Our Immune System

Our immune system is a complex network of specialized organs, glands and cells which, when working properly, protect us from pathogens such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and foreign cells such as cancer.

Immunity by definition, is a homeostatic condition in which the body maintains protection from infectious disease.

It is a series of balanced, complex, multi-cellular and physiological mechanisms that allow an individual to distinguish foreign material from "self" and to neutralize and/or eliminate the foreign matter.

Researchers now agree that abnormal cells, such as cancer or tumor cells, develop in our body daily. These cells are caused by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or foreign cells.

It is estimated that 1 in 25 people get diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The other 24 have strong immune systems that effectively destroy all potential invaders. Only one in twenty-five of us are diagnosed with cancer.

Current research is showing that this number is rapidly increasing, especially in first world countries. Unfortunately diet, stress, drugs, environmental toxins and smoking are just some of the ways our immune system may be weakened.

Immino-supression may result in repeated, more severe or prolonged infections as well as the development of cancer, whereas, immuno-enhancement may lead to immune-medicated diseases such as hypersensitivity or auto-immune diseases.

In order for our immune system to avoid being weakened by certain pathogens, we must have an optimum immune response.