Frequently Asked Questions About Immune Support Products

The humoral immune response involves the activation and clonal selection of effector B-cells which produce antibodies that are specific to the microbe. These antibodies circulate in the blood plasma and lymph and are able to tag the microbe for destruction by macrophages or other cells bearing antibodies. Antibodies also activate the complement system, which is a non-specific defense that helps to kill and clear microbes. The humoral response also has a long-lasting effect and is the basis of immunity to many diseases.

The immune system is a system of many different types of cells that work together to defend the body from infective organisms such as bacteria, viruses, and parasites. If an infective or dangerous microbe is able to get past our physical barriers such as the skin or mucous membranes, it is then faced with our "innate immune system." This is a general defense system and not all of its mechanisms are fully understood. The main weapons are the phagocytes, which engulf and kill the microbe, and the inflammation that occurs when tissue cells are damaged, which serves to stop the spread of the microbe. If the microbe manages to survive and multiply, the "adaptive immune system" is activated. This is a very sophisticated system which is specific to each individual microbe and often provides long-lasting immunity.

If the immune system did not exist, bacteria and viruses would quickly colonize our bodies and kill us. Those organisms are capable of multiplying very quickly - in some cases they can divide every 20 to 30 minutes. If an organism can divide and form a colony in a part of the body that is protected from its environment, it can cause a chronic infection with the host being none the wiser. An example of this is the human papilloma virus. This virus can lie dormant in cells of the human body for many years. During this time it is invisible to the immune system. If the virus begins to cause the cells to divide uncontrollably, it can form a tumor which may develop into cancer. Usually it is the chemicals secreted by cells of the immune system which cause the symptoms of being ill (e.g. runny nose, fever) and these are an indication for the infected person to stay in bed so that the immune system can devote more energy to fighting the infection. Without these symptoms, many people would unknowingly carry on as normal and cause further harm to themselves.

The immune system is important for the survival of all living things. Without it, our bodies would be open to attack from bacteria, viruses, parasites, and more. It is the immune system that protects us from infection and enables us to recover from disease. When foreign organisms enter our bodies, they can cause illness. The immune system detects these organisms and eliminates them. It does this by using a combination of physical barriers (such as mucous membranes and skin), a variety of cell types, and a series of chemical reactions.

The innate immune response has been worked out in great detail with regard to the biochemistry and cell biology involved. However, one aspect of innate immunity known as the complement system can be quite complex. This system consists of a number of plasma proteins that tag pathogens for phagocytosis and attract phagocytes and other immune cells to the site of infection. The complement system also lyses pathogens and helps to initiate inflammation.

When a bacteria or virus enters the body, it is recognized as foreign because of the difference between its antigens and the body's cells. The immune system is immediately "switched on" by this entry and the antigens are identified as being non-self. The front line immune response is known as the 'innate immune response.' This part of the immune system is very general and non-specific, meaning it does not target specific bacteria or viruses. An example of this would be the increase in body temperature (fever) to fight an infection. This is part of the body's internal environment and is regulated by a portion of the brain. Certain types of white blood cells also increase in number and become more active. An elevated white cell count (leucocytosis) is often a sign of infection. The white cells may also release substances that indirectly fight the infection; for example, the substance released by basophils in allergies that cause sneezing. A similar substance released by cells in an attempt to protect certain areas of the body with chronic inflammation can unfortunately cause cancer in the long term.

The immune system is difficult to assign to a specific area or location in the body. It is like saying, "Where does London begin?" There are many ways to approach London and it extends out in various directions. The immune system is initiated in many different areas of the body; however, it tends to work in a certain sequence.

The immune system is a complex array of cells and proteins that can either enhance or reduce the immune response. However, the immune system consists of essentially two lines of defense: the non-specific immune system and the specific immune system. The non-specific immune system is a series of mechanisms that are not particular to any one infectious agent, and instead simply respond to danger signals. The non-specific immune system is an immediate response to the invasion of an infectious agent, and it is effective in preventing the spread and reproduction of the agent. Included in the non-specific immune system are surface barriers such as the skin and the cells that line the internal passages that are exposed to the external environment. These surface barriers act to physically block the invasion of microorganisms. If the barriers are penetrated, resident non-specific immune system cells, predominantly phagocytes, go to work to clear out the infectious agent. In addition to these mechanisms, there are also non-specific immune system proteins that act as soon as there is an infection. Complement is a group of proteins that act as enzymes to destroy bacteria and viruses. There are also proteins called acute phase proteins that act to increase the effectiveness of other non-specific and specific immune responses. Another important mechanism of the non-specific immune system is inflammation. It is an accumulation of white blood cells and fluid at sites of infection, and is an attempt by the body to repair the damage and cleanse the area of the infectious agent. Finally, there is non-specific immunity through natural killer cells which kill virus-infected cells and cancer cells. These cells are a component of a system of cellular immunity, but they also have effects on antibody responses to infectious agents.

The immune system protects against infections in a number of ways. Many of these are extremely complex, so we will begin with a more simple defense, working our way to more complex immune processes. The first line of defense is our skin. It physically stops microbes from entering our body. If the microbes manage to enter the body through a wound, they often encounter our second line of defense: the inflammatory response. The inflammatory response is a non-specific defense that is rapid and occurs in the local area where the microbes have invaded. The blood vessels around the area dilate and become more permeable, allowing phagocytes (a type of white blood cell) to leave the blood and enter the tissue. This explains why injured or infected areas appear red and swollen. The phagocytes then engulf the microbes and destroy them using enzymes. This type of response can often eliminate the microbe and stop the infection. If the microbes manage to survive and reproduce, they will encounter a more complex system: the immune response. This can be split into non-specific immunity and specific immunity. The most important aspect of the immune response is specific immunity, which will be discussed in more detail in question 6. This type of immunity is the ultimate weapon in the fight against infection and disease.

Non-specific immunity is similar to the inflammatory response and does not distinguish one microbe from another. It is a general attack and includes the action of phagocytes and other cells, which release enzymes to destroy microbes. Another non-specific immunity mechanism uses special proteins called interferons, which are produced by cells in response to the presence of viruses. These proteins diffuse to surrounding cells where they bind to the surface of the cells and make them resistant to viral infection.

• Allergies and asthma: these are immune system disorders that affect the respiratory system. Allergies are caused when the immune system identifies a substance (e.g. pollen or dust mites) as harmful and, in response, releases chemicals to combat it. One of these chemicals is histamine, which is what causes allergy symptoms. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder, the cause of which is not completely understood, whereby the airways are more susceptible to allergic reactions.
• Immunodeficiency disorders: as the name suggests, these are disorders whereby the immune system is compromised, resulting in an increased susceptibility to infection and diseases. This is usually caused by a hereditary defect, and it can increase the severity of other conditions and diseases. Probably the most well-known example of an immunodeficiency disorder is AIDS, which is caused by the HIV virus.
• Autoimmune disorders: these are disorders where the immune system mistakenly identifies and attacks the body's own cells. There are more than 80 known types of autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis, celiac disease, Grave's disease, and inflammatory bowel disease.

An immune system disorder is a dysfunction of the immune system that results in the loss of the ability to fight off infection and diseases. There is a wide variety of immune system disorders that can affect a person, ranging from those that are relatively harmless such as allergies to those that cause significant damage to the immune system itself such as AIDS. These disorders can affect any part of the immune system and can manifest in many different ways. They prevent the immune system from doing its job, which is to protect the body from foreign invaders. In general, these disorders weaken the immune system and can cause it to "misfire", whereby it attacks the body's own cells.

In some cases, a doctor will diagnose an immune system disorder based on the patient's description of symptoms, the history of the symptoms, and provide a possible trigger of the symptoms. This can be quite difficult to understand for the patient, particularly if the condition is rare. If the symptoms clearly correlate to a specific immune system disorder, a doctor may refer the patient to a specialist for further diagnosis.

Another general method of diagnosis for immune system disorders is to take a sample from the affected tissue for analysis. This could be any part of the body, so the method and how invasive it is will vary greatly depending on the condition. For example, a sample of the fluid from an inflamed joint can be taken for patients with arthritis, and if there is suspected damage to an internal organ (e.g. the liver), scans can be done and a biopsy performed.

The first step in diagnosing an immune system disorder is often a blood test. This can help to determine levels of certain immune cells and to rule out other conditions. For example, there are specific blood tests available for certain rheumatic conditions and coeliac disease. In some cases, more specific testing can be done on the blood, for example in allergic conditions.

Methodology for diagnosing immune system disorders varies depending on the particular disorder and the doctor's suspicion of a specific condition.

Some people with immune system disorders, particularly those with allergic or autoimmune disorders, receive special treatment from an allergist. An allergist is a doctor who has specialized training and experience to diagnose and treat allergic conditions and immune system diseases.

Research has shown that a healthy diet and moderate exercise improve a person's general state of health and well-being. It also can help boost the immune system response and give a person a sense of greater ability to cope – all of which can be very beneficial to someone who has an immune system disorder.

A medical doctor who has specialized in treating immune system disorders is called an immunologist. Immunologists help people manage and treat immune system disorders. Treatment depends on the nature of the immune system disorder. Unfortunately, some treatments may be uncomfortable, painful, distressful, time-consuming, and expensive. Consulting with a GP, specialist, nurse, or other health professional may help a person decide what treatments are best. This will depend on how severe the condition is and the person's general state of health.