age
· High BMI
· Co-morbidity factors: heart disease, active cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, high cholesterol, diabetes and kidney and livery dysfunction.
POOR COPING HABITS IN ISO: High alcohol, smoking, a poor diet can have a negative effect on the immune system.
MANAGEMENT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC
No approved vaccines or pharmaceutical therapies available for treatment of COVID-19.
· Management Plan: Social distancing, self-quarantine, masks, hand sanitiser are the best ways to prevent the spread.. Maintaining a healthy immune system is the best ways prevent the extreme symptoms but this is no way definitive as the virus effects every individual differently.
LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT TO BOLSTER IMMUNE SYSTEM
General Lifestyle management
Exercise – Exercise has a positive effect on the immune system. It is anti-inflammatory and can reduce body fat percentage and macrophage accumulation in adipose tissue. Natural killer cells from the innate immune system are the most responsive immune cell to acute exercise. Exercise promotes a good health status.
Stress Management – Both acute and chronic stressful states produce documentable changes in both our innate and our adaptive immune responses. Acute stress has been shown to have a stimulating effect on the immune system, whereas chronic stress down-regulates the immune system.
Sleep - Poor sleep quality contributes to an increase susceptibility to the common cold. Sleep dysfunction can therefore be an important part of management of many immune-related conditions.
NUTRITIONAL MANAGEMENT TO BOLSTER THE IMMUNE SYSTEM
IMMUNE BOOSTING VITAMINS
Vit A
Maintains structure of respiratory tract and gut. Helps make antibodies which neutralise the pathogens that cause infection.
Vit B's
B6, B9 and B12 contribute to body’s first response once it has recognised a pathogen. Influence the production and activation of natural killer cells.
Vit C
Helps protect cells from oxidative stress and inflammation. Helps clean up cellular mess produced by a immune response: neutrophils, lymphocytes and phagocytes.
Vit E
Helps protects cells from oxidative stress.
Vit D
Some immune cells need vitamin D to help destroy pathogens that cause infection. Sun exposure allows the body to produce vit . Deficiency can lead to being more susceptible to acute respiratory infections.
SUPPLEMENTATION WARNING: Please seek medical advice to determine that you have a Vitamin D deficiency before commencing supplementation.
Iron, Zinc & Selenium
Needs for immune cell growth amongst other functions.
Fe helps kill pathogens by increasing the number of free radical that can destroy them. It also regulates enzyme reactions essential for immune cells to recognise and target pathogens.
Zn helps maintain the integrity of skin and mucous membranes. Acts as an antioxidant, helping mop up some of the damage caused by oxidative stress.
Se – Powerful Antioxidant
Probiotics
General Immune Boosting Dietary Recommendations.
Many natural foods are thought to balance the immune system and prevent excessive immune activity. These foods include fish, fruit and vegetables, and culinary herbs such as ginger, garlic and turmeric. In contrast processed and high fat food are inflammatory which has a negative effect on the immune system.
Anti-inflammatory foods that contribute to a healthy immune system.
Pro-inflammatory foods to stay away from.
IMMUNE BOOSTING MEAL SUGGESTIONS
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