New Breakthrough in Understanding the Natural Immune Response
London (PRWEB UK) 25 July 2013 -- In the last 300 years the medical knowledge of the body’s ability to fight off disease and respond with a defence mechanism to any unknown cell has exploded into vast fields of study in today’s medical world of science. This natural line of defence is known as the body’s immune system and is made up of multiple components such as the lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, lymphocytes, thymus, and leukocytes. 1
These components work together to protect against any foreign bodies that may cause harm within the body and protect against diseases, thus fulfilling the task of the immune system. When functioning properly, the immune system identifies a variety of threats, including viruses, bacteria and parasites, and distinguishes them from the body’s own healthy tissue. If the body’s immune system malfunctions, immunodeficiency or autoimmune diseases can crop up, from the common cold to rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus type 1 and systemic lupus, or even cancer. 2
Researchers have been trying to explore the effects of a variety of factors — from foods and herbal supplements to exercise and stress — on immunity, but to this day there is still a lot left to discover about the body’s ability to fight disease. The process of detection for when antibodies are produced and the testing of blood components like lymphocytes or cytokines, unveils the primary process, but science isn’t yet sufficiently advanced to understand how this translates into success in warding off disease.
In a study published July 22, 2013, in Nature Immunology, a team of researchers led by Professor Paul Hertzog, of the Monash Institute of Medical Research (MIMR) and Professor Jamie Rossjohn, of the School of Biomedical Sciences, with support from the Australian Synchrotron have characterised for the first time how interferon beta proteins bind to cells and activate an immune response.
Produced when viral and bacterial infections are detected, interferon proteins are vital to the body's defences. They activate immune cells, such as macrophages, can interfere with virus replication, and can boost cells' resilience to infection. They also enhance later immune responses to cancers and other stresses. There are at least 20 subtypes of interferons that are produced at different stages of the immune response.
They appear to have different functions, but these functions and their triggers are generally not well understood. "We found that when interferon beta proteins binds to a cell, it transmits an unusual signal that seems linked to some of the toxic side effects of interferon therapy, like sepsis. This provides a promising avenue to pursue more selective activation of interferon action," Dr de Weerd said. Professor Rossjohn and Julian Vivian from the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology collaborated closely on determining the interferon beta proteins interactions at the molecular level. 3
With a different approach to the science of how the immune system works, researchers consider whether the immune system is being strengthened in some way, by the effect of changing the lifestyle after the onset of illness and a significant improvement in the body’s ability to fight it. Based on these studies, there is now evidence that even though science may not be able to prove a direct link between a certain lifestyle and an improved immune response, it can at least show that some links are likely.
Every part of the body, including the immune system, functions better when protected from environmental assaults and bolstered by healthy-living strategies such as these: 2
• Don’t smoke.
• Eat a diet high in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and low in saturated fat.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Control blood pressure.
• If alcohol is had, drink only in moderation.
• Get adequate sleep.
• Take steps to avoid infection, such as washing hands frequently and cooking meats thoroughly.
• Get regular medical screening tests for people in the appropriate age group and risk category.
Ongoing research on specific nutrients that boost the immune system, such as vitamin and mineral supplements containing Vitamins A, B2, B6, C, D, E; Selenium and Zinc show the ability to modulate the immune response. There are also certain herbs that have proven benefits to the natural defence mechanism such as aloe vera, astragalus membranes, Echinacea, garlic, ginseng, liquorice root, and probiotics but the results have been inconsistent and more research is required to determine the proper amounts and exact effect for each of these supplements, some of which also contains poisonous substances.
Following general good-health guidelines is the single best step to take toward keeping the immune system strong and healthy.
References
1) http://www.livescience.com/26579-immune-system.html
2) http://www.health.harvard.edu/flu-resource-center/how-to-boost-your-immune-system.htm
3) http://monash.edu/news/show/a-first-in-front-line-immunity-research
4) http://www.nature.com/ni/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/ni.2667.html
Samantha Smith, Chemist Direct, 0121 541 4952, [email protected]
Share this article