Suddenly we’re all talking about immunity – but how much do we really understand? Science author and YouTuber Philipp Dettmer clears up one of the most common misunderstandings.
The next time you wake up feeling a little groggy, think of the army of soldiers fighting millions of enemies in your name.
In the fortress of your body.
As invaders attack hundreds of thousands of your cells, your immune system organizes complex defense mechanisms, communicates over long distances, and brings quick deaths to millions, if not billions, of these invaders.
You’re in the shower all the time and you’re slightly annoyed that you’re getting sick.
What you’re feeling – the snotty nose, the elevated temperature, the sore throat, the general feeling of being a little “off” – is actually the effect of this fight taking place out of sight.
The immune system is complicated in the sense that climbing Mount Everest is a beautiful walk through nature. Next to the brain, it is the most complex biological system in the human body.
And it’s being talked about now more than ever. The pandemic has introduced a new vocabulary into our lives. We talk about natural immunity in people who have recovered from Covid and immunity to vaccines.
Jabs, boosters, side effects… these are suddenly as everyday topics of conversation as the weather.
But talking more about immunity doesn’t necessarily mean we understand it better. Let’s take an example. Perhaps the biggest misconception is society’s preoccupation with achieving a strong, “supercharged” immune system.
The internet is full of products that promise just that. From infused coffee to protein powder, from mystical roots unearthed in the Amazon rainforest to vitamin pills, the list is endless.
But what many people don’t understand is that the immune system can be dangerous. It is not something that we want to unleash limitlessly within ourselves.
In a world where self-improvement is big business, the idea of supercharging your immune system is very tempting – but we don’t want a strong immune system, we want a balanced one that keeps all the different systems in check.
We’re talking about a complex and interconnected assemblage of hundreds of bases and recruitment centers all over your body. They are linked by a superhighway, a network of vessels as vast and ubiquitous as your cardiovascular system.
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In addition to organs and infrastructure, billions of immune cells patrol either these superhighways or your bloodstream, ready to attack your enemies when called upon. Billions more sit guard in the tissues of your body that border your exteriors, waiting for intruders to cross. There are also trillions of protein weapons that you can think of as land mines.
Your immune system also has dedicated universities where cells learn who to fight and how, complete with the largest biological library in the universe capable of identifying every possible invader you’ll ever encounter in your life and yourself to remember.
At its core, the immune system is a tool to distinguish the other from the self. It doesn’t matter whether the other person wants to harm you or not. Unless the other is on a very exclusive guest list that grants free passage, they must be attacked and destroyed because the other could damage you.
- macrophages – Devour dead cells and living enemies, coordinate defenses and heal wounds
- mast cells – filled with tiny bombs containing powerful chemicals that cause localized inflammation
- dendritic cells – like an intelligence officer, it collects samples from dead intruders
- monocytes – Type of white blood cells that can transform into macrophages or dendritic cells
- natural killer cells – hunt two types of enemies: virus-infected cells and cancer cells
- neutrophils – All-purpose weapon system designed to quickly deal with enemies, especially bacteria
- eosinophil – causes inflammation, fights parasites, activates other cells
- basophil – Like mast cells and eosinophils, they prolong an allergic reaction
- T cells – They do many things including orchestrating other cells and killing cancer cells
- B cells – Produce antibodies and activate other cells
You’ve probably already figured it out – it’s a highly complex system made up of many different components. A well-functioning immune system is very good at applying just the right amount of force to a given infection. So the idea of making these systems more aggressive is ridiculous.
Instead of a rugby player hitting things, it’s supposed to be a ballet dancer – highly trained, precise, and able to hit with ease but dance in sync with the music.
There is an ancient Greek word homeostasis, the balance of all things we should strive for.
It’s such a complicated system that so many things could go wrong if it were made more powerful. It could overreact to a minor infection. Part of the reason for this misunderstanding is that people lack a good mental picture of what the term means. They think of it as an energy shield that you can charge up. But it’s not a thing at all, it’s a multitude of things.
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In reality, no one knows how many cells, what type, and at what level of activity it takes for your immune system to function optimally. Anyone who says they know what’s needed is probably trying to sell you something.
At least for now, there are no scientifically proven ways to make your immune system more aggressive through a superfood or pill. And if so, it would be very dangerous to use them without medical supervision.
People prefer simple, quick fixes, but health depends on very boring things that people don’t want to hear. Exercise, a balanced diet and less stress. We all know these are good for us, but we don’t want to do it.
The most important thing is a diet that provides you with all the vitamins and nutrients your body needs, such as fruits and vegetables. Your immune system is constantly producing many billions of new cells that need to be fed.
The positive health effects of even moderate regular exercise have long been known. Good blood flow allows your cells and immune proteins to move more efficiently and freely, allowing them to do their jobs better. Exercise can also slow down the decline in old age.
Living a less stressful life has tangible health benefits in a number of ways, and one of them is the immune system. Without going into too much detail, stress can set off chains of events that disrupt the work and balance of this system.
Why do some people seem to get colds and flu more often than others? There are three reasons for this.
The reality is that we are not the same. Lifestyle choices matter. Maybe you smoke or you don’t eat as well as others. Maybe you have a very stressful job or a job that exposes you to viruses, or maybe you just can’t get off the couch.
And there are genetics. Everyone is a little bit different. One person is better at fighting viruses and another better at fighting bacteria.
And third, there is perception. Everyone claims to know someone who says they never get sick, but that’s not true.
So next time you wake up with a runny nose or a little sweat, maybe think of the army of helpers keeping you alive.
And instead of cursing your luck, maybe say thank you.
Philipp Dettmer is the author of a new book IMMUNE and creator of In Brief, one of the most popular science channels on YouTube
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