From the moment we are born and through all of our life, our organism protects us from harmful substances. This is the main function of the immune system. Discover the difference between innate immunity and acquired immunity in this post.
The immune system is the body’s natural
barrier. It fights against any kind of external agent who has the intention of
attacking the organism. If our body were a medieval castle, the immune system
would be all the defenses that protect us by stopping and attacking all kids of
viruses and bacteria. The walls and the guards are part of this system ‒ innate
immunity ‒, as well as the knights and archers ‒ acquired immunity‒.
INNATE IMMUNITY
- It is the protection we are born with.
- Here, we can find structures like the skin, mucosae, tears or
the stomach’s acids.
- It acts immediately, as its main function is to destroy
pathogens when they just enter the body. It takes some minutes or hours to
act.
- The innate immunity attacks the pathogen without taking into
account the species or even if said pathogen has attacked us before.
ACQUIRED IMMUNITY
- It is the result of our body’s learning. As the immune system
keeps on fighting different pathogens, is able to recognise and remember
them, in order to stop them when they attack again.
- T and B lymphocytes are the ones who recognise antigens and
generate antibodies, respectively.
- It is a slower response that seeks to adapt itself to that
specific infecting agent.
- This means that the response is specific and activates more
precise cells that can stop a certain pathogen.
Keeping a strong immune system implies
following a healthy lifestyle, a balanced diet, and adequate sleep and rest
period, doing moderate exercise and living stress-free.
Help strengthen your immune system with natural
solutions: echinacea, propolis, thyme, some fungi
(maitake, shiitake and reishi), vitamins C and D, and zinc.
