Exercise and Immunity:
Immunity:
Immunity can be defined as all of the physiological mechanisms that enable an individual's body to recognize materials as foreign and to neutralize, eliminate, or metabolize them without injury to its own tissue.
Immunity to a disease is achieved through the presence of antibodies to that disease in a person's system. Antibodies are proteins produced by the body to neutralize or destroy toxins or disease-carrying organisms. Antibodies are disease-specific.This protection is called immunity.
Humans have three types of immunity innate, adaptive, and passive: Innate immunity: Everyone is born with innate (or natural) immunity, a type of general protection. For example, the skin acts as a barrier to block germs from entering the body.Humans have three types of immunity innate, adaptive, and passive: Innate immunity: Everyone is born with innate (or natural) immunity, a type of general protection. For example, the skin acts as a barrier to block germs from entering the body.
About the immune system:
The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells and proteins that defends the body against infection, whilst protecting the body's own cells. The immune system keeps a record of every germ (microbe) it has ever defeated so it can recognise and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again.
We hear about the importance of a strong immune system all the time, especially when it comes to preventing viruses and bacterial infections, and other diseases.
Our immune system is made up of cells, organs, tissues, and even reflexes such as your cough reflex. Its main job is to repel or limit infections and other diseases.
When your body detects an antigen something harmful or foreign, such as a virus, a toxin, or bacteria your immune system kicks into gear to protect you by attacking it. This is called an immune response .
During this response, your body makes antibodies, which can help defend you against this antigen in the future. This protection your body is building is called "immunity".
Antigen:
An antigen is any substance that causes your immune system to produce antibodies against it. This means your immune system does not recognize the substance, and is trying to fight it off. An antigen may be a substance from the environment, such as chemicals, bacteria, viruses, or pollen.
An antigen is a foreign substance that enters your body. This can include bacteria, viruses, fungi, allergens, venom and other various toxins. An antibody is a protein produced by your immune system to attack and fight off these antigens.
The three types of antigens:
There are three types of antigen-presenting cells in your body: macrophages, dendritic cells and B cells. One of their jobs is to act like a detective, showing the other cells of the immune system suspects they think are invading your body.
Immune system in human body:
The immune system is a complex network of organs, cells and proteins that defends the body against infection, whilst protecting the body's own cells. The immune system keeps a record of every germ (microbe) it has ever defeated so it can recognise and destroy the microbe quickly if it enters the body again.
There are two parts to the immune system:
The innate immune system and the acquired, or adaptive, immune system. You’re born with the innate immune system, and it’s active right after birth.
The innate system consists of protection offered by mucous membranes and your skin and protection offered by immune system cells and proteins. It respond the same way to all germs .
Lymph nodes contain immune cells that analyze the foreign invaders brought into your body. They then activate, replicate and send the specific lymphocytes (white blood cells) to fight off that particular invader. You have hundreds of lymph nodes all over your body, including in your neck, armpits, and groin.
Organs and tissues of the immune system include the bone marrow, spleen, thymus, tonsils, mucous membranes, and skin. Granulocytes, macrophages, and T lymphocytes are examples of specialized cells.
Exercise and immunity:
Exercise improves our natural immunity, making us feel healthier and energetic. Regular exercise or indulgence in sports or any physical activity has an enormous positive impact on the physical health as well as our mental well-being.
Exercise do increase immunity against COVID:
"There is evidence that regular physical activity might contribute to a more effective immune response, providing enhanced protective immunity to infections, which could explain the relationship between exercise consistency with Covid-19 infection," Ezzatvar added.
Factors that weaken the immune system:
Your immune system can also be weakened by smoking, alcohol, and poor nutrition. AIDS. HIV, which causes AIDS, is an acquired viral infection that destroys important white blood cells and weakens the immune system. People with HIV/AIDS become seriously ill with infections that most people can fight off.
You should not exercise when you are sick:
Don't exercise if your signs and symptoms are "below the neck," such as chest congestion, a hacking cough or upset stomach. Don't exercise with people if you have Covid-19 or other contagious illnesses. Don't exercise if you have a fever, fatigue or widespread muscle aches.
Best exercise is for increase immune system:
Here's a list of some of the best exercises for immune system health to strengthen body immunity and boost overall health.
•Walking: Being regular with moderate exercise such as routine 30 minutes brisk walks is essential in maintaining a sound immune system.
•Aerobic exercises.
•Strength building and training.
•Yoga.
Exercise can keep you protect from getting sick:
Exercise causes change in antibodies and white blood cells (WBC). WBCs are the body's immune system cells that fight disease. These antibodies or WBCs circulate more rapidly, so they could detect illnesses earlier than they might have before.
Physical activity may help flush bacteria out of the lungs and airways. This may reduce your chance of getting a cold, flu, or other illness. Exercise causes change in antibodies and white blood cells (WBC). WBCs are the body's immune system cells that fight disease.
Exercise donot help you get rid of a cold:
Since exercising is good for our immune system, some people might think that exercising while you're sick can help you “sweat it out.” Unfortunately, when it comes to the common cold, there's no evidence exercising while sick can shorten the illness or make it less severe.Exercising while sick won't help you get over a cold faster.
You may have heard that it's beneficial to “sweat out a cold.” While exposure to heated air or exercise may help temporarily relieve symptoms, there's little evidence to suggest that they can help treat a cold.There's no way to cure a cold or sweat it out. Breathing in warm, moist air can help alleviate cold symptoms, like congestion. Light exercise can increase blood flow, which also might help with congestion. However, there's no quick fix.Cold symptoms will go away on their own over time.
Sleep or rest is one of the best ways to help your body heal, so in a sense, you can sleep off a cold. Sleep helps boost the immune system and can help you recover from a cold more quickly.
Fever is an important component of the body's natural healing process. When you have a fever, your body tries to cool down naturally by sweating. Fever is an indication that your body is slowly recovering.
Duration of exercise:
Before getting into the ways physical activity may help your immune system, it’s important to discuss how much exercise you likely need for general health.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (US HHS), most adults should get at least 150–300 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity each week .
Researchers found that performing aerobic exercise at a moderate to vigorous intensity for less than 60 minutes (an average of 30–45 minutes) increases the recruitment and circulation of the immune system's best defensive cells.
The HHS also recommends doing at least 2 days per week of the muscle strengthening activities involving all major muscle groups in your legs, hips, back, abdomen, chest, shoulders, and arms.
Being active most days of the week is an excellent goal to benefit your overall health and well-being. It’s also a great place to start if you want to work toward boosting your immune system.
Information compiled by: Dr. Bhairavsinh Raol
