Aspecific Defenses: what are they and how do they work?
The first two defenses are the basis of what is called non-specific resistance. This includes chemical, mechanical and, in some cases, humoral and cellular mechanisms that prevent colonization or infection by infectious agents. The human body, for example, tolerates a wide variety of commensal microorganisms that actively compete against many. potential pathogens.
Here are some of the non-specific natural defenses against infections:
- Lysozyme: enzyme present in tears, nasal secretions and saliva, capable of destroying the cell membrane of bacteria.
- Sebum: the oil produced by the sebaceous glands of the skin exerts a protective action on the skin itself, increasing its impermeability and exerting a mild antibacterial action.
- Skin: protective barrier against the penetration of substances and pathogens, both physical and biochemical, due to the aforementioned properties of sebaceous secretion and sweat.
- Acid pH of the stomach, skin and vagina: microorganisms are eradicated from the acidic environments of the stomach, vagina and skin. With these defenses, the skin and mucosa provide a physical and chemical barrier that hinders the entry of pathogens into the soft tissues of the body.
- Mucus: viscous, whitish substance, secreted by the mucous membranes of the digestive, respiratory, urinary and genital systems.
- Ciliated epithelium of the respiratory system: present mainly in the nose and trachea, it is responsible for the so-called "mucociliary clearance", an essential mechanism for the protection of the respiratory tract. Mucus and cilia are able to fix and retain foreign bodies, filtering the air.
- Microorganisms of the intestinal bacterial flora: they prevent the proliferation of pathogenic bacterial strains by subtracting their nourishment, occupying the possible adhesion sites to the intestinal walls and producing active antibiotic substances that inhibit their replication.
- Spermine: present inside the seminal fluid, spermine is one of the substances responsible for the odor of the sperm and also gives it an important anti-infective action.
- Microorganisms of the vaginal bacterial flora: in normal conditions, a saprophytic bacterial flora is present in the vagina which, together with the slightly acidic pH, prevents the excessive growth of pathogenic germs.
Physical Activity and Sport to Increase Natural Defenses
Physical activity, when it is not led to excesses but is carried out in a healthy and balanced way, strengthens the immune system; it is not uncommon to hear people who report the absence of colds or flu since they started playing sports. They are not afraid to brave the weather to train, because they know that colds are unlikely to take over.
Dietary supplementation dedicated to athletes is all the more necessary the greater the physical resources dedicated to athletic commitment. Among the most useful products to improve the natural defenses we remember arginine, ornithine and glutamine.
Power to Increase Natural Defenses
In addition to being based on the consumption of a "wide variety of fresh and natural foods (primarily fruit and vegetables), the ideal diet for strengthening the immune system also includes the consumption of yogurt, pre-functional foods and probiotics.
If you find empirically that you are intolerant or allergic to a certain food, it is good to exclude it from your diet. Once introduced, a substance to which one is intolerant can gradually alter the digestive and protective efficacy of the bacterial flora; in the case of food allergies, the autoimmune response concentrates the defenses towards something that has nothing pathological at all, facilitating the aggression of true pathogens.
For further information: Strengthen the immune systemDid you know that ...
Working or living in temperatures below 20 ° C increases the chances of getting sick.
natural to help our body increase and strengthen its defenses.
In this sense, plant extracts are used, but also vitamins, amino acids and bee products that have been shown to have useful properties for strengthening the immune system and the body's defenses. Here are some examples.
- Echinacea: it is the immunostimulating plant par excellence. Its extracts are widely used in natural supplements indicated to strengthen the immune system.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is a substance of vital importance for the proper functioning of our entire body as it is involved in numerous functions within it. Among these, there is also a very important role in maintaining immune function. Furthermore, it has a strong antioxidant activity.
- Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a well-known antioxidant which, together with vitamin C, protects against the harmful action of free radicals.
- Eleutherococcus: Eleutherococcus is a plant with a tonic-adaptogenic activity, this means that it is able to increase the non-specific defenses of the organism in response to stress of various kinds. Particularly useful against tiredness and fatigue, a study conducted on its extracts would also have confirmed its immunostimulating action.
- Ginseng: ginseng also boasts adaptogenic properties and is used in phytotherapy to counteract physical and mental fatigue and to stimulate the immune system.
- Royal jelly: Royal jelly is a bee product which is attributed with numerous properties. It is believed that its use can impart a sense of vitality. It is mainly used in particularly debilitated and tired children, the elderly and young adults.
- Spirulina: spirulina is an algae rich in proteins, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It is mainly used as a tonic and in-depth studies are being conducted to investigate its immunostimulating properties.
- Arginine: is an essential amino acid involved in numerous mechanisms within the body. Supplementation with arginine appears to be effective in improving the synthesis and activity of some cells of the immune system.
- Propolis: propolis is a bee product that has been shown to have interesting antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal properties. To these would also be added immunostimulating properties.
- Glutamine: Glutamine is an amino acid included in the composition of many supplements. Among the various activities exercised, we find the immunomodulating ones.
- Honey: honey is another bee product widely used in the culinary field which is attributed beneficial properties for health, such as natural antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Vegavero echinacea contains 4% polyphenols, antioxidant molecules found in fruit and vegetables, and is an extract titrated with an 8: 1 ratio. It is a food supplement designed to support the immune system in periods of greater stress This particular type of echinacea contains the greatest concentration of chicoric acid, responsible for the immunostimulating action. Vegavero echinacea is vegan, as the name suggests, and does not contain additives. Each pack contains 120 capsules.
Royal Jelly is a supplement that combines the action of propolis with that of echinacea. This formulation is designed to combat fatigue and physical fatigue. Very often, in fact, this Royal Jelly supplement is used to address the problems related to the change of season. The package consists of 30 single-dose vials, this solution, in fact, according to the manufacturers, guarantees to maintain the properties of the ingredients in an optimal manner. Royal Jelly does not contain gluten or lactose.
Nutri & Co organic spirulina is a supplement obtained from Spirulina Platensis has a very high content of beta-carotene, proteins and vitamin B. But, of course, it is also very rich in minerals and antioxidants. To ensure that spirulina retains all its properties, it is extracted at a low temperature, so as to have a truly effective product. Spirulina is grown with natural methods, without using lamps or other methods. This supplement is without preservatives, without flavorings, without additives, without pesticides and without GMOs.
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