The most important thing:
- What is immunomodulation?
- Which diseases do immunomodulators help with?
- How our immune system works;
- What factors damage the immune system?
- Which everyday habits help to strengthen the immune system.
“My immunity has been weak lately” – you’ll often hear this phrase from someone who has started getting infections more often, and whose symptoms last longer than usual.
Our immune system functions well at certain times, while at others it can be weakened or out of balance. Maintaining an optimal state is extremely important for our health and protects us from serious diseases. This is precisely when it is sometimes necessary to resort to immunomodulators.
What is immunomodulation?
The main difference between immunostimulants and immunomodulators can be inferred from their names.
Immunomodulators are intended to strengthen our immune system, prompting it to respond more intensely to pathogens. They work in a more complex way, aiming to balance the immune system. In some cases this means stimulating its activity, and in others reducing the immune response to healthy levels.
What is the immune system?
To better understand the importance of immunomodulation, you need to understand how the human immune system works.
We know that it is our natural defence against disease. Our immune system is constantly active and ready to attack dangerous viruses, bacteria, fungi and parasites that have entered the body. It also recognises cells in which malignant changes have begun. Our immune system is also activated in response to non-infectious damage, such as sunburn, as well as by toxins from insect bites (1).
In practice, our physical survival is impossible if the immune system does not function or is seriously damaged.
An example of this is the chronic viral disease AIDS, caused by the HIV virus. Without continuous and potent therapy, patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome become susceptible to severe viral and oncological diseases, as the syndrome destroys cellular immunity.
immunomodulation
What does the immune system consist of?
The immune system includes various cells, organs and tissues. Here are some of its main components:
- White blood cells (leukocytes);
- Lymphocytes. They are divided into T cells (which coordinate the immune response and attack infected cells) and B cells (which produce antibodies – proteins that bind to pathogens and mark them for destruction).
- Antibodies are proteins produced by B cells that bind to pathogens and mark them for destruction.
- The spleen;
- Bone marrow
- The lymphatic system
- The Timos;
- The tonsils, the adenoids and appendicitis.
White blood cells circulate in the blood and lymph vessels. The lymphatic system forms a network similar to the bloodstream. In this system, a fluid called lymph circulates. Its function is to transport cells associated with the immune system to parts of the body that require its protective response.
White blood cells are constantly on patrol in search of dangerous pathogens. When they find one, they begin to multiply and send a signal to other immune system cells to do the same. The body stores white blood cells in various places – the thymus, the spleen, the bone marrow, the tonsils and the lymph nodes.
When the immune system makes mistakes
Complex and invaluable to humans, the immune system nevertheless sometimes makes mistakes.
Under certain conditions, it can attack healthy organs in the human body, in which case we speak of an autoimmune disease. It is also possible for the immune system to overreact to an external irritant. These conditions are known as allergies. The role of immunomodulation in these cases is to suppress and balance the immune response.
In which other cases can immunomodulation be applied?
Immunomodulation can play an important role in patients with a compromised immune system. The therapy is prescribed by a doctor and administered under medical supervision. It is also strictly individualised according to the patient’s condition. The choice of the specific type of immunomodulator and the duration of the therapy depend on the treating physician.
Immunomodulators can be used for:
- Treatment of infections: Some immunomodulators can help the body fight infections that the immune system cannot control on its own.
- Treatment of autoimmune diseases: In autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body’s healthy tissues. Immunomodulators can be used to balance the immune response and reduce the symptoms of this type of disease.
- Assistance in cancer treatment: Some immunomodulators can be used to stimulate the immune system to attack cancer cells.
- Prevention: In individuals with a weakened immune system, immunomodulators can also be used as a preventative measure to prevent infections.
Types of immunomodulators
The two main groups of immunomodulators are:
- Immunostimulants: Immunostimulants strengthen the immune response.
- Immunosuppressants: They suppress the immune response and can be used to treat autoimmune diseases and to prevent the rejection of a foreign organ after transplantation.
How to maintain a good immune system
There is no doubt that a person with a strong immune system is far less susceptible to serious infections and other illnesses. If we want to be in optimal health and maintain a good quality of life, we must take care of our immune system.
There are factors that damage the immune system, but many of them are entirely within our control. If we make an effort to overcome these harmful habits, we have the opportunity to enjoy a balanced and strong immune system:
- You do not exercise and lead a sedentary lifestyle;
- You eat indiscriminately and often reach for unhealthy food;
- You smoke and/or regularly consume alcohol;
- You spend almost all your time indoors and your body cannot synthesise the required amount of vitamin D3.
Stress and negative emotions in general can also impair the functioning of the immune system. It has been shown that people who grieve for a long time often suffer from a weakened immune system as a result. (2)
Therefore, maintaining a strong immune system involves a varied diet, healthy foods, reducing alcohol, sugar and processed foods, and regular exercise. Don’t forget to look after your emotional health. Pleasant social gatherings with friends, time spent with family and a general sense of belonging and support really help us to be more resilient to illness. To support your immune system, especially during periods of high stress or illness, you can also take Apriben.
The product is a combination of natural active substances that support the immune and nervous systems and help maintain heart health. Extracts of the medicinal mushrooms reishi, chaga and shiitake, as well as apricot kernel extract, improve overall tone. Apriben strengthens the body’s defences and is particularly recommended during periods of frequent illness.
In the case of a serious illness, your doctor may refer you to therapy involving immunomodulation. It is also used preventively – in patients with compromised immunity during periods of flu or viral infection. In these cases, the use of immunomodulation can significantly reduce the risk of illness, and if an infection does occur, the symptoms are significantly milder.
All other ways to boost your immune system are readily available and part of a sensible lifestyle. Always remember that sport, outdoor exercise and positive emotions are important factors for your immune system.
Sources:
1 – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320101#the-immune-response
2 – https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/ss/slideshow-how-you-suppress-immune-system
