Our immune system has got a full-time, highly demanding job. It works day and night constantly fighting at the front line and under-cover in secret missions to protect its master from invading organisms, viruses, bacteria and all sorts of micro creepy crawlies. In the dirty ditches of the human battle field, armed forces of white blood cells, natural killer cells and friendly bacteria patrol – poised and ready for action.
During early childhood and infancy these super soldiers receive their initiation training. Training camps are run by friendly micro organisms in our gut which proceed to teach our immune system to react appropriately to all sorts of foreign invaders in our blood stream. Protein, dairy or wheat particles are generally seen as allies and have the freedom to pass but nasties like the cold virus, E.Coli and other superbugs must be attacked, destroyed and evicted without disturbing the human master.
But sometimes we can get caught up in friendly fire. A lack of bacteria workforce, inattentive immune cell soldiers or a lack of military precision can lead to an over-reactive response and overkill. Over eager foot-soldiers mistake your own thyroid cells for WMD’s and start attacking, leaving you with an underactive thyroid. Others confuse dairy particles in your blood stream with invading organisms and suddenly you find yourself intolerant to milk buttons! And a lack of friendly bacteria in the colon makes way for over-proliferation of a harmful colony which can lead to bloating, flatulence and immune depression.
These are just a few faces of an ill-functioning immune system. A bunch of confused elite SAS super agents who lost their purpose and are in need of some serious soul searching and nutritional therapy!
The inner military organisation which we call the immune system has got a rescue and recovery team waiting in the wings. Sometimes this emergency service can be a little over enthusiastic and in battling against the perceived threat can release toxic chemicals, wipe out the friendly folk in our colon and cause tissue damage. These all fall under the ‘inflammation’ tag and are often the underlying triggers of pain, discomfort and symptoms of illness. From acne to arthritis, from CFS to eczema – the immune system is in hyper active mode and requires a carefully orchestrated reboot to the system in order to alleviate symptoms.
Whether you want to send your natural protectors to nutritional boot camp, reduce effects of an inflammatory condition or increase your resistance to disease and discomfort, a nutrition consultation may be your answer to create an elite inner force of immunity!
Tags: cold virus, few faces, initiation training, micro organisms, natural killer cells, secret missions, thyroid cells, underactive thyroid, waiting in the wings, white blood cells