Today's article focuses on the Defense System, a system responsible for keeping your body safe. If you haven't seen the movie "The Blind Side," it is a football movie about the left tackle position, a position responsible for protecting the blind side of a quarterback. The blind side refers to an oncoming rusher whom the quarterback cannot see, hence, his blindside. Without a left tackle, the quarterback would be hurt on every play.

Your Defense System is like having a left tackle protecting your blindside all the time. Would you rather have a big strong left tackle or a tiny weak left tackle? The answer is obvious, and the same goes for your Defense System. A strong one is important to protect you from disease and illness.

Let's imagine that your five other systems are up and running optimally:

•               The Structural System is supported with real food

•               The Digestive System is breaking down the real food allowing our body to absorb the necessary nutrients

•               The Delivery System is transporting nutrients to every cell

•               The Energy System is turning the nutrients into energy

•               The Communication System ensures the proper function of each system with hormones, neurotransmitters, and nerves.

Now we have to protect the Systems, and that is where our Defense System comes in. Our bodies are constantly under attack from enemies trying to get in and enemies in our systems. We have a host of left tackles waiting to fight off these attacks, including mast cells, histamine, cytokines, inflammatory molecules, macrophages, neutrophils, and lymphocytes. Without these mediators to protect us, we would die in a few days. This article will give you some tips on how to support and boost your immune system.

The Defense System has four distinct areas; white blood cells, the lymphatic system, antigens that your bodies produce to fight bacteria and viruses, and your gut. Having all areas working in harmony with each other is critical for overall immune health. 

The gastrointestinal system or gut is responsible for 70% of our immunity. The gut is pretty complicated with multiple eco-systems within its 27 feet of length, and each section has a much different function in regards to how it handles nutrients and protects from the outside. I will focus on those areas most important to our immune health, considering that all areas are essential for overall good health.

One of the main functions of the stomach is acid production. Having adequate acid production serves as an acidic barrier keeping out pathogens that don't belong. If we don't have enough acid in our stomach, it will not be able to kill off bacteria, fungus, and viruses that enter our system by way of food, drink, and the air we breathe. Just think about patients chronically taking acid-lowering products like PPIs (omeprazole, pantoprazole, esomeprazole, and lansoprazole), H2 Blockers (Ranitidine and famotidine), and anti-acids and how these products make the stomach less acidic. Less acid = less protection.

The large intestine is the section where the majority of the bacteria and fungi reside. This collection of bacteria and fungi comprises the microbiome. The microbiome is in constant contact with your brain. The microbiome's purpose deals with digestion and the breakdown of our nutrients, but it also sends messages to the brain when they sense danger. Signals sent to the brain activate our white blood cells to mobilize and attack and destroy bacteria and viruses that are not welcome.

The 7 Systems of our body work together in homeostasis or balance.  The above example perfectly describes the need for these systems to be working together. We need our digestive system healthy to send messages to our brain and our communication system to allow our brain to accept these messages. Once the messages are received, we need the delivery system to mobilize the white blood cells. Think of the body as a symphony orchestra. When everyone is playing together, the music is incredible. 

The gut wall and lining are also physical barriers of our immune system. These barriers keep pathogens out of your system, another reason to take care of your gut. If you have a tear in the lining of your gut, also referred to as a leaky gut, the barrier keeping the bad guys out has become compromised, and this can affect your immune system as well.

Our body's response to injury or invasion is inflammation. I listed several mediators above that are part of this inflammatory cascade. Inflammation is normal, and it acts as a protection mechanism. What happens when we sprain our ankle? It becomes black and blue and swells up to limit our mobility. Our body is making a natural cast to protect the injured joint. Over time and with healing, the inflammation subsides, and the joint (hopefully) returns to its normal state.

Inflammation is a healthy response; however, inflammation that never subsides is an issue and a sign that your defense system needs help. This type of ongoing chronic inflammation is the basis for auto-immune diseases. These conditions occur when your body attacks itself, creating high-level inflammation that never subsides. Addressing the underlying cause of the inflammation vs. applying a band-aid is the best treatment. Fixing the 7 Systems is a great way to start the process.

Here are some signs that your Defense System is working against you:

•       Weight gain

•       Frequent Colds or flu

•       Periodontal disease

•       Skin problems

•       Chronic pain, joint pain with exercise, swollen joints, and inflammation

•       Infections – sinus, urinary tract, athlete's foot

•       Frequent antibiotic or anti-inflammatory use

If you look at the list and think I am speaking directly to you, it may be time to give your 7 Systems an overhaul. Keep in mind that the things you do today are the foundation for the next 20 years of your life regarding your health. Next week's article will review the Detox System, the last of the 7 Systems. It will be a summary of the 7 Systems, the blueprint to optimal health.

Stop by or call 701-483-4858 the pharmacy if you want more information on the 7 Systems Plan to regain your health. Please visit my website at www.irsfeldpharmacy.com to find a link to an overview of the 7 Systems Plan. You can also view archived articles in the blog section. Until next time, be vigilant about your health!!