Our immune system needs support – Part 1

Our immune system is often overwhelmed these days

Humans have existed in their present form for around 200,000 years. It is primarily thanks to our immune system that the daily attacks by bacteria, viruses and millions of toxins have not led to our extinction. The immune system consists of a highly complex and very efficient network of different tissues, cells and cell products whose main physiological task is to recognize and eliminate foreign, "non-self" material. A number of influencing factors can affect the body's own defenses and severely disrupt its homeostasis. For example, negative stress ("distress") leads to the body being flooded with stress hormones. The increased release of stress hormones such as cortisol causes immunosuppression, which is associated with an increased risk of infection and can ultimately also adversely affect the body's own tumor surveillance. It is therefore not uncommon for a cold or flu-like infection to set in immediately after situations that are associated with increased pressure to perform and stress (e.g. exams).

Certain medications are also associated with a restriction of the immune system. Antibiotics should be mentioned here in particular. There are several points of attack for the pathogens, such as the inhibition of cell wall formation or the protein biosynthesis of the bacteria and thus also the reduction of reproduction. Despite these targeted attacks on pathogenic germs, there are still disadvantages for the health of users. It is now well known to what extent anti-infectious drugs can affect the intestinal microbiota and thus also the intestine-associated immune system. However, the drugs can also have a detrimental extraintestinal effect, as a recent animal study has shown. In this study, it was observed that under the influence of antibiotics (in this case ciprofloxacin) metabolites are formed that inhibit phagocytosis by reducing the respiratory activity of these defense cells. At the same time, this study showed that the metabolites formed significantly reduce the efficacy of the antibiotic. Another
Another recent study provided evidence that the use of antibiotics weakens the viral defense and can promote lung infections.

And finally, our immune system is affected by environmental toxins and other noxious substances on a daily basis. Environmental chemicals (such as bisphenols, heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and many more) are associated with immune deficiencies and immune regulation disorders, which in turn can have far-reaching consequences for health (e.g. allergies, fertility disorders, inflammation). According to the American Chemical Society, the number of measurable foreign substances has multiplied in recent decades. For example, according to the "Pesticide Atlas 2022" presented by the Pesticide Action Network (PAN Germany), the use of herbicides and insecticides has increased by around 80% since the 1990s.

Support in the form of zinc and vitamin C, for example