The human immune system is an extremely complex system that comprises a variety of cells and actions. It can be classified into cell mediated immunity and humeral immunity. Cell mediated immunity involves cells such as macrophages, natural killer cells, cytotoxic T cells and the release of cytokines in response to the presence of an antigen. The humeral immune system is mediated by the secretion of antibodies, namely IgA, IgD, IgE, IgG, and IgM, from plasma and mucosal cells. These antibodies are responsible for binding extracellular pathogens and their toxins for destruction. The production of secretory IgA (SIgA) is the major effect or function of the mucosal immune system providing the ‘first line of defence’ against pathogens in the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts.
Things that can affect the immune system include viruses that cause the common cold, or flu for example. In order to keep these infections at bay it is important to exercise and eat a healthy diet. Other things that can affect the immune system are autoimmune diseases such as:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Ankalosing spondylitis
- Multiple sclerosis
- Coeliac disease
- Type 1 diabetes
- Addison’s disease
- Cushing’s syndrome
- Thyroiditis
- Crohn’s disease
Autoimmune conditions are a collection of disorders in which the immune system fails to recognise your body tissues as “self” and identifies them as foreign and attacks them. Ten per cent of the adult population is affected, causing chronic morbidity and incapacity.
Although nutritional therapy cannot cure you autoimmune disease, if you make certain nutritional changes you can manage the symptoms and cope better with the disease. London nutritionist Steve Hines has helped many people with autoimmune disease improve their diet and manage their symptoms better.
