The Importance of the Innate Immune System

What is Innate Immunity

Innate immunity serves an important role in the healthy population, providing surveillance and protection against infections.

Innate immunity refers to nonspecific defense mechanisms that come into play immediately or within hours of an antigen’s appearance in the body. These mechanisms include physical barriers such as skin, chemicals in the blood, and immune system cells that attack foreign cells in the body. This system is mediated by granulocytes (white blood cells), dendritic cells, macrophages, and natural killer (NK) cells. 

Innate immunity is considered the body’s first line of defense against these antigenic challenges. An antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. This means your immune system does not recognize the substance, and is trying to fight it off. An antigen may be a substance from the environment, such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or pollen.

The second line of defense against a pathogen is the adaptive immune response. Adaptive immunity is called specific or acquired immunity. Adaptive immune responses are specific to the invading pathogen. 

When an invader in the bloodstream is detected by the innate immune system, they engage it to destroy the pathogen. Having a healthy innate immune system is key to staying healthy, especially in these times.

We should keep in mind that as we age, our immune system ages with us. Neutrophils have been shown to age and get worse at fending off intruders with time. Fortunately for us, there are some simple things we can do to boost our innate immunity.

Exercise to enhance innate immunity

Physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. This may reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness. The brief rise in body temperature during and right after exercise may prevent bacteria from growing. This temperature rise may help the body fight infection better. Exercise also reduces stress hormones in the body.

Reduce Stress for stronger Innate Immunity

Stress decreases the body’s lymphocytes — the white blood cells that help fight off infection. The lower your lymphocyte level, the more at risk you are for viruses, including the common cold and cold sores.

Healthy Gut Bacteria for healthy innate immunity

There is good evidence that poor gut health is a cause of premature ageing and that a healthy microbiome can reduce your immune age. Eating a healthy, varied diet rich in fiber, plant matter and fermented foods can help maintain a healthy community of gut microbes.

Supplements for innate immunity support

Mineral supplements such as zinc, selenium, iron, copper, beta carotene, and vitamins such as A, C, and E, and folic acid can influence several components of innate immunity. Low levels of zinc and vitamins A and D may reduce the function of natural killer cells, while supplemental zinc or vitamin C may enhance NK cell activity. 

Tonix-R and the innate immune system

Tonix-R supports the immune system at its core, supporting immune cell production and activity. The formulation consists of highly concentrated bio-active extract from 7 of the most powerful and researched immune supporting mushrooms and plants, including reishi and astragalus. Tonix-R’s effect was studied on human blood samples taken from healthy people as well as from oncology patients with compromised immune systems. Results showed significant enhancement on the immune system including increase of Natural Killers cell (NK) activity and an increased vitality of neutrophils.

We at Lifebiotic are here to help you face the toughest challenges in these difficult times. Our products help your body’s natural systems stay strong and effective. We don’t just claim it, we go the distance and do the research to show it.