Immune system and Factors that Impact Immune System Function

Your immune system is your body’s defense system against

  • External microbes (like virus, bacteria, fungi, protozoa),
  • Pollutants and allergens
  • Inflammatory foods

When your immune system doesn’t work the way it should, it is called an immune system disorder

  • Be born with a weak immune system. This is called primary immune deficiency.
  • Get a disease, usage of medicines or steroids, go through chemotherapy, follow a lifestyle that weakens your immune system. This is called acquired immune deficiency.
  • Have an immune system that is too active. This may happen with an allergic reaction.
  • Have an immune system that turns against you. This is called autoimmune disease.

Factors that reduce the efficiency of immune system

  • Age
  • Lack of sleep
  • Lack of exercise
  • Eating refined foods and processed foods with added sugar, artificial colors, artificial flavors, preservatives, artificial sweeteners
  • Stress, anxiety and Mental disorders
  • Low Vitamin D
  • Smoking tobacco
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Diseases and infections
  • Obesity and Metabolic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, High BP, High blood lipids, Heart Ailments, Liver and Kidney disorders
  • Taking certain medications
  • Taking steroids for auto-immune conditions
  • Chemotherapy

~Praveen Jada

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