There are two main categories of immunity: Inborn Immunity, which is basically, what you inherited at birth, and Acquired Immunity.
Acquired Immunity develops as we progress through life and can change; depending upon the chemicals and pathogens we are exposed as a part of living. Acquired Immunity is of interest because this particular portion of the Immune System has the ability to turn on and turn off again whenever it is needed. This active and passive immunity is the key to its specific function.
Let’s take a closer look at these phases of immunity so that we may better understand both the importance of their function as well as our need to nourish and support these functions for good health and longevity.
Inborn Immunity develops through a careful selective process which is subsequently passed on from parents to offspring. Such things as species immunity protect us from invasion by microbes that do not specifically attack humans. For example, most infections found in animals cannot affect humans, yet many microbes that do not harm animals affect us.
Lastly individual immunity, acquired by the parents of an offspring, can pass that specific immunity to their children. It is this inherited immunity that allows some people to be able to dissipate throughout their lives by smoking, drinking alcohol, not exercising, etc., and still live to a ripe old age, relatively free from issues. Are they lucky? Perhaps, but the real ‘luck’ lies in the fact that the person probably inherited a very strong Inborn Immunity which allowed them to thrive in spite of multiple abuses.
Unlike Inborn Immunity, which you get before birth, Acquired Immunity begins to develop immediately after birth and continues throughout an individual’s lifetime as each of us encounters various harmful agents. The problem we face today is that there are so many of these agents that our Immune System can no longer keep up the pace of defense. This weakens the system and leaves us vulnerable to attack.
The Acquired Immune System comes into play when a foreign substance, called an Antigen, enters the body, causing an immune response. Most Antigens are large protein molecules, but some can also be made up of Carbohydrates and Lipids. Check back soon for more information about nutrition and immunity.