Immuno and Respiratory System Health

The Immune System

 The immune system is the army that protects us from invaders.  It extends throughout all body systems and is linked to our brain and affected by our state of mind.  It protects us from bacteria, viruses and cancer cells.  Its basic strategy is simple: recognize the enemy and attack.  The immune system is perhaps the “most important” body system when considering living well and maintaining optimal health.  A healthy immune system is foundational in meeting health challenges.   80% of the immune system is housed in the gut,  making the gut the gateway to health as you can’t have a healthy immune system without a healthy gut.

The Respiratory System

The respiratory system supplies oxygen to the blood so that this vital substance can be distributed to all cells.  At the same time, it removes carbon dioxide, a waste product of body processes.

The cells of the human body require a constant stream of oxygen to stay alive. The respiratory system provides oxygen to the body’s cells while removing carbon dioxide, a waste product that can be lethal if allowed to accumulate. There are 3 major parts of the respiratory system: the airway, the lungs, and the muscles of respiration. The airway, which includes the nose, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, and bronchioles, carries air between the lungs and the body’s exterior. The lungs act as the functional units of the respiratory system by passing oxygen into the body and carbon dioxide out of the body. Finally, the muscles of respiration, including the diaphragm and intercostal muscles, work together to act as a pump, pushing air into and out of the lungs during breathing….

The primary structures of these two systems include the gut, lymph, lymph vessels and lymph nodes, thymus, bone marrow, nostrils, bronchi, lungs diaphragm and respiratory muscles which assist breathing.

 Potential Health Disorders

 When our immune system is not working optimally, we don’t work.  There are truly too many disorders relating to a compromised immune system to mention.  Some of these include allergies, AIDS, Graves disease, multiple sclerosis and lupus, bacterial infections, viral infections, upper respiratory infection (colds, sinusitis, tonsillitis, influenza) bronchitis, pneumonia, emphysema and asthma.

Influenza accounts for some 20 000 deaths a year in the USA

 What contributes to health disorders

 A body out of equilibrium is the result of poor lifestyle choices and can be the beginning of moving the body through the 3 phases of functional health to dysfunction/disorders to disease.  We must repeat that lifestyle is a prime factor.  A diet high in processed foods and the over consumption of sugar can weaken the immune system, making it difficult for us to fight bacteria and viruses.  Other factors include exposure to toxic substances, lack of exercise, stresses and rest, smoking and pollutants.

There are more than 80 autoimmune diseases, and about 75 percent of autoimmune diseases occur in women.

To maintain and optimise Immune-Respiratory System Health

Living the Healthy Cell concept, paying special attention to eating fruits and vegetables and getting adequate exercise and rest.  Vitamins A, C, B12, E and beta carotene and the minerals potassium, copper, iron and zinc are especially helpful.  Other useful supplements include, Essential Fatty Acids, gingko and antioxidants.

* An impermeable gut wall keeps your “immune “ surveillance switched on – permeability of the gut wall allows in foreign pathogens and invaders.   . The gastrointestinal system helps modulate 80% of the body’s immunity.

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